Flight Safety Information SEPTEMBER 25, 2019 - No. 193 In This Issue Boeing to pay 737 MAX crash victims' families $144,500 each FAA chief invites Boeing 737 MAX feedback from divided world regulators Incident: Swift B738 at Prague on Sep 23rd 2019, flaps failure Incident: Atlas B744 over Atlantic on Sep 23rd 2019, system malfunction Cessna 208 Caravan - Fatal Accident (Thailand) Bell 206B-3 JetRanger III - Fatal Accident (British Colombia) Federal investigators say the FAA's Boeing 737 Max inspectors were insufficiently trained Boeing is quietly reaching out to retired airplane mechanics for help getting the 737 Max airborne Boeing calls in American Airlines and others for 737 Max training as it waits for clearance to fly Lagos, Abuja airports get Cat 3 aviation safety tools NTSB: Harnesses trapped passengers as helicopter sank in East River Airbus Confirms Belief There Is No Market For New Mid-Market Aircraft Avionica, GigSky Launch eSIM Generation of Aircraft Wireless Networking MAKING BETTER PRO PILOTS FASTER KLM Inaugurates The World's First Automatic Jet Bridge Liftoff! Japan Launches Unpiloted Cargo Ship Toward Space Station GRADUATE RESEARCH SURVEY Manager, Internal Evaluation Program Maintenance Safety Specialist Technical and Training Manager Register for the 72nd International Air Safety Summit (IASS 2019) GET THE FACTS ABOUT IS-BAO Human Factors in Accident Investigation from SCSI Aircraft Accident Investigation from SCSI Boeing to pay 737 MAX crash victims' families $144,500 each WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Boeing Co will pay the families of 346 people killed in two fatal 737 MAX crashes $144,500 (116,251 pounds) each from a $50 million financial assistance fund announced in July, the fund's administrators said on Monday. The fund, overseen by Washington lawyers Ken Feinberg and Camille S. Biros, will begin accepting claims from family members immediately. Family members will not be required to waive or release the right to litigate as a condition of participation. The 737 MAX has been grounded since March after fatal crashes in Ethiopia and Indonesia. Claims must be postmarked no later than Dec. 31, the fund said. Feinberg said Monday in an email to Reuters that "finding all of these heirs and making sure the funds will be safe and secure will be a real challenge since the families can be found in 35 foreign countries." In a statement, Boeing CEO Dennis Muilenburg said the company continued to extend its "deepest sympathies" to the families and loved ones of victims of the twin crashes. "The opening of this fund is an important step in our efforts to help affected families," he said. Boeing also announced in July it planned to spend an additional $50 million to support education and economic empowerment in impacted communities. Nearly 100 lawsuits have been filed against Boeing by at least a dozen law firms representing families of the Ethiopian Airlines crash victims, who came from 35 different countries, including nine U.S. citizens and 19 Canadians. Families of about 60 victims have yet to file lawsuits but plaintiffs' lawyers said they anticipate more to come. Most of the lawsuits do not make a specific dollar claim, though one law firm has said its clients are seeking more than $1 billion. The lawsuits assert that Boeing defectively designed the automated flight control system. The system is believed to have repeatedly forced the nose lower in both accidents. Boeing has said it aims to win approval to resume flights early in the fourth quarter. U.S. Federal Aviation Administration head Steve Dickson told Reuters last week it was not clear when Boeing will be able to conduct a certification test flight. But he said the agency should approve the plane's return about a month after the test flight occurs unless something unforeseen turns up. https://www.yahoo.com/news/boeing-assistance-fund-pay-737-184437391.html Back to Top FAA chief invites Boeing 737 MAX feedback from divided world regulators MONTREAL (Reuters) - The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration invited continued feedback from global regulators at a Boeing 737 MAX briefing on Monday about the steps needed to return the grounded passenger jet to flight after two fatal crashes. The closed-door meeting, on the eve of a United Nations aviation assembly in Montreal, brought together representatives from more than 50 countries with airlines that fly that MAX and those that will have incoming flights of the aircraft. Airlines have urged regulators to coordinate with one another in a bid to avoid damaging splits over safety as they evaluate software changes undertaken by Boeing Co to return the MAX to flight. Some countries have already vowed to run their own independent validation studies before restoring flights. In a statement after the meeting, the FAA said it did not have a firm timeline for returning the aircraft to service. Boeing's best-selling jet was grounded globally in March, days after the crash of an Ethiopian Airlines flight that followed a similar Lion Air disaster in Indonesia in October. The two crashes took a total of 346 lives. The U.S. manufacturer has spent months working to update critical flight control software at the centre of both crashes, in hopes of winning FAA approval for the planes to fly again in the United States between October and December. The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is examining the 737 MAX design, said recently there was still no appropriate response to issues with the integrity of the aircraft's angle of attack system. In both crashes, erroneous data triggered the activation of an automated system that repeatedly pushed down the plane's nose. Paul Njoroge, who lost his wife, three children and mother-in-law in the Ethiopian crash, and Chris Moore, who lost his daughter, held pictures of victims outside the meeting. The FAA has said it wants input from EASA and international regulators from Canada and Brazil before it conducts a certification test flight, a key step before final approval. Transport Canada said on Monday that human factors and pilot workload were among areas it was continuing to assess before allowing the return to service of the aircraft. The 737 MAX grounding is not on the agenda of the assembly of the International Civil Aviation Organization, which sets global standards for 193 member countries and runs from Tuesday until Oct. 4. However, the United States, Canada, Peru and Trinidad and Tobago jointly presented a paper urging the U.N. aviation arm to study how to improve minimum pilot training standards in what would be the first broad review of training requirements. https://www.yahoo.com/finance/news/u-faa-head-set-explain-155351302.html