Flight Safety Information March 16, 2018 - No. 055 In This Issue Incident: Indigo A320 at Hyderabad on Mar 14th 2018, engine problem Incident: United A320 at Tampa on Mar 15th 2018, flock of birds Accident: Nimbus AN12 at Yakutsk on Mar 15th 2018, cargo shift gilds runway Bell 206B Clips Powerlines (Alabama) Sikorsky HH-60 Pave Hawk Fatal Accident (Iraq) Flight Attendant Dies After Falling Off Parked Boeing 777 Flights to Hong Kong International Airport diverted to Macau and Shenzhen as heavy fog causes delays Global Africa Aviation and SaudiGulf Airlines pass IATA safety audit Pentagon hints budget woes possible factor in fighter jet crash off Key West Air Force jet lands after nose gear fails to deploy Orca Airways grounded by Transport Canada; Integra Air takes charge Nicosia to host regional flight safety conference in April Safe Flight Patents Tailstrike Warning System FAA Releases Aerospace Forecast FAA Is Looking For Air Traffic Controllers; Hiring Starts March 19 Prescott Support Company Achieves Safety Management System (SMS) Certification European airports align to support safety improvement programs The next big thing in airplane tech is becoming a nightmare for some airlines Decades Ago, Pilots Learned to "Fly by Instruments." Doctors Need to Do the Same Kepler Space Telescope Is Almost Out of Fuel Put your safety assessment skills into practice ISASI -2018 - CALL FOR PAPERS RESEARCH SURVEY BOOKS: The Air Crash Files: Thermal Runaway and JET BLAST POSITION AVAILABLE: AVIATION OPERATIONS SAFETY SPECIALIST Incident: Indigo A320 at Hyderabad on Mar 14th 2018, engine problem An Indigo Airbus A320-200, registration VT-IFX performing flight 6E-334 from Hyderabad to Raipur (India) with 115 people on board, was climbing out of Hyderabad's runway 09R when the crew stopped the climb at FL100 due to one of the engines (V2527) showing an excessive EGT. The aircraft returned to Raipur for a safe landing about 20 minutes after departure. A replacement A320-200 registration VT-INY reached Raipur with a delay of 3.5 hours. The occurence aircraft returned to service about 19 hours later. http://avherald.com/h?article=4b61f016&opt=256 Back to Top Incident: United A320 at Tampa on Mar 15th 2018, flock of birds A United Airbus A320-200, registration N433UA performing flight UA-2051 from Tampa,FL to San Francisco,CA (USA) with 132 passengers and 5 crew, was in the initial climb out of Tampa's runway 01L when the crew, still on tower frequency, reported they had taken a number of bird strikes during the takeoff roll, a number of bangs were heard, they weren't sure about any damage and wanted to continue their departure, a number of birds probably were on the runway. About a minute later the crew reported they had a problem with the pitot #2 and wanted to return. The aircraft levelled off at 6000 feet and entered a hold. A runway inspection found and recovered multiple birds on the runway. The flight crew decided to burn off fuel for about 3 hours and returned to Tampa for a safe landing on runway 01L about 3.5 hours after departure. A replacement A320-200 registration N453UA is estimated to reach San Francisco with a delay of 8 hours. https://flightaware.com/live/flight/UAL2051/history/20180315/1200Z/KTPA/KSFO http://avherald.com/h?article=4b61eea2&opt=256 Back to Top Accident: Nimbus AN12 at Yakutsk on Mar 15th 2018, cargo shift gilds runway A Nimbus Airlines Antonov AN-12, registration RA-11130 performing a freight flight from Yakutsk to Krasnojarsk (Russia) carrying a cargo of 9000kg of gold ingots, suffered a shift of its cargo upon departure from Yakutsk causing about 3400 kg of the cargo to break through the fuselage and become distributed over the runway. The aircraft managed to climb out, several airframe panels separated in flight and dropped into a local car park, and diverted to Magan about 6nm west of Yakutsk for a safe landing. There were no injuries, the aircraft sustained substantial damage. The East Siberian Investigation Department of Transport Russia reported first preliminary investigation results suggest the cargo was fastened incorrectly. Rosaviatsia reported the aircraft "dropped" its cargo following a cargo shift. The owner of the cargo, a Chukotka based gold mining company reported, that all 172 ingots, about 3400 kg of gold, dropped from the aircraft were recovered, all of the cargo was accounted for. The aircraft was enroute from Chukotka (East Siberia) to Krasnojarsk with a scheduled fuel stop at Yakutsk. The aircraft damage: The "gold-plated" runway: http://avherald.com/h?article=4b61d3ba&opt=256 ************** Date: 15-MAR-2018 Time: 13:15 Type: Antonov An-12BP Owner/operator: Kosmos Airlines Registration: 11130 C/n / msn: 02348205 Fatalities: Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: Other fatalities: 0 Airplane damage: Substantial Location: Yakutsk Airport (YKS/UEEE) - Russia Phase: Take off Nature: Cargo Departure airport: Yakutsk Airport (YKS/UEEE) Destination airport: Krasnoyarsk Airport (KJA/UNKL) Narrative: The An-12B suffered a partial failure of the rear cargo door during takeoff from Yakutsk Airport, Russia. Part of the cargo, consisting of gold concentrate ingots, fell onto the runway and the departure path, up to 26 km from the airport. A total of 172 ingots of gold, weighing 20 kg each, were collected from the runway. https://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/wiki.php?id=207576 Back to Top Bell 206B Clips Powerlines (Alabama) Date: 15-MAR-2018 Time: 13:00+ Type: Bell 206B Owner/operator: Shelby County Sheriff's Office Registration: C/n / msn: Fatalities: Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 2 Other fatalities: 0 Airplane damage: Unknown Location: St. Clair County, AL - United States of America Phase: Manoeuvring (airshow, firefighting, ag.ops.) Nature: Survey Departure airport: Destination airport: Narrative: During a search and rescue operation, the aircraft clipped powerlines and precautionary landed to St. Clair County terrain in Alabama. The helicopter sustained unreported damage and there were no reported injuries. https://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/wiki.php?id=207648 Back to Top Sikorsky HH-60 Pave Hawk Fatal Accident (Iraq) Date: 15-MAR-2018 Time: Type: Sikorsky HH-60 Pave Hawk Owner/operator: US Air Force (USAF) Registration: C/n / msn: Fatalities: Fatalities: / Occupants: 7 Airplane damage: Location: near al Qaim in western Anbar Province - Iraq Phase: En route Nature: Military Departure airport: Destination airport: Narrative: The helicopter crashed under unknown circumstances. The number of occupants killed is unknown. https://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/wiki.php?id=207646 Back to Top Flight Attendant Dies After Falling Off Parked Boeing 777 An Emirates flight attendant died after falling off of a Boeing 777 plane parked on the tarmac. The incident occured on Wednesday at the Entebbe International Airport in Uganda. Flight EK 729 arrived from Dubai to Entebbe around 2 p.m. local time (7 a.m. EST) and was scheduled to take off again towards Dubai at 3.25 p.m. The circumstances of the incident, which occurred while no passengers were on board, are