Flight Safety Information April 11, 2018 - No. 073 In This Issue Incident: El Al B739 near Tel Aviv on Apr 10th 2018, smoke in galley EVAS - Cockpit Smoke Protection Accident: Korean B739 at Osaka on Apr 9th 2018, tail strike on go around Accident: Lufthansa B748 at Buenos Aires on Apr 8th 2018, dropped two panels on departure At least 105 killed in crash of an Algerian Air Force Ilyushin Il-76 transport plane near Blida, Algeria Mil Mi-8PS-9 Helicopter Fatal Accident (Russia) Beechcraft 58 Baron Fatal Accident (Argentina) Air Canada flight evacuated after landing gear problem, safety board says Aircraft lands without wheels at Norway airport 'Flight Deck LIBIK - Lithium-Ion Battery Incident Kit NTSB cites technology, training in deadly Togiak crash (Alaska) Risk-based Oversight Progressing, But Work Remains, FAA Says Safran launches aircraft lifecycle nacelle solution services Fighter jet work coming to Boeing facility in San Antonio Bose Unveils Noise-cancelling Headset for Jet Pilots Can the Tatas save Air India? Boeing, Airbus Boost Jet Backlogs SAS orders 35 Airbus A320neo Family aircraft NARA Awards $36,000 in Aviation Studies Scholarships POSITION AVAILABLE: Deputy Director of Safety POSITION AVAILABLE: Internal Evaluation Program Auditor I ERAU - PhD in Aviation Safety Operating Systems Air Safety Investigation Professional Education Course TU Delft University RESEARCH SURVEY - I RESEARCH SURVEY - II GRADUATE RESEARCH SURVEY - 1 GRADUATE RESEARCH SURVEY - 2 Incident: El Al B739 near Tel Aviv on Apr 10th 2018, smoke in galley An El Al Boeing 737-900, registration 4X-EHH performing flight LY-363 from Tel Aviv (Israel) to Vienna (Austria) with 130 people on board, was climbing out of Tel Aviv when the crew stopped the climb at FL300 due to smoke in a galley and decided to return to Tel Aviv. The aircraft landed safely back in Tel Aviv about 40 minutes after departure. Passengers reported there was smoke in one of the galleys, flight attendants rushed to the galley telling passengers that there was smoke and a problem, they were returning to Tel Aviv. Emergency services boarded the aircraft and examined the galley. The airline reported there was a smell of smoke, the aircraft returned for a normal landing. A replacement Boeing 737-800 registration 4X-EKL reached Vienna with a delay of 3 hours. The occurrence aircraft is still on the ground in Tel Aviv about 7 hours after landing back. http://avherald.com/h?article=4b72cdc6&opt=256 Back to Top Back to Top Accident: Korean B739 at Osaka on Apr 9th 2018, tail strike on go around A Korean Airlines Boeing 737-900, registration HL7725 performing flight KE-733 from Jeju (South Korea) to Osaka Kansai (Japan) with 91 passengers, was on short final to Kansai Airport's runway 06L when the crew initiated a go around at very low height at 21:33L (12:33Z), the tail of the aircraft contacted the runway surface during the rotation for the go around. The aircraft climbed out, positioned for another approach to runway 06L and landed without further incident about 15 minutes after the go around. There were no injuries. Japan's JTSB reported the aircraft sustained damage due to a tail strike on go around and reported the occurrence as an accident (which identifies the damage as substantial). An investigation has been opened. Japan's Ministry of Transport reported the aircraft scraped its tail on the runway and went around. The aircraft received minor damage, mainly abrasion of paint from the belly, the occurrence was rated an accident (Editorial note: which contradicts the "minor damage"). Three investigators were dispatched on site. The airline reported there were no major problems. The occurrence aircraft is still on the ground in Osaka about 25 hours after landing. Metars: RJBB 091400Z AUTO 06003KT 9999 SCT050 OVC060 12/09 Q1020 NOSIG= RJBB 091330Z 05003KT 9999 FEW030 SCT045 13/09 Q1020 NOSIG= RJBB 091300Z 02004KT 9999 FEW030 BKN045 13/08 Q1020 NOSIG= RJBB 091230Z 01003KT 9999 FEW030 BKN045 13/08 Q1020 NOSIG= RJBB 091200Z 05003KT 9999 FEW030 BKN045 13/09 Q1019 NOSIG= RJBB 091130Z 14003KT 9999 FEW030 BKN045 13/10 Q1019 NOSIG= RJBB 091100Z 16003KT 9999 FEW030 SCT045 13/09 Q1019 NOSIG= RJBB 091030Z 00000KT 9999 FEW030 BKN045 14/06 Q1018 NOSIG= RJBB 091000Z VRB02KT 9999 FEW030 BKN045 13/08 Q1018 NOSIG= RJBB 090930Z VRB02KT 9999 FEW030 BKN045 BKN/// 14/07 Q1018 NOSIG= RJBB 090900Z 04002KT 9999 FEW030 SCT045 BKN/// 13/09 Q1018 NOSIG= http://avherald.com/h?article=4b729cd1&opt=256 Back to Top Accident: Lufthansa B748 at Buenos Aires on Apr 8th 2018, dropped two panels on departure A Lufthansa Boeing 747-800, registration D-ABYQ performing flight LH-511 from Buenos Aires,BA (Argentina) to Frankfurt/Main (Germany), departed Ezeiza Airport's runway 35 and completed what appeared to be an uneventful flight with a safe landing on Frankfurt's runway 07R about 12.5 hours after departure. A post flight inspection revealed however that two panels at the wing root fairing were missing, one about 3 square meters and the other 1 square meter. In addition, the right hand inboard flaps had been penetrated and received a hole about 50cm in diameter with part of the underlying honey comb material missing, dents and two holes were also found at the right hand wing. The panels were located near the departure runway in Buenos Aires. On Apr 10th 2018 the BFU reported that they have been informed about the occurrence and are currently collecting information to rate the occurrence. http://avherald.com/h?article=4b729965&opt=256 Back to Top At least 105 killed in crash of an Algerian Air Force Ilyushin Il-76 transport plane near Blida, Algeria Date: Wednesday 11 April 2018 Time: 08:00 Type: Ilyushin