Flight Safety Information May 30, 2018 - No. 109 In This Issue Incident: United B739 at Chicago on May 29th 2018, flaps/slats issue Incident: SAS B738 near Amsterdam on May 29th 2018, smoke in cabin EVAS - Cockpit Smoke Protection Incident: Qatar A333 near Baku on May 29th 2018, engine problem Incident: Condor B763 at Mombasa on May 29th 2018, rejected takeoff due to bird ingestion 10 Passengers Injured After a Man Falsely Claimed There Was a Bomb on Board an Indonesian Plane LIBIK Fire Suppression Kits for the Cabin and Flight Deck. Dutch Official Says Russia Must Accept Blame for 2014 Attack on Jet UK drone rules set height limits and safety tests for owner US aviation body to audit DGCA third time since 2013 (India) Lack of lubrication caused 2016 landing gear failure, report shows Australia gets new aviation data-sharing system Singapore Airlines to launch world's longest commercial flight in October USAF issues RFP to re-wing 112 A-10 aircraft Richard Branson says Virgin Galactic is '2 or 3' flights away from taking people to space Webcast: Trained For Life: Human-Centered Approach to Safety...May 31, 2018, starting at 9:00 AM Early Registration and Student Grant Deadline - CHC Safety & Quality Summit 2018 2018 SERC of ISASI HIGH ALTITUDE FLYING: WHAT EVERY PILOT NEEDS TO KNOW - New Online Course - Fall 2018 Flight Safety Officer Course from SCSI World Class Safety Management Systems from SCSI Position Available:...Manager of Fleet Planning Call for Nominations For 2018 Laura Taber Barbour Air Safety Award GRADUATE RESEARCH SURVEY - 1 GRADUATE RESEARCH SURVEY - 2 Incident: United B739 at Chicago on May 29th 2018, flaps/slats issue A United Boeing 737-900, registration N37470 performing flight UA-2192 from Tampa,FL to Chicago O'Hare,IL (USA) with 191 people on board, was on final approach to O'Hare's runway 10R descending through abou 1500 feet MSL when the crew initiated a go around reporting a flaps issue. The crew subsequently requested a long downwind to work the checklists, however, after working the checklists needed to declare emergency reporting the slats would not extend and requested runway 10C. ATC re-assigned runway 10R to a number of aircraft on approach to runway 10C and vectors UA-2191 for an approach to runway 10C. When ATC instructed the aircraft to reduce speed to 170 KIAS, the crew responded "We will once we get our flaps out", ATC accepted. The aircraft landed safely on runway 10C at a higher than normal speed (about 178 knots over ground). https://flightaware.com/live/flight/UAL2191/history/20180529/1640Z/KTPA/KORD https://avherald.com/h?article=4b9342fd&opt=0 Back to Top Incident: SAS B738 near Amsterdam on May 29th 2018, smoke in cabin A SAS Scandinavian Airlines Boeing 737-800, registration LN-RRH performing flight SK-4743 from Oslo (Norway) to Brussels (Belgium), was enroute at FL400 about 100nm northeast of Amsterdam (Netherlands) when the crew reported smoke in the cabin and decided to divert to Amsterdam, where the aircraft landed safely on runway 36R about 23 minutes later. The airline reported a number of passengers observed smoke in the cabin prompting the precautionary diversion, the smoke dissipated prior to landing. The aircraft was to be checked. The passengers would be sent onto their way to Brussels as soon as possible. The occurrence aircraft remained on the ground in Amsterdam for about 4 hours, however, then positioned back to Oslo. https://avherald.com/h?article=4b931241&opt=0 Back to Top Back to Top Incident: Qatar A333 near Baku on May 29th 2018, engine problem A Qatar Airways Airbus A330-300, registration A7-AEG performing flight QR-1399 from Doha (Qatar) to Tunis (Tunisia) with 137 passengers and 14 crew, was enroute at FL380 about 300nm southwest of Baku (Azerbaidjan) when the crew drifted the aircraft down to FL260 and diverted to Baku for a safe landing about 70 minutes later. The aircraft remained on the ground for about 3 hours, then departed again and is estimated to reach Tunis with a delay of 5 hours. Baku Airport reported the aircraft diverted due to an engine (CF6) failure possibly as result of a bird strike. https://avherald.com/h?article=4b930fda&opt=0 Back to Top Incident: Condor B763 at Mombasa on May 29th 2018, rejected takeoff due to bird ingestion A Condor Boeing 767-300, registration D-ABUM performing flight DE-2282 from Mombasa (Kenya) to Zanzibar (Tanzania) with 230 passengers and 10 crew, was accelerating for takeoff from Mombasa when the left hand engine (CF6) ingested two crows prompting the crew to reject takeoff. The aircraft slowed safely and returned to the apron. The passengers were taken to hotels while waiting for a replacement aircraft. The airline reported the left engine ingested birds, the crew rejected takeoff and brought the aircraft to a stop on the runway. The aircraft was ultimately bound for Frankfurt/Main (Germany) following the stop in Zanzibar. A replacement aircraft has been dispatched to Mombasa and is estimated to continue the flight the following day. https://avherald.com/h?article=4b930e0e&opt=0 Back to Top 10 Passengers Injured After a Man Falsely Claimed There Was a Bomb on Board an Indonesian Plane A Boeing Co. 737-900ER aircraft operated by PT Lion Mentari Airlines (Lion Air) takes off from Soekarno- Hatta International Airport in Cengkareng, near Jakarta, Indonesia, on Monday, April 15, 