currently under investigation. "A female member of the cabin crew appeared to have opened the emergency door and unfortunately fell off an Emirates aircraft that had safely landed and parked," read a press release issued by the CAA shortly after the incident took place. A Boeing 777 measures more than 60 feet in height. The woman was taken to a hospital with life-threatening injuries. Emirates has yet to identify the cabin crew member by her name and nationality. Vianney Luggya, a spokesperson for the Ugandan Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), told Newsweek on Thursday that the woman died on Wednesday evening, having sustained serious injuries to her head. The airline has yet to reply to a request for comment from Newsweek, but an Emirates spokesperson confirmed the incident to the Khaleej Times. "We can confirm that a member of our cabin crew unfortunately fell off from an open door while preparing the aircraft for boarding on flight EK729 from Entebbe on 14 March. The injured crew member was brought to the nearest hospital," the spokesperson said. "We are providing all possible support and care for the affected crew, and will extend our full co-operation to the authorities in their investigation." https://www.yahoo.com/news/flight-attendant-dies-falling-off-123259740.html Back to Top Flights to Hong Kong International Airport diverted to Macau and Shenzhen as heavy fog causes delays Affected aircraft include at least seven operated by Cathay Pacific and three by Hong Kong Airlines Thick fog and poor visibility around Hong Kong International Airport led to a dozen flights from as far as Europe and North America being diverted to Macau and Shenzhen on Friday morning, as well as average flight delays of up to an hour. The diverted aircraft included at least seven operated by Cathay Pacific Airways and three by Hong Kong Airlines between 6am and 8am. Flights from Los Angeles, London, Johannesburg, Auckland and Bangkok were among those affected. Two cargo planes, including one operated by Singapore Airlines, were also diverted. A blanket of fog covers Victoria Harbour at about 8am on Friday. Photo: Xiaomei Chen According to a flight tracking website, the average delay at 10am was one hour for departing flights. No significant delays were shown for arrival flights. A spokeswoman for the Airport Authority said 10 arrival flights had been delayed due to the foggy weather. When asked about the number of delayed flights, the airport operator did not provide figures. Visibility was reduced to as little as 330 metres at the airport, according to the Hong Kong Observatory. A photo posted on social media that was taken next to a plane on the airport tarmac showed how the wing tip of the aircraft, as well as the plane in front of it, could barely be seen in the heavy fog. Cathay Pacific said in a statement: "Seven Cathay Pacific flights inbound to Hong Kong were diverted this morning to Macao and Shenzhen due to low visibility at Hong Kong International Airport. "The flights will depart for Hong Kong as soon as the situation permits. Passengers with onward connections from Hong Kong will be assisted by our airport team." As Hong Kong's biggest airline, Cathay Pacific was disproportionately affected. Most of its diverted planes had returned to Hong Kong by Friday afternoon, but a flight from Los Angeles flight remained in Shenzhen while one from Paris flight was still in Macau. Hong Kong Airlines, the city's third largest carrier, similarly had one Bangkok and Auckland flight parked in Shenzhen as of 3pm. The airline said its stranded passengers had been looked and were given onboard refreshments. It added that staff members on standby had been dispatched to help return the diverted flight to Hong Kong. A knock-on effect on the morning roster of flights continued into the afternoon according to Flight Radar 24. Hong Kong remained among the top five airports around the world to suffer major delays on flights taking off. http://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/economy/article/2137436/flights-hong-kong-international-airport-diverted-macau-and Back to Top Global Africa Aviation and SaudiGulf Airlines pass IATA safety audit Global Africa Aviation of Zimbabwe and SaudiGulf Airlines of Saudi Arabia pass IATA safety audit both passed the IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA). Global Africa Aviation was founded in 2014 and operates two McDonnell Douglas MD-11F cargo aircraft. SaudiGulf Airlines started operating flights in 2016 and uses four newly delivered Airbus A320-232 aircraft, connecting Damman, Jeddah, Riyadh, Abha and Dubai. The IOSA programme is an evaluation system designed to assess the operational management and control systems of an airline. IOSA uses internationally recognised quality audit principles and is designed to conduct audits in a standardised and consistent manner. It was created in 2003 by IATA. All IATA members are IOSA registered and must remain registered to maintain IATA membership. More information: • IATA Registry Global Africa Aviation • IATA Registry SaudiGulf Airlines https://news.aviation-safety.net/2018/03/15/global-africa-aviation-and-saudigulf-airlines-pass-iata-safety-audit/ Back to Top Pentagon hints budget woes possible factor in fighter jet crash off Key West WASHINGTON -- The Pentagon acknowledged Thursday that budget shortfalls have eroded military capabilities, including training and flight hours, but stopped short of blaming those cutbacks for the crash of a U.S. Navy fighter jet that killed both crew members. Dana White, Pentagon spokeswoman, said the cause of the F/A-18 Super Hornet crash Wednesday off the coast of Key West, Florida, is still under investigation. But she was asked if there was a link between the crash and persistent military complaints about reductions in flying hours and other training cutbacks because Congress hasn't approved the 2018 budget. "It's important that we not necessarily draw a direct correlation, but it is important that we have stable funding. That has been our message to the Congress and to the American people for the last several months," said White. "Capabilities erode. And things are delayed." Marine Lt. Gen. Kenneth McKenzie, director of the Joint Staff, said military readiness is a key priority, but it's not clear how it affected the aircraft or the deaths of the crew. He added, however, that "pilots are going to be flying more and training is going to pick up." The Super Hornet was on approach to land at the naval air station in Key West around 4:30 p.m. when it crashed into shallow water about a mile east of the runway. Both the pilot and weapons-system officer ejected and were pulled out of the water. U.S. Naval Air Forces said late Wednesday that both had died. Image posted on social media show scene after F/A-18 Super Hornet Navy fighter jet crashed off Key West, Florida on March 14, 2018 The aviators have been identified as Lt. Cmdr. James Brice Johnson and Lt. Caleb Nathaniel King, both Florida residents, Naval Air Forces said. Johnson, a Naval aviator and 2007 graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy, was piloting the jet when the incident occurred