Flight Safety Information March 4, 2019 - No. 046 In This Issue Incident: Uzbekistan B763 at St. Petersburg on Mar 2nd 2019, runway excursion while vacating Incident: Eurowings A319 near Toulouse on Mar 2nd 2019, cracked windshield Incident: Skywest CRJ9 at Detroit on Mar 1st 2019, rejected takeoff due to smoke on board EVAS - Cockpit Smoke Protection Incident: Envoy E145 at Chicago on Mar 1st 2019, unexpected turn on departure causes loss of separation Accident: Laudamotion A320 at London on Mar 1st 2019, rejected takeoff after loud bang, evacuation Incident: Biman DH8D at Sylhet on Mar 1st 2019, burst tyre on departure Incident: Delta A321 at Washington on Mar 1st 2019, engine trouble Beechcraft 1900D - Gear Collapse (Algeria) Boeing 737-7H4 (WL) - Ground Collision (New Jersey) Position: Vice President, Aviation Operations and Technical Services NTSB recovers flight data recorder from cargo plane crash near Houston Delta Airline Pilot Leaves A Handgun In The Cockpit Of A Jet AIR SAFETY INSTITUTE DEBUTS SCALABLE SAFETY FRAMEWORK ICAO red-flags Bhutan over aviation safety oversight Boulder scientists flying in rough conditions to improve aviation forecasting Senior pilot fired for flying with fake license for 20 years KOREAN CELEBRATES 50 YEARS OF SPECTACULAR GROWTH Embry-Riddle and Korean Airlines Launch Career Pathway Program for Pilots LSA Weight Limits: Is Higher Better? Mitsubishi jet starts test flights in U.S. to gain safety certification Jet Airways grounds another 10 aircraft Israeli Moon Lander Bounces Back from Glitch, Fires Engine Electronic Systems Investigation from SCSI WBAT Now Offers ASAP Facilitation with SMS Platform Support Aviation Innovations Conference: Cargo Airships...March 14 - 15, 2019...Toronto, Canada ISASI-Mid-Atlantic Regional Chapter (MARC) Dinner/Meeting--2 May 2019 ISASI 2019 - Call For Papers Incident: Uzbekistan B763 at St. Petersburg on Mar 2nd 2019, runway excursion while vacating An Uzbekistan Airlines Boeing 767-300, registration UK67008 performing flight HY-631 from Tashkent (Uzbekistan) to St. Petersburg (Russia) with 241 passengers and 15 crew, landed on Pulkovo Airport's runway 28L and slowed to taxi speed. The aircraft was about to turn off onto the last taxiway at 22:00L (19:00Z) when the aircraft skidded and came to a stop with the nose gear off the paved surface as well as the end of the runway and taxiway. There were no injuries, the aircraft sustained no damage. Metars: ULLI 022000Z 27008MPS 1800 SHSN BLSN SCT006 BKN016CB OVC026 M00/M01 Q0989 R28R/591033 NOSIG RMK OBST OBSC= ULLI 021930Z 25008MPS 1000 0900W R28L/1900U R28R/P2000N +SHSN BLSN SCT008 BKN016CB OVC026 M00/M01 Q0989 R28L/591034 R28R/591033 NOSIG= ULLI 021900Z 25009MPS 0450 R28L/1100N R28R/1500U +SHSN BLSN VV003 M00/M01 Q0989 R28L/591034 R28R/591599 NOSIG RMK QBB110 OBST OBSC= ULLI 021830Z 24009MPS 0300 R28L/0750N R28R/0900N +SHSN BLSN VV003 M01/M01 Q0989 R28L/591034 R28R/591599 NOSIG RMK QBB090 OBST OBSC= ULLI 021800Z 23005G10MPS 160V270 0350 0300W R28L/0300N R28R/1100N +SHSN BLSN VV003 M01/M01 Q0990 R28L/////// R28R/591599 NOSIG RMK QBB090 OBST OBSC 28L/23005G10MPS 28R/24010G14MPS= ULLI 021730Z 23010G15MPS 0700 0650W R28L/0650N R28R/P2000N +SHSN BLSN VV005 M01/M02 Q0990 R28L/550538 R28R/550540 NOSIG RMK OBST OBSC 28L/22005G12MPS 28R/23010G15MPS= ULLI 021700Z 22010G16MPS 2300 R28L/P2000D R28R/P2000U -SHSN BLSN SCT010 BKN017CB OVC036 M01/M02 Q0990 RESHSN R28L/550538 R28R/550540 TEMPO 21010G17MPS 0700 +SHSN BLSN BKN007 BKN015CB RMK 28L/21006G12MPS 28R/22010G16MPS= ULLI 021630Z 21004G10MPS 1400 1200SW R28L/P2000U R28R/P2000N SHSN BLSN SCT009 BKN025CB OVC036 M01/M03 Q0991 R88/520350 TEMPO 21010G17MPS 0700 +SHSN BLSN BKN007 BKN015CB RMK 28L/21004G10MPS 28R/21010G13MPS= ULLI 021600Z 19005G10MPS 150V260 2500 R28L/1700N R28R/P2000D -SHSN BLSN SCT006 BKN022CB OVC036 M01/M03 Q0992 R88/520350 TEMPO 21010G17MPS 0700 +SHSN BLSN BKN007 BKN015CB RMK OBST OBSC 28L/19005G10MPS 28R/20009G12MPS= The aircraft with the nose gear past the runway end on the grass between runway and taxiway: http://avherald.com/h?article=4c4eeda3&opt=0 Back to Top Incident: Eurowings A319 near Toulouse on Mar 2nd 2019, cracked windshield An Eurowings Airbus A319-100, registration OE-LYW performing flight EW-5939 from Faro (Portugal) to Vienna (Austria) with 104 passengers and 6 crew, was enroute at FL380 about 70nm southwest of Toulouse (France) when the crew decided to divert to Toulouse reporting a cracked windshield. The aircraft landed safely on Toulouse's runway 32L about 20 minutes later. The airline reported the outer layer of the windshield cracked, the crew did not declare emergency however was instructed by ATC to select the emergency squawk into the transponder. Passengers are complaining about being stuck in Toulouse. So far no replacement aircraft has arrived in Toulouse. http://avherald.com/h?article=4c4e3eb9&opt=0 Back to Top Incident: Skywest CRJ9 at Detroit on Mar 1st 2019, rejected takeoff due to smoke on board A Skywest Canadair CRJ-900 on behalf of Delta Airlines, registration N549CA performing flight DL-7335 from Detroit,MI to Grand Rapids,MI (USA), was accelerating for takeoff from Detroit's runway 22L when the crew rejected takeoff due to smoke on board. The aircraft stopped on the runway and was evacuated. A passenger reported the aircraft was evacuated due to a fire on board. The airline reported the aircraft suspended takeoff due to a smokey odour on board. The passengers disembarked through all doors and were bussed to the terminal. A replacement CRJ-700 registration N630SK reached Grand Rapids with a delay of about 14 hours. http://avherald.com/h?article=4c4e3bee&opt=0 Back to Top Back to Top Incident: Envoy E145 at Chicago on Mar 1st 2019, unexpected turn on departure causes loss of separation An Envoy Embraer ERJ-145, registration N662EH performing flight MQ-3603 from Chicago O'Hare,IL to Birmingham,AL (USA), received clearance "fly heading 100, runway 10L at DD, cleared for takeoff", the crew acknowledged "100, 10L cleared for takeoff". Shortly after becoming airborne the aircraft turned left however into the departure path out of runway 09R. An American Airlines Boeing 737-800, registration N959AN