Flight Safety Information April 4, 2018 - No. 068 In This Issue Incident: Virgin Australia B738 at Sydney on Apr 2nd 2018, lightning strike Incident: KLM B737 and Transavia B738 on Mar 29th 2018, late go around on 18C and conflicting takeoff clearance Accident: Vietnam A321 at Hanoi on Apr 1st 2018, tail strike on landing Bombardier Learjet 45XR Substantial Damage Due to Thunderstorm (Texas) CH-53E Super Stallion Fatal Accident (California) US Harrier jet crashes in East Africa 'Flight Deck LIBIK - Lithium-Ion Battery Incident Kit IATA Releases Global Safety Performance Report Card Hong Kong aircraft near-misses surge to 6-year-high after new traffic management system introduced HELICOPTER SAFETY NEWS.- IHST Global Survey Underscores Safety Strengths and Weakness Documenting health risks at 35,000 feet NTSB Chairman to Speak at Prescott Graduation Unmanned Safety Institute to Host 2nd Annual UAS Safety Standdown Vistara becomes 20 aircraft airline; eligible to fly international (India) Boeing Considers Turning Used 777s Into Cargo Planes Electric Aircraft Might Become an Industry Standard Sooner than Expected Air Force Reserve adds 6-month service commitment for pilots, maintainers India's Jet Airways agrees to buy 75 Boeing 737 MAX jets worth $8.8 bln Lockheed Martin wins $247.5M NASA contract for super-quiet supersonic test jet SpaceX Cargo Capsule Arrives at Space Station with Tons of Supplies ERAU - PhD in Aviation Safety Operating Systems Air Safety Investigation Professional Education Course TU Delft University GRADUATE RESEARCH SURVEY - 1 GRADUATE RESEARCH SURVEY - 2 Incident: Virgin Australia B738 at Sydney on Apr 2nd 2018, lightning strike A Virgin Australia Boeing 737-800, registration VH-VOK performing flight VA-1536 from Sydney,NS to Hobart,TA (Australia), was climbing out of Sydney when the aircraft was struck by lightning prompting the crew to stop the climb at FL200 and return to Sydney. The aircraft landed safely back in Sydney about 35 minutes after departure. The occurrence aircraft returned to service about 12.5 hours on the ground. Metars: YSSY 021030Z 18017KT 9999 VCSH FEW015 SCT025 BKN060 21/19 Q1018 FM1030 MOD TURB BLW 5000FT= YSSY 021000Z 19019KT 9999 FEW012 SCT025 BKN100 21/19 Q1018 FM1000 MOD TURB BLW 5000FT= YSSY 020930Z 18022KT 9999 VCTS FEW010 SCT020 FEW030CB 21/20 Q1016 FM0945 16015G25KT 9999 -SHRA SCT015 SCT025 FM0930 MOD TURB BLW 5000FT= YSSY 020922Z AUTO 18024KT 9000 -SHRA SCT011 SCT019 BKN100 21/20 Q1016 RESHRA= YSSY 020900Z 17022G32KT 4000 TSRA FEW012 SCT025 BKN100 FEW030CB 21/20 Q1015= YSSY 020858Z 17023G33KT 7000 -TSRA FEW012 SCT025 BKN100 FEW030CB 23/20 Q1015= YSSY 020830Z 19019KT 9999 SCT010 SCT025 BKN140 23/21 Q1015 FM0830 16015G25KT 9999 -SHRA SCT015 SCT025 FM0830 MOD TURB BLW 5000FT= YSSY 020800Z 19015G27KT 9999 VCTS FEW018 SCT060 BKN100 FEW050CB 23/20 Q1014= YSSY 020730Z 17008KT 9999 VCTS FEW060 SCT120 BKN160 FEW070CB 23/19 Q1014 FM0730 16015KT 9999 SCT015 FM0730 MOD TURB BLW 5000FT= YSSY 020700Z 16006KT 090V190 CAVOK 24/17 Q1013 FM0700 16015KT 9999 FEW015 FM0700 MOD TURB BLW 5000FT= YSSY 020630Z 16005KT 9999 VCTS FEW070 SCT130 FEW080CB 25/19 Q1013 FM0700 16015KT 9999 FEW015 FM0700 MOD TURB BLW 5000FT= YSSY 020600Z 18011KT 9999 VCTS FEW070 SCT140 FEW080CB 25/20 Q1013 RETS= YSSY 020534Z 15011KT 9999 -TSRA FEW070 BKN140 FEW080CB 27/20 Q1012= YSSY 020530Z 16012KT 9999 VCTS FEW070 BKN140 FEW080CB 26/19 Q1012 FM0700 16015G25KT 9999 FEW015 FM0700 MOD TURB BLW 5000FT= http://avherald.com/h?article=4b6e6947&opt=256 Back to Top Incident: KLM B737 and Transavia B738 on Mar 29th 2018, late go around on 18C and conflicting takeoff on 24 A KLM Boeing 737-700, registration PH-BGK performing flight KL-1080 from Manchester,EN (UK) to Amsterdam (Netherlands), was on final approach to runway 18C and had been advised there was traffic departing from runway 24. A Transavia Boeing 737-800, registration PH-HXF performing flight HV-5193 from Amsterdam (Netherlands) to Paris Orly (France), was cleared for takeoff from runway 24 and was accelerating for takeoff, when KL-1080 initiated a go around from low height due to an early flare. Tower instructed KL-1080 to turn right immediately to a heading 270 and HV-5193 to immediately turn left to a heading of 180. KL-1080 positioned for another approach and landed safely on runway 18C about 11 minutes after the go-around. HV-5193 continued to Paris for a safe landing. The Dutch Onderzoeksraad (Dutch Safety Board DSB) opened an investigation into the occurrence rated a loss of separation between the two aircraft. The DSB argued: "Because the extensions of both runways intersected, the aircraft came close together." Dutch LVNL (ATC provider) confirmed the occurrence stating they are going to investigate the occurrence themselves and report the result. LVNL stated: "From the tower the air traffic is visually separated, the air traffic controller gives instructions to pilots based on what he or she sees. There are no minimum requirements for the distance between two aircraft (separation standards) for the area where traffic control is given from the tower." A similiar occurrence had happened earlier in the day, see Incident: KLM 772 and KLM B773 at Amsterdam on Mar 29th 2018, late instruction for go around on 18C and conflicting clearance for takeoff on 24 with similiar separation left. The LVNL had told The Aviation Herald with respect to that event: "Landing aircraft are warned about take-offs in progress 24. Consequently, separation norms do not apply. A 'loss of separation' cannot be claimed." The LVNL confirmed, this later occurrence involving the Boeing 737s of KLM and Transavia is the one being investigated by the DSB. http://avherald.com/h?article=4b6e4892&opt=256 *************** Date: 29-MAR-2018 Time: 19:55 LT Type: Boeing 737-7K2 (WL) Owner/operator: KLM Royal Dutch Airlines Registration: PH-BGK C/n / msn: 38054/3292 Fatalities: Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: Other fatalities: 0 Airplane damage: None Category: Serious incident Location: Amsterdam-Schiphol International Airport (AMS/EHAM) - Netherlands Phase: Approach Nature: International Scheduled Passenger Departure airport: Manchester Airport (MAN/EGCC) Destination airport: Amsterdam-Schiphol International Airport (AMS/EHAM) Investigating agency: Dutch Safety Board Narrative: A KLM Boeing 737-700 (PH-BGK) and a Transavia Boeing 737-800 (PH-HXF) were involved in a serious airprox incident at Amsterdam-Schiphol International Airport, the Netherlands. KLM flight KL1080 was approaching runway 18C for landing when the flight crew executed a missed approach. Simultaneously, Transvavia flight HV5193 to Paris-Orly, was departing from runway 24, causing a loss of separation. KL1080 turned right while HV5193 turned left to avoid. The Dutch Safety Board reported the horizontal separation was about 1000 m while the altitude was about the same. https://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/wiki.php?id=208727 Back to Top Accident: Vietnam A321 at Hanoi on Apr 1st 2018, tail strike on landing A Vietnam Airlines Airbus A321-200, registration