Flight Safety Information June 4, 2019 - No. 112 In This Issue Incident: SAS CRJ9 at Bergen on Jun 1st 2019, hydraulic failure Incident: Baltic DH8D near Riga on Jun 3rd 2019, loss of cabin pressure Incident: Mahan A313 at Yerevan on May 26th 2019, overran displaced end of runway FAA Clarifies Check Pilot Medical Requirements Pilots sleeping in the cockpit could improve airline safety FAA nominee OK'd retaliation against pilot whistleblower, lawsuit says Airsafety agencies rush to draw up rules for flying taxis CARLISLE AIR JOINS THE ACSF, ENROLLS IN ASAP Delhi-San Francisco Air India flight grounded: Did aircraft fly for 15 hours with crack on door? European Union Lifts Ban on TAAG Angola KLM to fund development of fuel-efficient Flying-V plane Jetstar Japan to cancel 70 flights in June due to pilot shortage Heat and carbon turn plastic waste into jet fuel NASA Still Aiming for 2020 First Launch of Space Launch System Megarocket. GRADUATE RESEARCH SURVEY Beyond Risk Management, Ltd. Position Available: A & P Mechanic Position Available: Investigator/Senior Investigator, Flight Operations Quality Assurance (FOQA) Position Available: Safety Specialist Senior Manager, Advanced Qualification Program ISASI - DFW Regional Chapter Meeting Incident: SAS CRJ9 at Bergen on Jun 1st 2019, hydraulic failure A SAS Scandinavian Airlines Canadair CRJ-900, registration EI-FPJ performing flight SK-257 from Oslo to Bergen (Norway), was on final approach to Bergen's runway 17 when the crew initiated a go around due to a hydraulic failure causing the landing gear to not extend. The crew decided to return to Oslo, performed an alternate gear extension on approach to Oslo and landed safely on Oslo's runway 19R about 65 minutes after the go around and about 105 minutes after departure. The airline reported a hydraulic problem resulting in the inability to lower the landing gear, the crew therefore decided to return to Oslo. http://avherald.com/h?article=4c8c23b1&opt=0 Back to Top Incident: Baltic DH8D near Riga on Jun 3rd 2019, loss of cabin pressure An Air Baltic de Havilland Dash 8-400, registration YL-BAJ performing flight BT-105 from Riga (Latvia) to Stockholm (Sweden), was enroute at FL240 about 80nm northwest of Riga when the crew initiated an emergency descent to FL100 due to the loss of cabin pressure and returned to Riga for a safe landing about 45 minutes after departure. A replacement Dash 8-400 registration YL-BAX reached Stockholm with a delay of 4:15 hours. The occurrence aircraft returned to service about 5 hours after landing. The airline confirmed a loss of cabin pressure prompted the return to Riga. http://avherald.com/h?article=4c8c1e8b&opt=0 Back to Top Incident: Mahan A313 at Yerevan on May 26th 2019, overran displaced end of runway A Mahan Air Airbus A310-300, registration EP-MNV performing flight W5-1150 from Tehran Imam Khomeini (Iran) to Yerevan (Armenia), was on approach to Yerevan's runway 09 (landing distance available 2400 meters/7870 feet) in light tailwind (about 4 knots), when the aircraft became high on final approach but continued the landing for touchdown at 13:25L (09:25Z). Despite maximum braking applied the aircraft overran the displaced end of the runway destroying a runway end light and damaging two tyres before coming to a stop. On Jun 3rd 2019 Iran's AIB reported Armenia's Authorities have delegated the investigation to Iran's AIB. 10 days earlier an Iranian IL-76 had a similiar overrun, see Incident: Pouya IL76 at Yerevan on May 16th 2019, overran displaced end of runway. http://avherald.com/h?article=4c8bf4e2&opt=0 Back to Top FAA Clarifies Check Pilot Medical Requirements The FAA has issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to remove regulatory inconsistencies that have caused reported misunderstandings over the fact that medical certificates are not required for check pilots and instructors at commercial operations who perform their functions in aircraft, as long as they are not serving as part of a required flight crew. "This proposed change would increase the number of experienced pilots who would be able to qualify as Part 135 check pilots on aircraft," the agency said. Current regulations are contradictory. For example, FAR 135.338(b)(5) states that flight instructors (aircraft) must hold at least a third-class medical certificate; however, FAR 135.338(e) states that an airman who does not hold a medical certificate may serve as a flight instructor in an aircraft if functioning as a non-required crewmember. According to the FAA, this confusion has unnecessarily limited airmen to conducting check pilot functions in flight simulation training devices. Changes are also proposed for similar contradictions in Part 121. Requiring a medical certificate for check pilots and flight instructors who are not serving as required flight crewmembers is an "unnecessary burden," the FAA said. "Moreover, there has been no degradation in the safe operation of aircraft resulting from the current application of the regulations during the estimated eight years the agency has allowed eligible check airmen and flight instructors to serve without medical certificates if not serving as required crewmembers." Comments on the NPRM are due August 2. https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/business-aviation/2019-06-03/faa-clarifies-check-pilot-medical-requirements Back to Top Pilots sleeping in the cockpit could improve airline safety Snoozing on the job? A short controlled rest in the cockpit could improve pilot alertness, experts say STEPHEN RICE * SCOTT WINTER Airline pilots are often exhausted. An extreme example happened in 2008, when a pilot and a co-pilot both fell asleep at the controls, missing their landing in Hawaii - earning pilot's license suspensions as well as getting fired. More recently, overtired pilots came very close to landing on top of another airplane at San Francisco International Airport in 2017. It's not uncommon for a pilot for a major commercial airline to, for instance, start work in Florida at 5 p.m., with her first flight departing an hour later for a five-hour trip across the country, arriving in California just after 8 p.m. local time. Then she might get a short break and fly a 90-minute short-hop flight to to another California city. When she lands from this second flight, she has spent six and a half hours of the last nine in the cockpit. She is also three time zones from where she started work, and her body thinks it's 2 a.m. There's no doubt she's tired - and she's lucky not to have encountered any schedule adjustments for aircraft maintenance or weather delays. The airline industry and the government agency that regulates it, the Federal Aviation Administration, have taken steps to reduce pilot fatigue, but many pilots and others remain worried that two pilots are required to remain awake and alert for the entire flight, though one or both may be dealing with symptoms of fatigue. One possible suggestion is letting pilots take brief naps in the cockpit. As researchers of consumer opinions about the airline industry, we've found that the American public is wary of this idea, but may feel better about it once they've heard an explanation of how it actually makes their flights safer. An Air Canada plane flown by overtired pilots nearly lands on a taxiway in San Francisco in 2017. Limiting