Flight Safety Information September 10, 2018 - No. 184 In This Issue Incident: Lufthansa A321 near Malaga on Sep 9th 2018, cockpit indication Incident: Sirius AN24 near Ust-Kut on Sep 7th 2018, engine shut down in flight Crash: South West Aviation L410 at Yirol on Sep 9th 2018, impacted river on approach to Yirol City Incident: Austrian A320 near Bucharest on Sep 7th 2018, smoke on board EVAS - Cockpit Smoke Protection Incident: Swiss BCS3 near Zurich on Sep 8th 2018, engine shut down in flight Incident: India A320N at Male on Sep 7th 2018, landed on runway under construction NTSB says plane flew 200 feet over another in Philadelphia LIBIK Fire Suppression Kits for the Cabin and Flight Deck. AirAsia passes IATA safety audit Regional aviation players call for more funding to improve air safety (Africa) Near mid-air crash puts Kenya and Ethiopia on a collision course Reagan National Airport to debut facial scanning technology FIRST COMPLETED BOEING 777X EMERGES FROM FINAL ASSEMBLY Saudi Arabia discusses civil aviation training with UK's Cranfield University Vietnam Airlines and Aeroflot Sign Strategic Cooperation Agreement Diamond Aircraft soars as orders double Embry-Riddle Partners with SkyWest Airlines to Launch Pilot Pathway Program Global pilot shortage: Air BP announces fourth Sterling Pilot scholar The F-100 Super Sabre Was the Air Force's First Supersonic Jet...And workhorse of the Vietnam War RESEARCH STUDY POSITION: Safety Specialist - Aviation 2018 International Aviation Safety and Education Summit "Bring Your Plane to Work Day" Fly-In & Career Day Automated Vehicles & Meteorology Summit...23-24 October 2018 Become a BowTie Expert (Until September 1st take advantage of the early bird fee) How do you track safety? Incident: Lufthansa A321 near Malaga on Sep 9th 2018, cockpit indication A Lufthansa Airbus A321-200, registration D-AIRK performing flight LH-1835 from Malaga,SP (Spain) to Munich (Germany) with 188 passengers and 6 crew, was climbing out of Malaga when the crew stopped the climb at FL200 continuing in the general direction of Munich. The aircraft subsequently diverted to Barcelona, SP (Spain) for a safe landing on runway 07L about 1:50 hours after departure. A passenger reported there were problems with an engine (V2530) shortly after departure, the crew indicated they were considering to divert to Barcelona or Toulouse explaining, it appeared to be an indication problem. After some time on the ground in Barcelona they were taken to hotels. The airline reported the aircraft diverted to Barcelona due to an erroneous indication in the cockpit. Initially the airline was confident the flight would be able to continue to Munich. The aircraft is still on the ground in BArcelona about 6 hours after landing. http://avherald.com/h?article=4bd775bf&opt=0 Back to Top Incident: Sirius AN24 near Ust-Kut on Sep 7th 2018, engine shut down in flight A Sirious Aero Antonov AN-24, registration RA-46637 from Krasnojarsk to Ust-Kut (Russia) with 46 passengers and 5 crew, was nearing Ust-Kut when the crew observed the drop of the fuel pressure for the right hand engine (AI-24) and decided to shut the engine down. The aircraft continued to Ust-Kut for a safe landing. Rosaviatsia confirmed the right hand engine's fuel pressure dropped prompting the crew to shut the engine down. The aircraft landed in Ust-Kut without further incident. http://avherald.com/h?article=4bd76cbd&opt=0 Back to Top Crash: South West Aviation L410 at Yirol on Sep 9th 2018, impacted river on approach to Yirol City A South West Aviation Let L-410, registration UR-TWO performing a flight from Juba to Yirol (South Sudan) with 20 passengers and 3 crew, impacted Yirol River south of the aerodrome at Yirol City about 1.75nm south of the aerodrome at about position N6.53 E30.49 at about 09:00L (06:00Z). 19 bodies were recovered from the river with the help of local fishermen, 4 survivors were taken to a hospital with serious injuries. The Information Minister in Eastern Lakes State reported the aircraft carried 23 people. 19 bodies were recovered, 4 survivors were taken to a hospital. The rescue and recovery was done by local fishing boats present at the accident site. Low visibility may have contributed to the accident. A domestic carrier named Southwest (editorial note: there is no evidence of that carrier on the Internet) had chartered the aircraft to carry out a passenger flight from Juba to Yirol City. South Sudan's Civil Aviation Authority have opened an investigation. In the evening of Sep 9th 2018 The Aviation Herald received a passenger manifest showing the operator of the flight was South West Aviation, the aircraft operated was UR-TWO. The handwritten manifest lists 17 adults and 3 children as passengers, one of the adults is listed as Ugandan Citizen, one an Ethiopian Citizen, all others as South Sudan Citizens. Italian Media report an Italian citizen, working as doctor for a NGO in South Sudan (the name appears on the manifest as South Sudan Citizen), is amongst the survivors and has been taken to Juba with serious injuries. No weather data for Yirol are available. The wreckage in the waters of Yirol River (Photo: Radio Miraya): http://avherald.com/h?article=4bd74c51&opt=0 Back to Top Incident: Austrian A320 near Bucharest on Sep 7th 2018, smoke on board An Austrian Airlines Airbus A320-200, registration OE-LBS performing flight OS-879 from Vienna (Austria) to Shiraz (Iran), was enroute at FL350 about 40nm westnorthwest of Bucharest's Otopeni Airport when the crew reported smoke on board and decided to divert to Bucharest. The crew requested emergency services on stand by. The aircraft landed safely on Otopeni's runway 08R about 20 minutes later and was inspected by emergency service before proceeding to the apron. A replacement A320-200 registration OE-LBQ returned to Vienna as flight OS-879 departing Bucharest about 3 hours after landing. The rotation, Vienna to Shiraz, Isfahan (Ira) and back was cancelled. The airline reported the aircraft diverted to Bucharest due to technical reasons. The occurrence aircraft is still on the ground in Bucharest about 26 hours after landing. http://avherald.com/h?article=4bd69ff2&opt=0 Back to Top Back to Top Incident: Swiss BCS3 near Zurich on Sep 8th 2018, engine shut down in flight A Swiss International Airlines Bombardier C-Series CS-300 (aka Airbus A220), registration HB-JCJ performing flight LX-1249 from Stockholm (Sweden) to Zurich (Switzerland), had been enroute at FL390 and was in the initial descent through about FL330 when the crew declared PAN PAN reporting they had needed to shut the left hand engine (PW1524) down due to low oil pressure. The aircraft continued to Zurich for a safe landing on runway 16 and stopped briefly on the runway for an inspection by emergency services. Following the inspection the aircraft taxied to the apron. The airline reported the crew needed to shut one of the engines down due to problems with the oil pressure about 25 minutes prior to landing. All passengers disembarked normally. The cause of the trouble is being investigated. http://avherald.com/h?article=4bd699d2&opt=0 Back to Top Incident: India A320N at Male on Sep 7th 2018, landed on runway under construction An Air India Airbus