Flight Safety Information August 8, 2018 - No. 160 In This Issue Incident: Delta A319 at Detroit on Aug 6th 2018, engine fire indication Incident: Alitalia B772 near Sapporo on Aug 7th 2018, engine shut down in flight Incident: Expressjet E145 near New York on Aug 7th 2018, smoke in cabin Plane bound for Rhode Island diverted to JFK due to smoke in cockpit EVAS - Cockpit Smoke Protection Cessna 208B Runway Excursion (India) Dassault Falcon 20D Accident (Mexico) Bird-hit Saudi aircraft remains grounded, stranded flyers leave in a different flight (India) LIBIK Fire Suppression Kits for the Cabin and Flight Deck. Here's what survival gear Alaska pilots are required to carry Helicopters at risk of mid-air failure, federal regulator warns northern Australia operators EASA Recognizes IS-BAO SMS for Third-country Ops How Artificial Intelligence Will Impact The Aviation Industry CHC Helicopter and Sikorsky sending students to CHC's Safety & Quality Summit This all-female flight crew just made history Air Force seeks pilots who want to fly the new KC-46 refueling tanker Boeing ramps up hiring for new 737 Max finishing plant in China NASA Introduces 9 Astronauts for First Commercial Flights Position: Assistant Manager, Safety Management Systems (Air Safety) POSITION: SAFETY ANALYST FLIGHT OPERATIONAL QUALITY ASSURANCE 2018 DFW ISASI Chapter Dinner ISASI 2018 2018 CHC SAFETY & QUALITY SUMMIT October 2nd - 4th, 2018 AViCON 2018: One Month to Go! PROVIDING ASSURANCE IN YOUR SYSTEMS GRADUATE RESEARCH SURVEY Incident: Delta A319 at Detroit on Aug 6th 2018, engine fire indication A Delta Airlines Airbus A319-100, registration N358NB performing flight DL-950 from Detroit,MI to New York La Guardia,NY (USA) with 132 people on board, was maintaining 10,000 feet on departure out of Detroit, when the crew read the clearance to climb to 13,000 feet back but added "standby". The crew subsequently reported they had a left hand engine (CFM56) fire indication. The crew stopped the climb at 12,000 feet, shut the engine down, advised there was no fire and returned to Detroit for a safe landing on runway 22L about 17 minutes after departure. The aircraft vacated the runway and requested emergency services to check the left engine. A replacement A319-100 registration N352NB reached New York with a delay of 3 hours. https://flightaware.com/live/flight/DAL950/history/20180806/2140Z/KDTW/KLGA http://avherald.com/h?article=4bc11cda&opt=0 Back to Top Incident: Alitalia B772 near Sapporo on Aug 7th 2018, engine shut down in flight An Alitalia Boeing 777-200, registration EI-ISE performing flight AZ-784 (dep Aug 6th) from Rome Fiumicino (Italy) to Tokyo Narita (Japan) with 293 people on board, was enroute at FL370 about 10nm north of Khabarvosk (Russia) when the crew needed to shut the left hand engine (GE90) down. The aircraft drifted down to FL250 and diverted to Sapporo (Japan), about 450nm from their present position, for a safe landing about 80 minutes later. Japan's Ministry of Transport reported the aircraft was overhead Russia when the crew reported they had to shut the left hand engine down and changed their destination to Sapporo's New Chitose Airport. The passengers were rebooked onto domestic flights from Sapporo to Tokyo's Narita Airport. http://avherald.com/h?article=4bc117eb&opt=0 Back to Top Incident: Expressjet E145 near New York on Aug 7th 2018, smoke in cabin An Expressjet Embraer ERJ-145 on behalf of United, registration N12142 performing flight XE-4697/UA-4697 from Washington Dulles,DC to Providence,RI (USA) with 53 people on board, was enroute at FL290 about 50nm southwest of New York's JFK Airport,NY (USA) when the crew reported smoke in the cabin and decided to divert to JFK. Descending towards JFK the crew advised the smoke was mainly in the cabin but they were starting to get some smoke in the cockpit, too. The aircraft landed safely on JFK's runway 22L about 20 minutes after leaving FL290. The aircraft stopped on the runway and was evacuated. The passengers were bussed to the terminal. Emergency services examined three passengers at the airport for minor ailment. https://flightaware.com/live/flight/LOF4697/history/20180807/1640Z/KIAD/KPVD http://avherald.com/h?article=4bc11497&opt=0 Back to Top Plane bound for Rhode Island diverted to JFK due to smoke in cockpit An airplane (Embraer ERJ-145) was diverted to JFK Airport on Tuesday afternoon due to smoke in the cockpit, authorities said. The Rhode Island-bound plane took off from Dulles Airport outside of Washington, DC, at about 12:30 p.m., according to Port Authority Police. The aircraft was then rerouted to JFK where it touched down at about 1:50 p.m. Passengers were evacuated on the runway. One person was taken to Jamaica Hospital for a minor injury, authorities said. The cause of the smoke was not known on Tuesday night. https://nypost.com/2018/08/07/plane-bound-for-rhode-island-diverted-to-jfk-due-to-smoke-in-cockpit/ Back to Top Back to Top Cessna 208B Runway Excursion (India) Date: 07-AUG-2018 Time: 17:30 LT Type: Cessna 208B Grand Caravan Owner/operator: Supreme Airlines Registration: VT-UDN C/n / msn: 208B2420 Fatalities: Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 9 Other fatalities: 0 Aircraft damage: Substantial Location: Lalgarh Airstrip, Sriganganagar, Rajasthan - India Phase: Landing Nature: Domestic Scheduled Passenger Departure airport: Japur Airport (JAI/VIJP) Destination airport: Lalgarh Airstrip Narrative: Runway excursion of Flight 503 from the 3000ft runway, impacting a wall. Reportedly "due to presence of birds". There were no injuries. https://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/wiki.php?id=214177 Back to Top Dassault Falcon 20D Accident (Mexico) Date: 07-AUG-2018 Time: 01:10 LT Type: Dassault Falcon 20D Owner/operator: Alliance Air Charter/N961AA LLC Registration: N961AA C/n / msn: 205 Fatalities: Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 2 Other fatalities: 0 Aircraft damage: Written off (damaged beyond repair) Location: near