Il-76 Operator: Al Quwwat al-Jawwiya al-Jaza'eriya Registration: registration unknown C/n / msn: First flight: Crew: Fatalities: / Occupants: Passengers: Fatalities: / Occupants: Total: Fatalities: 105 / Occupants: Airplane damage: Destroyed Airplane fate: Written off (damaged beyond repair) Location: Blida ( Algeria) Phase: Unknown (UNK) Nature: Military Departure airport: Boufarik Airport (DAAK), Algeria Destination airport: Béchar Boudghene Ben Ali Lotfi Airport (CBH/DAOR), Algeria Narrative: An Il-76 transport plane, operated by the Algerian Air Force, crashed shortly after take-off from Boufarik AFB in northen Algeria. The aircraft came down in a field and burst into flames. Local media report that at least 105 occupants were killed in the accident. https://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=20180411-0 Back to Top Mil Mi-8PS-9 Helicopter Fatal Accident (Russia) Date: 11-APR-2018 Time: Type: Mil Mi-8PS-9 Owner/operator: Vostok Registration: RA-24640 C/n / msn: 8635 Fatalities: Fatalities: 6 / Occupants: 6 Other fatalities: 0 Airplane damage: Written off (damaged beyond repair) Category: Accident Location: Khabarovsk - Russia Phase: En route Nature: Training Departure airport: Destination airport: Narrative: The helicopter, engaged in a training flight, hit an antenna and crashed. All six occupants died in the crash. The helicopter was destroyed by fire. https://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/wiki.php?id=209108 Back to Top Beechcraft 58 Baron Fatal Accident (Argentina) Date: 10-APR-2018 Time: 11:11 LT Type: Beechcraft 58 Baron Owner/operator: Fort Lauderdale Aircraft Sales Registration: N6926Z C/n / msn: TH1437 Fatalities: Fatalities: 4 / Occupants: 4 Other fatalities: 0 Airplane damage: Written off (damaged beyond repair) Location: El Naranjito, Tucuman - Argentina Phase: En route Nature: Private Departure airport: Mauricio Gilli Aerodrome Destination airport: Gobernador Garmendia Narrative: The airplane with four occupants dissapeared from radar screens few minutes after takeoff. Search operations were initiated after the ELT activation. On Tuesday, Apr 10, 14 hs GMT, a SAR helicopter found some debris in a mountainous terrain. https://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/wiki.php?id=209084 Back to Top Air Canada flight evacuated after landing gear problem, safety board says CALGARY -- The Transportation Safety Board says no one was injured when passengers and crew of an Air Canada Express flight were evacuated for a landing gear malfunction at Calgary's airport. Safety board spokeswoman Julie Leroux says flight 7228 operated by Air Georgian Ltd. was travelling to Calgary from Cranbrook, B.C., on Monday night. Leroux says upon touchdown, the nose wheel separated from the landing gear on the Beech 1900D passenger plane. She says the gear did not collapse and no one was injured in the landing but everyone was evacuated onto the runway. Damage to the plane was limited to the nose landing gear and Leroux says the board has sent two staff to investigate. Air Canada could not immediately be reached for comment. https://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/air-canada-flight-evacuated-after-landing-gear-problem-safety-board-says- 1.3879387 Back to Top Aircraft lands without wheels at Norway airport A Beech King Air B200 of the type that belly landed in Stavanger. A malfunction on Monday caused a propeller aircraft to land at Stavanger Airport in Norway without its landing gear. The cause of the emergency landing is currently unclear, reports broadcaster NRK. The flight control tower was not informed of a problem with the aircraft prior to its landing, according to the report. The airplane, a Beech King Air B200, came in to land at Stavanger's airport at 10am on Monday. "It came in from the north and landed on the runway. The undercarriage malfunctioned, and the aircraft is now on the runway," Stavanger Airport director Leif Lorentzen told NRK. On board the two-engined aircraft, which I owned by Air Wing, was a two-man crew. "They say they did not know the landing gear wasn't down when they landed. Although the belly landing happened suddenly, they are okay. Nobody is hurt," Air Wing's commercial director Jarle Granheim told NRK. The aircraft is reported to have been delivering supplies for scanning equipment at Stavanger University Hospital. The supplies, which included radioactive isotopes, were not damaged, NRK reports. International rules for transport of such material ensure that containers can withstand considerable damage. Fire services and police were both despatched to the airport following the incident. "It is very rare that something like this happened. Fortunately it has not resulted in anything more than material damage," Lorentzen said. https://www.thelocal.no/20180409/airplane-lands-without-wheels-at-norway-airport Back to Top Back to Top NTSB cites technology, training in deadly Togiak crash (Alaska) A plane crash that killed three people near Togiak more than a year ago was a symptom of larger problems spanning from the handling of excessive terrain alerts in cockpits to inadequate equipment at Alaska's airports, the National Transportation Safety Board concluded Tuesday. The Hageland Aviation Cessna 208B Caravan which crashed on Oct. 2, 2016 was operating as Ravn Connect's Flight 3153 when it slammed into mountainous terrain at an altitude of 2,300 feet. Pilots Timothy Cline, 43, and Drew Welty, 29, were killed along with passenger Louie John; the men were from Homer, Anchorage and Manokotak respectively. The Oct. 2, 2016 crash near Togiak of Ravn Connect's Flight 3153, operated by Hageland Aviation, killed all