April 12, 2018 - No. 029 In This Issue Light Aircraft Maintenance Facility Opens in the Heart of California's Wine Country, Paso Robles Delta, PCC Rock Creek partner with aviation program Stretched Infrastructure, Limited Local Talent Hamstrings Hong Kong Bizav. CSAT Receives Maintenance Certificate for Aircraft Operated by Chinese Airlines Partners Aim To Halve Cost of Four-year Aviation Degree Airbus has a good reason for letting a drone close to its aircraft Airbus and Zodiac Aerospace Enter into a Partnership for a New Lower-Deck Passenger Sleeping Facilities FAA Prepared To Oversee Its U.K. MROs Post-Brexit If Needed Jet Aviation To Buy Hawker Pacific Spike In U.S. Military Accidents Linked To Poor Maintenance Planning SpaceX asks FAA to green lightGulf of Mexico splashdowns Light Aircraft Maintenance Facility Opens in the Heart of California's Wine Country, Paso Robles PASO ROBLES, CA (April 10, 2018) -Air Jav Aviation, a new Central Coast, California light aircraft and rotorcraft maintenance operation, opened its doors for business this month at Paso Robles Municipal Airport (KPRB). A tenant of San Luis Obispo-based ACI Jet, and located adjacent to ACI's FBO at Paso Robles Airport, Air Jav brings both scheduled and unscheduled maintenance capabilities to an airport that sees everything from military training operations and local/state government aircraft operations to large-cabin business jet activities, flight training, and light aircraft operations. The company anticipates bringing new customers to Paso Robles Municipal Airport for maintenance operations, in addition to bringing new visitors to the thriving Central Coast community. While aircraft are in maintenance with Air Jav, customers have access to ACI Jet's full suite of concierge services for FBO and private jet charter customers, including everything from local winery tour accommodations to rental car and lodging reservations and recommendations for local eateries to try while they're in town. "Savvy aviators know that scheduled maintenance doesn't have to be provided at their home airport," stated Mr. Javedan, President of Air Jav Aviation. "I can't think of a better excuse to log some cross-country hours, view the natural beauty of California and its Central Coast, and to enjoy a few days experiencing all that we have to offer. They'll save some money on their maintenance costs while investing in a great experience for their friends and family." Mr. Javedan is a Central Coast native and began his career in aviation maintenance in the 1980s. When asked if there was one thing that visitors from out of town should do after dropping off their aircraft for maintenance services, Steve replied "definitely take in the natural beauty and wonder of this area. Rent a kayak in Morro Bay, wade out among the coastal birds, seals, and sea otters, and enjoy the great weather we're known for. There's no other place quite like it." Since beginning operations this month, Air Jav has serviced three maintenance customers that commuted to Paso Robles for their maintenance services. Roger Oxborrow, Airport Manager for Paso Robles Municipal Airport, stated that "we've been lacking this type of service for light aircraft at the airport for nearly a year now, and Mr. Javedan and ACI Jet's investment in this new facility completes the collection of aviation services available in Paso Robles. We are excited to welcome new visitors to our community, but even more thrilled that our local aviators now have a capable maintenance operation that can handle their needs right now, and right here at home." About Air Jav Aviation Air Jav Aviation is Paso Robles' premier light aircraft maintenance facility. We service single- and multi-engine fixed wing and rotorcraft aircraft from a wide range of manufacturers. Located adjacent to ACI Jet's executive terminal and FBO, clients can easily fly in, speak with a technician, get help with arranging for a rental car, finding a great restaurant, or enjoying any of the numerous experiences that Paso Robles has to offer visitors. More information is available online at www.airjav.com. http://www.aviationpros.com/press_release/12407363/light-aircraft-maintenance-facility-opens-in- the-heart-of-californias-wine-country-paso-robles Back to Top Delta, PCC Rock Creek partner with aviation program Officials with Portland Community College's aviation program are flying high this month, after finalizing an agreement with Delta Air Lines that will see local students fast-tracked to careers in the aviation industry. PCC has partnered with the world's largest airline to help teach its aviation maintenance technology program at its Rock Creek campus near Hillsboro. According to PCC spokeswoman Janis Nichols, the airline has agreed to provide the school with curriculum, internships, parts and more, in what Nichols called a "major shift" in how the airline will interact with the college. Delta operates a maintenance station at Portland International Airport, and Marshall Pryor, the head of PCC's aviation maintenance program, said the school will work closely with Delta employees to offer internships and other opportunities to students. "That internship will basically be a job interview," Pryor said. "Delta realizes that the way they make local connections is through training organizations like