Flight Safety Information August 9, 2018 - No. 161 In This Issue Incident: TUIFly B738 near Genoa on Aug 7th 2018, hydraulic failure Incident: PIA B773 at Lahore on Aug 8th 2018, rejected takeoff due to engine failure results in blow tires Incident: American B752 near Halifax on Aug 1st 2018, smell of smoke in cabin EVAS - Cockpit Smoke Protection Accident: Cavok AN12 at Gao on Mar 30th 2018, nose gear collapse on landing Cessna 207A Stationair 7 Engine Failure Accident (Alaska) LIBIK Fire Suppression Kits for the Cabin and Flight Deck. Stale cockpit air may be dulling your airline pilot's performance ICAO to help Nepal's aviation regulator with research, development New NTSB Vice Chairman Sworn In...Bruce Landsberg ICAO Provides Training Guidance for FANS Ops Urgent A380 flight measures aim to avert duct rupture Jota Aviation appoints Jeff Fieldhouse as Safety and Compliance Manager Reynolds Jet Joins the Air Charter Safety Foundation (ACSF) Area 51's Spooky Airline Is Hiring Pilots For Top Secret Flights New NASA Planet Hunter May Find 10,000 Alien Worlds in Just Two Years 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: TUIFly B738 near Genoa on Aug 7th 2018, hydraulic failure A TUIFly Boeing 737-800, registration D-AHFT performing flight X3-2132 from Basel/Mulhouse (Switzerland/France) to Palma Mallorca,SP (Spain) with 177 people on board, was enroute at FL330 about 40nm northwest of Genoa (Italy) when the crew decided to divert to Stuttgart (Germany) due to the failure of the #2 hydraulic system, turned around, climbed to FL340 and landed safely in Stuttgart about 50 minutes after the decision to divert. A replacement Boeing 737-800 registration D-ATUK reached Palma Mallorca with a delay of 3:50 hours. The airline reported the #2 hydraulic system failed. The aircraft could have safely continued to Palma Mallorca, however, would then have been unable to depart Palma. In order to enable a rapid repair in Germany the crew decided to divert to Stuttgart. The occurrence aircraft is still on the ground in Stuttgart about 24 hours after landing in Stuttgart. http://avherald.com/h?article=4bc1a61c&opt=0 Back to Top Incident: PIA B773 at Lahore on Aug 8th 2018, rejected takeoff due to engine failure results in blown tyres A PIA Pakistan International Airlines Boeing 777-300, registration AP-BID performing Hajj flight PK-2057 from Lahore (Pakistan) to Jeddah (Saudi Arabia) with 395 people on board, was accelerating for takeoff from Lahore when an engine failed prompting the crew to reject takeoff. The aircraft came to a stop with four blown of six left main tyres. A replacement Boeing 777-200 registration AP-BGY reached Jeddah with a delay of 6.5 hours. The airline reported not all passengers could be accomodated on the replacement aircraft, about 80 passengers have been rebooked onto flight the following day. A repair team was flown from Karachi to Lahore, repairs of AP-BID have begun. A number of Pakistani media claim the engine failed as result of a bird strike. http://avherald.com/h?article=4bc1a410&opt=0 Back to Top Incident: American B752 near Halifax on Aug 1st 2018, smell of smoke in cabin An American Airlines Boeing 757-200, registration N198AA performing flight AA-89 from Shannon (Ireland) to Philadelphia,PA (USA) with 166 passengers and 9 crew, was enroute at FL380 about 20nm northwest of Halifax,NS (Canada) when the crew reported the smell of smoke in the cabin and decided to divert to Halifax where the aircraft landed safely about 22 minutes later. The Canadian TSB reported maintenance found the forward equipment supply fan inoperative. The fan was replaced. A replacement Boeing 757-200 reached Philadelphia with a delay of about 12 hours. The occurrence aircraft positioned to New York JFK,NY (USA) the following day after about 23 hours on the ground. https://flightaware.com/live/flight/AAL89/history/20180801/1000Z/EINN/KPHL http://avherald.com/h?article=4bc1a20c&opt=0 Back to Top Back to Top Accident: Cavok AN12 at Gao on Mar 30th 2018, nose gear collapse on landing A Cavok Air Antonov AN-12BK, registration UR-KDM performing a freight flight from Bamako to Gao (Mali) with 7 crew, had landed on Gao's runway and was in the roll out when the nose gear folded. The aircraft continued on its nose for about 70 meters before coming to a stop within the runway. There were no injuries, the aircraft sustained substantial damage to nose gear and the front section of the fuselage. Due to the fact that the occurrence happened on a military base, the investigation is conducted by the Air Force Mali and the military bureau of France. Ukraine's NBAAI is assisting the investigation. On Aug 8th 2018 the NBAAI reported the investigation is now conducted by the French BEA. http://avherald.com/h?article=4b7716c9&opt=0 Back to Top Cessna 207A Stationair 7 Engine Failure Accident (Alaska) Date: 07-AUG-2018 Time: 18:08:00Z Type: Cessna 207A Stationair 7 Owner/operator: Iliamna Air Taxi Inc Registration: N7379U C/n / msn: 20700427 