2013. (JAKARTA) - Police say 10 passengers on an Indonesian flight preparing to take off from Borneo island were injured, mostly with broken bones and head wounds, after a man falsely said there was a bomb on board. Police spokesman Nanang Purnomo said other passengers overheard the 26-year-old man, Frantinus Nirigi, telling a flight attendant there was a bomb on the Lion Air plane, which was carrying 189 passengers to Jakarta on Monday night. Purnomo said another passenger broke the emergency exit windows. He and Nirigi were arrested. Video online showed dozens of people standing on the Boeing 737s right wing. Some slid down the right engine and landed on the tarmac. Purnomo said eight passengers had broken bones and head wounds. Two had minor injuries. He said an inspection found no bomb. http://time.com/5293634/indonesia-plane-bomb-false-claim/ Back to Top Back to Top Dutch Official Says Russia Must Accept Blame for 2014 Attack on Jet Dutch Foreign Minister Stef Blok at the United Nations Security Council on Tuesday. Russia, he said, has offered nothing but "denials, distortions of reality and disinformation."CreditJustin Lane/EPA, via Shutterstock UNITED NATIONS - Days after a consortium of international investigators announced that Russia was the source of a missile that shot down a civilian airliner over Ukraine four years ago, the foreign minister of the Netherlands on Tuesday challenged Russia to "accept its responsibility" for the deaths of 298 people killed in the attack. Foreign Minister Stef Blok of the Netherlands, whose country has taken a lead role in the investigation, told journalists ahead of a United Nations Security Council session on the war in Ukraine that he had come to New York to confront the Russian delegation "eye to eye" in the hope of compelling Russia to cooperate in the investigation and bring those responsible for downing the airliner to justice. So far, Mr. Blok said, that cooperation has not been forthcoming. "Unfortunately, since the day of the crash, Russia has done its best to bring about conspiracy theories, denials, distortions of reality and disinformation," Mr. Blok said. Russia's ambassador to the United Nations, Vasily A. Nebenzya, reiterated his country's longstanding insistence that Russia had nothing to do with shooting down the aircraft. He also accused investigators of ignoring evidence he claimed undermined the Western consensus that Russian forces or the Ukrainian separatists they supported were responsible. "Our position has not changed in four years," Mr. Nebenzya said. Last Thursday, an international consortium of investigators led by the Netherlands and Australia announced that the missile used to shoot down the aircraft, a Boeing 777 traveling from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur, the capital of Malaysia, belonged to the 53rd Antiaircraft Brigade, an active duty Russian unit based in the city of Kursk. Most of the passengers on the jet were Dutch or Australian citizens. Through photographic and video evidence, the investigators were able to track the missile as it was transported on a mobile launcher from Russia to a rebel-held sector of Ukraine and back around the time the aircraft, Malaysia Airlines Flight 17, was shot down. The crash site of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17 in Hrabove, Ukraine, about 50 miles east of Donetsk, in September 2014.CreditAlexander Khudoteply/Agence France-Presse - Getty Images Investigators have identified about 100 people who they believe were involved in the attack, though they have refrained from identifying any suspects, citing the continuing investigation. Many questions remain, officials say, and Russian assistance is needed to answer them. "The rocket that was used was owned by the Russian Army and therefore the Russian Federation should of course provide the public prosecutor with information about how this rocket ended up in Ukrainian territory, who was responsible for it," Mr. Blok said in an interview after the Security Council session. So far, he said, Russia had not issued an official response to the latest revelations. The initial reaction from Russia's foreign minister, Sergey V. Lavrov, in a phone call last week, was "quite abrasive," Mr. Blok said, though Mr. Lavrov promised to study the evidence presented. The Dutch government, Mr. Blok said, would not rule out pushing for additional sanctions against Russia should it fail to cooperate with the investigation. "There is nothing we exclude," he said. The four-year-old war in Ukraine has left more than 10,000 people dead and remains a serious strain on relations between Russia and the West. In remarks at the Security Council on Tuesday, Nikki R. Haley, the United States ambassador to the United Nations, said the Trump administration would not lift sanctions until Russia removed its forces from eastern Ukraine and gave up control of Crimea, which it annexed from Ukraine in 2014. "Russia," Ms. Haley said, "has created a catastrophe of suffering in Ukraine." https://www.nytimes.com/2018/05/29/world/europe/russia-malaysia-flight-17.html Back to Top UK drone rules set height limits and safety tests for owners with unlimited fines facing those who fail to comply The UK is enforcing height limits on drones and will make owners register The government is introducing height limits for drones in an effort to regulate the