A320-200N, registration VT-EXL performing flight AI-263 from Thiruvananthapuram (India) to Male (Maldives) with 136 people on board, was cleared to land on Male's runway 18 at about 15:26L (10:26Z) however touched down on the parallel runway under construction to the left of runway 18. The aircraft rolled out and stopped on the not yet runway. There were no injuries, the aircraft is reported to have sustained damage to tyres and brakes. The airline reported one of the main tyres deflated when the aircraft landed on the runway under construction in Male. The serious incident was immediately reported to Maldives' and India's CAAs. Maldives' CAA have not yet commented on the occurrence. The aerodrome chart, dated Dec 8th 2016, released by AIP Maldives as current plate does not make any mention of the new runway under construction, which by pictorial evidence already has its marking on with crossing (runway closed) markers, the surface however had not been cleared from debris so far. http://avherald.com/h?article=4bd5ef33&opt=0 Back to Top NTSB says plane flew 200 feet over another in Philadelphia Investigators say a small plane that was aiming to land on a taxiway instead of the runway came within about 200 feet of striking another plane on the ground in Philadelphia. The National Transportation Safety Board issued a preliminary report Thursday on the Aug. 10 incident at Philadelphia International Airport. The NTSB says the pilot of a Gulfstream charter flight operated by Pegasus Elite Aviation pulled up about one-tenth of a mile from the end of the taxiway, where four airline regional jets were waiting. Lights identifying the runway and the approach path to the runway were out of service at the time of the 8:50 p.m. incident, according to the NTSB. No injuries were reported. There were four passengers and three crew members on the Pegasus jet. Pegasus did not immediately respond to email and phone messages for comment. The preliminary report did not include a probable cause or findings from the ongoing investigation. The Federal Aviation Administration reported the incident to the NTSB the following day. The NTSB said audio on the cockpit voice recorder of the Pegasus plane had already been recorded over, but the flight data recorder was removed from the plane for analysis. The incident is eerily similar to one last year in San Francisco, in which an Air Canada jet mistakenly aimed to land on a crowded taxiway and flew just over the tops of four airliners waiting to take off. The NTSB is scheduled to hold a hearing on that case Sept. 25. https://abcnews.go.com/Business/wireStory/ntsb-plane-flew-200-feet-philadelphia-57647267 Back to Top Back to Top AirAsia passes IATA safety audit AirAsia passed the IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA). AirAsia is a Malaysian low-cost airline. Its main base is Kuala Lumpur International Airport. It started operating flights in 1996 and currently uses 70 Airbus A320-200 aircraft and 21 Airbus A320neos . The airline's affiliates AirAsia X and Indonesia AirAsia are both IOSA registered as well. The IOSA programme is an evaluation system designed to assess the operational management and control systems of an airline. IOSA uses internationally recognised quality audit principles and is designed to conduct audits in a standardised and consistent manner. It was created in 2003 by IATA. All IATA members are IOSA registered and must remain registered to maintain IATA membership. https://news.aviation-safety.net/2018/09/08/airasia-passes-iata-safety-audit/ Back to Top Regional aviation players call for more funding to improve air safety (Africa) An aeroplane. Regional aviation players want more funding to create a safer African airspace. PHOTO | FILE In Summary Aviation players say investments would boost efficiency at airports by reducing delays and improve the predictability of events during a flight. Regional aviation players want more funding to create a safer African airspace, as they push for interoperability that will see pilots receive seamless communication from any ground-based system. They made the call recently at the Africa Civil Air Navigation Services Organisation (CANSO) conference in Mombasa, Kenya. The meeting sought to boost collaborative efforts towards air safety operations. "Some aviation organisations are struggling to get up-to-date equipment and technology to safely manage their airspaces," said Africa CANSO chairman Hamza Johari, who is also the Tanzania Civil Aviation Authority director-general. The aviation players also said that the fee airlines pay to use their facilities was not enough to fund their infrastructure development and bring it at par with the International Civil Aviation Organisation standards. "Within the region, we are doing way better given that governments in Tanzania, Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda have given their aviation regulators freedom and financial support. Some countries are not as lucky which brings about the issue of air safety, making the continent unattractive for aviation investment," said Mr Johari. Aviation players say investments would boost efficiency at airports by reducing delays and improve the predictability of events during a flight. Co-operation "We want to work together more efficiently and transparently. This will help to refine the processes and information flow," said the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority director-general Captain Gilbert Kibe. CANSO deputy director-general Simon Hocquard said that African countries need to harmonise their regulations in order to collaborate more efficiently. "Almost all African countries have their own set of aviation regulations which hinders smooth collaborations," said Mr Hocquard. "Partnerships are key to improving air traffic safety, operations and connectivity. We need solid partnerships at a strategic and practical level," he said. http://www.theeastafrican.co.ke/news/ea/Aviation-players-call-for-more-funding-to-improve-air- safety/4552908-4750496-1ari1p/index.html Back to Top Near mid-air crash puts Kenya and Ethiopia on a collision course In Summary * At 00:49 hours, both aircraft were in Kenyan airspace, at the same altitude, with the Italian aircraft having entered from the Ethiopian airspace, while the Ethiopian Airlines from the Tanzania airspace. They were flying towards each other. * The day after the near mishap, the Kenya Air Traffic Controllers' Association warned that flights going into and out of the Addis Ababa airspace were not safe. * Nairobi blames it on striking air traffic controllers in Addis, a view Ethiopia rejects. Two passenger planes missed each other in the Kenyan airspace by a minute last week, averting what would have been one of the world's worst aviation accidents. The near-collision, at Naivasha, 100 kilometres west of Nairobi, was prevented when the pilot of one of the planes - upon receiving a warning from the inflight traffic collision system - made a sudden climb to avoid the oncoming flight. The incident, involving an Ethiopian Airlines plane and an Italian leisure airline flight, has become a major point of discussion in aviation circles, and has led to a blame game between Kenya and Ethiopia. On Wednesday August 