performing flgiht AA-272 from Chicago O'Hare,IL to New York JFK,NY (USA), was climbing out of runway 09R on a different tower frequency having become airborne almost the same time as MQ-3603, a loss of separation occurred with MQ-3603. Tower 10L recognized the conflict, MQ-3603 had already turned onto a heading of about 045 degrees, and instructed MQ-3603 to stop the climb followed by an instruction "turn right heading 140 immediately". The crew stopped the climb at about 1800 feet MSL and turned right, the aircraft became clear of conflict. Both aircraft continued to their destinations without further incident. The FAA opened an investigation into the occurrence. American Airlines reported both American Airlines and Envoy are aware of the issue and are cooperating with the investigation. https://flightaware.com/live/flight/ENY3603/history/20190301/1805Z/KORD/KBHM https://flightaware.com/live/flight/AAL272/history/20190301/1801Z/KORD/KJFK http://avherald.com/h?article=4c4e31c5&opt=0 Back to Top Accident: Laudamotion A320 at London on Mar 1st 2019, rejected takeoff after loud bang, evacuation A Laudamotion Airbus A320-200, registration OE-LOA performing flight OE-327 from London Stansted,EN (UK) to Vienna (Austria), was accelerating for takeoff from Stansted's runway 22 when the crew rejected takeoff very early into the takeoff run after a loud bang was heard. The aircraft stopped about 270 meters/890 feet down the runway. An emergency evacuation via slides was performed. Eight passengers received minor injuries as result of the evacuation. A passenger reported there was a huge bang due to an engine (CFM56) failure, the aircraft skidded to a stop, and they evacuated via the slides. The airline reported the crew rejected takeoff due to a problem with one of the engines. A ground observer reported a streak of flames came out of the left hand engine followed by white sparks just when the aircraft had moved a few meters. The AAIB announced they have dispatched a go team to Stansted to investigate the occurrence. The left engine: http://avherald.com/h?article=4c4d9631&opt=0 Back to Top Incident: Biman DH8D at Sylhet on Mar 1st 2019, burst tyre on departure A Biman Bangladesh de Havilland Dash 8-400, registration S2-AGR performing flight BG-402 from Sylhet to Dhaka (Bangladesh) with 61 people on board, was climbing out of Sylhet when the crew was informed about a burst main tyre, the airport confirmed finding rubber debris on the departure runway. The aircraft returned to Sylhet for a safe landing. http://avherald.com/h?article=4c4daa50&opt=0 Back to Top Incident: Delta A321 at Washington on Mar 1st 2019, engine trouble A Delta Airlines Airbus A321-200, registration N308DN performing flight DL-2421 from Washington National,DC to Minneapolis,MN (USA) with 148 people on board, was in the initial climb out of runway 01 when tower called DL-2421 three times to contact departure, only after the third call the crew acknowledged but then called departure still on the tower frequency advising they had an issue. Tower offered to keep them on tower frequency, but the crew then switched over to departure advising departure of an issue with an engine (CFM56), they wanted to level off at 5000 feet. The crew advised they were running checklists and probably needed to divert to Dulles (Washington International Airport), they had a vibration on their right hand engine. The crew queried whether they could get an ILS approach to runway 01R at Dulles. The crew subsequently declared emergency advising they needed to run the right hand engine at reduced thrust. The aircraft landed on Washington's Dulles Airport's runway 01R about 30 minutes after departure. A replacement A321-200 registration N331DN reached Minneapolis with a delay of about 8 hours. An observer on the ground reported the Airbus A321 sounded like a "low turbo-prop". https://flightaware.com/live/flight/DAL2421/history/20190301/2218Z/KDCA/KMSP http://avherald.com/h?article=4c4e4da4&opt=0 Back to Top Beechcraft 1900D - Gear Collapse (Algeria) Date: 03-MAR-2019 Time: 08:56 a.m Type: Beechcraft 1900D Owner/operator: Tassili Airlines Registration: 7T-VIO C/n / msn: UE-366 Fatalities: Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 16 Other fatalities: 0 Aircraft damage: Unknown Location: Ouargla-Ain Beida Airport (OGX/DAUU) - Algeria Phase: Landing Nature: Passenger Departure airport: Destination airport: Ouargla-Ain Beida Airport (OGX/DAUU) Narrative: The aircraft experienced a left-hand main landing gear collapse while landing at Ain Beida Airport, in Ouargla, Algeria. The aircraft sustained unknown damage and there were no injuries between the 16 occupants on board. https://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/wiki.php?id=222536 Back to Top Boeing 737-7H4 (WL) - Ground Collision (New Jersey) Date: 02-MAR-2019 Time: c. 07:00 LT Type: Boeing 737-7H4 (WL) Owner/operator: Southwest Airlines Registration: N493WN C/n / msn: 32477 /1616 Fatalities: Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: Other fatalities: 0 Aircraft damage: Minor Location: Newark-Liberty International Airport, NJ (EWR/KEWR) - United States of America Phase: Standing Nature: Domestic Scheduled Passenger Departure airport: Newark-Liberty International Airport, NJ (EWR/KEWR) Destination airport: Nashville International Airport, TN (BNA/KBNA) Narrative: A Southwest Airlines Boeing 737-7H4 (N918WN) was taxing at Newark's Liberty Airport, New Jersey, USA, when the left-hand winglet struck the right-hand horizontal stabilizer of a parked Southwest Airlines Boeing 737-7H4 (N493WN). https://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/wiki.php?id=222518 Back to Top Vice President, Aviation Operations and Technical Services Washington, District of Columbia, United States DESCRIPTION Position Overview: The Regional Airline Association (RAA) seeks an experienced airline management professional in Washington, DC to complement its core team in advancing the association's advocacy and business agenda for its airline and associate members. Essential Functions of the Position: * Establishes the strategy and vision of RAA's Operations focus; contributes to the development and