Flight Safety Information June 19, 2018 - No. 123 In This Issue Incident: Rossiya A319 at Rostov on Jun 18th 2018, engine malfunction due to bird strike Incident: India A319 near Udaipur on Jun 16th 2018, loss of cabin pressure Incident: IrAero SU95 near Barnaul on Jun 18th 2018, engine fire indication Incident: Swiss A343 near Munich on Jun 18th 2018, smoke in cockpit EVAS - Cockpit Smoke Protection Incident: Royal Maroc B788 at Montreal on Jun 11th 2018, damaged window LIBIK Fire Suppression Kits for the Cabin and Flight Deck. Contractor that operates thousands of Air Canada flights had faulty maintenance, safety- management Jet Linx Halts Operations for Safety Day How 3D printing is shaping the future of aircraft maintenance, repair & overhaul El Al launches civilian pilots school in Florida More and more companies are dumping their corporate jets Record-Breaking Astronaut Peggy Whitson Retires from NASA 64th Air Safety Forum - Join Us! CHC Helicopter has announced that Alison Levine as keynote speaker Bombardier Safety Standdown Award 2018 - Nominations are still open! HIGH ALTITUDE FLYING: WHAT EVERY PILOT NEEDS TO KNOW - New Online Course - Fall 2018 Aircraft Accident Investigation from SCSI GRADUATE RESEARCH SURVEY - 1 GRADUATE RESEARCH SURVEY - 2 GRADUATE RESEARCH SURVEY - 3 Incident: Rossiya A319 at Rostov on Jun 18th 2018, engine malfunction due to bird strike A Rossiya Airbus A319-100, registration VP-BNB performing flight FV-1007 from St. Petersburg to Rostov-on-Don (Russia) carrying the national soccer team of Saudi Arabia, was on final approach to Rostov's new International Platov Airport's runway 04 when the right hand engine (CFM56) emitted streaks of flame. The aircraft continued for a safe landing. Saudi Arabia's National Football Association assured their fans that the national team is safe. A minor technical malfunction had occurred in one of the aircraft's engines. The airline reported the aircraft touched down with both engines operating, an engine ingested a bird. Media reports of an engine fire are untrue. A video circulating on the Internet showing continuous flame from the tailpipe for at least 16 seconds in pitch dark night appears to raise serious questions about its authenticity in the light of photos released by the Saudi Arabian National Football team showing the arrival in dusk. Passenger photo at touchdown (Photo: italaal): https://avherald.com/h?article=4ba0dcf1&opt=0 Back to Top Incident: India A319 near Udaipur on Jun 16th 2018, loss of cabin pressure An Air India Airbus A319-100, registration VT-SCJ performing flight AI-498 from Rajkot to Delhi (India) with 98 passengers and 5 crew, was enroute at FL330 about 90nm southwest of Udaipur (India) when the crew initiated an emergency descent due to the loss of cabin pressure, the passenger oxygen masks were not released. The aircraft landed safely in Udaipur about 20 minutes later. The aircraft remained on the ground for about 10 hours, then continued the flight climbing to a maximum of FL290 and reached Delhi with a delay of 10.5 hours. The aircraft remained on the ground in Delhi for another 10 hours before returning to service. The airline reported a rubber seal of the cargo compartment began to leak, the crew received a warning about decreasing cabin pressure, the passenger oxygen masks did not need to be released however. The occurrence is being investigated internally. India's DGCA is looking into the occurrence too stating that loaders might inadvertently and unintentionally cut into the cargo door rubber seals while loading/unloading cargo, which could cause the seal leaking at higher altitudes. https://avherald.com/h?article=4ba0d8c6&opt=0 Back to Top Incident: IrAero SU95 near Barnaul on Jun 18th 2018, engine fire indication An IrAero Sukhoi Superjet 100-95, registration RA-89034 performing flight IO-225 from Irkutsk to Barnaul (Russia) with 85 passengers and 5 crew, was descending towards Barnaul when the crew declared emergency reporting a left hand engine (SaM146) fire indication. The aircraft continued for a safe landing on Barnaul's runway 06. The West Siberian Transport Prosecution Office reported the indication was determined false. A replacement Superjet 100-95 registration RA-89077 performed the second leg to Saint Petersburg (Russia) with a delay of 5 hours. The occurrence aircraft returned to service about 21 hours after landing. https://avherald.com/h?article=4ba0d677&opt=0 Back to Top Incident: Swiss A343 near Munich on Jun 18th 2018, smoke in cockpit A Swiss Airlines Airbus A340-300, registration HB-JMD performing flight LX-188 from Zurich (Switzerland) to Shanghai Pudong (China) with 215 passengers, was climbing through FL260 out of Zurich about 60nm south of Munich (Germany) when the crew stopped the climb reporting smoke in the cockpit and decided to divert to Munich. The aircraft descended to FL100, entered a hold briefly, then continued for a safe landing on Munich's runway 26L about 25 minutes after stopping the climb at FL260. Emergency services inspected the aircraft on the runway, then followed the aircraft to the apron. The occurrence aircraft is still on the ground in Munich about 8 hours after landing. https://avherald.com/h?article=4ba0d3f7&opt=0 Back to Top Back to Top Incident: Royal Maroc B788 at Montreal on Jun 11th 2018, damaged window A Royal Air Maroc Boeing 787-800, registration CN-RGC performing flight AT-208 from Casablanca (Morocco) to Montreal,QC (Canada), was descending towards Montreal when the crew declared PAN PAN PAN reporting a damaged window. The aircraft continued for a safe landing on Montreal's runway 24R and taxied to the apron. The Canadian TSB reported the aircraft was 21nm east of Montreal's Trudeau Airport when the crew declared PAN (editorial note: according to Mode-S data the aircraft was descending through about 5000 feet MSL at that