Flight Safety Information May 14, 2019 - No. 097 In This Issue Newly surfaced recording details how pilots pressed Boeing after Lion Air crash Ethiopian Airlines CEO wants rigorous review of Boeing 737-MAX planes following fatal crash Incident: Lufthansa A359 near Shannon on May 12th 2019, problems with speed indication Incident: Aeroflot SU95 near Moscow on May 13th 2019, loss of cabin pressure Incident: S7 E170 at Ekaterinburg on May 7th 2019, rejected takeoff due to engine problem Incident: Qantas A332 near Broome on May 13th 2019, electrical fault Incident: AirAsia India A320 at Delhi on May 13th 2019, hydraulic failure Incident: Canada Rouge A319 enroute on May 12th 2019, hydraulic leak 4 dead, 2 missing, 10 hospitalized after midair collision over Alaska Qantas Boeing 747 Diverts After Engine Failure NASA funds aviation research on a new fuel concept Mitsubishi Aircraft opens new US headquarters Hermeus announces plan to build the fastest aircraft in the world Student Works for Safer Skies Cost of 2024 Moon Landing Is Still a Mystery POSITION AVAILABLE:...AVIATION ADVISOR ISASI - DFW Regional Chapter Meeting GRADUATE RESEARCH SURVEY Newly surfaced recording details how pilots pressed Boeing after Lion Air crash, requested FAA records Clarification: an earlier version of this story stated American Airlines received a subpoena. The airline says it has not received any subpoena since November of 2018. More than a week before a 737 Max 8 jet crashed in Ethiopia in March, the American Airlines pilots union was so unsettled by the actions of Boeing and the Federal Aviation Administration it took the unusual step of filing a federal public records request. The pilots wanted to know more about problems with the planes. On Feb. 26, the union sought records related to the FAA's November decision to update the Max 8 flight manual. They also asked for correspondence between the FAA and American Airlines regarding the planes' approval process. The request followed a tense meeting between the pilots' union and Boeing employees at the union's headquarters after the October 2018 crash of Lion Air Flight 610 in Indonesia. In a recording reviewed Monday by The Dallas Morning News, the pilots asked Boeing tough questions about the plane's safety. By the time of the Nov. 27 meeting, there had been two Max 8 incidents within two days of each other: an emergency landing and a crash that killed 189, both on Lion Air planes in October. Why were the planes still in the air? Why not treat this like an emergency? In the recording, a Boeing employee responded to their questions: "We don't want to do a crappy job of fixing things, and we also don't want to fix the wrong things." But Boeing didn't issue a fix to the plane's software until a second 737 Max 8 crashed in March, when an Ethiopian Airlines plummeted shortly after takeoff, killing 157. The unidentified Boeing representative listened to pilots' concerns about a system in the Max 8, know as MCAS, that's intended to help control the plane's pitch during takeoff. "I don't know that understanding this system would've changed the outcome," he said. "In a million miles, you're going to maybe fly this airplane, maybe once you're going to see this, ever." "We try not to overload the crews with information that's unnecessary." In a statement emailed to The News, Boeing said it "is committed to working with pilots, airlines and global regulators to safely return the updated MAX to flight once certified." Last week, the Justice Department issued grand jury subpoenas for pilots unions as part of an ongoing investigation into the plane's safety and the FAA's relationship with Boeing. Among U.S. carriers, the North Texas-based airlines have the largest number of Max 8 jets in their fleets. The Allied Pilots Association suspects federal authorities are seeking pilots' notes from meetings with Boeing. The Southwest and American Airlines pilots unions were given until May 24 to comply with federal subpoenas. Union members recorded the meeting without Boeing's knowledge. APA President Dan Carey shared audio of the November meeting with The News, saying pilots left concerned that Boeing did not treat the situation like an emergency at the time. "That was the lynchpin in why we filed the FOIA request," Carey said. Allied Pilots Union FOIA Request DocumentCloud Carey said the pilots were troubled after the meeting about the relationship between the aircraft manufacturer and the federal agency tasked with overseeing it. One of the pilots on the recording expressed frustration that Boeing wasn't moving faster to fix what pilots were saying was wrong with the plane. "We're the last line of defense to being in that smoking hole," he complained. President Donald Trump grounded the Max 8 fleet on March 13, the day after The News published an investigation revealing numerous complaints logged in a federal aviation safety database by pilots who had safety concerns while flying the plane. Airlines and Boeing have said they expect the Max to be recertified and flying again by August. American Airlines told The News it has the "utmost confidence" in its fleet. "We remain confident that the impending software updates, along with the new training elements Boeing is developing for the MAX, will lead to recertification of the aircraft soon," the airline said in a statement. "Our team continues to work collaboratively with the FAA, Boeing and the Allied Pilots Association in this process." 