Flight Safety Information June 6, 2019 - No. 114 In This Issue Nobody wants to fly on the disastrous 737 Max, even if Boeing fixes it Incident: Mauritius A359 at Paris on Jun 4th 2019, gear problem on departure Incident: Joon A321 at Porto on Jun 4th 2019, smoke on board Incident: Canada Rouge B763 at Athens on Jun 5th 2019, rejected takeoff due to engine failure Incident: ANA B788 near Tokyo on Jun 1st 2019, loss of cabin pressure Failure to follow maintenance procedures in engine change causes DC-3 engine failure in Sweden New 3D scanners at London's Heathrow Airport mean liquids can stay in your case CPR Classes Offered While You Wait at DFW Airport Group calls for boycott of airlines that use facial recognition software EASA Issues First Space-based ADS-B Surveillance as a Service Certification FSF Speaker Series Luncheon to Focus on Emerging Transportation Safety Issues FAA Issues Waiver for Drones With Parachutes to Fly Over People FAA to issue $840M in infrastructure grants to hundreds of US airports New aircraft wing structure is flexible and lightweight Alaska Life hack: Iditarod Air Force seeking pilots Why Mitsubishi Heavy May Want Bombardier's Money-Losing CRJ Regional Jet Line Wheels Up's Acquisition Of TMC Jets Heats Up The Battle For Private Jet Fliers Space Act Calls for Protection of Apollo 11 Landing Site GRADUATE RESEARCH SURVEY CHC and SCSI Partner to Offer Operators a Chance to Earn Spot in Certificate Program Position: Manager Air Investigations Beyond Risk Management, Ltd. ERAU to offer July HFACS Workshop in Vegas Position Available: A & P Mechanic Position Available: Investigator/Senior Investigator, Flight Operations Quality Assurance (FOQA) ISASI - DFW Regional Chapter Meeting Nobody wants to fly on the disastrous 737 Max, even if Boeing fixes it Earlier this year, a Boeing 737 Max 8 crashed in Ethiopia, claiming the lives of all 157 people on board. The crash was the second tragic loss of a 737 Max 8 full of passengers within several months, leading aviation authorities to ground the planes until the company and safety officials could determine what went wrong. Plenty of news regarding the troubled planes has surfaced in the intervening months, revealing that certain software features of the planes' computer systems are likely to blame for both crashes. Pilots are understandably upset that the issue wasn't addressed after the first crash (or, even better, before the planes were allowed to fly), but Boeing now has an even larger problem on its hands: Nobody wants to ride in its shiny new planes. As the Los Angeles Times reports, air travelers are now wary about climbing aboard a 737 in the future, and understandably so. A new survey released by the Atmosphere Research Group suggests that nearly half of all travelers would actually be willing to avoid a 737 Max flight even if it meant having to pay more for an alternate trip. A full 20 percent of respondents said they'd be completely avoiding the 737 Max if and when the fleet is finally cleared for travel once more. A mere 14 percent said they were definitely willing to take a trip in one of the troubled planes. The survey, which included some 2,000 recent fliers who answered 38 questions for the poll, doesn't look good for Boeing, which now has around 350 of the 737 Max aircraft collecting dust while officials sort out how to proceed. The company tested software upgrades that could prevent similar crashes in the future, but with two incredibly tragic crashes within the last year, convincing the traveling public that the planes are air-worthy again will take a lot of work. https://www.yahoo.com/news/nobody-wants-fly-disastrous-737-152147516.html Back to Top Incident: Mauritius A359 at Paris on Jun 4th 2019, gear problem on departure An Air Mauritius Airbus A350-900, registration 3B-NBP performing flight MK-45 from Paris Charles de Gaulle (France) to Mauritius (Mauritius), was climbing out of runway 26R when the crew stopped the climb at FL100 due to an abnormal gear indication. The aircraft dumped fuel and returned to Paris for a safe landing on runway 26R about 45 minutes after departure. The airline reported the aircraft returned to Paris as a precaution following a technical problem. The aircraft remained on the ground for about 32 hours, then departed again for the flight. http://avherald.com/h?article=4c8d72af&opt=0 Back to Top Incident: Joon A321 at Porto on Jun 4th 2019, smoke on board A Joon Airbus A321-200 on behalf of Air France, registration F-GTAK performing flight AF-1529 from Porto (Portual) to Paris Charles de Gaulle (France), was climbing out of Porto's runway 35 when the crew stopped the climb at about FL290 due to smoke on board and decided to return to Porto for a safe landing on runway 35 about 55 minutes after departure. The airline reported a recirculation fan had failed causing the smoke. A replacement A321-200 registration F-GTAZ reached Paris in the wee hours the following morning with a delay of 8.5 hours. The occurrence aircraft remained on the ground for about 17 hours, then positioned to Paris and resumed service. http://avherald.com/h?article=4c8d7115&opt=0 Back to Top Back to Top Incident: Canada Rouge B763 at Athens on Jun 5th 2019, rejected takeoff due to engine failure An Air Canada Rouge Boeing 767-300, registration C-GSCA performing flight RV-1901 from Athens (Greece) to Toronto,ON (Canada) with 189 passengers and 9 crew, was accelerating for takeoff from Athens' runway 21L when upon selection of initial thrust the crew noticed a slight yaw. When the engines (CF6) accelerated to takeoff thrust a rumbling noise could be heard. When the aircraft accelerated through 80 KIAS the right hand engine began to roll back and became unresponsive to thrust commands. The crew rejected takeoff at 110 KIAS and stopped about 2000 meters/6600 feet down on the runway having become disabled as two outboard main tyres had blown. The crew declared PAN, emergency services responded. http://avherald.com/h?article=4c8d6f85&opt=0 Back to Top Incident: ANA B788 near Tokyo on Jun 1st 2019, loss of cabin pressure An ANA All Nippon Airways Boeing 787-8, registration JA828A