location). The occurrence aircraft remained on the ground for about 36 hours, then departed for the return flight AT-209. https://flightaware.com/live/flight/RAM208/history/20180611/1730Z/GMMN/CYUL https://avherald.com/h?article=4ba0d230&opt=0 Back to Top Back to Top Contractor that operates thousands of Air Canada flights had faulty maintenance, safety- management: federal investigation The failings helped trigger a landing-gear breakdown and tense emergency landing in Calgary two years ago, the probe concluded Air Georgian's head offices at Toronto Lester B. Pearson Airport on Monday October 16, 2017.Peter J. Thompson/NATIONAL POST STAFF PHOTO A company that provides thousands of Air Canada-branded flights annually had flawed safety- management, quality-control and maintenance systems, which helped trigger a landing-gear breakdown and tense emergency landing two years ago, a federal investigation has concluded. No one was injured when the Air Canada Express flight touched down at Calgary airport in July 2016, the front gear failing to extend and the aircraft's nose scraping along the runway for 20 seconds. But the recent Transportation Safety Board report concluded the malfunctioning gear was the result of longstanding, systemic problems at Air Georgian Ltd., the sub-contractor that operated that flight, and runs 62,000 others for Air Canada yearly. "When we see a rudimentary maintenance element not being done correctly for a long period of time, at a company that's offering this level of service for fare-paying passengers in Canada, that is a concern," said John Lee, the TSB's Western regional manager. "We're not doing it to run Air Georgian out of business ... The point is to ensure they can do the best job they can." The report also criticizes Transport Canada, saying the regulator relies too much on evaluating companies' internal "safety management systems" (SMS) and not enough on inspecting their actual safety performance. When we see a rudimentary maintenance element not being done correctly for a long period of time, at a company that's offering this level of service for fare-paying passengers in Canada, that is a concern It noted that the department had for several years given Air Georgian a "high-risk" rating, but still focused just on reviewing its SMS, "rather than regulatory compliance." A high-risk designation - used by Transport Canada to determine how often it inspects an airline - can reflect neutral factors such as a recent fleet expansion or personnel changes, as well as actual problems, noted Lee. Meanwhile, Air Georgian fired back at the safety agency itself, complaining that the investigator pre- judged the case, bullied some Georgian employees and was discriminatory toward workers whose first language was not English, according to a company memo obtained by the National Post. The TSB indicated it provided sensitivity training to the investigator but otherwise dismissed the complaints, leaving the company "very disappointed," the memo says. "We stand by our complaints and believe many of the elements in the report to be biased," said the note. "We believe the TSB fell well short of their mandate (and) will continue to advocate for the rights of our employees. We are committed to providing a respectful and harassment-free workplace that celebrates the diversity that makes our great company what it is." Lee said the safety board reviewed the complaints thoroughly, but did not change any of its findings as a result. Through lawyer Rocco DiPucchio, Air Georgian told the Post it has already taken action to respond to issues raised by the board and "will not hesitate" to do more if necessary. Meanwhile, its safety-audit results put it in the top-tier of airlines, he said. DiPucchio also said it would be "inaccurate and misleading" to suggest the report applied to anything more than just the landing-gear lubrication issue on which it focused. But Lee said the findings do raise broader concerns, as "the system that didn't catch that lubrication task is the same system that oversees other, maybe more serious maintenance activities as well." A spokesman for Air Canada said the carrier is confident that Georgian has addressed the matters raised by the investigation, and that it meets all international safety standards. We stand by our complaints and believe many of the elements in the report to be biased A National Post investigation last year reported the concerns of several current and former crew members about Georgian's safety approach, including allegations that it delayed fixing defective plane parts and discouraged reporting of problems. The company responded at the time that it had passed numerous safety audits, and that the criticisms were fabricated, coming in part from disgruntled ex-employees. The TSB report looked at a Georgian Beechcraft 1900 D propeller aircraft, carrying 15 passengers from Lethbridge, Alta., to Calgary in July 2016. Unable to fully extend the gear, the pilots made an emergency landing, the plane coming to a safe stop after sliding on its nose. The board blamed that the nose-gear problem on a lack of lubrication, which caused a bolt to seize and break. It went on to list a number of issues contributing to the lubrication error, including inadequate maintenance procedures and training and internal systems that did not detect potential maintenance problems. During the investigation, the company found improperly lubricated landing gear on several aircraft that its safety-management, quality assurance and quality-control programs had failed to uncover, the report said. Airlines in Canada have been required to have safety-management systems in place since 2005, the idea being to add another, internal layer of vigilance. But critics say Transport Canada has increasingly relied on paper evaluations of those company-run systems, while scaling back its own