us." Delta looked at dozens of aviation maintenance schools to partner with, according to Michael Mackey, manager for Delta's TechOps Training program. "Delta will contribute aviation maintenance eLearning modules, technical data, aircraft parts, and technical training for instructional staff, all designed to raise the awareness of airline maintenance operations and to better prepare the future employees of Delta Air Lines and the airline industry," Mackey said. A new generation of airline pilots and technicians is badly needed. More than 648,000 new airline mechanics will be needed globally over the next 20 years, according to a report released by aircraft manufacturer Boeing last year. In addition, the industry needs as many as 637,000 new airline pilots and more than 839,000 new cabin crew. By 2020, nearly one-third of Delta's workforce will be eligible for retirement, Pryor said. The drop in skilled pilots and mechanics has many facets, Pryor said, including an influx of pilots and mechanics after the Vietnam War, as veterans transitioned from military service to civilian careers. Those employees are now reaching retirement age. The partnership between PCC and Delta will help train new students for the next decade, Pryor said. "It's a long-term partnership," Pryor said. "They know they need to be a part of the solution." Airlines across the country are looking to become more involved with training new pilots and technicians, Pryor said. "As personnel demand increases over the next two decades, the aviation industry will need to find innovative solutions to keep pace with training requirements," the Boeing report read. In 2016, Seattle-based Horizon Airlines began offering tuition stipends and job opportunities for students enrolled at Hillsboro Aero Academy at the Hillsboro Airport. Portland Community College currently has 75 students in it aviation maintenance program, with plans to grow to 100 students under the new Delta agreement, Pryor said. Pryor, who graduated from PCC's aviation program in 1972, said that programs like the one with Delta will help the entire aviation industry. "If the tide rises, everybody's boats will float higher," Pryor said. "Not everybody from our program will go to work at Delta, but if they start at Horizon or Alaska Airlines and get some experience, that helps everybody." http://pamplinmedia.com/ht/117-hillsboro-tribune-news/392110-284283-delta-pcc-rock-creek- partner-with-aviation-program Back to Top Stretched Infrastructure, Limited Local Talent Hamstrings Hong Kong Bizav Business aviation traffic in Hong Kong was on an upward trend from 2000 to 2015, but that has changed as the two runways at Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) have reached capacity. Airlines that serve the airport and general aviation/business aviation (GA/BA) operators alike have experienced difficulties in securing runway slots. At least 65 of the top 100 Hong Kong listed companies use business aviation. Of these, more than 50 percent are Hong Kong-based companies. The combined market capitalization of those 65 companies reached HK$13.7 trillion. In accordance with guidelines published by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) in its Worldwide Slot Guidelines, which are followed by around 200 Level 3 airports in the world including HKIA, runway slots are assigned priority as follows: scheduled services, ad hoc services, and other operations. GA/BA operations fall into the last category. GA/BA flights to/from HKIA numbered approximately 7,500 in 2016. As of November 2017, the total was 5,840. Primary destinations served by GA/BA flights include Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Singapore, Taipei, Tokyo, Macau, Manila, Hangzhou, Guangzhou, and Sanya. The airport authority that operates HKIA has embarked on a three-runway system project that is now planned for completion in 2024. Upon completion, the project will enable HKIA to handle 607,000 aircraft movements per year, as estimated by IATA Consulting. This should ease the troubles GA/BA operators experience in securing runway slots. Parking slots do not currently pose as big a challenge as runway slots. The Hong Kong Business Aviation Centre (HKBAC) FBO is equipped with an executive terminal and three hangars capable of accommodating up to 18 private jets. Additional GA/BA aircraft parking spaces are available at the adjacent Business Aviation Centre apron as well as at the midfield and west apron development area, providing a total of 82 parking positions for GA/BA aircraft at HKIA. Information officer Alice Mok of the Hong Kong Civil Aviation Department told AIN that as such, parking capacity is not currently a limiting factor at HKIA. HKBAC has increased recently the number of general aviation night slots to seven, in total. Other than expanding upon the runway, parking capacity, and flexibility, the industry would also benefit from a storage facility for aircraft parts in Hong Kong to allow for timelier maintenance services and the injection of new talent in the industry, noted Madonna Fung, general manager of HKBAC. "The storage would especially be beneficial for our industry because we are visited by a great variety of aircraft from all over the world and, with a good storage unit, aircraft maintenance can be completed in the shortest possible