while King, a 2012 U.S. Naval Academy graduate, was serving as the Weapons Systems Operator. April Phillips, a spokeswoman for the Naval Safety Center in Norfolk, Virginia, said there have been 25 serious mishaps involving F/A-18 Super Hornets since fiscal year 2008. They resulted in four deaths - including the two Wednesday - and the loss of 11 aircraft. The other two fatalities were in 2011. All 25 were considered "Class A," which means a crew member died or the plane suffered at least $2 million in damage. There were five incidents last year, the most of any year in the past decade, and all remain under investigation. There was one mishap in 2016. Phillips did not offer an explanation for the spike in serious mishaps in 2017, saying there wasn't "a common cause" or "smoking gun." Navy Cdr. Dave Hecht, spokesman for Naval Air Force Atlantic, said the squadron took the day off from training Thursday in order to grieve. Other squadrons in Carrier Air Wing Eight were briefed on the mishap and then resumed normal training operations. Barbie Wilson, who lives near Naval Air Station Key West, said she saw the crash from her pickup while running an errand. "It was going in to land, and all of a sudden, the whole thing flipped sideways and I saw a fireball," witness Barbie Wilson told CBS News. "Then the plane just dropped out of the sky." Wilson said her husband later told her he had heard two loud booms from their house nearby. She said the plane landed upside down in water that's barely deep enough for a kayak. "It was just a matter of minutes, and there were rescue helicopters," she said. "You can't get to it by boat or car." Justin Duane Hults, who also lives near the base, said the roar of the jet's engines sounded abnormal right before the crash. "They were coming in to land like they always do," he said. "But (the engines) got real loud and then really quiet instead of (the roar) being long and drawn out." He said he later saw rescuers pull the crew from the water. Hecht said the Super Hornet remains in the water where it crashed and will stay there until the investigation is complete. That investigation will include a review of aircraft maintenance, number of hours flown on the aircraft, physical condition of the aircrew and their activities prior to the accident. The aircraft crew is based out of Naval Air Station Oceana, in Virginia Beach, Virginia. The Super Hornet is a twin-engine fighter jet that is larger than the single-seat F/A-18 Hornet. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/pentagon-hints-budget-woes-a-factor-in-fighter-jet-crash-off-key-west/ Back to Top Air Force jet lands after nose gear fails to deploy A C-5M Galaxy cargo plane landed on its nose Thursday afternoon at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, but none of the 11 crew members was injured, the Air Force said. The aircraft reported that its front landing gear did not deploy after a routine training flight. "It's very close to the Boeing hangars, so it used the majority - I would say - half of the runway," said Maj. Timothy Wade, a spokesman for the 433rd Airlift Wing at JBSA-Lackland, adding that he could not say how badly the aircraft was damaged. The accident is the first in years, but Wade couldn't say when the last incident occurred. The Air Force Reserve wing flies eight Super Galaxy cargo planes, the largest in the the service's inventory, and its 356th Airlift Squadron and 733rd Training Squadron routinely do training missions over San Antonio. Another unit on the base, the 68th Airlift Squadron, does local training missions as well but often flies overseas. The flight Thursday was a training mission that involved pilots, flight engineers and loadmasters. The crew discovered the nose gear wasn't lowering, as it should, when it prepared to return for a landing at Lackland and declared an in-flight emergency. Wade said he didn't know if a fire broke out after the plane landed on the runway, but Air Force firefighters and security forces were on the scene. A board of officers will investigate the mishap. The Air Force last summer ordered a stand-down of all 56 of its giant C-5 cargo planes to repair the nose landing gear. The order, given in early August by the Air Mobility Command, grounded the 433rd Airlift Wing's Super Galaxies, which are often seen flying over U.S. 151 and U.S. 90 in Southwest San Antonio. The mobility command ended the stand-down about a month after all the planes were examined and repaired. C-5 maintainers were told to replace ball screw assembly parts across the fleet to ensure compliance with standards of performance and maximize aircrew safety. The devices are in the nose landing gear. At the same it grounded the planes to repair the landing gear, the command also issued a policy restricting kneel operations on all C-5 aircraft to mission-essential requirements only. Kneel operations allow the plane to be lowered close to the ground to facilitate loading and unloading. That problem was fixed as well, said Wade, who could not elaborate about the potential causes of Thursday's nose gear malfunction. "All I can say is the incident is under investigation," he said. https://www.expressnews.com/news/local/article/Air-Force-jet-lands-after-nose-gear-fails-to-12757197.php Back to Top Orca Airways grounded by Transport Canada; Integra Air takes charge • Orca Airlines has a fleet of 20 aircraft, including Beechcraft King Air 100 and 200 planes, and Piper Navajo Chieftains. Orca Airways planes have been grounded by Transport Canada, but the company's new operator is using its own aircraft from Alberta to maintain flights between Vancouver Island and the Lower Mainland. This is the second time in recent weeks that Transport Canada has cracked down on B.C.-based airlines serving Vancouver Island. Island Express Air is not operating after one it its planes crashed in a raspberry field at Abbotsford on Feb. 23. Two people received non-life-threatening injuries. Island Express has suspended service to destinations such as Nanaimo, Victoria and Comox and states on its website that it is working with Transport Canada. On Thursday, Transport Canada announced that it pulled Vancouver-based Orca Airways' operator certificate because of repeated violations of safety rules. "The department identified several areas where the company is not meeting regulatory requirements, including maintenance, operational control, documentation and quality assurance," the federal agency said in a statement. As a result, the 12-year-old company's 20 aircraft cannot operate commercial flights. Orca's passenger and cargo service includes Victoria, Tofino, Qualicum Beach, Vancouver and Abbotsford. Transport Canada said Orca cannot resume service "until it proves it can keep its operations consistently compliant with aviation safety regulations." Integra Air of Calgary has been contracted by Orca to operate the service, said John Macek, owner of Integra. The Alberta company is flying its own planes to serve Orca's routes and using its own operator certificate. Orca is continuing to take reservations and flights are continuing, Macek said. Integra has brought in a Jetstream 31, with room for 19 