in-person, surprise inspections. In the Georgian case, that approach meant that the "ineffective lubrication processes" went undiscovered in three Transport Canada inspections before the Calgary incident, the safety board said. The department defended its approach, noting that it oversees one of the safest aviation sectors in the world. Safety-management systems offer an extra level of prevention, but in no way replace scrutiny by the regulator, said spokeswoman Marie-Anyk Côté. http://nationalpost.com/news/contractor-that-operates-thousands-of-air-canada-flights-had-faulty- maintenance-safety-systems-federal-investigation-finds Back to Top Jet Linx Halts Operations for Safety Day Last Tuesday, Jet Linx Aviation intentionally grounded its entire fleet so that all of its employees could participate in its annual safety summit. According to the company, the third-largest aircraft management provider in the U.S., the day-long event was the culmination of a weeklong series of assessment exercises, preparedness drills, roundtables, and training programs, developed by its national operations center in Omaha, Nebraska, and its 14 local bases, and involving all of its executives, staff, pilots, client services employees, and partners. "One can either adhere to and comply with established standards or continually strive to create new principles and tenets that transcend the norm, and that is both our credo and our mandate," said president and CEO Jamie Walker, describing the motivation behind the event. "While there are only a couple of private aviation operators the size of Jet Linx, we all have a singular goal, which is to provide the safest flight experience for all concerned." https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/business-aviation/2018-06-15/jet-linx-halts-operations-safety- day Back to Top How 3D printing is shaping the future of aircraft maintenance, repair & overhaul A look at how some of the world's biggest aerospace and MRO companies are embracing additive manufacturing. A380 inside hangar at Etihad Engineering. As a somewhat nerdy by-product of working in an industry that looks at manufacturing the world differently, I too find myself often viewing the world through an additive lens. Perhaps the place I do this most is when traveling on an airplane where I tend to scour the cabin for places where additive manufacturing (AM) could be present someday soon. The lifespan of an aircraft, typically between 20 and 30 years, makes maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) and retrofit, both big and necessary businesses. Think of every plane you've been on in the last few years that still featured a now-defunct charging socket from the 1980s - aircraft are not changing overnight to keep up-to-date with consumer expectations. However, Airbus' Global Market Forecast projects that over the next 20 years the commercial aircraft upgrades services market will be worth 180 billion USD. According to a variety of market reports, aerospace accounts for roughly 20% of the AM market. It offers numerous benefits to the sector; part consolidation, reduced inventory, on-demand manufacturing, light- weighting reduced costs and fuel consumption. For replacement parts where timescales are tight, and downtime must be kept to a minimum, speed of delivery can be a game-changer. Big ideas Can (or indeed, should) you 3D print an entire airplane? Berlin-based BigRep is looking to answer that question from an interior perspective in partnership with Etihad Airways Engineering, taking a close look at every single part you see in the cabin, to explore where AM could offer a better solution. "Currently we are jointly working together with the innovation unit of Etihad Engineering to identify parts within the cabin - predominantly large format parts - that could be candidates for 3D printing," Daniel Büning, Head of Global Strategy at BigRep explains. "It could be headrests, it could be side wall panels, it could be part of the seats or entertainment system. The core idea is to work with their lead designers and engineers to establish a novel digital workflow for AM cabin design." BigRep is already embedding "digital smartness" into parts in combination with digitally tailored design methods. Etihad is leveraging BigRep's large-format polymer FDM (fused deposition modelling) systems, which will soon be located at its Innovation Centre in Abu Dhabi, to reimagine non-flying parts for new aircraft and retrofit installations. As Etihad is the first airline MRO permitted by the EASA to certify, manufacture and fly 3D printed parts in-house, it already has a substantial advantage over a significant hurdle. "Imagine you have an aircraft that is 30 years old and there is a need to refurbish or retrofit them every other 5 to 10 years. Every one of those parts has to be certified," Büning adds. "This is a major problem if you are not able to do that by yourself or with a certified partner." Taking this a step further, BigRep is already embedding "digital smartness" into parts in combination with digitally tailored design methods. Hybrid manufacturing is also being explored, using off the shelf 6-axis industrial robots to print onto half-finished parts independent of its geometry or size as a "digital value add-on." The first proof of concept is a full-scale print of an Airbus A320 sidewall on the BigRep ONE. The part was scanned to create a "digital twin" which is used to provide information to the robot about the part geometry and print conductive tracks, antennas and ornamental features. "For me, as an innovation director, I was always sure that AM would take off if you have functional integration," Büning commented. "With dual extrusion and the right materials such as conductive or capacitive, it is possible to dramatically decrease the manufacturing process by embedding structural and functional