growing sector more effectively with more robust laws. All drones will be stopped from flying above 400ft and within 1km of airport boundaries in new laws coming into effect on 30 July through an amendment to the Air Navigation Order 2016, the Department for Transport said today. The rules will also require owners of drones weighing 250g or more to register with the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and for drone pilots to take an online safety test, with these rules coming into force on 30 November 2019. Meanwhile, drone operators will eventually be required to use apps so they can access the information needed to ensure any planned flight is made safely and legally. Those who flout the new restrictions could be charged with recklessly or negligently acting in a manner likely to endanger an aircraft or any person in an aircraft, and result in an unlimited fine, up to five years in prison, or both. More people are using drones, with the CAA issuing a rising number of commercial licences - up from 2,500 in 2016 to 3,800 in 2017. The rise in popularity has also come alongside an increase in incidents with aircraft, according to the DfT. The number has risen year on year, from six occurrences in 2014 to 93 last year, so the measures are aiming to reduce the chance of damage to windows and engines of planes and helicopters. Baroness Sugg, aviation minister, said: We are seeing fast growth in the numbers of drones being used, both commercially and for fun. Whilst we want this industry to innovate and grow, we need to protect planes, helicopters and their passengers from the increasing numbers of drones in our skies. These new laws will help ensure drones are used safely and responsibly. The government said it wants to allow the potential of drones to be reached, while keeping safety high too. Drones already help inspect national infrastructure like railways and power stations, and PwC has predicted the industry could be worth £42bn in the UK by 2030. The CAA and airports will have the power to make exceptions to the restrictions announced by the government in "specific circumstances" though. Chris Woodroofe, chief operating officer, Gatwick Airport, said: We welcome the clarity that today's announcement provides as it leaves no doubt that anyone flying a drone must stay well away from aircraft, airports and airfields. Drones open up some exciting possibilities but must be used responsibly. These clear regulations, combined with new surveillance technology, will help the police apprehend and prosecute anyone endangering the travelling public. http://www.cityam.com/286602/uk-government-introduces-height-limits-drones-and-safety Back to Top US aviation body to audit DGCA third time since 2013 (India) NEW DELHI: The regulatory oversight of Indian aviation - whose job is to ensure people fly here safely - seems to be constantly under the scanner of leading international agencies. America's Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is going to audit the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) for the third time since 2013. And the latest FAA audit comes soon after the Indian regulator underwent an audit by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) last November. Confirming the FAA move, a senior DGCA official said: "It is a routine verification which FAA wishes to do. The fact that it is coming immediately after ICAO's regular audit is a matter of comfort because ICAO audit has not thrown up any safety issue whatsoever. We would have preferred FAA to come a little later because of various other pressing administrative initiatives with which DGCA is currently engaged (such as e-GCA or making available most services of the regulator online). However, we will work out a mutually convenient time for FAA's verification process." While FAA reportedly wants to come in a month or two, the Indian agency is learnt to be in favour of deferring the visit for some time as it is still implementing some changes recommended by the latest ICAO audit and the fact that ICAO audit did not express any serious safety concern. The fear of international agencies mainly stems from a feeling that India has in last decade not taken steps to strengthen its regulatory framework even as air traffic has exploded in the country and the lack of technical experts heading this agency. In fact, following an audit in 2013, the FAA had in January 2014 downgrading the country's safety ranking due to the UPA's continued failure to strengthen aviation safety oversight mechanism. After this first-ever downgrade, India took a number of steps to strengthen the DGCA. Then in April 2015 FAA had restored Indian aviation's top safety ranking. But even while upgrading India, FAA had expressed concerned at the "lack of continuity at top" at the regulator. It was uncomfortable with the fact that the DGCA has had six director-generals (DG) since 2008 (till 2015, a number that has now gone up to seven). In 2008, Kanu Gohain had demitted office as the last DG who rose from within the ranks. After him, IAS officers have held this post. The most recent ICAO audit conducted last November strongly recommended that air navigation services (ATC) which provide air traffic controllers should come under a separate regulatory agency. The Airports Authority of India (AAI) is the parent body of ANS as well as the regulatory agency for the ATCs and the UN's aviation agency wants some other agency like the DGCA to be the regulator for the same. Now the government has decided that the oversight of ANS will be done by DGCA. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/us-aviation-body-to-audit-dgca-third-time- since-2013/articleshow/64361299.cms Back to Top Lack of lubrication caused 2016 landing gear failure, report shows A lack of lubrication prevented the landing gear from deploying as Air Canada express flight 7212 approached the Calgary International Airport on July 12, 2016, said a Transportation Safety Board of Canada investigation. Two crew members operating the Air Georgian Beechcraft 1900D turboprop aircraft travelling from Lethbridge to Calgary noticed there was no gear-safe indication when they attempted to lower the landing gear during approach. The 15-passenger plane circled for an hour while the flight crew attempted to fix the problem, to no avail. An emergency was declared and the aircraft landed with the nose gear only partially extended. The TSB says that maintenance personnel were not adequately trained on lubrication techniques and the use of lubrication equipment. The plane received minimal damage, and there were no injuries. http://calgaryherald.com/news/local-news/lack-of-lubrication-caused-2016-landing-gear-failure-report- shows Back to Top Australia gets new aviation data-sharing system Airservices will be implementing the data-sharing system across Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, and Perth airports. Airservices Australia has announced a new aviation data-sharing system, allowing the synchronisation of data for air traffic controllers and operations staff at airports. Partnering with United States defence and security company Saab Sensis Corporation, the Airport Collaborative Decision Making (A-CDM) system is being implemented at Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, and Perth airports. The Australian government-owned corporation said it is the first air navigation service provider globally to take on a multi-location A-CDM implementation, with A-CDM initiatives typically led by an airport in a single location. A-CDM has already been introduced in other countries including the US and throughout Europe, and according to Airservices, the A-CDM solution is expected to save the aviation industry an estimated $52 million over the next decade. Airservices CEO Jason Harfield said having a coordinated overview of the same information will mean major savings in time and fuel, and improved airport operations. "A-CDM allows our systems to share information in real time -- we're all speaking in the same language if you like, and for the first time we will all have a common picture of aircraft movements through the arrival, turnaround, and departure phases of a flight," Harfield said. "This new system allows us to work more collaboratively. An air traffic controller can view the same real- time data that an airport or airlines operations manager can see. Ultimately this gives us greater predictability and working together we can plan the most efficient operations, which are more predictable and burn less fuel." Harfield also expects the A-CDM to allow for the better management of taxiing aircraft, as well as arrival and departure gates, and also the reduction of delays. "Preliminary modelling using A-CDM indicates taxi-times can be reduced by around 7 percent, or one minute per aircraft in peak busy periods which adds up to big savings very quickly," he added. A-CDM will be gradually rolled out from September 2019 beginning with Brisbane Airport. Work will then progress from Sydney to Melbourne and Perth airports, with the program due to finish in 2020. Internet of Things-focused market research firm Berg Insight estimates that the global installed base of active airport asset tracking systems was less than 200,000 units in 2017. Growing at a compound annual growth rate of 12.5 percent, the active installed base is estimated to reach close to 300,000 units worldwide in 2022. The figure includes all airport asset tracking systems deployed for various motorised ground support equipment, non-motorised equipment, as well as other applicable airport assets including on-road vehicles used in airport environments. https://www.zdnet.com/article/australia-gets-new-aviation-data-sharing-system/ Back to Top Singapore Airlines to launch world's longest commercial flight in October SINGAPORE (Reuters) - Singapore Airlines Ltd (SIAL.SI) said it would launch the world's longest commercial flight in October, a near-19 hour non-stop journey from Singapore to the New York area. FILE PHOTO: A Singapore Airlines Airbus A350-900 plane takes off at Changi Airport in Singapore March 28, 2018. REUTERS/Edgar Su/File Photo The 8,277 nautical mile (15,329 kilometer) flight from Singapore to Newark, New Jersey with 161 business class and premium economy seats will eclipse the 7,843 nautical mile Qatar Airways flight from Doha to Auckland as the world's longest, according to airline data provider OAG. Airlines including Singapore Airlines, Australia's Qantas Airways Ltd (QAN.AX) and U.S.