Fatalities: Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 1 Other fatalities: 0 Aircraft damage: Substantial Location: Iliamna, Lake and Peninsula Borough, AK - United States of America Phase: Initial climb Nature: Unknown Departure airport: Iliamna (ILI/PAIL) Destination airport: Narrative: The aircraft experienced an engine failure shortly after takeoff and was forced to land on the tundra near Iliamna, Alaska. It sustained substantial damage and there were no reported injures. https://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/wiki.php?id=214236 Back to Top Back to Top Stale cockpit air may be dulling your airline pilot's performance The cockpit of a Boeing 787-10 Dreamliner aircraft at Changi Airport in Singapore, on March 28, 2018. (Bloomberg photo by Ore Huiying). Carbon dioxide levels once thought safe are raising concern. The Current U.S. regulations governing aircraft air quality were drafted in 1996 before the effects of concentrations of carbon dioxide on human performance were known. By Alan Levin That poorly ventilated conference room isn't the only place with the potential for sick-air syndrome. Airliner cockpits can also have levels of carbon dioxide elevated enough that in simulations it causes pilots to fail test maneuvers at higher rates than normal, a new Harvard University study has found. The first-of-its-kind research suggests that current regulations aren't adequate to assure there's enough fresh air in airline flight decks and raise questions about whether even moderately elevated carbon dioxide levels could impact safety, said Joseph Allen, an assistant professor at Harvard's School of Public Health and lead author of the study. "It's clear that the air quality in the cockpit can have an impact on performance," Allen said. "It's clear we haven't been thinking about it too deeply in terms of the impact on pilot performance. Now that we know, I think we're obligated to ask those next sets of questions and really understand it." In recent years, studies have shown that even an increase of a few hundred parts per million of carbon dioxide in the air we breath causes people to test lower for cognitive skills. But until the latest study, pilots and airline cockpits hadn't been examined. Normal levels in the atmosphere are 400 parts per million. Concentrations of the colorless, tasteless gas can rise in poorly ventilated spaces where people exhale it - such as crowded airliners. Carbon dioxide levels reached as high as 1,400 parts per million on five percent of airline flights the European Aviation Safety Agency tested, according to data it released last year. The average was 603 parts per million, just slightly higher than levels found in the air. Airliners replenish oxygen in a plane at high altitudes by pulling in the thin air and pressurizing it, mostly by scooping it from the front end of jet engines. Because earlier studies showed people performed more poorly on tests of brain function at levels as low as 1,000 parts per million, the researchers thought it would make sense to examine pilot skills and carbon dioxide. Thirty airline pilots were recruited to fly multiple three-hour segments in a special flight simulator in which carbon dioxide levels could be manipulated. Performance on 21 maneuvers - ranging from making a steep turn to handling an emergency engine fire - decreased as carbon dioxide levels rose, according to the study. Flight examiners certified by the Federal Aviation Administration rated the pilots' performance. At 700 parts per million, pilots were 69 percent more likely to correctly perform the maneuvers compared to when they were breathing carbon dioxide at 2500 parts per million. At 1,500 parts per million, they were 52 percent more likely to pass compared to the higher level. The study was published Wednesday in the Journal of Exposure Science & Environmental Epidemiology. Allen took pains to say that air travel is extremely safe. There has been only one passenger death on a U.S.-registered airline in more than nine years and there's never been any evidence linking routine carbon dioxide levels to a crash. However, several of the few recent fatal accidents that have occurred involved puzzling lapses in pilot performance, according to accident investigation agencies. One example was when a captain on a Colgan Air flight made a series of abrupt maneuvers in 2009 near Buffalo, causing a perfectly good commuter plane to plunge to the ground, killing 50. At the very least, Allen said, regulation agencies like the FAA might want to study the issue and compare the growing research on the effects of carbon dioxide with the existing U.S. regulations on aircraft design. "The goal is to optimize conditions for a safe flight," he said, "and the air in the cockpit has to be a part of that conversation." Current U.S. regulations governing aircraft air quality were drafted in 1996 before the effects of concentrations of carbon dioxide on human performance were known. It allows more than 10 times the levels