Flight Safety Information October 17, 2019 - No. 211 In This Issue Captain Sully Labels Boeing 737 MAX's MCAS "Fatally Flawed Design" Air Canada cancels 737 Max flights until middle of February Incident: Cargo AN26 at Yambio on Oct 16th 2019, overran runway on landing Incident: American B738 at New York on Oct 15th 2019, bird strike Hawker 850XP - Runway Excursion (Virginia) BA passengers: Cabin fumes gave us breathing problems EU lifts ban on Turkmenistan Airlines Turkmenistan Airlines Resumes European Operations Supported by Lufthansa Consulting What health systems can learn from airplane flight crews Via Airlines filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy John And Martha King Receive NAFI Service Award Senator Markey Urges TSA to Address Concerns with Airline "Known Crew Member" Program Blumenthal Calls On FAA To Use PFAS-Free Firefighting Foam At Airports Fuel contaminants ruled out in fatal B-17 crash, NTSB report says Industry Turns Eye to Mx Tech Shortage Sustainable Aviation Project Petitions FAA For Electric Aircraft Exemption Virtual reality-heavy course speeds up Air Force helicopter pilot training by six weeks Position: Aviation Safety Inspector (Operations-Rotorcraft-Helicopter) Chair Position Announcement Instructor Pilot Aviation Safety Officer Manager, Helicopter Maintenance Crisis Management Professional SAFE SKIES FOR ALL: INTRODUCING SPACEFLIGHT INTO OUR SKIES Captain Sully Labels Boeing 737 MAX's MCAS "Fatally Flawed Design" Captain Chelsey 'Sully' Sullenberger has written a letter to the editor of New York Times Magazine regarding the 'What Really Brought Down the Boeing 737 MAX?' feature published last month. In the letter Captain Sully expresses his objections to William Langewiesche's conclusion that the Boeing 737 MAX crashes were the fault of the pilots and inadequate training. Boeing 737 MAX The Boeing 737 MAX has been grounded worldwide since March. Photo: Steve Lynes via Flickr The hero pilot of US Airways Flight 1549 has lambasted journalist and former pilot, William Langewiesche, for his feature piece published in New York Times Magazine last month. In 'What Really Brought Down the Boeing 737 MAX?', published on 18 September, Langewiesche explains in great detail why he thinks pilot error was the main cause of the Lion Air Flight 610 and Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 crashes. Langewiesche's feature piece seems to go against the increasing mountain of evidence which has so far concluded that the Boeing 737 MAX MCAS software was the main cause of the crashes. In his letter to the editor of New York Times Magazine, Captain Sully rejects Langewiesche's conclusion about the Boeing 737 MAX crashes. Captain Sully is certainly not the first to express concern at the conclusion reached in New York Times Magazine's Boeing 737 MAX feature piece. Many online commentators have referred to the New York Times Magazine piece as a whitewash which attempts to absolve Boeing of its part in the crash. In his feature, Langewiesche concludes that, "What we had in the two downed airplanes was a textbook failure of airmanship." He then goes on to say that the pilots "...were the deciding factor here - not the MCAS, not the Max." Captain Sully's response The main point Captain Sully raises in his response to the New York Times Magazine feature is the flawed implementation of the MCAS software in the Boeing 737 MAX. Captain Sully Captain Sully became known as the Hero of the Hudson. Photo: U.S. Air Force Academy Public Affairs In his letter he explains his personal experience of the Boeing 737 MAX MCAS software in a flight simulator. "I know firsthand the challenges the pilots on the doomed accident flights faced, and how wrong it is to blame them for not being able to compensate for such a pernicious and deadly design." says Sully. Just as the numerous investigations into the Lion Air Flight 610 and Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 crashes have shown, the MCAS software did result in real-world operational safety hazards. Why Langewiesche's conclusion is wrong In his feature piece, Langewiesche makes repeated references to the poor aviation safety records in Indonesia and Ethiopia. He also attempts to use poor pilot training among both Lion Air and Ethiopian Airlines crews as a contributing factor in the Boeing 737 MAX crashes. Lion Air 737 MAX The Boeing 737 MAX was involved in two fatal crashes. Photo: PK-REN via Wikimedia Commons Captain Sully's response perfectly sums up why Langewiesche's claims are disingenuous. "Inadequate pilot training and insufficient pilot experience are problems worldwide, but they do not excuse the fatally flawed design of the Maneuvering Characteristics Augmentation System (MCAS) that was a death trap." says Captain Sully. Lion Air's safety record is pretty terrible as far as airlines go. But, the fact that Lion Air Flight 610 crashed as a result of almost the exact same software flaw as Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302, shows the MCAS software was clearly not fit for purpose. https://simpleflying.com/captain-sully-737-max-mcas/ Back to Top Air Canada cancels 737 Max flights until middle of February Air Canada on 16 October became the latest airline to extend the removal of the Boeing 737 Max from its winter schedule, as an increasing number of carriers expect the jet will not be approved to return to service until early 2020. "Today we are extending to February 14, 2020 the removal of the Boeing 737 Max from our operating schedule," says Air Canada executive vice-president and chief commercial officer Lucie Guillemette. "We are taking this prudent step as a result of the ongoing regulatory uncertainty about the timing of the aircraft returning to service." Canada's largest domestic and international airline also says it will be leasing two additional widebodies in order to make up for the missing capacity. The airline grounded its fleet of 24 Max aircraft following Transport Canada's 13 March safety notice, which was issued after two aircraft crashed in separate incidents in Indonesia and Ethiopia, killing 346 people total. Regulators worldwide pulled the Max out of service since. In September, Air Canada said that a year might pass before that airline gets its Max fleet - which is planned to reach 50 - back in service. It has about 400 trained Max pilots - enough to operate its pre-grounding fleet of 24 aircraft, but not enough to operate additional, newly manufactured Max jets that will be available when the grounding lifts. That pilot shortage is exacerbated for Air Canada because it flies no earlier-generation 737s, meaning it has no pilots that can undergo a conversion course and fly the Max. Air Canada is just the latest airline to revise its schedule without the aircraft amid continued uncertainty about its future. Initially, many airlines had said that they expected the grounding to end by the fourth quarter 2019, but now they are expecting the flying ban to last at least into 2020. Southwest Airlines, which operates the largest 737 fleet, plans on a return to service in January, but earlier this week its pilots' association said it does not expect the aircraft will return to service with the carrier before February 2020. Last week American Airlines pushed back the date on which it expects to resume Max flights to 16 January, six weeks later than it previously anticipated. United Airlines tells FlightGlobal that it remains by its expectation that the aircraft will resume flying just after the new year. The airline has pulled Max flights from its schedule through 6 January 2020. Differing levels of examination by regulators in different countries or regions may make the Max's return to service complicated. While the US Federal Aviation Administration could bring the aircraft back into service earlier, the European Union Aviation Safety Agency said that it intends to scrutinise the Max closely, and to conduct its own test flights, rather than rubber-stamp the FAA's approval. EASA has said it is reviewing numerous concerns about the aircraft, including those related to the angle-of-attack indicator (specifically, the fact that the 737 has only two indicators), manual horizontal trim and flightcrew responses to emergencies. https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/air-canada-cancels-737-max-flights-until-middle-of-f-461545/ Back to Top Incident: Cargo AN26 at Yambio on Oct 16th 2019, overran runway on landing An Antonov AN-26 freighter (operator unknown, livery all white), registration SP-401 performing a freight flight from an unknown point of origin to Yambio (South Sudan) with 12 passengers, 5 crew and 6 tons of cargo, overran the runway in Yambio during landing and became disabled in the bushes past the runway. The United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) provided assistance to pull the aircraft back onto the runway and to the apron. UNMISS reported there were no injuries. The operator of the aircraft SP-401 is unclear, as is the history of the aircraft (serial number not determined). There are pointers the aircraft could be operated by South Sudan's Air Force, the United Nations or some other operator. Several Internet aircraft history resources speculate that SP-401 could be former EK-26006 (however, see Accident: Coco South Sudan AN26 at Maban on Aug 28th 2017, runway excursion on landing, aircraft burned down) or EK-26005. A ground observer in Juba reported he had seen SP-401 at the military apron of Juba Airport in the past but never seen the aircraft flying. At the same time he had seen an AN-26 registration EK-26005 at Juba Airport (operated by Skiva Air). Yambio features a dirt runway of approximately 1000 meters/3300 feet length at an elevation 2375 feet/724 meters in approximate orientation 03/21. The aircraft in the bushes (Photo: UNMISS): http://avherald.com/h?article=4ce15a66&opt=0 Back to Top Incident: American B738 at New York on Oct 15th 2019, bird strike An American Airlines Boeing 737-800, registration N915NN performing flight AA-1608 from Dallas Fr. Worth,TX to New York La Guardia,NY (USA), was on approach to La Guardia's runway 22 when the crew reported they had just flown through a flock of birds and received a number of hits, the engines were fine however. The aircraft continued for a safe landing on runway 22 about 6 minutes later. The occurrence aircraft is still on the ground in New York about 19 hours after landing. The FAA reported the aircraft struck a goose. https://flightaware.com/live/flight/AAL1608/history/20191015/1530Z/KDFW/KLGA http://avherald.com/h?article=4ce145e1&opt=0 Back to Top Hawker 850XP - Runway Excursion (Virginia) Date: 16-OCT-2019 Time: 08:39 Type: Hawker 850XP Owner/operator: FTG Assets LLC Registration: N720TM C/n / msn: 258758 Fatalities: Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 5 Other fatalities: 0 Aircraft damage: Minor Location: Richmond International Airport (Byrd Field) (RIC/KRIC), VA - United States of America Phase: Landing Nature: Executive Departure airport: Richmond International Airport (Byrd Field), VA (RIC/KRIC) Destination airport: Washington-Dulles International Airport, DC (IAD/KIAD) Narrative: A Hawker 850XP corporate jet, performing flight PVO720, suffered a runway excursion on landing at Richmond International Airport (Byrd Field) (RIC/KRIC), Virginia. Runway 16/34 was temporarily closed after the incident. The aircraft had returned due to a nose gear issue after takeoff. No injuries reported and the damaged look minor. https://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/229995 Back to Top BA passengers: Cabin fumes gave us breathing problems Gayle Fitzpatrick believes the fumes she inhaled have affected her health Passengers on a British Airways flight to Valencia which filled with smoke mid-air have told the BBC they are still experiencing breathing difficulties two months on. Gayle Fitzpatrick, 40, from Glasgow, says she is breathless walking up-hill. "I don't smoke, I've never had any health concerns. So I know [it] must be directly attributable to that flight and whatever I inhaled," she says. British Airways said it could not comment for legal reasons. BA said it was waiting for the outcome of a Spanish air accident investigation, which is examining why the cabin of flight BA422 to Valencia in August filled with smoke shortly before landing. 'Throat sores' Gayle has been referred by her doctor to a respiratory specialist, as has fellow passenger, Stephen McConnon. Mr McConnon says he has sores in his throat and is often "struggling breathing". Before the flight, he went to the gym on a regular basis. However, he says his performance at the gym has subsequently "fallen off a cliff" and his latest prognosis was "really not good". • BA flight evacuated after smoke filled cabin • Airlines face air quality lawsuits Mr McConnon's colleague, Frank Sweeney, who was with him on the flight, and who is also suffering breathing difficulties, says he wants answers. "I want to know, first of all, what did we breathe in? Was the plane maintained properly? Should it have been in the air?" Flight BA422 was evacuated following an emergency landing In a statement, British Airways said it would never operate an aircraft if it believed "it posed any health or safety risk to customers or crew". The airline said it supported customers after the incident and it continues to offer "ongoing help and support." "We are legally unable to comment on causes until the Spanish air accident investigation is concluded," the airline said. 'Chemical smell' Although it is not confirmed, pilots and cabin crew have told the BBC they have no doubt that the incident on the flight to Valencia was a "fume event". The air you breathe on board virtually every model of airliner (except for the Boeing 787) is sucked in via the engines, where it is compressed, after which it flows into the cabin. If oil or hydraulic fluid leaks it can contaminate the air supply. Flight BA422 filled with smoke shortly before landing in Valencia, Spain Passenger, Frank Sweeney, who was a passenger on board the BA flight to Valencia, says the fumes were "acrid". "It wasn't like a wood smoke or a fire smoke, it was more chemical," he says. Fellow passenger Gayle Fitzpatrick says at the beginning of the flight there was a "really strange chemical smell". If it is confirmed that it was a fume event, then the thick, visible smoke and the fact the plane had to make an emergency landing would make it an extreme case. Pilot vomited Pilots and cabin crew say there have been a number of less severe events on BA flights in recent weeks. None has been confirmed as a fume event, but they have been reported as potential ones. According to an internal BA report seen by BBC News, the crew on a flight into Gatwick earlier this month reported "a damp smell" mid-flight. That type of smell is often associated with fume events. The memo states that the pilots removed their oxygen masks on arrival and the first officer "proceeded to vomit on two occasions". The captain "proceeded to A&E the next morning after experiencing a strong headache" the memo said. After a similar smell was detected by the crew on another flight bound for Gatwick in early October the "fumes (were) reported to get worse" and the plane was diverted to Basel, Switzerland. And when a fume event was reported on a flight into Heathrow, also earlier this month, the crew were later taken to hospital and then "medically discharged". Burnt food There is no evidence to suggest these incidents are connected or emanating from the same cause. British Airways says it always encourages staff to report any concerns and it passes reports onto the UK's Civil Aviation Authority. "Safety is our first priority and every report is thoroughly investigated, with typically 151 engineering checks before an aircraft is cleared to continue flying." The airline says fume events can be caused by "a wide range of issues, including burnt food in the oven, aerosols and e-cigarettes, strongly-smelling food in cabin bags, and de-icing fluid". But the issue of fume events is by no means confined to UK airlines. Passengers disembarked via emergency chutes after the BA August flight landed in Valencia Judith Anderson from the US Association of Flight Attendants says she gets a report of a fume event almost every day. After an incident on a flight with a US airline in July, one crew member was hospitalised for eight days and another for three days. "The one that was hospitalised for eight days developed a speech impediment. She couldn't communicate properly, had severe headaches and cognitive issues," says Ms Anderson. Thousands of cases Australian physician Dr Jonathan Burdon acknowledges that the effects of breathing in contaminated air on an aircraft are not "in the medical text books" and the symptoms can vary. But Dr Burdon, who is also a respiratory specialist, says he treats hundreds of cabin crew and pilots every year. "If I'd seen