San Luis Potosi Airport - Mexico Phase: En route Nature: Cargo Departure airport: Santiago de Queretaro Destination airport: Laredo, TX Narrative: The aircraft, en route for the US with automotive parts, diverted to San Luis Potosi with engine problems. It however conducted a force landing about 2mi from the airport, struck a small building and came to rest in a field. The crew had minor injuries. A house was damaged and a donkey was killed. https://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/wiki.php?id=214147 Back to Top Bird-hit Saudi aircraft remains grounded, stranded flyers leave in a different flight (India) A bird hitting an aircraft is nothing new, but is a big wake-up call for authorities to clear garbage and ensure food is not thrown in the vicinity. HYDERABAD: A bird-hit Saudi Arabian Airlines flight (SV 750) from Riyadh, which landed at the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (RGIA) at around 5:10pm on Monday, remained grounded at the airport 24 hours after its scheduled return departure. The passengers, who were supposed to travel back to Riyadh from Hyderabad, on this flight were accommodated in a different flight SV 744 on Tuesday, said an airport source. According to sources, the fact that a bird had hit the aircraft was noticed only after the passengers normally disembarked. After landing, while the aircraft was proceeding towards the parking bay, the pilot and co-pilot noticed that a bird had hit the nose of the plane. "Once the flight landed, we realised there was a problem. Upon enquiry, someone in the ground staff told us it was a case of a bird hitting the plane," said a passenger, who clicked some pictures. The flight, which arrived in Hyderabad with nearly 70 passengers on board, was scheduled to depart at 7.30pm on Monday, but it is still grounded and is expected to return to Riyadh only in a day or two. The nose of the aircraft needs to be replaced and various other safety aspects checked before the airplane can take off, said an airport official. "The flight might have been hit by a bird, not at Shamshabad airport's periphery but while it was enroute. We have not found any bird carcass at the airport and investigations are still going on," said an airport source. Passengers travelling to Riyadh had to wait it out at the lounge before they could embark on another aircraft to reach their destination. "It was only after the flight landed at the airport and was on its way to the parking bay that the bird hit was noticed," the source added. A bird hitting an aircraft is nothing new, but is a big wake-up call for authorities to clear garbage and ensure food is not thrown in the vicinity as it can attract birds. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/bird-hit-saudi-aircraft-remains-grounded-stranded-flyers-leave-in-a-different-flight/articleshow/65318981.cms Back to Top Back to Top Here's what survival gear Alaska pilots are required to carry ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) - With its vast swaths of wilderness, mountain ranges and often unpredictable weather, Alaska can be a treacherous air space for aviators. "Aviation in Alaska, obviously, there are some challenges that maybe the rest of the Lower 48 doesn't have," NTSB regional chief Clint Johnson told Channel 2. "Mountainous terrain, inclement weather conditions, both of those combined together make it much more challenging in Alaska." Pilots are required under state statute to carry a minimum amount of survival gear, but many will opt to carry more equipment and rations just in case. Shane Langland is the president of Eagle Enterprises, a business that, among other things, provides pilots with some of this crucial equipment. "We see the commercial pilots, the private pilots, the student pilots, they're very proactive," Langland said. "We've got a great culture of safety in our commercial carriers and our private aviation folks, and we're very fortunate for that in Alaska." Here's what's required under state statute: AS 02.35.110. Emergency Rations and Equipment: (a) An airman may not make a flight inside the state with an aircraft unless emergency equipment is carried as follows: (1) the following minimum equipment must be carried during the summer months: (A) rations for each occupant sufficient to sustain life for one week; (B) one axe or hatchet; (C) one first aid kit; (D) an assortment of tackle such as hooks, flies, lines, and sinkers; (E) one knife; (F) fire starter; (G) one mosquito headnet for each occupant; (H) two small signaling devices such as colored smoke bombs, railroad fuses, or Very pistol shells, in sealed metal containers; (2) in addition to the equipment required under (1) of this subsection, the following must be carried as minimum equipment from October 15 to April 1 of each year: (A) one pair of snowshoes; (B) one sleeping bag; (C) one wool blanket or equivalent for each occupant over four. (b) However, operators of multi-engine aircraft licensed to carry more than 15 passengers need carry only the food, mosquito nets, and signalling equipment at all times other than the period from October 15 to April 1 of each year, when two sleeping bags, and one blanket for every two passengers shall also be carried. All of the above requirements as to emergency rations and equipment are considered to be minimum requirements which are to remain in full force and effect, except as further safety measures may be from time to time imposed by the department. In addition to those items, Eagle Enterprises recommends pilots carry three different ways of starting a fire, as well as multiple ways of signaling rescuers such as a strobe light and flare. But the one thing you should never fly without is a Personal Locator Beacon, or PLB. "In today's world, probably the most critical bit of equipment is your personal locator beacon, because that takes the search out of search and rescue," Langland said. Every aircraft is required by the FAA to have a built-in emergency locator system, but PLB's