found in the atmosphere, or 5,000 parts per million. According to the limited data available, the air in most aircraft is below that ceiling. But there are indications that carbon dioxide can spike. Tests of air in aircraft passenger cabins show carbon dioxide levels typically climb to 2,000-2,500 parts per million during loading and unloading, when a plane's ventilation system is operating at lower capacity. "There's virtually no information on the air quality in the cockpit. It's the one place where it seems we really would want to know about the most," Allen said. https://www.seattletimes.com/business/stale-cockpit-air-may-be-dulling-your-airline-pilots-performance/ Back to Top ICAO to help Nepal's aviation regulator with research, development Seeking guidance Aug 9, 2018-The government has decided to rope in technical experts from the International Civil Aviation Organisation (Icao) to assist the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (Caan) in research and development after it is split into regulator and service provider. The proposal has been okayed by the Caan board and has been sent to the Civil Aviation Ministry which will seek final approval from the Finance Ministry, said Rajan Pokhrel, deputy director general of Caan. The project was proposed by Icao and will assist Nepal under Icao's Safety Fund that aims to improve the safety of civil aviation globally, he said. Nepal will contribute 25 percent of the nearly Rs10 million Safety Fund. According to Civil Aviation Ministry officials, a draft Integrated Civil Aviation Bill that envisages splitting Caan into two entities-regulator and service provider-is expected to be submitted to the Cabinet by October for its green light. Although, the Law Ministry had already given its okay to the draft which was written by a government committee, a few amendments need to be made, particularly with regard to the legal aspects, said Buddhi Sagar Lamichhane, joint secretary at the Tourism Ministry. "We are preparing to send the draft to the Law Ministry again," he said. After the draft is approved by the Cabinet, the bill will be presented in Parliament. Discussions will be held on each clause in the bill at various parliamentary committees, and amendments may be made at this stage. After getting clearance from the parliamentary committees, it will be tabled in Parliament. After the bill is signed into law, it will supersede two existing laws-the Civil Aviation Act 1959 and Nepal Civil Aviation Authority Act 1996. The government will begin the consultation process on issues like management of employees and separation of the organisation's property and liabilities which needs a great deal of planning. The technical experts from Icao will handle these subjects. The idea of breaking up Caan had also featured in the technical committee meeting of the European Commission held in Brussels, Belgium last January where officials of Caan and the Tourism Ministry were invited to explain Nepal's progress in addressing air safety deficiencies. Currently, Caan has been functioning both as regulator and service provider from the same office, and there is no clear demarcation between its duties and organisational structure. As per the draft bill, Caan will continue to act as regulator while a separate Airport and Air Navigation Services will be set up to operate as service provider. The service provider will be a public limited company and be led by a CEO. Its key responsibilities will include airport management, terminal management, ground handling, airport security, rescue and fire fighting, airport infrastructure development, airport fee and tax collection and air traffic control. Likewise, the regulator will be responsible for licensing and regulating aviation professionals and pilots, engineers, air traffic controllers, airlines and aerodromes. The government has been working on the new law for the last nine years. The new law will integrate the previous acts to eliminate conflicts and contradictions between Caan and the Tourism Ministry, a situation that has been criticised in safety audits conducted by global aviation bodies. Icao's Universal Safety Oversight Audit Programme has recommended that Caan be split to make the aviation sector more efficient. Breaking up Caan, which is also among the components of the $4.2 million Air Transport Enhancement Project funded by the Asian Development Bank (ADB), is aimed at facilitating stringent enforcement of safety measures. http://kathmandupost.ekantipur.com/news/2018-08-09/icao-to-help-nepals-aviation-regulator-with-research-development.html Back to Top New NTSB Vice Chairman Sworn In Bruce Landsberg, a past president of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association Air Safety Institute, was sworn in Aug. 7 by Chairman Robert Sumwalt. Bruce Landsberg, a past president of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association Air Safety Institute, is the new vice chairman of the National Transportation Safety