JUNE 24, 2019 - No. 050 In This Issue Electric propulsion: AFI KLM E&M Supports FFA Fab'Lab' In recent airline crash investigations, the goal must be safety, not scapegoating KF Aerospace to build aviation-themed exhibition and conference centre AN AVIATION PIONEER GOES ALL IN ON ELECTRIC PLANES From Flight Attendant to Aircraft Engineer: How Women Are Breaking Down Gender Stereotypes Secret aircraft owners dodge responsibility after crash, attorney says Rotortech 2020 embraces unmanned flight FAA Report Found Safety Violations in Post Malone's 2018 Emergency Landing NTSB CONFIRMS SKYDIVING CRASH THE WORST US CIVILIAN ACCIDENT SINCE 2011 Delta connection: Auburn University teams with airline to train future pilots SpaceX Falcon Heavy to launch ashes of an all-star, astronaut and others Electric propulsion: AFI KLM E&M Supports FFA Fab'Lab' During the Paris International Air Show at Le Bourget, the French civil aviation authority, DGAC, and the French Aviation Federation (FFA) organize a daily demonstration flight of the Pipistrel Alpha Electro, an all-electric, two-seater, single-engine light aircraft. The event is a high-point in the ground-breaking project pursued for a number of years by the FFA with the support of several partners, including AFI KLM E&M and the AIR FRANCE Group. World first for a flying club The FFA acquired the Alpha Electro from Slovenian manufacturer Pipistrel to evaluate its operation in real-life conditions in a flying club. Whereas until then the aircraft had only flown in an experimental, private capacity, the FFA coordinated a long and complex pioneering process which resulted, in March 2018, in the DGAC and EASA issuing a flight permit in the framework of a community association training process. The Alpha Electro was delivered in early 2019 to the FFA Fab'Lab' at Toussus-le-Noble airport in Greater Paris - a venue dedicated to evaluating innovative light aviation technology - and is currently being used to train federal pilot instructors. This is a world-first experiment that could soon lead to the use of the electric aircraft for training private pilots ab initio. "Commercial aviation started with light aviation, this will also be the case with electric aviation", said Olivier Seyller, Air France captain and head of the airline's cadet training program. "The aircraft is powerful, has an hour of autonomy and is very simple and convenient to operate. It could very well become an alternative to traditional combustion-powered aircraft, for instance as part of training operations for our cadet pilots. " A laboratory for the future of maintenance AFI KLM E&M is closely involved in the FFA project, which chimes with the objectives and practices of its own platform dedicated to innovation, The MRO Lab. Apart from direct financial support, AFI KLM E&M is putting its mechanics' and technicians' expertise at the disposal of the FFA's Fab'Lab' to contribute to the evaluation of this new aircraft type. "It is a small-scale laboratory for the future of aviation," commented James Kornberg, Director Engineering and Maintenance Innovation AFI KLM E&M. "We are naturally interested in the potential of electric propulsion and in all the new questions it raises in terms of certification, operability, and, of course, maintenance. Our experts contribute their support to the FFA and in return, we benefit from a unique observation post for the behavior of an electric aircraft in real operating conditions. That can only teach us a lot about only-just emerging technologies, but ones that have a tremendous potential for the coming decades." An opportunity for the Aviation Careers Apprentice Training Center The initiative of the FFA and its Fab'Lab' also constitutes an opportunity for the Aviation Careers Apprentice Training Center (CFA), of which AFI KLM E&M was a founder and which has a training center at Toussus-le-Noble airport. In the coming months, the Alpha Electro could be put at the disposal of the CFA's instructors and trainees as part of an initial approach to training mechanics in electric aircraft maintenance, and especially their batteries. Energy and societal transition The evaluation of this type of aircraft contributes to the efforts of the entire aviation industry to reduce the environmental impact of air transport, particularly in terms of greenhouse gas emissions and noise pollution for people living near aerodromes. "We are delighted to be able to count on a major player like AIR FRANCE and its Engineering & Maintenance Division to support us in our innovative program," said FFA President Jean-Luc Charron. "For many years, the FFA has worked on the concept of the flying club of the future to prepare optimally for the energy and societal transition of light sport aviation. The deployment of the Alpha Electro is a unique opportunity to construct a new framework for the piloting and maintenance of electric aircraft and to build up a precious fund of feedback. But this is only a first stage for our Fab'Lab' at Toussus-le-Noble: ultimately, we aim to place a whole fleet of electric aircraft at the disposal of pilots in our flying clubs so that we can continue to explore this genuine technological leap