have some additional advantages. Some modern PLB's can show your location to rescuers within a radius as small as 10 feet. They're also often small enough to fit in a pocket, and Langland recommends keeping all your survival gear on your person, using a life vest or something similar. "Bush pilots that have been flying around here since the 40s will say 'If it's not on you, it's camping gear. If it's on you it's survival gear.'" But finding the right survival gear isn't just about checking off the items on a list, Langland says. It's about finding the gear that you are comfortable with using. "Everything I'm going to put on my person is something I'll be very comfortable with using, I don't have to think about it," he says. "Whatever I use, it matters to me." http://www.ktuu.com/content/news/Heres-what-survival-gear-Alaska-pilots-are-required-to-carry-490314391.html Back to Top Helicopters at risk of mid-air failure, federal regulator warns northern Australia operators A helicopter and farmers on quad bikes muster cattle. PHOTO: The premature engine damage may be due to changes in aviation gas. (Landline: Kerry Staight) The lives of all helicopter operators in Northern Australia are at risk because a key engine component is wearing out much faster than it should - possibly because of a change to aviation gas composition - and it may cause a mid-air failure. Key points: • Helicopter engine cylinders are degrading after only a few hundred hours in the air • CASA has warned pilots about the risks, which include mid-air failure • A stakeholder group has been formed to investigate the cause of the problem • The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) has warned pilots operating R-22 or R-44 helicopters in the northern regions of Australia about the risks, particularly those using them for mustering. It is not yet clear if other operators of piston aircraft should take precautions. Many in the aviation community have been privately expressing concerns for the past 12 months about the large number of helicopter engines with cylinders that have eroded or become damaged after only a few hundred hours in the air. CASA has now declared it a problem, and stated it is seeing "increasing evidence of premature exhaust valve and valve guide wear, due to elevated combustion temperatures that will lead to degraded engine performance". It is widely theorised the problem may be linked to the reduction of lead in aviation gas supplied to northern Australia a few years ago, from 0.86 to 0.56 per gram. In 2017 there was a dramatic spike in sniffing of aviation fuel, particularly in one Indigenous community where children were breaking into the airport to steal AVGAS from aircraft. The lowering of the lead content in AVGAS is now a main line of inquiry for a stakeholder group - made up of fuel manufactures, engine manufacturers, pilots, engineers, and CASA - that has been formed to investigate the engine problem. CASA spokesperson Peter Gibson said they were looking into it as a matter of urgency. "Clearly the change in the fuel specification has to be looked at and a number of people are pretty convinced that's causing the problem, although there are a range of variables so we don't want to rush into it until we've got the evidence," Mr Gibson said. "A clear understanding of all potential causative factors need to be established before any solution can be recommended." "It's also having an economic impact with helicopter companies now having to ground aircraft for longer durations and replacing cylinders more frequently." A view of cattle from a mustering chopper in the Northern Territory. PHOTO: The premature wearing of a helicopter engine component is putting musterers in particular at risk. (ABC) 'It could cause someone to fall out of the sky' John Armstrong, who has been a pilot for more than 30 years, said he knew of at least three incidents in the last 12 months where a helicopter had failed mid-air due to this particular issue. "We have heard that there is some problems with this type of fuel 100, low lead they call it in America, but we have only heard that on the by and by," he said. "But we are unique in the world with our R-22 population, in that we've got several hundred of these gadgets operating across a fairly hot temperature profile year round." Andrew Lumsden, who is the chief engineer at North Australia Helicopters in the Northern Territory, said he had seen a huge spike in problems with cylinders in the past 18 months, most with very little hours on them. "We've changed cylinders here that have as low as 98 hours from brand new," he said. "It's a worrying trend on how quickly the valves are degrading and decaying due to the heat, or whatever it is, and ultimately it could cause someone to fall out of the sky and get injured." Katherine Aircraft Maintenance Services owner Campbell Elliott, who has been a helicopter engineer for the past 20 years, said valves were breaking up in flight without warning. "The only reason we pick it is because we are aware of the issue and we are doing these inspections more intensely then we have ever done," he said. He and many others are concerned that it is only a matter of time before someone falls out of the sky. "It has an effect on morale - you worry about it and sometimes you're lying at night there trying to figure out what the issue is," he said. http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-08-08/helicopter-engine-failure-avgas-risks-casa-warning/10083928 Back to Top EASA Recognizes IS-BAO SMS for Third-country Ops The European Aviation Safety Agency has confirmed the ability of non-EU-based business aviation commercial operators to use the IS-BAO safety management system (SMS) program to satisfy certain third-country operator (TCO) authorization requirements, the International Business Aviation Council (IBAC) advised in a recent notice to affected operators. In 2016, the EU implemented its mandate for non-EU business aviation commercial operators to obtain TCO authorization