performing flight NH-171 from San Jose,CA (USA) to Tokyo Narita (Japan) with 151 passengers and 12 crew, was enroute at FL430 about 300nm northeast of Tokyo Narita when the crew initiated an emergency descent due to the loss of cabin pressure. The aircraft levelled off at FL100 and continued to Tokyo for a safe landing on Narita's runway 16R about 55 minutes after leaving FL430. Japan's TSB reported the crew received indications both air conditioning systems became inoperative, declared emergency and performed a descent to about 3000 meters. After levelling off at 3000 meters the crew cancelled emergency and continued to Tokyo. An investigation has been opened. Japan's Ministry of Transport rated the occurrence a serious incident. When the aircraft was enroute at FL430 over the Pacific Ocean one of the air conditioning systems failed, the other system failed a few minutes later. The occurrence aircraft has not yet returned to service about 105 hours after landing. http://avherald.com/h?article=4c8d41ba&opt=0 Back to Top Failure to follow maintenance procedures in engine change causes DC-3 engine failure in Sweden Date: 14-AUG-2018 Time: 17:54 Type: Douglas DC-3C Owner/operator: Flygande Veteraner Registration: SE-CFP C/n / msn: 13883 Fatalities: Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 5 Other fatalities: 0 Aircraft damage: Substantial Category: Serious incident Location: near Linkφping City Airport (LPI/ESSL) - Sweden Phase: Take off Nature: Ferry/positioning Departure airport: Linkφping-Saab Airport (LPI/ESSL) Destination airport: Vδsterεs-Hasslo Airport (VST/ESOW) Investigating agency: SHK Sweden Narrative: The aircraft stranded at Groningen Airport, the Netherlands on Friday 13 July when a loss of oil pressure was noted when starting up engine no.1. It turned out that this was caused by some internal engines that necessitated an engine change. This was accomplished and the aircraft took off on August 14, bound for Sweden. It was flown without remark to Linkφping. When the aircraft took off again towards Stockholm/Vδsterεs Airport, the fire warning for the left engine was activated. The crew feathered the engine and activated the fire extinguishing system, but this had limited effect. The crew informed air traffic control of the fire, carried out a visual approach, which was aborted with a go-around, and then landed on the opposite runway. The brakes gave no effect during the landing roll. The running engine was turned off, the aircraft left the runway and stopped on the strip. The aircraft was evacuated and the airport rescue services extinguished the engine fire. There were no injuries sustained. However, there was substantial damage on the aircraft's left engine nacelle and its accessory compartment. The investigation of the wreckage revealed that three screws were missing on the exhaust collector. This led to parts of the exhaust system coming loose and to the exhaust flow causing a fire in the left engine, igniting oil residue and melting parts of the engine cowling. Several hydraulic lines melted and subsequently leaked oil, which added combustible to the fire. The control valve of the cowl flaps was not closed according to the emergency checklist. The engine change in Groningen deviated from the operator service manual, as it was carried out without a work order. The operator has taken measures to ensure, among other things, that a work order is used in specially planned maintenance. The incident was caused by the engine change being carried out without following the operator's established procedures for specially planned maintenance. The following factors contributed to the extent of the fire: - The design of the existing hydraulic system, which does not allow the hydraulic oil to be isolated from engine zone 2. - The failure to close the control valve of the cowl flaps (item "trail-off" in the engine fire emergency checklist). Accident investigation: Investigating agency: SHK Sweden Status: Investigation completed Duration: 9 months Download report: Final report https://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/wiki.php?id=214439 Back to Top New 3D scanners at London's Heathrow Airport mean liquids can stay in your case Heathrow will become the first airport in the UK to introduce 3D CT scanners. London (CNN) - Passengers at London's Heathrow Airport could soon pass through security without removing liquids and laptops from hand luggage, under plans to introduce high-tech 3D scanners to help ease delays spent waiting in line. Heathrow, the UK's busiest airport with 40 million departing passengers last year, is investing over £50 million ($63 million) in the next-generation CT scanners. By 2022, when the new equipment is expected to be fully rolled out, the time-consuming process of placing liquids and laptops separately in trays could be a thing of the past. A representative for the airport told CNN that the scanners will allow security officials to see inside bags in much greater detail, allowing them to dissect items in 3D layers. Current technology only uses X-rays, which offer a much more limited vision of contents. The technology won't alter the 100ml limit on liquids -- an international rule introduced in 2006 following a plot to bomb a transatlantic flight using explosives stored in a drinks bottle. Once the scanners are implemented, passengers will no longer have to remove liquids from their hand luggage before going through security. It will nevertheless save passengers from putting them in transparent plastic bags -- also allowing the airport to slash its use of single-use plastics. The airport representative told CNN that the initiative is part of Heathrow's long-term sustainability plan, as it attempts to cut queuing times in anticipation for a massive increase in passenger numbers following the projected opening of a third runway in 2026. "Heathrow has a proud history of investing in making every journey better and that's why we're delighted to be rolling out our new CT equipment," Chris Garton, Heathrow's chief operations officer, said in a statement. "This cutting-edge kit will not only keep the airport safe