737 Max grounding timeline * October 29, 2018: A Boeing 737 Max 8 operated by Indonesian airline Lion Air crashes into the Java Sea after takeoff, killing all 189 passengers and crew. * November 28, 2018: Preliminary investigation of Lion Air Flight 610 blames the plane's autopilot software known as MCAS for causing it to abruptly dive. Pilots repeatedly tried to correct the dive over the flight's final 10 minutes. * March 10, 2019: A Boeing 737 Max 8 operated by Ethiopian Airlines crashes shortly after takeoff, killing all 157 people on board. The airline grounds other Max aircraft in its fleet pending an investigation. * March 11, 2019: Civil Aviation Administration of China becomes the first regulatory body to ban Max flights. Indonesia and Mongolia quickly follow suit. That same day, the Federal Aviation Administration, which certifies U.S. aircraft, reaffirms the Max's airworthiness. * March 12, 2019: The Dallas Morning News reports that pilots repeatedly voiced safety concerns about the Max to U.S. regulators, with complaints in a federal database referencing problems with the autopilot system after takeoff. Singapore, India, Turkey, South Korea and the European Union all suspend Max flights. * March 13, 2019: President Trump announces U.S. authorities would ground all Max 8 and 9 flights. The FAA then officially orders the grounding of Max planes in the U.S., citing new evidence from accident investigations. Southwest Airlines and American Airlines are the U.S. carriers with the most Max planes in their fleets. The grounding led to hundreds of canceled flights. * March 21, 2019: Justice Department issues subpoenas in criminal investigation of Boeing. * March 25, 2019: The U.S. Department of Transportation launches an investigation into the rigor of the FAA certification process. * April 4, 2019: Boeing acknowledges the role of MCAS in both fatal crashes and said it was working on a software update to prevent unintended activation. * April 11, 2019: Boeing CEO Dennis Muilenburg, making his first public statements during an appearance in Dallas, describes the last few weeks as "the most heart- wrenching of my career." * April 12, 2019: Southwest Airlines removes the Max from its flight schedule during the busy summer travel months, through Aug. 5. Two days later, American Airlines cancels Max flights through Aug. 19. * April 24, 2019: Boeing estimates it has suffered a $1 billion hit from the global grounding of the Max. https://www.dallasnews.com/business/airlines/2019/05/13/newly-surfaced-recording- details-pilots-pressed-boeing-after-lion-air-crash-requested-faa-records Back to Top Ethiopian Airlines CEO wants rigorous review of Boeing 737-MAX planes following fatal crash "This should not happen again to any airline, even a single life should not be put at risk," Ethiopian Airlines CEO Tewolde Gebremariam said. Two months after Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 crashed, killing all 157 people on board, the CEO of the airline said his crews and passengers have lost confidence in the Boeing 737-MAX and he wants the company to conduct a more thorough review of the plane. In an exclusive interview with NBC News on Monday, Tewolde Gebremariam said that the airline doesn't yet know if it will fly the Boeing 737-MAX planes again. But he said, "At this stage I cannot, I cannot fully say that the airplane will fly back on Ethiopian Airlines. It may, if we are fully convinced and if we are able to convince our pilots, if we are ever to convince our traveling public." However, he also said that if the planes were back in service, Ethiopian Airlines would be "the last airline to fly them again." "We have not got a time to discuss on the return to service and we have made it very clear on several occasions we would not be the first one to return their airplane back to air." Gebremariam said it's not enough for Boeing to only review the "MCAS" anti-stall system believed responsible for the fatal crashes in Indonesia and Ethiopia. He wants a much more rigorous review of the plane. "We strongly believe that entire flight control system needs to be reviewed," he said. The Ethiopian Airlines crash on March 10 followed a Lion Air crash in Indonesia last October. The two crashes were responsible for 346 deaths. Investigators in both countries say the Boeing 737-MAX's new MCAS anti-stall system seems to have played a role. "It's very abnormal for a new airplane to have two accidents, fatal accidents in a span of five months," he said. "These are brand new airplanes." Boeing has admitted that "MCAS" misfired, putting both the Indonesian and Ethiopian planes into a fatal nose dive. The company is expected to submit its software fix for Federal Aviation Administration approval later this month. But investigators have also noted the Ethiopian pilots were flying much faster than is typical, more than 500 miles per hour. Still, Gebremariam insisted the pilots did everything they could to save their plane. "They have followed the procedures correctly," he said. "This should not happen again to any airline, even a single life should not be put at risk." Boeing said in a statement, "Boeing is working closely with pilots, airlines and global regulators to update the max and help prevent this tragic loss of life from happening again." Gebremariam said the airline's relationship with Boeing goes back more than 60 years, and he has confidence in Boeing, even if his crews have lost confidence in the 737-MAX. "We still have very strong confidence in Boeing, but we want them to do the right thing without rushing to make sure this airplane is safe and clear confidence in all of us before it returns back to air." https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/ethiopian-airlines-ceo-wants-rigorous-review- boeing-737-max-planes-n1005196 Back to Top Incident: Lufthansa A359 near Shannon on May 12th 2019, problems with speed indication A Lufthansa Airbus A350-900, registration D-AIXD performing flight LH-480 from Munich (Germany) to Denver,CO (USA), was enroute at FL360 about 250nm northwest of Shannon (Ireland) about to enter the Oceanic Crossing across the Atlantic Ocean when the crew decided to return to Munich advising of a problem with the speed indications. The aircraft landed safely on Munich's runway 26R about 3 hours after the decision to