VN-A353 performing flight VN-1612 from Pleiku to Hanoi (Vietnam), was on final approach to Hanoi's runway 11L with a low time first officer flying the aircraft fully manually (autopilot and autothrust off). The first officer had difficulty maintaining localizer and glideslope as well as maintaining speed, the captain provided instructions to correct, the corrections made by the first officer were insufficient however. The speed decayed and the rate of descent increased, in the flare the first officer applied a large nose up input to arrest the descent, the aircraft nonetheless touched down very firmly with the tail contacting the runway surface at 11:08L (04:08Z). The aircraft rolled out without further incident, the crew was unaware of the tail strike and taxied the aircraft to the gate, where ground personnel discovered the damage to the tail. There were no injuries, the aircraft sustained substantial structural damage to sections 17 and 18. The aircraft is still on the ground in Hanoi 63 hours after the occurrence. Metars: VVNB 010500Z 15006KT 110V220 9000 BKN027 27/20 Q1015 NOSIG= VVNB 010430Z 16007KT 110V210 8000 BKN025 27/19 Q1015 NOSIG= VVNB 010400Z 16008KT 120V190 8000 BKN025 26/20 Q1016 NOSIG= VVNB 010330Z 17007KT 150V210 7000 BKN020 26/19 Q1016 NOSIG= VVNB 010300Z 14007KT 110V170 7000 BKN017 25/20 Q1016 NOSIG= VVNB 010230Z 15005KT 110V180 6000 BKN015 25/20 Q1016 NOSIG= VVNB 010200Z 14006KT 100V190 5000 BR BKN013 24/20 Q1016 BECMG TL0215 6000 NSW= VVNB 010130Z 15007KT 4400 BR BKN010 23/20 Q1015 BECMG TL0230 6000 NSW= VVNB 010100Z 12008KT 090V160 4700 BR BKN009 23/19 Q1015 BECMG TL0230 6000 NSW= http://avherald.com/h?article=4b6e5c30&opt=256 Back to Top Bombardier Learjet 45XR Substantial Damage Due to Thunderstorm (Texas) Date: 04-APR-2018 Time: 08:00 LT Type: Bombardier Learjet 45XR Owner/operator: Wells Fargo Bank Northwest NA Trustee Registration: N618CW C/n / msn: 430 Fatalities: Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 0 Other fatalities: 0 Airplane damage: Substantial Location: William P. Hobby Airport (KHOU) - United States of America Phase: Standing Nature: Private Departure airport: Destination airport: Narrative: During a thunder storm a hangar partially collapsed. A private jet sustained substantial damage. There are said to be three private jets inside the hangar. https://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/wiki.php?id=208777 Back to Top CH-53E Super Stallion Fatal Accident (California) Date: 03-APR-2018 Time: 14:35 LT Type: CH-53E Super Stallion Owner/operator: US Marine Corps (USMC), 3rd MAW Registration: C/n / msn: Fatalities: Fatalities: 4 / Occupants: 4 Other fatalities: 0 Airplane damage: Written off (damaged beyond repair) Location: W of El Centro, CA - United States of America Phase: Nature: Military Departure airport: Destination airport: Narrative: The military helicopter crashed under unknown circumstances. There are said to be four fatalities. The helicopter was with the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing out of the Miramar air station in San Diego, according to a base press statement. https://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/wiki.php?id=208753 Back to Top US Harrier jet crashes in East Africa (CNN)A United States Marine Corps AV-8B Harrier II jet crashed in Djibouti, in East Africa, on Tuesday, according to two defense officials. The pilot was able to eject and is currently being medically evaluated. US Naval Forces Central Command, which helps oversee US operations in the region, confirmed the crash on Tuesday, saying it occurred during takeoff from Djibouti-Ambouli International Airport after 4:00 p.m. local time. "Doctors said the pilot was in stable condition while being evaluated at Camp Lemonnier's expeditionary medical facility," Cdr. Bill Urban a spokesman for US Naval Forces Central Command told CNN "There are no reports of injuries to personnel on the ground nor damage to infrastructure at the airport. The airport is open," Urban said, adding that the cause of the accident is under investigation. The aircraft had been embarked aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima. A defense official said that the jet was supporting Alligator Dagger, a training exercise in international waters off the coast of Djibouti. The United States has a large military presence in Djibouti based at Camp Lemonnier where some 4,000 US personnel are stationed. https://www.cnn.com/2018/04/03/politics/us-harrier-jet-crash-djibouti/index.html Back to Top Back to Top IATA Releases Global Safety Performance Report Card New IATA statistics show continuing improvement in commercial aviation safety for 2017. Last year's major jet accident rate was 0.11, according to the International Air Transport Association (IATA)-a group representing airlines that operate 83% of global air traffic. The decimal translates to a one in 8.7 million chance of experiencing a major accident, an improvement over the 2016 rate of 0.39 and the previous five-year rate of 0.33. The overall fatality rate was 0.09, meaning an individual could take one flight every day for 6,033 years before experiencing an accident with at least one fatality. Passenger jets experienced zero fatal accidents in 2017. Even more impressive, IATA member airlines recorded zero fatal accidents and no jet or turboprop hull losses. "2017 was a very good year for aviation safety. Some 4.1 billion travelers flew safely on 41.8 million flights. We saw improvements in nearly all key metrics-globally and in most regions," said IATA Director General and CEO Alexandre de Juniac. The report drives other safety initiatives, such as the organization's Six-Point Safety Strategy, a comprehensive road map to identify current and emerging safety issues. For maintenance, the priorities are centered around training and licensing, data management, and safety management systems. http://www.mro-network.com/safety-regulatory/iata-releases-global-safety-performance-report-card Back to Top Hong Kong aircraft near-misses surge to 6-year-high after new traffic management system introduced The number of aircraft near-misses in Hong Kong's airspace rose to a six-year-high in 2017, following the introduction of the troubled new air traffic management system in late 2016, official figures obtained by FactWire reveal. According to the Civil Aviation Department (CAD), in 2017, there were 17 "loss of separation" incidents - when aircraft came too close to one another - up from 10 in 2016, when the old system was still in use. The number of momentary violations of safe distances - classified as "minor technical incidents" by the CAD - also increased to 12, which was three to four times the figures in the previous three years. aviation hong kong control tower Q Hong Kong airport's new $1.56 billion air traffic management system was fully commissioned in November 2016. Photo: Pool. Both figures were the highest since 2012, as one air traffic controller told FactWire that Hong Kong airspace has become "very unsafe." "The number of safety incidents is to a certain extent