29, the Ethiopian Airlines flight number ET858, a Boeing 737-800, registration number ET-ASJ left Johannesburg for Addis Ababa at 2100 hours. Its flight time was five hours, 12 minutes cruising at a calibrated altitude of 37,000 feet. On the same day at 18:00 hours, an Italian leisure airline Neos Boeing 767-306R flight number NOS252, registration I-NDOF had left the Italian city of Verona heading to Zanzibar. Its flight time was eight hours before it made its first landing in Zanzibar. At 00:49 hours, both aircraft were in Kenyan airspace, at the same altitude, with the Italian aircraft having entered from the Ethiopian airspace, while the Ethiopian Airlines from the Tanzania airspace. They were flying towards each other. SEE INFOGRAPHIC The Traffic Collision Avoidance System is built in planes to monitor the airspace around an aircraft for other aircraft equipped with an equivalent active transponder. The system, which is independent of air traffic control, warns pilots of the presence of other aircraft. The TCAS Resolution Advisory alerted the Ethiopian airline crew about the impending mid-air collision and the pilot climbed to 38,000 feet in just one minute (at 00:50 hrs). He maintained the altitude for five minutes, avoiding a collision. Kenya's air traffic controllers seem to be blaming the incident on a strike by Ethiopian air traffic controllers. Serious breach "The Italian airliner approached and entered the Kenyan airspace from the Westside using 370L but it wasn't informed by the Ethiopian air control that an ET flight was also using the same altitude East side as it crossed over Kenya heading to Addis. This was a serious breach of safety," a source in the Kenyan aviation sector told The EastAfrican. The source said the Ethiopian air traffic controllers had began their strike four days prior to the near-crash, and failed to honour the co-ordination procedures agreed between Nairobi and Addis Ababa on air traffic navigation and management. The day after the near mishap, the Kenya Air Traffic Controllers' Association warned that flights going into and out of the Addis Ababa airspace were not safe. "We have seen some eastbound flights coming in with westbound flight levels while some westbound flights have eastbound levels, increasing chances of serious air misses," the association president Peter Ang'awa said, adding that they were concerned about serious safety issues they have noted in the past few days after their Ethiopian counterparts went on strike. The Ethiopian Air traffic controllers had for the second time in three months, downed their tools on August 25, demanding a salary rise, better working conditions and overtime pay. In April, the same airport staff went on strike resulting in dozens of flight delays. Mr Ang'awa said the Ethiopian traffic controllers did not provide proper standard separation in last week's incident. "We saw flights from Addis Ababa calling the Nairobi Control without prior estimates, with the possibility of creating serious air-misses with known traffic at the transfer point given that they were entering our airspace with wrong levels. This was the issue with the ET and Neos, which both maintained FL360 with no prior co- ordination and no estimates from Addis Ababa control. Were it not for the TCAS, the story would have been different," he said. However, a pilot with several years' experience, told The EastAfrican that if the planes were in Kenyan airspace, then they were under Kenya's Air Traffic Control (ATC), which should have guided them accordingly and warned them that they were going to cross each other's flight path. "Collison is difficult in this age. Throughout the flight you are under ATC, and you're given 'separation' so that you don't collide with another plane," he said. "In a situation like last week's, the pilot must react immediately to save the passengers and crew. The passengers would feel the sudden jerk, but at such a point it is not a matter of comfort. It is about avoiding a collision." The Kenya Civil Aviation Authority Director General Captain Gilbert Kibe declined to comment on the incident, only stating that everything was now in order. Ethiopian denial "As it is, things are now okay and I will not comment on this," Capt Kibe said on the sidelines of the Africa Civil Air Navigation Services Organisation conference in Mombasa. Mid last week, the Ethiopian Civil Aviation Authority (ECAA) rejected the Kenyan air controller's claim, saying its control centre is manned by capable air traffic controllers, adding that the approach and aerodrome positions within its airspace are also manned with professionals possessing all the qualifications. "We reject the false and baseless statements circulated by the Kenyan Air Traffickers Controllers Association. Our Area Control Centre in Addis Ababa is being manned by adequate number of well-trained, highly capable instructors and professionals with the necessary ratings and validations in accordance with International Civil Aviation Organisation Annex 1 provisions. To date, we have not received any complaints by any airlines operating to/from Ethiopia or over flying our airspace," ECAA said in a statement, adding that all its air traffic control activities and communications are recorded and protected, and can be verified if need be. Ethiopia has since arrested nine Ethiopian air traffic controllers alleged to be leading the work boycott, with the Police deputy commissioner Tekolla Ayfokiru saying the nine workers were preventing international flights from landing at the Bole International Airport, the country's busiest hub. "Some of the employees engaged in the illegal strike are returning to work. The remaining should submit a letter of apology and return to their work. They have until Tuesday (September 4)," the head of ECAA, Col Wesenyelew Hunegnaw said, adding that a salary review was ongoing. A pilot's view Throughout the flight the pilot is under the Air Traffic Control. The control gives you a squawk - a four letter code- - which you feed into your transponder. The ATC will see you on the radar and is able to monitor your speed and height. As the pilot leaves the airspace of one country (Flight Information Region), he or she is handed over to the ATC of the next country. Under the American Federal Aviation Authority Aviation regulations, large passenger aircraft are required to be at least five kilometres apart horizontally or 1,000 feet vertically. Much like on our roads, there are airways to be followed and each has reporting points. The pilot must communicate on radio until he reaches a different country's airspace, during which he is handed over by the Air Traffic Control of the new airspace. http://www.theeastafrican.co.ke/news/ea/How-pilot-averted-horror-collision-in-Kenyan-airspace/4552908- 4750494-371ksgz/index.html Back to Top Reagan National Airport to debut facial scanning technology Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport will debut facial recognition technology in November that will let all departing international travelers board flights without any paper or digital documents, according to the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority. U.S. Customs and Border Protection, an agency within the