three people on board. (From NTSB) The NTSB hosted a live stream of Tuesday's hearing, and has posted its reports to date regarding the crash on its website. In August, the NTSB convened a rare and heavily attended remote investigative hearing at the Hotel Captain Cook in Anchorage to speak with various stakeholders in Alaska regarding the crash. Hageland has been participating in the non-profit Medallion Foundation's Shield Program for aviation safety. The carrier had achieved "shield" status with the foundation, which was formed in 2001 by the Alaska Air Carriers Association. The board unanimously determined that the crash's primary cause was "the flight crew's decision to continue flying under visual flight rules into deteriorating visibility, and their failure to conduct an immediate escape maneuver which resulted in controlled flight into terrain," or CFIT. At Tuesday's hearing, the three board members currently serving in the NTSB's five seats - chair Robert Sumwalt, Bella Dinh-Zarr and Earl Weener - questioned a panel of experts headed by Shaun Williams, the Alaska-based investigator who led examination of the Togiak crash. Sumwalt summed up much of the ensuing hearing, which focused on the Caravan's terrain avoidance warning system or TAWS, in his initial statements. "The accident airplane was equipped with TAWS, but this technological solution met an operational reality which rendered it useless in this situation," Sumwalt said. NTSB staff gave a brief report of the crash to the board, saying Cline and Welty's itinerary on the morning of the crash took them from Bethel to Togiak, then on a round trip from Togiak to Quinhagak. After landing in Togiak at about 10:30 a.m. and in Quinhagak at about 11:30 a.m., the Cessna crashed roughly 20 minutes later as it was returning to Togiak. NTSB investigator in charge Shaun Williams discusses a 2016 Togiak crash that killed three people during a board hearing in Washington, D.C. on Tuesday, April 10, 2018. (From NTSB) Williams said the plane had been flying roughly 500 to 700 feet above ground level during both of its flight legs to Togiak, including the one on which it crashed. "In the final four minutes of the flight, the plane climbed to about 2300 feet [above mean sea level] before colliding with mountainous terrain," Williams said. Rain had been reported between Bethel and Togiak that morning, and the Cessna wasn't found until Alaska State Troopers spotted it at about 4:30 p.m. Williams said Hageland didn't specify its planes' routes, and another crew on the same trip a few minutes after the fatal flight diverted south around the mountainous area where the crash ultimately occurred. Board members quickly dismissed any concerns in the crash regarding the aircraft's mechanical performance, the flight crew's health or managerial pressure from Hageland, zeroing in on the usage of the TAWS. NTSB staff told the board that Hageland often flew at altitudes as low as 500 feet, in accordance with Federal Aviation Administration regulations, but its planes' TAWS displays sounded terrain warnings at altitudes below 700 feet. That discrepancy led to a 200-foot belt in which pilots typically received "nuisance alarms," causing many Hageland pilots to hit an "inhibit" switch to disable them. Investigators suspected the TAWS had been disabled for most or all of the deadly flight, a factor the Anchorage Daily News said was also discovered in a 2015 Promech Air crash near Ketchikan and a fatal Wings of Alaska crash later that year. "Why does the pilot do it? They really have to, if they're going to fly at an altitude below the clouds which is below the TAWS altitude," Sumwalt said after staffers reported on the system's usage during the Togiak crash. "If you're going to sit there at that altitude, you're going to have to put up with that thing going off which is going to drive you crazy." The board also touched on Hageland's training to avoid CFIT incidents, which was conducted with input from the non-profit Medallion Foundation. The group, formed in 2001 by the Alaska Air Carriers Association, issues participating carriers "shields" and "stars" for meeting voluntary safety standards above and beyond those required by the FAA. According to the NTSB, however, Hageland's flight-simulator training didn't properly demonstrate flat light conditions, in which the sky and ground become hard to separate. The carrier's simulator also didn't include a TAWS console or switch, with pilots instead told verbally that they were receiving a terrain warning during simulated flights. NTSB Robert Sumwalt gives an overview of safety issues in the fatal 2016 Togiak crash of Ravn Connect Flight 3153 during a board hearing in Washington, D.C. on Tuesday, April 10, 2018. (From NTSB) Sumwalt also addressed a matter not directly mentioned by the report: Alaska's relatively sparse infrastructure supporting pilots' use of instrument flight rules. "Well, the first thing I would do would be to mandate that the state of Alaska be equipped with the same IFR equipment as the rest of the Lower 48; in case you haven't gotten it, the infrastructure in Alaska must change," Sumwalt said. "If people could fly IFR and get up into the system, it would be a whole different ball game - and I intend to change that with our recommendations." The board identified a number of contributing factors in the crash, including Hageland's policies regarding use of the TAWS inhibit switch. It also cited inadequacies in Hageland's CFIT training and FAA oversight of that training, as well as the training not being tailored to Hageland's operations and current anti-CFIT technologies. In addition to adopting the report along with