performance within a single process chain. In my opinion, this is the way to go, and that's why BigRep is pushing hard on this." First hybrid manufacturing proof of concept is a full-scale print of an Airbus A320 sidewall with conductive tracks, antennas and ornamental features printed with a robotic arm. The project is part of NOWlab@BigRep, BigRep's internal innovation department which looks at what's to come in the industry in the next five to ten years. So, while you won't see these parts flying in your commercial airplane cabin tomorrow, the potential for future applications in functional integration and reducing production costs and time could be tremendous. Certification-ready Over in Dubai, Emirates Engineering, part of the biggest airline in the UAE, has been actively exploring 3D printing for cabin parts for around two years and recently teamed with 3D Systems. The company, which provides MRO services for a wide range of Airbus and Boeing models, used selective laser sintering (SLS) to produce video monitor shrouds for its aircraft cabins. The first batch was printed in partnership with UUDS, a European aviation Engineering and Certification Office and Services Provider based in France, using 3D Systems' new Duraform ProX FR1200 material, a flame-retardant nylon-12 thermoplastic. The 3D printed monitor shrouds were 9-13% lighter than components manufactured traditionally and could lead to significant reductions in fuel emissions and costs across an entire fleet. The parts have undergone a range of tests and are in the process of receiving EASA certification before they are installed on select Emirates aircraft. Emirates has already used AM to develop EASA-certified aircraft cabin air vent grills that were installed for on-board trials late last year. Both components are currently being evaluated before they are rolled out across Emirates fleet. Airbus panels 3D printed with Materialise's Certified Additive Manufacturing. Airbus, the second biggest aerospace manufacturer in the world, is no stranger to AM and has already produced thousands of parts such as brackets, clips, and holding devices using polymer processes. The latest is a spacer panel, located alongside the overhead storage compartments on commercial aircraft, produced in partnership with Materialise and set to be the first 3D printed parts placed in the cabins of Airbus's A320 Family jetliners at Finnair. To the passenger, the part won't look any different on the outside, but its weight has been optimised with a bionic design to achieve a 15% reduction compared to the original. "Conventional manufacturing has trained MRO managers to think in terms of manufacturing at scale to ensure cost benefits. AM is a game-changer because it allows for cost-effective production of even single parts," Edouard de Mahieu, Project Manager, Manufacturing at Materialise told TCT. "AM enables the production of what is necessary now, even if it's a highly customised part. Ultimately, when your spare parts production is free from the economies of scale, the winner is performance." The spacer panels are produced using Materialise's Certified Additive Manufacturing process and then painted to Airbus cabin requirements, all using flame-retardant Airbus-approved materials. The Belgian company's Certified AM facility holds several critical certifications including ISO 9001 for manufacturing and EN9100 and EASA 21.G for the aerospace industry which has already seen the company produce flight-ready parts for the Airbus A350 XWB. Materialise describes the process as more than a 3D print but rather "an entire quality system." "Quality in AM can be affected at each stage of the value chain. That's why we have defined quality management processes for each step of the manufacturing process, from data capture to build preparation, production to post-processing, and final quality control," Mahieu continued. "In order to define and hone these processes, we work very closely with our clients to understand their quality requirements and integrate them seamlessly into our infrastructure and workflows." Time to spare SIA Engineering Company (SIAEC) recently formed a joint venture with Stratasys to establish an AM service centre for the manufacture of parts for commercial airlines. The Singaporean firm provides MRO services to more than 80 airlines worldwide. Combining SIAEC's MRO industry knowledge and Stratasys' AM leadership, the partnership aims to identify opportunities for 3D printing in aviation whether that's advanced tooling or end-use cabin parts. "We'll do some prototyping work but we're more focussed on advanced tooling and production part opportunities which are less obvious and may take the customer, such as an MRO, a very long time to discover for themselves," Daniel Thomsen, Stratasys secondee, Deputy General Manager - Joint Venture with SIA Engineering Company told TCT. "We are trying to work extremely closely with our customers and help them identify these advanced opportunities." Initially, they will look at interior cabin components and non-critical, non-loaded, singular parts which Thomsen believes will not only be a good starting point to get engineers thinking differently about AM but also for regulators to understand and become familiar with the utilization of the technology. "For successful deployment of AM, an MRO really needs to look at the pains in their services. The two pains that come to mind are unnecessary repetitive costs and extremely time-consuming workshop activities," Thomsen explained. "These tend to be two good starting points. AM is an option and with strong knowledge behind that option, in many cases, can deliver the most economical and successful solution." Whenever an aircraft is not flying, it is losing money, so driving down lead times for replacement components is crucial for airlines. By adopting AM into their