Back to Top Incident: Swift B738 at Prague on Sep 23rd 2019, flaps failure A Swift Air Boeing 737-800 on behalf of Smartwings, registration N277EA performing flight QS-1147 from Rhodes (Greece) to Prague (Czech Republic) with 166 passengers and 6 crew, was on approach to Prague when the crew reported a flaps failure requiring them to land flaps up. The aircraft landed on runway 24 at a higher than normal speed (about 200 knots over ground), rolled out safely and turned off the runway via the high speed turn off about 2970 meters/9750 feet down the runway and stopped clear of the runway. Emergency services monitored and cooled the brakes using pressure ventilators. The airport reported the crew reported a flap failure, the aircraft landed flaps up. Emergency services intervened and used overpressure ventilators to cool the brakes while thermally monitoring the brakes. Smartwings reported a faulty sensor was replaced during a thorough inspection, the aircraft was returned to service. The occurrence aircraft remained on the ground for about 2:40 hours, then returned to service departing for flight QS-1132 from Prague to Kefallinia (Greece). The aircraft however did not perform the return flight QS- 1133 on Sep 23rd but remained on the ground in Kefallinia for about 20 hours before performing the return flight. http://avherald.com/h?article=4cd37ecc&opt=0 Back to Top Incident: Atlas B744 over Atlantic on Sep 23rd 2019, system malfunction An Atlas Air Boeing 747-400, registration N480MC performing positioning flight 5Y-2868 from Manchester,EN (UK) to Orlando,FL (USA) with 20 crew on board, was enroute at FL380 about 220nm westsouthwest of Shannon (Ireland) about to enter Oceanic Airspace when the crew entered a hold to work on a problem. After about an hour the crew decided to divert to Shannon advising they had suffered a system malfunction that rendered them non-compliant with reduced vertical separation minima (RVSM) criteria. The aircraft landed safely on Shannon's runway 24 about 100 minutes after entering the hold. The aircraft, bound for Orlando to perform a relief flight for stranded Thomas Cook holiday makers, remained on the ground for about 16 hours, then continued the flight to Orlando. https://flightaware.com/live/flight/GTI2868/history/20190923/1702Z/EGCC/KMCO http://avherald.com/h?article=4cd36693&opt=0 Back to Top Cessna 208 Caravan - Fatal Accident (Thailand) Date: Tuesday 24 September 2019 Time: 09:30 Type: Cessna 208 Caravan Operator: Department of Royal Rainmaking and Agricultural Aviation Registration: 1917 C/n / msn: 20800267 First flight: 1997 Engines: 1 Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-114 Crew: Fatalities: 2 / Occupants: 2 Passengers: Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 0 Total: Fatalities: 2 / Occupants: 2 Aircraft damage: Damaged beyond repair Location: Moo 2, Sai Yok district ( Thailand) Phase: En route (ENR) Nature: Military Departure airport: Kanchanaburi-Surasi Air Base (VTBG), Thailand Destination airport: Kanchanaburi-Surasi Air Base (VTBG), Thailand Narrative: A Cessna 208 Caravan rain making plane was destroyed after impacting terrain during a training flight. The instructor pilot and trainee died in the crash. The aircraft was being used by the Department of Royal Rainmaking and Agricultural Aviation in Thailand for cloud seeding operations. This process of artificial rain making is used to combat drought in farming areas. https://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=20190924-0 Back to Top Bell 206B-3 JetRanger III - Fatal Accident (British Colombia) Date: 24-SEP-2019 Time: 11:25 LT Type: Bell 206B-3 JetRanger III Owner/operator: E & B Helicopters Ltd Registration: C-GEB. C/n / msn: Fatalities: Fatalities: 1 / Occupants: 1 Other fatalities: 0 Aircraft damage: Written off (damaged beyond repair) Location: Campbell River, BC - Canada Phase: Nature: Departure airport: Destination airport: Narrative: A Bell 206B-3 JetRanger III impacted the roof of a house and crashed for unknown reasons. There was a post impact fire. The sole pilot on board died. https://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/229293 Back to Top Federal investigators say the FAA's Boeing 737 Max inspectors were insufficiently trained The FAA is already under heightened scrutiny over its approval of the Boeing 737 Max. The planes have been grounded since mid-March after two fatal crashes killed 346 people. An aerial photo shows Boeing 737 MAX airplanes parked on the tarmac at the Boeing Factory in Renton, Washington, March 21, 2019. Some of the Federal Aviation Administration inspectors who worked on training requirements for the troubled Boeing 737 Max planes and other aircraft were underqualified and the air safety agency misled lawmakers about it, federal investigators said Tuesday. The investigation is adding to scrutiny of the agency that certified the Boeing 737 Max to fly in 2017. The planes have been grounded worldwide since mid-March after two fatal crashes within five months of one another claimed the lives of all 346 people on board. The U.S. Office of Special Counsel sent letters to President Donald Trump and lawmakers outlining its findings, which stem from a whistleblower complaint about qualifications of FAA inspectors. The FAA's Office of Audit and Evaluation in February said it found that 16 of 22 safety inspectors did not complete formal training while 11 of the 16 lacked flight-instructor certificates. The FAA told a Senate panel in April that all Boeing 737 Max inspectors who worked on the Flight Standardization Board that sets pilot training and procedures were qualified, but the Special Counsel's office said its findings contradicted that. "The FAA is entrusted with the critically important role of ensuring aircraft safety," Special Counsel Henry J. Kerner said in a release. "The FAA's failure to ensure safety inspector competency for these aircraft puts the flying public at risk." The FAA said it was reviewing the letter. "We remain confident in our representations to Congress and in the work of our aviation safety professionals," the FAA said in a statement. "Aviation safety is always our foremost priority, and we look forward to responding to the concerns that have been raised." "All of the Aviation Safety Inspectors who participated in the evaluation of the Boeing 737 MAX were fully qualified for those activities," it said. https://www.cnbc.com/2019/09/24/federal-investigators-faas-boeing-737-max- inspectors-were-underqualified.html Back to Top Boeing is quietly reaching out to retired airplane mechanics for help getting the 737 Max airborne again FILE PHOTO: Employees walk