-based United Continental Holdings Inc (UAL.N) are adding ultra-long haul flights that can capture an airfare premium of around 20 percent versus flights involving one or more stops. The Singapore-Newark flight marks the return of a popular route for Singapore Airlines. The carrier had flown the marathon flights until 2013, when high fuel prices made the use of four-engine Airbus SE (AIR.PA) A340-500 jets uneconomic. It has since flown to New York's JFK Airport via Frankfurt. Singapore Airlines is Airbus' first and to date only customer for the A350-900ULR, an ultra-long range version of the fuel-efficient twin-engine A350 jet. Qantas has said it is considering the purchase of the A350-900ULR or Boeing Co's (BA.N) 777X to allow it to fly non-stop from Sydney to London from 2022, an even longer 9,200 nautical mile journey. Singapore Airlines said on Wednesday that it also plans to introduce non-stop flights from Singapore to Los Angeles with the A350-900ULR at a later date. The airline expects to receive its first A350-900ULR in September, with all seven on order due by the end of the year. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-singapore-air-long-haul/singapore-airlines-to-launch-worlds-longest- commercial-flight-in-october-idUSKCN1IV0E1 Back to Top USAF issues RFP to re-wing 112 A-10 aircraft With 173 A-10s having already received new wings under the WRP effort, the addition of 112 upgraded aircraft under the latest ATTACK programme will give the USAF the 285 platforms it intends to fly out into the 2030s. Source: US Air Force The US Air Force (USAF) has issued a request for proposals (RFP) to re-wing about 100 of its Fairchild- Republic A-10 Thunderbolt II close air support (CAS) aircraft. Released on 25 May, the RFP for the A-10 Thunderbolt Advanced Wing Continuation Kitting (ATTACK) programme calls for the re-winging of 112 aircraft over five annual ordering periods, with the option for two more years after that. This ATTACK effort adds to the 173 aircraft that were upgraded under the previous Wing Replacement Program (WRP) that ran from 2007 through to 2018, with Boeing as prime contractor. Despite the USAF's announcement midway through the WRP that it was to prematurely retire the A-10, it was deemed cheaper to continue with contracts awarded under the A-10 Thunderbolt Lifecycle Program Support (TLPS) than to cancel them. Speaking earlier in 2018, Air Combat Command (ACC) chief General James Holmes said the USAF now aims to maintain a fleet of 285 aircraft (the sum of the WRP and ATTACK programmes) out into the 2030s. There are approximately 350 A-10s in the inventories of the active USAF, Air Force Reserve, and Air National Guard, although a number have already been sent for mothballing at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in Arizona. As a legacy platform, the A-10 is supported equally by Boeing, Lockheed Martin, and Northrop Grumman. Responses to the ATTACK RFP are due by 23 August, with a contract expected in fiscal year 2019 (FY 2019). The approved budget for FY 2018 contains USD103 million for the project, while USD79 million has been requested for FY 2019. To date, no funding for FY 2020 and beyond has yet been identified. The issuance of the ATTACK RFP is the surest indication of the USAF's intention to reverse its decision to retire the A-10 so as to free up resources for the Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter (JSF). http://www.janes.com/article/80357/usaf-issues-rfp-to-re-wing-112-a-10-aircraft Back to Top Richard Branson says Virgin Galactic is '2 or 3' flights away from taking people to space * Virgin Galactic reached halfway to its goal in the second powered flight of its Unity spacecraft on Tuesday. * There will be about "two or three more flights before we're actually in space," founder Richard Branson told CNBC after the flight. * Branson will be one of the first people Virgin Galactic will send to space. Sir Richard Branson in front of Virgin Galactic's Unity spacecraft Virgin Galactic Virgin Galactic reached nearly halfway to space in the second powered flight of its Unity spacecraft Tuesday, putting the company only months away from launching its first commercial passengers. "It will be something like two or three more flights before we're actually in space," founder Richard Branson told CNBC after the second test flight, which he called "a tremendous step in the right direction toward accomplishing our goals." Branson's space company has "a step-by-step cautious approach" in its testing program, he said, doing "whatever it takes to make absolutely certain that we've put everything to bed" before trying to send humans into space. Tuesday's flight was its second rocket-powered launch since the fatal crash of its Enterprise spacecraft on Oct. 31, 2014. Unity underwent extensive engine testing and seven glide tests before Virgin Galactic said it was ready to make another rocket-powered flight. Once Virgin Galactic has "a safe craft" that can reach more than 264,000 feet, Branson said, he will go up. "Soon after that, we'll start taking some of our astronauts up," Branson said. A key part of Virgin Galactic's plan to turn space tourism into a business is rapid reuse of the spacecraft. Unity was lifted into the air by the jet-powered mothership Eve, taking off from the Mojave Air and Space Port in California. It was released from under Eve's wing about an hour later, when Unity's rocket engine roared to life, sending the spacecraft at about twice the speed of sound to 114,500 feet. Unity then returned, using a technique