pilots' work time Pilot fatigue can be difficult to predict or diagnose - especially since tired pilots usually manage to take off, fly and land safely. Even when something goes wrong, accident investigators may have little evidence of fatigue, except perhaps the sound of someone yawning on cockpit audio recordings. In 2014, the FAA imposed the first new pilot-rest rules in 60 years, limiting overall on-duty time and flight hours per day depending on when a pilot's shift starts. The rules also established a process by which pilots can report fatigue without being disciplined by their airlines or the government. Resting in the cockpit It's widely known that a short nap can improve a pilot's alertness. Some planes, such as those commonly used on long international flights, have beds their pilots and other crew can use, but smaller planes don't have the space. Only flights that are longer than eight hours require an additional pilot to be on board so one pilot at a time can rotate out for rest. On shorter flights, U.S. regulations expect both pilots to remain alert for the entire length of the flight, without any chance for rest during the flight. Some countries, including Canada and Australia, allow for pilots to nap in the cockpit. In an example from China, a pilot was caught napping and faced disciplinary action for napping in the cockpit. The official procedure to allow for pilots to nap in the cockpit is called "controlled rest in position." CRIP has established policies and procedures to allow pilots to rest. The rules are strict. The Air Canada Flight Operations Manual, for instance, says a pilot who wants to rest must notify the co-pilot and a flight attendant. The pilot can sleep for no more than 40 minutes, and must wake up at least half an hour before the descent for landing. They get the first 15 minutes after the nap to fully awaken, during which they can't resume actually flying the plane, unless they need to help deal with an emergency. Consumers' opinions As consumer opinion experts, we have conducted a series of studies to see what members of the public think about letting pilots use this CRIP procedure to nap in the cockpit. In general, people are less willing to fly when they know a pilot might be allowed to sleep at the controls, and women are less willing than men. In our research, we find that this is mostly attributed to fear, because they don't understand the benefits of pilot naps. Some of our earlier work has shown that when consumers understand the value of a new procedure, they'll feel better about it. It seems likely that explaining to people how better-rested pilots makes a flight safer could help more people feel comfortable flying in a plane where the CRIP procedure is allowed. What do pilots think? In a follow-up study, we asked pilots what they thought about being allowed to rest in the cockpit during flight - and they were much more enthusiastic than nonpilots. Seventy percent of pilots favored allowing CRIP. On average, all participants who completed the survey felt that naps of 45 minutes should be approved, which was closely related to the 40 minutes suggested by scientific evidence. They also recognized the need for the pilot to be awake at least 30 minutes before beginning the descent to landing. Overall, the participants thought there were very few potential problems with CRIP and said it would be useful. However, some pilots did express worry about unintended consequences of CRIP implementation. The airlines, knowing that pilots could take naps during the flight, might be tempted to impose more rigorous flight schedules that would eliminate any benefits derived from CRIP. Lastly, participants commented on how this procedure is already being used by international carriers such as Air Canada and Qantas with success. So far, those companies' crews have not registered widespread complaints about abuse of scheduling practices, and none of the survey respondents who fly for those airlines complained about this potential problem. Will the U.S. allow it? It is hard to say whether the FAA would ever move to let U.S. pilots nap in the cockpit. The scientific research provides empirical evidence as to its advantages, and while consumers are somewhat hesitant, pilots seem very supportive of it. What is clear is that fatigue in the cockpit remains a threat to the aviation industry worldwide. Given the scientific evidence supporting CRIP to counter fatigue, clearly there is value in considering how it could improve aviation safety. Perhaps it's time to listen to the pilots we trust to fly these airplanes and let them rest when they need to - within reason, and so they can fly more safely. # # # Scott Winter, Assistant Professor of Graduate Studies, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and Stephen Rice, Professor of Human Factors, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University https://www.salon.com/2019/06/03/pilots-sleeping-in-the-cockpit-could-improve-airline-safety_partner/ Back to Top FAA nominee OK'd retaliation against pilot whistleblower, lawsuit says Stephen Dickson, SVP Flight Operations (CNN)A Senate committee is investigating President Donald Trump's nominee to lead the Federal Aviation Administration, Stephen Dickson, for his involvement in a case in which a Delta Air Lines pilot alleged the company retaliated against her -- including sending her to a psychiatrist -- after she shared safety concerns with him. The case, which has not been previously reported, involves Dickson's time as a senior vice president at Delta Air Lines and a Delta pilot who argues the company retaliated against her after she met with him in 2016. Dickson did not disclose the case on his nomination questionnaire to the Senate Commerce Committee. As Delta's then-head of flight operations, Dickson approved sending the pilot, Karlene Petitt, to a psychiatrist weeks after she gave him and another flight operations manager a report that listed what she described as FAA violations by Delta, according to documents. The psychiatrist diagnosed Petitt with bipolar disorder and the company grounded her for more than a year. Two subsequent examinations found that she does not have that disorder, and she is currently flying for Delta. Petitt is suing Delta in a Department of Labor administrative case that remains pending. In a deposition, Dickson said he had ultimate responsibility over the decision to refer Petitt for a mental evaluation and called it a "sound course of action." Dickson retired from Delta last year. Petitt's attorney, Lee Seham, told that CNN Dickson allowed what amounted to retaliation against his client. "This was all a terrible mistake, but it was a terrible mistake that went on for a year and a half because of the lack of diligence that Captain Dickson accepted," Seham said. Commerce committee staffers are currently examining the case, which they learned of after Dickson's confirmation hearing on May 15, according to two committee aides. "Since holding the nomination hearing with Mr. Dickson, new information has come to the committee's attention that merits further examination. The committee has been reviewing this information and I have asked the Department of Transportation and the White House to do the same," said Sen. Roger Wicker, R-Mississippi, the committee's chairman. A Democratic