to conduct flights in the EU. In a July 23 letter to IS-BAO program director Bennet Walsh, EASA confirmed the requirement for such operators to self-declare and provide evidence upon request of SMS implementation as part of the TCO authorization. But the letter added, "In the ambit of EASA TCO authorization, operators are free to utilize on a voluntary basis any third-party SMS program of their choice, established either by civil aviation authorities, industry associations including but not limited to the IS-BAO program of IBAC, or commercial entities." Regardless of the program, EASA will assess SMS implementation based on deliverables, EASA further said. EASA already has issued nearly 200 TCO authorization to operators implementing IS-BAO SMS, according to IBAC said. IBAC, however, further advised that only EASA has the authority to determine the methods of compliance. "Non-European authorities do not have that competence," it noted. The association offers an online guide outlining the application process. https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/business-aviation/2018-08-07/easa-recognizes-bao-sms-third-country-ops Back to Top How Artificial Intelligence Will Impact The Aviation Industry How do you think AI will impact the aviation industry? originally appeared on Quora: the place to gain and share knowledge, empowering people to learn from others and better understand the world. Answer by Rodin Lyasoff, CEO at Ał by Airbus, on Quora: I suspect AI (by which I mean machine sensing and learning) will impact aviation in many ways from passenger experience to flight operations. Personally, I would like to see improvements in the experience of airport security. When it comes to flight safety, we are, for the most part, willing to give up quite a bit of privacy. I would like to see more intelligent ways for our personal data to be used to increase security while making the security procedures themselves less noticeable. I also anticipate AI will further the automation of flights and flight operations. Advances in machine vision (currently applied in the automotive industry) will also find distinct applications on aircraft. In highly-structured environments such as airports and the airspace, machine vision can increase safety and efficiency. Taxiing and ground operations are ripe for disruption through these capabilities. At a broader level, transportation is a logistics business. Machine learning is capable of producing unique insights that improve efficiency and passenger experience. By collecting and analyzing near-real-time data about every taxi, bus, train, airplane, etc. as well as each individual passenger, we can better integrate transport modalities. With that intelligence, we can make everyday travel feel closer to a personally-tailored experience. https://www.forbes.com/sites/quora/2018/08/07/how-artificial-intelligence-will-impact-the-aviation-industry/#407ac9f1574f Back to Top CHC Helicopter and Sikorsky sending students to CHC's Safety & Quality Summit CHC Helicopter and long-standing summit sponsor and supporter, Sikorsky, have selected the winners of two grants for aviation students to attend the 14th CHC Safety & Quality Summit this October in Dallas, Texas. Each year, CHC Helicopter, with support from Dr. Scott Shappell and Dr. Doug Wiegmann of HFACS Inc., provides aviation students with the opportunity to submit application essays for consideration for the Peter Gardiner Grant, named in honor of Peter Gardiner - an early supporter of the CHC Safety & Quality Summit. Interested student applicants were asked to submit a 500-word essay tied to this year's summit theme: "Building Safety at Every Level: Does this start at the top or with front line employees?" The winner for this year's Peter Gardiner Grant is Lucca Carrasco Filippo, an Aeronautical Sciences student from Rio De Janeiro, Brazil, studying at Unisul. In his application, Filippo stressed the importance of maintaining a just safety culture in an organization to help facilitate understanding behind human errors and accidents, noting that it takes a commitment from leadership to foster an environment where front line employees and management both can see human error as learning opportunities that can drive organizational growth and safety improvement. For the second year in a row, Sikorsky has offered a similar opportunity for aviation students to be considered for the Sikorsky Safety Scholarship. Like the Peter Gardiner Grant, the Sikorsky Safety Scholarship provides the winning aviation student full transport, accommodation and entry to the Safety & Quality Summit as a full delegate. The winner for this year's Sikorsky Safety Scholarship is Adam Tetzlaff, who is pursuing a degree in Aviation Technology at Seneca College near Toronto, Ontario. In his submission, Tetzlaff discusses the importance of an organization having a robust safety management system, explaining that management buy-in to a strong safety culture is essential to establishing a mutual trust between organizational leadership and lower level employees, ultimately leading to a mutual investment in continued safety. "Sikorsky is proud to congratulate Adam and award this scholarship, particularly during this industry-leading summit devoted entirely to safety and quality," said Sikorsky's vice president for quality and aviation safety, Jeff Hanke. "This conference brings together some of the top aviation leaders to provide innovative, problem-solving solutions for all aspects of safer rotorcraft operations, and at Sikorsky we have no higher priority than safety." "We're always looking for ways to strengthen our industry's focus on safety, and that includes ensuring that the next generation of aviation professionals are well-equipped to enter the aviation field with safety at the forefront," said Duncan Trapp, CHC's vice president of safety and quality. "We very much appreciate Sikorsky's continued support, and we look forward to giving both Lucca and Adam an excellent