by the end of a 737 Max aircraft at the Boeing factory in Renton, Washington, U.S., March 27, 2019. REUTERS/Lindsey Wasson/File Photo * Boeing is reaching out to retired airline technicians, mechanics, and engineers and offering temporary jobs to help get its stored 737 Max planes ready for delivery when the global grounding ends. * In a letter sent by American Airlines to retired employees, seen by Business Insider, the airline says that added staffing is to help Boeing resume deliveries when the plane is certified again by regulators. * Boeing said in August that it was hiring " a few hundred" temporary employees. However, Boeing's reaching out to retired employees suggests the planemaker is either having trouble recruiting qualified people, or seeking to speed up its recruiting. The planemaker has previously said it expects the plane to be recertified during the fourth quarter. Boeing is trying to recruit retired employees as temporary workers as it prepares for the 737 Max to return to commercial service. In a letter received by a retired American Airlines employee and seen by Business Insider, Kevin Brickner, the airline's senior vice president of technical operations, said that Boeing had contacted the airline asking for help contacting qualified, retired technicians at its Moses Lake, Washington facility. American Airlines confirmed that it sent the letter, and provided Business Insider with a complete copy, which is included at the bottom of this article. In August, Boeing said that it was planning to add "a few hundred" temporary employees to help get its stored 737 Max aircraft ready for delivery once the FAA lifts the grounding. However, Boeing now appears to be hastening its hiring timeline as it seeks qualified technicians who are unencumbered by current employers. The 737 Max has been grounded by global regulators since March, when a 737 Max operating an Ethiopian Airlines flight crashed six minutes after taking off, the second fatal crash in five months. The incidents have been blamed on an automated system meant to prevent the plane from stalling, but which was erroneously activated. Although Boeing has reduced production from 52 of the jets per month to 42 during the grounding, it has not been able to deliver those planes because of the grounding, and has consequently been forced to store them. Because many of the jets will have been in storage for at least six months by the time the grounding is lifted, they will require extensive maintenance checks and test flights. The letter says that Boeing is seeking people qualified for specific roles, including aviation technicians, to work for a minimum of six months, but up to a full year. Although union rules often prohibit retirees from taking other jobs in the industry, the positions appear to be contract, rather than staff, which may help alleviate any conflicts. Several job listings on Boeing's website for maintenance and technician positions, posted on September 16, indicate the positions are temporary and hourly. Boeing CEO Dennis Muilenburg has previously said that the planemaker expects to submit its fix to the Federal Aviation Administration in September, and predicts that the plane will be approved to reenter service in early November. On Monday, the FAA and Boeing provided a technical briefing in Montreal to global aviation regulators, as the company prepares to submit the fix. Boeing did not immediately return a request for comment. https://www.businessinsider.com/boeing-is-hiring-airline-technicians-for-737-max- 2019-9 Back to Top Boeing calls in American Airlines and others for 737 Max training as it waits for clearance to fly * The first of this round of training sessions are in Miami this week, with others to follow in the United Kingdom, Turkey, China and Singapore. Caution flags hang from flight sensors on a Boeing 737 MAX 8 airplane being built at Boeing's assembly facility in Renton, Wash. American Airlines is among carriers sending pilots to 737 Max training this week in Miami as Boeing intensifies its efforts to get the jets recertified and back in the air. Boeing spokesman Charles Bickers said 737 Max operators were invited to training sessions that will take place through mid-October, similar to training sessions it held in March and April. The first of this round of training sessions are in Miami this week, with others to follow in the United Kingdom, Turkey, China and Singapore. Fort Worth-based American confirmed that it sent representatives from its pilots union, the Allied Pilots Association, to Miami along with other airline representatives. "The information sessions are part of our ongoing effort to share more details about our plan for supporting the safe return of the 737 Max to commercial service, including demonstrating the proposed 737 Max software update and training program," Bickers said. Southwest Airlines, based in Dallas, did not respond to a request for comment about its participation in the training sessions. The carrier has said it could take one to two months after the planes are recertified to return to scheduled service. It's been more than six months since the 737 Max was grounded following fatal crashes in Indonesia and Ethiopia and it's still unclear when the FAA will give permission for airlines to fly the 737 Max again. Boeing is being asked to fix a faulty software system that when paired with faulty sensors sent two Boeing 737 Max jets into a nosedive and killed 346 people. The FAA has since identified another software problem and has asked Boeing to fix it, although the regulator didn't say what it was. FAA Administrator Stephen Dickson spoke in Montreal on Monday to convince other global aviation regulators that the U.S. agency was up to the task. The two airlines based in North Texas, Southwest and American, had the largest fleet of 737 Max jets when they were grounded in March, with 34 and 24 respectively. Both expected to receive more jets throughout 2019. The continued grounding means airlines face an increasingly tight supply of aircraft heading into the holiday travel season. American Airlines has taken the Max off schedules through Dec. 3, while Southwest said it doesn't plan to fly it until after Jan. 5. American Airlines has one 737 Max flight simulator that should be ready by the end of October, although it's not anticipated that additional training will be needed for pilots who previously operated the 737 Max. "This is a joint session with other airlines," said American spokesman Ross Feinstein. "We're continuing to work closely with [the Allied Pilots Association] and in lockstep with the FAA and