time," she added. In terms of infrastructure, Hong Kong faces fierce competition in the region. In neighboring Guangdong province alone, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, and Zhuhai are keen to develop the BA sector. Competition is also coming from Singapore and Malaysia, where investments are being made to develop the business aviation sector, sometimes with substantial government subsidy. TALENT SHORTAGE A talent shortage is a significant issue in the BA/GA sector of Hong Kong, as it currently relies on professional aviation consultants, pilots, and technicians from Western Europe and North America. Relying on such overseas sources is not sustainable in the long run, as global demand grows nonstop, said Diana Chou, a founder and chairwoman of L'Voyage, a Hong Kong-based business jet charter company. "Ideally, we should nurture more local flight crews to serve our market," she added. The aviation hub city faces an acute shortage of business aviation technicians and pilots. This is in part due to lack of potential employee awareness of business aviation opportunities. In addition, there is competition for talent from other industries as well as from major and low-cost airlines. Another issue is the requirement for English language skills, and more must be done to improve the language and communication proficiency of entry-level flight crews. Hong Kong lags behind Singapore in this area. GA/BA aviation firms must be willing to invest in talent management, remuneration, and human resource processes and tools to attract and retain highly skilled manpower. This involves better career-path management, employer branding, and rewarding systems. A recent study reveals that wealthy but time-poor entrepreneurs in mainland China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan prefer to charter personal jets but they have fewer options than their counterparts in places such as Singapore, Thailand, and Australia. To satisfy this forecast demand, Hong Kong needs to make the younger generation aware of opportunities in the growing business aviation industry. https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/business-aviation/2018-04-11/stretched-infrastructure- limited-local-talent-hamstrings-hong-kong-bizav Back to Top CSAT Receives Maintenance Certificate for Aircraft Operated by Chinese Airlines Czech Airlines Technics, a daughter company of the Czech Aeroholding Group providing aircraft repair and maintenance services, has become the first independent organisation in Europe to successfully pass the certification process and receive the approval of the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) to perform Line Maintenance services for Chinese airlines. Its employees can now verify aircraft post-maintenance airworthiness without having to request the presence of the official airline technician. "The fact that we have been able to obtain the certificate for the entire Line Maintenance segment is a great achievement for the company. Thanks to the new certificate, we will have additional possibilities in the segment, increase the volume of guaranteed work for our employees and, most importantly, increase our competitiveness and the company's prestige as we are the first independent organisation in Europe to have received the certificate," said Pavel Hales, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Czech Airlines Technics. At this point, the certificate covers the Line Maintenance of Airbus A330, Boeing 767 and 777 operated by China Eastern Airlines in general. This type of maintenance of aircraft is performed either on a regular basis (e.g. daily or weekly) or ad hoc. It includes a thorough aircraft check, the refilling of all fluids, the completion of minor repairs, the checking of individual aircraft parts and an evaluation of whether or not an aircraft is fully functional and flight ready. The certification process before the Chinese office took over a year and a half. During the time, it was necessary to draft and present the required legal documents pursuant to the Chinese legal system which were then subjected to a thorough approval process. All aircraft maintenance procedures were also reviewed by auditors in Prague. http://www.aviationpros.com/press_release/12407154/csat-receives-maintenance-certificate-for- aircraft-operated-by-chinese-airlines Back to Top Partners Aim To Halve Cost of Four-year Aviation Degree "The aviation college degree programs are broken; they cost too much, don't include instructor ratings, and have too few hours to get a job with an airline when graduating," International Aero Academy president and CEO Steven Markoff said on Tuesday at Sun 'n' Fun 2018. "I aimed to fix that." He tapped into his experience as an airline executive at Mesa Airlines to develop a program that would better prepare future airline pilots while lowering the cost, as well as get more U.S. students interested in pursuing a flying career in the first place. Thus, Central Christian College of Kansas and Lakeland, Florida-based International Aero Academy announced a partnership this week to develop more cost-effective aviation degree programs. Together they have formed the International School of Aerospace & Aviation in Lakeland, pairing the former's two- and four-year aviation degree programs with the latter's