opportunity to gain some real-world exposure to the aviation industry." https://www.verticalmag.com/press-releases/chc-helicopter-and-sikorsky-sending-students-to-chcs-safety-quality-summit/ Back to Top This all-female flight crew just made history Pilots Rebecca Waddington and Kristie Twining made history on their flight to Hurricane Hector. (CNN)Flying toward hurricanes is their job, but when they took off over the weekend, they were making history. As part of the first hurricane hunting mission piloted by an all-female flight crew, Lieutenant Commander Rebecca Waddington and Captain Kristie Twining's flight to Hawaii marked a major milestone for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The female pilots regularly fly above and around hurricanes at more than 40,000 feet. When they flew toward Hurricane Hector in Hawaii on Sunday, it was the first time two female pilots had shared a cockpit on a NOAA hurricane mission. "While we are very proud to have made history yesterday by being the first all-female flight crew, we are more proud of the mission we are doing and the safety we are providing for people," said Waddington, who has been a pilot with the NOAA Corps for eight years. Since the NOAA Hurricane Hunters program began in the 1960s, no two women had ever piloted a plane together, according to NOAA public affairs officer David Hall. 'I hope it inspires young women' Waddington and Twining in the cockpit of the Gulfstream IV jet they flew toward Hurricane Hector. As a member of the NOAA Hurricane Hunters, Waddington's team flies a specially-equipped, high-altitude research jet above and around hurricanes and tropical storms. In the air for hours at a time, Waddington's team helps build a vertical profile of the atmosphere near a storm by dropping data collection devices from the aircraft and collecting information about the temperature, humidity, pressure and wind speed at different elevations to be used in storm forecasts and tracking models. On their eight-hour flight, Waddington said she and Twining circumnavigated Hurricane Hector, a strong category 4 storm. Other than the female camaraderie, the mission was just like any other, Waddington said. "We have a team of fantastic pilots whether male or female," she said. "We all get along, we train together, we are very standardized and we are a very cohesive team." Most of all, Waddington says she hopes the historic flight will encourage other women to be pilots. "I hope it inspires young women to show them what is possible and what they can do," she said. https://www.cnn.com/2018/08/07/us/hurricane-hunter-noaa-women-trnd/index.html Back to Top Air Force seeks pilots who want to fly the new KC-46 refueling tanker Air Force pilots can start applying to fly the KC-46 refueling tanker. (Boeing) The KC-46 is (hopefully) almost here, and that means the Air Force needs pilots to fly the refueling tanker when it arrives. Air Mobility Command will conduct a pilot selection board for the KC-46 in the fall, according to a news release. The command will choose about 104 pilots to fill the first two operational KC-46 squadrons at McConnell Air Force Base in Kansas. Pilots in their first and second flying assignments are encouraged to apply to positions in the 344th and 349th Air Refueling Squadrons, as well as 22nd Air Refueling Wing staff positions. "We also encourage applicants with experience in non-mobility platforms, such as the RC-135 Rivet Joint, E-3 Sentry and E-8 Joint STARS, to apply," Maj. David Kim, Mobility Air Forces assignments chief, said in the news release. Weapons officers are also needed to stand up the KC-46 Weapons Instructor Course in the future. "The board is looking for the most qualified airmen to fulfill this critical program," Kim said. "If Time-On-Station or Date Eligible for Return from Overseas restriction waivers are necessary, AMC/A3 will request them from the Air Force's Personnel Center." Packages are due Sept. 7, and more information can be found on the myPers site. The Air Force plans to buy 179 of the new refueling tankers from Boeing, with the first KC-46 set to arrive in October. The KC-46 program has been plagued by delays and cost overruns, culminating in $3.4 billion worth of charges for Boeing. https://www.airforcetimes.com/news/your-air-force/2018/08/07/air-force-seeks-pilots-who-want-to-fly-the-new-kc-46-refueling-tanker/ Back to Top Boeing ramps up hiring for new 737 Max finishing plant in China Boeing and COMAC (Commercial Aircraft Corp. of China) are building a 737 Max completion and delivery center in Zhoushan, China. Boeing is ramping up hiring for its new 737 finishing plant in China despite tough trade talk between the U.S. and China and threats of tariffs. Boeing CEO Dennis Muilenburg said this spring that the jet maker hoped to have some form of operational capability in China by the end of 2018, but didn't offer further information. Unpainted 737 aircraft made at Boeing's Renton factory will fly the Zhoushan completion and delivery center, where Boeing and state-owned COMAC (Commercial Aircraft Corp. of China) will finish interiors, paint exteriors and put other fnishing touches on aircraft before delivery to Chinese airlines. Renderings for Boeing's first major manufacturing facility outside the U.S. show apron space for more than a dozen airplanes at Zhoushan, about 178 miles southeast of Shanghai. Boeing and COMAC ultimately aim to finish 100 of the single-aisle jets per year at the complex. Boeing reportedly invested $33 million. Details of the manufacturing facility are becoming more clear through dozens of career recruitment ads on Boeing's website, which says China will become Boeing's biggest airplane customer within 20 years. Boeing is assembling a management team for Zhoushan, posting jobs for 38 positions including paint manager, flight line manager, security and fire protection manager, security adviser, environmental health and safety manager, and information technology manager. A dozen administration and office