called feathering to re-enter the atmosphere and glide back down to a landing on the same runway it had left. This technique of reaching space means Virgin Galactic was able to turn Unity around only 54 days after its first launch. Coincidentally, that's the same amount of time it took NASA to launch, land and launch again the space shuttle Atlantis in 1985 - the fastest turnaround during the shuttle program. Virgin Galactic's Unity spacecraft fires its rocket engine during the second powered test flight. Virgin Galactic "Ultimately we'll be able to cut it down to every four days," Branson said. He added that the goal of four days will only be realized "well after the test program is completed." For now, Branson is focused on his company creating a reliable means of letting more people experience weightlessness. In the latest test flight, Unity's rocket engine fired for 31 seconds. Virgin Galactic will likely aim to fire the engine for 40 seconds on the next flight, according to Branson, and 50 seconds on the following flight. "And then, if that's all gone according to plan, 63 seconds will be what will take us into space," Branson said. Competing with Jeff Bezos and Blue Origin Branson is neck and neck with fellow billionaire Jeff Bezos as their companies close in on launching tourists into space. Branson said he does "not see this as a race," despite the comparison often arising. "Both companies need to succeed," Branson said. "If one beats the other by a couple of months, one way or the other, as far as the long term is concerned, that's not important." Bezos has been pouring nearly $1 billion a year from his Amazon holdings into Blue Origin, the rocket- builder he founded in the pursuit of reaching zero-gravity conditions. Blue Origin is in the final stages of testing its New Shepard rocket, most recently launching its human-carrying capsule to 322,405 feet in an eighth successful flight on April 29. Blue Origin CEO Bob Smith told CNBC on April 18 that he hopes his company will be launching tourists to space on New Shepard this year. 'No ride anywhere in the world that will be like it' Branson said Tuesday he could imagine the pilots' reaction as he watched the spaceship blast skyward "straight up in front of us." "When you are talking about going from naught to 3,500 mph in 8 seconds straight up - there will be no ride anywhere in the world that will be like it," Branson said. He said he believes his first spaceflight "will be the most important day of my life" and he hopes it will be the beginning of meaningful experiences for many others. "That hopefully will open up space for hundreds of thousands of people in the years to come," Branson said. Branson compared today's private space companies with the fledgling commercial air industry in the 1920s, much like SpaceX founder Elon Musk did earlier this month. While Virgin Galactic has more than 700 would-be astronauts signed on to launch, tickets are priced at $250,000 per flight. When commercial air travel was developing, Branson said, "it cost a [relatively] similar sum of money to send wealthy people across the Atlantic [Ocean]. ... And over the years the price came down to a level where enormous quantities of people were able to go." Virgin Galactic is also "trying to get to a level where we are completely environmentally neutral," Branson said. He explained that he does not want Virgin Galactic to be contributing more harm to the Earth than it gives back, even as it helps unlock new discoveries for humanity. "Therefore people can go to space without damaging the environment and really enjoy the wonderful overview that has meant so much to the people who have already been to space," Branson said. https://www.cnbc.com/2018/05/29/richard-branson-virgin-galactic-is-2-or-3-flights-away-from- space.html Back to Top Webcast: Trained For Life: Human-Centered Approach to Safety May 31, 2018, starting at 9:00 AM eastern | Join Us! http://hftconference.alpa.org AGENDA 9:00 a.m.-9:30 a.m. Opening Captain Tim Canoll-President, Air Line Pilots Association, Int'l The Honorable Robert Sumwalt-Chairman, National Transportation Safety Board 9:30 a.m.-10:30 a.m. Training for the Unexpected: A Focus on Resilience Moderator: First Officer Leja Collier-Director, Human Factors, Air Line Pilots Association, Int'l Mr. Shawn Pruchnicki-Lecturer, The Ohio State Department of Aviation First Officer Terry Van Hoose-ALPA 2015 Superior Airmanship Award Recipient, United Airlines Captain Brad Donaldson-Human Factors Specialist, Alaska Airlines Mr. Lou Németh-Chief Safety Officer, CAE 10:30 a.m.-11:00 a.m. Networking Break 11:00 a.m.-Noon Pathways to Human-Centered Operating Principles Moderator: Captain Helena R. Cunningham-Human Factors and Training Subject-Matter Expert, Air Line Pilots Association, Int'l Dr. Immanuel Barshi-Senior Principal Investigator in the Human Systems Integration Division, NASA Ames Research Center Captain Steve Guillian-JetBlue Airways Captain Ben Berman-(UAL, ALPA) Co-author of The Limits of Expertise: Rethinking Pilot Error and the Causes of Airline Accidents Noon-1:30 p.m. Keynote Lunch Ms. Bobbi Wells-Vice President, Safety and Airworthiness, FedEx Express 1:30 p.m.