its probable and supporting causes for the crash, the board also adopted two dozen findings, ranging from emphasizing Alaska's need for more IFR equipment to stating that Medallion-certified carriers' safety records show "no meaningful difference" versus non-Medallion carriers due to a lack of assessment. The board also issued eight new safety recommendations and reiterated eight existing NTSB recommendations. They included calls for expanding CFIT-avoidance training required for helicopter pilots to those at so-called Part 135 carriers like Hageland, preventing TAWS inhibit switches from indefinitely disengaging the system, fitting Part 135 carriers' planes with crash-resistant data recorders and ensuring that those recorders be capable of flight data monitoring capable of tracking how pilots use TAWS. In addition, the NTSB urged pilots and airlines' village agents to more freely share "pilot reports" or PIREPs on local weather. One finding and two recommendations Tuesday - that improving Alaska's IFR infrastructure "can reduce the risk of CFIT accidents and better support the state's air-traffic needs," that IFR gear be added first in areas served by Part 135 carriers and that the same locations receive improved weather reporting capabilities - were added in unanimous votes by the board at Sumwalt's request. "I do believe this report, if these recommendations can be implemented - and we will push these recommendations - will make a big difference in improving safety in the state of Alaska," Sumwalt said. "Recommendations are about doing the right thing: preventing the loss of life and injuries. The right thing should not change from state to state, or from fixed-wing (aircraft) to helicopters." http://www.ktva.com/story/37922933/ntsb-meets-on-final-cause-of-fatal-2016-crash-near-togiak Back to Top Risk-based Oversight Progressing, But Work Remains, FAA Says The agency is taking industry feedback on board as it looks to make its new approach more effective. FAA's transition to a risk-based oversight philosophy is progressing well, but the change remains "in its early days" and the agency is listening to industry feedback as part of making the new approach more effective, FAA Associate Administrator of Aviation Safety Ali Bahrami said. Addressing an aftermarket-focused audience at MRO Americas here April 10, Bahrami said improving the new Safety Assurance System (SAS) tool is a particular focus. Rolled out about five years ago, SAS is the primary tool that FAA inspectors use to collect and share data. In theory, the system will help FAA prioritize surveillance based on what's happening at airlines and repair stations, putting more emphasis on certificate holders that show signs of risk, such as inconsistent procedures. But SAS's most important element--data collection--continues to present challenges. "There was quite a bit of energy around some of the [data collection tools]" at the most recent InfoShare safety lessons-learned gathering, Bahrami said. "We're going to have to go back and take a look at some of those issues." FAA is still training its workforce on how to use the system, and is learning how to better apply it. "The idea behind the system is good, but we're learning," Bahrami said. "We're still in the very early stages." SAS is the core of a major philosophical shift that has FAA working more collaboratively with industry on several fronts. Data-sharing is a major one, and Bahrami emphasized the importance of industry participating in initiatives such as the Aviation Safety Information Analysis and Sharing Program (ASIAS). More than 100 operators participate in the data-sharing program, but only two--AAR Corp. and Haeco Americas--are MRO providers. This needs to change, Bahrami said, especially as aftermarket analytics becomes more prevalent, and issues that could affect safety--such as a part failing regularly that could lead to an in-service incident--are unearthed. While there is more to do, Bahrami lauded operators for embracing the risk-based safety approach. As an example, he noted that the March 9 deadline for U.S. airlines to have Safety Management Systems (SMS) in place passed quietly--every carrier complied. FAA mandated SMSs for airlines in a 2015 rule. http://www.mro-network.com/maintenance-repair-overhaul/risk-based-oversight-progressing-work-remains-faa- says Back to Top Safran launches aircraft lifecycle nacelle solution services The NacelleLife service offering includes maintenance, technical support, a service bulletin mobile app and a non- desructive evaluation tool for composite structures. During an airframe's scheduled maintenance check, Safran Nacelle's onsite intervention teams are able to assess the condition of the aircraft's nacelles. Specific control points are checked on-wing and a finding review is issued to formalize any items and associated recommended actions. The company's new NacelleLife service offering builds on this capability, providing complete coverage of its jet engine nacelle systems - including thrust reversers. Safran Nacelles (Le Havre, France) unveiled on April 10 the NacelleLife service offering, providing complete coverage of its jet engine nacelle systems - including thrust reversers. This new offering provides tailorable nacelle services to the requirements of operators, involving any or all steps from preparations for a jetliner's service entry through its retirement from operation. NacelleLife is developed for responsive, cost effective and high-quality services that keep airliners in operational condition while minimizing maintenance costs. Focusing on a customer's fleet, the components of NacelleLife include initial provisioning assistance