Boeing." https://www.dallasnews.com/business/airlines/2019/09/24/boeing-calls-in-american- airlines-and-others-for-737-max-training-as-it-waits-for-clearance-to-fly/ Back to Top Lagos, Abuja airports get Cat 3 aviation safety tools The Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) has taken delivery of some consignments of equipment for category 3 Instrument Landing Systems/Distance Measuring Equipment (ILS/DME) for Lagos and Abuja airports. The consignments, which were cleared over the weekend from Apapa Wharf, are already at the premises of the agency in Lagos. Speaking on this development, the Managing Director of NAMA, Capt. Fola Akinkuotu said installation of these landing aids, which will commence soon, is part of the agency's effort to ensure that aircraft are able to land in adverse weather condition especially during the harmattan. He also revealed that the second phase of the project, involving the installation of ILS/DME in Kano, Port Harcourt and Katsina airports, will commence as soon as Lagos and Abuja installations are complete, stressing that the choice of these airports was informed by the severe weather conditions prevalent in them. https://www.newtelegraphng.com/2019/09/lagos-abuja-airports-get-cat-3-aviation- safety-tools/ Back to Top NTSB: Harnesses trapped passengers as helicopter sank in East River NEW YORK -- Video from inside a doors-off sightseeing helicopter that crashed in a New York City river last year shows doomed passengers struggling to free themselves from harnesses as the aircraft fills with water, federal investigators said Monday. "How do I cut this?" one passenger asks, just 13 seconds before the helicopter becomes completely submerged. The National Transportation Safety Board made a transcript of the video public on Monday, but the footage itself was not provided. It was taken from a GoPro camera mounted on the cabin ceiling. Investigators had been looking at whether the harnesses hindered passengers' escape from the helicopter, which flipped over and quickly sank. The transcript painted a picture of tragedy that unfolded in mere seconds, with one passenger reaching for a spot on his chest where a hook knife had been seen earlier, another pulling in vain at the shoulder straps of his harness and a third heard panting. The agency also released dozens of other documents from its investigation into the deadly March 2018 crash in the East River and set a Dec. 10 hearing in Washington to determine a probable cause. All five passengers drowned. Police and fire department divers said they found their bodies strapped in harnesses and used knives to cut them loose. Visibility underwater was maybe a foot, divers told investigators. Pilot Richard Vance was wearing just a seatbelt and was able to free himself, officials said. Asked by investigators if he considered going back to rescue the passengers, Vance said he wanted to, but he thought his clothing would weigh him down. The helicopter crashed after a tether meant to keep passengers safe got caught on a fuel shutoff switch a few minutes into the scheduled 30-minute flight, stopping the engine, Vance told investigators. Vance said once the engine stopped, he took action to glide the helicopter away from crowded areas - like tall buildings and Central Park - but hadn't noticed the fuel shutoff switch was the culprit until he looked down at it just before impact. The "tether loop was underneath the handle," Vance said, according to a transcript of his interview with investigators. In a submission to investigators, the company that organized the flight pointed to the shutoff as a "long standing design issue" with the floor mounted fuel controls of the helicopter, a Eurocopter AS350. The company, FlyNYON, also pointed to problems with the helicopter's emergency flotation system, which failed to keep the aircraft from flipping over and sinking. "These issues continue to pose a threat to passengers and crew on AS350B2 helicopters and any helicopter employing the same Dart emergency flotation system," FlyNYON said in a statement. "We shared our concerns with the NTSB and urge them to alert the FAA at the highest levels to ensure they are aware of these very serious safety issues." The Federal Aviation Administration grounded doors-off flights after the East River crash, but they've since resumed. FlyNYON's website promotes "sneaker selfies," complete with video and a photo of a passenger's feet dangling over lower Manhattan. The company also recently caught flak for running a promotion encouraging passengers to bring their dogs along for the ride. Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y. and Sen. Bob Menendez, D-N.J. have called on the FAA to close a loop hole that allows doors-off flights for aerial photography, saying it's meant for professional and commercial purposes, not tourists. "FlyNYON and their perilous doors-off flights remain an egregious danger in the sky to this day," Schumer said in a statement. He said last year's crash, the dog promotion and other factors, paint "a clear picture for federal regulators that argues for an end to the tragic doors-off flights this company so brazenly continues to offer." The passengers who died were Dallas fire Officer Brian McDaniel, 26; his friend Trevor Cadigan, 26, a journalist from Dallas who had recently moved to New York; Carla Vallejos Blanco, 29, a tourist from Corrientes, Argentina; Tristan Hill, 29, who for a time was a basketball operations assistant with the Westchester Knicks, a Development League affiliate of the New York Knicks; and Daniel Thompson, 34. https://abc7ny.com/ntsb-harnesses-trapped-passengers-as-helicopter-sank-in-east- river/5565832/ Back to Top Airbus Confirms Belief There Is No Market For New Mid-Market Aircraft A Delta 757-300 in Las Vegas (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson) The two biggest aircraft manufacturers in the world, Boeing Inc. and Airbus Industries, are continuing their battle on the potential viability for a new New Mid-Market Aircraft or New Midsize Aircraft (NMA). The NMA is an aircraft that is supposed to cover the market between the Boeing 757 and the Boeing 767, two passenger aircraft types that are no longer in production by Boeing, and for which the Chicago-based manufacturer is supposed to launch a new clean-sheet aircraft concept. According to a recent interview to Airbus' Senior Vice-President for Business Analysis, Bob Lange, released by FlightGlobal, the "addressable market" for that aircraft is 2,000- 2,500 jets in the next 20 years, too small to justify the development of a new aircraft. "But we'd be competing within that space - he stressed - with aircraft types including the Airbus A321XLR, high-density A321s and the re-engined A330neo. It doesn't