one or two patients over a number of years I might have thought, I'm not sure about that," he says. "But we're seeing thousands (of cases) worldwide. And the thing is, they are all chronologically-linked to a fume event." Both British Airways and EasyJet say they have been testing filters which could be retrofitted to aircraft and potentially prevent fume events from taking place. However, aviation regulators first need to certify the filters before they can be fitted to aircraft. https://www.bbc.com/news/business-50074402 Back to Top Back to Top EU lifts ban on Turkmenistan Airlines ASHGABAT (Reuters) - The European Union has lifted a ban on flights by Turkmenistan Airlines within EU territories, the bloc's aviation safety regulator said on Wednesday. The ban has been in place since February, pending confirmation to the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EUASA) that the airline complied with the international air safety standards. The agency did not disclose any specific failures by the airline. The lifting of the ban follows an on-site audit of Turkmenistan Airlines in Ashgabat, the EASA said in an emailed reply to questions from Reuters, adding that the airline had resolved issues that had led to the suspension. A statement from the airline this week said it would resume flights to Frankfurt from Oct. 26. The gas-rich Central Asian nation hopes to become an international transport hub to diversify revenue that has been hit by a drop in energy prices. It built a $2.3 billion bird-shaped airport terminal in Ashgabat in 2016 and has invested heavily in aircraft purchases. https://www.saltwire.com/business/reuters/eu-lifts-ban-on-turkmenistan-airlines-364722/ Back to Top Turkmenistan Airlines Resumes European Operations Supported by Lufthansa Consulting EASA reauthorizes Turkmenistan's flag carrier as Third Country Operator ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan and FRANKFURT, Germany, Oct. 16, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- As a result of the joint project with Lufthansa Consulting since February this year, Turkmenistan Airlines (TUA) has confirmed compliance with technical requirements related to air operations of Third Country Operators in the EU (Part-TCO). After the on-site audit by EASA in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan at the end of September, the European Safety Agency reauthorized the airline as Third Country Operator (TCO) on 11 October 2019. The carrier has been committed to raising its performance and took immediate action following the difficulties in satisfying relevant requirements in context with the EU Safety Authorizations for foreign air operators - EASA TCO at the beginning of this year. The project started with an assessment of the situation and the development of the recovery plan. In the course of the assignment experts of Lufthansa Consulting and a dedicated team from Turkmenistan Airlines specialized in quality, safety, flight operations and maintenance worked together on both the management system changes and the practical implemen-tation. The team from Turkmenistan Airlines, supported by the management, demonstrated high flexibility during the implementation and commitment to change. They went the extra mile to achieve the goals. During the project, Turkmenistan Airlines regularly presented progress reports on the improvement in safety standards to the EASA TCO team which finally lead to TUA's formal request for the mandatory on-site assessment by EASA. "Together with our client Turkmenistan Airlines we are delighted and proud of jointly having achieved this great success to reauthorize the airline as Third Country Operator," states Lufthansa Consulting's Managing Director Dr. Andreas Jahnke. "There are certain tasks to be done by the operator to ensure sustainable implementation of the measures and Lufthansa Consulting is looking forward to continuing the fruitful cooperation." Turkmenistan Airlines is the flag carrier of Turkmenistan with headquarters in the country's capital Ashgabat. The airline operates domestic and international passenger and cargo services mainly from its hub at Ashgabat International Airport. The airline transports more than 5,000 passengers daily within the country and nearly three million passengers annually on the international and domestic routes together. The fleet consists of modern Western aircraft (such as Boeing 737, 757, 777) and a cargo fleet of IL 76. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/turkmenistan-airlines-resumes-european-operations-supported-by-lufthansa-consulting-300939808.html Back to Top What health systems can learn from airplane flight crews Crew resource management, an aviation strategy that can be adapted to healthcare settings, helps reduce adverse events and results in cost savings, according to a study published in American Journal of Medical Quality. Crew resource management is a process first used by airplane crew members to spot safety threats, come up with a plan to avoid or lessen them and communicate that plan to the crew. It combines elements of teamwork, such as situational awareness, communication and task management, and human factors, such as coordination and decision-making. Researchers examined the effect of using crew resource management training at about 3,000 health system from July 2010 to July 2013. Employees in 12 areas were trained at a cost of $3.6 million. They found that the total number of adverse events avoided was 735, and cost savings for the health systems ranged from $12.6 million up to $28 million. They calculated that the overall return on investment for crew resource management training ranged from $9.1 million to $24.4 million. https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/quality/what-health-systems-can-learn-from-airplane-flight-crews.html Back to Top Via Airlines filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy A Florida-based airline that picked Birmingham as a focus city has filed for bankruptcy protection, according to the Orlando Business Journal. Via Airlines announced back in May that it would no longer serve the Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport or the Mobile Regional Airport. Company officials at the time cited challenges in recruiting and training qualified crews as the reason to suspend flights. Via made the voluntary Chapter 11 filing in Florida Middle Bankruptcy Court on Oct. 8, the Journal reported. The company cited a pilot shortage and a July deal for Atlanta-based Ashley Air LLC to buy Via. That deal resulted in unpaid taxes, rent and payments to creditors, the company said. The Journal reported a bankruptcy partner saying that Via is going through the bankruptcy process in order to resume doing business later. Via, citing a gross income for fiscal year 2018 of $15.22 million, owes unsecured creditors more than $6 million, along with two property liens of approximately $115,000 and $3.5 million. The IRS says it is owed $660,000, https://www.al.com/business/2019/10/via-airlines-filing-for-chapter-11-bankruptcy.html Back to Top John And Martha King Receive NAFI Service Award King Schools Co-Chairmen John and Martha King have been awarded the Jack J. Eggspuehler Service Award by the National Association of Flight Instructors (NAFI). The award, named for NAFI founder and Flight Instructor Hall of Fame member Jack J. Eggspuehler, is presented to "an individual or organization for making a significant contribution to flight instructors, flight instruction or aviation education." Previous recipients include Tom Poberezny, Marion Blakey, Cirrus Designs and the Jeppesen Flight Training Products Team. "[The Kings'] work, first flying their own plane to give in-person seminars, then teaching through VHS tapes and DVDs and eventually providing courses online, has revolutionized flight training," said NAFI Chairman Bob Meder. "Just as important has been the Kings' commitment to improving aviation safety. They're prolific writers, have given countless live talks, served on many FAA committees, and their personal candor about their flying experiences has helped countless pilots learn and improve. They were perfect candidates to receive this distinguished award." John and Martha King founded King Schools in 1975. According to a King Schools estimate, over 50-percent of pilots currently flying in the U.S. have learned with their programs. The Kings were also inducted into the National Aviation Hall of Fame earlier this year. https://www.avweb.com/flight-safety/flight-training/john-and-martha-king-receive-nafi-service-award/ Back to Top Senator Markey Urges TSA to Address Concerns with Airline "Known Crew Member" Program Known crew member program expedites passenger screening while protecting against insider threats. Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), Ranking Member of the Senate Commerce Subcommittee on Security, sent a letter to the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) expressing his concern over recent changes to the Known Crew Member Program (KCM). The KCM links airline employee databases to TSA systems in order to allow TSA security officers to verify the identity and employment status of crewmembers. The Known Crew Member program then allows the TSA to expedite the airport security screening of verified crewmembers, which reduces the number of people in passenger screening lines while protecting aviation safety from potential insider threats. Recently, the TSA considered shutting down the KCM, before instead making abrupt and disruptive changes to the requirements for expedited crewmember screening. Unfortunately, the TSA announced these new requirements without consulting or providing advance notice to the relevant stakeholders, including airline pilots and flight attendants. This process resulted in widespread uncertainty among crewmembers across the nation. "Although rapid decisions must sometimes be made in light of specific threats to aviation security, I believe that the TSA must consult all the relevant stakeholders whenever possible before taking this kind of action," writes Senator Markey in his letter to TSA Administrator David P. Pekoske. "Airline pilots, flight attendants, and other crewmembers offer a particularly valuable perspective on aviation security. These employees are our eyes in the skies and serve on the frontlines of aviation security and safety. I urge you to commit to proactively consulting and notifying these communities about any future changes to the KCM or related programs." https://www.aviationpros.com/airports/press-release/21110534/office-of-senator-edward-j-markey-senator-markey-urges-tsa-to-address-concerns-with-airline-known-crew-member-program Back to Top Blumenthal Calls On FAA To Use PFAS-Free Firefighting Foam At Airports U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn. U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut wants the Federal Aviation Administration to stop the use of PFAS chemicals in firefighting foam at airports around the country. Blumenthal says the FAA's claim that foams without fluoride-based chemicals are not as effective is not true. "We've seen at Bradley Airport and other places around Connecticut, including private wells, where contamination results from the use of these fluoride foams, that can easily be replaced by non-fluoride firefighting foam. In fact, airports around the world, from London, to Sydney, Australia, to all over Europe, in Germany and France, use non-fluoride foam. And they fight fires as effectively as any American airport does." PFAS is a toxic chemical that has been linked to kidney cancer, reproductive problems and other illnesses. Blumenthal says the FAA's failure to protect the health of citizens and the environment is inexcusable. Bradley Airport in Windsor Locks is the site of two high-profile discharges of PFAS into the Farmington River. This month the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection announced that tests showed "elevated levels" of PFAS chemicals in fish taken from the river. https://www.nepr.net/post/blumenthal-calls-faa-use-pfas-free-firefighting-foam-airports#stream/0 Back to Top Fuel contaminants ruled out in fatal B-17 crash, NTSB report says This image taken Oct. 3 from video provided by National Transportation Safety Board shows damage from a World War II-era B-17 bomber plane that crashed Oct. 2 at Bradley International Airport in Windsor Locks, Conn. (NTSB via AP) HARTFORD, Conn. - The weather was calm and clear at the time of a deadly B-17 crash at a Connecticut airport, and tests on the airplane's fuel did not turn up any sign of debris or contamination, federal investigators said Tuesday. A preliminary report by the National Transportation Safety Board appeared to rule out some factors in the crash that killed seven people but did not shed light on a possible cause. The World War II-era bomber crashed and burned after experiencing mechanical trouble on takeoff from Bradley International Airport the morning of Oct. 2. The plane was carrying 13 people, and five passengers and the two pilots were among those killed. According to the report, one of the pilots asked to return shortly after takeoff because of a "rough mag" in one of the engines. The tower controller asked about the plane's progress toward the runway, and the pilot said they were "getting there." There was no further communication from the plane. The deadly crash of a B-17 Flying Fortress has raised questions whether machinery over 70 years old should be flying passengers. The airplane struck approach lights about 1,000 feet from the runway and contacted the ground 500 feet short of the runway. It then veered off the runway before colliding with vehicles and a tank of deicing fluid, according to the report. The engine in which the pilot reported a problem and other parts of the wreckage were recovered for further examination, the NTSB said. "Certainly, there are more questions than answers in this report. Not because the NTSB is ducking questions but simply that's the nature of the report," said U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, of Connecticut, who has called on federal officials to review the Federal Aviation Administration exemption that allows such vintage planes to fly with passengers. The airplane had undergone a "100-hour inspection" on Sept. 23 and, at the time, had been operated about 268 hours since an annual inspection in January, according to the report. Blumenthal said one important question is "why that 100-hour inspection was apparently done 160 hours after it should have been." An airman with the Connecticut National Guard who was aboard a B-17 bomber that crashed at an airport helped other passengers escape the flames by using his fire-resistant gloves to open a hatch, officials said Thursday. By: Dave Collins, The Associated Press, Susan Haigh, The Associated Press The retired, civilian-registered plane was associated with the Collings Foundation, an educational group that brought its Wings of Freedom vintage aircraft display to the airport. The vintage bomber was used to take history buffs and aircraft enthusiasts on short flights. A third member of the flight crew and four passengers were seriously injured in the crash. Another passenger and one person on the ground suffered minor injuries. https://www.airforcetimes.com/news/your-air-force/2019/10/16/fuel-contaminants-ruled-out-in-fatal-b-17-crash-ntsb-report-says/ Back to Top Industry Turns Eye to Mx Tech Shortage With the fast-developing pace of modern flight decks and how they integrate with other systems, MRO technicians who also have expertise in avionics are increasingly in demand. Like other domains of the aircraft maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) industry, business aircraft maintenance is experiencing a shortage of technicians. In light of this constraint, the providers of business aviation MRO services are devising and implementing strategies to tackle the shortage. "The impact of the worker shortage is more prevalent than ever in corporate aviation," said Katie Johnson, vice president of human resources at West Star Aviation. "As an industry, we are all talking about it and reading what the industry is doing including NBAA and Congress. The corporate aviation, general aviation, and commercial aviation industries are booming and have been for the last few years, with fewer people coming out of the trade schools, with the military having retirees leave and not going into the workforce. This complete set of circumstances means that the job pool for our industry is drying up." Chris Bodine, Augusta vice president and general manager at StandardAero, said, "The pipeline for our future technical workforce development is a concern, and we are going to need additional people; in fact, the constraining issue in the future is going to be available qualified technicians. Enrollment is up at most of the aviation programs, but there is an 