Flight Safety Information October 1, 2019 - No. 198 In This Issue Southwest pilots see February or March return of Boeing Max Boeing Names Product And Services Safety Head In Wake Of Fatal 737 MAX Crashes Incident: Delta B764 enroute on Sep 29th 2019, cracked windshield Incident: Tanzania BCS3 near Mwanza on Sep 25th 2019, engine shut down in flight Incident: Mocambique Expresso at Maputo on Sep 30th 2019, runway excursion on landing Incident: Canada A319 at Toronto on Sep 1st 2019, fumes in cockpit Incident: Indigo A320 at Goa on Sep 29th 2019, engine shut down in flight Incident: Austral E190 at Buenos Aires on Sep 29th 2019, engine shut down in flight O'Hare airport catering cart spins wildly near jet; stuck accelerator may be to blame Clay Lacy Aviation Joins the Air Charter Safety Foundation and ASAP Qatar's civil aviation safety record brings in ICAO laurels Air Malta was one of first to comply with Airbus A320neo safety directive, airline says Japanese sailor killed by propeller while working on aircraft engine ACI World Urges ICAO To Develop Supersonic Standards XL Airways Suspends Operations American Airlines is spending $100 million on a new parts facility at DFW International Airport NASA issues its fast-track plan to get two commercial lunar landers for 2024- 2025 GRADUATE RESEARCH SURVEY MITRE - SMS Course - December 2019 Manager, Internal Evaluation Program Maintenance Safety Specialist Human Factors in Accident Investigation from SCSI Southwest pilots see February or March return of Boeing Max PLANO, Texas (AP) - Pilot-union leaders at Southwest Airlines say it could be February or March before their airline resumes flights using the Boeing 737 Max. That's much later than projected by either Southwest or Boeing. Union officials said Monday that the grounded plane's return will take longer for several reasons, including pilot-training requirements and possible changes to checklists that pilots are expected to perform when something goes wrong with a plane. The Max has been grounded since March after two crashes killed 346 people. Southwest, the biggest operator of the plane, has dropped the Max from its schedule through Jan. 5. Jon Weaks, president of the Southwest Airlines Pilots Association, said the union has been uncomfortable with Southwest's timetable. "On our side, we think we're looking at maybe even February or March," he said during a meeting of pilot-union representatives from several airlines. Southwest spokeswoman Brandy King said the airline is waiting for more information from federal regulators about timing of the plane's return. "We continue our work on schedule revisions but do not have any new information on timing for MAX return to service," she said. Boeing spokesman Gordon Johndroe said, "While the decision is up to the regulators, we continue to work towards return to service of the MAX in the fourth quarter of this year." Boeing is making changes to the Max's flight-control computers and rewriting software that mistakenly activated on flights in Indonesia last October and Ethiopia in March, pushing the noses of the planes down based on faulty sensor readings. The changes are intended to make the automated software, called MCAS, less powerful and easier for pilots to control. Greg Bowen, Southwest pilots' union chairman for training matters, said even after that work is done, the Federal Aviation Administration will need to decide what type of pilot training will be needed before the planes fly again. He said the FAA is considering revising a half-dozen pilot checklists related to MCAS and flight-control computers, which he said would take at least 30 days. The FAA declined to comment. John DeLeeuw, safety chairman of the pilots' union at American Airlines, said American plans to fly two of its grounded Max jets from storage in New Mexico to its maintenance base in Tulsa, Oklahoma, this week or next week. The airline will need FAA permission for the flights. DeLeeuw said American wants to perform maintenance on the jets, "but also to see how the airplanes are flying after being in the desert for six, seven months." https://www.yahoo.com/sports/southwest-pilots-see-february-march-224348459.html Back to Top Boeing Names Product And Services Safety Head In Wake Of Fatal 737 MAX Crashes Boeing Co (NYSE: BA) said Monday it is taking a number of immediate actions to strengthen the company's commitment to product and services safety. CEO Dennis Muilenburg and the Boeing board of directors last week reaffirmed the company's commitment to aerospace safety and the safety of its products and services. The safety team will be led by Boeing vice president of product and services safety Beth Pasztor, who will report jointly to the Boeing board of directors aerospace safety committee and Greg Hyslop, Boeing chief engineer and senior vice president of engineering, test and technology. The company is establishing a "design requirements program" to strengthen a culture of continuous improvement, learning and innovation, Muilenburg said in a statement. That includes expanding companywide use of a comprehensive safety management system and safety review boards to standardize safety policy and objectives, share best practices, manage risk, assess performance, increase visibility and further strengthen the company's