mean there won't be a market for a new aircraft in that space, but we'd be taking the early market." Boeing has always been considerably more bullish on the market potential for a NMA: they have publicly stated on multiple occasions that there is a potential for 2,000 to 4,000 aircraft in that segment, with indications that they are confident sales could be very close to the higher end of that spectrum. But those estimates were also rebuked by former Airbus COO-Customer Brian Leahy in his retirement interview to Leeham News in December 2017: "If you bring out an an- new, clean-sheet airplane, you're taking a market there that is probably 2,000 airplanes. It's not 4,000, and you're spending $15bn to develop the airplane. You've got to amortize that and every airline is telling you $55m to $75m is all we're going to pay for this light twin. You've got the engine guys telling you the engines are going to be very expensive. The numbers just don't work." This is why Airbus' strategy is focusing on re-engined solutions of established aircraft designs, with the A330neo proposed to cover the higher-capacity end of the mid-market segment and the Airbus A321XLR to take care of the lower-capacity demand. The European manufacturer seems to believe that Boeing will end up resorting to a similar solution with a re-engined solution for the Boeing 767 to cover the segment immediately below the 787-8, which is already flown with configurations below 200 seats by some carriers. But the focus for the U.S. manufacturer has to remain on returning the 737 MAX to the skies after the grounding that has been affecting Boeing's flagship single-aisle aircraft after the two fatal accidents in Indonesia and Ethiopia between the end of 2018 and the beginning of 2019. https://airlinegeeks.com/2019/09/24/airbus-confirms-belief-there-is-no-market-for-a- new-mid-market-aircraft/ Back to Top Avionica, GigSky Launch eSIM Generation of Aircraft Wireless Networking Avionica is embedding the GigSky Internet of Things eSIM chip into its aircraft communications module to make aircraft cellular network access a completely remotely controlled process. Three years after establishing their first partnership, GigSky's Internet of Things (IoT) eSIM card will be embedded into Avionica's avCM aircraft communications module to make the control and configuration of aircraft wireless cellular network data transferring completely remote. GE Aviation subsidiary Avionica already uses GigSky's global 4G/LTE international cellular network across its mini Quick Access Recorder (QAR), with its seven-band 4G High Speed Packet Access (HSPA) cell module for moving data on and off aircraft on the ground. Now, the Miami, Florida-based avionics-maker will embed GigSky's eSIM chip directly into its communications module for seamless access to cellular networks globally. Palo Alto, California-based GigSky's global 4G/LTE aviation network provides mobile data in more than 190 countries and territories. The network has the ability to serve as a communications medium for Electronic Flight Bag (EFB), Electronic Technical Log (ETL) and Wireless Quick Access Recorder (WQAR) data off and on-loading while the aircraft is on the ground. Aviation operators can pay an annual fee for the service, avoiding cost impact from the amount of uploaded data. Sean Reilly, vice president of business development for Avionica, told Avionics that one of the most beneficial aspects of the new modification for avCM will be the elimination of the need for occasional replacement of the current generation avCM's plastic SIM card. Instead, Avionica and GigSky can now remotely configure the communications network of the aircraft to offload data to the operator's operations control center or maintenance division based on the location of the aircraft and available local cellular networks. How Avionica's avSYNC aircraft wireless data transfer service works. Photo: Avionica "The eSIM gives us the ability to never have to go out and touch that module again," Reilly said. Using the GigSky toolset, Avionica actively monitors and manages connectivity to ensure that data is always delivered when and where required. GigSky describes its IoT eSIM technology as featuring subscription management and support for cellular networks across the globe. That can allow airlines equipped with Avionica's avCM, such as Cathay Pacific and Korean Airlines among others, to perform wireless QAR data offloads using the cellular network that is available near the airport or maintenance bay or other location that the aircraft is positioned in, according to Reilly. On the eSim-enabled avCM, operators will notice a larger antenna, necessary to support Long Term Evolution (LTE) and work with higher data transfer speeds. "One of the unique things of our approach is its very modular in nature, so I can take someone who has the 4G unit AVCM, and remove the cell module and put this new unit in its place, and its literally a plug and play replacement," Reilly said. Avionica is currently working through FAA supplemental type certification on the new eSIm version of the avCM module for 300 different aircraft types, and expects to start shipping the upgraded version to operators in December. https://www.aviationtoday.com/2019/09/24/avionica-gigsky-launch-esim-generation- aircraft-wireless-networking/ Back to Top MAKING BETTER PRO PILOTS FASTER NEW TRAC TRAINER FROM CIRRUS A landing gear handle looks wholly out of place on a fixed-gear Cirrus SR20-but it's there for a very good reason. "This airplane's mission is to prepare flight students for careers as professional pilots," Ivy McIver, Cirrus Aircraft's director for the SR product line, said of the company's TRAC training aircraft. "This puts landing gear into their flow from the very beginning, and it helps prepare them for the larger, faster airplanes they're likely to fly next." In addition to the landing gear lever with position lights that the instructor can slyly fail at the touch of a hidden button, TRAC aircraft come with a radio transmit switch in the back so that student observers can be involved in air traffic control communications; durable seat material that doesn't scuff and is easy to clean; a four-cylinder, 215- horsepower Lycoming IO-390 engine; analog backup instruments; and external decals with text showing preflight inspection items such as oil quantity, tire pressure, and static source locations. As with other Cirrus models, the TRAC airplanes contain safety equipment such as airframe parachutes and airbag seatbelts. "We have a lot of years in the flight training world," McIver said. "We took feedback from the universities, airline training departments, and flight