with the latest technology, but will mean that our future passengers can keep their focus on getting on with their journeys and less time preparing for security." The airport noted that the technology will allow the screening process to be "even more robust" and will help security officials to provide a "more efficient and seamless search experience." They added that this will improve privacy for passengers and could "transform the journey through the airport." CT scanners have already been introduced at certain airports across mainland Europe and in the US, but Heathrow's trial represents a UK first. Heathrow has been working with the Department for Transport since 2017 in order to trial the technology, and aims to support airports across the country in implementing their own trials over the coming months. Baroness Vere, the UK's Aviation Minister, welcomed Heathrow's announcement. "This innovative new equipment will ensure Heathrow continues to provide a safe and smooth travel experience for passengers, as we look to roll out this new screening technology at airports across the country," she said in a statement to CNN. "Passengers safety remains our top priority and this program clearly shows the huge importance we place on security." The 3D scanning equipment is the latest investment Heathrow has made into cutting-edge technology aimed at improving passenger experience. In 2018, the airport announced plans to launch its first end-to-end biometrics trial, providing facial recognition technology at each point of the departure process. The technology could eventually allow passengers to pass through the airport without needing a passport. https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/heathrow-airport-liquids-ban-end-3d-scanners-intl-scli/index.html Back to Top CPR Classes Offered While You Wait at DFW Airport Looking for something to do while you're at DFW Airport waiting for your next flight? Travelers can now learn how to save lives through CPR training classes that will now be available at Dallas Fort-Worth International Airport. The ribbon-cutting ceremony is planned for 2 p.m. Wednesday in Terminal E. The American Heart Association and Oncor Electric are launching the interactive kiosks, which will teach travelers hands-only CPR in about five minutes. The American Heart Association says every year more than 350,000 cardiac arrests happen at places like airports, casinos and sporting facilities. https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/health/CPR-Classes-Offered-DFW-Airport-510854671.html Back to Top Group calls for boycott of airlines that use facial recognition software The advocates said Alaska Airlines, United, Southwest, Allegiant and Air Canada don't use facial recognition software. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo June 5 (UPI) -- A digital rights group on Wednesday called on passengers to fly only with airlines that don't use facial recognition technology in an effort to end what it calls an "unethical" practice. The organization, Fight for the Future, launched the campaign and a new website to call out airlines that scan travelers' faces before they board international flights. "Ubiquitous facial recognition technologies create a world where there is literally no privacy," the organization's new Airline Privacy website says. "Governments, corporations and law enforcement can track your every move without your consent. "Automated and detailed profiles about you, about everywhere you go, and about everyone you associate with could be housed in databases with little to no security measures." Fight for Five said the practice makes people less safe. The organization listed five airlines that use facial recognition -- American Airlines, British Airways, Delta, JetBlue and Lufthansa. And five airlines it encourages travelers to use -- Air Canada, Alaska Airlines, Allegiant, Southwest Airlines and United. Southwest told UPI it doesn't have any plans to implement the technology. "The idea behind running a campaign like this is to get people to really praise the ones who are not doing it right now and opt out of flying with the airlines that are doing it right now," Jelani Drew, a member of Fight for the Future, told The Hill. The Department of Homeland Security has plans to use facial recognition technology on almost all departing air passengers by 2023. The government said it wants to use the process to identify foreign nationals who have overstayed their visas. In 2018, Orlando International Airport became the first airport in the United States to require face scans of all passengers arriving or departing on international flights. RELATED Study: U.S. airlines will fly record number of passengers this summer Questions of privacy and security trouble some, though, and last month San Francisco's board of supervisors voted to ban facial recognition software in the city. Federally controlled places, including San Francisco International Airport and the Port of San Francisco, are excluded from the ordinance. https://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2019/06/05/Group-calls-for-boycott-of-airlines-that-use-facial-recognition-software/3661559764980/ Back to Top EASA Issues First Space-based ADS-B Surveillance as a Service Certification Aireon, EASA, space-based ADS-B A depiction of space-based ADS-B air traffic data captured globally over the course of four days by Aireon. Photo: Aireon The European Aviation Safety Agency has certified Aireon as a new air navigation service provider (ANSP) for its space-based ADS-B surveillance, the first of its kind certification ever issued by the civil aviation regulator. Under the certification, Aireon is approved to provide space-based aircraft surveillance to any of the remaining European ANSPs that are not yet using its service. Currently, Aireon is providing ADS-B surveillance for ANSPs serving Denmark, Ireland, Italy and the U.K flight information regions. Sinιad McCloskey, director of safety at Aireon, told Avionics International he expects some European ANSPs to explore the ability to change their existing strategy related to aircraft surveillance