forward." https://www.aviationpros.com/engines-components/aircraft-engines/electric-green-engine- technology/press-release/21085840/afi-klm-em-electric-propulsion-afi-klm-em-supports-ffa-fablab Back to Top In recent airline crash investigations, the goal must be safety, not scapegoating As investigations continue into the tragic Lion Air and Ethiopian Airlines Opens a New Window. accidents, Congress Opens a New Window. must avoid a knee-jerk legislative response that could have unwarranted and detrimental impacts on the United States' proven, safe aviation system Opens a New Window. . This fact bears repeating: the U.S. aviation system is the world's safest thanks to the collaborative efforts of industry, labor and the Federal Aviation Administration Opens a New Window. (FAA). In the last decade, there have been approximately 7 billion passengers on 90 million commercial airline flights in the United States, with only one fatality. One life lost is one too many, but this is a remarkable record. Unfortunately, in the wake of the accidents, too many have focused solely on the FAA's process for certifying aircraft while criticizing those who raise other potential factors that must be investigated if we are to address all risks to aviation safety. Any potential actions Congress or regulators consider must be based on facts, not on a panicked desire to "do something" or find an easy scapegoat, such as a process that has worked so well for decades. To truly improve safety, we must leave no stone unturned and examine every single potential factor that may have contributed to these accidents. Yes, as I have stated repeatedly, this includes the FAA's certification process and Boeing's Opens a New Window. actions. If the investigations conclude that something is broken in the FAA's or Boeing's processes, then clearly Congress must address the problem. But investigations cannot be limited to only certain factors or directed by some media-driven narrative. As a professional pilot, I know that aviation accidents rarely have one contributing cause. Ignoring even one possible accident factor fails to see the forest for the trees and risks future accidents that could have been prevented by full and thorough investigations. Since first studying the preliminary accident reports, I and many others with flying experience have raised additional concerns about pilot training, pilot experience, aircraft maintenance and airline operations. All of these issues must also be investigated and reviewed because the safety of any aviation system will only be as strong as its weakest link. For example, if these pilots, hard as they tried to save their passengers, did not receive adequate training in the first place, then that is another factor that demands action. That is true no matter where they are flying or where they were trained. Ultimately, all risks can never be eliminated from flying. A well-trained pilot will always be the best safety feature in any cockpit, no matter how much technology Opens a New Window. is incorporated into the aircraft, and can help prevent a sensor or software failure from becoming a tragedy. Over the next few months, the FAA and Boeing will be working to safely return the 737 Max to service, a process that will be closely monitored by the world. The acting administrator of the FAA has stated, "The FAA will return the 737 MAX to service in the United States only when [it] determine[s], based on facts and technical data, that it is safe to do so." This is both appropriate and how the FAA's system is intended to work. The agency's intensive process for certifying a software fix will include comments and recommendations from outside stakeholders, technical and operational reviews and assessments, simulator and flight testing, evaluations and reevaluations, and a parallel and independent review process. The FAA will issue multiple notices, directives, and orders, with which Boeing and U.S. airlines will need to demonstrate compliance. Each country will make its own decision to unground the aircraft, with the FAA providing information and assistance as requested. The FAA's ungrounding decision will also involve determining what pilot training will be required, both prior to the ungrounding and as recurrent training. While this recertification process moves forward, we must recognize the fact that we don't have many answers yet. The investigations and reviews are not yet complete. However, what we do know does not justify abandoning the FAA's proven system that has made air travel the safest mode of transportation in history. The more information we gather - about pilot training, the certification process, aircraft design, airline maintenance and all other factors - the better we will be able to ensure continued safety in the United States and around the world. We owe it to all those who tragically lost their lives in these accidents to get this right. https://www.foxbusiness.com/industrials/boeing-737-max-lion-air-ethiopian-airlines-accident-faa- government-investigation Back to Top KF Aerospace to build aviation-themed exhibition and conference centre KF Aerospace is excited to announce plans for a state-of-the-art aerospace