committee aide described the case as concerning, particularly because it was omitted from Dickson's questionnaire. CNN made repeated attempts to contact Dickson but could not reach him for comment. The White House has not responded to request for comments. On his Senate questionnaire, Dickson stated, "During my Delta employment, from time to time and in the ordinary course of business, Delta was involved in various judicial, administrative or regulatory proceedings relating to its business, although I was not a named party in any such actions." On another section that asked for "additional information, favorable or unfavorable, which you feel should be disclosed in connection with your nomination," Dickson responded: "None." Delta denies that the company retaliated against Petitt by referring her to a medical examination after she raised concerns. "Our utmost responsibility is to provide safe and secure travel for our customers and our employees. The very core of our safety program is employee reporting. Every single Delta employee is encouraged and empowered to report potential concerns and we do not tolerate retaliation against employees who raise concerns," Delta spokesperson Catherine Simmons said. Dickson, who is poised to lead the FAA in the midst of controversy surrounding the agency's prior certification of the Boeing 737 Max, has decades of aviation experience as a former Air Force and Delta pilot who became a senior Delta manager responsible for flight safety and pilot training until his retirement last year. Initial complaint and bipolar-disorder diagnosis Petitt's ordeal began more than three years ago when she compiled a list of concerns about Delta. In addition to being a pilot for decades, Petitt has a PhD in aviation. Petitt had witnessed a variety of events and practices involving Delta employees, training and scheduling practices that she believed violated FAA standards. She compiled her concerns into a report that described "numerous areas where safety culture and ... compliance conflict with the FAA's (2013) outlined requirements and the airline's core values," which she presented to Dickson and Delta's then-vice president of flying operations, Jim Graham, in January 2016. In a deposition, Petitt said that Dickson said during that meeting, "Some people like to sit in the back of the room and throw spit wads," which she interpreted as dismissive of her claims. Dickson said in a deposition he did not remember making that statement. A Delta employee-relations manager then conducted an interview with Petitt in March 2016 about some of her claims, during which Petitt became frustrated, and her eyes filled with tears, according to her attorney. That manager reported that Petitt believed "something bad eventually will happen either to her or to a Delta flight," according to documents. Graham held a teleconference with that manager and others and decided to ground Petitt and mandate that she receive a psychiatric evaluation, with Dickson's approval, according to court documents and Petitt's attorney. The mental health evaluation by a Delta-hired psychiatrist resulted in Petitt's bipolar-disorder diagnosis, which rendered her unable to fly. During this time, the FAA sent Petitt a letter in September 2016 that notified her an investigation had substantiated one of her safety concerns. The FAA determined Delta had failed to count employee "deadheading," where the airline provides an employee with a flight to another location, as flight time for computing daily and weekly flight limits, which Petitt said could affect pilot fatigue. The FAA did not substantiate three of her other allegations. While Petitt remained grounded, a panel of doctors from the Mayo Clinic rejected Delta's psychiatric evaluation. Due to the disagreement, Delta's psychiatrist and the Mayo Clinic doctors selected a neutral medical examiner who in turn determined Petitt was medically fit. She began flying for Delta again in 2017. Petitt's attorney Seham said he has no doubt that the decision to ground Petitt, overseen by Dickson, was linked to the safety report she shared, which he said amounts to retaliation by Delta and sends a troubling message to the company's pilots. "What's the impact of safety in terms of the message to 12,000 pilots that after you submit a safety report you're off to a psychiatrist?" Seham said. "Captain Dickson did nothing in terms of stopping what happened." Seham added that he questions the thoroughness with which Dickson and Delta as a whole investigated Petitt's safety concerns. During a deposition, Dickson said he took Petitt's safety allegations "very seriously" and that he appointed his colleague Graham to follow-up and oversee a review of her claims. Dickson also said that his meeting with Petitt served as a catalyst for a company safety audit, though when asked during that deposition about specific determinations reached on some of Petitt's claims, Dickson said he did not remember or was not aware. Delta said a third-party auditor reviewed the company's safety processes in 2016 and provided positive feedback, and that the issue raised by Petitt of not properly counting deadhead time toward flight limits had been addressed and corrected by the time the FAA investigated it. A senior White House adviser tells CNN that Dickson has been cooperating with the committee. "President Trump chose Steve Dickson to head the FAA because of his almost three decades of experience at Delta where he oversaw global flight operations," White House spokesman Judd Deere said in a statement. "The White House has complete confidence in his nomination and expects him to be confirmed." https://www.cnn.com/2019/06/03/politics/faa-nominee-delta-alleged-whistleblower/index.html Back to Top Airsafety agencies rush to draw up rules for flying taxis Several companies aim to begin services within the next 5 to 10 years Aviation safety agencies around the world are rushing to draw up regulations for flying taxis, with a wave of companies promising to be ready to launch services within the next five to 10 years. In Europe, aviation regulator EASA said it was preparing a set of tests to ensure the safety of both the vehicles and the software that will run them. It said its approach to flying taxis, which is at an early stage, would cover operations and maintenance, the competence of operators, noise pollution, and making sure that the software used by the taxis is scrutinised "with the level of robustness needed". "This new certification approach would allow EASA to understand how the software behaves in different circumstances," it said. In the UK, the Civil Aviation Authority has set up a virtual space where flying taxi companies can test their technology, while China's regulator has authorised five companies to explore airworthiness standards and certification by the end of the year. The market for transporting humans around cities could be worth $674bn by 2040, according to a 2018 study by bank Morgan Stanley, and transport company Uber wants to launch an "Uber Air" aerial ride-sharing network by 2023. There are more than 170 companies developing aircraft powered by electricity, consultancy Roland Berger found earlier this year, half of which are for urban air taxis. https://www.ft.com/content/13a8bd1e-82be-11e9-9935-ad75bb96c849 Back to Top CARLISLE AIR JOINS THE