jobs are also being filled, including compliance analyst, human resources and payroll specialists, and procurement and supply chain staff. A video from state-run Xinhua News Agency last year offered rare footage of construction workers building the crescent-shaped main building in the renderings. About one third of all 737s are sold to Chinese airlines. The Zhoushan plant will finish 737 Max 7, 8, 9 and 10 jets. Boeing's Seattle-area labor unions remain concerned about jobs shifting overseas, but Muilenburg has said the China expansion is good for workers - and the economies - of both countries. "We're ramping up capability in China while we ramp up in the U.S. as well," he told analysts last month. "Our Chinese customers are exceptionally important to us. They're a big part of the 5,900 aircraft we have in backlog." Chinese Boeing customers Boeing has a growing stable of clients in China, as the air travel market there expands exponentially. Chinese Boeing customers: China Eastern Airlines ordered 130 737 jets worth $12 billion at list prices, including 80 in 2015 with deliveries between 2017 and 2019. Boeing's CEO expressed hope that aerospace trade between the U.S. and China remains free and open. "It's helping them grow their economy, it's growing jobs in China, and as China grows, it's growing jobs in the U.S. and our 737 production line for example. As we ramp up building on Chinese demand, that's growing U.S. manufacturing jobs." https://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/news/2018/08/07/boeing-zhoushan-china-737-max-factory-comac.html?ana=yahoo&yptr=yahoo Back to Top NASA Introduces 9 Astronauts for First Commercial Flights • The "Commercial Crew Nine" will fly to space in hardware made by Boeing and SpaceX The Commercial Crew Nine, from left to right: Sunita Williams, Josh Cassada, Eric Boe, Nicole Mann, Christopher Ferguson, Douglas Hurley, Robert Behnken, Michael Hopkins and Victor Glover. These astronauts will be the first launched from US soil since the space shuttle's retirement in 2011. Credit: NASA HOUSTON-Call them the Commercial Crew Nine. NASA has unveiled the first astronauts to fly on private spaceships built by SpaceX and Boeing, and, just like the original Mercury Seven, NASA's first astronauts announced in 1959, these 21st century space travelers have "the right stuff." NASA made the announcement today (Aug. 3) here at the Johnson Space Center, with the agency revealing the eight agency astronauts and one Boeing astronaut before a cheering crowd of lawmakers, dignitaries and kids waving signs and American flags. The astronauts will be the first Americans to launch into orbit from U.S. soil since NASA's space shuttle program shut down in 2011. "This is a big deal for our country, and we want Americans to know that we are back," NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine told the crowd. "We're flying American astronauts on American rockets from American soil." [Meet the SpaceX and Boeing Astronaut Crews] The Boeing and SpaceX crewed test missions are arguably the most anticipated spaceship test flights this century. There are four flights in all-two each for SpaceX's Crew Dragon and Boeing's CST-100 Starliner vehicle-scheduled to launch to the International Space Station (ISS) throughout 2019 once uncrewed test flights are complete. Flying the first crewed flight on Boeing's CST-100 Starliner are NASA astronauts Eric Boe, Nicole Aunapu Mann and Boeing astronaut Chris Ferguson. Ferguson is a former NASA astronaut and space shuttle commander who now works on Boeing's Starliner program. Their mission will launch in mid-2019, if everything goes according to plan. Veteran NASA astronauts Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley will fly on SpaceX's first crewed Crew Dragon flight. Their mission is scheduled for April 2019. "It's absolutely the opportunity of a lifetime," Mann, a Marine Corps lieutenant who joined NASA in 2013, said during the announcement. "As a test pilot, it doesn't get any better than this." Hurley agreed. "The first flight is something that you dream about as a test pilot and, you know, you don't think it's ever going to happen to you," he said. "But you know, it looks like it might." Once the first crewed test flights are complete, two more crews will fly on Crew Dragon and Starliner for long-duration missions to the space station. Launching on Boeing's Starliner will be veteran NASA astronaut Sunita Williams (a former ISS commander) and first-time flyer Josh Cassada. The first operational SpaceX Crew will be veteran astronaut Mike Hopkins and first-time flyer Victor Glover. It's been a long trip for these astronauts. Years, in fact. It was back in September 2014 when NASA first announced that SpaceX and Boeing would fly NASA astronauts to and from the International Space Station. At the time, SpaceX's Crew Dragon (known as Dragon V2 at the time) and Boeing's Starliner (just CST-100 back then) won a four-year competition-and contracts worth billions-to fly astronauts to space. [Take a Walk Through SpaceX's Crew Dragon Spaceship] Then, in July 2015, NASA offered another nugget: Four of its astronauts had been tapped to start training on SpaceX's Crew Dragon and Boeing's Starliner. Those were Behnken, Boe, Hurley and Williams. The astronauts have been training with SpaceX and Boeing, on top of their NASA work, ever since. Today's crew announcement for the SpaceX and Boeing test flights is a major step for NASA's push to restore American crewed access to space from U.S. soil. NASA's last space shuttle mission, the STS-135 flight coincidently commanded by Boeing's Ferguson, flew in July 2011. Since then, NASA has been dependent on Russia's Soyuz rockets and spacecraft, paying upward of $70 million per seat to fly Americans to and from the ISS. Some of the newly named crew, like Cassada, joined NASA expecting to fly on Soyuz spacecraft before any new American ship. "I'll tell you, being able to launch to the International Space Station from U.S. soil, I