return. The aircraft is still on the ground in Munich about 29 hours after landing. http://avherald.com/h?article=4c7e93b0&opt=0 Back to Top Incident: Aeroflot SU95 near Moscow on May 13th 2019, loss of cabin pressure An Aeroflot Sukhoi Superjet 100-95, registration RA-89100 performing flight SU-1206 from Moscow Sheremetyevo to Samara (Russia), was climbing through FL320 out of Moscow's runway 06R when the crew initiated an emergency descent to 10,000 feet (average rate of descent 4500 fpm) due to the loss of cabin pressure and returned to Moscow Sheremetyevo for a safe landing on runway 24L (active runways 06 at that time) about 30 minutes later. The occurrence aircraft is still on the ground in Moscow about 24 hours after landing back. http://avherald.com/h?article=4c7e9259&opt=0 Back to Top Incident: S7 E170 at Ekaterinburg on May 7th 2019, rejected takeoff due to engine problem A S7 Sibir Airlines Embraer ERJ-170, registration VQ-BYĆ performing flight S7-5018 from Ekaterinburg to Novosibirsk (Russia) with 59 passengers and 5 crew, was accelerating for takeoff from Ekaterinburg when the crew received indication of excess temperature on the right hand engine (CF34) and rejected takeoff. The aircraft slowed safely. Rosaviatsia reported the aircraft returned to the apron on own power. The flight was cancelled, the passengers were rebooked onto the next flgiht S7-5020. http://avherald.com/h?article=4c7e90e1&opt=0 Back to Top Incident: Qantas A332 near Broome on May 13th 2019, electrical fault A Qantas Airbus A330-200, registration VH-EBL performing flight QF-44 from Denpasar (Indonesia) to Sydney,NS (Australia), was enroute at FL380 about 190nm eastsoutheast of Broome,WA (Australia) when the crew decided to turn around and divert to Broome due to an electrical fault. The aircraft landed safely on Broome's runway 10 about 50 minutes later. The airline confirmed an electrical fault prompted the diversion to Broome. The airline is working to re- accomodate the passengers on alternate flights. The occurrence aircraft is still on the ground about 3 hours after landing. http://avherald.com/h?article=4c7e8f96&opt=0 Back to Top Incident: AirAsia India A320 at Delhi on May 13th 2019, hydraulic failure An AirAsia India Airbus A320-200, registration VT-GWH performing flight I5-719 from Hyderabad to Delhi (India) with 174 people on board, was descending towards Delhi when the crew declared emergency reporting a hydraulic failure. The aircraft continued for a safe landing on Delhi's runway 28. The airline reported the aircraft suffered a technical problem during the descent, the crew carried out a precautionary landing and taxied the aircraft to the apron, where passengers disembarked normally. The occurrence aircraft returned to service after about 5 hours on the ground. http://avherald.com/h?article=4c7e8e70&opt=0 Back to Top Incident: Canada Rouge A319 enroute on May 12th 2019, hydraulic leak An Air Canada Rouge Airbus A319-100, registration C-GKOB performing flight RV-1622 from Toronto,ON (Canada) to Fort Lauderdale,FL (USA) with 133 passengers and 5 crew, was enroute when the crew received a "HYD G RSVR LO LVL" ECAM message and worked the related checklists. The crew thus shut the engine 1 hydraulic pump as well as power transfer unit (PTU) down and continued to Fort Lauderdale. During the descent to Fort Lauderdale the crew declared PAN PAN advising ATC they might need to extend the gear manually. On approach the crew reactivated the hydraulic pump and was able to extend the landing gear normally without any incident. The aircraft landed safely, vacated the runway and stopped on the adjacent taxiway to have emergency services inspect the aircraft. The aircraft subsequently proceeded to the apron on own power. The Canadian TSB reported maintenance identified a leaking spoiler actuator, replaced the actuator, serviced the green hydraulic system and returned the aircraft to service after satisfactory tests. https://flightaware.com/live/flight/ROU1622/history/20190512/1445Z/CYYZ/KFLL http://avherald.com/h?article=4c7e8c73&opt=0 Back to Top 4 dead, 2 missing, 10 hospitalized after midair collision over Alaska Four people have been confirmed killed, two remain missing and 10 others were hospitalized after two aircraft collided in midair over Alaska, according to the U.S. Coast Guard. An earlier report said five had died. The current figure may change awith two people still missing. The collision took place in Coon Cove, Alaska, according to the Federal Aviation Administration. A de Havilland DHC-2 Beaver and a de-Havilland Otter DHC-3 "collided in mid-air under unknown circumstances," the FAA told ABC News. Local authorities told the FAA that five people were on board the Beaver and 11 people were on board the Otter. Ten patients were admitted to PeaceHealth Ketchikan Medical Center, hospital spokeswoman Mischa Chernick told ABC News. Three patients are listed in serious condition, seven are in fair condition, Chernick said. Both planes were flying excursions sold through Princess Cruise Lines, which confirmed in a statement to ABC News that five people were killed. "On Monday, May 13, 2019, at 1:08 p.m. local time, a small float plane operated by Taquan Air that was flying a shore excursion sold through Princess Cruises was involved in an accident approximately eight (8) nautical miles from Ketchikan, AK, Princess Cruise Lines said in a statement. "The flight was returning from a Misty Fjords tour and carried ten guests from Royal Princess and a pilot. A second float plane was also involved in an incident and was carrying four guests from Royal Princess on an independent tour." "The U.S. Coast Guard and local search and rescue teams have confirmed that nine (9) of the guests on the Taquan Air plane have been rescued and are receiving medical attention with the condition of one (1) guest still unknown, the statement continued. "It has