passengers, and a Beechcraft King Air, with capacity for up to 12 passengers. A third aircraft is arriving from Alberta and that will allow Qualicum Beach service to resume Saturday. One flight was cancelled today. Integra, operating as Bar XH, has taken over the maintenance and training for Orca, and is running operations with its own management team, Macek said. Maintenance staff have increased to 23 from 12 and the former director of maintenance from Calgary has been brought in, Macek said. "We've made significant changes." After Transport Canada issued notice to Orca, Macek said the firm spent close to $1 million to develop what is called a "corrective action plan" to address concerns. Integra came in six weeks ago to work flat-out. Each of Orca's planes must be checked from "tail to nose" to meet Transport Canada requirements as well as company standards, he said. "We have an extremely robust quality assurance program," Macek said. "We do have a lot of new policies in our safety system that we bring to Orca, as well as our training programs, including pilots, and our quality programs. They are very, very modern." Integra, with 11 planes and one helicopter, has an excellent safety record, Macek said. The first four aircraft should be ready in a couple of weeks, Macek said. That process is expected to be wrapped up in a few months. Orca's management team has been replaced, with the exception of company founder Andrew Naysmith, who is remaining for at least a year. Macek said a decision has not yet been made on whether to purchase Orca. Future plans in B.C. are to increase service levels and flight frequency, but no details have been worked out yet, Macek said. http://www.timescolonist.com/news/local/orca-airways-grounded-by-transport-canada-integra-air-takes-charge-1.23202677 Back to Top Nicosia to host regional flight safety conference in April Air traffic controllers in Nicosia A regional flight safety conference will be hosted on April 13, in Nicosia. The conference which focuses on the north-eastern Mediterranean and the Middle East aims to discuss the particular challenges in aviation and flight safety in the region given the conflicts and the political situation in these areas, a press release by FSF-MED said. It will be chaired by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) and will include speakers from many European and international organisations such as Eurocontrol, Easa, Iata, Canso and Ifatsea, as well as representatives from air traffic control of Cyprus, Greece, Italy, Malta, Israel and Egypt. The conference is expected to adopt proposals for a more effective regional cooperation in the important sectors of air traffic and flight safety. According to an announcement, it is expected that one such proposal will be the establishment of a permanent coordinating committee on the basis of a Memorandum of Understanding which will be signed. The conference is also expected to discuss the dangers for Nicosia's FIR as result of Turkey's and the north's illegal actions, it says. FSF-MED's Director Christos Petrou said that in meetings recently in Brussels with senior EU and Icao officials it was confirmed that Turkey is trying to usurp part of Cyprus' FIR. http://cyprus-mail.com/2018/03/09/nicosia-host-regional-flight-safety-conference-april/ Back to Top Safe Flight Patents Tailstrike Warning System The system relates AOA to ground proximity to prevent structural damage. Safe Flight's Tailstrike Warning System could help prevent major damage to airframes. White Plains, New York-based Safe Flight Instrument Corporation has patented a system that can alert pilots and help them avoid tail strike scenarios. The "Tailstrike Warning System" relates angle-of-attack rather than pitch guidance to ground proximity. The system also helps predict a tail strike threat in the case of a sloped runway. Because the warning system relates to AOA, it can be incorporated with existing systems and won't increase the pilot's workload. A tail strike during the takeoff or landing phase can cause major damage to an airframe, especially one with a stretched fuselage. The threat is particularly strong for larger, heavier aircraft where changes in loading impact pitch effectiveness. Of particular concern is the potential for structural damage that is hard to detect. While Safe Flight has received a patent for the Tailstrike Warning System, it has not yet been certified. However, once certification is complete, the system will be available for any type of aircraft, said Safe Flight's executive vice president Matthew Greene. Pricing has not yet been released. https://www.flyingmag.com/safe-flight-patents-tailstrike-warning-system Back to Top FAA Releases Aerospace Forecast WASHINGTON - All indicators show that air travel in the United States is strong and according to the FAA Aerospace Forecast Fiscal Years (FY) 2018-2038, the trend will continue. This is occurring while American air travelers are experiencing the highest levels of safety in modern aviation history. The FAA forecasts U.S. airline enplanements (passengers) will increase from 840.8 million in 2017 to 1.28 billion in 2038, an increase of more than 400 million passengers. Domestic enplanements are set to increase 4.7 percent in 2018 and then grow at an average rate of 1.7 percent per year during the remaining 20-year forecast period. International enplanements are forecast to increase 5.0 percent in 2018 and then grow an average of 3.3 percent per year for the rest of the forecast period. Revenue Passenger Miles (RPMs) are the industry standard for measuring air travel demand. An RPM represents one revenue passenger traveling one mile. The FAA forecasts U.S. airline system RPMs to grow at an average rate of 2.5 percent per year between 2017 through 2038, with international RPMs projected too have average annual increases of 3.2 percent per year during the forecast period. A key to meeting this growth in air travel, while maintaining high levels of safety and efficiency, is to ensure we have the necessary infrastructure to meet demand. Underscoring this point, the FAA forecasts total operations (landings and take-offs) at FAA and contract towers to reach 51.0 million in 2018 and grow to 60.5 million in 2038. The Department of Transportation (DOT) and the FAA are planning for this growth in air travel with robust infrastructure investments through the Airport Improvement Program. Air traffic modernization is rapidly moving towards satellite navigation technologies and procedures which will continue to allow enhanced navigation for more aircraft. The forecast also highlights the phenomenal growth in the use of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), often referred to as drones. The FAA projects the small model hobbyist UAS fleet to more than double from an estimated 1.1 million vehicles in 2017 to 2.4 million units by 2022. The commercial, small non-model UAS fleet is set to grow from 110,604 in 2017 to 451,800 in 2022. The number of remote pilots is set to increase from 73,673 in 2017 to 301,000 in 2022. In addition to UAS, another rapidly growing aerospace field is the FAA's licensing, oversight and regulation of commercial space