spare part workflow, MROs could have the ability to keep stock quantities significantly lower and manufacture lesser volumes on demand with a catalog of parts that have been designed for AM. Unlike some of the more elaborate AM concepts we've seen for the aerospace industry, this doesn't mean overhauling the entire look of an aircraft. In fact, Thomsen says in his view "you won't see them flying." Cosmetically, AM cabin parts will look the same, adhering to each airline's aesthetic, but instead, they might be enhanced by internal features that can't be seen, such as lattices, to reduce material and weight. "AM can produce more complex geometries where the complexity may not be seen due to being in the back of the part but will provide possibly stronger, lighter and more reliable parts than what was currently installed on the aircraft," Thomsen adds. "This is certainly not just reproducing an existing part, but designing a new part solution, exploiting the benefits of AM". https://www.tctmagazine.com/3d-printing-news/additive-manufacturing-aerospace-maintenance-repair/ Back to Top El Al launches civilian pilots school in Florida The new course is designed for Israeli citizens, both men and women, at least 21 years old with matriculation certificates and having no previous flying experience. El Al Israel Airlines Ltd. (TASE: ELAL) is launching a school for civilian pilots in cooperation with veteran pilot training institution Aviator. Aviator is based in Florida, where El Al will hold its pilot classes. The venture, which is aimed at civilian pilots, is driven by the growing shortage of pilots and the growth in global passenger traffic. Assessments are that the number of passengers will double from four billion at present to 7.8 billion in 2036. The numbers point to a lack of 225,000 pilots worldwide in the next decade with the addition of 25,000 new airplanes in the next 20 years, after deducting the number of planes in commercial fleets that will be grounded and the number of pilots who will retire after reaching the mandatory retirement age of 65, among other things. The cost of a civilian pilots license is $65,000 for two years of training, including 1,000 flight hours. What lies ahead? El Al is making no promises to hire the pilots it trains, but the looming shortage of pilots will enable the new pilots to find jobs with other Israeli or foreign airlines (in the US or Europe with suitable citizenship) or other companies, such as Chinese airlines looking for pilots from anywhere in the world. For El Al director of business development and strategy Nimrod Borovitz, Israel air force pilots will continue to be El Al's spearhead (only 10% of El Al's pilots are civilian pilots). At the same time, the company is aware that not every military pilot is eager to work as a pilot in civilian life. The new course is designed for Israeli citizens, both men and women, at least 21 years old with matriculation certificates and having no previous flying experience. In general, women still account for a tiny proportion of El Al pilots - only four of 600 pilots are women, but El Al is looking for increase this number. Aviator, El Al's partner, has been operating since 1983. The partnership with El Al is initially reflected in careful selection of candidates in a process in Israel with professional advice from El Al instructors in the course of studies in the US. The first course will open with 26 cadets in December 2018. The candidates who are accepted for studies and training at Aviator's college in Florida will fly in January 2019. Borovitz said that El Al's attitude towards pilot training had run hot and cold over the years. "A combination of several elements has brought El Al to the decision to start activity that goes beyond its main activity. There is a shortage of pilots in civil aviation. The airplane is metal, but the resource that is lacking in order to operate is technicians and pilots, and this shortage will get worse. We have discovered that not many young people in Israel aspire to be pilots, even those who served as pilots in the army. Many of them are looking for other professions in the civilian market, such as high tech." According to CAE Aviation figures, 50% of the pilots who will fly in 2027 have not yet begun training. The shortage extends to every continent, with an emphasis on Asia, especially China, where the annual growth rate in passenger traffic is 7-8% (compared with 4% for the rest of the world). The 1,000 flying hours offered by El Al's program is adapted to the threshold conditions for being accepted by a commercial airline in Israel. The threshold in the US is 1,500 hours and 250 hours in Europe. The studies themselves end after one year with 200 flights hours, while the trainees already qualified as instructors complete the 800 additional hours required to complete the course in the second year. "The purpose is to do spadework for El Al, but not only that," Borovitz says. "In the end, the global demand will give people willing to live outside Israel the option of working in something they love and making a respectable livelihood." At the same time, El Al's management is negotiating with a banking institution for a financing program for those interested in pilot studies. The trainees will have to pay 25% of the cost at the beginning and the remainder within five years, under the assumption that they will work as pilots (monthly payments of $1,500). Another idea under consideration by El Al is the possibility of offering pilot cadets the option of remote study for an academic degree from an Israeli institution willing to allow it. Florida has many pilots schools, five or six of which are close to Aviator. "We examined dozens of educational institutions in the US and Europe, also considered an acquisition, but we decided against embarking on financial adventures," Borovitz