indicative of the chances of a plane crash in that airspace," he said. As defined by the International Civil Aviation Organization, a "loss of separation" incident occurs when the distance of two airplanes is less than the minimum requirement of five nautical miles horizontally or 1,000 feet vertically. The CAD also classifies cases as minor technical incidents when the safe distance infringement is momentary, less than 10 per cent of the standard separation, and does not pose any risk of collision even if no remedial action is taken. There were already two cases of 'loss of separation' and four "minor technical incidents" in the first quarter of 2018, according to the CAD. The latest figures have raised further safety concerns over Hong Kong airport's new $1.56 billion air traffic control system. separation incidents The number of loss of separation incidents in Hong Kong airspace rose to a six-year-high in 2017. Graphic: FactWire; source: Civil Aviation Department. In February last year, FactWire revealed that the CAD tried to cover up six "loss of separation" incidents that happened in January alone - a frequency senior air traffic controllers described as "rare and unacceptable." At the time, sources said the system's failure to issue timely "conflict alerts" was to blame. But the CAD insisted that alerts were issued "in a timely manner as per system design," adding that three of the six cases FactWire revealed were only "minor technical incidents." It said "losses of separation" were due to a number of factors such as adverse weather, operating procedures and human factors and they did occasionally occur due to the old air traffic system and other systems around the world. "The department would investigate every individual incident according to established procedures and make necessary improvement," the department added. https://www.hongkongfp.com/2018/04/04/hong-kong-aircraft-near-misses-surge-six-year-high-new- traffic-management-system-introduced/ Back to Top HELICOPTER SAFETY NEWS April 3, 2018 IHST Global Survey Underscores Safety Strengths and Weaknesses in the Helicopter Industry The International Helicopter Safety Team (www.IHST.org) has compiled data from its third annual survey of civil helicopter operators located in key regions around the world in order to gain a broader understanding of where safety initiatives are being implemented. Participation in the survey more than doubled compared to previous years. The IHST's worldwide regional teams have analyzed more than 1,000 helicopter accidents and have concluded that the following seven areas offer the best opportunities to prevent helicopter accidents: * The implementation of Safety Management Systems (SMS), * A structured program for initial and recurrent training, * The implementation of Health & Usage Monitoring Systems (HUMS), * The implementation of Flight Data Monitoring (FDM) programs, * Structured programs to fully comply with manufacturers' recommended Maintenance practices, * Installation of Wire strike prevention systems, * Usage of Night Vision systems when warranted. The 2017-18 IHST survey looked at where these best practices were followed within specific segments of the helicopter industry and within regions around the world. Overall, the key recommended safety practices have been implemented most comprehensively by operators in the sectors of Helicopter Air Ambulance, Law Enforcement and Offshore/Oil operations. The lowest implementation occurs in the Personal/Private segment of the industry and in TV/Radio News gathering. From the survey, here is the complete list of segments most following to least following the best practices: 1) Air Ambulance 8) Aerial Observation 2) Law Enforcement 9) Agricultural Application 3) Offshore/Oil 10) Business Aviation 4) Firefighting 11) Air Tours/Sightseeing 5) External Load 12) Personal/Private 6) Utilities/Construction 13) TV/Radio News Gathering 7) Air Taxi/Charter Within key regions of the world, application of the best safety practices is patchy. According to the survey, here is a breakdown highlighting greater usage and lesser usage of the key safety recommendations: Greater Usage Lesser Usage United Kingdom Training, Safety Mgmt Sys. Flight Data Monitoring, Wire Strike France Maintenance HUMS Germany Maintenance Safety Mgmt Systems United States Training, HUMS Flight Data Monitoring Canada HUMS, Maintenance Night Vision, Wire Strike Mexico HUMS, Safety Mgmt Sys. Night Vision Brazil Safety Mgmt Systems HUMS, Wire Strike Australia Safety Mgmt Systems Flight Data Monitoring New Zealand Training HUMS, Wire Strike The detailed report for the IHST safety initiative survey can be found on the "Repository" page on its web site: http://www.ihst.org/Default.aspx?tabid=3094&language=en-US More information about the IHST, its reports, safety tools, Reel Safety audio/video presentations and YouTube safety videos can be obtained at its web site at www.IHST.org and on the IHST Facebook page. Back to Top Documenting health risks at 35,000 feet Flight attendant serving Alaska Airlines flight attendants began reporting symptoms such as itchy eyes, rashes, and shortness of breath soon after the company introduced new uniforms in 2011. Although the uniforms were replaced three years later, the company didn't acknowledge a possible connection between the introduction of the uniforms and the spike in health complaints. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) agreed, ruling that there wasn't enough evidence to establish a link. The case piqued the interest of researchers from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health who had been studying the health effects of working in the airplane cabin environment as part of the Flight Attendant Health Study. The study is an ongoing effort to understand the risks faced by a group of workers who, because they work in the air, fall outside standard health and safety protections. The researchers analyzed survey data taken from 684 Alaska Airlines flight attendants before and after the uniforms were introduced in 2011 and published the results earlier this year in BMC Public Health. Their findings showed that respiratory, dermatological, and allergic symptoms increased following the introduction of the new uniforms, most significantly itchy skin and rash, itchy eyes and blurred vision, and sinus congestion. Flight risk Eileen McNeely, the study's lead author, said that while just a few complaints about a consumer clothing item can prompt a fix, airlines have been slow to respond to flight attendants' concerns. "That's emblematic of the limited health and safety protection that flight attendants receive even from bodies such as the Occupation Safety and Health Administration," she said. McNeely is co-director of SHINE, the School's corporate health and sustainability program based in the Exposure, Epidemiology and Risk program. American Airlines flight attendants filed a class action lawsuit last year over their uniforms, which were made by the same company as the Alaska Airlines uniforms, following more than 3,500 