Board. Landsberg was sworn in Aug. 7 by Chairman Robert Sumwalt. Landsberg is "a well-known general aviation safety advocate for decades" who also has held management positions with FlightSafety International and Cessna Aircraft Company, according to NTSB. "Throughout my career, I have had a great appreciation for the work the NTSB does," Landsberg said. "It is an honor to join the NTSB in its pursuit of transportation safety in all modes of transportation." Sumwalt said Landsberg's expertise and longstanding commitment to safety "will be invaluable assets. We welcome him to the NTSB." According to the NTSB announcement, Landsberg has more than 6,000 hours piloting aircraft, holds an Airline Transport Pilot certificate and multiple flight instructor certificates, and served in the U.S. Air Force. His appointment as vice chairman is for a two-year term, and his term as an NTSB board member is for five years. The board will be up to full strength shortly: A fifth member, Jennifer Homendy, who has been a Democratic staffer on the U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, was confirmed July 24 by the U.S. Senate and is scheduled to join the board soon. https://ohsonline.com/articles/2018/08/09/new-ntsb-vice-chairman-sworn-in.aspx Back to Top ICAO Provides Training Guidance for FANS Ops The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) has released a North Atlantic Operations Bulletin to help operators with new navigation requirements and advancements. Developed by the North Atlantic Systems Planning Group (NAT SPG), the ops bulletin provides background information and guidance material that could be included in pilot and dispatch training programs and operations manuals of North Atlantic Track (NAT) operations. The information covers FANS-1/A, which is used in the NAT region for controller-pilot datalink communications (CPDLC) and for position reporting through Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Contract (ADS-C). NAT SPG developed the procedures to facilitate a uniform application of standards and recommended practices involving operations, communications, and air traffic services. The ops bulletin guides operators on procedures, documentation and training programs. FANS-1/A requirements are being incrementally rolled out in the NAT, covering FL350 to FL390 beginning at the end of last year and expanding to FL290 and above throughout the ICAO NAT region beginning Jan. 30, 2020. Flight crews need to be equipped for and ensure a FANS (CPDLC/ADS-C) connection before entering the affected NAT oceanic airspace. https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/business-aviation/2018-08-08/icao-provides-training-guidance-fans-ops Back to Top Urgent A380 flight measures aim to avert duct rupture Airbus A380 operators have been ordered urgently to update the type's flight manual with new procedures intended to prevent the risk of structural damage from bleed-duct rupture. The emergency directive from the European Aviation Safety Agency follows previous measures imposed two years ago, when damage to an aircraft was traced to uncontrolled overpressure in the pneumatic system following a valve closure during take-off. While the flight manual was updated as a result, EASA states that new cases of engine bleed-duct rupture have emerged, leading to structural damage in a "critical" area. EASA had previously ordered installation of a new software standard, version 6.4, for the engine bleed air system. This was intended to avert the overpressure scenario, and consequent rupture, when the aircraft takes off with bleed air supplied by the engines and when at least one pack is used. But EASA says, in its latest directive, that this scenario is "not prevented" when the aircraft takes off with both packs off, or when bleed air is supplied by the auxiliary power unit. Airbus updated the flight manual procedures on 1 August, and EASA is ordering A380 operators to remove the previous procedural revision and incorporate the latest change before the next flight. The directive covers all aircraft in the A380 fleet, both Rolls-Royce Trent 900- and Engine Alliance GP7200-powered versions. EASA had previously explained that the original concern had been triggered by a "double and dependent failure", during take-off, of the high-pressure value and pressure-regulating valve, which had led to the closure - by design - of the overpressure valve, and subsequent bleed-duct rupture. https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/urgent-a380-flight-measures-aim-to-avert-duct-ruptur-450948/ Back to Top Jota Aviation appoints Jeff Fieldhouse as Safety and Compliance Manager Southend Airport based Jota Aviation today announced the appointment of Jeff Fieldhouse as their new Safety and Compliance Manager. Jeff (above) joins the team from Aviation Safety Training & Consultancy practice Baines Simmons (part of Air Partner Plc) where over the past eight years, has engaged with a large number of clients in both business and commercial