schools and incorporated their priorities in TRAC aircraft. We want to dispel the myth in the market that we only sell million-dollar luxury airplanes." TRAC SR20s have a base price of $410,000. They will compete with the Piper Aircraft Pilot 100i instrument trainer, which has a list price of $285,000. Cirrus also offers more powerful SR22 and SR22T TRAC versions. Lufthansa, Emirates, and Austrian airlines all use Cirrus SR20s in their ab initio pilot training programs, as do many U.S. college aviation programs. The U.S. Air Force and French navy also use them for pilot screening. TRAC instrument panels contain two-screen, Garmin Perspective glass displays with a keyboard flight management system designed to get flight students accustomed to highly integrated avionics suites early in their training. "The global demand for pilots is surging and the pilot supply is shrinking," McIver said. "The FMS and its integration with the flight deck and automation are things you see in bigger aircraft. This airplane is designed to help students transition to bigger aircraft more quickly." https://www.aopa.org/news-and-media/all-news/2019/september/24/cirrus-unveils- trainer Back to Top KLM Inaugurates The World's First Automatic Jet Bridge KLM has inaugurated the world's first automatic jet bridge. The airline is looking to cut the docking process down to just one minute as it aims to increase the efficiency of aircraft turnarounds. KLM, Automatic Jet bridge, Amsterdam schipol KLM has inaugurated the world's first automatic jet bridge. Photo: KLM The process of docking a jetbridge can take a lot of skill. Like flying an aircraft, the jet bridge operator is able to move it up, down, left, right forward, and backwards. They are also able to rotate them along with some other functions. KLM is looking to take the complexity out of the process. Schipol trial KLM is trialing the new automatic jet bridge at its home airport in Amsterdam, the busy Schipol Airport. The new jet bridge has two walkways. On aircraft such as the Boeing 777 and 787, the jet bridge can use two sets of doors. However, according to KLM, the jet bridge in question is capable of acting on double decker aircraft, in other words, the Airbus A380, as it is not possible to load Boeing 747s via the top door. As KLM doesn't use the Airbus A380, it is unlikely that the technology will be trialed on the aircraft at this point in time. The trial will be limited to one aircraft while KLM investigates the effectiveness of the new technology. How does it work? The jet bridge is jam packed full of technology to identify aircraft. This includes smart cameras which are able to identify the doors of an aircraft. This is in addition to other sensors. The jet bridge still requires an operative to be present. They will activate the jet bridge and oversee the operation. Every now and again, we see aircraft damaged due to a jet bridge strike. In fact, this took Hi Fly's Airbus A380 out of action previously. The agent will presumably be watching, ready to press a big red button if this could happen with the automatic jet bridge. Great innovation René de Groot, KLM's CEO, called the technology a great innovation. He said of the creation, "The fully automatic passenger bridge at Schiphol is a great innovation and can make a real difference ... KLM is proud to have contributed to its development. The bridge can connect up within one minute, and that means shorter waiting times for our customers." Meanwhile Dick Benschop, CEO of Royal Schiphol Group, said, "I am proud that the world's first fully automatic double-decker passenger bridge is going into operation at Schiphol." https://simpleflying.com/klm-automatic-jet-bridge/ Back to Top Liftoff! Japan Launches Unpiloted Cargo Ship Toward Space Station Liftoff occurred at 12:05 p.m. EDT (1605 GMT). A Japanese cargo ship successfully launched to the International Space Station Tuesday (Sept. 24), lifting off two weeks late due a launch pad fire during its first liftoff attempt. The unpiloted H-II Transport Vehicle-8 (HTV-8) soared into space at 12:05 p.m. EDT Tuesday (1605 GMT or 1:05 a.m. Sept. 25 in Japan). The cargo ship hefted more than 4 tons of supplies, as well as batteries and a prototype laser-communications system, from the Tanegashima Space Center in southern Japan. The launch was originally scheduled for Sept. 10, but officials scrubbed it after a fire broke out on the launch platform a few hours before launch. Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI), which is the prime contractor for the Japanese H-IIB rocket, later determined the blaze likely happened due to static electricity fueled by oxygen, according to Spaceflight Now. A Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency H-IIB rocket launches the HTV-8 cargo ship to the International Space Station on Sept. 24, 2019 EDT (Sept. 25 Japan Time) from Tanegashima Space Center in southern Japan. Not helping the situation was the unusually low winds at Tanegashima during the launch countdown, MHI explained in a statement, because oxygen vapors were more concentrated than usual at the launch pad since they were not being blown away. "We have taken corrective measures and have confirmed normal functioning of the rocket and facility," MHI added, without specifying what those measures are. On the scrub day, NASA quickly issued a statement reassuring the public that the space station crew remains well-supplied even in the face of the delay. Three more people, in fact, are likely on their way to the space station tomorrow (Sept. 25). That Expedition 61 crew includes veteran Russian cosmonaut Oleg Skripochka, rookie NASA astronaut Jessica Meir and Hazza Al Mansouri of the United Arab Emirates. Al Mansouri is the first Emirati astronaut ever to fly in space. HTV is expected to arrive at its destination Saturday (Sept. 28) - well after the Expedition 61 crew's docking. The cargo ship will berth at the Harmony module of the ISS. Astronauts will use the Canadarm2 robotic arm to capture the Japanese supply ship. Astronauts will unpack the supplies, while robots pick up the batteries for future spacewalk work. NASA plans up to five spacewalks in October to take the new lithium-ion batteries and put them in place of aging nickel-hydrogen batteries powering the space station's P6 truss segment, Spaceflight Now said. The 21-year-old space station is in the middle of several battery replacements to keep the space station's living quarters and experiments powered up for commercial crew - and beyond. Meanwhile, the Sony laser-communications terminal will be deployed to test future communications between satellites or with ground stations, using ultra-fast laser