also been confirmed there are five (5) fatalities from the independent air tour - four (4) Royal Princess guests and one (1) pilot. Princess Cruises has activated members of its Care Team to provide assistance to the families impacted by today's accident." "We are incredibly distressed by the situation, and our thoughts and prayers are with those onboard the planes and their families," Princess Cruise Lines said. "Princess Cruises is extending its full support to traveling companions of the guests involved. The Voyage of the Glaciers cruise was on a seven-day trip that departed Vancouver on May 11 and is scheduled to arrive in Anchorage on May 18, the company said. The company that owns one of the aircraft, Taquan Air, released a statement that they will cooperate fully with the investigation. "We are devastated by this news and our hearts go out to our passengers and their families. At this time, we are in the midst of an active crisis response, and our focus is on assisting these passengers, the pilot, our staff, their families and loved ones, and first responders," Taquan Air said in a statement. "Taquan Air has suspended all scheduled flights and is cooperating fully with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and other authorities to examine every aspect of this event." The Coast Guard is investigating the incident and the NTSB is launching a Go Team to the area. https://www.yahoo.com/gma/5-dead-10-hospitalized-midair-collision-over-alaska- 011134789--abc-news-topstories.html Back to Top Qantas Boeing 747 Diverts After Engine Failure On Sunday morning, May 12th, a Qantas Boeing 747 heading from Tokyo to Sydney suffered an engine failure. Passengers who spoke to the media report hearing an explosion or loud bang. Others report flames and sparks. The flight, QF26, was diverted to Cairns (CNS) where it made a safe and successful landing. The aircraft involved was a Qantas 747 with registration VH-OJU. Pictured here. Photo: Wikimedia Commons Orange flames and sparks Some passengers were witness to the engine failure. Speaking to the Cairns Post, Desmon Du Plessis saw "orange flames" and "sparks" from his window seat beside the wing: "I was sitting at the window and there was an incredibly loud bang, and when I looked out there was an orange flame and then sparks, it was like white...And then everything started shaking, and you could hear the engine die straight away." Also speaking with the Cairns Post, passenger David Jonas, said the aircraft made a rapid descent after the engine failure: "We went from 10,000m to 7000m quite quickly and then we continued for a while...The captain, very sensibly, made the decision to bring the aircraft to the first Australian airport he could find - which was Cairns - but that took about two hours." According to Mr. Du Plessis , the captain addressed passengers regarding the incident and informed them of the diversion to Cairns. The flight landed there at 5:10am local time. Qantas fleet safety captain Debbie Slade spoke to news.com.au and said: "In line with standard procedures, the pilots shut down the engine and the flight diverted to Cairns. While customers may have heard a loud bang, there was never a safety risk with the flight. These aircraft are designed to safely operate on three of the four engines." According to website FlightRadar24, it appears that a follow-up flight was in the works from Cairns to Sydney, however no additional details are available for this. More recent reports state that the damaged jumbo jet will remain in Cairns for the rest of the week. QF26 was diverted to Cairns but will eventually need to return to Sydney Photo: FlightRadar24.com The specific 747 in the incident has registration VH-OJU (it appears in the first photo of this article). According to PlaneSpotters.net, VH-OJU was delivered to Qantas in January 2000 and is 19.3 years old. This is the second 747 engine failure to happen within a month. At the end of April, a KLM 747 leaving Seoul for Amsterdam suffered an engine failure. The KLM 747 was three years older than the Qantas plane. Airfleets.net shows that this aircraft is one of eight Boeing 747 planes in the Qantas fleet. The airline is phasing out its 747s with the final transpacific flight taking place at the end of this year from Sydney to San Francisco. Qantas fleet renewal This incident underscores the reason behind Qantas' current fleet renewal. Many aging 747s have already been replaced by the Airbus A380 while eight 787-9 aircraft serve long-distance routes with lower capacity. The airline has six more Dreamliners on order. Furthermore, Qantas will be ordering planes for Project Sunrise: Its plan for an ultra- long-distance route from Sydney to London. With an announcement reportedly coming by the end of this year, many believe the competition is between the Airbus A350ULR and the new Boeing 777x. https://simpleflying.com/qantas-boeing-747-engine-failure/ Back to Top NASA funds aviation research on a new fuel concept Artist's rendering of an advanced commercial transport aircraft concept utilizing CHEETA systems. Credit: University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Department of Aerospace Engineering Researchers at the University of Illinois are leading a newly funded project from NASA to develop a novel approach for all-electric aircraft. Although improvements in vehicle configurations and engine systems have increased flight efficiency over the past few decades, the continued dependency on hydrocarbon fuels makes aircraft operation costs volatile. It also means that commercial aviation will continue to contribute a significant amount of greenhouse gas emissions across the national and international transportation industry. And the forecast for air travel in the United States is expected to increase 90 percent within the next 20 years, leading to even greater emissions. In an effort to address these