and possibly move away from contemporary radar replacement and maintenance programs. "It is anticipated that the granting of this certification will encourage other ANSPs to become customers and also benefit from the service. The ability to surveil areas where previously no surveillance was possible, or inadequate, presents opportunities to enhance safety, shorten and expedite aircraft routings, which thus offering environmental benefits and fuel saving costs to the airlines," McCloskey said. Achieving the certification required a series of audits addressing Aireon's ability to comply with EASA's air traffic management and surveillance standards, which are defined in a series of regulatory documents that were recently updated in 2017. The management processes, system development and verification, software assurance, operational processes, service monitoring and technical support capabilities of Aireon were also evaluated by EASA. Aireon will be subject to periodic security audits throughout the operational life cycle of space-based ADS-B as a surveillance service. EASA evaluated their ability to mitigate the likelihood of spoofing and other malicious cyber attacks during the certification period. "Aireon has integrated a security strategy that adapts to the ever changing security risks. This includes vetting personnel with physical and logical access to the system components, recurring validation of the access list, planned penetration tests and independent monitoring of the inter system and external interfaces networks," McCloskey said. A depiction showing how Aireon's space-based ADS-B system works globally. Photo: Aireon ANSPs outside of Europe, including the Agency for Air Navigation Safety in Africa and Madagascar and the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore have also expressed interest in using the qualification data from the EASA certification to establish their own individually granted certifications to Aireon for the service, according to McCloskey. An implementation plan outlining the changes ANSPs need to make concerning their adoption of space-based ADS-B is also available from Aireon. The plan shows how ANSPs need to modify air traffic controller screens to display ADS-B aircraft indicators and modify their automation systems to be capable of accepting additional surveillance sensors. Every ADS-B position report includes an aircraft's flight identification, ICAO 24-bit address, barometric and geometric altitudes and vertical rate of climb or descent. Several airlines have already adopted the use of a new space-based ADS-B service combining Aireon and FlightAware surveillance feeds to comply with ICAO's 2021 minute-by-minute Global Aeronautical Distress and Safety System (GADSS) tracking requirement. Aireon's system has been transmitting live ADS-B messages since January 2017, and control of the final six space-based ADS-B payloads on the Iridium NEXT satellite constellation were handed over to Aireon on Feb. 7, 2019. IAA, NATS UK and Nav Canada are currently working through data validation activities using the service now for flights traveling between the United States and Europe in the busy North Atlantic Track System. https://www.aviationtoday.com/2019/06/05/easa-issues-first-space-based-ads-b-surveillance-as-a-service-certification/ Back to Top FSF Speaker Series Luncheon to Focus on Emerging Transportation Safety Issues NTSB Chairman Robert L. Sumwalt and Transportation Safety of Board of Canada (TSB) Chair Kathy Fox will address emerging transportation safety issues and international cooperation at a June 25 luncheon in Crystal City, VA. ALEXANDRIA, Va. - U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) Chairman Robert L. Sumwalt and Transportation Safety of Board of Canada (TSB) Chair Kathy Fox will address emerging transportation safety issues and international cooperation at a June 25 luncheon in Crystal City, Virginia. The discussion, which will be moderated by Peggy Gilligan, former associate administrator for aviation safety at the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration and current member of the Foundation's Board of Governors, is part of the FSF Speaker Series. Both TSB and NTSB work to improve safety by investigating accidents in aviation, rail, maritime and pipeline transportation, and through highlighting safety concerns and making recommendations to regulators and operators. The speakers will discuss the similarities and differences in their jurisdictions and in the top safety issues lists that each organization publishes biennially. They will discuss the process involved in identifying emerging safety risks, the global nature of some accidents and the importance of international cooperation.Registration and other event information is available on the Foundation's website. About Flight Safety Foundation Flight Safety Foundation is an independent, nonprofit, international organization engaged in research, education, advocacy and communications to improve aviation safety. The Foundation's mission is to connect, influence and lead global aviation safety. https://www.aviationpros.com/education-training/press-release/21083448/flight-safety-foundation-fsf-speaker-series-luncheon-to-focus-on-emerging-transportation-safety-issues Back to Top FAA Issues Waiver for Drones With Parachutes to Fly Over People - and Indicates a Way Forward for New Drone Technologies In a significant move towards making flight over people more available to companies with commercial drone applications, the FAA has announced that they have issued the Hensel Phelps Construction Company of Greeley, Colorado, a Part 107 waiver to operate a DJI Phantom 4 drone equipped with a parachute over people. The waiver opens the door for other companies to receive a similar waiver - and indicates a way forward for integrating new drone technologies. The parachute in question is a ParaZero SafeAir system - and the waiver proves Israeli-based ParaZero's investment in working with government on ASTM standards was worthwhile. "The FAA did not certify or approve the parachute that will be used; however, the FAA determined that the waiver