communications, according to the Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency or JAXA. (Spacecraft today generally rely on radio, which has a more limited bandwidth to send information). Since 2016, JAXA said in a statement, Sony and the space agency have been testing long-distance laser communications on the ground. The demonstration on the space station will involve attaching the Sony system to a small exposed experiment platform in space, attached to the Japanese Kibo module. "We have very high expectations for this technology," ISS astronaut Koichi Wakata, who is now a vice-president at JAXA, said in the same statement. "This technology ... will likely be widely used not only in the telecommunications industry, but in the future as a means of communication in the field of exploration. Specifically, it can be used as a means of communication between the Earth and the International Space Station, the moon, and Mars." Aside from this fire, Japan has an unbroken record of success in launching its HTV vehicles, which generally fly to space every year or two. The last HTV before this one was sent aloft in September 2018. NASA will webcast HTV-8's arrival at the space station on Saturday beginning at 5:45 a.m. EDT (0945 GMT), with robotic arm capture scheduled for 7:15 a.m. EDT (1115 GMT). NASA's webcast will resume at 9:30 a.m. EDT (1330 GMT) on Saturday to cover HTV-8's attachment to the Harmony module. https://www.space.com/japan-launches-htv-8-space-station-cargo-ship.html Back to Top GRADUATE RESEARCH SURVEY Dear Fellow Aviators, I kindly invite you to take part in a short online survey concerning the Psychological Assessment of Pilots in Commercial Airline Operations. This is part of my dissertation towards the award of a master's degree in Air Safety Management from the City University of London, U.K. I am currently an Instructor and Training Captain for a leading international airline, flying the Boeing 777 and 787. The survey is specifically meant for Commercial Airline or Business/ Corporate pilots. The survey is an important element of the project as it ascertains Airline Pilot views and opinions about Mental Health. It has been four years since the Germanwings crash and there has been very little done in terms of testing and support of mental health issues of aviators. The survey is available at the following link and will take less than 20 minutes to complete. All responses are completely anonymous and no data including IP addresses are collected. https://forms.gle/jWBYaV5AGArhEVtC7 More information on the survey is included in the Introduction section. Thank you in advance for your invaluable time and insights. I can be contacted on sanjay.rao@city.ac.uk for any further clarifications. Blue skies and safe flights, Capt. Sanjay Sakaram Rao Back to Top Manager, Internal Evaluation Program Internal Evaluation is an essential component of Safety Management Systems (SMS). This role will partner with the SMS Director to help department heads implement best practices and measure their success against established metrics. Responsible for developing and executing the internal audit process to evaluate NetJets Aviation's operational policies and procedures. Design audit standards that will objectively examine internal processes for conformity to accepted best practices and compliance with regulatory standards. Report findings to the responsible department heads and assist in developing corrective action plans. The position will also coordinate third-party audits performed on NetJets Aviation and may serve as a Point of Contact for audit vendors. 30%: Develop and maintain internal audit processes, procedures, and documentation to analyze NetJets Aviation flight operations, training, and maintenance policies. 30%: Conduct internal audits on a schedule to be adjusted annually; report findings and observations to affected managers. 20%: Conduct all federal and other relevant regulatory compliance analysis related to flight and maintenance operations as assigned. 10%: Coordinate audits performed on NetJets by third-party vendors and prepare departments for external audits. 10%: Support SMS change-management initiatives as a subject matter expert or team leader as required. Education Level: Bachelor's Degree Course of Study/Major: Aviation / Business or related field, or equivalent combination of training and experience. Type of Credentials/Licenses: FAA Commercial Pilot, Aircraft Dispatcher, or Maintenance Technician Related Work Experience: 6-8 years * 2+ years in an aviation management position (dispatch, maintenance, scheduling, in-flight), or as a line pilot, with a certified air carrier (91K, 135, or 121). * In-depth knowledge of SMS concepts and the carrier's regulatory environment. * Working knowledge of auditing principles, standards, and practices. * Experience with root-cause analysis and process development. * Excellent written and oral communication skills. * Demonstrated leadership skills and ability to manage multiple projects and/or working groups. * Outstanding analytical and problem-solving abilities. To apply, please visit www.netjets.com/careers Back to Top Maintenance Safety Specialist The Maintenance Safety Specialist position assists the Director, Maintenance Safety in the execution of the comprehensive NetJets Safety Program. This includes reviewing, evaluating and processing safety reports, analyzing data, assessing risks and making recommendations on how to minimize the risks involved in NetJets flight and maintenance operations. Assist the Director, Maintenance Safety in development and execution of the NJA safety programs through: 50%: Evaluate, analyze and process safety reports submitted to any of the NJA administered Aviation Safety Action Programs (ASAP) including but not limited to: * Investigating the issues raised in each safety report * Make recommendations to management regarding changes to policy, procedures and practices to enhance safety * Collection and analysis of policy, maintenance records, and fatigue assessments to determine if safety enhancements are available or warranted. * Provide opinion and interpretation of collected materials to the ASAP ERC. * Act and speak on behalf of NJA as the ASAP Event Review Committee (ERC) representative on a rotating basis. * Administer corrective actions in response to ASAP ERC findings. 20%: Participate in, or conduct research into irregular events occurring during NJA maintenance flight operations 10%: Research and analyze trend data in the NetJets Safety Program and other industry data. 10%: Track ASAP related safety recommendations and corrective actions to ensure that follow-up actions have been taken that are effective. Determine if the actions have been effective and if not, make recommendations for additional changes or corrective action. 