issues, this research proposes a fundamental shift away from jet fuel towards more sustainable energy sources for aviation, and the introduction of new electrically-driven propulsion systems for commercial aircraft systems. It's called CHEETA-the Center for Cryogenic High-Efficiency Electrical Technologies for Aircraft. NASA will provide $6 million over the course of three years. "Essentially, the program focuses on the development of a fully electric aircraft platform that uses cryogenic liquid hydrogen as an energy storage method," said Phillip Ansell, assistant professor in the Department of Aerospace Engineering at Urbana-Champaign and principal investigator for the project. Concept sketch of a fully electric aircraft platform that uses cryogenic liquid hydrogen as an energy storage method. Credit: University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Department of Aerospace Engineering "The hydrogen chemical energy is converted to electrical energy through a series of fuel cells, which drive the ultra-efficient electric propulsion system. The low temperature requirements of the hydrogen system also provide opportunities to use superconducting, or lossless, energy transmission and high-power motor systems. "It's similar to how MRIs work, magnetic resonance imaging," Ansell added. "However, these necessary electrical drivetrain systems do not yet exist, and the methods for integrating electrically driven propulsion technologies into an aircraft platform have not yet been effectively established. This program seeks to address this gap and make foundational contributions in technologies that will enable fully electric aircraft of the future." The co-principal investigator on the project is Associate Professor Kiruba Haran in U of I's Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering. University of Illinois Assistant Professor or Aerospace Engineering Phillip Ansell. Credit: University of Illinois Department of Aerospace Engineering. "Advances in recent years on non-cryogenic machines and drives have brought electric propulsion of commercial regional jets closer to reality, but practical cryogenic systems remain the 'holy grail' for large aircraft because of their unmatched power density and efficiency," Haran said. "The partnerships that have been established for this project position us well to address the significant technical hurdles that exist along this path." https://phys.org/news/2019-05-nasa-funds-aviation-fuel-concept.html Back to Top Mitsubishi Aircraft opens new US headquarters The MRJ's delivery has been delayed several times (Image: Mitsubishi Aircraft Corporation) Mitsubishi Aircraft has opened new headquarters in Renton, Washington. The office is tasked with finalizing the development of the company's regional jet , including engineering, sales, marketing and customer support and will also play a key role in future product development, said the company. The Mitsubishi Regional Jet (MRJ) is a 70- to 90-seat regional jet, the development of which has suffered several delays since the program was launched in 2004. Mitsubishi has recently been involved in a legal dispute with rival aircraft manufacturer Bombardier over the theft of trade secrets. Hisakazu Mizutani, the president of the Mitsubishi Aircraft Corporation said, "We are proud of this latest investment in our growing global organization, particularly given the importance of the North American regional aircraft market. This is an exciting time for our company. We've built a strong team to deliver our aircraft to market and are preparing for the next phase for our company." Speaking at the headquarters opening event, Alex Bellamy, Mitsubishi Aircraft Corporation's chief development officer said, "We view the North American market as a driver of our growth, and it is strategically important for us to be close to our customers and support that market demand." Mitsubishi is conducting certification flight tests from its Flight Test Center at Grant County International Airport in Moses Lake, Washington State. In addition to housing the company's operations in Moses Lake, Washington is home to several of the company's key partners. Hitoshi "Hank" Iwasa, President of Mitsubishi Aircraft Corporation America, said, "We are continuing to make progress in certification flight testing for the MRJ90 in close partnership with both the JCAB and the FAA. "We are excited to add to our existing presence in the United States as we advance toward certification, first delivery and support of a global aviation program." Mitsubishi Aircraft Corporation America confirmed it is to continue certification flight testing in Washington as the program progresses toward type certification and 2020 first delivery to launch customer ANA. https://www.aerospacetestinginternational.com/news/industry-news/mitsubishi-aircraft- opens-new-us-headquarters.html Back to Top Hermeus announces plan to build the fastest aircraft in the world "We want to do engineering, not science." Hermeus concept for a Mach 5 aircraft. A new aerospace company has entered the race to provide supersonic commercial air travel. On Monday, a US-based company named Hermeus announced plans to develop an aircraft that will travel at speeds of up to Mach 5. Such an aircraft would cut travel time from New York to Paris from more than 7 hours to 1.5 hours. Hermeus said it has raised an initial round of funding led by Khosla Ventures, but it declined to specify the amount. This funding will allow Hermeus to develop a propulsion demonstrator and other initial technologies needed to make its supersonic aircraft a reality, Skyler Shuford, the company's chief operating officer, told Ars. FURTHER READING Supersonic passenger jet firm raises $100 million, aims for 2019 test flights The announcement follows three years after another company, Boom Supersonic, declared its own intentions to develop faster-than-sound