Department of Homeland Security, is overseeing the process of implementing this new biometric technology at airports across the country in accordance with a congressional mandate. Biometrics refers to ways to use computer recognition of body measurements to verify a person's identity. Five years ago, CBP launched the Global Entry Program, which allows pre-approved, low-risk U.S. travlers to go through expedited security screening once they return home. Global Entry allows U.S. citizens returning from foreign trips to deplane following the flight and bypass customs officers by going through kiosks for approval to re-enter the country. The next step being introduced at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport will take passengers out of kiosk lines and get them walking through facial recognition checkpoints. So far, 15 major airports, including Washington Dulles International Airport, have begun testing facial screening of passengers arriving in the U.S., while another 14 airports use the same facial comparison technology on passengers leaving the U.S. Each participating airport must develop its own facial recognition technology, then CBP will administer its implementation. The Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority's Office of Technology created the system, known as veriScan, that will be used at Reagan. MWAA President and CEO Jack Potter said the veriScan system uses battery-powered, Wi-Fi and cellular-connected portable tablets as the device passengers walk up to, which he said is cheaper than systems used at other airports and requires less training. "In addition to helping meet the congressional mandate, we hope this technology becomes a useful and cost- effective tool for airports and airlines that process the growing number of travelers entering and leaving the United States," Potter said. CBP uses airline manifest information to pull existing photos from government databases, such as passport and visa images. It creates a photo gallery of the people it expects to depart or return on a flight. When travelers leave Reagan, they will pass through Transportation Security Administration checkpoints as usual then proceed to the gate. Once the plane begins boarding, each passenger will walk up to the desk where he or she would normally scan a paper or digital boarding pass. Instead, the passenger will stand a foot in front of the scanner and have his or her picture taken. That image will immediately be checked against the images CBP has on file for passengers expected to board that flight and the person will be allowed to continue or blocked, at which an airline official will intervene. The entire process takes just a few seconds. "CBP and our airport and airlines partners are redefining travel by using biometric technology to add convenience, efficiency and security to international arrivals and departures," CBP Commissioner Kevin McAleenan said in a statement. "We have a great partner in Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority, whose forward-leaning approach to utilizing CBP's verification system will enable international travelers ... to experience a frictionless boarding process before the end of the year." https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/reagan-national-airport-to-debut-facial-scanning-technology Back to Top FIRST COMPLETED BOEING 777X EMERGES FROM FINAL ASSEMBLY Boeing's first completed 777X aircraft. (Boeing/Twitter)Boeing's first completed 777X aircraft. (Boeing/Twitter) Boeing has unveiled the first 777X static test aircraft at its Everett facility just outside Seattle. The first completed aircraft rolled out of the final assembly line over the weekend, images released by Boeing on social media showed. The aircraft will never fly. Instead, it will be used to test the structural limits of the airframe. Boeing's first completed 777X aircraft. (Boeing/Twitter)Boeing's first completed 777X aircraft. (Boeing/Twitter) The 777X family of aircraft comprise the 777-8X and 777-9X variants. The pair is an upgrade from Boeing's in-production 777-200LR and and 777-300ER. The 777-8X and 777-9X will be powered by General Electric GE9X engines. Flight tests for those engines began in March 2018. The first wing structures for the 777-9X were completed in May. Further, the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said it had certified the folding wingtips that will be featured on the 777X program. The 777-9X is 77 metres in length, has a total wingspan of 72 metres and is capable of flying 7,600nm when carrying 400-425 passengers in a two-class configuration according to Boeing figures. Test flights were expected to begin in early 2019, with entry into service is scheduled for later in the year. Meanwhile, the 777-8X is still in development and yet to reach firm configuration. The Boeing website lists the aircraft as having a range of 8,700nm and a passenger capacity of 350-375 passengers. The aircraft is expected to enter service in 2022. The 777-8X is a candidate for Qantas's Project Sunrise challenge to Airbus and Boeing to have an aircraft capable of operating nonstop between Australia's east coast and New York and London. There have been 326 orders for the 777-X program, according to the Boeing website. Boeing said in July it was targeting 3.5 777 deliveries a month in 2018 and 2019 as production transitioned to the 777-X program. It was also continuing to work on filling the remaining 777 production slots post 2020 while production of the 777-9X and 777-8X was ramped up. http://australianaviation.com.au/2018/09/first-completed-boeing-777x-emerges-from-final-assembly/ Back to Top Saudi Arabia discusses civil aviation training with UK's Cranfield University Abdul Hakim bin Mohammed Al-Tamimi, chairman of the GACA, meets with Cranfield University officials on Saturday. (SPA) JEDDAH: The chairman of the Saudi General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) visited Britain's Cranfield University, a leading institution in the field of aviation science research. University officials welcomed Abdul Hakim bin Mohammed Al-Tamimi and his delegation, and briefed them on its services and state-of-the-art equipment and technologies. Both sides discussed ways to develop cooperation between the university and GACA, and to exchange experiences in areas of mutual concern. The visit is in line with GACA's efforts to build partnerships with leading aviation institutions worldwide, with a view to training and qualifying Saudi youths to work in the sector as part of its plan to develop the Saudi Academy of Civil Aviation. The two sides discussed developing the academy's programs by leveraging the university's academic and consulting expertise. The academy has trained more than 5,500 people so far this year. http://www.arabnews.com/node/1368916/saudi-arabia Back to Top Vietnam Airlines and Aeroflot Sign Strategic Cooperation Agreement Vietnam Airlines and Aeroflot signed a Memorandum of Understanding to strengthen cooperation between the two airlines. According to the Memorandum, from 2019, the two airlines target to begin codesharing on domestic routes in Vietnam and Russia and expand their cooperation across several areas of the business. This would enhance the two