transportation activities. The FAA projects that commercial space launch and re-entry operations may triple from 22 in 2017 to as high as 61 operations in 2020. The FAA aerospace forecast is the industry-wide standard of measurement of U.S. aviation-related activities. This stems from the enormous variety of data, trends and other factors the agency uses to develop it, such as generally accepted economic projections, surveys and information sent by the airlines to the DOT. Additionally, the scope of the report looks at all facets of aviation including commercial air travel, air cargo, and private general aviation. https://www.aviation.ca/2018031422785/news/international/us/federal-aviation-administration/22785-news-and-updates-faa-releases-aersospace-forecast Back to Top FAA Is Looking For Air Traffic Controllers; Hiring Starts March 19 Most will require applying through USAJOBS, but some intern and entry-level programs will have a different process, the FAA states on its website. Looking for a job or career change? The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is hiring. The FAA will begin hiring experienced Air Traffic Controllers on March 19. Former military and contract tower controllers. Search for FAA Jobs FAA applications can be accepted through various mechanisms, depending on what job or program you are interested in. Most will require applying through USAJOBS, but some intern and entry-level programs will have a different process, the FAA states on its website. Former military and contract tower controllers can visit the FAA's website for general hiring and benefits information. http://www.wfmynews2.com/article/news/nation-world/faa-is-looking-for-air-traffic-controllers-hiring-starts-march-19/83-528344007 Back to Top Prescott Support Company Achieves Safety Management System (SMS) Certification MYRTLE BEACH, S.C., March 15, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Prescott Support Company is proud to announce that it has been certified by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) as having met all requirements for a fully functional Safety Management System (SMS). This is a voluntary program in which participants implement SMS methods and regulations to improve safety for clients and employees and signifies that Prescott has successfully implemented an SMS aligned with U.S. and international standards. The FAA SMS Voluntary Program is built upon the requirements contained in 14 CFR Part 5 Aviation Safety Management System Requirements and FAA Order VS 8000.367 as well as the SMS framework specified by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) in ICAO Annex 6 and the ICAO Safety Management Manual. Prescott was notified of its acceptance into the SMS program following a rigorous validation and credentialing process conducted by the Certificate Management Team and FAA AFS-900 officials. Achieving "Active Conformance" certification - the highest status and SMS participant can achieve - validates that Prescott has implemented all required safety protocols to meet the requirements of the program. "By joining the FAA's Safety Management System, we are adding another layer of safety and security to all our operations," said Dale Wright, Director of Safety at Prescott. "We are dedicated to making safety one of our top priorities, and we're proud to join others around the world in this program." Prescott is a U.S.-certificated, Part 135 On-Demand Air Carrier-a global provider of tailored transportation services for passengers and air freight, including time-critical, high-value, and out-sized cargo. Learn more at https://www.prescottsupport.com/. Contact: Jim McKinney Prescott Support Company 1154 Airdrome Ave Hanger 359 Myrtle Beach, SC 29577 (O) (843)828-4400 www.prescottsupport.com https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/prescott-support-company-achieves-safety-management-system-sms-certification-300614457.html Back to Top European airports align to support safety improvement programs A dozen European airports joined forces to support surface movement safety improvement pro-grams under the European Union's project in air traffic management modernization, SESAR. The "Unifying Safety Nets & Surface Movement" alliance aims at "harmonizing and synchronizing" the deployment of safety systems at airports. Higher airport throughput, cost-effectiveness and environmental benefits are sought, too. The improvement programs started before the alliance was created and are at the implementation stage-most slated for completion in 2019 or 2020. France's Groupe Aeroports de Paris leads the project. Partner airports can be found in Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Sweden and the UK. Dublin airport plans to install advanced visual docking guidance systems (A-VDGS) on contact and remote stands. An A-VDGS uses an infrared laser and 3D scanning technique to provide guid-ance to pilots. At Brussels Airport, vehicle tracking will be improved. In Munich, those vehicles operating in the maneuvering area will be fitted with systems for enhancing situational awareness, in a bid to reduce the risk of runway incursions. At Manchester Airport, the situational awareness of controllers, pilots and ground vehicle drivers is hoped to be improved thanks to a surveillance display showing the position of all aircraft and vehicles. Air France, which is also participating along with the airports, is equipping its Airbus A320 fleet (flying over Europe) and A330 fleet (flying to Africa, the US and Asia) with a runway overrun prevention system. http://atwonline.com/air-traffic-management/european-airports-align-support-safety-improvement-programs Back to Top The next big thing in airplane tech is becoming a nightmare for some airlines FILE PHOTO: Bombardier's CS300 Aircraft, showing its Pratt & Whitney engine in the foreground, sits in the hangar prior to its test flight in Mirabel, Qubec, Canada February 27, 2015. REUTERS/Christinne Muschi/File Photo • Pratt & Whitney's new PurePower geared turbofan engines are designed to be cleaner, quieter, more powerful, and more fuel-efficient than existing jet engines. • The engines will power the next generation of narrow-body airliners from Airbus, Bombardier, Embraer, Mitsubishi, and United Aircraft Corp. • But the engines have been plagued by a series of teething problems that have slowed aircraft deliveries, increased maintenance costs, and a forced the Indian government to ground a fleet of planes. • Pratt & Whitney is expected to overcome the challenges. Pratt & Whitney's new PurePower line of geared turbofan engines is the next big thing in airplane tech. For commercial aviation engines, it's supposed to be the biggest step forward in 30 years. They are set to power the next generation of narrow-body commercial airliners from Airbus, Bombardier, Embraer, Mitsubishi, and Russia's United Aircraft Corp. Pratt & Whitney PurePower is the sole engine supplier for Bombardier's revolutionary composite C Series airliner. In 2016, Richard Anderson, then CEO of Delta Air Lines called the engine "the first true innovation" to hit airline industry since the Boeing Dreamliner revolutionized carbon-composite