implementation of RAA strategic objectives. * Provides aviation operations expertise to RAA team and membership; identifies regulatory developments related to flight operations, flight training, air traffic and other technical matters; analyzes proposals for anticipated impact on members and designs and implements response. * Effectively communicates information to RAA team and members, the FAA and other stakeholders. Contributes to development of RAA position papers, Congressional testimony, regulatory comments and other policy communications. * Serves on industry operations and technical task forces and working groups, including agency rulemaking and regulatory negotiating committees. Serves as Liaison between RAA and FAA Air Traffic Organization (ATO), NextGen and related organizations. * Works cooperatively with RAA members and other industry stakeholders to form coalitions and consensus positions on flight operational and technical matters. * Provides strategic leadership for the Regional Operations Council and the Flight Technology, Flight Training, Maintenance and Inflight Committees. Develops content and coordinating activities for the full range of RAA-sponsored meetings, including the Annual Convention. Coordinates with the Regulatory Counsel on regulatory exemptions. REQUIREMENTS Qualifications for the Position: * Transport pilot with line and flight operations managerial experience - ideally former Pilot in Command (PIC) for an air carrier operating under part 121 or part 135 of FAR 119 * Thorough understanding of aviation safety standards, safe operating practices and 14 CFR Chapter I (Federal Aviation Regulations). Extensive familiarity with 14 CFR Part 135 and 121 airline operations * Bachelor's degree required, preferably in aviation field. * In-depth knowledge of National Airspace System and FAA NextGen priorities; extensive familiarity with air traffic control technology and procedures * Ability to define complex problems, collect data, establish facts, draw valid conclusions and decide and implement appropriate actions * Ability to effectively present information to top management, regulatory agencies, public groups, and the RAA Board of Directors * Ability to expand upon the association's significant professional relationships with both government and industry representatives and develop and manage new relationships * High proficiency with Microsoft Office products; particularly Excel and PowerPoint * Previous association experience valued * Moderate (25%) travel required Critical Attributes of the Ideal Candidate: * Able to work collaboratively in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment * Diplomatic; able to challenge established or entrenched ideas and promote industry positives * Strong oral and written communication and project management skills * Professional, organized, responsive, enthusiastic * Able to work quickly, make fast and well-reasoned recommendations, anticipate and adapt to evolving member needs * Strategic, tactical, self-motivated, outcome-oriented * Dedicated to service, the RAA team and our member airlines BENEFITS The position offers a competitive salary and benefits including choice of medical plans, dental and vision coverage, 401k plan with matching contributions and paid parental leave for qualified employees. Interested applicants should submit a cover letter and resume along with salary requirements to the job portal. About RAA The Regional Airline Association (RAA) provides a unified voice of advocacy for North American regional airlines aimed at promoting a safe, reliable, and healthy regional airline industry. Regional airlines are critical U.S. infrastructure, operate 41 percent of the nation's flights and provide the only source of scheduled air service to the majority (63 percent) of the country. RAA is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. APPLY HERE Back to Top NTSB recovers flight data recorder from cargo plane crash near Houston (CNN)The National Transportation Safety Board recovered the flight data recorder Sunday from a Boeing 767 cargo plane that crashed into shallow water in Texas last week, leaving three people dead. The plane was traveling from Miami to Houston when it crashed about 40 miles southeast of George Bush Intercontinental Airport. It crashed in Trinity Bay near Anahuac, in water that is 5 feet deep. Two of the three bodies have been recovered and identified as First Officer Conrad Aska, 44, who was the co-pilot, and Sean Archuleta, 36, the jump-seat rider. Officials are still searching for the pilot of the plane. The flight data recorder (FDR) will be taken to Washington for evaluation, the NTSB said in a tweet Sunday. This photo, taken on March 3, 2019, shows the recovered flight data recorder of the Atlas Air Flight 3591, a Boeing 767-300 cargo jet, that crashed in the muddy marshland of Trinity Bay Feb. 23, 2019, about 30 miles from Houston's George Bush Intercontinental Airport. With the FDR now found, the NTSB can use the data to "generate a computer animated video reconstruction of the flight," according to the board's website. The animation will help investigators visualize the last moments of the flight before it crashed. NTSB investigators found the cockpit voice recorder Friday, according to CNN affiliate KTRK. Several bystanders saw the plane go down About six people saw the plane go into the water. Some said it sounded like the engines were surging, Chambers County Sheriff Brian Hawthorne said. "There's no doubt he was having some kind of problem with the airplane, according to the eyewitnesses," he said. "Then it turned and went into a nosedive." Cargo jet crash The 767 was in a normal descent as it approached the airport, then went into a "very, very rapid descent" at 6,300 feet, NTSB Chairman Robert Sumwalt said. The plane was operated by Atlas Air Inc. on behalf of Amazon, the operator said in a statement. Hawthorne said the plane was completely destroyed in the crash. "Knowing what I saw, I don't think anyone could survive it," he said. The plane crashed in Jack's Pocket at the north end of Trinity Bay, the Chambers County Sheriff's Office said on Facebook. According to the