aircraft. As of January 2019, Boom had raised more than $140 million toward development of its Overture airliner, envisioned to travel at Mach 2.2, which is about 10 percent faster than the Concorde traveled. Officials with Boom Supersonic have said its planes could be ready for commercial service in the mid-2020s, and they added that Virgin Group and Japan Airlines have preordered a combined 30 airplanes. Nothing too miraculous The type of vehicle Hermeus seeks to develop will travel considerably faster, but Shuford said it will rely mostly on existing technology and materials. "We aren't getting into anything too miraculous," Shuford said. "We want to do engineering, not science." Primary materials will include titanium, and the propulsion system will be powered by a turbine-based, combined-cycle engine. Over the next five years, the company plans to work toward a demonstrator vehicle that travels at Mach 5, before developing aircraft for commercial service eight to 10 years from now, Shuford said. The company boasts founders who are alumni of SpaceX and Blue Origin, and all four of the principal founders came from Generation Orbit, a company that developed a hypersonic rocket plane and other new space technologies. Hermeus also has a notable board of advisors, including former Blue Origin president Rob Meyerson and former Federal Aviation Administration official George Nield. Who We Are | Hermeus About the Hermeus concept. Civilian supersonic service has a checkered record. The Soviet Tupolev supersonic aircraft flew just a few dozen commercial flights back in 1977, and the Concorde, flown by British Airways and Air France beginning in 1976, retired in 2003 after a fatal accident three years earlier that compounded economic problems. Shuford credited the resurgence of interest in faster commercial air travel to two factors. The rise of companies like SpaceX, Blue Origin, Rocket Lab, and Relativity have convinced investors that aerospace can provide long-term financial returns. And the technology today is more mature, and there is better availability of needed materials such as titanium. https://arstechnica.com/science/2019/05/hermeus-announces-plan-to-build-the- fastest-aircraft-in-the-world/ Back to Top Student Works for Safer Skies Aiming to make air travel safer, a 21-year-old Embry-Riddle Worldwide student is helping the Federal Aviation Administration streamline and update part of the system pilots use for navigation. Samridh Sood, a sophomore in the Aeronautics program, worked with Michael Watkins, a senior representative for the FAA in Southeast Asia, Embry-Riddle Assistant Professor and Academic Development Officer Dr. Jack Patel, and Interim Vice-Chancellor and Head of Asia Matthew Flaherty to address the issue of navigation waypoints that have the duplicate names. Airplanes today use GPS to navigate from place to place, but the routes are seldom direct. Instead, pilots use a series of waypoints defined by their geographic coordinates and given names, usually capitalized five-letter words, such as PLGRM - which is near Boston - and TWAIN, which is above the famous writer's birthplace in Missouri. Waypoints, which exist at every altitude at once, give pilots and controllers the aircraft's precise location in the sky. Their names are supposed to be easy to pronounce in English, which is the de-facto language of global aviation communication. Problems can arise, however, when waypoints have the same names. For example, there are at least five waypoints around the world known as SHARK, including one off the coast of Australia and another near Trinidad. A duplicate name could create an issue by causing a plane to turn unexpectedly if the wrong waypoint is accidentally entered into the navigation system. Dr. Patel said Watkins had initially drafted a proposal for the project and approached the Embry-Riddle Asia Campus in Singapore to see if they could help him develop an algorithm that would solve the problem of duplicated waypoint names. The idea was to purge the duplicated waypoints already in the database and generate new five-letter codes. "We decided to develop software which makes new waypoint names," Sood said. "In doing so, we developed new software that can generate new five-letter pronounceable words and this software can also be used to replace the old system." After Watkins requested the help of an Embry-Riddle student with the required IT software development skills to lead the creation of the algorithm the project has taken about eight months of work so far. "This is where Sood stepped in to lead from the front," Dr. Patel said. "This was a pro- bono project that we undertook to kick start our own research work to ultimately benefit global aviation safety." This project is now heading toward its final stages. Two versions of unique and pronounceable waypoint name databases have been created and a third is being enlarged to provide more potential waypoint names for the International Civil Aviation Organization to use. "We have been able to generate approximately 20,000 words after removing the waypoint names that ICAO has already in place," Sood said. "We are looking forward to showing this to the FAA." "By integrating the unique and pronounceable codes we have generated, it will help to improve global aviation safety," Dr. Patel said. "It will reduce the chance of pilots incorrectly selecting the wrong waypoint name." https://news.erau.edu/headlines/student-works-for-safer-skies Back to Top Cost of 2024 Moon Landing Is Still a Mystery NASA has come up with an estimate, but it's still being reviewed by the Office of Management and Budget. Apollo 17 commander Gene Cernan salutes the deployed United States flag on the lunar surface in December 1972.Apollo 17 commander Gene Cernan salutes the deployed United States flag on the lunar surface in December 1972.