airframes. So far, the Connecticut-based subsidiary of United Technologies Corp. has committed a couple of decades and roughly $10 billion to develop its geared turbofan (GTF) technology. Unfortunately, it looks as if we'll have to wait a bit longer for this piece of newfangled equipment to hit its stride. Even though PurePower engines entered service in 2016, the number of aircraft using the engine remains limited because of a number of teething problems. GTF powered Airbus A321neo. Airbus The first issues came to light that year when Qatar Airways' Airbus A320neos experienced uneven cooling in their GTF engines. Uneven cooling could lead to deformations and parts rubbing against one another while prolonging turnaround times between flights. As a result, the airline deemed the engines unable to meet its performance requirements. In December, Qatar replaced its troubled order for 50 A32oneos with an order for 50 larger A321neos. This time around, the airline is expected to use engines from rival CFM International instead of Pratt & Whitney. In February, IndiGo, an Indian low-cost airline, announced it had to replace 69 engines in 18 months on its fleet of around 30 A320neo jets, Bloomberg reported. Around the same time, Airbus had to temporarily halt deliveries of GTF-powered jets because of on-going issues with the engine. The problems culminated with India's aviation authority, DGCA, grounding 11 PurePower GTF-powered Airbus A320neo jets. According to the Economic Times, the decision was made after GTF powered Airbus jets suffered three midflight engine failures in two weeks. The failures have been attributed to an issue with a seal in the engine's high-pressure compressor. A Pratt & Whitney PW1100G-JM undergoing tests in West Palm Beach, Florida. Pratt & Whitney In a statement to Business Insider, Pratt & Whitney said it was aware of the decision made by the DGCA and that it, along with Airbus, is fully committed to maintaining the airworthiness of its planes. The statement went on to explain that Pratt & Whitney took immediate action last month after identifying an issue related to the knife-edge seal in the high-pressure compressor of 43 PW1100G-JM engines designed for the Airbus A320neo. Pratt received "all necessary approvals" from European aviation regulators for the changes it made to the engine by February 21, the company said. According to Pratt & Whitney, it began shipping updated engines by March 1. It should be noted that modern twin-engine jetliners are designed to operate on a single engine. Pratt & Whitney's new geared turbofan engine is still a game changer The idea of a geared turbofan engine centers on the principle of a bypass ratio. Modern turbofan engines produce thrust in two manners. First, there are the compressors and combustion chamber at its core. It's the part of the engine we most commonly associate with a jet. Then there's the fan at the front of the powerplant that's driven by the jet core. It directs air through bypass compartments around the core of the engine. The bypass ratio is the proportion of the air that bypasses the core versus the amount that goes through it. Generally speaking, a higher bypass ratio means quieter, more efficient, and more powerful engines. A PW1100G-JM engine on the production line. Pratt & Whitney In conventional turbofan engines, a bypass ratio reach can reach as high as 9-to-1. Pratt's PurePower GTF engines have a bypass ratio of 12-to-1. To increase bypass ratio, engine manufacturers have to increase the length of its fan blades. However, if elongated enough, the speeds achieved at the tip of the blades will be so fast that it generates unwanted vibrations. This is where the "gear" in geared turbofan comes into the picture, aviation industry analyst Richard Aboulafia told Business Insider. "You can get as high as eight or 10-to-1 without a gear, but to move beyond that ratio you need something to slow down the fans so they don't go too fast basically," Aboulafia said. "And the gearbox does that for you." According to Pratt & Whitney, its engine's gearbox doesn't just slow the fan, like the transmission in a car; it also helps the fan spin at its optimal speed. And the results are incredible. Airbus Compared to current generation engines, Pratt claims it can achieve 16% better fuel efficiency and 50% lower emissions and is 75% quieter. In fact, SWISS and Air Baltic have reported their GTF powered C Series jets have returned even better fuel economy than Bombardier's projections. Fortunately for Pratt & Whitney, all the problems the company's next-generation engines have encountered do not point to fundamental flaws with the technology and can be fixed, Aboulafia said. It'll just take time. http://www.businessinsider.com/pratt-and-whitney-geared-turbofan-engines-trouble-for-airlines-2018-3 Back to Top Decades Ago, Pilots Learned to "Fly by Instruments." Doctors Need to Do the Same In a landmark 2016 study Johns Hopkins researchers estimated that more than 250,000 Americans die each year from treatment-related mistakes, making medical error the third-leading cause of death in the United States. As a former military flight surgeon trained in aviation accident investigations, I know well the hazards of misusing or mistrusting instruments. In contrast to health care, aviation has been an early adopter of decision-support technology - the "fly by wire" flight-control computers that prevent unsafe operation of the aircraft and reduce maintenance costs and pilot workloads. Due to the progressive digitization of the cockpit and pilot decision support, flying by and trusting instruments is now essential for avoiding accidents. The U.S. Department of Defense's new F-35 aircraft is so advanced that the pilot interacts continuously through a "heads-up" digital display projected on the helmet, providing total situational awareness. Pilots who aren't adept at working with computer interfaces and don't trust algorithms to help fly the aircraft will not just perform poorly, they'll crash on takeoff. Though health care is still in the early stages of adopting AI and digital technologies, it is already making great strides. In radiology such technology will augment human competence in image recognition. Digital technology now assists with detection of diabetic retinopathy, heart arrhythmias, and dermatologic diseases. Diabetes care will be enhanced through wearable sensors and AI to detect or prevent harmful hypoglycemic episodes. Remote monitoring will prevent or detect deterioration in chronic conditions such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and congestive heart failure, reducing costly hospital re-admissions. And technology has the potential to connect medical professionals across the continuum of care, reducing the potential for patients to fall through the cracks. But to realize the full potential of AI and other digital technologies we will need to overhaul medical education for future physicians and nurses and rethink professional development for current caregivers. How technology is changing the design and delivery of care. In medical education today, students acquire medical knowledge via memorization and gain experience