airlines' prosperity of the bilateral cooperation and deliver excellent benefits to customers. This agreement will further expand travel opportunities between Russia and Vietnam, as well as increasing passenger volumes and economic and trade activities between the two countries. Trinh Ngoc Thanh, Executive Vice President of Vietnam Airlines said: "The agreement signed today marks the 25 years of Vietnam Airlines' services to Russia. The MOU takes our cooperation further in the direction of a solid and mutually beneficial partnership, offering customers a wider choice of travel options and world-class quality of two leading 4-Star airlines." * Vietnam Airlines offers three direct flights per week between Hanoi and Moscow, operated on Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft. Aeroflot operates nine flights per week on routes between Moscow and Vietnam with a daily flight to Hanoi and a twice weekly service to Ho Chi Minh city. * Vietnam Airlines is the national flag carrier of Vietnam and a major carrier in the Mekong sub-region, operating 90 routes to 20 domestic and 29 international destinations with an average of 400 flights per day. * Aeroflot serves 146 destinations in 52 countries. http://aviationtribune.com/airlines/asia/vietnam-airlines-and-aeroflot-sign-strategic-cooperation-agreement/ Back to Top Diamond Aircraft soars as orders double Scott McFadzean is CEO of Diamond Aircraft in London (Derek Ruttan/The London Free Press) Diamond Aircraft will double its production next year, after adding more than 100 workers, the plant's chief executive says. Production at the airplane manufacturer will soar in 2019 to 150 planes - the plant will make 75 by the end of this year - as global demand is growing, Scott McFadzean said. But the production increase may pale in comparison to what is coming because the London business is now serving the Chinese market that is expected to "explode," he said. "We are building for the global market and we used to build just for the North American market. The emerging economies want to travel, such as in China. The scale of that is huge compared to Western countries." There is tremendous demand for pilot training globally and the London-made planes serve that market, meaning more flight schools are opening and need aircraft. Some forecasts say 750,000 pilots will be needed over the next 20 years, McFadzean said. "There is a global pilot shortage. It is a double whammy, the industry was not producing new pilots enough and baby boomers are starting to retire and they want to travel." It all filters down to mean business is booming at Diamond that has "one of the best flight training aircraft on the market," McFadzean said. Diamond now employs about 270, and is still searching for more workers, especially skilled trades, he said. "It is really exciting to see growth at Diamond and it helps diversify manufacturing locally," said Kapil Lakhotia, chief executive of the London Economic Development Corp. "The aviation training program at Fanshawe (College) has been growing and fuelling this growth along with new support and resources from (Diamond's) Chinese owner." Diamond is also celebrating its largest single order to date. Republic Airways In Indiana last week opened its flight school and has ordered 110 planes from the London plant, a contract worth more than $35 million, McFadzean said. The school is flying the DA-40, a single-engine four-seater, and the DA42, a twin-engine four-seater, and it also bought simulators. "Their complete fleet will be all Diamond," McFadzean said. "Right now we are busy producing planes for training and for the flight market." Republic Airways signed the deal in the spring and will take deliver of the first 50 over the year. But the Chinese market looms as a massive opportunity. Diamond Aircraft Group was bought by Wanfeng Aviation in December and has a high profile in China. The London plant has been busy supplying the Chinese market. It is also taking the lead on building a factory in China to produce planes and parts for that market. "We are setting up a new factory in China, we have the experience to do it," McFadzean said of why the work is being done from here. "It will serve tremendous growth in the Chinese market. We have a lot of opportunity." China is just "at the cusp" of the aviation market, McFadzean said. It has only about 300 general aviation planes registered now, and in the United States there are 300,000. "In the next 25 years, the air space will be opened there, we will see a general explosion of aviation and we are well positioned, we have more aircraft there now than any other manufacturer," he said. DA42 The London plant on Crumlin Sideroad assembles the DA20, a single-engine two-seater; the DA40; the DA42; and recently started also making the DA62, a seven-passenger plane that up to now has only been made at Diamond's Austrian plant. McFadzean has been chief executive since January, succeeding Peter Maurer, who retired. McFadzean credits the growth in composite training programs, especially at Fanshawe College, for supplying workers to Diamond. "Fanshawe College's aviation program has been a huge help for us. We hire a lot of their graduates. It is excellent," he said. "Our biggest challenge is getting good, skilled people. The labour pool in London is pretty shallow right now. All manufacturers are talking about it now, we can't get the people we need with the skills we need." https://theprovince.com/business/local-business/diamond-aircraft-soars-as-orders-double/wcm/ac0f11b7- 030b-4186-8ae5-0d782c21c529 Back to Top Embry-Riddle Partners with SkyWest Airlines to Launch Pilot Pathway Program PRESCOTT, Ariz. - Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University's Prescott Campus has partnered with SkyWest Airlines to provide aspiring airline pilots direct access to the tools, support, and guidance needed to take control of their commercial aviation career. "The benefit to current and future Embry-Riddle students is that SkyWest is by far the largest regional carrier in the U.S. and is a partner with United Airlines, Delta Air Lines, American Airlines, and Alaska Airlines," said Dr. Juan Merkt, Chair of Embry-Riddle's Aeronautical Science Department. The official launch of the SkyWest Pilot Pathway Program took place on September 5, 2018 and offers qualifying students: * Up to $15,000 in tuition reimbursement * Increased seniority within SkyWest's ground school class * Company seniority activates upon enrollment * Guaranteed final interview for a first officer position at SkyWest * Enhanced introduction to SkyWest * Access to a SkyWest pilot mentor, including regular visits, mock interviews and ongoing association * Opportunity and exposure with four major airline partners "This is a great program that provides a pipeline to a reputable carrier for our students after graduation, while also helping make sure the continual levels of needed instructors will be maintained for our future students," said Dr. Tim Holt, Dean of Embry-Riddle's College of Aviation. "The SkyWest Pilot Pathway program provides exceptional benefits for pilots looking to launch their commercial aviation career," said Tracy Gallo, SkyWest Vice President - Flight Operations. "We're