safety culture, according to Boeing. These latest actions follow recent recommendations from the Boeing that were the result of a five-month independent review of the company's policies and processes for the design and development of its airplanes by a specially appointed committee that was initiated by Muilenburg following the Lion Air Flight 610 and Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 737 MAX crashes. "These changes will enhance our team and amplify our focus on safety while benefiting our customers and operational performance and intensify our focus on learning, tools and talent development across the company," the CEO said in a statement. Boeing shares were down 0.49% at $381 at the time of publication. The stock has a 52- week high of $446.01 and a 52-week low of $292.47. https://www.yahoo.com/finance/news/boeing-names-product-services-safety- 194954036.html Back to Top Incident: Delta B764 enroute on Sep 29th 2019, cracked windshield A Delta Airlines Boeing 767-400, registration N841MH performing flight DL-61 (dep Sep 28th) from Atlanta,GA (USA) to Rio de Janeiro,RJ (Brazil), was enroute at FL310 about 40nm north of Providencialis (Turks and Caicos Islands), when the crew decided to turn around and return to Atlanta due to a cracked windshield. The aircraft descended to FL300 for the return, about 50 minutes later descended to FL260 and landed safely back in Atlanta about 2:20 hours after turning around. A replacement Boeing 767-400 registration N844MH reached Rio de Janeiro with a delay of 8:45 hours. A passenger reported the captain announced that they were returning to Atlanta due to a cracked windshield. The aircraft landed in Atlanta about 2 hours after the announcement. https://flightaware.com/live/flight/DAL61/history/20190929/0334Z/KATL/SBGL http://avherald.com/h?article=4cd75cdb&opt=0 Back to Top Incident: Tanzania BCS3 near Mwanza on Sep 25th 2019, engine shut down in flight An Air Tanzania Bombardier C-Series CS-300, registration 5H-TCH performing flight TC-123 from Mwanza to Dar es Salaam (Tanzania), was enroute at FL370 about 160nm southeast of Mwanza when the crew needed to shut an engine (PW1524G) down. The aircraft drifted down and returned to Mwanza for a safe landing about 70 minutes after departure. A passenger reported there had been a sudden engine failure on their flight TC-123 of Sep 25th 2019 (local media claimed the engine failure happened on Sep 26th 2019 while climbing through 7500 feet resulting in an immediate return to Mwanza but showing a radar plot of the occurrence flight with the aircraft southeast of Maswa Game Reserve about 140nm southeast of Mwanza). The pilot saved their lives. The aircraft remained on the ground in Mwanza for about 90 hours, then returned to service. http://avherald.com/h?article=4cd75b18&opt=0 Back to Top Incident: Mocambique Expresso at Maputo on Sep 30th 2019, runway excursion on landing A Mocambique Expresso Embraer ERJ-145, registration C9-MEH performing flight TM-165 from Nacala to Maputo (Mozambique) with 25 passengers and 4 crew, landed on Maputo's runway 05 in gusting cross winds at about 16:50L (14:50Z) but veered off the runway and came to a stop with all gear on soft ground entangled with bushes. There were no injuries, the damage to the aircraft needs to be assessed. The airline reported the crew felt a quick and sudden slip of the aircraft and attempted to correct the movement of the aircraft, however, the aircraft left the side of the runway. The 25 passengers and 4 crew left the aircraft safely. At the time of the landing the wind was at 50 miles. An investigation has been opened. http://avherald.com/h?article=4cd755d3&opt=0 Back to Top Incident: Canada A319 at Toronto on Sep 1st 2019, fumes in cockpit An Air Canada Airbus A319-100, registration C-GAPY performing flight AC-258 from Winnipeg,MB to Toronto,ON (Canada) with 121 people on board, was descending towards Toronto when the flight crew detected an unusual odour in the cockpit and donned their oxygen masks. The crew declared PAN PAN and continued for a safe landing with emergency services on stand by. The aircraft taxied to the apron. The Canadian TSB reported maintenance determined the APU aft bearing oil pressure line was leaking and replace it. Subsequently the environmental control system was decontaminated and the APU tested. https://flightaware.com/live/flight/ACA258/history/20190901/1010Z/CYWG/CYYZ http://avherald.com/h?article=4cd74a4e&opt=0 Back to Top Back to Top Incident: Indigo A320 at Goa on Sep 29th 2019, engine shut down in flight An Indigo Airbus A320-200, registration VT-IHC performing flight 6E-336 from Goa to Delhi (India) with 180 people on board, was climbing through FL210 out of Goa when the crew needed to shut the left hand engine (CFM56) down. The aircraft returned to Goa for a safe landing on runway 26 about 35 minutes after departure. A replacement A320-200 registration VT-IHA reached Delhi with a delay of about 3 hours. Goa's Environment Minister was passenger on the flight and reported the left hand engine was on fire, the crew shut the engine down and returned to Goa. The airline denied there was a fire and confirmed the engine failed. The cause of the engine failure is under investigation. http://avherald.com/h?article=4cd74bfe&opt=0 Back to Top