exhibition hall and conference centre across from Kelowna International Airport (YLW). Scheduled to start construction in spring 2020, the KF Aerospace Centre for Excellence will celebrate the aerospace legacy of KF founder, Barry Lapointe with the Okanagan community, by providing a hub for education, professional development and industry advancement. At 50,000 square feet, the $25 million facility will feature both groundside and airside access from YLW's main runway and include a museum, aircraft hangars, conference suites, classrooms, a cafeteria and airfield viewing gallery. It will also house 15,000 square feet of dedicated training space for the aircraft maintenance engineering programs delivered by Okanagan College. Lapointe, who was recently inducted into Canada's Aviation Hall of Fame, has launched a non-profit society to operate the Centre for Excellence. Initial board members include KF president Tracy Medve, KF Centre for Excellence executive director Paula Quinn, and KF Capital advisory board member David Burke. The project is possible through a broader collaboration with key partners at Kelowna International Airport and Okanagan College. Lapointe said the vision is to bridge the industry's heritage with its future. "We want to provide a firsthand aerospace experience for the public, from commercial and military operations to maintenance and manufacturing." "By providing a central source for education, training, career and policy development, the Centre will be a proud home to our ever-expanding aerospace community," he said. The ground-breaking is scheduled for March 25, 2020, to coincide with KF's 50th anniversary. All facets of the construction, including the wood features of the building, will be sourced locally in British Columbia. "KF Aerospace has a long and proud history as a leader in the aviation industry in Canada," said Kelowna International Airport director Sam Samaddar. "This spectacular new facility in Kelowna will not only celebrate the rich aviation history of the Okanagan but will work with education facilities to ensure that we continue to innovate by providing hands-on, technology-driven education and solutions for the demand of aerospace jobs in the future." "Okanagan College is proud to be a part of this exciting plan," says Okanagan College president Jim Hamilton. "KF has been a tremendous partner and a force behind building the aerospace industry in this region. This Centre for Excellence will further reinforce the impact the company has had." The KF Aerospace Centre for Excellence is expected to open in 2022. https://www.skiesmag.com/press-releases/kf-aerospace-to-build-aviation-themed-exhibition-and- conference-centre/ Back to Top AN AVIATION PIONEER GOES ALL IN ON ELECTRIC PLANES When André Borschberg started flying as a 15 year old, he didn't worry about how much fuel he had to burn to get and stay aloft. These days, it's pretty much all he thinks about. It has been three years since Borschberg and Bertrand Piccard completed an around-the-world journey in Solar Impulse 2, the sun-powered plane that could stay aloft for days at a time. That aircraft was remarkable but impractical: It had the wingspan of a Boeing 747, but maxed out around 90 mph and its cockpit was so cramped that the pilots (who alternated legs of the journey) used a toilet built into the seat. Now Borschberg has started a new company called H55, and created a new aircraft to flip that equation around. H55's first plane has room for two and can stay aloft for just about 90 minutes. Where Solar Impulse was a unique flying machine, this one, the Bristell Energic, is a modified version of an aircraft made by the Czech Republic's BRM Aero. And where Solar Impulse was meant as an over-the-top demonstration of what electric technology can do, the Energic is a training plane, designed to help people learn to fly in the first place. The throughline is that the new plane is all-electric, and represents Borschberg's latest effort to divert aviation from fossil fuels. He cofounded H55 in his native Switzerland with two Solar Impulse colleagues, using battery and propulsion technology licensed from the solar plane effort. The Energic is powered by a pair of battery packs that add up to 50 kilowatt-hours (a bit less than you get in a Chevy Bolt EV), which can be fully charged in about an hour. It can climb 900 feet per minute and cruise at 125 mph, about the same as the engine-powered version of the plane. Otherwise, its spec sheet looks standard: a single propeller, a steerable nose wheel, a baggage compartment behind the seats, and so on. Compared with the grandeur of the Solar Impulse circumnavigation, this effort can feel small. But Borschberg wants to make practical aircraft, and the realities of batteries-whose energy density is minuscule compared to that of jet fuel-mean starting with something small. As the technology improves, Borschberg hopes to sign deals with more manufacturers to build its system into their planes, moving up to four-seat aircraft, and to bigger aircraft from there. He's not a hardliner on electric, and also is investigating a hybrid propulsion system, maybe with hydrogen power. H55 isn't the only