and good judgment through lengthy apprenticeships. Their degree of competence as physicians will depend on what information they retain and what clinical experiences they are exposed to in the course of their careers. Professional development often consists of training provided by medical device manufacturers and pharma reps, which leads to highly variable levels of proficiency among caregivers. And gaining proficiency often means practicing on patients. Professional development, like education, needs to incorporate more digital technologies and simulation platforms to reduce variability in competence and experiences. And caregivers must learn to trust AI and digital technologies to augment their clinical judgment. Every year there appear more predictive models capable of foreseeing outcomes and complications of treatments, practices, medications, and procedures. Yet, as anyone who routinely attends mortality and morbidity conferences in hospitals knows, there is the recurring problem of individual clinicians overriding available specific patient data or altering proper care as a result of confirmation bias, leading to medical errors. By better teaching students and practitioners how to fly by instruments and to trust those instruments, we could both improve training and solve many of the problems that lead to those medical errors: In medical education and professional development, cognitive computing and robust simulation platforms can shorten training times and provide safer environments for learners to make mistakes. Simulation platforms allow better training to standards and can be adjusted to the learner's pace of learning. They also allow in-depth training in tasks, demonstration of cognitive knowledge, exercise of judgment, and improvement in team dynamics. Digital health assistants (also known as digital coaches and virtual assistants) can help doctors take a more complete patient history and augment patient education. AI-enabled technologies can help provide more accurate diagnoses earlier (studies have shown 20% to 30% of initial diagnoses are wrong) and provide more accurate treatment plans. AI technologies and digitization will also be critical for helping create the "learning health system" envisioned in the federal "Precision Medicine Initiative" inaugurated in 2015 (and now known as "All of Us"). Prompted by that initiative, the leaders of the federal health agencies (of which I was one as assistant secretary of defense for health affairs) embarked upon an unprecedented collaboration in bio-medical research to transform scientific evidence to support health care decisions and public health. The initiative includes assessing the landscape of data available to clinicians and patients for use in clinical decision making, identifying opportunities for enhancing the available body of clinical evidence, and initiating demonstration projects that use digital data from government sources and payers, providers, and patients. The work that the federal leaders in health care have undertaken will help produce the instruments that providers and health systems can use to improve effectiveness and efficiency of care: Neural networks will be able to mine medical records, design personalized treatment plans, accelerate new drug discovery, and help mitigate social determinants - like housing, education, availability of nutritious food, neighborhood violence, and more - of adverse health outcomes. The virtual-reality and gaming technology will provide better and more efficient skills development and will also improve patient engagement in their own well-being. Wearable sensors will provide the platform for connected health systems and proactive management of chronic disease to prevent deterioration. The "internet of medical things," connecting health care providers with medical monitoring devices, could make the home the front line in health care, where chemotherapy, dialysis, antibiotics, and other treatments could safely be delivered, using AI and digital decision-support technologies. Enhanced data analytics and modeling will open opportunities for personalized health-management strategies and better population-health management. As the authors of the Johns Hopkins study pointed out, medical errors aren't due to inherently bad doctors but often due to systemic problems, including poorly coordinated care, fragmented insurance networks, the absence or underuse of safety nets, and other protocols, in addition to unwarranted variation in physician practice patterns that lack accountability. AI and digitization hold out the promise of addressing those problems - pulling together fragmented networks, coordinating care, standardizing protocols and practices, and providing the ultimate safety net in "fly by instruments" decision support. https://hbr.org/2018/03/decades-ago-pilots-learned-to-fly-by-instruments-doctors-need-to-do-the-same Back to Top Kepler Space Telescope Is Almost Out of Fuel The exoplanet-hunting telescope is on its last legs. After an extraordinarily durable run, NASA's Kepler space telescope is finally running out of gas. The agency expects Kepler to burn the last of its fuel within the next several months, ending nine years of incredible science searching for planets beyond the solar system. Trailing behind the Earth as it orbits the sun, the space telescope has located more than 2,500 confirmed exoplanets. Launched in 2009, Kepler is designed to scan the skies for planets by detecting the dip in brightness of their host stars as the planets pass in front. The space telescope's primary mission was only to last three and a half years, but after "outstanding success," its mission was extended through 2016. However, mechanical problems began to plague the space telescope in 2012 and 2013. Two of its reaction wheels failed, which are used to point the telescope at target stars and their orbiting planets. The telescope still works, but the craft carrying it could not stabilize the optical components, threatening to end the mission. But then NASA found a fix. "Using the sun and the two remaining reaction wheels, engineers have devised an innovative technique to stabilize and control the spacecraft in all three directions of motion," NASA explained at the time. "To achieve the necessary stability, the orientation of the spacecraft must be nearly parallel to its orbital path around the sun." The new jury rigging technique marked the beginning of the K2 mission. Although the spacecraft is tipped over, it can use solar wind particles to keep stabilized. The method was a resounding success. Within months, the K2 campaign had already discovered its first exoplanet, a super-earth known as HIP 116454b. K2 has focused on densely packed clusters of stars to look for planetary transits, the blips in a star's light from a planet circling around it. This second mission has discovered over 300 exoplanets and spotted almost 500 more candidates. In its reborn state, scientists thought K2 would only have enough gas for 10 transit-searching campaigns. Defying expectations yet again, the telescope is currently on its 17th campaign. There's no gas gauge on the spacecraft, so NASA has been relying on