explains. "Aviator was suitable to us in its flight safety requirements. Other factors included its variety of airplanes and the work permits it provides for the students." El Al aims to run four courses a year with 26 cadets in each course. As for the $65,000 tuition, Borovitz says that prices in Florida are in the $50,000-90,000 range. Assuming that a pilot begins working as soon as he finishes the course, he or she can make back the investment in training. In addition to tuition, another cost to consider is $5,000 for fees for the US authorities and $25,000 in living expenses during the training period. http://en.globes.co.il/en/article-el-al-launches-civilian-pilots-school-1001241954 Back to Top More and more companies are dumping their corporate jets Rent-A-Center, which faced pressure from activist investors over the last year over alleged bloated expenses, sold its Cessna 680 earlier this month, a source familiar with the matter confirmed to The Post on Monday. The Plano, Texas, company is not alone. Last week it was learned that JCPenney sold off three corporate jets - moves that Athenahealth and GE said they were weighing. At Rent-A-Center, the so-called bloated expenses, including the jet, sparked the ire of activist investor Glenn Welling of Engaged Capital, who said in September that a company of that size owning a jet was "unwarranted." The Post reported last year that nearly half of the jet's flights over a 15-month period appeared to be for personal use - with many flights to locations where former Chief Executive Mark Speese had vacation homes. Since last fall, the company has become a "dramatically different company," the source added. The sale of the Cessna was one component of the cost-cutting plan the rent-to-own retailer announced last week. On Monday, Rent-A-Center announced that it was being taken private by private equity firm Vintage Capital in a $1.4 billion deal - representing a 49 percent premium from when the company initiated its strategic review in October. At Penney's - whose stock is down 43 percent over the last year - the sale of the three Gulfstreams is "an effort to manage expenses," it said. And late last year, General Electric and Athenahealth - both facing activist pressure - announced plans to sell their corporate jets. Chief executives at both companies were also forced out. "Companies are being smarter about exactly what they need. Shareholders are holding them accountable," Kenny Dichter, founder and CEO of private aviation company Wheels Up, told The Post. Hundreds of companies either use Wheels Up exclusively or to supplement their travel to save costs, Dichter added. To be sure, despite instances of bruised companies selling their jets, there does not appear to be a broader trend of healthy companies being forced to clip their wings, Paul Cardarelli, VP at aviation market intelligence firm Jetnet, told The Post. In fact, Cardarelli noted that the pre-owned business has recovered from the recession and is starting to show signs of being a seller's market with a ready mix of corporate and high-net worth buyers. That said, high-profile sales "don't escape our notice," Cardarelli added. But even if pre-owned corporate jets aren't flooding the market, there's no reason for jet-owning companies to get complacent. "Aircraft is always the first to go when money is tight," one corporate aircraft broker told The Post. Jet ownership can be "symbolic" of negative corporate spending culture, a source at one activist hedge fund told The Post. We "definitely pay attention to it if it's a cost story," they added. https://nypost.com/2018/06/18/more-and-more-companies-are-dumping-their-corporate-jets/ Back to Top Record-Breaking Astronaut Peggy Whitson Retires from NASA Peggy Whitson floats in the Cupola aboard the International Space Station. The record-setting NASA astronaut retired from the space agency on June 15, 2018. Credit: NASA The United States' most experienced space flier is hanging up her wings. Astronaut Peggy Whitson, who has spent more time in space than any other American, retired from NASA today (June 15), agency officials announced. "Peggy Whitson is a testament to the American spirit," NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine said in a statement. "Her determination, strength of mind, character, and dedication to science, exploration, and discovery are an inspiration to NASA and America. We owe her a great debt for her service, and she will be missed. We thank her for her service to our agency and country." [In Photos: Record-Breaking NASA Astronaut Peggy Whitson] Iowa native Whitson, 58, earned a doctorate in biochemistry from Rice University in 1985. She went to work at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston a year later, as a National Research Council resident research associate. Whitson filled several scientific posts at the agency over the next decade - including project scientist for the Shuttle-Mir Program and co-chair of the U.S.-Russian Mission Science Working Group - and was then chosen for the astronaut corps in 1996. Whitson flew three missions aboard the International Space Station (ISS): Expedition 5 in 2002; Expedition 16 in 2008, during which she became the first female commander of the orbiting lab; and an extended stint from November 2016 through September 2017, which spanned Expeditions 50, 51 and 52. Whitson also commanded Expedition 51, becoming the first woman to lead an ISS mission twice. During her career, Whitson racked up a total of 665 days in space - more than any other NASA astronaut, and a record for women worldwide. (A handful of male Soviet/Russian cosmonauts have spent more time in space, including Gennady Padalka, who holds the world mark of 878 days.) Whitson also has performed more spacewalks than any other woman, venturing outside the ISS on 10 occasions for a record-setting