-2:30 p.m. Flight Deck Information Management Moderator: Captain Brian Moynihan-Central Air Safety Chairman, Alaska Airlines Master Executive Council Dr. Barbara Kanki-NASA Ames Associate, Human Systems Integration Division, NASA Ames Research Center First Officer Laura Lucas-Edwards-Instructor Pilot, Delta Air Lines Mr. Sam Miller-Multi-Discipline Engineer, The MITRE Corporation Dr. Michelle Yeh-Human Factors Specialist in Aircraft Certification, Federal Aviation Administration 2:30 p.m.-3:30 p.m. Beyond Crew Resource Management Moderator: Captain Dave McKenney-Director, Pilot Training, Air Line Pilots Association, Int'l Dr. Barbara Holder-Technology Fellow, Advanced Technology, Honeywell Captain Rob Piroumian-Senior Instructor/APD, Training Coordinator, Delta Air Lines Human Factors Working Group Captain Chuck Hogeman-Director, Flight Training Support, United Airlines 3:30 p.m.-4:00 p.m. Networking Break 4:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m. Automation Exceptions: The New Unusual Attitude Moderator: Captain Scott Hammond-Central Air Safety Chairman, Delta Air Lines Master Executive Council Captain Mark McCullins-Chief Test Pilot, U.S. Manufacturing Facility, Airbus Mr. Mark I. Nikolic-Senior Human Factors Systems Engineer, Flight Deck Displays, Boeing Commercial Airplanes Mr. Shayne Daku-Assistant Professor, University of North Dakota Dr. Amy Pritchett-Professor and Head of Aerospace Engineering, Pennsylvania State University Back to Top The 14th CHC Safety & Quality Summit is just over four months away, so there is still plenty of time to register for this industry-leading safety event. However, the window for registering at the special early bird rate is quickly closing. The deadline for the discounted early bird registration rate of $1085 is May 31! To take advantage of the early bird rate, visit the Summit website (www.chcsafetyqualitysummit.com) and click "Register" before May 31. We have also extended the deadline to May 30 for students to apply to be considered for one of two grant opportunities to attend the Summit! Each of these grants will provide full entry, transportation and accommodation for the selected winning students. Applicants must be engaged in a course of study related to aviation. Interested students can submit an application here. If you have any additional questions, please contact the Summit organizing team at summit@chcheli.com Thank you, CHC Summit Team Back to Top Back to Top Back to Top Back to Top Back to Top Position Available: Manager of Fleet Planning What does a Manager of Fleet Planning do for Allegiant? Perform various duties in support of the Fleet Planning Department's activities including aircraft financial analysis, contract management, supply chain management, and negotiation of aircraft-related acquisition and sale activities. Assist the Vice President, Fleet Planning & Corporate Finance and Director, Fleet Planning in the performance of their duties, as necessary. What are some of the daily duties of a Manager of Fleet Planning? * Oversee commercial aspects of the company's engine, aircraft heavy maintenance, and aircraft retirement programs * Program management, forecasting and budgeting of Allegiant's heavy maintenance programs * Perform and assemble analysis of new and/or supplemental aircraft types * Coordination with materials, maintenance, and engineering groups regarding work scope management, optimizing for both performance and cost * Assist in the identification, negotiation and purchase of targeted aircraft * Assist in the disposal of aircraft and aircraft-related assets * Perform lease vs. buy, valuation and other aircraft related analysis * Perform post-purchase and post-lease contract management activities (reimbursements, owner/seller notifications, coordination of financial details with accounting, etc.) * Oversight of major consignment agreements for aircraft and engine related parts * Organize and manage all aircraft related documentation (sales/purchase agreements, leases, etc.) * Negotiate and resolve contractual and/or technical issues, as required * Administration of Allegiant's asset management subsidiary, often covering third party leases * Coordinate fleet planning activities with other departments internally * Other duties as assigned What are the minimum requirements to be a Manager of Fleet Planning? * Bachelor's degree required, advanced degree preferred * Must pass a ten (10) year background check and five (5) year pre-employment drug screen What other skills, knowledge, and qualifications are needed to be a Manager of Fleet Planning? * Prefer minimum two (2) years experience in a related activity, preferably in an aircraft/airline environment * Strong intellect and analytical aptitude required, along with ability to manage multiple and varied activities. Good negotiation skills essential in order to appropriately advance the company's agenda in asset acquisitions and sales, as well as to successfully resolve commercial and/or technical disputes. Excellent oral and written communication skills and better than average people skills required to effectively manage large, multi-party, internal and external projects. Strong attention to detail required to manage all aspects of the position. Must embrace hard work and be comfortable with a fast paced, quickly changing work environment. Proficiency required in all MS Office products What are the physical requirements of Manager of Fleet Planning ? 