player in this market. Slovenia's Pipistrel has its own small electric plane; Airbus has the E-fan; and startups like Colorado's Aero Electric Aircraft Corporation are targeting the trainer market. Meanwhile, a raft of players big and small are trying to put electric "flying cars" into service, with vertical takeoff and landing capability. There, Borschberg thinks his experience with battery-powered flight could be helpful. "We want to be the enabler of the VTOL guys," he says. The Swiss aviator sees another upside to moving into the trainer market: Getting new pilots hooked on the upsides of flying electric from the start. H55 hasn't released the price of the Bristell Energic, but says it will cost just $7 to give the batteries an hour's worth of juice. (The Aircraft Pilots and Owners Association estimates that it costs $40 per hour in fuel to fly a standard small plane.) You don't have to worry about oil checks, or the standard maintenance of a conventional plane. And of course, you don't have to feel bad for exacerbating aviation's serious role in propelling climate change. Beyond cost and convenience, though, is the sensation of flying without relying on a fuel-exploding, ear-drumming engine. "When you take off, you get the immediate torque. No noise of the engine, no vibration," Borschberg says. "The feeling is exceptional, and it's difficult to go back to a combustion engine afterward." https://www.wired.com/story/aviation-pioneer-goes-all-electric-planes/ Back to Top From Flight Attendant to Aircraft Engineer: How Women Are Breaking Down Gender Stereotypes Let's be perfectly honest... When we think of flight attendants we think of them as female and when we think of aircraft engineers we think of them as men. We're not entirely to blame for these preconceptions - these roles were traditionally segregated by gender with airlines using female cabin crew as a key element of their advertising, while aircraft hangars were rarely ever visited by a woman. But while some airlines and other industry organisations haven't yet gone to nearly enough effort to challenge these old fashioned stereotypes, it's nice to see roles in engineering and other traditionally male-dominated careers open up to more and more women. When Rachel Whatmough first joined British Airways as a member of cabin crew she only intended to keep her wings for a year. Rachel wanted to visit some new destinations before leaving the airline to pursue a university degree in chemistry - before long though, Rachel had made the momentous decision to not bother going to university at all. When her friends were graduating three years later, Rachel was still flying high. "I felt privileged to be travelling the world and seeing and doing so many things that my friends weren't able to," Rachel explains. "I especially loved visiting the Caribbean islands, they really are breathtaking." But during her time at the airline, Rachel kept on bumping into the myriad of aircraft engineers that swarm over an aircraft during turnarounds and pre-departures - she wondered whether she might be able to pursue her passion for science and aviation without having to leave the airline. "It was time for a new challenge," said Rachel ahead of International Women in Engineering Day. "Once I realised that I could still work for British Airways, but as an Aircraft Mechanic, it was an easy decision to swap my cabin crew uniform for overalls." Luckily for Rachel that was a decision that was definitely supported by British Airways - she's now been an aircraft engineer for 10-years and is currently on maternity leave having recently given birth to a daughter. Perhaps, one day, her daughter will follow in her mother's footsteps and pursue a STEM career. "I would definitely recommend a career change and it's never too late to make the move," Rachel says of her experience. "Being cabin crew really helped me to understand how even the smallest delay can affect our customers and I always keep that in mind when we're under pressure." According to British Airways, the airline currently offers a three-year apprenticeship programme in Aircraft Maintenance which is open to anyone, of any age, and at any stage of their career. Students can also apply to take part in week-long work experience placements at the airline's engineering bases in Heathrow, Gatwick, Cardiff and Glasgow. https://www.paddleyourownkanoo.com/2019/06/21/from-flight-attendant-to-aircraft-engineer- how-women-are-breaking-down-gender-stereotypes/ Back to Top Secret aircraft owners dodge responsibility after crash, attorney says After five people died in a helicopter crash in San Luis Potosi, Mexico, in 2013, the families of several of the men hired an attorney and tried to seek justice. At every twist and turn, their attorney said their attempts to hold someone accountable for their loved ones' deaths was thwarted. He claimed that's because of a loophole in U.S. law that allows foreigners to shield the true ownership of their aircraft. As a result, foreign owners get U.S. registration by transferring the title of their plane to a U.S. trust company. "I was never able to figure out who the actual person who was responsible for the helicopter