and hands-on maintenance coaching for an aircraft's pre-entry phase. This is followed by on-site presence and online access to technical documentation at entry-into-operation; fleet management for operational continuity, along with scheduled and unscheduled maintenance and proactive preparation for scheduled maintenance while in revenue service. Transition support for the phase-out is the last step. "NacelleLife brings together the expertise of a world-leading nacelle manufacturer with our proactive, optimized services that anticipate and respond to customers' needs throughout the lifecycle," explains Olivier Savin, Safran Nacelles' vice president of Customer Support & Services. "It applies to our full range of nacelles, from legacy products to current production and upcoming nacelle systems - including those on the A380, A320neo and A330neo aircraft." In addition, NacelleLife provides innovative service solutions. One solution is JetLife, a mobile application that provides the latest service bulletins (SBs) for an airline's entire nacelle fleet. A customer subscribing to JetLife is informed in real-time of what modifications are requested, on which material. The customer also can access additional SB information, such as pricing for its application, the time requested for such a modification, and its benefit. This service is part of the scheduled maintenance phase in the NacelleLife offering. Another innovative solution is Presto, an easy-to-handle non-destructive evaluation tool for composite structures that is proposed as part of the NacelleLife unscheduled maintenance offer. Using a gun-type handheld device, Presto enables "underwing" assessments of overheating effects on such nacelle elements as a thrust reverser's inner fixed structure (IFS). The tool responds to inspection challenges in assessing and validating a composite structure's health in cases of discoloration from overheating, but when there is no visual evidence of disbonding or delamination. Relying on the latest infrared thermography techniques, Presto allows for aircraft on ground (AOG) time to be reduced. https://www.compositesworld.com/news/safran-launches-aircraft-lifecycle-nacelle-solution-services Back to Top Fighter jet work coming to Boeing facility in San Antonio The Boeing facility at Port San Antonio is currently constructing a production line to modernize F/A-18 E/F Super Hornets used by the U.S. Navy. The work would begin in 2019. Photo: Sang Tan /Associated Press / AP Photo: Sang Tan /Associated Press The Boeing facility at Port San Antonio is currently constructing a production line to modernize F/A-18 E/F Super Hornets used by the U.S. Navy. The work would begin in 2019. Boeing has won a contract to bring F-18 Super Hornet fighter jets to San Antonio for upgrades starting next year. The initial work on the F/A-18 E/F Super Hornet aircraft at its sprawling South Side facility will extend the life of the aircraft another 3,000 flight hours and later include "modernizing" the fleet, company spokesman Justin Gibson said. San Antonio will receive a handful of planes in 2019, but when production is fully ramped up, it could split the work on up to 40 planes with Boeing's St. Louis facility. The value of the San Antonio contract isn't clear - it will depend on how much work comes to the facility, Gibson said. https://www.mysanantonio.com/business/local/article/Fighter-jet-work-coming-to-Boeing-facility-in-San- 12818507.php Back to Top Bose Unveils Noise-cancelling Headset for Jet Pilots The new Bose ProFlight Aviation Headset, which retails for $999.95, is the company's first headset designed for turbine aircraft pilots. It features an in-ear configuration, three user-selectable levels of active noise cancellation, and Bluetooth functionality. Units start shipping in May 2018. (Photo: Bose) Bose introduced its first active-noise cancelling (ANC) headset designed specifically for turbine aircraft pilots today at Sun 'n' Fun 2018. The company bills the new FAA TSO C139a- and EASA E/TSO C1-certified ProFlight Aviation Headset, which weighs 4.9 ounces, as the "industry's smallest, quietest, and most comfortable" ANC headset. It features an in-ear configuration, three user-selectable levels of active noise cancellation, and a "tap control for talk through" function that allows pilots to communicate with others not connected to the intercom without removing the headset or an earpiece. Other features include an electret noise-cancelling microphone, active equalizer, and Bluetooth functionality. It also comes with a carrying case that is designed to fit a Jeppesen binder holder. The microphone/down cable can be swapped to either side in seconds without tools, thanks to a quick-release button, according to Bose senior product manager Matt Ruwe. In addition, the earpieces-which are available in different sizes-and headphone pads are inexpensive and can be easily replaced, he said. Bose designed the headset for long-term comfort-a feature that has already been tested on long flights in a Gulfstream G650, said Ruwe. The ProFlight Aviation Headset retails for $999.95 and will start shipping in late May. https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/business-aviation/2018-04-10/bose-unveils-noise-cancelling-headset- jet-pilots Back to Top Can the Tatas save Air India? An Air India passenger jet approaches to land at Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi, India, Monday, May 14, 2012. At least 300 Air India pilots walked out from their work for the past one week, leaving hundreds of passengers stranded at Delhi and Mumbai airports. Air India operates 450 international and domestic flights every day. May 14, 2012 