FAA website, the plane was built in 1992 and the flight number was 3591. https://www.cnn.com/2019/03/03/us/texas-cargo-jet-flight-data-recorder/index.html Back to Top Delta Airline Pilot Leaves A Handgun In The Cockpit Of A Jet A Delta Airlines pilot left a handgun in the cockpit of a jet after landing in Atlanta where the weapon was found by an airline ground worker. The incident occurred on Feb. 18, according to the Associated Press. "Delta ground crews followed procedures and turned over to law enforcement an item that was found in the flight deck after the flight's arrival," a Delta spokeswoman said in a statement emailed to NPR. "Delta is working with relevant authorities in their handling of this case and will conduct its own review." The airline has not released the name of the pilot and will not comment on whether the pilot has been disciplined. The spokeswoman said those questions are internal personnel matters. The handgun was issued to the pilot by the Transportation Security Administration, according to an agency spokesman. "TSA is aware of an incident at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport involving agency-issued equipment," the spokesman said in a statement emailed to NPR. "Although we are not at liberty to discuss specific details, we can say that the public was never in harm's way. TSA takes all allegations of policy and procedure violations seriously and when substantiated, appropriate action is taken." After the Sept. 2001 terror attacks with the hijacking of four jet airliners, some pilots have been issued handguns and deputized after being trained and certified by TSA under the Federal Flight Deck Officer program. https://www.npr.org/2019/03/01/699617274/delta-airline-pilot-leaves-a-handgun-in- the-cockpit-of-a-jet Back to Top AIR SAFETY INSTITUTE DEBUTS SCALABLE SAFETY FRAMEWORK The AOPA Air Safety Institute has released a Scalable Safety Framework (SSF), a PowerPoint presentation with a supporting PDF, that can be downloaded by aviation organizations like public benefit groups, flying clubs, and more to help them formulate, implement, and sustain a safety culture that is geared and scaled to their specific organization. The institute's Scalable Safety Framework is based on the FAA mandated Safety Management Systems in use by air carriers and other large operations. The Air Safety Institute focused the framework on five main components and steps to success. Leadership: Communication from senior leadership stressing their commitment to a safety culture is imperative. This commitment sets the tone for the whole organization, and emphasis should be placed on a non-punitive culture that encourages pilots to report safety concerns. Accountability: Examine and assess the roles and responsibilities of each stakeholder in a group. The roles include how these individuals interact with others in the organization. The responsibilities include requirements to successfully fulfill the roles as well as the limits of an individual's authority (i.e., can they cancel a flight, ground a flight, authorize a flight?). Risk: Identify and assess the risks and unique issues associated with the operation. Then, create meaningful mitigation strategies that realistically can be implemented. Reporting: Create a reporting system or promote the use of a system that already exists. A reporting system can be paper based, or web based-either way, it must be usable for the organization. A usable reporting system needs a standard form to report safety issues, a means to submit the report, a place to collect the reports, and a means of distribution of findings across the organization. Culture: The goal of the SSF is ultimately to create an organization-wide safety culture that encourages reporting, rewards safe actions and behaviors, and keeps the entire organization (not just the leaders) engaged and involved in correcting issues. Safety is everyone's responsibility-help your aviation group by developing your own Scalable Safety Framework. Download the presentation from our Safety to Go portal. https://www.aopa.org/news-and-media/all-news/2019/march/01/the-air-safety- institutes-scalable-safety-framework Back to Top ICAO red-flags Bhutan over aviation safety oversight The International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) after its validation mission in August last year has red-flagged Bhutan for lack of effective implementations, especially in the Air Navigation Services (ANS). ICAO red flags countries whose oversight over the aviation industry does not comply with international standards and issues significant safety concern (SSC). ICAO's latest audited list of states show four red-flagged countries - Bhutan, Eritrea, Haiti and Kyrgyzstan. However, a significant safety concern does not necessarily indicate a particular safety deficiency in the air navigation service providers, airlines (air operators), aircraft or aerodrome; but, rather, indicates that the State is not providing sufficient safety oversight to ensure the effective implementation of applicable ICAO standards. Bhutan's effective implementation also improved from 39.14 percent to 55.57 percent when the Bhutan Civil Aviation Authority was audited in August last year. ICAO, in its analysis, asked the Bhutan Civil Aviation Authority (BCAA) to clarify who is the authorised air traffic service provider in the state (Bhutan) and designate the portions of airspace and aerodromes in relation to the ATS that are to be provided. It also pointed out to carry out immediate corrective actions like ensuring that an ATS provider is not allowed to operate unless it has been formally authorised to do so. It also recommended ensuring that a thorough, documented review of all relevant aeronautical information of Bhutan is performed by qualified and experienced staff, to ensure clarity, consistency and compliance with the State's legislation and organisation. Although ICAO has not specially mentioned, the Air traffic control at the Paro international airport is currently managed by the Indian air force, which is not subject to BCAA regulations as it is a civilian regulator. Speaking at the meet the press on March 1, information