Incident: Austral E190 at Buenos Aires on Sep 29th 2019, engine shut down in flight An Austral Embraer ERJ-190, registration LV-CIG performing flight AR-2738 from Buenos Aires Aeroparque,BA to Salta,SA (Argentina) with 59 people on board, was climbing out of Aeroparque's runway 13 when the crew stopped the climb at about 3800 feet due to the left hand engine (CF34) experiencing compressor stalls. The crew shut the engine down and returned to Aeroparque for a safe landing on runway 13 about 10 minutes after departure. A replacement ERJ-190 registration LV-CEU reached Salta with a delay of 3:45 hours. Argentina's JIAAC opened an investigation. The occurrence aircraft is still on the ground about 25.5 hours after landing back. http://avherald.com/h?article=4cd73d57&opt=0 Back to Top O'Hare airport catering cart spins wildly near jet; stuck accelerator may be to blame TROUBLE ON THE TARMAC: American Airlines says it's investigating after a catering truck lost control There were no injuries. A worker used another piece of equipment to ram and topple the out-of-control cart. A motorized catering cart lost control and was sent spinning wildly Monday afternoon at Chicago O'Hare International Airport near a parked plane. The out-of-control cart was captured on video and shared on social media. Crazy event at ORD. Heads up safety move by a ramp worker! The video shows the cart, which had no one on it, spinning in a circle and nearly hitting a parked jet before a worker used a piece of equipment to ram and topple the motorized cart. American Airlines said in a statement that it was investigating the accident and that preliminary reports indicate a stuck accelerator is to blame. There were no injuries, and the incident resulted in a 10-minute flight delay. "We appreciate the quick action of our team member who stopped the vehicle," the airline said. "Safety is our top priority and we are working with our partners to investigate the incident." Commuters get an eyeful after pair breaks in, uploads porn to Michigan billboard Video of the incident, which appeared to be recorded from the terminal, records applause after the worker uses another piece of machinery to topple the cart, which sent it onto its side and beverages and more spilling out. O'Hare is one of the busiest airports in the country and is a hub for American and United airlines. https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/o-hare-airport-catering-cart-spins-wildly- near-jet-stuck-n1060621 Back to Top Clay Lacy Aviation Joins the Air Charter Safety Foundation and ASAP With more than 210 active members, the ACSF's vision is to promote and enable the highest levels of safety in personal, charter and business aviation. The non-profit Air Charter Safety Foundation is pleased to welcome Clay Lacy Aviation, with its nationwide fleet of business jets, to its rapidly growing ranks of aviation-related companies that are focused on continuous improvement in safety and flight operations. With more than 210 active members, the ACSF's vision is to promote and enable the highest levels of safety in personal, charter and business aviation. As a new ACSF member, Clay Lacy Aviation's employees will also be able to participate in the Aviation Safety Action Program (ASAP). Administered by the ACSF in partnership with the Federal Aviation Authority, the ASAP makes use of employee input to identify significant safety concerns and issues, operational deficiencies, non-compliance with regulations, deviations from company policies and procedures, and unusual events. Each report is investigated, and corrective actions are determined based on a non- disciplinary approach to flight safety. "We are delighted to become ACSF members," said Ryan Nyssen, director of safety, Clay Lacy Aviation. "Joining ACSF was a logical step in our focus on safety and continuous improvement, and we plan to actively participate in the ASAP program to learn from other quality operators in our industry, and continue to mature our safety culture." Bryan Burns, ACSF's president, said he's very enthused to welcome Clay Lacy Aviation to the ACSF's ranks. "Our multi-faceted approach to helping ensure aviation safety-in all its many aspects-is becoming more and more visible and important to aviation companies, and the fact that our membership is increasing so rapidly mirrors that critical importance." https://www.aviationpros.com/aircraft/business-general-aviation/press- release/21107899/clay-lacy-aviation-clay-lacy-aviation-joins-the-air-charter-safety- foundation-and-asap Back to Top Qatar's civil aviation safety record brings in ICAO laurels The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) announced that the Qatar has made significant progress in the field of civil aviation safety. Qatar is among 48 states that have made progress in overcoming deficiencies in safety control and improving the effective implementation of international rules and recommendations related in the field. Qatar has achieved a 91.16 percent compliance rate according to the new standards set by the ICAO, which was implemented in 2018, making Qatar the first to receive such a high percentage through the results of a comprehensive audit on all aspects of the safety of civil aviation system. The ICAO honoured the Civil Aviation Authority for this