accelerated FAA Part 141 pilot training programs at the satellite campus. To maximize time, students at the International School of Aerospace & Aviation will first complete their certificates and ratings at International Aero Academy, up to their flight instructor ratings. After that, they will take classes at the Central Christian College satellite campus in Lakeland while they also flight instruct at International Aero Academy. "That allows students to earn money while attending college courses," Markoff said. "For all certificates and ratings, 1,000 hours of flight time, four-year degree, and income from flight instructing, I expect net cost to be sub-$75,000. That's nearly half [that] of other existing four-year aviation degree programs." Because the college is non-profit, students are also eligible for student loans. In conjunction with the partnership with the college, International Aero Academy placed an order for six two-seat, all-composite Tecnam P2008 light sport airplanes to be used as trainers. The first will be delivered in the second quarter. The flight school currently has 14 aircraft, but the fleet is a mix of Cessnas and Pipers. Markoff said his goal is to rationalize the fleet to possibly include all Tecnam airplanes over the coming years. "The Tecnam product line far exceeded the competition in our analysis, and we are proud to be the U.S. Part 141 fleet launch customer for the P2008," he added. https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/general-aviation/2018-04-11/partners-aim-halve-cost- four-year-aviation-degree Back to Top Airbus has a good reason for letting a drone close to its aircraft Ordinarily, you don't want drones going anywhere near planes. A small flying machine colliding with a large flying machine - one with people on board - almost certainly isn't going to end well, which is why strict flying bans are in place around airports for quadcopters and other remotely controlled aerial devices. So why is Airbus happily flying drones right up close to its own aircraft? It's actually to make planes safer, as the aerospace giant is using the machines to help with visual checks of aircraft, "considerably reducing aircraft downtime and improving the quality of inspection reports," Airbus says. The company unveiled its Advanced Inspection Drone this week in Florida at the MRO Americas exposition, a gathering of aviation maintenance professionals from around the world. Designed for use inside a hangar away from the elements, the custom-built quadcopter uses a laser-based obstacle detection and anti-collision system to ensure it never gets too close to the parked plane. Following a predefined inspection path, the machine flies around the aircraft, all the time capturing high-resolution images of its exterior. The data is sent wirelessly to a tablet, allowing the operator to review it in real-time. For a more detailed look, the images are transferred to a desktop inspection station, where a technician uses dedicated software capable of detecting any visual surface damage by comparing the real-world images against the aircraft's 3D structural model. "The new inspection process will take only three hours, including 30 minutes of image capture by the drone, and will improve operator safety," the company said. "By contrast, traditional aircraft visual inspection is performed from the ground or using a telescopic platform, in particular for the upper parts of the aircraft, a process which could typically last up to one day." So as you can see, using drones in this way drastically reduces the inspection time, enabling the airplane to return to service more quickly while at the same time offering enhancements to the overall quality of the inspection reports. Airbus says its new drone platform is part of its "Hangar of the Future" initiative that brings together innovative technologies such as drones and collaborative robots for aircraft inspection. The aerospace company says it's already demonstrated its Advanced Inspection Drone to several airlines, many of which have expressed an interest in incorporating it into their own aircraft maintenance procedures. The kit will be available for use in the final quarter of this year. https://www.digitaltrends.com/cool-tech/airbus-advanced-inspection-drone/ Back to Top Airbus and Zodiac Aerospace Enter into a Partnership for a New Lower-Deck Passenger Sleeping Facilities AIX Expo 2018, Hamburg, 10th April - Airbus and Zodiac Aerospace have partnered to develop and market lower-deck modules with passenger sleeping berths. The modules, which would fit inside the aircraft's cargo compartments, offer new opportunities for additional services to passengers, improving their experience while enabling airlines to differentiate and add value for their commercial operations. The new passenger modules will be easily interchangeable with regular cargo containers during a typical turnaround if required. Moreover, the aircraft's cargo floor and cargo loading system will not be affected at all, as the passenger module will sit directly on it. Christophe Bernardini, Chief Executive Officer of Zodiac Aerospace Cabin Branch said: "We are delighted to work with Airbus on this new and innovative project, which reaffirms our expertise in lower-deck solutions. An improved passenger experience is today a key