complaints. While flight attendants are healthier overall than the general population-they have lower rates of smoking and maintain healthier weights-they have higher rates of certain diseases and conditions, including female reproductive cancers, sleep disorders, and depression, according to research by McNeely and colleagues. The findings were published March 23, 2018 in BMC Public Health. McNeely began studying flight attendant health in 2007, when the School was chosen as one of the Centers of Excellence tasked with studying cabin air quality prior to the Federal Aviation Administration's reauthorization by Congress. Once that was completed, funding to continue the Flight Attendant Health Study was provided by the Flight Attendant Medical Research Institute, a non-profit research funding body created as part of the settlement of a class action lawsuit brought against the tobacco industry on behalf of non-smoking flight attendants. Now on its third wave of recruitment, the study has already attracted more than 12,000 participants-the largest cohort for an epidemiologic study of flight attendant health. While flight attendants no longer have to work in smoke-filled cabins, they face other exposures, such as flame retardants on seat cushions, abusive passengers, extended periods in low-oxygen environments, grueling schedules, and vulnerability to flu and other infectious respiratory diseases. Chemically treated clothing The same types of chemicals used by the manufacturer of the flight attendants' uniforms are found in consumer clothing, McNeely said. This includes wrinkle-resistant and stain-resistant chemicals, dyes, and fungicides to keep clothes fresh in transit from factories. These chemicals are not included on labels, and even if they were, no one knows what level of exposure is safe. With the help of testing by researchers in the School's Hoffman Program on Chemicals and Health, McNeely is working to get answers. And flight attendants are filling in a crucial piece of the puzzle-by wearing the same articles of clothing under the same, limited conditions, they make the airplane environment an ideal laboratory condition for researchers, McNeely said. To obtain additional data, McNeely and her colleagues recently launched an app that was distributed along with wearable sensors to some study participants. It will track flight-related changes in measures that may affect health, such as blood oxygenation, sleep, and mood, and is available free in the Apple app store for use by anyone who flies. Upcoming studies from the research team include an analysis of sexual harassment faced by flight attendants and its effects on their health, and the prevalence of cancer among flight attendants compared to the general U.S. population. "The field has been glamorized, but it's a hard job," McNeely said. "Flight attendants have to put up with a lot and they have little protection." https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/news/features/flight-attendant-health/ Back to Top NTSB Chairman to Speak at Prescott Graduation National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) Chairman the Hon. Robert L. Sumwalt will be delivering the keynote address at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Prescott's spring 2018 commencement ceremony, where approximately 350 students are expected to receive diplomas on Saturday, May 5 at the Prescott Valley Event Center. Chairman Sumwalt was sworn in as the 14th chairman of the NTSB on Aug. 10, 2017 after being nominated by President Donald J. Trump and confirmed by the U.S. Senate. He began his tenure at the NTSB in August 2006 when President George W. Bush appointed him to the Board and designated him as Vice Chairman. In November 2011, President Barack Obama reappointed Sumwalt to an additional five-year term as Board Member. Since joining the Board, Sumwalt has been a fierce advocate for improving safety in all modes of transportation, including teen-driver safety, impaired driving, distractions in transportation and several aviation and rail safety initiatives. Sumwalt has ties to Embry-Riddle, having earned a Master's of Aeronautical Science (with Distinction) degree through the Embry-Riddle Worldwide Campus, with concentrations in aviation/aerospace systems and human factors aviation systems. "Chairman Sumwalt represents the professionalism and commitment to excellence as well as the world- class aircraft safety and accident investigation programs that Embry-Riddle brings to the industry," said Embry-Riddle Prescott Chancellor Dr. Frank Ayers. "His commitment to the safety of the traveling public and to mentoring young professionals as an Embry-Riddle graduate speaks clearly to the importance of the task." Embry-Riddle's Prescott Campus is recognized and respected worldwide for cutting-edge instruction and offers students a choice of more than 25 STEM-focused degree programs in engineering, aviation, business and the sciences as well as the nation's only College of Security and Intelligence. The private, four-year university is accredited by SACS and has a coed student population of more than 2,600 students who hail from all 50 states and 30+ nations. For more information on Embry-Riddle's graduation ceremony, visit: http://prescott.erau.edu/campus- life/graduation/. https://news.erau.edu/headlines/ntsb-chairman-to-speak-at-prescott-graduation/ Back to Top Unmanned Safety Institute to Host 2nd Annual UAS Safety Standdown DENVER, April 3, 2018 /PRNewswire-iReach/ -- The Unmanned Safety Institute (USI), the world-leader in remote pilot training and certification, will be hosting the 2nd annual UAS Safety Standdown in Denver, Colorado on Tuesday, May 1st, in conjunction with AUVSI Xponential. The topic of this year's workshop will be "Organization Flight Operations, Maintenance & Safety Quality Management." The UAS Safety Standdown is a one-day workshop that gives the aviation community a unique opportunity to enhance their knowledge and understanding of UAS aviation safety and risk management. The workshop gives individuals and organizations of all sizes the opportunity to gain critical understanding around the concepts of safety, the role of managing risk, and organizational decision-making, enabling them to operate their UAS enterprise with an elevated level of safety. The workshop offers program topics on UAS program management, designing manuals and documentation (e.g. SOPs, ERPs, etc.), safety risk management, remote pilot training & certification, UAS preventative/conditional maintenance, and industry standards & best practices. This one-day workshop culminates in a UAS Safety Endorsement from USI and participants who attend this workshop will also earn education credits towards USI's Professional Remote Operator (PRO) certification. Session topics for this year's UAS Safety Standdown include: Functional sUAS Management Hierarchy & Organizational Structure sUAS/UAS Manuals & Documentation: What, Why, and How Much Matters? sUAS/UAS Safety Risk Management: A Comprehensive Solution for Organizational Operational Scaling