(Image: © NASA) We'll have to wait a little longer to get an idea of how much it'll cost to put astronauts on the moon by 2024. NASA has calculated a preliminary price tag for this ambitious goal, which U.S. Vice President Mike Pence announced in late March. But that estimate cannot be disclosed at the moment, because it's still being reviewed by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and NASA's chief financial officer, agency officials said. "Right now, it's under review, and we can't come up with [disclose] a number," Mark Sirangelo, special assistant to NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine, said today (May 8) during a hearing of the space and aeronautics subcommittee of the U.S. House of Representatives' Science, Space and Technology committee. "We've provided the information," added Sirangelo, who previously served as executive vice president for Sierra Nevada Space Systems. "The discussions have been very positive and open, and as soon as those discussions are complete and OMB has approved the numbers, they'll provide them to you." Returning humans to the lunar surface has been official U.S. policy since December 2017, when President Donald Trump signed Space Policy Directive 1. NASA intends to establish a sustainable outpost on the moon as well as a small orbiting space station called the Gateway, and use the lessons learned in the construction and operation of these assets to prepare for human missions to Mars in the 2030s. The initial timeline targeted the late 2020s for the first crewed moon landings, which will take place near the lunar south pole. But Pence increased the urgency during a March 26 meeting of the National Space Council. Neither NASA nor the White House has said how much money will likely be needed to ace the 2024 moon shot, so speculation has filled the information vacuum. For example, some reports have suggested that NASA will ask for an additional $8 billion per year over the next five years. Bridenstine shot down those rumors last week, but didn't offer up any figures of his own. "I will tell you that is not accurate," he said at a May 1 hearing of the commerce, justice and science subcommittee of the U.S. Senate Committee on Appropriations. "It is nowhere close to that amount. But I don't want to throw out a number until we have gone through the process with OMB and the National Space Council." CLOSE NASA also has not published a plan detailing how it's going to achieve the 2024 lunar landing - a fact that seems to have rankled some subcommittee members. "In hearings from the last Congress to the present, members of the subcommittee and full committee have repeatedly asked for this road map, only to receive in response a high-level strategy that was delivered over a year and a half late," subcommittee chairwoman Kendra Horn, D-Okla., said in her opening statement during today's hearing. In addition, during the question-and-answer portion of the hearing, Horn noted that Bridenstine promised to provide the Science committee with an amended budget request "very close to April 15." "It's now May 8," Horn said, addressing Sirangelo and fellow hearing participant Bill Gerstenmaier, associate administrator for NASA Human Exploration and Operations. "My question is, what is the reason for the delay, and can you commit to providing this committee with a lunar plan and budget amendment - on what date?" Gerstenmaier responded that the 2020 moon goal is challenging and complex, and NASA is taking the time to get its plans and cost estimates right. But the road map should be ready soon, he said. "We're probably several weeks away - maybe a week to two weeks away - from being able to give you a plan and show you what we have moving forward [in] specifics," Gerstenmaier said. He also stressed, in response to a question from subcommittee member Katie Hill, D- Calif., that the 2024 target is feasible. "I think it's very achievable," Gerstenmaier said. "The challenge will be, can we get through the political process? Can we get the political stability, can we get the funding necessary to go do this in the time frame to move forward? Can we get any legislation relief that we might need, and get a clarity of purpose? Can we get united in this goal enough to move forward at the pace that we'd like to go? That'll be the biggest challenge." Also testifying today before the subcommittee were Jonathan Lunine, director of the Cornell Center for Astrophysics and Planetary Science; Patricia Sanders, chair of the Aerospace Safety Advisory Panel; and Walt Faulconer, president of the Faulconer Consulting Group. https://www.space.com/cost-nasa-2024-moon-landing-mystery.html Back to Top POSITION AVAILABLE: AVIATION ADVISOR Job Description A unique opportunity to bring your aviation expertise and management skills to help Shell drive its operational excellence. Join a team of subject matter experts, applying your aviation expertise, to jointly develop, implement and audit the best safety standards in close collaboration with our worldwide Shell business units. Where you fit in The Shell Aircraft Air Safety and Advisory Group gives advice to 35 Shell Business Units in 30 countries and audits up to 100 aircraft operators on their behalf. This results in substantial financial savings and major improvements in safety and quality. Shell exposure to flying, at 85,000 flying hours per year, equates to the activity of a moderate size airline. The Air Safety & Advisory Group is staffed by a team of Aviation Advisers and is part of Shell Aircraft International which also includes the Corporate Fleet department. At Shell our commitment is to satisfy the world's need for energy with economically, socially and environmentally responsible solutions. We seek a high standard of performance and understand that great ideas can change the world. If you want to work with a group of safety conscious, ambitious and committed professionals then you