and communications minister, Karma Donnen Wangdi said that the issue is currently under discussion and that the government had a number of talks with the government of India. "As per our initial agreement with ICAO, of which Bhutan is a member, we are required to take the management of ATS by ourselves," he said. "We are working towards it because when such Red-Flagging is done, it could have negative effect on our tourism sector," he said. Lyonpo said that the safety concern was raised because the air traffic navigation is handled by Indian air force. "We consider this very important and we will resolve this as soon as possible." Foreign minister Dr Tandi Dorji said that safety observations at Paro airport were raised since 2000. "It does not mean that safety at the airport is compromised," he said. He clarified that as per ICAO requirement, the person handling air traffic should be certified by ICAO, but in this case, the Indian air force, which is not certified by ICAO is managing air traffic control. He informed that following the ICAO observations, the government had taken it with the government of India and have concluded the discussion on handing over air traffic management to Bhutanese. "Following this, we will resubmit our stand to the ICAO," he said. "We are hoping that once we take over the management of the ATA and once the air traffic controllers are certified by ICAO, this will be removed." Asked if the country had expertise and the resources to man the ATS, Lyonchhen Dr Lotay Tshering said that the ATS is equipped by the government. On the human resource competence, he said there are trained people to man the ATS. "Some trained people are even nearing retirement." http://www.kuenselonline.com/icao-red-flags-bhutan-over-aviation-safety-oversight/ Back to Top Boulder scientists flying in rough conditions to improve aviation forecasting Sleet, freezing rain and freezing drizzle are ideal conditions for this research program As much of the country is still enduring wintry conditions, scientists involved in a Boulder-based field campaign are flying through some of the worst of it, collecting data aimed at improving forecasts and weather models for those working in aviation. Sleet, freezing rain and freezing drizzle are ideal conditions for a research program focused on collecting in-flight data in some of the most treacherous North American icing conditions. And scientists from Boulder's National Center for Atmospheric Research, along with other partners, are currently collecting in-flight data in those circumstances in a project led by the Federal Aviation Administration. The project is under the auspices of the FAA's Aviation Weather Research Program, which sponsors research that will help minimize the impact of weather on the National Airspace System, including turbulence, ceiling and visibility, thunderstorms - as well as aircraft icing. Scientists participating in the In-Cloud Icing and Large-Drop Experiment - known as ICICLE - have been going airborne through bad winter weather conditions since Jan. 28, utilizing the National Research Council of Canada's Convair 580, a twin-engine research aircraft, according to a news release. Based for now in Rockford, Ill., the scientists and Convair crew are flying over Iowa, Wisconsin, Michigan and other nearby states for another week in pursuit of icy weather conditions, with data collection to conclude March 8. https://www.denverpost.com/2019/03/03/boulder-scientists-aviation-forecasting/ Back to Top Senior pilot fired for flying with fake license for 20 years A senior South African pilot has been asked to resign after it was discovered that he had flown commercial planes for over 20 years with a forged license. William Chandler, a pilot with South African Airways (SAA) was discovered to have a fake airline transport pilot license following an investigation into an incident during a flight he piloted. According to The Mail and Guardian, the incident occurred in November 2018 during a flight from O.R. Tambo International Airport to Frankfurt, Germany. SAA spokesperson Tlali Tlali said that investigation into the incident that occurred over the Swiss airspace lead to the discovery of the fake license. A South African Airways plane. "The pilot had successfully completed all required safety training. However, we find it disconcerting that misrepresentations were made about the type of license that the pilot claimed to possess," Tlali said. According to the spokesperson, the airline now wants Chandler, who joined them as a pilot in 1994 to pay back the money he had fraudulently earned. Fake Russian pilot In 2018, a highly regarded Russian pilot Taras Shelest turned out to be a fraud. Despite having never attended aviation classes and instead faking his diploma, Shelest allegedly flew thousands of people all around the world for several years, until a bizarre incident finally exposed him. Taras Shelest. In August of 2015, Shelest was a co-pilot on a passenger flight from Moscow to Cyprus. When entering Ukrainian airspace, he contacted the ground controller as per protocol, only instead of sticking to the strict technical language, he used a very peculiar greeting- "Glory to Ukraine!" This was apparently so unusual that Shelest was reported to his company's security service, which in turn contacted the FSB, Russia's federal security service. The man was not even a real pilot, but a flight enthusiast who had taught himself to fly using flying simulators and faked his aviation university diploma. https://www.sde.co.ke/article/2001315157/senior-pilot-fired-for-flying-with-fake- license-for-20-years Back to Top KOREAN CELEBRATES 50 YEARS OF SPECTACULAR GROWTH Korean 50th anniversary growth Korean Air's 50th anniversary celebration in Seoul. Photo: Korean Air. Korean Air is celebrating its 50th birthday this week with more than 10 billion kilometres on the clock, a fleet that is 21 times bigger than when it was privatized in 1969 and an eye to the future. In celebrating the birthday in Seoul on March 4, Korean is using the reverse logic to that used by British Airways to arrive at the date of its 100th-anniversary celebrations. The Koreans are discounting antecedents such as Korean National Airlines, founded in 1946, and the government-owned Korean Air Lines founded in 1962. Instead, they mark the privatization and takeover by the Hanjin Group on March 1, 1969, as the starting point of the modern airline. Nonetheless, it has been a half-century of phenomenal growth, as figures released by the airline on Monday illustrated. Korean launched in 1969 with eight aircraft and now has 166. Annual passenger numbers have burgeoned from 700,000 to 26. 