achievement, with Chairman of Qatar Civil Aviation Authority (QCAA) H E Abdullah bin Nasser Turki Al Subaey having received a certificate of appreciation from Dr. Olumuyiwa Benard Aliu, President of the ICAO. The ICAO appreciated the qualitative achievement of Qatar's Civil Aviation Authority at the level of the results of the comprehensive audit of the safety of civil aviation, according to ICAO's global programme to verify the conformity of the Qatari air safety standards with the international standards and specifications contained in the Chicago Convention on International Civil Aviation. Qatar also received another certificate of appreciation in recognition of the results achieved in 2017 in the application of the standards of civil aviation security, by obtaining a 99.10 percent in the application of the standards of Annex XVII on the security of civil aviation, which is the most important criterion in the field of security audit. The State also achieved 96.76 percent with regard to the implementation of vital elements related to civil aviation security, and 100 percent in the application of security standards contained in Annex IX to the Convention on International Civil Aviation. The honour comes within the framework of Qatar's participation in the meetings of the 40th session of the General Assembly of the International Civil Aviation Organization in Montreal, Canada. The QCAA has achieved a record in the results of the comprehensive audit of the safety of civil aviation according to the International Civil Aviation Organization' Universal Safety Oversight Audit Programme (USOAP), which verified the compliance of States' safety standards with the international standards and specifications contained in the Chicago Convention on International Civil Aviation and its supplements. Qatar occupies an advanced position in the field of security and safety of civil aviation in the world, due to its attention to civil aviation in general and safety and security in particular, by applying the highest international standards and international requirements in this area. Thanks to the directives of Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, as well as the efforts of all sectors related to the aviation industry in the State, Qatar has become one of the first countries to achieve the highest international standards in safety and security of civil aviation. Qatar is the first country in the Middle East to implement comprehensive European aviation safety regulations. https://thepeninsulaqatar.com/article/30/09/2019/Qatar%E2%80%99s-civil-aviation- safety-record-brings-in-ICAO-laurels Back to Top Air Malta was one of first to comply with Airbus A320neo safety directive, airline says Air Malta was one of the first airlines to comply with a safety directive issued on the Airbus A320neo after issues were found with its centre of gravity envelope, the national carrier told The Malta Independent. "Air Malta follows every safety directive issued by the various authorities and the manufacturer. Air Malta was, in fact, one of the first operators to comply with this particular safety directive", the airline said. "The steps taken by Air Malta include a temporary revision of the aircraft limitations in the Aircraft Flight Manual", they said. The Malta Independent on Sunday reported that the Airbus A320neo - of which Air Malta currently has three - has become the subject of an airworthiness directive issued by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) last July following the finding of an issue with the aircraft's centre of gravity envelope. The issue, while described by the EASA as being "potentially unsafe", has never been encountered during operations, but was deemed serious enough by the EASA to warrant a directive being issued to solve it. "Analysis and laboratory testing of the behaviour of the flight control laws of the A320neo identified a reduced efficiency of the angle of attack protection when the aeroplane is set in certain flight configurations and in combination with specific manoeuvres commanded by the flight crew", the directive read. "This condition, although never encountered during operations, if not corrected, could lead to excessive pitch attitude, possibly resulting in increased flight crew workload", it said. The directive applies to Airbus A320neo aircraft - more specifically the A320-251N, A320-253N, A320-271N and A320-273N models. "Such directives are standard practice in the aviation industry and are intended to continue to offer a safe means of transport to millions of passengers every year", the airline said before adding that the "safety for its customers and crew was, is and will remain Air Malta's top priority." Air Malta is one of 51 airlines across the globe which utilises the Airbus A320neo, and has three Airbus A320-251Ns in its fleet - 9H-NEO, 9H-NEB, and 9H-NEC. The first was delivered to the airline in June 2018, the second was delivered in July 2019, and the third was delivered two weeks ago, on 12 September 2019. The national carrier last year began embarking on a plan which will, by 2022, see its fleet fully replaced by A320neos. https://www.independent.com.mt/articles/2019-10-01/local-news/Air-Malta-was-one- of-first-to-comply-with-Airbus-A320neo-safety-directive-airline-says-6736214201 