Wings clipped just before taking flight. (AP Photo/ Mustafa Quraishi) The prospects for Air India's privatisation seem to be going from bad to worse. Days after India's largest airline IndiGo declared that it lacks the capability to turn the country's state-run airline around, the private player's closest competitor by market share, Jet Airways, has pulled out of the race. "We welcome the government move to privatise Air India. It is a bold step. However, considering the terms of offer in the information memorandum and based on our review, we are not participating in the process," Amit Agarwal, Jet Airways' deputy CEO, told the Press Trust of India news agency on April 10. Earlier this year, Ajay Singh, chairman of low-cost carrier SpiceJet, had also told CNBC-TV18 that it is too small to bid for the Maharajah. With three heavyweights out, few aviation space players remain in the race for Air India. And all eyes are now on the airline's founder itself: the Tata Group. Last year, Tata Sons chairman N Chandrasekharan had made his group's interest known when he said it would "definitely look" at buying Air India. "I do not think any player in India, apart from the Tata group, has the management ability to turn around an airline like Air India. Tata also has the strategic leadership, financial foresight, and consumer connect to drive traffic," said Mark Martin, head of aviation consultancy firm Martin Consulting. The group, he said, can either individually bid for Air India, or form a consortium with a foreign airline. Tata Sons is yet to respond to an email query sent by Quartz. The Tata group, India's largest diversified conglomerate, had total revenues of around Rs673,350 crore ($100 billion) as of financial year 2017. It forayed into aviation in the 1930s with the launch of Tata Airlines, which was later nationalised and rebranded as Air India. In 2014, it partnered with AirAsia Behrad to launch AirAsia India. A year later, its joint venture with Singapore airlines, Vistara, took flight. If the Tatas, too, opt out, the Narendra Modi government will have to look for alternatives. One option could be one or more foreign airlines teaming up with Indian financiers, Martin explained. "Airlines like Qatar airways can partner with private equity firms, for instance, and bid for Air India," he said. A foreign airline can only have up to a 49% stake in Air India, with ownership and effective control of the airline resting with an Indian entity. However, some experts believe the sale terms need to be overhauled. The government may have to reconsider separating the domestic operations from the ground-handling services and international operations, Dhiraj Mathur, partner at PwC India said. "Additionally, low-cost players do not necessarily want to enter the full-service airline business," Mathur said. "So, the government will likely have to rejig the terms if it wants Indian players to participate." https://qz.com/1248909/as-jet-indigo-and-spicejet-drop-out-can-the-tata-group-save-air-india/ Back to Top Boeing, Airbus Boost Jet Backlogs * Plane makers add orders for jets valued at more than $10 billion An employee checks the fuselage of an Airbus A350 twin-engine wide-body jet airliner on the Airbus SE aircraft fuselage assembly line in Hamburg, Germany, on Feb. 27. Airbus delivered 121 jets in the first quarter, a drop of 15 from a year earlier amid supplier turmoil. Boeing Co. BA 3.83% and Airbus SE EADSY 1.61% on Tuesday added orders for jets valued at more than $10 billion, adding pressure on both to further boost production. The U.S. plane maker also said it delivered 184 planes during the first quarter to outpace its European rival as both wrestle with supply-chain hiccups during efforts to boost output. Boeing delivered 25 more jets than in the same period last year while Airbus handed over 121, a drop of 15 from a year earlier amid supplier turmoil. With order books stretching out for more than five years, investors are more focused on the plane makers' ability to deliver new jets and secure the bulk of payments due from airlines and leasing companies. However, incremental deals demonstrate the plane makers' ability to juggle customers as airlines change their plans and leasing companies flush with cash from Asian investors look to expand their portfolios. Boeing announced a deal for 50 of its 737 Max 10 jets from Lion Air, the Indonesian budget airline that is one of its largest customers for its jets and those of Airbus. Boeing had previously booked the deal but hadn't disclosed the customer. Airbus also won a top-up deal from an existing customer when Scandinavia's SAS Group said it would buy 35 of its A320neo single-aisle jet and take 15 more from leasing companies. SAS is taking planes from lessors because Airbus didn't have any more available production capacity to deliver planes. Airbus Chief Commercial Officer Eric Schulz said more deals are in the pipeline so a similar development could be repeated. Boeing and Airbus are raising production of their single-aisle planes to satisfy that demand. Airbus by mid-2019 is expected to build 63 narrowbodies a month, and has indicated it could boost output further. "The demand is here," Mr. Schulz said in an interview. Boeing plans to build its 737s at a rate of 57 a month starting next year. The two plane makers so far have held off raising output to assure suppliers can make the engines, seats and other items needed for additional aircraft. Suppliers have stumbled in the past to keep pace with the plane makers, causing plane delivery delays. Although the plane makers are enjoying strong demand for their narrowbodies, deals for more lucrative wide- bodies have