SUAS/UAS Remote Pilot & Maintenance Tracking sUAS/UAS Industry Standards: Discerning Between Standards and Why It Matters sUAS/UAS Industry/Organization Best Practices & Value-Added Practices, Policies & Procedures Round Table "In 2017, USI launched the first of its kind Safety Standdown for unmanned aviation, and the response was overwhelmingly positive. No other organization in the world offers more compelling thought leadership in unmanned aviation flight safety than USI, and we are honored to be offering this event again in partnership with AUVSI at the annual Xponential conference and trade show," remarked USI President Aaron Greenwald. AUVSI XPONENTIAL 2018 is the largest, most comprehensive trade show for unmanned systems and robotics. It's the spot to find visionary insight, make new connections and uncover next-generation ingenuity. If your professional future is in the unmanned field, XPONENTIAL 2018 is where you want to be, where over 8,500 thought leaders from across the spectrum of unmanned systems and robotics come together to share ideas, gain insight and witness groundbreaking innovation. For more information and to register for the event, go here. UAS Safety Standdown attendees will receive a complimentary XPO hall pass. About Unmanned Safety Institute The Unmanned Safety Institute (USI) is the industry's most widely recognized leader in flight safety solutions for individuals, enterprises, and organizations focused on integrating and operating Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) for civil or commercial purposes. The Unmanned Safety Institute, widely recognized as "best-in-class" provides UAS flight safety training and certification to operational standards based on the adoption and modification of time-honored aviation safety practices. With over 150 instructors and over 4,000 customers around the world, including several Fortune 500 enterprises, USI widely recognized as the global leader in UAS training and certification delivering the most highly- regarded training program of its kind. USI is the only training and certification organization that is accepted by the FAA, endorsed by major aviation insurance providers, and whose training programs have been evaluated and recommended for college credit by the American Council on Education. Discover more at www.UnmannedSafetyInstitute.org. Media Contact:Alexis Creedy, Unmanned Safety Institute, 802-733-5463, News distributed by PR Newswire iReach: https://ireach.prnewswire.com SOURCE Unmanned Safety Institute http://markets.businessinsider.com/news/stocks/unmanned-safety-institute-to-host-2nd-annual-uas- safety-standdown-1020357758 Back to Top Vistara becomes 20 aircraft airline; eligible to fly international (India) Vistara's new aircraft comes in its unique cabin configuration of 158 seats (8 Business Class, 24 Premium Economy and 126 Economy Class) as well as other industry-first features that come in its A320 neo. NEW DELHI: Vistara today received its 20th aircraft today, qualifying it to fly international routes. "With this milestone addition to its fleet, Vistara completes its initial aircraft order as planned at the early stages of setting up the airline. Vistara will use the new aircraft to increase frequencies on existing routes to scale up operations in the domestic market, while gearing up to start international operations soon," the airline said in a release. According to current rules, a domestic airline can fly international only after it has a fleet of 20 aircraft. In addition to its initial order of 20 aircraft, Vistara had placed an order of two more A320neo aircraft that are expected to be delivered by June 2018 and will enable the airline's international operations, the airline said. "This is not just another addition to our fleet, but a landmark one that signals Vistara's arrival on the global map and marks the beginning of our next phase of growth. What Vistara has achieved in three years is nothing less than phenomenal, and we're confident that our distinctive approach to the business will continue to set new benchmarks for the industry," Leslie Thng, CEO, Vistara, was quoted in the release. Vistara's new aircraft comes in its unique cabin configuration of 158 seats (8 Business Class, 24 Premium Economy and 126 Economy Class) as well as other industry-first features that come in its A320 neo, the release added. https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/transportation/airlines-/-aviation/vistara-becomes-20- aircraft-airline-eligible-to-fly-international/articleshow/63608011.cms Back to Top Boeing Considers Turning Used 777s Into Cargo Planes * Decade-old study revived as e-commerce boosts air freight * Remaking the used wide-bodies risks crimping sales of new jets Boeing Co. is considering whether to convert used 777 passenger jets into freighters, seeking to capitalize as booming e-commerce sales spur new demand for air freight worldwide, people familiar with the matter said. While Boeing has studied retrofitting the used wide-bodies for more than a decade, the effort has taken on new life in recent months as air cargo finally emerged from its recession-era slump, said the people, who asked not to be identified because the matter is confidential. The new product would also fuel sales at a new global services division as Boeing works to more than triple the unit's $15 billion in annual revenue over the next 10 years. Offering revamped versions of the 777-200ERs would expand Boeing's catalog of freighters but risk cannibalizing sales of factory-fresh jets at more than double the price. Demand for conversions is growing as online shopping surges and package couriers seek lower-cost alternatives to buying new planes. Air freight is expected to climb 4.5 percent this year, after gaining 9 percent in 2017, according to the International Air Transport Association. Boeing's freighter lineup currently includes versions of its single-aisle 737 and of the company's wide- bodies, except for the 787 Dreamliner. Europe's Airbus SE also is exploring an expansion of its cargo offerings with a version of its slow-selling A330neo twin-aisle jet. Dan Mosely, a Boeing spokesman, declined to comment on its plans for retrofitting 777s but said first- quarter sales of the company's factory-built freighters were double the total for all of last year. "Across our portfolio of commercial airplanes and services, we are always looking at how we can provide more value to our customers," he said by email. A looming wave of retirements for Boeing's older cargo haulers, such as the three-engine MD-11 flown by FedEx Corp. and United Parcel Service Inc., is expected to squeeze cargo capacity in coming years. Meanwhile, prices for used 777s are falling to the point at which they could be affordably remade to haul packages instead of people. Balancing Act Still, deciding to retrofit the old jetliners isn't a slam-dunk. Boeing doesn't want to cut into sales of factory-built 777 freighters, which will be critical to filling its order book as the company shifts toward an upgraded 777X line through