Back to Top Japanese sailor killed by propeller while working on aircraft engine A P-3C Orion flies somewhere over Japan in this undated photo from the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force. CAMP FOSTER, Okinawa - A Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force sailor was killed at a base in Kagoshima prefecture this week while working on an aircraft engine. The unnamed sailor - described as a chief petty officer in his 40s - was pronounced dead by a naval doctor at 2:43 p.m. Monday at Kanoya Air Base, a JMSDF spokesman told Stars and Stripes on Tuesday. It is customary in Japan for some government officials to speak on condition of anonymity. The sailor was working with several others in a hangar to detach the engine from a P-3C Orion when it fell. He was struck by its propeller. The cause of the incident is unknown at this time, the spokesman said. The JMSDF has launched an investigation. "My sincere condolences to the sailor's family, losing [him] to such an unfortunate accident," First Maintenance Squadron commander Capt. Hirotaka Ootsuka said in a written statement provided to Stars and Stripes. "May the sailor rest in peace. We shall not have this accident again and we will come up with a plan." The P-3C is a long-range, antisubmarine patrol aircraft that's been in operation since the 1960s, according to the U.S. Navy. https://www.stripes.com/news/pacific/japanese-sailor-killed-by-propeller-while- working-on-aircraft-engine-1.601217 Back to Top ACI World Urges ICAO To Develop Supersonic Standards Concerned that supersonic aircraft may reach the market before key noise and emissions issues are addressed, the Airports Council International (ACI) World yesterday appealed to the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) assembly to develop appropriate standards and practices that ensure operations of such aircraft do not harm the environment, airport operations, and the public in general. ACI World worries that reintroduction may occur as early as 2023, but manufacturers have yet to furnish evidence that the new supersonic aircraft will meet ICAO standards in place for subsonic aircraft. Given pressures already in place on airports regarding noise and emissions footprints and initiatives to appease those pressures within the community, ACI World said it "insists that the reintroduction of supersonic aircraft not undermine the efforts and achievements of the industry over the past decades." Standards and recommended practices for supersonic aircraft should foster sustainable development of international aviation, said ACI World. Such standards should ensure that supersonic aircraft do not disrupt traffic flow of other aircraft, lead to loss of capacity, or reduce efficiency or environmental impact. "Public acceptance of aviation rests on our ability to face the operational and environmental challenges currently posed by noise and emissions from subsonic aircraft. The introduction of supersonic aircraft must not destroy that acceptance," ACI World director general Angela Gittens said. Supersonic aircraft should not be noisier than comparable subsonic aircraft, Gittens added. https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/business-aviation/2019-09-30/aci-world- urges-icao-develop-supersonic-standards Back to Top XL Airways Suspends Operations An XL Airways Airbus A330 lands at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport. (Photo: Flickr: Creative Commons (BY-SA) by airlines470) Paris-based XL Airways on Monday suspended operations after failing to secure a takeover bid despite calls by the CEO and employee unions for the French government and Air France to intervene. The embattled leisure airline, which in January placed an order with Airbus for two new A330-900s to support its then growing network, urgently needed €35 million to carry out its restructuring and keep afloat. It declared itself insolvent September 20 and asked a commercial court to place it into receivership. The court in Bobigny, near Paris, gave the company until September 28 to find potential investors. It received only expressions of interest and no firm offer. In a statement, XL Airways said it would suspend operations as of September 30 at 3 p.m. local time "due to its financial difficulties," noting that it had taken the decision in collaboration with the French civil aviation authority and the administrators appointed by the relevant French Court. The suspension would last until October 3, it said, indicating it still hopes for a rescue even though management last week admitted it had unsuccessfully negotiated with several potential buyers for more than a year. The airline employs 750 people and transported some 730,000 passengers in 2018 mainly on long-haul flights to the French Antilles, the U.S., Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Mexico, the Indian Ocean and Jinan, China aboard a fleet of four leased A330s configured in a single economy class. As part of its restructuring, it planned to install a premium economy cabin. Aigle Azur rests under Dreamjet Participations, the same holding company that owns Le Compagnie, which operates all-business-class flights between France and Newark Liberty International Airport. In an odd twist of events, France's minister of economy