5%: Contribute to the production of the NetJets Aviation Safety Action Program (ASAP) quarterly newsletters. 5%: Acts as an information conduit to bring safety of flight issues to the attention of management and to deliver safety information to NJA employees. Education Level: High School Graduate Type of Credentials/Licenses: Maintenance Technician Certificate, A&P License Related Work Experience: 2 years or equivalent experience Required: * Must be able to work independently and use independent discretion and judgment. * Exposure to responding to irregular events as well as identifying, evaluating and writing risk assessments for said events. * Familiarity with safety analysis, trending and risk assessment. * Ability to use sound judgment in analyzing reports, assessing risks and making recommendations. * Must possess a demonstrated high degree of personal and professional integrity with the ability to maintain confidentiality. * Detail oriented characteristics with an ability to prioritize multiple objectives in a dynamic environment with constantly shifting priorities. * Strong verbal and written communication with the ability to write effective reports, business correspondence and procedure manuals. * Technical computer expertise and proficient knowledge in commercial off-the-shelf applications, such as Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint). * Must be effective working both individually as well as in a team environment with the ability to interact in a tactful manner. * Able to read and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures and governmental regulations with a working knowledge of applicable Federal Aviation Regulations. * Demonstrated ability to interact with people at varying levels of authority. Desired: * Operational Experience within Aviation Safety, Flight Operations, Maintenance, or equivalent transportation industry. * Professional training and/or education in safety or investigation fundamentals. * Experience or training in Aviation Safety Action Program (ASAP). * Professional experience and/or education in aviation safety investigations with particular experience or training in Aviation Safety Action Program (ASAP). * Professional experience and/or education in aviation safety. * Demonstrated public speaking and presentation skills with the ability to effectively present on both the individual level and to large audiences, including NetJets employees, industry professionals and federal agencies. To apply, please visit www.netjets.com/careers Back to Top Technical and Training Manager Flight Safety Foundation l BARS Melbourne, Australia An exciting role for a high-performing aviation expert as Technical and Training Manager with Flight Safety Foundation. Flight Safety Foundation is a non-profit organization staffed and managed by a small group of specialists in aviation safety and aviation communications. Operations are overseen by a board of governors, with primary guidance by a foundation governance council. The board is composed of executives from all segments of the global aviation industry to provide as broad a view of issues as possible. In addition, several standing advisory committees and ad hoc study groups provide focused, detailed direction and assistance in identifying and addressing opportunities for the continual improvement of aviation safety worldwide. Founded in 1947, today, membership includes more than 1,000 organizations and individuals in 150 countries. The Foundation is based in Alexandria, Virginia, USA and has a regional office in Melbourne, Australia. The predominant purpose of the Melbourne office of FSF is to run the BARS Program. The BARS Program is made up of a suite of risk-based aviation industry Standards with supporting Implementation Guidelines. There are dedicated Standards for Contracted Aviation Operations, Offshore Helicopter Operations, Aerial Mustering and Remotely Piloted Aerial Systems. The role of Technical and Training Manager has been created to support the Managing Director in the delivery of the BARS Program objectives and support the Technical team in the function of the Audit Program delivery and quality control. We are seeking to appoint a candidate with the following credentials: - Relevant tertiary qualifications in Business and/or Engineering, * Extensive experience (10-15+ years) in either flight operations (pilot or flight engineer) roles or a maintenance & engineering role. * Aviation background and knowledge-based leadership (through aviation technical expertise) is critical to the success of the role * The ability to lead and coach the Technical team by developing and educating them in areas of aviation safety. * Deep understanding of Safety Management Systems (SMS) (ICAO Annex 19 and Doc 9859) and Quality principles (ISO 9001:2016 or ISO 9000). * Experience in delivering training in a classroom environment. * Excellent written skills to undertake data analysis and prepare reports. * Excellent communications skills and the ability to confidently present at Public Speaking events * Strong analytical skills to interpret complex data * Strong organisational and project management skills * Competent with Microsoft Office - Word, Excel PowerPoint and Outlook * Tableau or Power BI would be an advantage * Prepared to travel domestically and internationally regularly (unrestricted passport) * Pilots - Accident free record This role will be based in Collins Street, Melbourne, Australia For a confidential discussion about this role or to receive a copy of a detailed Position Description, please contact Jennifer Galvin-Rowley on +61 410 477 235 or email jen@galvinrowley.com.au Applications should be made online by visiting www.galvinrowley.com.au Back to Top Register for the 72nd International Air Safety Summit (IASS 2019) in Taipei and join over 400 people as we discuss top safety issues in aviation. Held Nov. 2 - 4, IASS 2019 brings together aerospace and aviation professionals from around the globe to exchange information and propose new directions for further risk reductions. This three-day event features 11 sessions with speakers from NASA, International Air Transport Association, Taiwan Transportation Safety Board, UK Flight Safety Committee and more. IASS 2019 will take place at the Mandarin Oriental, a five-star retreat in the heart of Taipei. The Foundation has secured a block of sleeping at a special group rate. Register and reserve your room by Tuesday, Oct. 8, to take advantage of the discount. Link: https://flightsafety.org/summit-seminar/72nd-iass/ Curt Lewis