ACSF, ENROLLS IN ASAP The Carlisle Air Corporation is the newest aviation company to join the Air Charter Safety Foundation's (ACSF) expanding membership. Air Charter Safety Foundation (ACSF) Washington, DC, June 3, 2019 - The Carlisle Air Corporation is the newest aviation company to join the Air Charter Safety Foundation's (ACSF) expanding membership. The Portsmouth, New Hampshire-based firm, which offers aircraft charter, acquisitions, sales and management, will also participate in the Aviation Safety Action Program (ASAP), created in cooperation between the ACSF and the Federal Aviation Administration. Along with more than 200 other member companies, Carlisle Air supports the ACSF's vision to advance and enable the highest levels of safety in personal and business aviation through the promotion and facilitation of risk management programs. Carlisle's Vice President of Operations, Brendan Tozer, said of his company's recent membership, "We strive to be one of the safest charter operators in the industry, and we see our membership in ACSF as a means to help us accomplish that goal." Tozer also remarked that, "We see the ASAP program as a value-add for our membership in ACSF, so we're looking forward to our active involvement in it." ACSF President Bryan Burns said that he's gratified by Carlisle's decision to join the ACSF. "Clearly, Carlisle Air's rationale for becoming an ACSF member points to its commitment to promoting and practicing safety above and beyond what is considered regulatory." Burns added that the ACSF is particularly pleased that Carlisle Air will also be participating in the ASAP. "This program goes several steps further to identify and reduce possible flight safety concerns, as well as mitigate risk," he said. For further information, visit acsf.aero or carlisle.aero. https://www.aviationpros.com/aircraft/business-general-aviation/press-release/21083088/air-charter-safety-foundation-acsf-carlisle-air-joins-the-acsf-enrolls-in-asap Back to Top Delhi-San Francisco Air India flight grounded: Did aircraft fly for 15 hours with crack on door? The discovery of the glitch before the aircraft took off again comes as a huge relief to passengers who were scheduled to travel on it. Air India flight grounded after landing in San Francisco. • Air India flight 183, which took off from Delhi on Sunday, has been grounded in San Francisco • During the inspection, the crack was discovered on the Boeing B777 aircraft • Air India has sought assistance from local Aircraft Maintenance Repair (AMR) agencies to repair the Boeing aircraft An Air India flight on Monday was grounded after a small crack was found on the bottom-right corner of the aircraft near one of the entry doors. Air India flight 183, which took off from Delhi on Sunday, has been grounded in San Francisco soon after it landed. During the inspection, the crack was discovered on the Boeing B777 aircraft. The New Delhi-San Francisco flight was carrying 225 passengers on board. It left New Delhi on Sunday evening. Airline officials say that the flight AI 183 landed safely without any passenger complaint and that investigation into the matter is on to find what caused the damage. The discovery of the glitch before the aircraft took off again comes as a huge relief to passengers who were scheduled to travel on it. Air India spokesperson Dhananjay Kumar to ANI: Boeing B777 aircraft, VT-ALH arrived in San Francisco on AI 183. During walk around inspection on arrival, a small cut / crack on bottom right corner of left side to entry door. 1/2 Air India has sought assistance from local Aircraft Maintenance Repair (AMR) agencies to repair the Boeing aircraft. Additional assistance including material required for the repairing the aircraft will also be sent from India. However, the biggest question that arises is whether there was any lax on part of the ground forces that cleared that aircraft after inspection. Air India, on the other hand, said that there was a thorough inspection of the aircraft before it was cleared. The passengers, too, had entered the aircraft in New Delhi through an aerobridge and hence there is no possibility of damage at that time says the airline, the airline further clarified. Airline officials also maintained that there was no issue whatsoever with the flight and that the cabin pressurisation was maintained at all times. Aviation expert Mohan Ranganathan says, "Definitely damaged on the ground. If it was mid-air, it won't have jagged edges, some of it is turned inwards." "A hole in the outer skin beyond pressure bulkhead would not affect pressurisation," he said. "The question that arises is why was it not noticed at Delhi during a walk around? For the aircraft to be grounded at SFO, the hole would have been large. Someone must be held accountable," Ranganathan added. Air India operates the New Delhi-San Francisco non-stop flight which takes nearly 16 hours to cover a distance 15,000 kms. At present the return flight AI 184 stands cancelled. "In AI 183, there are 210 pax (passengers). Out of which 50 are shifted to AI 174. 50 are shifted to other airlines. About 25 pax are cancelled their journey by own. Remaining pax are undecided." Said an AI official. Air India had recently made headlines after AI 130 London-Mumbai on May 28 developed oil leak problem and over 270 passengers were indefinitely delayed. The situation got so bad that local police had to be called in for intervention as the angry passengers demanded answers for the delay. The flight finally managed to take off on 30 May. https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/hole-found-in-delhi-san-francisco-air-india-flight-after-landing-grounded-1541680-2019-06-03 Back to Top European Union Lifts Ban on TAAG Angola TAAG Angola became authorized to operate flights that include European airspace, with no restrictions, since it is no longer part of the EU Air Safety List. From 10 to 14 December 2018 experts from the Commission, EASA and Member States conducted a Union on-site assessment visit in Angola at the offices of the competent authority of Angola Instituto Nacional da Aviaηγo Civil (INAVIC) and at three air carriers certified in Angola, namely TAAG, SonAir and Heli Malongo. INAVIC follows an approach to aviation safety that lacks modern aviation safety management techniques. However, Angola has clearly made progress since the last Union on-site assessment visit in June 2009. Angola updated its aviation safety legislative framework and developed new technical regulations, called 'Normativas Tιcnicas Aeronαuticas' (NTA). The NTAs cover almost all ICAO annexes, except Annex 19. INAVIC is working on a further revision of the NTAs. INAVIC developed and internally approved a set of procedures to cover aviation surveillance obligations. However, there are still some shortcomings in the internal procedures, control of documents, consistent recording of files and training of the inspectors. Against those shortcomings, the current management of INAVIC clearly expressed the will to improve the capability and effectiveness of INAVIC in its day-to-day work. INAVIC should also implement a quality management function. The Union on-site assessment raised 15 observations to the oversight activities of INAVIC. It also concluded that while INAVIC has developed certain capabilities to oversee the aviation activities in