been relatively scant. Airbus didn't book any wide-body deals in the first quarter, though Emirates Airline finalized an order for 20 A380 double-deckers. The Toulouse, France-based Airbus booked 45 net orders in the first three months of the year. Mr. Schulz said he expects demand for wide-bodies to rebound again in 12 to 18 months, in line with executives at Boeing, who point to the need for airlines to replace aging planes in the early 2020s. Of Boeing's 221 net orders in the quarter, 50 were for wide-bodies, including 18 freighters being bought by United Parcel Service Inc. and 25 of its 787s ordered by Turkish Airlines . https://www.wsj.com/articles/boeing-airbus-boost-jet-backlogs-1523378684 Back to Top SAS orders 35 Airbus A320neo Family aircraft SAS Group, has signed a firm order for 35 A320neo aircraft. SAS will also lease 15 additional A320neos from leasing companies. This important new strategic commitment will result in SAS becoming an all Airbus operator with the fuel-efficient A320 family for its mainline European operations, as well as for its extensive domestic services in Scandinavia. These new A320neos will join the airline's existing Airbus fleet of 56 aircraft (eight A340s, eight A330s and 40 A320 Family aircraft). The engine selection will be announced by the airline at a later date. SAS has been an Airbus customer since 1980. "Just over one year ago, we started to phase into service brand new Airbus A320neos, and since then we have received a very positive response from our customers. I'm therefore delighted that, through this order, we can continue improving and investing in our customer offering, and thereby SAS's future. We are also creating a single-type and more efficient fleet for the first time. Ordering 50 Airbus A320neos gives us access to the market's most efficient aircraft thereby enabling us to further improve our operational efficiency and to continue to reduce our climate-impacting emissions," says Rickard Gustafson, President and CEO of SAS. "We are proud with this repeat commitment by SAS. The A320neo will complement SAS's existing Airbus fleet, with unbeatable fuel efficiency, the lowest operating costs and environmental footprint. It is the perfect choice for SAS, for replacing its older generation aircraft. This means more of SAS's passengers will keep enjoying the best comfort in the skies," said Eric Schulz, Chief Commercial Officer, Airbus Commercial Aircraft. The A320neo Family incorporates the very latest technologies including new generation engines and Sharklets, which together deliver at least 15 percent fuel savings at delivery and 20 percent by 2020. With more than 6,000 orders received from 99 customers, the A320neo Family has captured nearly 60 percent share of the market. https://www.eturbonews.com/182380/sas-orders-35-airbus-a320neo-family-aircraft Back to Top NARA Awards $36,000 in Aviation Studies Scholarships The National Aircraft Resale Association (NARA) Business Aviation Scholarship program awarded $36,000 to 12 college students seeking business aviation careers. The program, which is providing $3,000 individual scholarships, was founded to assist full-time graduate and undergraduate students majoring in corporate aviation management, aerodynamics, aircraft systems, aviation safety, finance, business marketing, economics, and other studies that relate to aviation business and management. This year's winners are Matthew Aniello, a senior at Vaughn College of Aeronautics and Tech; Tanya Baham, junior at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU); Patrick Ekhlas, senior at Auburn University; Robin Frey, master's student at ERAU; John Girouard, master's student at ERAU; Justin Guth, master's student at ERAU; Faisal Khalifa, master's student at ERAU; Ivan Kut, senior at ERAU; Dennis Mugenyi, senior at the University of North Texas; Hemant Saria, senior at ERAU; Sheppard Stutts, senior at Louisiana Tech University; and Benjamin Uribe, a junior at ERAU. "These twelve deserving students and their NARA Business Aviation Scholarships are testament to the conviction of our members in the future vibrancy of our industry," said NARA Scholarship Committee chairman Tony Kioussis, president of Asset Insight. https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/business-aviation/2018-04-10/nara-awards-36000-aviation-studies- scholarships Back to Top Deputy Director of Safety Overview: The Deputy Director of Safety is responsible for supporting the association's existing aviation safety programs, and developing new safety initiatives to benefit HAI's membership. Essential Functions of the Position Include, but Are Not Limited To: * Providing auxiliary support to the Director of Safety * Serving as the HAI safety representative on various industry, government, and international boards, task forces, and meetings * Providing feedback for the association's response to proposed safety-related regulations and legislative initiatives * Collecting, researching, and analyzing safety and accident data for subsequent statistical reporting * Developing and implementing new HAI industry safety initiatives * Routinely interacting with aviation related agencies and organizations in support of the rotorcraft industry * Supporting all aspects of HAI's voluntary accreditation programs (IS-BAO & HAI APS) that assist helicopter operators in reducing incidents and accidents, while improving industry safety culture * Providing safety supervision for flight activities at the association's annual trade show and exposition, HAI HELI-EXPO® * Responding to requests for rotorcraft safety assistance from HAI members and the general public * Serving as staff liaison for