element of differentiation for airlines." Geoff Pinner, Head of Airbus Cabin & Cargo Programme said: "This approach to commercial air travel is a step change towards passenger comfort. We have already received very positive feedback from several airlines on our first mock-ups. We are pleased to partner with Zodiac Aerospace on this project which will introduce a new passenger experience and add value for airlines." Airlines will be initially be able to choose from a catalogue of certified solutions by 2020 on A330 for retrofit and line-fit markets. Offerability of sleeper compartments on the A350 XWB airliner is also being studied. The innovation builds on both Airbus' and Zodiac Aerospace's experience in producing and integrating lower-deck crew-rest facilities. http://www.aviationpros.com/press_release/12407149/airbus-and-zodiac-aerospace-enter-into-a- partnership-for-a-new-lower-deck-passenger-sleeping-facilities Back to Top FAA Prepared To Oversee Its U.K. MROs Post-Brexit If Needed FAA, planning for a worst-case scenario, is prepared to take over surveillance of its 180 approved repair stations in the U.K. if a new regulatory bilateral agreement isn't in place when the country leaves the European Union (EU) next year. The UK government has not announced how it will regulate its aviation industry following the so- called Brexit--its decision to leave the EU effective April 1, 2019. One certainty: the UK will no longer be under the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) as an EU member. The UK's options-- and the most likely outcome--include adopting EASA's regulations as a non-EU member, similar to what several countries, including Norway and Switzerland, have done. Another option is to use the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) regulations as a foundation and go it alone. Until a decision is made, however, FAA can't make specific plans on how issues that affect the U.S. agency--such as overseeing the UK shops it approves--may be handled. The agency and its CAA counterparts are holding general discussions about new agreements and associated guidance that would replace the U.S.-EU agreement and replicate its benefits. If the UK goes with EASA's regulations, it is expected to accept EASA's repair station certificate approvals. But with Brexit less than a year away, the deadline may arrive before the US and UK have completed the bureaucratic process of striking a new bilateral. "If [Brexit] comes and we don't have an agreement between us and them, FAA will take over [surveillance of] the repair stations," said Rolandos Lazaris, FAA's Aircraft Maintenance Division executive officer, said at MRO Americas April 11. Under the U.S.-EU bilateral, FAA and EASA inspect shops that each has approved in the other's territory for compliance with both agency's regulations. Such cooperation helps the agencies stretch their resources. Tim Shaver, FAA's deputy director, Safety Standards, said FAA is moving forward as if new agreements will not be in place by next April, meaning FAA won't be able to rely on EASA inspectors to visit UK shops. FAA has proactively assigned inspectors to each UK repair station, for instance, and is working to determine where potential gaps might be in ensuring the shops can continue to legally work on U.S.-registered equipment. "We're working to understand what is happening now and getting prepared," Shaver said. "We're looking at all contingencies." http://www.mro-network.com/maintenance-repair-overhaul/faa-prepared-oversee-its-uk-mros- post-brexit-if-needed Back to Top Jet Aviation To Buy Hawker Pacific Ahead of the Asian Business Aviation Conference and Exhibition (ABACE) next week, General Dynamics subsidiary Jet Aviation announced plans to purchase business aviation services provider Hawker Pacific for $250 million. Included in the deal is Hawker Pacific's share in the joint venture Shanghai Hawker Pacific Business Aviation Centre, the FBO/MRO at Shanghai's Hongqiao International Airport that has played host to ABACE for the past seven years. "The acquisition of Hawker Pacific represents a significant step in expanding our footprint, capability, and customer offer across Asia Pacific and the Middle East," explained Jet Aviation president Rob Smith. "Hawker Pacific has a wide range of services including civil MRO, fleet services, FBO network, and aircraft sales, enabling Jet Aviation to further expand its current portfolio, enter new markets, and reinforce the company's position as one of the world's leading business aviation service providers." Hawker Pacific also provides ground handling for business aviation at Shanghai's Pudong International Airport and expects to build a full-service FBO there upon completion of its new runway. In addition, Hawker Pacific operates FBOs at four locations in Australia (Sydney, Brisbane, Cairns, and Perth), as well as in Singapore at Seletar Aerospace Park (where Jet Aviation is already well established), and has offices and maintenance bases throughout the region as well as in Dubai, offering scheduled and unscheduled maintenance and AOG services. "We believe the company's acquisition by Jet Aviation represents an excellent outcome for Hawker Pacific's investors, employees, and customers," noted Alan Smith, Hawker Pacific's CEO. "It builds on our strong values and passion