Angola, further improvements are indispensable in order for INAVIC to be able to address arising safety deficiencies. TAAG, the flag carrier of Angola, has a well-functioning and solid Safety Management System in place that generates useful data to the air carrier. The senior management of the company has a good understanding of those systems and uses them to identify risks and to take the appropriate measures to mitigate the highest risks to acceptable levels. The Quality Management System is robust and functional. TAAG has developed the required manuals, such as (but not limited to) Maintenance Control Manual, Maintenance Procedure Manual, Extended-range Twin-engine Operation Performance Standards Manual and Reduced Vertical Separation Minima Manual containing the policies and detailing the associated procedures, which are approved by INAVIC. The certifying staff is properly trained on the operated aircraft types. Overall, TAAG has a professional crew and staff with functioning systems to manage the various operations. The management receives and acts on safety and quality information and analysis, promulgates that information and takes action through internal publications, in electronic form or otherwise. The latest published results of the IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) shows a 99,3 % conformity rate. On 3 April 2019, the Commission and the Air Safety Committee heard INAVIC and the air carriers TAAG and Heli Malongo. INAVIC presented the actions taken following the Union's on-site assessment visit, including the changes made in the Angolan legislative framework. In March 2019, the new Civil Aviation Law was approved and, according to this law, INAVIC will be recognized as an entity administratively and financially autonomous. INAVIC informed the Commission and the Air Safety Committee about its commitment to improving its Effective Implementation of international safety standards to a level above 60 percent and, for this purpose, INAVIC will receive external technical assistance. In addition, by the end of 2019, INAVIC intends to develop and implement a quality assurance function and an integrated methodology to allow uniformity and common electronic access to all its technical documentation. INAVIC has made progress with respect to the implementation of international safety standards. The Commission welcomes the efforts made and encourages the Angolan authorities and INAVIC to continue those efforts. However, the currently available evidence, notably from the Union's on-site assessment visit, does not allow to conclude that the progress made is sufficiently strong to remove all the air carriers registered in Angola and overseen by INAVIC from Annex A to Regulation (EC) No 474/2006. Indeed, INAVIC should make further improvements to its safety oversight system as well as to the training and the standardization of the working methods of its inspectors. During the hearing, TAAG and Heli Malongo presented their corrective action plans addressing the observations and recommendations of the Union's on-site assessment visit. A part of the actions described in the corrective action plans has already been implemented. During the hearing, both air carriers claimed that they had robust and functional systems in place to manage various operations. The Commission concludes that TAAG and Heli Malongo are both capable of ensuring the safe conduct of their respective operations. The Commission considers that there is sufficient evidence that both carriers comply with applicable Angolan regulations and international safety standards. With regard to TAAG, EASA confirmed that with regard to TCO and SAFA this air carrier at present does not give rise to specific safety concerns. https://aviationtribune.com/airlines/africa/european-union-lifts-ban-on-taag-angola/ Back to Top KLM to fund development of fuel-efficient Flying-V plane In the wings: Dutch airline KLM has agreed to find development of V-shaped aircraft known as the Flying-V, which incorporates the passenger cabin, fuel tanks and cargo hold into the wings. (CNN) - The development of a V-shaped, fuel-efficient airplane design known as the Flying-V is getting a boost with the announcement that Dutch national carrier KLM Royal Dutch Airlines will help to fund it. Intended to improve the sustainability of air travel, the Flying-V was conceived by Justus Benad, then a student at the Technical University of Berlin, and developed by researchers at Delft University of Technology in the Netherlands, also known as TU Delft. Its futuristic design incorporates the passenger cabin, fuel tanks and cargo hold into the wings. The passenger cabin, fuel tanks and cargo hold are all incorporated into the plane's wings in the Flying-V design. It's claimed the plane will use 20% less fuel than the Airbus A350-900 while carrying a similar number of passengers -- the Flying-V will seat 314, while the Airbus A350 seats between 300 and 350. The design also mirrors the A350's 65-meter (213 feet) wingspan, enabling it to use existing airport infrastructure. "In recent years, KLM has developed as a pioneer in sustainability within the airline industry," Pieter Elbers, CEO and president of KLM, said in a statement. "We are proud of our progressive cooperative relationship with TU Delft, which ties in well with KLM's strategy and serves as an important milestone for us on the road to scaling-up sustainable aviation." TU Delft project leader Roelof Vos said such innovation was needed as a stepping stone to greater efficiency while technology was still being developed to create large-scale electric airplanes. "Aviation is contributing about 2.5% of global CO2 emissions, and the industry is still growing, so we really need to look at more sustainable airplanes," he told CNN. "We cannot simply electrify the whole fleet, as electrified airplanes become way too heavy and you can't fly people across the Atlantic on electric airplanes -- not now, not in 30 years," Vos said. "So we have to come up with new technologies that reduce fuel burn in a different way. "We've been flying these tube and wing airplanes for decades now, but it seems like the configuration is reaching a plateau in terms of energy efficiency," he said. "The new configuration that we propose realizes some synergy between the fuselage and the wing. The fuselage actively contributes to the lift of the airplane, and creates less aerodynamic drag." The plane's increased fuel efficiency is largely a result of its aerodynamic design, Vos explained, although its reduced weight also contributes. The researchers hope to fly a scale model this September, Vos said, while a mock-up of the new cabin design will be open to the public at Amsterdam's Schiphol airport in October, as part of KLM's 100th anniversary celebrations. The completed plane is expected to enter service between 2040 and 2050. The design still requires rigorous testing, Vos told CNN. "We've done numerical testing and preliminary wind tunnel tests, but we need to do much more testing in wind tunnels -- high speed and low speed -- to demonstrate that this airplane is efficient as we think." https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/klm-flying-v-plane-scli-intl/index.html Back to Top Jetstar Japan to cancel 70 flights in June due to pilot shortage Low-cost carrier Jetstar Japan