application sufficiently met the standard design specification (ASTM 3322-18) and that the proposed small Unmanned Aircraft System (sUAS) operation could be safely conducted under the terms and conditions of a waiver," says the FAA press release. In addition to participation and investment in multiple UAS Integration Pilot Programs (IPP) to prove the safety case for flight over people, the ASTM standards work represented 18 months of work with ParaZero, DJI, government and others. ASTM F3322-18 was released in September 2018: it defines the requirements for the design, manufacturing and testing of sUAS parachute systems. And while it's a very significant standard for this element of drone safety - and flight over people - it may be even more significant as a successful example of process that works to bring new technology on board. ASTM standards provide an acceptable framework for regulators to evaluate and approve new technologies - and their use cases. "This waiver represents the first time the FAA has collaborated with industry in developing a publically available standard, worked with an applicant to ensure the testing and data collected acceptably met the standard, and issued a waiver using an industry standard as a basis to determine that a proposed sUAS operation can be safely conducted under the terms and conditions of a waiver under Part 107," says the FAA. "...This process is scalable and available to other applicants who propose to use the same drone and parachute combination. The FAA will require each applicant to provide the testing, documentation, and statement of compliance listed in ASTM3322-18 in their applications using the same drone and parachute combination." "The FAA has demonstrated a truly collaborative approach, through which they help develop the ASTM standard, work together in the UASIPP and provide feedback on the waiver applications and documentation. "said Avi Lozowick, ParaZero's Vice President of Policy and Strategy. https://dronelife.com/2019/06/05/faa-issues-waiver-for-drones-with-parachutes-to-fly-over-people-and-indicates-a-way-forward-for-new-drone-technologies/ Back to Top FAA to issue $840M in infrastructure grants to hundreds of US airports The Department of Transportation on Wednesday said $840 million in infrastructure grants will be given to hundreds of airports across the nation by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The multimillion-dollar sum is divvied into 432 grants that'll pay for infrastructure projects at 381 U.S. airports in 47 states, the FAA said. The money is part of the Airport Improvement Program. "Selected projects include runway reconstruction and rehabilitation, construction of firefighting facilities, and the maintenance of taxiways, aprons, and terminals," according to a news release via the FAA. The agency highlighted some grant recipients, including Iowa's Des Moines International Airport, which will get $10.3 million to put toward reconstructing a runway and apron. The Blue Grass Airport in Lexington, Ky., will get $11 million to for construction of a new taxiway, according to the agency. "This significant investment in airport improvements will fund construction and rehabilitation projects that will help maintain high levels of safety in U.S. aviation," U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao said in the news release. https://finance.yahoo.com/news/faa-issue-840m-infrastructure-grants-210420876.html Back to Top New aircraft wing structure is flexible and lightweight This flexible, lightweight wing features a latticebased cellular design. It is comprised of thousands of hollow triangles made up of matchstick-size struts. Photo courtesy Massachusetts Institute of Technology Aircraft wings have been assembled the same way for decades. But, engineers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and NASA have developed a flexible aerostructure that is produced from hundreds of tiny, identical pieces using composite lattice-based cellular materials. The lightweight wing is comprised of thousands of tiny hollow triangles made up of matchstick- size struts along each edge. The subassemblies are bolted together to form an open, lattice framework that is covered with a thin layer of polymer material. An active wing morphing design enables it to change shape in flight. Instead of requiring separate movable surfaces, such as ailerons, to control roll and pitch, as conventional wings do, the new assembly system makes it possible to deform the whole wing, or parts of it. "The result is a wing that is much lighter, and thus much more energy efficient, than those with conventional designs made from metal or composites," claims Nicholas Cramer, a research engineer at NASA Ames Research Center who worked on the project. "Because the structure is composed mostly of empty space, it forms a mechanical metamaterial that combines the structural stiffness of a rubber-like polymer and the extreme lightness and low density of an aerogel. "Each phase of a flight, such as takeoff and landing, cruising and maneuvering, has its own, different set of optimal wing parameters, so a conventional wing is necessarily a compromise that is not optimized for any of these, and therefore sacrifices efficiency," adds Cramer. "A wing that is constantly deformable could provide a much better approximation of the best configuration for each stage." According to Cramer, it would be possible to include motors and cables to produce the forces needed to deform the wings. However, he and his colleagues have taken this a step further and designed a system that automatically responds to changes in aerodynamic loading conditions by shifting shape. "We're able to gain efficiency by matching the shape to the loads at different angles of attack," says Cramer. "We produced the exact same behavior you would do actively, but we did it passively. "This is accomplished by the careful design of the relative positions of struts with different amounts of flexibility or stiffness," explains Cramer. "The wing, or sections of it, bend in specific ways in response to particular kinds of stresses." A test version of