pleased to partner with Embry-Riddle Prescott as we further our commitment to hiring the industry's best aviators; and we look forward to working together with them to provide the best career path for Embry-Riddle Students." SkyWest's dedication to the Prescott area extends beyond Embry-Riddle. In addition to partnering with the University, the airline recently commenced the region's first-ever jet service between the Prescott Regional Airport and its hubs in Los Angeles (LAX) and Denver (DEN). For additional information or to apply for the SkyWest Pilot Pathway Program, go to: http://ow.ly/yNLI30lzLPp For more information on Embry-Riddle Prescott's College of Aviation, go to: http://prescott.erau.edu/college- aviation/. https://news.erau.edu/headlines/embry-riddle-partners-with-skywest-airlines-to-launch-pilot-pathway- program/ Back to Top Global pilot shortage: Air BP announces fourth Sterling Pilot scholar Air BP, the international aviation fuel products and service supplier, has awarded its fourth Sterling Pilot Scholarship to Stephen Daly, from County Limerick in the Republic of Ireland. The scholarship, which is valued at around £10,000, aims to assist aspiring UK pilots with little or no experience of flying to achieve a Private Pilot's Licence (PPL). Air BP's Sterling Pilot Scholarship programme began in 2015 and has already helped two of three students reach their ambition of becoming commercial airline pilots. Stephen who is currently training at Sherburn Aero Club at Sherburn-In-Elmet Airfield, near Leeds, also aspires to be a commercial airline pilot. This latest announcement comes in the midst of a global pilot shortage. The 2018 Boeing Pilot & Technician Outlook recently forecast that 790,000 new civil aviation pilots will be needed to fly the world's fleet over the next 20 years. Paul Auge, general manager, Air BP UK & France comments: "The risk of a pilot shortage is a real industry concern and makes the Sterling Pilot scholarship and schemes like it, all the more important. Stephen's passion for flying and his motivation to become a commercial airline pilot are outstanding." Marc Bailey, CEO of the British Business General Aviation Association (BBGA) spoke of the pilot shortage recently, commenting: "We are seeing a world shortage in pilots with new demands coming in from the Far East outstripping global supply. Closer to home the UK is one of the most respected providers of pilots in terms of the calibre of candidates delivered. What we need to do is to create the environment that propels the UK back into the training market. Initiatives like Air BP's are applauded and need to be replicated across our industry." On receiving the news of the Sterling Pilot Scholarship, Stephen said: "I am incredibly grateful to Air BP for the funding. The Sterling Pilot Scholarship has given me an opportunity to work towards a career as a commercial airline pilot that I simply wouldn't have been able to fund myself, or at least nowhere near as fast. I hope that by winning this scholarship I can inspire others to train and make the most of opportunities such as this one." Air BP works with the Honourable Company of Air Pilots (HCAP), formerly known as The Guild of Air Pilots and Air Navigators (GAPAN), to organise the Air BP Sterling Pilot Scholarship because of its excellence in promoting the availability of scholarships to a wide public audience and history of conducting a rigorous and fair selection process. Auge added: "We will continue to invest in this programme in support of aspiring pilots and in support of our industry. Our scholarship also serves to demonstrate BP's goal of encouraging young people to gain a better understanding of the importance of STEM (Science,Technology, Engineering and Maths) education for their futures and for the wider aviation industry." Air BP has named the Scholarship, after its globally recognised fuel payment card, the Sterling Card. The Sterling Card provides easy access to fuel for thousands of clients and makes life simpler for private pilots, aircraft management companies and corporate flight departments at any of Air BP's 900 locations globally. https://www.eturbonews.com/232399/global-pilot-shortage-air-bp-announces-fourth-sterling-pilot-scholar Back to Top The F-100 Super Sabre Was the Air Force's First Supersonic Jet And workhorse of the Vietnam War. On October 14, 1947, an orange-painted Bell X-1 piloted by Chuck Yeager became the first aircraft to break the sound barrier in level flight. Though the rocket-powered X-1 was an experimental design, it followed that improving jet engine technology would make a supersonic fighter possible as well. On its own initiative, the North American firm took a crack at evolving the F-86 Sabre, the top U.S. fighter of the Korean War, into a supersonic design. The Sabre had wings swept back 35 degrees for better high-speed performance and a large intake in its nose. The F-100 'Super' Sabre's wings were swept even further to 45 degrees, and its nose-intake distinctively tapered into a flattened elliptical shape. The first of the 'Century Series' of advanced 50's-era fighters, the F-100 was nicknamed the 'Hun' as an abbreviation for 100. The afterburner on the Hun's J-57-P-7 turbojet was designed to dump raw fuel straight into the tailpipe, bypassing the jet turbine. Though this gulped fuel prodigiously, it helped boost the F-100 to supersonic speeds as high as 850 miles per hour at high altitude, allowing F-100s to set several speed records. The Air Force finally bought into the design and introduced the F-100A model into service in October 1954. However, the Air Force's first supersonic fighter was plagued by so many accidents, including a mid-air disintegration which killed flying ace George Welch, that the entire fleet had to be grounded. The culprit was found to be the undersized tail, which was unstable and could induce uncontrollable yaw. Though this was corrected, the Hun had other flaws. Despite its high speed and four powerful M-39 20- millimeter cannons, it was a product of an old air warfare paradigm. It lacked air-to-air missiles and long- range search radar and relied on drop tanks to make up for a limited range. The crash-prone F-100A gradually began to be phased out in 1958. An RF-100A high-speed reconnaissance variant, mounting four cameras and drop tanks instead of guns, was briefly more successful. Deployed to Germany and Japan, it flew high-altitude spy missions 50,000 feet over Eastern Europe, and likely China and North Korea. These 'Slick Chicks' were known for photographing interceptors far below ineffectually attempting to match their altitude but were superseded by even higher- flying U-2s in 1956. The succeeding F-100C fighter-bomber (476 built) had lengthened and strengthened wings, and a more powerful J-57-P21 engine increasing top speed to 924 miles per hour and allowing it to lug 6,000 pounds of weapons on six pylons. Furthermore, it had twice the fuel capacity and a wing-mounted inflight-refueling probe. This last allowed three F-100Cs to set a single-engine distance record flying from Los Angeles to London in fourteen hours on May 13, 1957. The famous Thunderbird aerobatics team adopted F-100Cs in 1956 and used them to unleash