total of 60 hours and 21 minutes. And during her most recent trek to the ISS, Whitson became the oldest female astronaut (57) to reach orbit. She set some records on the ground as well, becoming the first woman (and first nonmilitary person) to serve as chief of NASA's astronaut corps. She held this position from 2009 through 2012. "Peggy is a classmate and a friend, and she will be deeply missed," Pat Forrester, the current chief of the Astronaut Office, said in the same statement. "Along with her record-setting career, she leaves behind a legacy of her passion for space." You can learn more about Whitson and her extraordinary spaceflight career in her NASA biography. https://www.space.com/40909-record-breaking-nasa-astronaut-peggy-whitson-retires.html Back to Top 64th Air Safety Forum - Join Us! safetyforum.alpa.org July 30 - August 2, 2018 | Washington, DC CONFIRMED KEYNOTES INCLUDE * Senator Tammy Duckworth * Capt. Tim Canoll - President, Air Line Pilots Association, Int'l * The Honorable Dan Elwell - Acting Administrator, Federal Aviation Administration * The Honorable Howard "Skip" Elliott - Administrator, Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) * Mr. Paul Rinaldi - President, National Air Traffic Controllers Association PANELS INCLUDE(visit safetyforum.alpa.org for panel descriptions) * Fire In The Hold: Anticipating/Preventing Fires from Passenger Checked Baggage * Meet the Doctors * Pilot Peer Support: The Next Phase In ALPA's Approach to Pilot Wellness * Disruptive Passengers: Keeping Problems Off the Airplane * Data Mining for Safer Skies * Flight Desk Access in the Post 9/11 Age * Pilots & Controllers -- Managing Change in an Evolving NAS AGENDA AT A GLANCE (visit safetyforum.alpa.org for agenda details) MONDAY, JULY 30 (all Monday sessions are invite only) 8:00 - 9:00 a.m. General Session (Open only to ALPA Members) 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. ASO Workshops, Council Meetings, Trainings, Jumpseat Forum & Aviation Security Forum TUESDAY, JULY 31 (all Tuesday sessions are invite only) 8:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. - ASO Workshops, Council Meetings, Trainings, Jumpseat Forum & Aviation Security Forum WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 1 8:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m. - Jumpseat Council Meeting (ALPA members only) 9:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. - Ask Your ASO (ALPA members only) 12:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. - Air Safety Forum (open to the public) THURSDAY, AUGUST 2 (open to the public) 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. - Air Safety Forum 6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. - ALPA Air Safety Forum Awards Reception 7:00 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. - ALPA Air Safety Forum Awards Banquet THANK YOU SPONSORS & EXHIBITORS! Sponsorship and exhibitor opportunities available. Email airsafetyforum@alpa.org for more information. Back to Top CHC Helicopter has announced that Alison Levine, team captain of the first American Women's Everest Expedition, will join hundreds of delegates and speakers at the 14th annual CHC Safety & Quality Summit as the keynote speaker at the event's gala dinner evening. The gala dinner, a memorable highlight of the Summit, brings together a significant portion of the more than 500 attending delegates for the evening. In addition to leading the first American Women's Everest Expedition, Levine has climbed to the summit of the highest peak on each of the seven continents and has skied across the Arctic Circle to the North Pole. Braving extreme challenges and hardships, she became the first American to take the treacherous Messner route across west Antarctica, journeying 600 miles through the frozen landscape to the South Pole. More recently, she served as an adjunct professor at the United States Military Academy at West Point, focusing on leadership in challenging and extreme environments. "We're thrilled at the opportunity to invite Alison to share some of her leadership experience and hard- learned lessons with us," said Duncan Trapp, CHC's Vice President of Safety & Quality. "We've had the pleasure of hearing from so many different speakers over the years, and we look forward to Alison sharing her story with us." The 14th CHC Safety & Quality Summit will take place October 2-4 at the Gaylord Texan Resort Hotel & Convention Center, near CHC's global headquarters. To register and learn more about the Summit, please visit www.chcsafetyqualitysummit.com About CHC For more than 70 years, CHC Helicopter has provided safe, reliable, cost-effective helicopter service in some of the most remote and challenging environments around the world. With extensive experience transporting customers in the oil and gas industry, supporting search-and-rescue and EMS contracts, and providing maintenance, repair and overhaul services, our dedication to safety and reputation for quality and innovation help our customers reach beyond what they thought possible. Visit www.chcheli.com for information. Contact Information MEDIA Cameron Meyer Communications Specialist +1.214.262.7391 Cameron.Meyer@chcheli.com SUMMIT Irina Sakgaev Safety & Quality Applications Specialist +1.604.232.7302 summit@chcheli.com Back to Top Bombardier Safety Standdown Award 2018 - Nominations are still open! The Safety Standdown award is given annually to an aviation professional who has demonstrated exemplary dedication to improving aviation safety through the application of the Safety Standdown principle: LEARN - APPLY - SHARE. By learning new skills and applying them, they demonstrate their dedication to personal improvement. By sharing their knowledge, they become distinguished role models. We all know or have worked with exceptional aviation professionals. These are the