accident," said Ladd Sanger, a Dallas-based aviation attorney who represented three of the men killed in the crash. Although the helicopter crashed in Mexico, federal records show it was registered about 800 miles away in Onalaska, a town without an airport that's nestled along the piney shores of an East Texas lake. Federal Aviation Administration records show the helicopter was registered to Aircraft Guaranty Corp., a company that has registered more than 1,000 planes to two P.O. boxes in Onalaska. That's equivalent to one aircraft for every three Onalaska residents. A WFAA review found there are more aircraft registered per capita in Onalaska than any other city in the country. Sanger reached out to WFAA after the February story detailed how federal law allows foreigners to obscure their ownership of aircraft. It's a law that critics like Sanger said also makes the United States a possible target for drug dealers, terrorists and other criminals seeking to gain better U.S. access. "We see many instances of people from foreign countries ... that are using the trust loophole to circumvent the law," Sanger said. "When you can conceal the true ownership of a plane, you're putting a lot of people in jeopardy," added Joe Gutheinz, a former FAA special agent. "If you're a terrorist and you have a way of concealing your secret ownership of a plane in the United States, you're going to do it." Aircraft Guaranty is a major trustee of foreign aircraft. Company officials have denied any wrongdoing and told WFAA that they do a thorough review of foreigners attempting to register their planes using a trust. Aircraft Guaranty officials and industry advocates also told WFAA that large corporations and foreign partnerships often need to use trusts because of the FAA's strict citizenship requirements. However an audit by the Office of Inspector General for the Department of Transportation estimated that about 5,600 planes "lacked key information" about the true ownership. In the 2013 random review of the five major trust companies with the most registrations, federal investigators found the companies "could not or would not provide" the identities of three of four foreign owners requested. One of the trustees even requested that investigators subpoena the information, the audit said. The trustees that did provide the information took two months to do so. "Without collecting and maintaining complete and accurate aircraft data, FAA increases the risk of not meeting its aviation safety mission," the audit found. DOT officials told WFAA that one of the trustees cited in the 2013 audit was Aircraft Guaranty Corp. It's the company that was the registered owner of the helicopter that crashed in 2013 in Mexico. Sanger filed a lawsuit on behalf of a father and son who died in the crash and a third man. In court filings, Aircraft Guaranty denied responsibility for the crash. "At no time did Defendant Aircraft Guaranty exercise control over the operation or maintenance of the aircraft," the company's attorney wrote. The title of the helicopter had been moved into Aircraft Guaranty's name in 2010, according to registration records. At the time of the crash, the helicopter was being operated by Heliservicios Internacionales in San Luis, Mexico. Aircraft Guaranty provided a copy of an insurance policy issued by the Mexican insurance company, Grupo Mexicano de Seguros. Neither the insurance company nor the company responded to Sanger's lawsuit. The insurance company also did not respond to a certified letter Sanger sent to them. Heliservicios Internacionales did not respond either when a U.S.-based court issued a $15 million default judgement in 2015. WFAA reached out to the both companies in phone calls and emails, and they also did not respond to requests for comment. In an email, an attorney representing Aircraft Guaranty said the company had complied with its responsibilities by providing "the plaintiff's attorneys with proof of insurance as part of the discovery in the lawsuit." "If there is no money and the insurance company doesn't respond to requests to defend and indemnify in my book that is no insurance," Sanger told WFAA. "A piece of paper saying there is insurance is worthless." Aircraft Guaranty wasn't on the hook to pay because it wasn't the real owner of the helicopter, causing Sanger and other experts to question why a system that allows foreign owners to evade accountability would be allowed to exist. "Nobody will stand up to be accountable for it," Sanger said. "It is a classic case of ostrich head in the sand." It's also not the first time there's been a crash involving a plane registered to Aircraft Guaranty Corp. In 2008, a plane lost power upon take-off and crashed into a home near Caracas, Venezuela, killing seven. The pilot, a twice-convicted drug smuggler, died along with two other passengers on the plane. The family sued the company seeking to find out the real owner of the plane. Aircraft Guaranty denied any liability. According to media accounts, the family's attempts to find the real owner went nowhere. Legislation filed by a Massachusetts congressman earlier this year would require information about the real owners