telltale signs like drops in the fuel tank's pressure and changes in the performance of K2's thrusters to estimate how much the spacecraft has left. There haven't been any warning signs yet, but NASA is growing cautious. The agency hopes to end science operations with enough fuel left over to direct the craft back to Earth. The Kepler space observatory has found more exoplanets than any other observatory, a resounding success that no one could have imagined when the craft launch nearly a decade ago. https://www.popularmechanics.com/space/telescopes/a19444952/kepler-space-telescope-is-almost-out-of-fuel/ Back to Top Put your safety assessment skills into practice http://saiblog.cranfield.ac.uk/ Are you looking to acquire practical experience in conducting a system safety assessment (SSA) on an aircraft? Our upcoming continuing professional development (CPD) programme will provide you with the relevant skills and knowledge: Applied Safety Assessment Workshop: 06 - 10 Aug 2018 This course brings together the considerable expertise of RGW Cherry and Associates and Cranfield University, to deliver a level of training that is world-class. The course combines theoretical teaching with hands-on, practical sessions. You will carry out safety analyses on a system installed on an aircraft using drawings, schematics and the actual aircraft as appropriate. These analyses will form an integral part of the workshop objective of producing a comprehensive SSA. Read the Safety and Accident Investigation blog Key topics include: • Functional hazard assessment (FHA) • Particular risks • Enhanced fault tree analysis (EFTA) • Failure mode and effects analysis (FMEA) • Zonal safety analysis The Cranfield Safety and Accident Investigation Centre (CSAIC) offers an extensive range of CPD programmes, which provide insight and knowledge to support accident investigators. We also provide safety and accident investigation consultancy services and would love to speak to you about your organisation's particular requirements. Contact an advisor: shortcourse@cranfield.ac.uk T: +44 (0)1234 754189 Back to Top Back to Top RESEARCH SURVEY Dear Participants, You are being asked to participate in a research study of your opinions of criminalization in aviation accidents. This study is expected to take approximately 10 minutes of your time. In order to participate, you must be at least 18 years old and a certified pilot. Participation in this study is voluntary, and you may choose to opt out of the study at any time. If you choose to opt out, your data will be immediately destroyed. We appreciate your consideration and time to complete our study. Please click on or copy and paste the URL below: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdJKwrq6VG_2gRwoXEs7PLRIBBVQ48-d9k75CDD_Yyh6wlk0g/viewform?usp=sf_link For more information, please contact: Dr. Scott R. Winter winte25e@erau.edu We appreciate your interest and participation! Back to Top BOOKS: The Air Crash Files: Thermal Runaway and JET BLAST "Dan, you've raised the Bar on accident investigation." Daniel Tenace (pronounced ten-ah-cha) is a seasoned major accident investigator for the NTSB. In 'The Air Crash Files' series, Tenace becomes involved in two different aviation tragedy investigations: Jet Blast, Tenace must discover the reason airliner engines reverse in flight without warning; Thermal Runaway, Tenace must analyze an airliner disaster in the Atlantic Ocean and uncover what caused an inflight fire that would not extinguish, hours from land. Armed only with experience, Tenace fights bureaucrats and manufacturers, each intent on derailing his efforts. Where the lives of many hang in the balance ... Nobody investigates it better than Tenace. ___________________________________________________________________________________ AVAILABLE FOR ORDER AT: https://www.amazon.com/Stephen-Carbone/e/B00SQ0YR78/ref=sr_tc_2_0?qid=152018 About the Author Stephen Carbone, a thirty-six-year veteran of the commercial aviation industry, is a certificated aircraft mechanic who worked both analog and digital airliners. Stephen spent years working the most sophisticated airliners flying; he inspected them, repaired them, and tested them. As an NTSB major accident investigator, Stephen applied his airliner technical experience to correctly investigate major aircraft accidents, both domestic and international. As an aviation inspector for the FAA's Flight Standards Division, Stephen kept a qualified eye on the aviation industry; he inspected them and investigated them ... and he knew where to look. He's instructed hundreds of U.S. and International professionals in aviation safety and has been writing articles for aviation trade magazines since 2005. Since 2014, he has written weekly safety articles to his website, including 'Lessons Unlearned', where he analyzes past accidents to show how important lessons in safety were missed. Stephen Carbone has lived what he writes about. He can be followed on Twitter: @stephenmcarbone Website: https://danieltenace.com/ Back to Top Position Reporting to the Executive Director, this individual works with air carriers to guide them through designing and implementing aviation safety management programs in accordance with Medallion standards under the Shield Programฎ. This specialist should have a broad working knowledge of part 121 and part 135 aviation practices and the general principles of aviation safety management system, a working knowledge of the FARs and good customer relation skills. The position is based in Alaska and requires some travel. The ideal candidate will also serve as the ASAP Facilitator. We manage all of the administrative aspects of the ASAP MOU with over 15 carriers. Applicants with previous part 119 credentials or recent FAA ASI background are strongly encouraged to apply Duties Guide development of documentation to support Medallion Shield programs Perform on-site visits to ensure basic compliance with an aviation operator's Medallion safety programs Interface with Medallion staff and Auditors on progress of programs and deficiencies Work with Medallion Auditors and operators to develop corrective action plans Develop and conduct classroom training in support of the Shield program Keep Medallion database up to date with customer information Other duties as assigned to support other Medallion programs and initiatives Job can be tailored to Part-time or Full-time Qualifications 10 Year Aviation preferred 5 years' experience in aviation safety Understand and apply general principles of aviation safety management systems Must have excellent communication skills and be able to interact with a wide variety of people Have basic computer skills Must have no travel restrictions Able to work with minimal supervision Must be able to lead people and accept responsibility Knowledge and understanding of the Federal Aviation Regulations Experience working with certificated aviation businesses Familiarity with Medallion Shield Program a plus Working knowledge of Safety Management System concepts Class Room Training as an Instructor Medallion is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. Contact - info@medallionfoundation.org Curt Lewis