the early 2020s. "They've been talking about a -200ER conversion program for over a decade," said George Dimitroff, head of valuations at Flight Ascend Consultancy. "It's doable, and there is available and very cheap feedstock out there. The issue is the conversion cost is too high -- we're talking around $30 million." For starters, a passenger jet's composite floor beams would need to be replaced with metal ones. Then there is the delicate surgery of cutting large cargo doors into the side of the fuselage, requiring engineers to reroute critical flight-control cables that are in the way on the 777-200ER. Another Option The process would be somewhat simpler on a long-range sibling, the -200LR, which is better prepared for freight conversion from the outset, Dimitroff said. But Boeing has sold far more of the -200ER: 422, compared with 59 for the -200LR. Prices are falling for used 777-200ERs as airlines replace them with the 787 and the Airbus A350, lowering the overall cost of feedstock aircraft and making conversions more economically feasible. The going rate to customers for the converted freighters would be about $60 million, while a new cargo plane costs about $150 million, after customary discounts, Dimitroff estimated. "I don't think Boeing wants to make the conversion any cheaper -- even if they knew how -- because they want to sell new 777 freighters," he said. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-04-04/boeing-is-said-to-weigh-retrofitting-777s-to- beef-up-cargo-line Back to Top Electric Aircraft Might Become an Industry Standard Sooner than Expected The aviation industry is on the verge of a major shift in propulsion, experts say. Siemens Magnus Innovation Day Siemens Magnus featured a clear cowling for a look under the hood. As part of Siemens Innovation Day held recently in Chicago - created, in part, to highlight the company's progress to date in the world of electric and hybrid electric aircraft - the German industrial giant offered a first U.S. look at its electric GA aircraft, a Magnus LSA fitted with a 55-kW Siemens electric motor. Siemens vice president of electric and hybrid-electric propulsion Terry Hamlin said the company has no intention of becoming an OEM but wants to be part of the electric solution to the aviation industry by partnering with other companies to demonstrate its expertise in designing and building electric propulsion systems. Siemens is currently working closely with Airbus and Rolls-Royce on the eFan regional airplane. Hamlin said Siemens believes "the aviation industry is on the verge of a major shift in propulsion," focused around three main drivers. "One is a reduction in [fossil] fuel consumption. Another is a significant reduction in emissions that can only be met by really disruptive technologies. Finally, there's the needed reduction in aircraft noise." Greg Bowles agrees too that a significant change is coming to aircraft propulsion. As the General Aviation Manufacturers Association's vice president of global innovation and policy, he manages the association's electric propulsion and innovation committee. Siemens says electric will become an industry standard by 2050 with a move to electrification already moving along much faster than the company expected. "We might have a market ramp-up to a certified electric system by 2021, possibly before the end of 2020. We'll be partnering with OEMs to help them integrate and maintain these electric systems," Hamlin said. The Chicago event also focused on how Siemens is currently working to bring electric aircraft to the marketplace, beginning with small aircraft like the Magnus and the Extra 330LE. Siemens used the Extra in 2017 to set a world speed and climb record in electric airplanes. The electrically powered Extra achieved a top speed of 211 mph and a climb record to 9,800 feet in four minutes 22 seconds. Siemens is also blending the cyber and the physical worlds into its production process to reduce time to market for new products like a bearing shield displayed in Chicago. The shield is used in the Extra 330LE's electric motor. When the original bearing shield was created, Siemens team created a digital twin that allowed them to continue redesigning, testing and optimizing a new version in a virtual reality world. Results were impressive as the original part was reduced in weight from 25 pounds to just 9 pounds. Siemens Magnus Innovation Day The Magnus is only capable of short flights at present. Siemens "With every R&D dollar we're moving toward increased power density and reduce weight on battery," Hamlin said. She spoke to one of the newest frontiers in aviation, urban mobility concepts like electrically powered air taxis where the demand is for quiet VTOL aircraft capable of spanning intra-city distances. "Battery power is also expected to change flight training, Hamlin added. Bowles reminds the naysayers of electric power plants about earlier days in aviation when people said jet engines weren't going to be all that useful. "People wondered what good jet engines would be on straight wing aircraft or an aircraft that only flew at low altitudes demanded where jet power plants were quite inefficient. We simply designed aircraft that could take advantage of those new technologies. We need to think of battery power the same way. What additional advantages might electric offer us? Although electric motors become less efficient at very low speeds, they can make torque down to nearly zero RPM." Argon National Labs predicts a 3 to 5 percent annual improvement in battery density. While there's only enough energy at present for an hour flight, that fuel tank will keep growing by 5 percent per year. Pipistrel's Alpha Electro is already certified for flight training in Canada, but still faces a regulatory hurdle here in the U.S. based on the FAA's definitions of an LSA powerplant. Until that's changed, the Alpha can't be used for flight training in the U.S. Bowles agreed that regulatory changes "can be a time- consuming and painful process." https://www.flyingmag.com/electric-aircraft-might-become-an-industry-standard-sooner-than-expected Back to Top Air Force Reserve adds 6-month service commitment for pilots, maintainers U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Michael J. Prodeline maneuvers a C-17 Globemaster during a refueling by a KC- 135 Stratotanker with the 157th Air Refueling Wing, New Hampshire Air National Guard, over the United States Feb. 22, 2018. The 514th is an Air Force Reserve Command unit located at Joint Base McGuire- Dix-Lakehurst, N.J. Air Force Reserve pilots, maintainers, space operators and cyber specialists who want to quit the service will have to stay in uniform for at least six months under a plan to address critical skills shortages. The involuntary service commitment is to ensure that the Air Force Reserve meets recruiting and end- strength goals, according to a memo on the policy that went into effect Sunday. Airmen will be forced to stay only if they voluntarily reassign to the Inactive Ready Reserve, volunteer to separate or be