10% of travel required Allegiant is an equal opportunity employer and will not unlawfully discriminate against qualified applicants or Team Members with respect to any terms or conditions of employment based on 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. APPLY HERE Back to Top FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 25, 2018 CONTACT: Philip Barbour, 205-939-1700, 205-617-9007 Call for Nominations For 2018 Laura Taber Barbour Air Safety Award ALEXANDRIA, Va. -- The Laura Taber Barbour Air Safety Foundation is now accepting nominations for the 2018 Laura Taber Barbour Air Safety Award, honoring a leader in global aviation safety. The award will be presented during the 71st Annual International Air Safety Summit, taking place Nov. 12-15 in Seattle, Wash. Presented since 1956, the Laura Taber Barbour Air Safety Award recognizes notable achievement in the field of civil or military aviation safety in method, design, invention, study or other improvement. The award's recipient is selected for a "significant individual or group effort contributing to improving aviation safety, with emphasis on original contributions," and a "significant individual or group effort performed above and beyond normal responsibilities." Mechanics, engineers and others outside of top administrative or research positions should be especially considered. The contribution need not be recent, especially if the nominee has not received adequate recognition. Nominations that were not selected as past winners of the Award can be submitted one additional time for consideration. Please note that self-nominations will not be considered. The Laura Taber Barbour Air Safety Award's story dates back 70 years. On April 14, 1945, after visiting family in Pittsburgh, Laura Taber Barbour was aboard a Pennsylvania Central Airlines DC-3 when it crashed into the rugged terrain of Cheat Mountain near Morgantown, West Virginia. All passengers and crew were killed. In the years following, her husband, Dr. Clifford E. Barbour and son, Clifford E. Barbour, Jr., established the Laura Taber Barbour Air Safety Award in her honor. The Award Board, composed of leaders in the field of aviation, meets in June of each year to conduct a final review of nominees and selection of the current year's recipient. Please help us honor this year's most deserving recipient. Nominations, including a 1-2-page narrative, can be submitted via the Laura Taber Barbour Foundation website at http://ltbaward.org/the- award/nomination-form/. Nominations will be accepted until June 14, 2018. For more information, including a complete history of Award recipients, see www.ltbaward.org. ABOUT THE LAURA TABER BARBOUR AIR SAFETY AWARD: The Award was established in 1956 through early association with the Flight Safety Foundation and from its founding has enjoyed a rich history of Award Board members, nominees and Award recipients. In 2013, the Laura Taber Barbour Air Safety Foundation was formed from members of the Award Board, the aviation community and the Barbour family. As the foundation plans to broaden the scope of its intent, with great purpose, the Laura Taber Barbour Air Safety Award will continue to spotlight those champions who pioneer breakthroughs in flight safety. Back to Top GRADUATE RESEARCH SURVEY - 1 Dear pilots, My name is Koen Scheers, First Officer and postgraduate student 'Air Transport Management' at City, University of London. Currently, I am working on my research project, which is the final part of my studies at City to gain a Master of Science (MSc) degree. My research project, entitled 'A sustainable model for pilot retention', aims to establish a model of organisational practices to keep pilots in the airline they are working for. To support my research project with data I have created a web survey for pilots, and via this way, I kindly ask your help by participating in the survey. The survey is not affiliated with any airline, training organisation, or any other. Participation in the survey is voluntary and anonymous. The survey will take about 10 minutes of your time to complete and is open for participation until 15 July 2018. Also, I would be very grateful if you could forward this message to other pilots in your contact list or spread the word in the airline you are working for. Please click the link below to enter the survey: SURVEY WEB LINK: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/pilotretention Your participation is highly appreciated, kind regards, Koen Scheers +32 486 85 07 91 Koen.scheers@city.ac.uk Back to Top GRADUATE RESEARCH SURVEY - 2 Dear fellow professional pilots, As part of my Masters Degree in Aviation Management, I am conducting a survey on 'Operator Conversion Courses' (A Course taken by pilots in a new airline when moving from one airline to another but remaining on the same aircraft type) May I ask that commercial pilots amongst you take just 5 minutes to answer this short survey; it is only 10 questions. I would also ask that you pass on the link to as many of your professional pilot colleagues around the world who might also be able to provide valuable data to the survey. The survey is open until the 15th June 2016 and all data is de-identied and shall only be used for the purposes of this paper. https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/VJFHRSK If you have any questions, please feel free to email me on guy.farnfield.1@city.ac.uk Thank you Guy Farnfield Curt Lewis