8 million and the airline estimates it has carried more than 7.14 billion people since its inception as well as 40.54 million tons of cargo. Back in 1969, Korean operated 49 domestic services a week and six internationally. That has now grown to a weekly tally of 503 domestic flights, 922 international services and 113 freighter flights. Revenues have increased a whopping 3,154 times and total assets have grown by 4,280 times while employee numbers have jumped from 514 to 20, 654. Milestones lauded by the airline included services to Russia and China in the 1990s and its role as one of the founding members of SkyTeam in the 2000s. More recently it played a significant role in the P PyeongChang Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games, started exploring new markets through a joint venture agreement with long-time partner Delta Air Lines and in June, it will host the International Air Transport Association's annual conference. It has also launched a "Vision 2013" program aimed at achieving sustainable annual growth of 5.1 percent and increasing its fleet size to 190 aircraft. Programs include looking at new routes to Europe and Southeast Asia with Delta, boosting profitability in in-flight meals and sales as well as improved governance. President Walter Cho said the company would strive to improve employees' happiness, build a constructive rapport with business partners, enhance customer satisfaction, and maximize shareholder value. "We will do our best to satisfy our customers, raise the happiness of our employees and enhance the value of our shareholders, which will ultimately increase the value of Korean Air," he said. However, the airline's history has not been without its past challenges. The Aviation Safety Network's database shows five fatal accidents under the Korean Air Lines banner, including a Boeing 747 that was shot down by Soviet fighters, and five after it changed its name to Korean Air in 1984. The 1997 crash of Korean Air Flight 801 highlighted a cultural problem with crew resource management after the captain failed to adequately brief and execute a non- precision approach in Guam and the Boeing 747 plowed into a hill. The first officer and flight engineer failed to effectively monitor and cross-check the captain's approach and there were concerns about fatigue and training. The crash killed 228 of the 254 people on board and prompted Korean to look at communications in the cockpit and how they were impacted by cultural factors. The crash of a cargo flight in London two years later prompted further call for changes to be made and the airline launched a $US200m program to improve safety that included turning over much of its pilot training to outsiders. The airline has not had another fatal accident since the London incident and currently enjoys the maximum safety rating of seven stars with AirlineRatings. Other controversies include the airline's involvement in Korea's chaebol system and embezzlement charges leveled against its chairman, Cho Yang-ho. There was also infamous "nut rage" incident in which the chairman's daughter, Heather Cho, ordered a plane to return to the gate so that a flight attendant who had served her nuts in a bag rather than on a plate could be removed. https://www.airlineratings.com/news/korean-celebrates-50-years-spectacular-growth/ Back to Top Embry-Riddle and Korean Airlines Launch Career Pathway Program for Pilots With airlines worldwide projected to need 790,000 new pilots between now and 2037, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, the world's premier aviation and aerospace institution, has teamed up with Korean Airlines to provide a new career pathway program for aspiring aviators. Embry-Riddle currently participates in a number of pilot career pathway programs with leading industry partners, but the Korean Airlines initiative is the university's first-ever such agreement with an international airline. "The global pilot shortage is projected to be most acute in the Asia-Pacific region, where 261,000 new pilots will be needed over the next two decades," said Dr. Alan Stolzer, dean of the College of Aviation on Embry-Riddle's Daytona Beach, Fla., Campus. "Our partnership with Korean Airlines will allow us to help fill that gap by producing up to 40 highly qualified new pilots per year." Dr. Timothy Holt, dean of the College of Aviation on Embry-Riddle's Prescott, Ariz., Campus, noted that the Korean Airlines agreement will improve training not only for future Korean pilots, but for all other student-pilots enrolled at the university. "Under this new partnership, flight students selected by Korean Airlines will receive motivation and mentorship in completing their training with Embry-Riddle. Before returning to Korea to work, they will be required to provide flight instruction for Embry-Riddle flight students, thereby gaining even more experience." Dr. Alan Stolzer (at left), dean of the College of Aviation on Embry-Riddle's Daytona Beach Campus, recently met with Capt. Kim, senior vice president of Korean Airlines' Flight Operations division, to launch a joint career pathway program for pilots. Embry-Riddle President Dr. P. Barry Butler described the agreement as a win-win: "This type of career pathway program for pilots supports improved aviation education for all students, and it helps build workforce capacity for airlines worldwide," he noted. "We are honored to partner with Korean Airlines on this important new effort to help address the global pilot shortage." Captain Kim, Senior Vice President of Korean Airlines' Flight Operations division stated, "In the coming years, as the demand for pilots sees a sharp rise, we will seek to