discharged, or will retire before Sept. 30, the Air Force Reserve Command said in a statement Tuesday. "This is not a stop-loss, but merely an extension of service for six months while we transition to onboarding Citizen Airmen and most importantly, the success of the mission supporting the Nation's defense," the statement said. Airmen whose reassignments, discharges or retirements were approved prior to April 1 are not affected, according to the memo published on the Air Force amn/nco/snco Facebook page the day before the policy took effect. Airmen who are transferring to an active-duty component, have reached high-year tenure, or are on conditional release to the Air National Guard are also unaffected. Those who are being involuntarily separated or discharged from service will not be retained. America's improving job market means more opportunities for people in the private sector, the command said in its statement. "To compete with these new opportunities there are recruitment, retention and relocation benefits as some of the compensation options available to Reserve Citizen Airmen," it said. Other retention incentives include a pathway for airmen to commission as officers and career advice, the statement said. "Our purpose is to retain as many experienced Reserve Citizen Airmen as possible through the end of the fiscal year to provide seamless integration of duties in accomplishing our mission to compete, deter and win," the statement said. "The Air Force Reserve is committed to building our future leaders and preserving a lethal force for the defense of our nation." https://www.stripes.com/news/air-force-reserve-adds-6-month-service-commitment-for-pilots- maintainers-1.520320 Back to Top India's Jet Airways agrees to buy 75 Boeing 737 MAX jets worth $8.8 bln * Jet did not say whether deal is firm or non-binding * Indian airlines scrambling to add jets to meet demand * Jet ordered separate batch of 75 Boeing 737 MAX jets last year (Adds share price, market background) NEW DELHI, April 4 (Reuters) - India's Jet Airways Ltd has entered into an agreement to buy 75 Boeing Co 737 MAX narrowbody jets, worth $8.8 billion, to meet passenger demand which has shown no sign of abating after years of growth. Jet Airways, in a filing to the stock exchange late on Tuesday, did not say whether the agreement was a formal order or a non-binding memorandum of understanding. Boeing did not respond to a request for comment. The jets would be worth $8.8 billion at list prices, though airlines typically receive significant discounts from manufacturers. Shares of Jet Airways rose as much as 3.2 percent in Wednesday morning trade, and were trading up 1.4 percent at 0610 GMT. The wider Mumbai market was up 0.25 percent. The latest agreement comes as Indian airlines rush to expand fleets to meet ever-increasing demand for domestic as well as international flights, making it one of the most targeted sales markets for Boeing and European rival Airbus SE. Boeing said in July it expected Indian airlines to order up to 2,100 aircraft worth $290 billion over the next 20 years, calling it the highest-ever forecast for Asia's third-largest economy. Domestic passenger traffic increased 17.9 percent in January from a year earlier for the 41st consecutive month of double-digit growth, showed data from the International Air Transport Association. Jet Airways Chief Executive Vinay Dube last month told reporters the airline was hoping to close the latest deal by the end of March. The airline finalized a separate deal to buy 75 other Boeing 737 MAX aircraft last year. https://www.cnbc.com/2018/04/04/reuters-america-update-2-indias-jet-airways-agrees-to-buy-75- boeing-737-max-jets-worth-8-point-8-bln.html Back to Top Lockheed Martin wins $247.5M NASA contract for super-quiet supersonic test jet Low-Boom Flight Demonstrator An artist's conception shows the Low-Boom Flight Demonstrator at work. (NASA Illustration) NASA says Lockheed Martin will be its partner in building a supersonic test plane that's designed to muffle sonic booms and clear the way for a new boom in faster-than-sound passenger flights. California-based Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co. won the $247.5 million contract to build the Low- Boom Flight Demonstrator, or LBFD, after putting in the sole bid for the project, NASA officials said today. NASA's acting administrator, Robert Lightfoot, said boom-reducing aerodynamics will be a "game- changer" for civilian flight - a view that was voiced by other officials as well. "I believe today is a new beginning for NASA aeronautics," Jaiwon Shin, associate administrator for NASA's Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate, said during a televised news conference. "People enjoying affordable, quiet, supersonic flights in the future will say April 3, 2018, was the day it all began." The development plan, based on early design work done for NASA by Lockheed Martin's Skunk Works, calls for the 94-foot-long, 29.5-foot-wingspan plane to be delivered to NASA and start flying in 2021. The jet will have a fully fueled takeoff weight of 32,300 pounds. Propulsion will be provided by a single General Electric F414 engine, the same powerplant used by F/A-18E/F fighter jets. The single-seat cockpit is modeled after the design for the rear cockpit seat in a T-38 training jet. "What you see in front of you, as far as the airplane, is a brand-new shape," said Peter Iosifidis, LBFD program manager at Lockheed Martin. "Everything else within the airplane is existing commercially off the shelf, or salvaged from other aircraft." Construction will be done at Lockheed Martin's Skunk Works facility in Palmdale, Calif., and the first flight tests will take place at a supersonic test range over nearby Edwards Air Force Base. NASA's Armstrong Flight Research Center will oversee flight operations, with three other NASA centers playing roles as well. One of the pilots at Armstrong who's due to fly the plane, Jim Less, said in a NASA feature about the project that he was eager to taking his turn at the controls. "A supersonic manned X-plane!" he said. "This is probably going to be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for me. We're all pretty excited." The plane is designed to be flown at speeds of up to Mach 1.5, or 990 mph, at a cruising altitude of 55,000 feet. Its aerodynamic shape is designed to reduce the "boom-boom" associated with supersonic flight to a muffled "thump-thump." From 2022 to 2025, flight tests will be conducted in the vicinity of four to six cities around the U.S., roughly twice a year, to assess how the sonic thumps would be perceived by residents in surrounding communities. Those test cities have yet to be selected. Test results would be shared with the Federal Aviation Administration and other aviation authorities around the world, in hopes that the evidence would lead to the easing of limits on commercial supersonic flights over land. Such flights have been banned over the U.S. since 1973, largely due to concerns about sonic booms. Dave Richardson, the director for air vehicle