will cancel 70 domestic and international flights in June due to a shortage of pilots. The canceled flights will affect an estimated 7,500 customers, the airline said. According to Jetstar Japan, some of its pilots had to take an extended leave from work due to illness, Fuji TV reported Tuesday. In addition, multiple delays to its training schedule prevented the airline from securing enough pilots to operate scheduled flights. On Monday, officials from Jetstar Japan said that the pilot shortage was "due to a slip-up in shift management." The carrier said pilots are taking days off in June to make up for missing holidays during the busy 10-day-long Golden Week period. Jets said it expects its normal schedule to resume in July. https://japantoday.com/category/business/budget-airline-jetstar-japan-to-cancel-70-flights-in-june-due-to-pilot-shortage Back to Top Heat and carbon turn plastic waste into jet fuel Hanwu Lei and his team at WSU Commonly used to make a wide variety of items, low-density polyethylene can be recycled into new plastic, but there's much more waste than recycling facilities can currently handle. With that in mind, scientists have now devised a method of converting the material into something else - jet fuel. Led by Assoc. Prof. Hanwu Lei, a team at Washington State University started with low-density polyethylene waste obtained from sources such as plastic bags, milk cartons and water bottles. They then ground that plastic into granules measuring approximately 3 mm across, or approximately the size of a grain of rice. Those granules were then placed inside of what's known as a tube reactor, on top of a bed of activated carbon. The plastic and carbon were subsequently heated to a range of 430 to 571 ΊC (806 to 1,060 ΊF), resulting in a thermal decomposition process called pyrolysis. With the carbon acting as a catalyst, this caused the plastic to break down and release its stored hydrogen content. After testing seven different types of activated carbon, the team was ultimately able to obtain a mix of 85 percent jet fuel and 15 percent diesel fuel from the plastic. Those fuels can be separated from one another, plus the carbon can also be separated for subsequent reuse, and can be reactivated once it starts losing its catalytic effect. Overall, it's claimed to be a very efficient process, and it could reportedly be scaled up to industrial levels with little problem. "We can recover almost 100 percent of the energy from the plastic we tested," says Lei. "The fuel is very good quality, and the byproduct gasses produced are high quality and useful as well." A paper on the research was recently published in the journal Applied Energy. British Airways may be interested in the findings, as the airline has announced plans for a facility that would convert garbage - such as plastic waste - into jet fuel. https://newatlas.com/plastic-waste-jet-fuel/59968/ Back to Top NASA Still Aiming for 2020 First Launch of Space Launch System Megarocket A first launch of the SLS before the end of 2020 is still doable, provided the core stage is completed by the end of 2019 and the green run test wrapped up in under six months.A first launch of the SLS before the end of 2020 is still doable, provided the core stage is completed by the end of 2019 and the green run test wrapped up in under six months.(Image: © NASA) WASHINGTON - NASA believes it is still possible to perform the first launch of the Space Launch System before the end of 2020 even if the agency decides to retain some version of a key static-fire test of the rocket's core stage. Speaking at a May 28 meeting of the NASA Advisory Council's human exploration and operations committee, Bill Hill, deputy associate administrator for exploration systems development, said that the agency has yet to decide whether to perform what's known as the "green run," where the core stage and its four RS-25 engines are fired for eight minutes on a test stand at the Stennis Space Center in Mississippi. "We provided the agency with a recommendation. The agency is contemplating it," he said, not discussing what that recommendation stated about the green run. "Today, our baseline is a green run." NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine told a House committee March 27 that the agency was considering skipping the green run and instead shipping the core stage directly from its manufacturing site, the Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans, to the Kennedy Space Center. A brief test firing of the stage would take place on the pad at KSC in place of the full green run test. Skipping the green run test could cut several months from the schedule of the long-delayed SLS. However, many outside NASA raised concerns about doing away with the green run test entirely. "There is no other test approach that will gather the critical full-scale integrated propulsion system operational data required to ensure safe operations," Patricia Saunders, chair of the Aerospace Safety Advisory Panel, said at a meeting of her committee April 25. "I cannot emphasize more strongly that we advise NASA to retain this test." While Hill said no decision has been made about the green run test, it would likely be adjusted if it is retained. "We're looking to optimize it, make it as short as possible," he said. NASA has assigned Bill Wrobel, the former director of NASA's Wallops Flight Facility, to be the "point person" for planning for the green run. Those changes include adding an additional shift of workers. "One of the things we discovered that was a little bit disappointing was that their schedule was basically based on a single shift," Hill said. NASA is now looking two 10-hour shifts to speed up work. Those changes, he said, should limit the total schedule needed for the green run to six months or less. If Boeing, the SLS core stage prime contractor, is able to complete the stage and ship it to Stennis by the end of this year, that would allow the core stage to go to KSC by the end of June 2020, assuming the green run test goes as planned. If so, he added, "that in itself could still support a late 2020 launch date" for the first SLS launch, formerly known as Exploration Mission (EM) 1 but recently renamed Artemis-1 as part of the agency's decision to call the overall lunar exploration effort the Artemis program. "Obviously, everything has to go perfectly" to maintain that 2020 launch date, he said, "but there's a shot." Other elements of the Artemis-1 mission are also coming together, notably the Orion spacecraft that will be launched into cislunar space on that uncrewed flight. The crew module and the European-built service module are completing testing at KSC and will be integrated later this summer, then shipped to NASA's Plum Brook Station in Ohio in August or September for environmental testing before returning to KSC late in the year. That work on Orion is "fifty-some" days behind schedule, Hill said. "We're working that to see if we can recover some of that." https://www.space.com/nasa-still-aiming-for-2020-first-sls-launch.html Back to Top GRADUATE RESEARCH SURVEY Dear Participants, You are being asked to participate in a research study to develop a trust in air traffic controllers scale. This study is expected to take approximately 5 minutes of your time. In order to participate, you must be a resident of