18-24 month time frame for these students to complete the programs and make it to the workforce." CONNECT AND ENGAGE Organizations are adapting from a "post and pray" approach to "connect and engage" to help potential employees understand the reasons behind choosing a career in aviation. "To do this we have connected with various high schools and presented to students about aviation careers and we have also made a financial investment to help fund an aviation program within a high school," said Johnson. "We find students really connect with hearing from alumni who can share with them exactly what their first year on the job will be like. We also bring a lead technician and program manager who can share insight into advancing in their career and what a manager looks for in future technicians. We significantly increased the number of internships and apprenticeships we offer and most recently have helped six employees obtain their A&P license through on-the-job training." "Our efforts to develop technicians range from apprenticeship programs with local colleges to mentoring students at various trade schools and internships in our repair shops. We also collaborate with local community colleges to develop programs and occupational standards to establish certification programs for A&P mechanics and other technicians," said Bodine. MILITARY RESOURCES Recruiting from the military world also offers opportunities. "We actively recruit veterans and find them to be very well-suited for many of our maintenance and technical roles. In fact, more than 20 percent of our U.S. workforce today is either retired or active/reserve military veterans. In addition, we are expanding operations in places where there is an embedded pool of military and government-trained people who are qualified and available in those locations," said Bodine. Bridging programs are necessary to allow military members to learn about the job and the careers in business aviation so they are more informed and capable of starting a civilian job when they transition. "One of the keys to our success is hiring for attitude and training for expertise. This really shows the investment we are willing to make in the person, which leads to a mutually rewarding employment experience. Moving forward, we will likely solidify a few partnerships with key schools and offer more scholarship opportunities," said Johnson. "We also work with our contract labor partners to supplement with experienced technicians during peak periods." West Star Aviation just hired its first active-duty military member in Chattanooga through the SkillBridge program. This is a program with the Department of Defense that enables active-duty military to obtain an internship and on-the-job training to prepare for their transition into the civilian world. INVESTING IN EDUCATION StandardAero is also bringing in people from ancillary industry sectors, like automotive and industrial manufacturing companies, and training people to cross over, learn quickly and get certified as A&Ps. "We have also donated tooling, engines, and equipment to help schools provide hands-on training. Finally, we partner with trade associations like GAMA and NBAA to promote science, technology, engineering and mathematics [STEM] education and participate in programs to attract young people to careers in aviation and work closely with the local schools and school boards in the hometowns that we have facilities to support their STEM efforts," said Bodine. "We recently attended and supported a new program that the Atlanta FAA FSDO has started working on named STEM/AVSED [STEM/aviation and space education]. This program will be for reaching out to students of all ages to start thinking about aviation as a career. The FAA created the STEM/AVSED Outreach Program to prepare and inspire the next generation of skilled professionals for the aviation/aerospace communities, using STEM-based programs. Flight Standards Atlanta will primarily focus on careers in aviation maintenance and pilot training." SKILL REQUIREMENTS Given the development of business aircraft technology, Johnson believes that there is a specific set of professional qualifications and skills that MROs are increasingly looking for in their recruits. "We will always need licensed aviation maintenance technicians for the monthly-to-yearly inspections, and given the technology changes in the industry, [the need for] avionics maintenance technicians is an emerging [demand] as well," she said. "An avionics maintenance technician can troubleshoot the various systems integrated into the aircraft while many have an A&P license as well as knowledge of maintenance tasks. People who have dual knowledge of aircraft and avionics maintenance are in very high demand now and in the foreseeable future. We are always looking for ways to be proactive in our industry." https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/business-aviation/2019-10-16/industry-turns-eye-mx-tech-shortage Back to Top Sustainable Aviation Project Petitions FAA For Electric Aircraft Exemption The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is slowly warming up to electric aircraft, but regulatory approval takes far too long. Joseph Oldham, the New Vision Aviation CEO, is a strong proponent behind the multi-city Sustainable Aviation Project. He is petitioning the FAA for a recertification of 4 idle Pipistrel Alpha Electros. The petition asks for the FAA to recertify the trainer electric airplanes into SLSA and away from the "experimental" status. Eco Aviation is also pushing to recertify the Pipistrel Alpha Electros. Sustainable Aviation Project Pipistrel Designed The Perfect Electric Trainer - When Can It Be Used For That? I visited some of the Pipistrel Alpha Aeros and Rotax electric airplanes at the Fullerton, California airport. The cool Fullerton airport sports the usual gasoline airplanes, but they are a strange contrast when hearing the quiet of the Pipistrel Alpha Electro. It is whisper-quiet, and I'm told can easily climb 800 to 1200 fpm (feet per minute) depending on the payload. Pipistrel officially says 1000 fpm. This is far better than almost any similar internal combustion engine (ICE) aircraft. The Electro can also take off on shorter runways with little noise for roughly the same price as a similar ICE airplane. It beats any aviation gasoline (AG) aircraft when it comes to maintenance. Pipistrel says you can fly the Electro for about €1 per hour, or $1.20 an hour. To put minds at rest, it has an endurance of one hour plus a 30-minute reserve, as per FAA requirements. Up to 13% of its energy can be recuperated on every approach. Technically, the electric Alpha has a Pipistrel PEM 60MVLC motor that peaks at 60 kW. It is more powerful than the Rotax 912 series. It uses a 21 kWh battery pack that is dual-redundant and designed to be quickly swappable. It can be recharged in less than an hour at 350 kW. It is light with a basic empty weight (with batteries) of 368 kg (811 lb), and a maximum take-off weight (MTOW) of 550 kg (1,102 lb) with a payload of 182 kg (401 lb). Pipistrel ALPHA Trainer test pilot interview Nejc Faganelj To be fair, the FAA has its hands full these days. It is investigating electric airplanes and making sense of even more pressing issues. Nonetheless, at stake for Pipistrel is the Special Category Light-Sport Aircraft (SLSA) designation, a highly sought-after airworthiness certificate for light-sport aircraft. It is issued to those that meet the definition of light-sport aircraft (LSA). So far, the Pipistrel Alpha Electros only have the restrictive Experimental status. They can't be used for training in the US, which is what they were designed for. These 4 US Pipistrel Alpha Electros can only be flown privately, not for commercial purposes. Pipistrel Alpha Electro Pipistrel Alpha Electro An easier path to SLSA status would open the doors to flying electric airplanes and training planes. A new generation of pilots would have an easier and more affordable way to get into the aviation industry. Considering that the aviation industry is finding it more difficult to find pilots, this makes perfect sense in an otherwise less than perfect scenario. On a personal note, I could visit family, friends, and fly into airports to cover UAM news. The more I think about it, the more pressing the idea is becoming. The other hidden problem is that electrifying aviation and going through the many years required for certification means that the technology