should consider Shell. We will provide you with the resources to put your ideas into action, possible worldwide opportunities to advance your career, and outstanding benefits and rewards. Join us and let's make a difference together. What's the role? As Aviation Advisor, you're going to be playing a vital role in maintaining and improving our operational excellence. Providing expert advice on the safe and efficient use of aircraft and air transport services in support of the Shell Business Unit aviation strategy. In practice that means you'll be running operational and technical audits of contractors and logistics teams; producing reports in accordance with Shell Aircraft processes and procedures; and making sure any audit recommendations are actioned by aviation management. You can also expect to be involved with air safety accident and incident investigations. Naturally, you'll need to have a strong safety drive for achieving excellence, as well as being skilled at juggling a challenging workload, often with competing business targets. Along with advising on general aviation safety, you'll also lead on specific areas of expertise, which means keeping your technical knowledge up- to-date and relevant. Company Description Shell Nederland BV is a platform for international collaboration, with Shell offering direct employment to around ten thousand people in the Netherlands alone, including roughly 2,800 non-Dutch employees from around 80 countries. Diversity is key at Shell Nederland, and our employees reflect the innovation that stems from a diverse workforce. By joining Shell Nederland, you will benefit from an unrivalled industry- leading development programme that will see you tap into a pool of expert knowledge that will help propel your career. Shell Nederland is the holding company of most Shell companies operating in the Netherlands. Shell Nederland also has an advisory and coordinating role in numerous areas. Requirements You are holder of a valid professional Pilot fixed or rotary wing license (ATPL or equivalent). You have a strong track record in all aspects (incl. management) of aircraft operations and support, as well as an understanding of the commercial and legislative aspects of aviation. The relevant experience in the aviation industry may be gained within an aircraft operating company or equivalent military organization. Extensive knowledge of aviation quality & safety management systems, aviation legislation and their application is required. The ability to write and brief all levels of management succinctly on complex aviation issues is also essential. Shell's aviation professionals are required to travel extensively in support of our work and as such, must be able to travel anywhere in the world. This position is based in The Netherlands on local terms, therefore the applicant must be able to work and live in The Netherlands. Our values Shell is a company with shared values. Honesty, integrity, and respect aren't simply a strapline: they are a part of everything we do. What's more, Shell is an equal opportunities company, and we place the highest possible value on the diversity of our people and our inclusive approach. Join us and you'll belong to a world where you can feel pride in your achievements and propel your career with global opportunities Women's perspective We care deeply about fostering a truly diverse workplace. We believe in doing everything we can to make Shell as flexible, appealing and supportive a place for women to work as possible. We help with things like our formal (and informal) flexible working. Like our global and transparent pay policies, backed by a leadership team fully supportive of our diversity ambitions. And we'll foster your career through our Women's Career Development programme. People with an impairment At Shell, we're all about top talent. End of story. We encourage anyone who may face an impairment to see Shell as a place where you'll be fully supported to grow and develop your career. It's as simple as that. If you'd like to apply, just let us know about your circumstances. We can support you throughout the process: from application, to interview, to your first day of a rewarding career with us. Interested? Please apply via the 'Apply' button. APPLY Back to Top Back to Top GRADUATE RESEARCH SURVEY Dear Aviation Professionals, My name is Marta Delbecchi. I am an MSc student in Organisational Psychiatry and Psychology from King's College London, andas part of my degree requirements I am conducting a research study entitled: The wellbeing of air, marine and rail accident investigators. I am carrying out this research study with the support of Cranfield University's Safety and Accident Investigation Centre. I am looking for current or retired civil air accident investigator to complete an online survey. The purpose of the survey is to learn more about the health and wellbeing of personnel who investigate the causes of accidents and serious incidents in the air, marine, and rail transportation modes. Your participation would be a very important contribution to the current paucity of scientific literature and understanding concerning the psychological and emotional wellbeing of accident investigators. Completing the survey should take no more than 35 minutes of your time and participation in this research study is entirely voluntary and anonymous. All your responses will be treated in the strictest confidence, and you will be able to withdraw from the survey at any time. If you are able to assist by completing the online survey then please email me directly at marta.delbecchi@kcl.ac.uk and I will forward you an information sheet and a link to the survey. Thank you for your kind consideration, Marta Delbecchi Department of Psychosis Studies, PO63 Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience King's College London De Crespigny Park London SE5 8AF Curt Lewis