people who go above and beyond the call of duty to ensure the safety of their operation. They are the mentors we look up to and who teach us so much. They are the dedicated people who demonstrate professionalism and courage in the toughest of circumstances. They are the people who had an impact on us and fostered the love we have for this industry. As you read these few lines, someone probably popped into your mind. Here's a way to recognize them: go to our website and nominate them for the Safety Standdown Award. The criteria for the award can also be found on the site and nomination form only takes a few minutes to complete. Submissions are evaluated by the Advisory council and a recipient is selected from the criteria. The award is presented during Safety Standdown USA 2018 seminar. Nominate now: http://www.safetystanddown.com/aviation-safety-award/ Safety Standdown Team Bombardier Business Aircraft Direct: +1 316 946 7876 Email: info@safetystanddown.com Website: www.safetystanddown.com Back to Top This course was created in collaboration with Curt Lewis's Flight Safety Information. Learn more from Beyond Risk Management Producer, Captain Elaine Parker, at https://vimeo.com/273989821 Back to Top Back to Top GRADUATE RESEARCH SURVEY - 1 Dear Airline Pilots, My name is David Carroll. I am a doctoral candidate in the Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University PhD in Aviation program, and I am working on my dissertation under the guidance of Dr. David Esser. We would like to find out a bit about how airline pilots learn in order to enhance the effectiveness of training. You can help out by participating in this survey. My dissertation topic entails investigating ways that FOQA data might be used to identify pilots at increased risk for Unstable Approaches. By capturing trend information regarding poor energy management practices that may lead to unstable approaches, the FOQA system may be ale to assign interventional training modules. These is research that indicates that these training events would be more effective if presented in a manner that is preferred by the learner. This survey supports the study by helping to determine if the population of airline pilots has a preferred learning modality. The survey also contains a set of energy management questions to examine pilot perceptions on energy management and stabilized approaches in several scenarios and situations. Participants are asked to select responses that are closest to how they would understand the situation if experienced in their current primary aircraft. Finally, the survey collects demographic information that will provide an understanding of how the body of respondents represents the study population. Respondents must be 18 years of age to participate, and we would like to limit the respondents to those currently employed in scheduled air carrier operations (Part 121, 135, or similar). Thank you in advance for your participation. Your inputs will be invaluable in helping to increase the level of safety in air carrier operations. Providing immediate interventional training for pilots who are demonstrating a need, while maintaining the anonymity of the FOQA concept, should provide such a benefit. If you have any questions regarding the study in general, or the survey in particular, please contact the researcher, David Carroll, at david.carroll@erau.edu or the dissertation committee chair, Dr. David Esser, at esserd@erau.edu. Please find the survey at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/V532B9J David A. Carroll, Doctoral Candidate ERAU PhD in Aviation Back to Top GRADUATE RESEARCH SURVEY - 2 Dear Aviation Colleague, My name is Nicoletta Fala, and I am a Ph.D. candidate working with Prof. Karen Marais at the School of Aeronautics and Astronautics at Purdue University. We are seeking your input on post-flight debrief feedback in this survey. The motivation behind this research is the unacceptably high number of general aviation accidents. Our overall goal is to use flight data of various sources to help improve general aviation safety. We are trying to understand how different kinds of safety feedback affect risk perception among general aviation pilots. During the survey, you will be asked to review flight data from four flights and answer specific questions on the safety of each flight. We will then ask you a few demographic questions. The survey should take approximately 20 minutes to complete. During the survey, you will not be able to go back to the previous flight safety questions. You will, however, have the opportunity to review and change the demographic questions as you wish. You may choose to not answer some questions and you may stop the survey at any time without any repercussion to you. If you do not wish to complete the survey in one sitting, you may save your progress and return where you left off if you use the same computer to re-access the link. No personally identifiable information is being asked, analyzed or reported. All responses will be anonymous and in aggregate at the end of the study. Your participation in this survey is voluntary. You must be at least 18 years old to participate in this research. Thank you for your time and your cooperation. Your responses are greatly appreciated and will hopefully enable the general aviation community to improve their safety record. If you have any questions regarding the survey or the information contained within, please feel free to contact the researchers directly either at nfala@purdue.edu or kmarais@purdue.edu. Survey Link: www.nicolettafala.com/survey Nicoletta Fala Purdue Pilots, Inc. President Ph.D. Candidate School of Aeronautics and Astronautics Purdue University || College of Engineering http://nicolettafala.com/ Back to Top GRADUATE RESEARCH SURVEY - 3 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 Curt Lewis