certified will be obsolete by the time it is approved. Electric aviation is like what desktop computers were a few decades ago, upgradeable if it is to be financially worthwhile. The Pipistrel Alpha Electro Brings Back The Heydays of Aviation Pioneering Besides the regulation matter, not many aviation schools train mechanics for electric airplanes. The petition to the FAA could help to revitalize the personal aviation industry again. While it's easy to blame the FAA for everything under the sun, flying is safer today than it was. At the same time, aviation is still reeling from the last government shutdown and recurring understaffing of the FAA. After my talks with Ivo Boscarol, Pipistrel founder and CEO, we know clients are ready to buy the Alpha Electro and other electric aircraft the company has, but it's unclear how long they'll have to wait FAA approval. Pipistrel designed a terrific electric aircraft trainer. The Alpha Electro was designed for traffic-pattern operations, perfect for aviation training schools. It is also perfect for those of us who have held out on a pilot license for decades. It's puzzling as to why the FAA hasn't granted these electric airplanes the more desired SLSA certification as it quickly does for aviation gasoline aircraft. https://cleantechnica.com/2019/10/16/sustainable-aviation-project-petitions-faa-for-electric-aircraft-exemption/ Back to Top Virtual reality-heavy course speeds up Air Force helicopter pilot training by six weeks Air Force officers pose with a TH-1H helicopter at Fort Rucker, Ala., Oct. 10, 2019, after graduating from a pilot training program that tested virtual reality simulators and a new, shorter curriculum. They are, from left, 2nd Lt. Trent Badger, 2nd Lt. J. Karl Bossard, 1st Lt. Matthew Gulotta, 2nd Lt. John Thrash, Capt. Josh Park and 2nd Lt. Richard Songster. The first six new Air Force helicopter pilots to train on virtual reality flight simulators recently pinned on their wings at the Army's Fort Rucker, Ala. Late last week, the pilots graduated a redesigned course that prepared them to fly the UH-1N Huey, HH-60G Pave Hawk and the CV-22 Osprey six weeks earlier than the 28-week traditional pilot training program run by the 23rd Flying Training Squadron. Called Rotary Wing Next, the program trims actual cockpit flying by nearly 18 hours and adds 38 hours of VR simulator flights to 20 hours of traditional simulator training. Students spend 23 ½ hours in VR before climbing into an aircraft, where they can expect to fly 67.3 hours during the course, Capt. Matt Strick, Innovation Flight commander, told Stars and Stripes by phone Wednesday. By reducing the course length and incorporating new technology, the Air Force saves around $60,000 per student compared to the previous course, said squadron commander Lt. Col. Jake Brittingham by phone Wednesday. The technology is making better use of instructor and student time, he said. "Where we really made our money was in the virtual reality sims," Strick said. "You can really make time stand still. You can work on crew communications, checklists and start-up procedures before ever getting in the cockpit. We teach as [students] are doing the virtual reality flights." Eventually, Rotary Wing Next is expected to produce new Air Force helicopter pilots in as few as 14 weeks. Last year, Maj. Gen. Patrick Doherty, then the 19th Air Force commander, tasked Brittingham and other members of the 58th Special Operations Wing at Kirtland Air Force Base, N.M., to find a more efficient way to train helicopter pilots to meet the growing needs of the special operations units and the new platforms they will be fielding, Brittingham said. Air Force student-pilots work with an instructor from the 23rd Flying Training Squadron during a virtual reality simulator sortie, Oct. 9, 2019, at Fort. Rucker, Ala. U.S. AIR FORCE For example, the Air Force plans to replace the Pave Hawk, its version of the Black Hawk helicopter, with the HH-60W combat rescue helicopter as early as 2021, according to manufacturer Lockheed Martin's website. Meanwhile, plans are to eventually replace the 40-year-old Huey, which the Air Force uses to defend missile fields, with the MH-139, built by Boeing. Traditionally, the Air Force training squadron at Fort Rucker produces around 60 rotary-wing pilots a year, Brittingham said. The squadron was asked to increase its training output to 120 pilots a year by 2023-25, he said. In fiscal year 2019, the squadron trained 74 pilots and is on course to train 85 in fiscal year 2020. The Air Force implemented the idea for virtual simulators for helicopter training from its experimental Pilot Training Next program at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, Texas, a relatively new program to train fixed-wing pilots to fly everything from the F-35 Lightning II strike fighter to heavy lifters like the C-5 Galaxy. That program reduced the time needed to train fully qualified pilots from one year to six months. It graduated its first class of pilots in July 2018 and another in August. Air Force helicopter pilots begin their training in the fixed-wing T-6 Texan II for six months. They then move into rotary-wing training where they first learn the basics of flight with vertical lift - takeoffs, landings and how to hover, Brittingham said. The students then learn to fly the helicopter in tactical situations - low-level flying, landing and taking off on unprepared surfaces, flying in formation and with night-vision goggles. The recent grads' first day of class was May 7 and on May 8 they had their first VR flight, Brittingham said. By the time the students climbed into an actual helicopter they knew how to talk as a crew, were familiar with the aircraft and had dealt with simulated problems in VR, which means instructors are just fine-tuning instead of starting from scratch, Strick said. The six new pilots will be divided evenly among the three rotary-wing communities in the Air Force for follow-on training. They are expected to send feedback about Rotary Wing Next to Fort Rucker. The training squadron plans to start another class in eight months, after the VR simulators receive updated software. The software update will replace the Bell 412 utility helicopter simulation with the TH-1H primary trainer that is flown in training. The TH-1H is basically a Huey airframe with an updated cockpit like those in the helicopters the trainees will eventually fly. Additionally, now that the first class of students has completed the course, all students in the school's traditional training course will get 20 hours of virtual reality simulator time, Strick said. https://www.stripes.com/news/us/virtual-reality-heavy-course-speeds-up-air-force-helicopter-pilot-training-by-six-weeks-1.603374 Back to Top Position: Aviation Safety Inspector (Operations-Rotorcraft-Helicopter) (Juneau FSDO) Job in Juneau, Alaska - Department of Transportation The United States government is a massive employer, and is always looking for qualified candidates to fill a wide variety of open employment positions in locations across the country. Below you'll find a Qualification Summary for an active, open job listing from the Department of Transportation. The opening is for an Aviation Safety Inspector (Operations-Rotorcraft-Helicopter) (Juneau FSDO) in Juneau, Alaska Feel free to browse this and any other job listings and reach out to us with any questions! Aviation Safety Inspector (Operations-Rotorcraft-Helicopter) (Juneau FSDO) - Juneau, Alaska Federal Aviation Administration, Department of Transportation Job ID: 152070 Start Date: 09/23/2019 End Date: 10/21/2019 Qualification Summary APPLICANTS FOR THIS POSITION MUST MEET ALL OF THE FOLLOWING REQUIREMENTS (applications must show that all of the requirements are met in order to receive consideration for this position):Minimum Eligibility Requirements:Not more than two separate incidents involving Federal Aviation Regulations violations in the last 5 years;Valid state driver's license;Fluency in the English language;No chemical dependencies or drug abuse that could interfere with job performance; andHigh school graduate or equivalent.Medical Requirements: Aviation Safety Inspector positions have job-related medical requirements. When applicable, applicants must meet job-related medical requirements which will be assessed and validated during the pre-employment process.Applicants must be physically able to perform the duties of the Rotorcraft-Helicopter Aviation Safety