the United States, at least 18 years old, and a certified pilot. Participation in this study is voluntary, and you may choose to opt out of the study at any time. If you choose to opt out, your data will be immediately destroyed. We appreciate your consideration and time to complete our study. Please click on or copy and paste the URL below: https://forms.gle/DmMB9fXSupVa5oTGA For more information, please contact: Brad Baugh, Ph.D. in Aviation Student baughfd0@my.erau.edu Back to Top Back to Top POSITION: A & P Mechanic Maintenance APMEC01149 • Denver, CO, USA Job Details Description Frontier Airlines is committed to offering 'Low Fares Done Right' to more than 60 destinations in the United States, Dominican Republic, and Mexico on more than 270 daily flights. Headquartered in Denver, Frontier's hard-working aviation professionals pride themselves in delivering the company's signature Rocky Mountain hospitality to customers. Frontier Airlines is the proud recipient of the Federal Aviation Administration's 2015 Diamond Award for maintenance excellence and was recently named the industry's most fuel-efficient airline by The International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT) as a result of superior technology and operational efficiencies. The Aircraft Maintenance Mechanic ("A&P Mechanic") is a working member of the maintenance organization and is tasked with completing required maintenance on aircraft in a timely manner and in accordance with policy and procedure. Duties of this position include, but are not limited to: • Perform and assist approved work by their leads within the scheduled shift • Ensure completeness of all assigned work documents and records • Coordinate all activities with lead mechanic in charge or station supervisor • Research all pertinent information and material for work scheduled on aircraft and carefully follow processes as outlined • Assist in the clean up of the maintenance work area • Maintain cleanliness of maintenance areas at all times • Ensure that all tools (both personal and company owned) are removed from the aircraft, aircraft engines, appliances, and components • Always maintain positive tool control accountability • Immediately report lost and/or found tools to management • Enter completed work into maintenance tracking software systems • Comply with and implement the necessary procedures in the MEL/CDL/NEF Program • Make FMIS entries as required • Maintain currency in training requirements This is a bargaining unit position with schedule, shift and pay determined by seniority. All A&P Mechanics may be required to participate in AOG field trips as outlined in the labor contract. Job Requirements: Qualifications • FAA-certified mechanic with Airframe and Powerplant ratings • 2 years of experience performing heavy aircraft maintenance to include: maintenance checks, engine changes, landing gear replacement, structural repairs, flight control rigging, etc. or Airbus 319/320/321 aircraft or similar heavy aircraft Knowledge, Skills and Abilities • Must complete differences training as necessary • Must obtain Taxi and Run-up qualification within 6 months of start • Must be able to perform strenuous work requiring lifting, pushing, and/or pulling of objects in excess of 100lbs. occasionally and objects in excess of 50lbs. regularly • Demonstrated safety-consciousness • Ability to work well as part of a team • Strong interpersonal communication skills - both verbally and in writing • Ability to effectively manage multiple tasks and priorities • Demonstrated timeliness and dependability APPLY HERE Back to Top Investigator/Senior Investigator, Flight Operations Quality Assurance (FOQA) Date: May 16, 2019 Location: Ft Worth, TX, US Req ID: 29714 Location: Flight Training Academy (DFW-FTRN) Additional Locations: None Requisition ID: 29714 Overview Join us for a career with endless possibilities. Looking for a job where a passion for innovation, a culture of teamwork, and opportunities for growth are valued and rewarded? You've come to the right place. You don't have to be an airline aficionado to join American Airlines. It takes more than cool planes to keep us ahead of the curve, and thanks to our team of behind the scenes professionals, we do just that. As the largest airline in the world, American Airlines is in the business of serving the global travel needs of our customers. At the core of the Company is our commitment to each customer and each employee. We are dedicated to developing and delivering what our customers value and are willing to pay for. Customer-centric planning, innovative marketing, and an exceptional customer experience are supported by a cadre of talented people. What does it take to join us? We're glad you asked! We expect exceptional skills in your discipline and a dedication to being the best as we relentlessly pursue our goal of being not just the largest airline in the world, but also the best airline in the world. Fortunately, we're building on almost a century of innovation and firsts in our industry - and we plan to continue that tradition of excellence. About this job This job is a member of the Investigating team within the Integrated Operations Division. This position will be responsible for providing analysis of operational flight data as well as producing reports and presentations for the Flight Operation Quality Assurance (FOQA) Program. Specifically, you'll do the following: • Conducts daily work flow processes for the FOQA program • Assesses events and trends, identifies operational hazards, and validates corrective actions • Develops new data analysis products and methodologies for data mining • Coordinates with the Flight Department for data analysis needs • Coordinates regularly with Allied Pilot Association (APA) FOQA gatekeepers • Coordinates with Tech Ops Department regarding support of the FOQA program About the Job (Continued) • Creates flight animations of actual events for use in operational departments • Assists with accident and incident investigations • Participates in FOQA Monitoring Team meetings • Participates and contributes to the American Airlines SMS process • Develops, prepares and presents analysis of flight data • Represents American Airlines at industry FOQA related meetings Qualifications Required Qualifications • Bachelor's Degree in related field or equivalent experience/training • 3 years related job experience • Experience working with data mining tools such as Tableau, Business Objects, Access, etc. • Experience performing data analysis and building various related reports in MS Office products • Knowledge of aeronautical theory and aviation operations as applied to commercial aircraft • Proficient using MS Office software • Must fulfill background checks to qualify for unescorted access privileges to airport security identification display areas (SIDA), if applicable • Must be able to secure appropriate airport authority and/or US Customs security badges, if applicable • Must be able to handle multiple projects with changing deadlines Qualifications (Continued) Preferred Qualifications • Bachelor's Degree in Information Technology, Mathematics, Engineering, or Statistics • Basic Programming knowledge/experience • Master's degree in related field • Previous experience within a FOQA program • Familiarity with GE Aviation flight data software (previously Austin Digital) • Experience using CEFA animation software • Private pilot license or higher • Experience at an air carrier APPLY NOW Back to Top JOB TITLE: SAFETY SPECIALIST REPORTS TO: DIRECTOR OF SAFETY Summary: The Safety Specialist will assist the Director of Safety in managing all aspects of occupational health and safety. This will require working with all levels of Field Crew personnel as well as Management and Customers. Duties and Responsibilities include but are not limited to the following: • Plans, develops, implements, and monitors effectiveness of safety promotional and educational campaigns. • Conduct site audits, vehicle inspections, equipment inspections, and work with company leadership to help address any deficiencies. • Determines organizational safety problems through performance of incident/accident root cause analysis. • Design and implement workplace processes and procedures that help protect workers from hazardous work conditions. • Investigate incident and accidents to identify root causes and assist with resolving action items. • Finds creative modification to cultures or mind sets to improve safety performance. • Foster discussion and feedback from site operational teams on possible new safety programs or initiatives. • Keep appraised of new rules, regulations, special bulleting and emergency orders that affect company operations. Assist in interpreting and applying the changes efficiently. • Assist in designing programs to control, eliminate and prevent accident/incidents. • Assist to facilitate the coordination and delivery of safety meetings, safety tours, and safety trainings. • Any other duties as assigned. Qualification Requirements • Safety degree, certification or related technical undergraduate degree preferred. • 5+ Years of experience in construction industry safety and occupational safety and health arena preferred. • Construction safety background within the bulk power/electric power transmission industry is required. • Prior exposure to rotary-wing aviation or aviation background is preferred. Skills: Employee should posses the following skills in order to perform the duties of this job efficiently. • Oral and Written Communication Skills • Reading Skills • Technical Communication • Customer Service • Diplomacy • Professionalism • Strong Organization • Time Management • Computer Proficiency • Math Aptitude • Ability to adapt to changing priorities • Team Player Apply to: jboog@haverfield.com Back to Top Senior Manager, Advanced Qualification Program Location:Ft Worth, TX, US Location: Flight Training Academy (DFW-FTRN) Additional Locations: None Requisition ID: 29419 Overview Join us for a career with endless possibilities. Looking for a job where a passion for innovation, a culture of teamwork, and opportunities for growth are valued and rewarded? You've come to the right place. You don't have to be an airline aficionado to join American Airlines. It takes more than cool planes to keep us ahead of the curve, and thanks to our team of behind the scenes professionals, we do just that. As the largest airline in the world, American Airlines is in the business of serving the global travel needs of our customers. At the core of the Company is our commitment to each customer and each employee. We are dedicated to developing and delivering what our customers value and are willing to pay for. Customer-centric planning, innovative marketing, and an exceptional customer experience are supported by a cadre of talented people. What does it take to join us? We're glad you asked! We expect exceptional skills in your discipline and a dedication to being the best as we relentlessly pursue our goal of being not just the largest airline in the world, but also the best airline in the world. Fortunately, we're building on almost a century of innovation and firsts in our industry - and we plan to continue that tradition of excellence. About The Job Responsible to the Director, Standards, to assist in achieving the objective of providing a corps of proficient pilots, flight attendants, dispatchers, instructors/evaluators, and assist with department support programs which ensure a safe and efficient flying operation. The Senior Manager, AQP will coordinate application, update and continual improvement of the Advanced Qualification Program, and ensure regular updates to all American Airlines pilot training curricula, as required. Specifically, you'll do the following: • Coordinate the development and standardization of all flight training curriculum including Distance Learning • Subject Matter Expert for all training curriculum • Oversee content, currency and standardization of training curriculum and documents • Coordinate revisions of training curriculum and documents • Oversee flight training data collection, analysis and reporting; monitor for trends and/or anomalies • Provide leadership for AQP development • Develop and manage the ISD process mechanisms • Communicate program objectives, goals, and accomplishments to management and check airmen • Supervise development of software requirements/specifications for database/program changes related to flight training • Primary contact with FAA for AQP document approval About The Job (Continued) • Primary contact with FAA and other external organizations for training development issues • Ensure compliance with FAA, Department of Defense, One World Alliance, and IATA Operational Safety Audits (IOSA) and other training requirements • Participate in safety risk management processes within Flight Operations and Flight Training and Standards that support the principles of Safety Management System (SMS) described in FAA Advisory Circular 120-92 (as amended) and the company Operations Policy Manual • Oversee Instructor/Evaluator Standards Program • Interface with Training Planning and Scheduling to coordinate and approve TMS master-plan changes • Verify policy and procedure compliance and communicate to Instructors/Evaluators • Co-chair Operations Data Analysis Working Group (ODAWG) Qualifications Required Qualifications • Bachelor's Degree in related field or equivalent experience/training • 5 years related job experience • Experience in data analysis & statistical methods such as regression modeling, forecasting, and process control • Experience with document publishing, including document creation, distribution, and management • Experience with Instructional System Design (ISD) processes • Experience with project management • Demonstrated ability to effectively prioritize, organize, and multi-task in a dynamic work environment • Expert level expertise with Microsoft Office (emphasis on Word, Excel & PowerPoint) • Proficiency in the use of Microsoft Access • Flexibility with work schedule and excellent attendance record • Ability to multi-task Qualifications (Continued) Preferred Qualifications • 5 years of aviation training or safety experience in FAR Part 121 or 135 operations, military operations, or equivalent experience • Development experience with software such as Cognos, Tableau, or Microsoft Power BI • Demonstrated database management skills • Ability to demonstrate proficiency with Adobe Framemaker • Experience with document publishing, including document creation and distribution • Experience with regulatory compliance and audit processes APPLY NOW Curt Lewis