aviation. Jeff is a recognised highly-proven specialist in Regulatory Affairs, Quality Management, Compliance Monitoring and Safety Management Systems (SMS). Jeff also has a deep understanding of the engineering regulatory requirements (Part 145, M, 147 and 66) specifically EASA, FAA and ICAO. Jeff, who will be appointed as the nominated person for Safety and Compliance said: "I am really looking forward to this exciting new challenge at Jota Aviation and I was delighted to accept the position. Having worked closely with the Performance Based Regulations (PBR) for a number of years, the opportunity to evolve and practically apply the management system approach within Jota Aviation fit hand in hand with their current growth strategy and will provide clearer demonstration of safety to give increased client, regulator and management confidence" Jota Aviation CEO, Andy Green commented: "Jeff brings a wealth of experience with him and we are thrilled to have him join the team. Through his thorough knowledge, and his training and consulting background within the Safety and Compliance Management area, Jeff will undoubtedly deliver an ever improving management system and safety culture across the whole company, and we look forward to the tangible benefits this will bring to us operationally as a result." https://www.adsadvance.co.uk/jota-aviation-appoints-jeff-fieldhouse-as-safety-and-compliance-manager.html Back to Top Reynolds Jet Joins the Air Charter Safety Foundation (ACSF) Washington, DC, August 7, 2018 - The Air Charter Safety Foundation (ACSF) is pleased to announce that Midwest Jet Management LLC, dba Reynolds Jet is the newest charter operator to join the ACSF. Along with more than 175 other companies, Reynolds Jet now supports the ACSF vision to enable on-demand air charter providers, corporate flight departments and fractional program managers to achieve the highest levels of safety in the aviation industry. "We are extremely proud of our employee commitment to safety and quality, which is integrated throughout our company's charter and aircraft management," said Reynolds Jet Director of Operations, Bryan Tye. "Reynolds Jet lives and breathes safety. With our uncompromising fixation, we adhere to the most rigorous safety standards in the world. Reynolds Jet surpasses the most demanding benchmarks set by the FAA. With a sharp focus on safety and operational excellence, Reynolds Jet guarantees peace of mind on each and every flight." "No detail is spared when it comes to ensuring the safety of our clients" noted Jay Lasky, Reynolds Jet, Safety Officer. "With complete transparency, Reynolds Jet is able to provide the most cost-effective solutions to their clients most demanding challenges." "We are pleased to welcome Reynolds Jet to the foundation," said ACSF President Bryan Burns. "With their passion for safety, a focus on teamwork within leadership, colleagues and employees, they strive for uncompromising integrity in every aspect of their daily safety practices. Becoming a member of ACSF reinforces their commitment to providing the safest aircraft and flight crews for their clients." https://www.aviationpros.com/press_release/12424085/reynolds-jet-joins-the-air-charter-safety-foundation-acsf Back to Top Area 51's Spooky Airline Is Hiring Pilots For Top Secret Flights Looking for a great career? Or know another veteran, service member, or military spouse who is? Get started at Hirepurpose. Way out in Nevada, the secret base from Independence Day - yes, Area 51 - is hiring a pilot for the only airline that flies direct to the secluded destination. Janet Air - as in "Just Another Non Existent Terminal" - flies a nondescript red-striped fleet of 737s from Las Vegas to various sandy, high-security government outposts where, as in Vegas, what goes on there stays there. The job posting in question is looking for a 3,000-hour pilot with an active Top Secret clearance and little interest in what their passengers do at work. According to salary research site Glassdoor, the average salary of a pilot at AECOM, Janet Air's parent firm, was $80,454 a year - enough to really enjoy nightlife on the Strip with those wacky scientists you'll presumably ferry to work in the mornings. Can you fly a 737, obtain a top secret clearance and know when not to look out the window? JANET airline may have a job for you. https://aecom.jobs/las-vegas-nv/first-officer-co-pilot/752EC19D03DF4566BC253E2C04904258/job/ Used for testing stealth aircraft, new weapons, and (in popular fiction and conspiracy theories) alien spacecraft, the base also known as Groom Lake - or at least, Area 51, Groom Lake's most notorious annex - also attracts a fair amount of tourists who are looking to make "first contact." Most just end up making contact with the highly trained security force that patrols the base's border. "The range is used for the testing of technologies and systems and training for operations critical to the effectiveness of U.S. military forces and the security of