be on file with the Federal Aviation Administration. That legislation is still pending in the U.S. House of Representatives. https://www.wfaa.com/article/news/local/investigates/secret-aircraft-owners-dodge-responsibility- after-crash-attorney-says/287-e70e93e7-fed4-451c-9db2-9214bbf77219 Back to Top Rotortech 2020 embraces unmanned flight Rotortech 2020, the region's premier helicopter systems showcase and forum, will incorporate unmanned aerial systems in its exhibition and conference program for the first time when it moves to Brisbane's Royal International Convention Centre (RICC) next year. With a comprehensive three-day industry conference program (free to registered delegates and trade visitors), Rotortech 2020 will feature helicopter manufacturer technical workshops, the Australian Helicopter Industry Association's annual conference and a Maintenance and Repair Organization (MRO) conference. It will also include an industry exhibition showcasing more than 100 helicopter and unmanned flight related companies. For the first time, Rotortech 2020 will also feature an Australian Association for Unmanned Systems (AAUS) conference, unmanned vehicle exhibitors and updates on unmanned flight covering new technologies, safety aspects and potential business opportunities for existing helicopter operators. Hosted by the Australian Helicopter Industry Association (AHIA), Rotortech 2020 will be conducted by not-for-profit Aerospace Australia Limited, which also conducts the biennial Australian International Airshow at Avalon in Victoria. Australian Helicopter Industry Association president Ray Cronin said sessions on the proliferation of commercial unmanned aerial vehicles around the world would be a natural fit for the region's premier helicopter industry conference. "Unmanned aerial vehicles are moving in to new roles in fields previously dominated by manned helicopters, from agriculture to emergency services, survey and aerial asset management," Cronin said. "These developments can create issues for existing helicopter operators, but they can also create business opportunities. "Experience has shown that the most successful operators of unmanned aircraft are those who understand the task to which the unmanned vehicle is being applied. So existing helicopter operators are best placed to operate unmanned aircraft effectively, and above all safely, in fields previously dominated by manned helicopters, or in allied applications that may not even have been possible with manned helicopters in the past." Cronin said Rotortech 2020 would provide a timely platform for discussion of industry issues. "The success of Rotortech 2018 demonstrated that the Australian helicopter industry needs a forum to highlight both the challenges and successes in our industry," he said. "Operators face issues such as regulation and recruitment, but as an industry we are also advancing and adopting new technologies and new ways of doing business. Rotortech is the industry's own forum for sharing this information for the benefit of all." The Rotortech 2018 conference and exposition held on Queensland's Sunshine Coast in May last year attracted an unprecedented 996 registered delegates and more than 80 industry exhibitors. Dramatic growth in demand has prompted a move to the RICC at Brisbane Showgrounds as a larger, more easily accessible venue for Rotortech 2020, to be held 16-18 June 2020. "With a year to go before Rotortech 2020 we have 80 percent of our exhibition space allocated and 80 percent of those are returning exhibitors," said Rotortech 2020 CEO Ian Honnery. "Brisbane's Royal International Convention Centre is a superb venue that will provide increased exhibition space and conference facilities and capital city ease of access for Australian and overseas delegates. It will also allow exhibitors to land helicopters for display at the exposition site, which was a popular feature of Rotortech 2018." The enhanced Rotortech 2020 program will include: Australian Helicopter Industry Association (AHIA) Conference MRO Forum supported by Australia's Aviation Maintenance Repair and Overhaul Business Association (AMROBA) Expanded manufacturers workshops STEM and careers program Enhanced AHIA Awards and gala dinner Innovation Awards Drone flying demonstrations New technology showcase Rotortech 2020 will also include more promotional options for exhibitors: Increased external helicopter display spaces Helicopter display space on the expo floor Greater area for networking functions One-on-one meeting rooms https://www.verticalmag.com/press-releases/rotortech-2020-embraces-unmanned-flight/ Back to Top FAA Report Found Safety Violations in Post Malone's 2018 Emergency Landing Last year, rapper Post Malone was one of 15 people on board a private Gulfstream IV jet that was forced to make an emergency landing after the tires blew out on Aug. 21, 2018. According to the Federal Aviation Administration report, the flight crew ignored several safety procedures. Reportedly, the flight crew had been notified that one of the service doors was open after the first departure from Teterboro Airport, which forced the crew to turn the plane around to check the issue. A ramp