the wing was manually assembled by a team of MIT graduate students. However, the repetitive process is designed to be easily accomplished by a swarm of small assembly robots. The plastic injection-molded parts are made from polyethylene. "The resulting lattice has a density of 5.6 kilograms per cubic meter," says Cramer. "By way of comparison, rubber has a density of about 1,500 kilograms per cubic meter. They have the same stiffness, but ours has less than roughly one-thousandth of the density. "Because the overall configuration of the wing or other structure is built up from tiny subunits, it really doesn't matter what the shape is," Cramer points out. "You can make any geometry you want. "The fact that most aircraft are the same shape-essentially, a tube with wings-is because of expense," claims Cramer. "It's not always the most efficient shape. But, massive investments in design, tooling and production processes make it easier to stay with long-established configurations. "Studies have shown that an integrated body and wing structure could be far more efficient for many aerospace applications," adds Cramer. "With this system, those [aircraft] could be easily built, tested, modified and retested. "The same system could be used to make other structures as well, such as wind turbine blades," says Cramer. "The ability to do on-site assembly could avoid the problems of transporting ever-longer blades. Similar assemblies are being developed to build space structures and could eventually be useful for bridges and other high-performance structures." https://www.assemblymag.com/articles/95032-new-aircraft-wing-structure-is-flexible-and-lightweight Back to Top Alaska Life hack: Iditarod Air Force seeking pilots The storied Iditarod Air Force is aging, and in need of new blood. A crucial part of the Iditarod Sled Dog Race, the pilots take supplies out to locations along the trail every March for the mushers on the way to Nome. They take dog food, straw, and other items out to places like Ophir, Cripple, and Eagle Island, and bring tired-out dogs and spent supplies back to Anchorage. They fly on wheels and sometimes on skis, and are compensated for gas and oil and for minor maintenance. And they get to be part of something that is uniquely Alaskan. Without them, there is no race. The pilots are talented, well-experienced in Bush Alaska, said Bert Hanson, director of operations for the Iditarod Air Force, but the organization is down about 10 pilots for next year, and with a commercial pilot shortage, it's been tough recruiting new people. Over half of the current Iditarod Air Force is over 60 years old. Hanson just completed his 35th year with the Iditarod Air Force. He also ran the race in 1990 and 1993. He's devoted to the race and it's up to him to recruit new team members. At 7 pm on Friday, June 7 at the Aviators Forum at the Aviator Hotel in Anchorage, he'll be presenting a program on the need to recruit a new generation into the Iditarod Air Force, and what is involved. The hotel is located at the corner of 4th Avenue and C Street, (with a parking lot behind it on 3rd Avenue.) In addition to Hanson, participants will hear from Dr. Bill Mayer, one of the most senior aviators on the team, who has flown with the Iditarod Air Force since 1990, and Scott Ivany, with the team since 2010. The panel will answer questions from pilots about how they can become a member. The Aviators Forum is a regular event presented by the Alaska Aviators Resource. Jeff Schultz, the official photographer of the Iditarod, has sent a slide deck of photos to illustrate the work of the Iditarod Air Force; Schultz has covered nearly 40 years of the race and has an impressive catalog of images. The 2020 Iditarod starts on March 7 - just 275 days away. https://mustreadalaska.com/alaska-life-hack-iditarod-air-force-seeking-pilots/ Back to Top Why Mitsubishi Heavy May Want Bombardier's Money-Losing CRJ Regional Jet Line Dancers perform by a newly acquired Uganda Airlines Bombardier CRJ900 at Entebbe Airport on April 23. Though there have been some international sales, the regional jet market has largely been peculiar to the U.S. and its hub and spoke networks. Bombardier may be close to completing its exit from the airliner business, confirming Wednesday morning that it's holding talks with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries to sell its once-mighty CRJ regional jet line. For Mitsubishi Heavy, which has struggled to make the climb from an aircraft component supplier to a jet maker, the deal may be less about the money-losing CRJ than acquiring its extensive service network. Tokyo-based Mitsubishi Heavy is years behind schedule on the MRJ, a twin-engine regional jet that was initially expected to be launched in 2013 with Japanese airline ANA. With certification of the 90-seat version believed to be on track for 2020, acquiring the competing CRJ program would solve the knottiest remaining problem for Mitsubishi: product support and maintenance, says Richard Aboulafia, an aerospace analyst with Teal Group. "They have no experience at that, and no infrastructure," he says. Montreal-based Bombardier created the regional jet market with the CRJ, a stretched, 50-seat version of the Canadair Challenger 600 business jet that it launched in 1989. With jet fuel cheap in the 1990s, U.S. airlines snapped up the CRJ to replace propeller-driven planes on short-haul routes serving smaller cities. Bombardier has sold 1,950 CRJs, but sales slowed in the early 2000s as oil prices climbed and airline consolidation shrank route networks. The 51 current orders for the aging airframe should be completed by 2020. Bombardier refreshed the CRJ in recent years with a new cabin design, but its seventies-vintage General Electric engines are inefficient by modern standards, and it's not clear if the plane could be retrofitted with newer ones. What's kept sales trickling along has been the persistence of so-called "scope clauses" in U.S. airlines' labor contracts with their pilots, which restrict the major carriers from contracting with regional airlines for flights of planes above 76 seats and a maximum