the United States," Air Force spokeswoman Ann Stefanek told Task & Purpose in a statement, when asked about the purpose of Area 51 and its surrounding environs, probably for the millionth time. Area 51 The emailed response from Air Combat Command spokesman Col. Todd Vician, however, was more tantalizing. "There is an operating location near Groom dry lake," he wrote, but "some specific activities and operations" out there, "both past and present, remain classified and cannot be discussed." Hey man, $80K to ferry spooky customers on short hops from Sin City doesn't sound half bad. But knowing the truth about little green men in the desert? That'd be priceless. https://taskandpurpose.com/area-51-janet-airline-hiring/ Back to Top New NASA Planet Hunter May Find 10,000 Alien Worlds in Just Two Years An artist's depiction of the TESS spacecraft in orbit around Earth. Credit: NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center NASA's newest planet-hunting telescope is hard at work gathering its first data - but just how many planets might it hunt down? According to new estimates put together by scientists on the team behind the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite, or TESS, the instrument should identify about 10,000 planets in its two-year mission; 3,500 of them should be smaller than Neptune, the mission's focus. And if the telescope can stay at work longer than its current plan, those numbers will only go up. The new estimates should help scientists working on the mission to better plan how they use the spacecraft. The forecast may also help the team argue its case for extending the mission beyond the initial two-year mandate. [NASA's New Planet-Hunting Telescope Catches a Comet ] "There's no reason for the spacecraft to stop working after two years" - beyond, of course, the price tag, Jessie Christiansen, who studies exoplanets at Caltech and NASA's Exoplanet Science Institute, told Space.com. Christiansen is involved with the mission but not with the new study. The new estimates, which describe three different options for extending the mission, will also help determine which holds the most promise if that time comes, she added. NASA's New Planet Hunter: TESS Of course, these aren't the first estimates scientists have made of how many planets TESS will spot. But the new forecast takes advantage of a major new set of data: a giant batch of measurements made by the European mission called Gaia, which has pinpointed the location of more than 1.5 billion stars in the Milky Way. That map is valuable to TESS because it tells astronomers precisely how far away a given star is, Christiansen said. Pair that information with the star's observed brightness, and scientists can figure out how large the object is. That's valuable because TESS is best at spotting planets around smaller stars - so by using Gaia's data, scientists can better play to the instrument's strengths, Christiansen said. The new estimates will help the science team ensure the mission is still on track to succeed at its primary job: measuring the mass of 50 planets that are smaller than Neptune. As eye-catching as 10,000 planets are, the particularly important number here is the 3,500 sub-Neptune worlds, Christiansen said. Those planets will be TESS' proving grounds in terms of its formal requirements and will help scientists understand how small rocky planets are formed. These estimates used a new expected inclination spread of other solar systems, or how dramatically their planets stray from a perfectly flat disk of orbits. That orbital neatness affects the number of planets that TESS' transit method can identify. This method exploits the small dip in a star's brightness as the planet passes between its sun and the instrument. "If you were an alien civilization looking at the sun, you wouldn't actually see all eight planets," Christiansen said - you would see the transits of only the handful of planets that happened to line up perfectly from your extraterrestrial vantage point. "We have to guess at what that inclination spread looks like in other solar systems." Our solar system has a spread of about 7 degrees, but new analyses suggest that this number is more dramatic than average. Even better than the estimate itself is the fact that it shouldn't be long before scientists start ticking off those 10,000 worlds. TESS is sending its first data back to Earth today (Aug. 8). And while the team will look through that data carefully before releasing it to the public - to be sure everything is working as expected and that there don't appear to be any issues - even just that first set of observations should introduce scientists to new worlds, Christiansen said. "I think we definitely can start finding planets in that first batch of data," she said. The research is described in a paper posted to the preprint server arXiv.org on July 30. https://www.space.com/41414-how-many-exoplanets-will-tess-discover.html 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