sonic booms to amuse spectators until the FAA banned these. The Super Sabre was again refined in the definitive F-100D model (1,274 built), which further enlarged the tail and wing, and eventually included a radar warning receiver, a seventh underbelly hardpoint, and compatibility with early AIM-9B heat-seeking air-to-air missiles. Both C and D models could carry weapons ranging from napalm canisters, Zuni 2.75-inch rockets, cluster bombs, to early AGM-45 Bullpup and AGM-83 air-to-ground guided missiles. NATO F-100 squadrons were also readied to deploy four types of tactical nuclear bombs. But how was a fast, low-flying fighter-bomber going to escape the blast of its own nuke? This was a deadly risk even with conventional weapons, as you can see in this footage . In fact, Hun pilots practiced a form of 'over-the-shoulder' toss-bombing in which the supersonic jet lunged upwards in a barrel roll. The Hun's MA-2 Low-Altitude Bombing System automatically released the bomb as the Hun neared a vertical angle, lofting the nuke in an arc towards the target while the Super Sabre rolled over and lit the afterburners, belting in the opposite direction. The Air Force also tested the F-100 ZEL (Zero Length Launch), which used a colossal rocket booster slung under the rear fuselage to take off the back of a truck. The reasoning behind the bizarre truck-launched fighter was the fear that NATO airbases would be wiped out by Soviet nuclear weapons, necessitating alternative takeoff methods. Despite numerous successful tests (you can see one here ), the ZEL was never deployed operationally. In April 1961, F-100Ds in the Philippines were transferred to Thailand-the first U.S. military jets deployed to South East Asia. They did not see combat until 1964 when they were dispatched to strike anti-aircraft positions in North Vietnam. Then, beginning March 2, 1965, they began escorting faster F-105 fighter- bombers as part of the Rolling Thunder bombing campaign. On April 4, 1965, the F-100 of Captain Donald Kilgus was covering a raid targeting the Thanh Hoa bridge when his formation was bounced by four North Vietnamese MiG-17s emerging out of cloud cover-the first jet- on-jet engagement of the Vietnam War. The MiG-17s were slower than the American supersonic jets and lacked missile armament, but their powerful triple cannons blasted one F-105 out of the sky and fatally damaged a second. Kilgus released his drop tanks and turned sharply, managing to get on the tail of one of the MiGs. The Soviet- built fighter dove vertically towards the ground, trying to lure Kilgus into following him in a dive his heavier fighter wouldn't be able to pull out of. Only 7,000 feet from the surface, Kilgus discharged his four cannons. According to his account : "I saw puffs and sparks on the vertical tail of the MiG, and very shortly thereafter I didn't see anything. I could have been at 580 knots. I won't embroider the story by saying I got spray from the Gulf of Tonkin on my windshield, but I pulled out at the last minute." Of three MiGs lost that day, two were mistakenly shot down by Vietnamese flak. The unknown fate of the third may support Kilgus's claim to have scored the first MiG kill of the war, though the Air Force listed it only as a 'probable.' Afterward, the dated F-100s were withdrawn from attacks on the North and reassigned to supporting ground forces battling Viet Cong in South Vietnam. In 1967, four additional Air National Guard squadrons equipped with F-100Cs were transferred. At its peak, over 490 Super Sabres were active over South Vietnam, flying an average of two ground support missions a day, either hitting pre-planned targets or responding to desperate requests for close air support. The Air Force also converted seven two-seater F-100F trainers (out of 439 built) into the first 'Wild Weasels' specially modified to sniff out and whack enemy air defense radars. The EF-100F model mounted two radar receivers to track the position enemy radars, as well as rocket pods with which to mark their position for accompanying F-105s to destroy. Later, the Weasels carried AGM-145 Shrike radar-homing missiles to take out the radars themselves, destroying nine for two losses. Satisfied with the experiment, the Air Force phased in more modern F-4 and F-105s to perform the Wild Weasel mission. The F-100F also served as "Fast Forward Air Controllers" with the back seater spotting enemies, which were then marked with smoke rockets to direct air strikes by other aircraft. Using the call-sign 'Misty,' Fast FACs flew over areas with a high density of air defenses too dangerous for more typical spotter planes. The staggeringly tempo of Super Sabre operations amounted to 40 million pounds of bombs and napalm dropped, and more than 360,283 sorties until the F-100's withdrawal in 1971-more than any other aircraft type, including the more famous F-4 Phantom and F-105. The F-100 pilots also paid a sobering price: over 242 F-100s were lost over Vietnam, including 186 to enemy fire and seven to airbase attacks. However, the Super Sabre's extremely high accident rate-typically caused by compressor stalls, wing fractures, and persistent yaw instability-was even deadlier. More than 889 F-100s were lost in accidents out of 2,294 built, killing 324 pilots. France and Denmark also operated dozens of F-105Ds and Fs, the former dispatching them on airstrikes against Algerian revolutionaries. Taiwan acquired 118 F-100A fighter variants and upgraded them with radar warning receivers and Sidewinder missiles. These reportedly sparred with Chinese Migs and flew dangerous spy missions. Turkey received over 200s F-100Cs, Ds and Fs, which were also used to penetrate Soviet airspace, where they repeatedly dodged Su-15 interceptors , though at least one was shot down by a surface-to-air missile. Super Sabres also flew 500 sorties supporting the Turkish intervention in Cyprus between July 20-23, 1974, losing six to ground fire and two in accidents. Loaded with 750-pound bombs, Turkish F-100s blasted Nicosia Airport, provided air cover for a helicopter landing operation, and sank the Turkish destroyer Kocatep, mistaking it for a Greek warship. The U.S. Air National Guard finally retired its last Super Sabres in 1980. 