agent then told a crew member that there was a suspicious odor aboard, "something strange coming from the aircraft," according to billboard.com. Crew members allegedly ignored the issue and the plane took off, which made things worse. Less than an hour and a half of the second takeoff, both left main tires exploded due to overloaded passengers and baggage. "The aircraft exceeded its maximum gross takeoff weight and maximum gross landing weight," says the copy of the FAA report published by Billboard. Not only was it found that the aircraft exceeded the weight, but crew members did not allow enough time to cool off the tires after returning from the first landing. "The flight crew did not comply with manufacturer procedures for wheel brake cooling times after an overweight landing," wrote Billboard. The jet circled around the New York area to burn off fuel for several hours and finally made an emergency landing at Stewart International Airport. All of this could have been prevented by the airline, as the FAA found that the plane was 50 hours overdue for a maintenance checkup. "A review of maintenance records revealed that the plane had 'multiple' required maintenance and inspection items that were more than 50 hours overdue at flight time," according to billboard. The hip-hop artist and former Grapevine resident took the time to address those who had expressed concern over his well-being. "i landed guys," Malone tweeted after the plane incident. "thank you for your prayers. can't believe how many people wished death on me on this website. fuck you. but not today." https://www.dallasobserver.com/music/last-years-plaincidepost-malone-11691926 Back to Top NTSB CONFIRMS SKYDIVING CRASH THE WORST US CIVILIAN ACCIDENT SINCE 2011 A skydiving crash Friday that killed 11 people at a coastal airfield on the island of Oahu is the worst civilian aviation accident in the US since 2011 and in Hawaii since 1981. The twin-engine Beechcraft King Air operated by the Oahu Parachute Center veered to the left and crashed on take-off Friday, ending up inverted and on fire near an airport fence. The weather is understood to have been clear at the time with a light wind. The National Transportation Safety Board also confirmed the plane suffered substantial damage to its tail section in 2016 during an accident in California where the pilot lost control. The US crash investigator has a team of 11 people from around the US looking at the accident, including specialists in structures, powerplants and operations. It has also called for witnesses with information, photos or videos to come forward. "This is the deadliest accident involving a civilian airplane I n the United States since 2011, " NTSB board member Jennifer Homendy told reporters in Hawaii Sunday, adding that investigators would be collecting perishable evidence such as log books and records from the scene over the next three or four days. Homendy pointed to special investigative report into parachute jump operations published in 2008 that looked at 32 accidents occurring between 1981 and 2008 and identified recurring safety issues. These included inadequate aircraft inspections and maintenance, pilot performance deficiencies and inadequate federal oversight of skydiving operations. "We have no idea whether any of those issues are factors in this accident but it's something we will keep in mind as we will be evaluating and analyzing the facts around this investigation," she said. Asked if the plane was overloaded, the NTSB official said the plane was outfitted for 13 people but noted that weight and balance were also factors and would be part of the investigation. Investigators would also be looking at the quality of the repairs done after the 2016 accident and whether it was inspected and passed as airworthy before being returned to service, she said. CNN reported that army veteran and professional parachute demonstrator Larry Lemaster was among the people killed. "I don't have an explanation for the utter tragedy that has happened," wife Anna Elkins wrote in a Facebook post on Saturday. "But Larry Lemaster would never want one person to waste a single minute of their life mourning his. He was doing what he loved. We spoke about this on many occasions." A preliminary report was expected in the next 10 to 14 days, Homendy said. https://www.airlineratings.com/news/ntsb-confirms-skydiving-crash-worst-us-civilian-accident- since-2011/ Back to Top Delta connection: Auburn University teams with airline to train future pilots The company and university recently dedicated the Delta Air Lines Aviation Education Building, a 23,000-square-foot state-of-the-art facility designed exclusively for aviation education. It features classrooms enhanced with advanced technology, debriefing rooms for student pilots and flight simulators, including one for the Airbus A320 passenger jet like those the company produces at its Alabama manufacturing facility. The project followed a $6.2 million grant from Delta, The Delta Air Lines Foundation and the Jacobson Family Foundation to support aviation programs, advanced research and a student leadership initiative at Auburn. "This raises the bar overall on what we can do