assigned HAI committees * Contributing content for use in HAI's printed and electronic publications * Making safety presentations on behalf of HAI as necessary * Other duties as assigned The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities. Desired Qualifications for the Position Include: * College or advanced degree related to aviation safety and/or management * Five or more years of related helicopter safety background, training, and experience * Certificated helicopter pilot and/or maintenance technician * Previous experience with helicopter or other aviation-related organization * Prior international experience preferred * Familiarization with auditing protocols and accreditation programs * A passionate commitment to the promotion of helicopter safety * Highly motivated, able to work independently and in a team environment * Excellent written and verbal communication skills with prior experience in creating and delivering written proposals and public presentations * Research, data analysis, and report writing experience * Proficiency with the Microsoft Office Suite * Detail oriented, self-starter, with strong organizational and time management skills * Ability to travel The above qualifications are representative, but not all-inclusive, of the experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities required for the position. APPLY HERE https://www.rotor.org/portals/1/eblast/deuty_d.html Back to Top Title: Internal Evaluation Program Auditor I Job Code: 6921 Department: Safety Reports To: Manager of Internal Evaluations What does an Internal Evaluation Program Auditor do for Allegiant? Perform evaluations in accordance with department schedule and special evaluations as directed by the Mgr. of Internal Evaluations. What are some of the daily duties of an Internal Evaluation Program Auditor? * Performs scheduled and special evaluations, including identifying and defining issues, reviewing and analyzing evidence, and documenting findings and concerns * Collect objective evidence necessary to substantiate findings or concerns * Prepares evaluation reports * Recommends solutions to findings or concerns * Monitors the development and implementation of corrective action plans * Maintains and updates internal evaluation files * Verifies the implementation of solutions and corrective action plans What are the minimum requirements to be an Internal Evaluation Program Auditor? * A & P certificate preferred * Pilot certificate, A & P certificate, or Dispatch certificate or * 1 year of auditing experience * Work experience in 14 CFR Part 121 air carrier operations: stations, training, quality control, maintenance, operations, safety or a combination thereof preferred * Working knowledge of SMS, DOD principles and the FAA SAS DCTs required * Previous experience maintaining and enhancing corporate safety standards and safe operation practices preferred * Proficient verbal, written, and presentation communication skills * Bachelor's degree in related field preferred * Certified Quality Auditor preferred What other skills, knowledge, and qualifications are needed to be an Internal Evaluation Program Auditor? * Proficient verbal, written, and presentation communication skills * Must pass a background check and pre-employment drug screen * Must have authorization to work in the U.S. as defined in the Immigrations Act of 1986 What are the physical requirements of an Internal Evaluation Program Auditor? * Office environment APPLY HERE Allegiant Travel Company is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, ancestry, gender, sexual orientation, age, religion, creed, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, marital status, military service status, protected veterans, union/non-union activity, citizenship status, or other characteristic protected by state or federal law or local ordinance. EEO/AA/Minority/Female/Veteran/Disability Allegiant supports a healthy, non-smoking work environment. 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 RESEARCH SURVEY - I Dear Participants, I would like to have some help with a questionnaire I created (only 8 questions) aiming to find it if Aviation Industry understands Safety as an organizational or corporate value. I would be grateful if you could disseminate the surveymonkey link SURVEY LINK: Is Safety an Organisational Value? Survey (https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/65MM65D) The Survey ends on April the 22nd and I will create and report with the findings and my opinion at May the 15th.I could send you also the report when is ready. Thank you in advance for your assistance Kind Regards Dimitrios Soukeras,MBA(ER) Lieutenant Colonel HAA(Ret.)-Helicopter Pilot SJSU Faculty Member Office:+302661054690 Mobile:+306947006664 Email: d.soukeras@yahoo.com P.O. BOX 391, 49100 CORFU , GREECE Back to Top RESEARCH SURVEY - II Dear Participants, You are being asked to participate in a research study of your experience on retaining your manual flying skills during flight. This survey study is expected to take approximately 5 minutes of your time. In order to participate, you must be at least 18 years old and currently employed as an airline transport pilot in the United States. 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 destroyed. We appreciate your consideration and time to complete our study. Please click on or copy and paste the URL below: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/R8NCDGC For more information, please contact: Gajapriya Tamilselvan: gtamilselvan2014@my.fit.edu Or Dr. Scott Winter: winte25e@erau.edu We appreciate your interest and participation! 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