325 completed their service as shiny orange QF-100 target drones used as missile test targets, though a few F-100s remain in flyable condition. America's first supersonic jet did not excel as a fighter and had beastly accident rate-but it still pioneered revolutionary new technologies and tactics, and ended up doing much of the grunt work supporting hard- pressed ground forces in the Vietnam War. Sébastien Roblin holds a Master's Degree in Conflict Resolution from Georgetown University and served as a university instructor for the Peace Corps in China. He has also worked in education, editing, and refugee resettlement in France and the United States. He currently writes on security and military history for War Is Boring. https://nationalinterest.org/blog/buzz/f-100-super-sabre-was-air-force%E2%80%99s-first-supersonic-jet- 30767?page=0%2C1 Back to Top RESEARCH STUDY Dear Participants, You are being asked to participate in a research study of your opinions of criminalization in aviation accidents. This study is expected to take approximately 10 minutes of your time. In order to participate, you must be at least 18 years old and a certified pilot. Participation in this study is voluntary, and you may choose to opt out of the study at any time. If you choose to opt out, your data will be immediately destroyed. We appreciate your consideration and time to complete our study. Please click on or copy and paste the URL below: https://goo.gl/forms/NiIYySfv0ObrPzYJ2 For more information, please contact: Dr. Scott R. Winter winte25e@erau.edu We appreciate your interest and participation! Back to Top POSITION: Safety Specialist - Aviation Posted: 2018-09-06 Position: Other Job Description: Other Company: AAR Airlift Group, Inc. Location: Baghdad, Baghdad Iraq, International International Requirements: Ensure proper safety procedures are followed in accordance with the contract and appropriate federal, state, and local regulations, rules, and procedures.Detail oriented and works well independently or in groups.Highly motivated self-starter willing to work in a fast-paced environment with minimal supervision. Demonstrate professional and a high degree of technical competency in the field of aviation safety, mishap prevention, and accident investigation.Responsible for all matters related to aviation and ground safety and compliance in assigned areas of responsibility.Complete published safety audits, inspections, monitoring programs, investigations and ad hoc reviews on a daily, weekly, monthly and quarterly basis. Identify safety hazards, risks, and promote the reduction or elimination of potentially hazardous conditions that may lead to accidents, occupational injuries, illnesses, deaths, and safety-related financial losses. Monitor reports and investigate all aircraft accidents/incidents to determine the cause of the accident and formulate recommendations to help prevent similar mishaps in the future. Detailed data entry of technical information necessary in assisting in the monitoring of mishap reports to ensure accuracy and completeness. Extensive research dealing with OSHA and environmental regulations, vendor information, and logistical support for safety equipment and supplies.Capitalize on attention to details.Ability to change directions with the needs of the work environment and take on additional responsibilities based on operational needs.Assist and advise the on-site WASS representative in administering the countrywide DOSAW Safety Program.Provide senior level advice, guidance and training on subject and industrial matter expertise relative to contractual engagements and tasks. Evaluate the DOSAW Safety Program, plans and execution of the Safety Programs, and identify deficiencies and provide recommendations and or improvements to the USG.Provide written reports which are clear, concise and meaningful for all ground/aviation safety and environmental matters. Provide technical support in all types of Safety/Environmental issues such as data gathering, training, correspondence with CONUS/OCONUS internal customers. Perform duties as an active member of an aircraft accident/incident board, when needed. Develop required reports, conduct briefings, safety training, and when directed conduct quarterly safety and semi-annual safety stand down meetings Assist in maintaining accident and incident records, files, and reports. Perform data entry and corrections to files on an as needed basis. Maintain and log all purchase request items as required to include when received.Process Safety Hazard Reports including investigating the hazard and ensuring mitigations are in place. Position requires a U.S. Secret clearance Perform other duties as assigned. Education Required: Associates Degree or educational equivalent.Graduate from FAA, NTSB, or DoD Aviation Safety and Accident Investigation Course.Preferred: Training in OSHA, EPA, and Hazardous Materials / Waste Storage, handling, and disposal procedures.BA/BS or Educational Equivalent desired in any safety field Skills and Experience Required: Minimum three (3) years experience as an Aviation Safety Professional. Experience in dealing with safety and environmental laws, rules and regulations.Experience in risk management and mitigation.Safety Management experience in mixed fleets (fixed and rotary wing) aircraft. Trained and qualified to conduct incident/accident investigations for the USG as required. Proficient in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Power Point, and Visio). Strong English speaking and written communication skill. Knowledge of OSHA and Environmental regulations.Knowledge of how to acquire Safety Data Sheets (SDS) and understand regulatory requirements. FAA Commercial and Instrument Airmans Certificate (Any category or class), or equivalent flight experience obtained from prior US military or other US government agency desired. Completion of a US military, FAA, NTSB or accredited university Aviation Safety course.Aircraft Accident Investigators course. Preferred:Ability to maintain strong customer relationshipsHigh degree of knowledge in the technical field of aviation safety and accident prevention plus experience in use of DoD, FAA, NTSB, or ICAO documentation. Prior U.S. FAA, NTSB, Military or DOD Aviation Safety Officer experience. Knowledge of DOD Air Mobile and Air Assault Operations.Previous experience in conducting aircraft accident investigations.Background in SMS and technical writing skills APPLY HERE Back to Top Back to Top Back to Top Automated Vehicles & Meteorology Summit 23-24 October 2018 Washington, DC The American Meteorological Society (AMS) is organizing the Automated Vehicles and Meteorology Summit on 23-24 October 2018 in Washington, DC. The summit is focused on both surface and aerial transportation, and will bring together stakeholders from across industry, government and academia to discuss the challenges of poor weather affecting in situ and remote sensing capabilities needed to enable fully automated vehicles on the ground and in the air, and to explore development opportunities for reducing risk, accelerating adoption, and supporting operations. https://www.ametsoc.org/index.cfm/ams/meetings-events/ams-meetings/automated-vehicles-meteorology- summit/?utm_source=Subscribers&utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=Newsletter&_zs=R0nfc1&_zl=4XJ65 Back to Top Back to Top How do you track safety? Take the Safety Performance Survey: flightsafety.org/safetysurvey Why are we conducting a survey? Flight Safety Foundation is developing a Global Safety Information Project (GSIP) Safety Performance Monitoring Handbook to provide guidance and best practices for safety performance monitoring. Your survey responses will be instrumental in our data-driven development process. Who should take the survey? We encourage responses from employees of ANSPs, airline/aircraft operators, airports, manufacturers, maintenance organizations, training organizations, and regulators. Simply visit flightsafety.org/safetysurvey to participate. What is GSIP? GSIP is a worldwide initiative that guides the aviation community's response to challenges that may emerge from safety data collection and processing systems. Learn more about GSIP at flightsafety.org/gsip. Curt Lewis