designs and technologies at Lockheed Martin Skunk Works, emphasized that the LBFD would serve merely to prove out the technology for quiet supersonic flight. "This is a purpose-built experimental research aircraft," he said. "It is not a prototype for a supersonic business jet. It is not a prototype for some weapons system. It is not a derivative or some other modification of an existing airplane." The results from the LBFD project could be factored into the designs for commercial supersonic jets, however. Several ventures - including Boom Technology, Spike Aerospace and Aerion Supersonic - already are working on concepts. For what it's worth, Lockheed Martin is one of Aerion's partners on a supersonic business-jet development project. Aerion says it's expecting to conduct the first flight of its 12-passenger jet in 2023 and get it certified in 2025. That's when the LBFD project is expected to wrap up. https://www.yahoo.com/news/nasa-gets-set-reveal-next-000610170.html Back to Top SpaceX Cargo Capsule Arrives at Space Station with Tons of Supplies Astronauts aboard the ISS snagged the uncrewed Dragon today (April 4) at 6:40 a.m. EDT (1040 GMT) using the orbiting lab's huge Canadarm2 robotic arm. Credit: NASA TV A SpaceX Dragon cargo capsule carrying nearly 3 tons of supplies and science gear has arrived at the International Space Station (ISS) after a two-day orbital chase. Astronauts aboard the ISS snagged the uncrewed Dragon today (April 4) at 6:40 a.m. EDT (1040 GMT) using the orbiting lab's huge Canadarm2 robotic arm. The cargo vehicle had launched Monday afternoon (April 2) aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, on a contracted mission for NASA. That liftoff initiated the second mission for both the rocket's first stage and the Dragon. The booster helped launch another SpaceX cargo mission in August 2017, and this same capsule previously visited the ISS in April 2016. Such reuse is part of SpaceX's plan to slash the cost of spaceflight, thereby opening the heavens to exploration. [How SpaceX's Dragon Space Capsule Works (Infographic)] ISS crewmembers will soon start unloading the 5,800 lbs. (2,630 kilograms) of cargo Dragon toted up, which includes a number of scientific experiments. Among them is a study designed to help optimize plant growth in space, and an investigation into how bone marrow produces red blood cells in a microgravity environment. Also aboard Dragon is an experimental spacecraft called RemoveDebris, which will be deployed from the ISS in the near future to test ways to clean up space junk. Once it's flying freely, the RemoveDebris mothership will practice hitting an onboard target with a harpoon, and it will also jettison a small piggyback satellite and then try to bag it up with a net. The Dragon will remain at the ISS until next month, when crewmembers will load it up with about 3,900 lbs. (1,800 kg) of cargo from the station, SpaceX representatives have said. The capsule will depart and maneuver its way to a splashdown in the Pacific Ocean off Baja California, where SpaceX personnel will retrieve it by boat. There was no recovery for the Falcon 9 that launched the capsule Monday, however; SpaceX did not attempt to land the first stage, because that Falcon 9 version wasn't designed to fly more than twice. The next-generation Falcon 9, known as the Block 5, will be able to launch and land at least 10 times, according to SpaceX representatives. Dragon freighters aren't likely to see such heavy reuse, at least not in the near future. "For the Dragon 1 cargo vehicle, we are certifying it to be capable of three full flights," Jessica Jensen, SpaceX's Dragon mission manager, said in a post-launch news conference Monday. "So, some of the Dragons are already seeing two; it will be capable of a third flight." https://www.space.com/40193-spacex-dragon-cargo-capsule-arrives-iss.html Back to Top Back to Top Back to Top Air Safety Investigation Professional Education Course TU Delft University Are you interested in understanding the process behind an air safety investigation? Join TU Delft's professional education course and learn more about the challenges faced during an investigation. With a focus on the legal framework behind air safety investigations world-wide and the generic procedures followed during aviation occurrence, this course is intended for both technical and non-technical professionals. With the Air Safety Investigation course, you will have the opportunity to experience the accident investigation process and throughout a variety of learning activities you will be able to enhance your observation skills, fact-finding skills and analytical skills. If you want to learn more about this amazing professional course or to share with others, please visit: https://online-learning.tudelft.nl/courses/air-safety-investigation/ Back to Top GRADUATE RESEARCH SURVEY - 1 International airline pilot and 39-year veteran of flying, Karlene Petitt, has instructed pilots on Boeing aircraft for over 21 years, and holds type ratings on B777, A330, B747-400, B747-200, B767, B757, B737, and B727. She is working on her PhD in Aviation with a focus on safety at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. Petitt is researching the impact of training, aircraft understanding, safety culture, aviation passion, and manual flight tendencies, to better understand the impact on performance. If the pilot is always blamed for errors, the underlying factors may never be identified. The survey will take approximately 10-15 minutes and is anonymous. If you fly for a commercial operation, with a two (or more) person crew (corporate, charter, or airline) please visit http://petittaviationresearch.com to learn more and access the link to the survey that can be found at the bottom of the page. If you know any commercial pilot who qualifies, please share this link with them: http://petittaviationresearch.com The more pilots you send this to, the more impact we can make. Thank you! Karlene Petitt MBA. MHS. Doctoral Candidate Aviation ERAU Typed: B777, A330, B747-400, B747-200, B767, B757, B737, B727, http://karlenepetitt.blogspot.com Back to Top GRADUATE RESEARCH SURVEY - 2 Dear Participant: Graduate students at Lewis University have invited you to participate in a research project entitled: Evaluating, Attitudes, and Opinions on the Cyber Threat Vulnerabilities of Automatic Dependent Surveillance Broadcast. The purpose of this survey is to collect survey data from the aviation communities on beliefs of current ADS-B security and its present issues. This study has been approved by Lewis University's Institutional Review Board (IRB). The survey is anonymous. Participation in this research is completely voluntary and you may refuse to participate without consequence. The survey will take approximately ten minutes to complete. If you would like to know the results of this research, contact faculty advisor Dr. Erik Baker at bakerer@lewisu.edu. Thank you for your consideration. Your help is greatly appreciated. Survey link: https://goo.gl/forms/MP1833a6acHXBLGn2 Curt Lewis