Inspector position in a safe and efficient manner, with or without a reasonable accommodation. The minimum medical requirements include the following requirements:Have good distant vision in each eye and be able to read printed materials the size of typewritten characters (glasses and contact lenses permitted) without strain;Have the ability to hear the conversational voice (hearing aid permitted);Not have any physical conditions that would cause them to be a hazard to themselves or others or that would interfere with their ability to fly as passengers in a variety of aircraft.Possess a valid second-class medical certificate in accordance with FAA regulations; andPass recurrent medical examinations as prescribed by the FAA.Applicants tentatively selected will be required to:Provide documentation from a board-certified physician certifying that they meet the minimal medical requirements, with or without a reasonable accommodation; orIndividuals who do not meet the minimum medical requirements but who are otherwise qualified will receive an individualized assessment to determine whether they can perform the essential functions of the position with or without a reasonable accommodation.Rotorcraft-Helicopter Safety Inspector Required Specialized Experience for all grades:Minimum 100 flight hours in Rotorcraft-Helicopter in the last three years;Commercial Helicopter Pilot Rating with Instrument Helicopter, or Airline Transport Pilot with Helicopter Rating;Flight Instructor Certificate Rotorcraft Helicopter, Flight Instructor Instrument Helicopter Rating;1,200 hours of total time requirements (1,000 in actual flight conditions, 250 hours of night flight in which 15 are in a helicopter);250 hours of flight time in helicopters, which includes at least 75 hours as a pilot in command, or as second in command performing the duties of a pilot in command under the supervision of a pilot in command, or any combination thereof;500 hours of cross-country flight time;75 hours of instrument flight time in actual or simulated instrument meteorological conditions, of which at least 50 hours are obtained in flight with at least 25 hours in helicopters as pilot in command or as second in command performing the duties of a pilot in command under the supervision of a pilot in command, or any combination.Additional Specialized Experience:To qualify for the FG-12 position, you must demonstrate in your application that you possess at least one year (52 weeks) of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade (FG/GS 11) in Federal Service. Specialized experience is experience that has equipped you with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities to perform successfully the duties of this position. Specialized experience must include but not limited to: work involving a wide range of assignments or a few highly complex assignments, requiring planning and organization, setting priorities, and working without clear or specific guidelines. Work at this level is typically subject to review to assure compliance with organizational policies or regulations, and specific guidelines for 91, 91K, 125, 129, or 135 fixed or rotary-wing (as applicable) operator.Applicants must include examples of specialized experience in their work history. If you'd like to submit a resume or apply for this position, please contact Premier Veterans at abjobs@premierveterans.com . All are free to apply! https://lemonwire.com/2019/10/16/aviation-safety-inspector-operations-rotorcraft-helicopter-juneau-fsdo-job-in-juneau-alaska-department-of-transportation-2/ Back to Top Chair Position Announcement Department of Aerospace Middle Tennessee State University Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) invites applications for an innovative leader to chair the Department of Aerospace. Start date for the position is August 1, 2020. Expedited tenure upon appointment possible. The selected candidate must have prior experience and/or academic credentials that would allow a tenured appointment at the rank of Associate Professor or Professor. All applications must be submitted through the MTSU Jobs web page (https://mtsujobs.mtsu.edu). Additional details and instructions can be found there. With approximately 1,000 undergraduate majors, the Department of Aerospace (https://www.mtsu.edu/aerospace/) is a signature department at MTSU, and is one of the nation's largest collegiate aviation operations programs. Our majors can choose among six concentrations: Aerospace Technology, Aviation Management, Flight Dispatch, Maintenance Management, Professional Pilot, and Unmanned Aircraft Systems Operations. In addition, the department offers minors in Air Traffic Control and Unmanned Aircraft Systems as well as a Master's degree in Aeronautical Science with concentrations in Aviation Education, Aviation Management, and Aviation Safety and Security Management. MTSU is located in Murfreesboro, just outside of Nashville, in one of the fastest-growing counties in the nation. Located in the geographic center of the state, and included in Money magazine's "Top 100 Places to Live," Murfreesboro is implementing a community-wide growth plan while still maintaining a small-town feel. In addition to college events, the 'Boro' features a thriving Square, an extensive Greenway system, a Center for the Arts, and a variety of festivals and music venues. The primary responsibility of the chair is strong academic leadership for the department, ensuring excellent quality program delivery and student success and achievement. Other responsibilities include budgetary coordination, faculty/staff hiring and management, operational oversight of the MTSU airport campus and flight school, and partnership development with business, industry, and associations. The chair will serve as a champion for the growing program and will be expected to engage in fundraising, navigate periodic AABI accreditation review, and ensure compliance with FAA and other pertinent regulations. Successful candidates must have excellent communication and interpersonal skills, demonstrated vision, leadership, and the ability to work productively with faculty and students from diverse backgrounds. The selected candidate will have a bachelor's or higher degree in an aviation discipline and will also have a doctorate or terminal degree in an appropriate, related field. The selected candidate will have pilot, maintenance, or dispatch certification and must have 3 years teaching and/or leadership experience at the collegiate level. Candidates who have 5 years'experience working in or managing flight operations will receive special consideration. Back to Top Instructor Pilot: Assists with the development and delivery of flight, ground and simulator training programs to ensure that Air Care training is vigorously applied. Coordinates to integrate pilot training with medical crew training. Assists in developing and implementing flight related medical personnel training. Operate North Memorial aircraft according to Federal Aviation Regulations and North Memorial Policies to transport customers to local hospitals. Basic Qualifications: Education • Some college with Bachelor's Degree preferred. Experience • Helicopter & instrument instructor experience, or • Simulator instructor experience. • Classroom instructor experience. • Possess the required experience as listed in the Federal Aviation Regulations under Part 135. • FAA CFI/CFII or former military instructor pilot desired. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities • Possess a current FAA Medical Certificate; and an FAA Commercial Pilot Certificate. • Ability to semi-annually pass the required FAA instrument proficiency exam. • Ability to annually pass the required FAA Ground exam. • Organizational & people skills. • Some management skills. • Computer knowledge and writing skills. Apply Here: https://northmemorial.com/north-memorial-health-careers/ Back to Top Aviation Safety Officer: Responsible for the development, implementation, and management of the Safety Management System (SMS). Serves as a consultant to the all aviation departments on safety issues and performs related safety duties as required. Establishes and maintains active working relationships with internal and external stakeholders. Basic Qualifications: Education • Bachelor of Science Degree with major course work in Aviation Management, Industrial Safety or • Hygiene, Public Administration, or closely related field. Experience • Previous experience with helicopter or other aviation-related organization • Certified helicopter pilot and/or maintenance technician preferred • Experience with auditing protocols and accreditation programs Knowledge, Skills and Abilities • Familiar with FAA rules and regulations • Application of FAA/NTSB/NASA aviation safety programs Licensure/Certification(s)/Registration • Valid Class D Driver's license in the state of residency with acceptable driving record---State Requirement • FAA CFI/CFII----NMHC Preferred • Airline Transport Pilot/Commercial Pilot License---NMHC Preferred Apply Here: https://northmemorial.com/north-memorial-health-careers/ Back to Top Manager, Helicopter Maintenance This position serves in the role of Director of Maintenance as described in the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations. Supervises maintenance personnel as well as managing and scheduling aircraft maintenance. Supervises the maintenance of all tools, equipment, and supplies. Maintains all required aircraft records in a current status and transfers any log discrepancies not repaired to the deferred sheet. Directs all training and maintenance activities of maintenance personnel, determines personnel requirements based on present and projected workloads, and submits reports required by FAR 135.415 & FAR 135.417. Basic Qualifications: Education • High School Graduate or equivalent (GED) required • Airframe and powerplant technical school graduate • Factory training on at least one aircraft operated by North Memorial Health Air Care Experience • Must meet recent experience requirements of FAR 65.83 on same category and class of aircraft operated by North Memorial Health • Five (5) years' experience as a certified aircraft mechanic • In lieu of item 2: 3 years' experience with a certified airframe repair station, including 1 year in the capacity of approving aircraft to return to service. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities • Must know maintenance sections of operations manual, operations specifications, FAR 135.39C, and other applicable regulations. • Must be highly knowledgeable of the Aircraft Manufacturer's Maintenance Manual, inspection and maintenance specifications, applicable Federal Aviation Regulations and applicable portions of the Operations Manual. Must maintain close liaison with local FAA-FSDO on maintenance matters. Apply Here: https://northmemorial.com/north-memorial-health-careers/ Back to Top Crisis Management Professional - 23440 Location: TORONTO, ON, Canada Posting Start Date: Oct 9, 2019 Posting End Date: Oct 30, 2019 To apply: https://careers.aircanada.com/jobs/4244305-crisis-management-professional Job Description Are you passionate about reaching new heights, teamwork and making a meaningful contribution? Do you picture yourself as a valued member of an industry-leading organization? If you answered yes to these questions, Air Canada is seeking enthusiastic individuals to join the diverse and vibrant team working together to lead the growth and expansion of Canada's flag carrier. Do you enjoy working in a stimulating environment, influencing the direction of business resiliency solutions, and being recognized for your contributions to a dynamic team? If so, we are looking to meet candidates like you. We are seeking a Crisis Management Professional who will be responsible for providing expertise and strategic direction in the development, implementation and maintenance of contingency planning processes and procedures. The position will work to identify exposures to internal and external threats and organize resources to provide effective prevention, response, recovery, and restoration from any disruption and fortify business continuity. This position will ensure preparedness to manage operational incidents and emergencies effectively (including Emergency Response), with minimal impact to our business, subsidiaries, customers or brand. Responsibilities will include implementing and guiding aspects of Crisis Management, and overseeing multiple complex systems while ensuring balance in allocation of resources. Coordination and collaboration with internal stakeholders will be essential to transform, and standardize requirements into contingency plans, business processes, documentation, training plans and execution (response readiness). • Work effectively with operational branch leadership to address business resiliency requirements and concerns • Integrate crisis management, crisis response, and contingency operations into existing and emerging plans, and emergency protocols for all facilities, events, and presence across the enterprise • Define scope, goals and deliverables that support business goals and strategic objectives in collaboration with stakeholders. Estimate the resources and participants needed to achieve program goals • Guide the crisis management team in business impact analysis, facilitation of continuity planning, verification of plan effectiveness through exercises, risk analysis and mitigation strategies • Create roadmaps for future emergency management projects with internal customers and stakeholders • Coordinate the planning, development, testing and direction of all disaster response/crisis management activities • Serve as a corporate incident commander, providing expertise and oversight of global crisis response operations as a result of natural disaster, terrorism, political instability, and safety incidents including aircraft accidents/incidents that result in the activation of the emergency response plan • Analyze incident data and identify trends, impact and possible improvements to realign business continuity strategies as needed • Develop crisis management (emergency response and business continuity) policies and procedures in adherence with regulatory requirements and in keeping with industry best practice • Function as the liaison with appropriate government agencies regarding Crisis Management • Participate with industry, regulatory and/or government agencies in establishing emergency response and business continuity policies and recommended practices • Develop training content for the Corporate Crisis Management Team • Make appropriate judgment decisions quickly and decisively, often with limited information • Exhibit calm under pressure; demonstrate leadership qualities in highly stressful situations • Experience supporting a significant change (i.e., strategy, operations, process, structure, culture, or behavior) and demonstrated ability to bring others along successfully • Strong interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to defend ideas, respect the ideas of others, and be receptive to considering and integrating alternative perspectives • Coach, guide, counsel and develop subordinate staff accordingly Qualifications • Experience in business continuity, crisis planning, emergency management, facilities/critical systems management, or related role • Bachelor's Degree in Emergency/Crisis Management or similar concentration. • Certified Business Continuity Professional (DRII CBCP) or equivalent industry certification and Certified Emergency Manager (CEM) or equivalents an asset • Exceptional written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills • Strong ability to network and interact with colleagues, peers, and senior executives • Exceptional interpersonal skills, including an ability to use tact and diplomacy with people at all levels to get actions accomplished. LINGUISTIC REQUIREMENTS Based on equal qualifications, preference will be given to bilingual candidates. Diversity and Inclusion Air Canada is strongly committed to Diversity and Inclusion and aims to create a healthy, accessible and rewarding work environment which highlights employees' unique contributions to our company's success. As an equal opportunity employer, we welcome applications from all to help us build a diverse workforce which reflects the diversity of our customers, and communities, in which we live and serve. APPLY HERE Air Canada thanks all candidates for their interest; however only those selected to continue in the process will be contacted. Back to Top JOIN US! SAFE SKIES FOR ALL: INTRODUCING SPACEFLIGHT INTO OUR SKIES www.alpa.org/safeskies October 31, 2019 | Hyatt Regency Hotel | Washington, D.C The Air Line Pilots Association, Int'l and the Commercial Spaceflight Federation invite you to a dynamic one-day conference as we highlight numerous, ongoing efforts to transform our airspace for the future. Curt Lewis