can't imagine better," Cassada said. Glover, who also joined NASA in 2013, summed it up simply. "This is the stuff of dreams ... this is a test pilot's dream," he said. SpaceX's Crew Dragon will launch on the company's Falcon 9 rocket. Both vehicles are reusable. Boeing's spacecraft CST-100 Starliner is also expected to be reusable and will launch on a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket. SpaceX aims to launch an uncrewed test flight in November of this year, with a Boeing test flight scheduled for late 2018 or early 2019. [How Boeing's Commercial CST-100 Starliner Spacecraft Works] Those launch targets may change. In fact, they've already changed this week. Earlier this year, NASA unveiled a commercial crew schedule that called for the first uncrewed test flights by SpaceX and Boeing this month. The first crewed flights would then follow by the end of 2018. But that changed Thursday (Aug. 2) when NASA rolled out a set of new launch targets. Now, SpaceX will launch its uncrewed test flight in November 2018, with the first crewed flight next spring. Boeing, meanwhile, hopes to launch its first uncrewed test flight in late 2018 or early 2019, with the first crewed launch expected in mid-2019. In the meantime, NASA will still rely on Russia to keep Americans flying in space. NASA, SpaceX and Boeing have repeatedly stressed that they will fly only when the vehicles are ready. SpaceX President Gwynne Shotwell touched on that today during the crew announcement. SpaceX CEO Elon Musk, she said, founded the company in 2002 to build the safest and most reliable spacecraft possible. "The 7,000 women and men of SpaceX understand what a sacred honor it was for us to be part of this program and for us to fly you," Shotwell told the astronaut crews. "We take it seriously. We won't let you down." https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/nasa-introduces-9-astronauts-for-first-commercial-flights/ Back to Top Assistant Manager, Safety Management Systems (Air Safety) Main purpose of the Job: Support the Manager, Safety Management Systems with the development, implementation and maintenance of the Safety Management Systems (SMS) in flight and cabin operations. Directly responsible to: • Manager, Safety Management System (MSMS) Directly responsible for: • Supervisor, Safety Management Systems (Air Safety) • Officer, Safety Management Systems (Air Safety) Main Areas of Responsibility: • Responsible for routine review and processing of safety reports submitted to Quality, Safety & Security Department. • Responsible for conducting investigations (in conjunction with the FOQA specialist) into accidents, incidents and/or irregularities affecting the safety of operations. Conduct investigation interviews and debriefing accordingly to include the use of FOQA data. Produce investigation reports and make recommendations to prevent recurrence. • Support the MSMS in managing the day-to-day activities of the Safety Management Systems in flight and cabin operations. • Assist MSMS in the maintenance and development of the electronic safety reporting system. • Support the MSMS in maintaining the currency and relevance of the Safety Management System Manual by proposing and drafting amendments. • Conduct inspections / surveys / assessment / analysis as and when directed by the MSMS and produce reports to ascertain operational safety is achieved. • Communicate and interface with appropriate departments to track the safety actions arising from investigations / Safety Action Group (SAG) / routine safety assessments and ensure they are implemented in a timely and appropriate manner. • Responsible for production and dissemination of safety promotion material through company intranet, notice board, newsletter and any other suitable media. • Assist the MSMS in conducting SMS related trainings and briefings to company employees. • Participate in IOSA program as and when directed by the MSMS. • Participate in various safety meetings and provide administrative support as required. • Assist in performing safety risk assessment and change management as required. Qualifications / Requirements: • Minimum 5 years relevant working experience in the airline industry, preferably in flight or cabin operations. • Aviation safety investigation qualification or equivalent experience. • Comprehensive knowledge and experience with Safety Management System. • Bachelor's degree required, preferably in a technical, aviation or engineering discipline. • Flying experience desirable. • Strong analytical capabilities. • Well-developed interpersonal and communication skills. • Proven command of spoken and written English. Knowledge in Chinese (Cantonese and Putonghua) is an added advantage. • Good computer literacy. APPLY HERE Back to Top POSITION: SAFETY ANALYST FLIGHT OPERATIONAL QUALITY ASSURANCE POSITION PURPOSE Processes day-to-day raw data using Flight Operational Quality Assurance (FOQA) and program Ground Data Replay Analysis System (GDRAS) and routine data analysis. Creates weekly and monthly deliverables in addition to working with Gatekeepers and other members of FOQA and FOQA Management Team (FMT). ESSENTIAL DUTIES 1. Supports the FOQA Program Manager with daily administration of the FOQA efforts to ensure analysis of flight data for improved flight safety. 2. Oversees data collection process of aircraft fleet in conjunction with Maintenance and Engineering. 3. Performs data analysis, root cause analysis and determine corrective actions of digital flight data to determine adverse events, trends in flight and maintenance operations. 4. Coordinates, develops, verifies and validates aircraft specific event definitions. 5. Prepares flight operations trending analysis charts and reports. 6. Compiles and presents FOQA data summaries for use by senior management, regulators, pilots and union officials. 7. Performs specialized studies and fulfills special data requests. 8. Creates safety and FOQA department publications. 