and finance Bruno Le Maire is holding Norwegian Air Shuttle partly responsible for XL Airways' bankruptcy, claiming the low-cost carrier received illegal state aid from the Norwegian government. "Norwegian Air is undercutting prices while in debt and receiving public funding from Norway," Le Maire said during a television debate on Sunday. "That's something I cannot accept because competition rules should be the same for everyone. We cannot accept it in Europe; we cannot accept it either from Norway," he said. He vowed he would write to the European Commission "to tell them to put it right." In a response to queries from AIN, Norwegian stated it has never received any form of government aid. "Our routes between France and the U.S have been embraced by French and American travelers alike, thanks to our new planes, low fares, and award- winning service," it said. Only a small part of its French route network-mainly its routes to the U.S.-overlaps with that of XL Airways. It remains unclear whether or not France intends to file a complaint using the EU' s new Regulation 2019/712 on safeguarding European airlines from unfair competition by third-country airlines. While Norway is not part of the EU, the country is part of the European Economic Area and the European Common Aviation Area, the European single aviation market, and therefore governed by EU aviation rules and regulations, including on competition and state aid. https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/air-transport/2019-09-30/xl-airways- suspends-operations Back to Top American Airlines is spending $100 million on a new parts facility at DFW International Airport DFW is American's largest flight hub and one of its largest maintenance bases. An American Airlines Boeing 777 jet undergoes maintenance inside a hangar at DFW International Airport in 2017. American Airlines will build a new $100 million parts distribution facility at DFW International Airport that will supply airplanes and hubs throughout the company's network. The Fort Worth-based carrier is asking the airport to lease a 30-acre property north of Terminal A, next to the company's air freight facility. Construction should start this fall and take 12 to 18 months to complete, American Airlines said Monday. "This new facility will provide ample space to store parts, which enables us to select parts up to 75% faster than we currently can, minimizing any potential maintenance delays," said spokeswoman Lanesha Gipson. American did not have an estimate on how many employees will be at the new building but said the company does expect to add new jobs there. Gipson said the new facility will have an improved layout and "real-time visibility to parts," which should help teams find equipment faster and get it ready to be sent out to aircraft maintenance crews. The new parts facility comes as American Airlines is finishing a $350 million new headquarters project just southwest of the airport, along with a new $250 million hotel and conference center on the campus to support flight attendants, pilots and other employees undergoing training. DFW is American's largest flight hub and one of its largest maintenance bases, along with the heavy maintenance base in Tulsa, which is also expanding with 400 new employees. American Airlines has about 27,000 employees at DFW International Airport and another 12,000 at its corporate headquarters campus. The airline previously kept aircraft parts at various facilities across the country, as well as in Tulsa. The company is planning to keep those other facilities to have parts ready for on-site maintenance. American operates the world's largest domestic fleet of planes with 950 jets, almost entirely made up of Boeing and Airbus aircraft. The company is also in the midst of a major fleet revitalization to give it newer and more fuel-efficient planes. "This facility also enables our tech ops team to receive parts quicker and therefore perform maintenance on our aircraft more efficiently, which improves operational reliability for our team members and customers," Gipson said. American has been putting major resources into the DFW hub, expanding to 900 daily flights, boosting international traffic to places such as Tel Aviv and recently signing an agreement with DFW Airport to build a sixth terminal. The airport board is set to take action on the lease this week, which would cost American about $875,000 a year at the beginning, or $52 million over the 40-year term with annual escalations and adjustments. The $100 million for the project comes from estimates provided to DFW International Airport for capital investment costs, according to airport documents. No government incentives are tied to the new facility, Gipson said. The company could not provide additional details on the new building or its size. A streamlined parts facility could come at a crucial time for American, which has struggled in recent years with declining on-time performance and high cancellation rates. Some of that has been blamed on a contract dispute with mechanics, but company officials have admitted that its operational performance needs to improve. https://www.dallasnews.com/business/local-companies/2019/09/30/american-airlines- is-spending-100-million-on-a-new-parts-facility-at-dfw-international-airport/ Back to Top NASA issues its fast-track plan to get two commercial lunar landers for 2024- 2025 Lunar lander An artist's conception shows a lunar lander's ascent module blasting off from the moon. (NASA Illustration) After two preliminary rounds, NASA today published its final call for industry proposals to have the first two landers capable of putting astronauts on the moon ready for 2024 and 2025. NASA's broad agency announcement, known as NextSTEP-2 Appendix H, makes clear that two different companies would be chosen to build human-capable landers. One of them would be used for the Artemis 3 mission, which aims to send two astronauts to and from the lunar surface in 2024. The other would be used for a demonstration mission in 2025. Those two missions would set the stage for putting an upgraded lander on the moon in 2026 to demonstrate a "sustainable" approach to lunar exploration. That follow-up demonstration mission would serve as a "precursor to procuring lunar landing services as commercial services beginning in 2028," NASA said. And here's the kicker: The proposals for the first two landers are due in a month. It typically takes six to eight years to develop new types of space hardware. But NASA says a five-year timeline is doable because companies have been reviewing and commenting on two preliminary drafts of Appendix H since mid-July. "In order to best accelerate our return to the moon and prepare for Mars, we collaborated with industry on ideas to streamline the procurement process," Marshall Smith, director of the Human Lunar Exploration Program at NASA Headquarters, said in a news release. "The private sector was eager to provide us feedback throughout this process, and we received more than 1,150 comments on the draft solicitations issued over the summer." Some companies have been working on lander proposals for far longer. Blue Origin, the space venture founded by Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos, revealed back in 2017 that it was working on a lander design known as Blue Moon - and offered at the time to build it in partnership with NASA. Bezos himself unveiled a full-scale mockup of the lander in May. NASA's 2024 Artemis Moon Landing Mission Explained Just last weekend, SpaceX CEO Elon Musk talked up his company's Starship super- rocket as part of his vision for missions to the moon as well as to Mars. "We think it would be very exciting to have a base on the moon," he said. Lockheed Martin and Masten Space Systems (working in partnership with United Launch Alliance) are also working on concepts for human-rated lunar landers. And there are likely to be others. NASA said it was making further tweaks in its procurement process to accommodate an accelerated development timeline. For example, the agency will streamline the reporting process and reduce the number of contract deliverables from 116 to 37. "Reports still are valuable and necessary, but to compromise and ease the bulk of the reporting burden on industry, we are asking for access to the companies' systems to monitor progress throughout development," said Nantel Suzuki, Human Landing System program executive at NASA Headquarters. "To maximize our chances of successfully returning to the moon by 2024, we also are making NASA's engineering workforce available to contractors and asking proposers to submit a collaboration plan." It'll be up to proposers to name a firm fixed price for their landers. NASA's plan requires the landers to be compatible with other elements of its lunar mission architecture. That means the astronauts who are bound for the moon would be launched from Earth in an Orion spaceship atop a Space Launch System rocket. The landers would be launched separately on commercial rockets, and become available for each crew's use at NASA's Gateway lunar-orbiting outpost. The space agency originally required the landers to be refuelable and reusable, but NASA said some would-be providers had concerns about that requirement. "They were absolutely right," said Lisa Watson-Morgan, Human Landing System program manager at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center. "We are operating on a timeline that requires us to be flexible to encourage innovation and alternate approaches. We still welcome the option to refuel the landing system, but we removed it as a requirement." https://www.yahoo.com/finance/news/nasa-issues-fast-track-plan-204335751.html Back to Top GRADUATE RESEARCH SURVEY Dear Participants, You are being asked to participate in a research study to assess a pilot's trust in air traffic controllers. This study is expected to take approximately 5 minutes of your time. In order to participate, you must be a resident of the United States, at least 18 years old, and a certified pilot. Participation in this study is voluntary, and you may choose to opt out of the study at any time. If you choose to opt out, your data will be immediately destroyed. We appreciate your consideration and time to complete our study. Please click on or copy and paste the URL below: https://forms.gle/JmvoYiUBb3BfJbgY9 For more information, please contact: Brad Baugh, Ph.D. in Aviation Candidate baughfd0@my.erau.edu We appreciate your interest and participation! Back to Top 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 Curt Lewis