takeoff weight of 86,000 pounds. With the MRJ, Mitsubishi made a losing bet that the scope clauses would be relaxed by the time it came into service: the MRJ90 is too big to be used in the U.S. now. Embraer made the same miscalculation with its new E2 regional jet line. Mitsubishi has been working on a 70-seat version, but that project is reportedly going through a redesign that could delay it until 2023. United and Delta pilots are negotiating new contracts, and American and Southwest's agreements are up in 2020, but it's unclear whether the airlines will be able to win relaxation of the scope clause restrictions. It's also unclear whether Mitsubishi would want to keep producing the CRJ, scope clauses or no, given its unprofitability. The company could choose to fulfill current orders and wind it down, says Aboulafia. Beyond the CRJ maintenance network, Mitsubishi could benefit from adding experienced engineers from the Bombardier program who could aid in developing the MRJ and in the complicated regulatory certification process. Bombardier filed a lawsuit against Mitsubishi in October, alleging that former Bombardier employees had supplied it with trade secrets that would help the MRJ gain certification. A sale of the CRJ line would be the sunset of an era of ambition for Bombardier, a snowmobile maker that expanded into rail in the 1970s and aviation in the 1980s with a series of acquisitions, but stumbled badly earlier this decade with an attempt to challenge Airbus and Boeing by developing a 100- to 130-seat jet, the CSeries, that almost bankrupted the company. CEO Alain Bellemare, who came aboard in 2015, has sold off assets and raised new debt and equity to pare Bombardier's heavy debt load, aiming to slim the company down to its strongholds in business jets and trains. In 2018, Bombardier gave away a majority share in the CSeries to Airbus, which has rebranded it the A220. Airbus has the option to buy full control in 2025. This week Bombardier closed the sale of its Q Series regional turboprop line to Longview Capital, and last month it announced that it would sell an aerostructures factory in Morocco and its Northern Ireland unit, which developed innovative composite resin technology used to make the wings for the A220. For the CRJ program, Bombardier could fetch a similar price to its sale of the Q Series, which netted $250 million, says analyst Christopher Murray of AltaCorp Capital, and a deal could allow it to offload other contingent liabilities. Bombardier shares rose 8.9% Wednesday morning to 2.14 Canadian dollars on the Toronto Stock Exchange. The stock tumbled 20% in late April after the company cut its 2019 sales and profit outlook due to delays and quality issues on multiple contracts at its rail unit. Bombardier said during its first-quarter earnings call last month that it would no longer commit to previously announced financial goals for 2020, including raising sales to $20 billion. https://www.forbes.com/sites/jeremybogaisky/2019/06/05/its-not-the-planes-that-mitsubishi-heavy-is-after-in-eyeing-purchase-of-bombardiers-crj-regional-jet-line/#16f1c51b4443 Back to Top Wheels Up's Acquisition Of TMC Jets Heats Up The Battle For Private Jet Fliers Add the indomitable Kenny Dichter to the dance card. Monday, Wheels Up announced it had completed a deal to purchase Elkhart, Indiana-based Travel Management Company, often referred to as TMC Jets. It adds 26 Hawker 400XP light jets to the Wheels Up fleet of 72 King Air 350i turboprops, 15 Citation Excel/XLS midsize jets, and six Citation X super-midsize aircraft, filling a hole in its on-fleet offering for members. It's just the latest move in the frothy river of mergers and acquisitions activity in the sector of companies wanting to provide private aviation solutions for wealthy consumers, companies, and maybe even expand the market to the merely affluent. Wheels Up's purchase of TMC Jets brings 26 Hawker 400XP light jets to its fleet of 93 King Air 350is, Citation Xs and Excel/XLSs. DOUG GOLLAN In the case of TMC, it will be operated as a wholly owned subsidiary and will continue to serve its existing network of on-demand charter and jet card brokers, Dichter said. Alasdair Whyte, editor of Corporate Jet Investor says the deal underscores the increasingly blurred lines of competitors and customers. On one hand, Wheels Up is competing with charter brokers and jet card providers for consumers to join its membership programs, yet at the same time via TMC it will be providing inventory to those same competitors. https://www.forbes.com/sites/douggollan/2019/06/05/wheels-up-acquisition-of-tmc-jets-heats-up-the-battle-for-private-jet-fliers/#136dfbca3f0b Back to Top Space Act Calls for Protection of Apollo 11 Landing Site It's called the One Small Step to Protect Human Heritage in Space Act. The Apollo 11 landing site, Tranquility Base, as seen from orbit by NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter.The Apollo 11 landing site, Tranquility Base, as seen from orbit by NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter.(Image: © NASA/GSFC/Arizona State via collectSPACE.com) Senators Gary Peters (D-Mich.) and Ted Cruz (R-Tex.) have introduced a bill - the One Small Step to Protect Human Heritage in Space Act - that seeks to preserve and protect the historic Apollo 11 landing site. The bill notes that the lunar landing sites of the Apollo 11 spacecraft, the robotic spacecraft that preceded the Apollo 11 mission, and the piloted and robotic spacecraft that followed "are of outstanding universal value to humanity." The Act explains that such landing sites: are the first archaeological locales with human activity that are not on Earth; provide evidence of the first achievements of humankind in the realm of space travel and exploration; and contain artifacts and other evidence of human exploration activities that remain a potential source of cultural, historical, archaeological, anthropological, scientific and engineering knowledge. "As commercial enterprises and more countries acquire the ability to land on the moon," the bill notes, "it is necessary to ensure the recognition and