for exceeding our customers' expectations and I, on behalf of the management, am confident that the combination of the two companies will create a clear leader in the aviation space." Pending customary closing approvals, the deal is expected to be completed by the end of May. https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/business-aviation/2018-04-11/jet-aviation-buy-hawker- pacific Back to Top Spike In U.S. Military Accidents Linked To Poor Maintenance Planning ORLANDO - A decline in long-term maintenance planning is a major contributor to an alarming spike in military aviation accidents in the last few years, according to a former top Pentagon official. The comments come as all three of the U.S. armed services report a drastic increase in non-combat related aviation accidents, many of them fatal. From 2014 to 2017 non-combat related incidents rose 60%, and already in 2018 those incidents are up 50% from 2017. In the last three weeks, six military aviation crashes have killed 16 pilots or crew, including the fatal crash of an Air Force Thunderbirds F-16. The increase is often linked to massive congressional budget cuts of 2013. But John Johns, former assistant undersecretary of defense for maintenance and currently director of strategy and global relations technology service at Northrop Grumman, pointed to a more fundamental problem. Rather than a lack of funding, Johns believes the "overwhelming" amount of money allocated to the Pentagon through the Overseas Contingency Account (OCO) for combat operations has "made us a bit lazy," he said April 10 at the annual MRO Americas conference As a result, the military has abandoned basic maintenance strategies in the last 15 years that the U.S. has been engaged in the Middle East. Instead of long-term maintenance planning, the military has shifted to an "inspect and repair only as necessary" approach - using the "excuse" that operators need to turn assets around rapidly to get them back in the fight, Johns said. This has resulted in a significant decline in readiness of the force over the last decade, Johns said. More aircraft are out of reporting, sitting in depots waiting for repair, and there has been a sharp increase in non-combat-related incidents. "I'm not saying it's all related to this, but it is certainly a contributing factor - when we do maintenance, repair and overhaul based on what we find is required at the time of the repair, as opposed to looking at what is required over the next five years, or between that cycle of repair and the next induction," Johns said. http://www.mro-network.com/maintenance-repair-overhaul/spike-us-military-accidents-linked- poor-maintenance-planning Back to Top SpaceX asks FAA to green lightGulf of Mexico splashdowns The Federal Aviation Administration released a Draft Environmental Assessment analyzing a SpaceX proposal to conduct splashdowns in the Gulf of Mexico. "The Gulf of Mexico would serve as a possible splashdown location for Dragon missions originating from the SpaceX South Texas Launch Site (currently under construction) and a contingency landing location for Dragon missions originating from Florida," the document states. SpaceX needs a re-entry license for spacecraft descending to Earth from the International Space Station, to which the company delivers supplies. SpaceX hopes to one day deliver and return astronauts from the facility, which orbits the planet. The human component to future missions is one reason that SpaceX is looking for another place, aside from the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, to conduct splashdowns. "The ability to return crew to Earth in a safe and timely manner is extremely important, particularly in cases where human life or health may be in jeopardy," the document states. The proposed splashdown and re-entry zone stretches from waters off of South Padre Island and hugs the Texas coast up to Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama, and from the Florida panhandle down to the keys. "Under the Proposed Action, the FAA would issue a re-entry license to SpaceX, which would authorize SpaceX to conduct up to six Dragon landing operations per year in the waters of the Gulf of Mexico," the document states. The Draft Environmental Assessment, which was released March 22, evaluates potential impacts on air quality, climate, noise and noise-compatible land use; the Department of Transportation Act; impacts on biological resources like aquatic plants and animals; on coastal, natural and water resources; on energy supply; on hazardous materials, solid waste, pollution prevention; and overall potential cumulative impacts. This Draft Environmental Assessment incorporates previously analyzed environmental effects of Dragon landings in the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. The FAA initiated a public review and comment period that began with the March 22 publication. Comments are due by May 4. "The successful completion of the environmental review process does not guarantee that the FAA would issue a re-entry license to SpaceX," the document states. A SpaceX spokesperson did not respond to a request for comment by deadline. http://www.brownsvilleherald.com/premium/spacex-asks-faa-to-green-lightgulf-of-mexico- splashdowns/article_897d6ce4-3dfd-11e8-9079-53e29190be4f.html Curt Lewis