for our students, as we prepare them to be leaders across the industry," said Auburn University Regional Airport Director and Aviation Center Director Bill Hutto. "It also elevates our program in the public eye, and I think it elevates our state as well." CLIMBING ENROLLMENT Auburn, the only four-year institution in Alabama that offers degrees in aviation, has been teaching flight training since 1941. Delta's investment comes amid a significant increase in enrollment, with nearly 400 students combined in the professional flight and aviation management degree programs, Hutto said. Officials are expecting 136 freshmen this fall, as well as 30 to 40 transfer students. Auburn graduates are well represented in the global aviation and aerospace industries, in the cockpit and beyond. Aviation management alumni work in airline management, crew scheduling, at the Federal Aviation Administration and many other regulatory agencies. "For those who can't fly, for whatever reason, there's a place for them and we want to provide that onramp for them to get involved," Hutto said. Hundreds of Delta employees are Auburn graduates, including Paul Jacobson, Delta's chief financial officer, trustee of The Delta Air Lines Foundation and chair of the Jacobson Family Foundation. "As a graduate of the Auburn Aviation Management Program, I am proud to be a part of a partnership that will help provide exceptional training and support Delta's continued investment in education in our communities," he said. FLIGHT TRAINING The Delta Air Lines Aviation Education Building began full operations in January. There are three classrooms, an FAA testing center and a simulator bay with the Airbus A320 plus six other simulators used in flight training environment. "We chose the A320 since they are assembled at the Airbus plant down in Mobile. We're proud of the fact that they're assembled in Alabama, and we thought that would be a nice tie in," Hutto said. The programs have an active advisory board, he added, with members who invest their time and resources with students. There also are opportunities for internships and mentorships. "We welcome input from people hiring our students. Part of our goal is to be helpful across the state to those who are trying to attract and retain business in Alabama," he said. The Delta grant also is funding endowed professorships, a student leadership development program called Emerge at Auburn and the Delta Air Lines Aviation Sensor ID Bay. The bay serves as a dedicated space for students to research and further development Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology. Auburn's aviation program received $4 million of the $6.2 million grant, while $2 million went to the RFID Lab and $200,000 to Emerge at Auburn. In addition, Delta has selected Auburn as one of the initial eight universities to participate in its Propel Pilot Career Path Program, which will help identify, select and develop the next generation of pilots. Students chosen for the program will receive a Qualified Job Offer, detailing a defined path and accelerated timeline to becoming a Delta pilot in 42 months or less. http://www.madeinalabama.com/2019/06/delta-connection-auburn-university-teams-with-airline- to-train-future-pilots/ Back to Top SpaceX Falcon Heavy to launch ashes of an all-star, astronaut and others When Elon Musk's huge Falcon Heavy rocket lifts off for just the third time Monday evening, it will be carrying the remains of over 100 earthlings to orbit.Spaceflight memorial company Celestis is sending individual canisters containing the cremated remains of its clients into space, where they will orbit our planet until their cosmic urns eventually re-enter Earth's atmosphere and burn up just like a shooting star. Dubbed the Heritage Flight, the cremains are hosted by the General Atomics Orbital Test Bed, which is just one of 24 satellites set to launch atop Falcon Heavy from Florida's Kennedy Space Center. Celestis has been sending loved ones to the beyond for over two decades, even offering a similar service for beloved pets. Among the individuals to be memorialized this week is Bill Pogue, a NASA astronaut who was on the support crew for the historic Apollo 11 moon landing mission in 1969. Pogue later spent 84 days aboard the Skylab space station, setting spaceflight endurance and distance records at the time. Also on the Heritage Flight is Masaru Tomita, who was a two-time all star player in Japan's Nippon Pro Baseball league, and Marj Kreuger, who worked for NASA in the 1960s and published both science fiction and technical science papers, including one about the use of nuclear power in space. Memorial biographies for over 120 of the people aboard the flight are available online, and they're pretty fascinating reads. You can watch the launch online, which is set for no earlier than 11:30 p.m. EDT Monday night. But for some more perspective on its most emotional payload, you can also watch the livestream of the Heritage Flight Memorial Service below, which begins at 2:50 p.m. EDT Monday. The Heritage Flight Memorial Service https://www.cnet.com/news/spacex-falcon-heavy-to-launch-ashes-of-an-all-star-astronaut-and- others/ Curt Lewis