protection of the Apollo 11 landing site and other historic landing sites together with all the human effort and innovation the sites represent." Common human heritage "We were honored to work with Senator Peters' office on this legislation," said Michelle Hanlon, co-founder of For All Moonkind, a group that seeks to protect each of the six human lunar landing sites, as well as other space locales, as part of our common human heritage. "When we first met in March, it was clear that the Senator and his staff share our passion for the preservation of human history in space," Hanlon told Inside Outer Space. "They knew how important it was to get it right, and they recognized the need to develop a bill that would not violate international law by claiming any sort of possession or ownership of the historic lunar landing sites." Sustainable exploration The bill is indeed a small step, Hanlon adds, but an incredibly significant one. "Senator Peters and Senator Cruz are asking the U.S. to take the lead in assuring that we explore space sustainably with respect for history, Hanlon said. "We hope that the entire Senate will agree that it's time to take this one small step and help nudge an important international conversation on protection of human heritage in space." https://www.space.com/congress-protect-apollo-11-landing-site.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 CHC and SCSI Partner to Offer Operators a Chance to Earn Spot in Certificate Program CHC Helicopter has continued its long-standing partnership with the Southern California Safety Institute (SCSI) as part of CHC's 15th annual Safety & Quality Summit, which will be held October 1-3, 2019 at the Omni Dallas Hotel. Operators in attendance will have the opportunity to register to win a random drawing that will allow them to send one representative through SCSI's renowned safety program and earn their certificate upon completion of six courses covering a range of crucial safety topics and training. The program provides an excellent mix of classroom and networking experience, exposing participants to the latest expertise in safety and safety-related topics. The coursework is led by experienced instructors with unique qualifications with both strong expertise and demonstrated safety leadership positions. They have real world experience conducting safety assessments as well as developing operational risk management strategies, training plans, communications procedures and training for tens of thousands of professionals. Previous winners have included representatives of Ornge and Universal Helicopters. The value of the complete course program, which consists of 6 weeks of courses, is valued at up to $15,000 USD. "We're thankful for our partnership with SCSI, and we greatly appreciate their support of the Safety & Quality Summit," said Duncan Trapp, CHC's VP of Safety & Quality. "We welcome the opportunity to again help send an operator to earn a safety certificate from SCSI. SCSI's world-class safety programs offer participants the opportunity to further enhance and build upon their safety knowledge, providing new insight and perspective. Thank you to SCSI for their ongoing commitment to furthering safety in our industry." To participate and be considered for the drawing, interested parties must be registered delegates at this year's CHC Safety & Quality Summit. Once onsite, participants can submit a name or business card at the registration desk to enter the drawing. For additional information on the Summit and to register, please visit www.chcsafetyqualitysummit.com Back to Top Manager Air Investigations • Utilise your leadership, investigation, communication and interpersonal skills • Demonstrate credibility with your air transport experience • Medically and physically fit, current passport and drivers' licence essential The Transport Accident Investigation Commission (TAIC) investigates significant aviation, rail and marine accidents and incidents with a view to avoiding future similar occurrences. The Commission has set a visionary goal of "No Repeat Accidents - Ever!" The Manager Air Investigations provides strong leadership and thorough management of the air investigation team, supporting the Chief Investigator of Accidents. Following a recent internal promotion, we seek a Manager to continue providing high quality and timely transport accident investigation services. The successful applicant will have: • relevant air transport experience • strong leadership and investigative skills • professional or technical aviation qualifications eg pilot,engineering (mechanical, aeronautical or avionics). As the Manager, you will effectively lead those who provide high quality and timely air transport accident investigation services. Key competencies and experience include: • Leadership and business skills and experience • Investigative and QA experience and skills • Strong analysis and reasoning skills • Ability to anticipate and identify risks/issues and identify possible solutions • Communication skills - written, verbal and interpersonal • Understanding of quasi-judicial processes, particularly the rules and requirements applicable to a Commission of Inquiry • Emotional and psychological maturity to handle stressful and emotionally difficult situations • Medically and physically fit with a valid passport and current driver's licence. I look forward to hearing from those interested in progressing their career within this pivotal organisation based in central Wellington, New Zealand. Applications close at 5pm on Wednesday, 19 June 2019 or sooner if a suitable applicant is identified. If you are interested in the position please visit our website www.peopleandco.nz and search on the keyword 19042 under the Jobs tab. All applications will be acknowledged electronically. For further information contact Jacaleen Williams on 0064 4 931 9450 quoting job number 19042. Only people with the right to work in New Zealand may apply for this position. For advice on obtaining a New Zealand work or residence visa visit www.immigration.govt.nz Back to Top 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 Curt Lewis