9. Prepares reports, presentations, and statistical data required to keep the FOQA community informed of the status and programs of the FOQA information. 10. Reviews corrective action responses to inspections and internal evaluations findings for adequacy. 11. Maintains FOQA database, write database queries, program new FOQA events, and manage documentation supporting these functions. 12. Coordinates with other airlines FOQA departments, governmental and academic institutions regarding FOQA. 13. Performs others duties as assigned. REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability necessary to perform this job. EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE • Bachelor's degree in aviation, flight technology, engineering, or related area or a combination of education and experience. • FAA Commercial Pilot License. • Previous work experience, preferably in 14CFR Part 121 air carrier operations; quality control, maintenance, operations, safety or a combination of these areas. • Previous experience maintaining and enhancing corporate safety standards and safe operation practices. • Understands turbine-aircraft systems and knowledge regarding Part 121 operations. • Extensive working knowledge of Microsoft Office Programs, including spreadsheet and database applications. • Strong work ethic, ability to work in a fast-paced environment and a positive attitude toward teamwork. PREFERRED EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE • At least 3 years related experience. • Additional certifications: Dispatch, Airframe and Powerplant and/or ATP license. • Basic computer programming and statistical methods experience preferred. • Prior experience with Sagem AGS or equivalent GDRAS platforms is preferred. LANGUAGE SKILLS Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations. Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and the general public. REASONING/PROBLEM SOLVING ABILITY Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables. Proven project management and analytical skills. Ability to handle numerous projects at one time and meet deadlines. Self-motivated and able to work with minimal supervision in support of the Safety Department. DECISION MAKING Makes day to day decisions used to support strategic direction. Decisions often require some thought and are somewhat structured. Decisions tend to be short term and usually moderate cost. PHYSICAL DEMANDS The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an associate to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Able to move about the work environment. Frequently required to stand, walk, sit, talk and hear. WORK ENVIRONMENT The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an associate encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Typically not exposed to extreme environmental conditions. TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS Travel up to 10% of the time, including overnight stays. APPLY HERE Company Overview: At Republic Airline, our mission is to provide a safe, clean and reliable flying experience. We believe this is best accomplished by focusing on our vision, "With the BEST people, products, and performance, we will be America's Regional Airline of choice." Republic Airline is a regional airline headquartered in Indianapolis, operating fixed-fee flights for American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and United Airlines. The Company's fleet consists of nearly 190 Embraer 170/175s, offering approximately 950 flights daily to 100 cities in the U.S., Canada, the Caribbean and Central America. Our crew bases include Chicago, IL (ORD), Columbus, OH (CMH), Indianapolis, IN (IND), Kansas City, MO (MCI), Miami, FL (MIA), Newark, NJ (EWR), New York, NY (LGA), Philadelphia, PA (PHL), Pittsburgh, PA (PIT) and Washington, D.C. (DCA). We have 10 maintenance bases: Charlotte, NC (CLT), Chicago, IL (ORD), Columbus, OH (CMH), Indianapolis, IN (IND), Louisville, KY (SDF), Newark, NJ (EWR), New York, NY (LGA), Philadelphia, PA (PHL), Pittsburgh, PA (PIT) and Washington, D.C. (DCA). With more than 5,500 talented aviation professionals, Republic Airline is a great place to get your career off the runway! For more information, please visit our website at www.rjet.com. Back to Top Back to Top ISASI 2018 Intercontinental Hotel, Festival City, Dubai. 30 October to 1 November, 2018 "The Future of Aircraft Accident Investigation" ISASI is pleased to announce that the preliminary Technical Program for ISASI 2018 is now posted. It is, of course, subject to change between now and the end of October. All up to date information, including registration forms for the seminar and a reservation link for the hotel can be found at http://isasiannualseminar.com/ We look forward to seeing all of you in Dubai. Back to Top Back to Top Back to Top Back to Top GRADUATE RESEARCH SURVEY Dear pilots, My name is Michail Karyotakis, F-16 Fighter Pilot and postgraduate student 'Air Safety 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 'Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) in the 21st century. On attaining safer UAS flights based on current and future challenges and considerations.', aims to determine how UAS flights can become safe enough, so manned and unmanned air operations could be conducted simultaneously without compromising the safe performance of the entire aviation industry. To support my project research 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 (if desired by the participant). The survey will take about 12 minutes of your time to complete and is open for participation until 13 August 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 or air force you are working for. Please click the link below to enter the survey: SURVEY WEB LINK: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/LC6RXZN Thank you in advance for your time and patience. Your participation is highly appreciated. Kind regards, Michail Karyotakis • Mobile phone number: +30 6983514058 • Student email: michail.karyotakis@city.ac.uk Curt Lewis