increase the number of qualified candidates coming from the world's leading aviation universities. Both Korean Airlines and Embry-Riddle have similar goals in training excellence. We are excited to be strengthening our partnership with Embry-Riddle. ABOUT KOREAN AIRLINES Korean Air, established in 1969, is one of the world's top 20 airlines carrying more than 26 million passengers in 2017. The airline operates over 460 flights per day to 124 cities in 44 countries on five continents; it has a modern fleet of 174 aircraft and employs over 20,000 professional employees. Korean Air's core business includes passenger, cargo, aerospace, catering and in-flight sales. The airline's main hub is at the Incheon (ICN) International Airport Terminal 2, which opened in 2018. Korean Air is a founding member of the Sky Team airline alliance, which together with its 19 members annually welcomes 630 million passengers worldwide, on more than 14,000 daily flights, covering 1,150 destinations in 175 countries. The airline launched a joint venture partnership with Delta Air Lines in the trans-Pacific market in May 2018. In 2019 Korean Air celebrates its 50th anniversary. With a vision to be a respected leader in the world airline community, Korean Air is dedicated to providing excellence in flight. More on Korean Air's programs, routes, frequencies and partners is available at koreanair.com, facebook.com/KoreanAir, instagram.com/KoreanAirworld/, and Twitter@KoreanAir_KE. ABOUT EMBRY-RIDDLE AERONAUTICAL UNIVERSITY Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University is the world's largest, oldest and most comprehensive institution specializing in aviation, aerospace, engineering and related degree programs. A fully accredited university, Embry-Riddle is also a major research center, seeking solutions to real-world problems in partnership with the aerospace industry, other universities and government agencies. A nonprofit, independent institution, Embry-Riddle offers more than 100 associate's, bachelor's, master's and Ph.D. degree programs in its colleges of Arts & Sciences, Aviation, Business, Engineering and Security & Intelligence. The university educates students at residential campuses in Daytona Beach, Fla., and Prescott, Ariz., through its Worldwide Campus with more than 135+ locations in the United States, Europe and Asia, and through online programs. For more information, visit www.embryriddle.edu, follow us on Twitter (@EmbryRiddle) and facebook.com/EmbryRiddleUniversity, and find expert videos at YouTube.com/EmbryRiddleUniv. https://news.erau.edu/news-briefs/embry-riddle-and-korean-airlines-launch-career- pathway-program-for-pilots/ Back to Top LSA Weight Limits: Is Higher Better? The notion of raising the weight limit for light sport aircraft seems to wax and wane and it came up this week again at the Sport Aviation Expo in Sebring. It's not exactly clear to me what this will accomplish, but at the LAMA dinner on Thursday, EAA's Rod Hightower said the idea may be on the table as a means of improving safety. I'm not sure how that would work. The light sport segment hasn't built enough of a record to judge accident patterns in any meaningful way. We do know that some LSAs don't hold up very well in the training environment because they just lack the structure to be as durable as, say, a Cessna 150. But adding weight is not necessarily the solution to that, although redesigning certain parts based on field experience may be. Higher weight limits could help some manufacturers whose airplanes are already on the heavy side. Legend, for instance, recently installed the Lycoming O-233 in its popular Cub. Compared to other LSAs, the Legends tend toward the heavy and putting in a heavier, more powerful engine pushes them to the practical limit. A higher allowable gross would help. But what regulation giveth on the one hand, it taketh away on the other. Depending on how such a rule is implemented, a weight increase could include more legacy airplanes under the LSA umbrella, including Cessna 120s and 140s Luscombe 8Es and some of the Taylorcraft and Aeronca models that are now just over the weight line. Unfortunately for companies trying to sell new LSAs, every legacy airplane out there potentially represents one less sale in an industry that needs every sale it can get. The 1320-pound gross weight limit for U.S. LSAs wasn't entirely arbitrary. It was intended to include just enough of the legacy fleet to prime the pump, but not so much as to discourage the development of new models. That intent has worked a little too well, perhaps. There are so many LSAs out there and so many companies flogging them that hardly any are doing well at it. The longer we go without the inevitable shakeout, the worse it will be for the industry itself and customers. Buyers like choice, but there's so much of it that I think many just tune out, deciding they'll wait until the strong companies emerge as survivors. Walking the line at Sebring this week, I got the distinct impression of an industry that's losing energy. Or at least the show is. Bending to economic reality, some of the exhibitors seemed to have down scaled from last year and the show seemed less expansive. I'm still not seeing the ignition point I've been looking for and too many manufacturers talk as though larger volume sales are just around the corner. I don't see it. Sooner or later, we're going to have to get past this whistling-through-the- graveyard phase and on to the firmer ground of realistic sales volume. I'm not sure if a weight increase would help or hinder that. https://www.avweb.com/blogs/insider/AVWebInsider_LSAWeight_206058-1.html Back to Top Mitsubishi jet starts test flights in U.S. to gain safety certification NAGOYA - Mitsubishi Aircraft Corp. said Monday its small regional plane, Japan's first homegrown commercial passenger jet, has started test flights in the United States. The tests, the final regulatory challenge ahead of the company's targeted delivery of the first Mitsubishi Regional Jet in mid-2020, are expected to take about a year. They involve pilots from the Japanese transport ministry. Mitsubishi has delayed delivery of the MRJ five times since 2013 due to design modifications. On Sunday, engine functions of the narrow-body, twin-engine jetliner were confirmed following a flight from the base of Mitsubishi Aircraft, a unit of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd., in Washington state, company officials said. The test flights were originally scheduled to start in late January but were put off due to bad weather and a delay in preparations. Two new MRJ models currently under production at the company's base in Toyoyama, Aichi Prefecture, will also be tested in the United States later this year, the officials said. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2019/03/04/business/mitsubishi-jet-starts-test- flights-u-s-gain-safety-certification/#.XH0TzcBKiUk Back to Top Jet Airways grounds another 10 aircraft Jet Airways has grounded a further 10 aircraft over the past four days. The carrier disclosed the groundings in several letters to the Indian stock exchange. Two aircraft were grounded each day on 1 and 2 March. Six others were grounded on 28 February. Jet had previously disclosed the grounding of 13 aircraft between 8 and 27 February. This brings the total number of grounded aircraft to 23. It attributed the groundings to non-payment of lease rentals, but none of the aircraft, nor the lessors, have been identified. It is unclear whether the grounded jets will be voluntarily returned to lessors, or if they are subject to repossession orders. Cirium's Fleet Analyzer shows that of Jet's fleet of 115 aircraft, 100 are leased. GECAS, Aircastle and BOC Aviation are among the most exposed lessors. The groundings come amid reports that chairman Naresh Goyal is preparing to step down from his post, following shareholders' approval to approve for Jet's lenders to swap their debt for Rs1.14 billion ($16 million) in equity. It is yet unclear when the debt-for-equity swap will take place, nor the affect that it will have on Goyal's 51% stake and Jet's 24% partner Etihad Aviation Group. https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/jet-airways-grounds-another-10-aircraft- 456282/ Back to Top Israeli Moon Lander Bounces Back from Glitch, Fires Engine SpaceIL's Beresheet lunar lander, which launched to Earth orbit on Feb. 21, performed its first in-space maneuver on Feb. 24. The lander is scheduled to reach lunar orbit on April 4 and touch down a week later.The Israeli lunar lander Beresheet, which launched to Earth orbit on Feb. 21, performed its second in-space maneuver on Feb. 28. Beresheet is scheduled to land on the moon April 11.(Image: © SpaceIL) Israel's first lunar lander appears to be back on track. The 5-foot-tall (1.5 meters) spacecraft, known as Beresheet, missed a planned engine firing Monday (Feb. 25) after its onboard computer reset unexpectedly. But the mission team managed to troubleshoot the issue, and the lander performed the maneuver today (Feb. 28). "After completing examination of the computer resets and implementation of corrective measures, Beresheet conducted a successful maneuver today at 9:30 p.m. Israel time [2:30 p.m. EST, 1930 GMT]," mission team members said in an emailed statement. "The spacecraft is on its way to an elliptical orbit, where the farthest point from Earth is at a distance of 131,000 kilometers [81,400 miles]," they added. "The maneuver was executed as planned, and Beresheet's main engine was activated for 4 minutes. The next maneuver is planned in another week." Beresheet, a joint project of the nonprofit group SpaceIL and the company Israel Aerospace Industries, launched to Earth orbit on Feb. 21 atop a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. The lander has now performed two in-space maneuvers, which are designed to raise Beresheet's orbit, pushing the craft closer and closer to the moon. If all goes according to plan, Beresheet - whose name means "in the beginning" in Hebrew - will be captured into lunar orbit on April 4 and touch down on the moon's surface on April 11. A successful landing would be momentous, marking the first time a privately funded team, or any team based in Israel, had pulled off the feat. To date, only the Soviet Union, the United States and China have soft-landed craft on the lunar surface. Beresheet is also striking a blow for low-cost space exploration. The mission's total price, including launch, is about $100 million, team members have said. SpaceIL began as a competitor in the Google Lunar X Prize (GLXP), a now-defunct $30 million challenge that asked privately funded groups to land a robot on the moon, move it 1,640 feet (500 m) and beam home high-resolution imagery. Beresheet was therefore originally designed to be mobile, but the lander's handlers don't plan to move it around on the lunar surface; doing so would introduce unnecessary risk, they have said. Beresheet's surface mission is designed to last two Earth days. The lander will measure local magnetic fields and do a bit of other science work, but its main objectives are to help push Israel's spaceflight program forward and to inspire kids, especially in Israel, to get excited about science, technology, engineering and math. The lander carries, among other things, an Israeli flag and a time capsule that holds a "lunar library" devised by the Arch Mission Foundation. The main goal of this latter organization is to safeguard human knowledge for millions or billions of years by storing digital "libraries" in off-Earth locales. Beresheet's contains the entirety of the English- language version of Wikipedia and other materials. The computer reset wasn't the first hiccup Beresheet experienced during its long journey to the moon. Shortly after launch, the mission team noticed that the lander's star trackers, which are critical to navigation, are highly sensitive to blinding by solar radiation. But Beresheet has battled through that issue, successfully performing two engine firings. https://www.space.com/israel-moon-lander-beresheet-engine-firing.html Back to Top Back to Top Back to Top Aviation Innovations Conference: Cargo Airships March 14 - 15, 2019 Toronto, Canada www.aviationinnovationsconference.com https://www.facebook.com/events/1842427552533870/ Curt Lewis