Flight Safety Information November 5, 2019 - No. 227 In This Issue Incident: Aeroflot B738 near Frankfurt on Nov 4th 2019, hydraulic failure Accident: Qantas A332 over Pacific Ocean on Nov 4th 2019, turbulence injures 3 crew Incident: Swiss A321 near Zurich on Nov 4th 2019, fumes on board United flight makes emergency landing at Newark Airport after smoke in cockpit: FAA Incident: Laudamotion A320 at Fuerteventura on Nov 2nd 2019, rejected takeoff due to computer fault Colorado-based Air Methods Corp. faces federal complaint over alleged helicopter safety issue Chinese pilot grounded after photo of woman in cockpit sparks outrage Qantas' search for female pilots has led to more workplace harassment EU Air-Safety Regulator Denies Dragging Out Review of Boeing Max FAA Releases Privacy Plan for ADS-B Bristow Out Of Bankruptcy Cape Air sets date for debut of new Tecnam prop aircraft Norwegian Air to sell six aircraft, boosting cash by $55 mln Aviation professionals are seeing effects of pilot shortage: BAML survey Resurgent Boeing 737 MAX could trigger jet surplus, analyst warns CABIN CREW FATIGUE RESEARCH PROJECT Position: MEL Administration Manager Position Available: Audit Production Manager; Air Carrier Incident: Aeroflot B738 near Frankfurt on Nov 4th 2019, hydraulic failure An Aeroflot Boeing 737-800, registration VQ-BHB performing flight SU-2307 from Frankfurt/Main (Germany) to Moscow Sheremetyevo (Russia) with 154 people on board, was climbing through about FL230 out of Frankfurt when the crew received indication of the failure of hydraulic system A. The crew continued the climb to FL350 and the flight to Moscow, where the aircraft landed safely on runway 24C about 2:35 hours later. Emergency services reported they were alerted to take their stand by positions because of an indication of a hydraulic malfunction. http://avherald.com/h?article=4ced399d&opt=0 Back to Top Accident: Qantas A332 over Pacific Ocean on Nov 4th 2019, turbulence injures 3 crew A Qantas Airbus A330-200, registration VH-EBS performing flight QF-108 (dep Nov 3rd) from Beijing (China) to Sydney,NS (Australia), was enroute over the Pacific Ocean near the island of Palau about 6 hours into the flight when the aircraft encountered turbulence causing injuries to three flight attendants. The aircraft continued to Sydney for a safe landing about 5 hours later. Two flight attendants were treated at the airport, the third was taken to a hospital. Passengers reported the flight attendants lifted off the floor during the turbulence and struck their heads at the overhead lockers. There had been no warning ahead of the turbulence, the fasten seat belts were not illuminated. Everything loose also took off and struck the ceiling creating a mess throughout the cabin. The cabin ceiling and lockers received some damage as result of the turbulence encounter. The airline confirmed the aircraft encountered unexpected turbulence, three flight attendants received minor injuries. http://avherald.com/h?article=4ced387c&opt=0 Back to Top Incident: Swiss A321 near Zurich on Nov 4th 2019, fumes on board A Swiss International Airlines Airbus A321-200, registration HB-IOH performing flight LX-2150 from Zurich (Switzerland) to Palma Mallorca,SP (Spain), had just levelled off at FL300 about 90nm southwest of Zurich when the crew decided to return to Zurich reporting a strange odour on board, presumably originating from the left hand engine (CFM56), otherwise the operations were normal. The aircraft landed safely on Zurich's runway 28 about 30 minutes after the decision to turn around and vacated the runway with emergency services on stand by. After landing the crew advised everything was back to normal. A ground observer reported emergency services boarded the aircraft, all passengers disembarked quickly and all cargo was unloaded unusually quickly. http://avherald.com/h?article=4ced0dbc&opt=0 Back to Top United flight makes emergency landing at Newark Airport after smoke in cockpit: FAA NEWARK, N.J. - A flight that had just taken off from Newark Liberty International Airport had to return and make an emergency landing Monday morning after a report of smoke in the cockpit, the FAA said in a statement. According to FAA, United Airlines flight #800, which was originally heading to Orlando, landed safely back at Newark Airport just before 7 a.m. after an emergency was declared due to a report of smoke in the airplanes cockpit. United confirmed the landing, saying the plane returned to the field due to a mechanical issue. "The flight landed without incident and we are arranging for a new aircraft to get customers to their final destination as soon as possible," the airline said in a statement. No injuries were reported, according to officials. Chris Saveri, a passenger on the United flight, recounted his experience to PIX11 Monday on Twitter, saying there was "a smell of gas, fumes as we took off. Fire alarm immediately went off." "Something was supposedly hot and it seemed to be in the bathroom. [The] flight crew had a fire extinguisher ready," Saveri wrote. According to Saveri, he first heard the flight attendant say something on the in-plane phone about a landing. Soon after, the pilot confirmed the landing to the passengers, saying there was some sort of emergency. "Some folks were rattled," Saveri said. "One child did ask if Disney was cancelled, which brought a few laughs," he said, referring to the flight's original destination of Orlando. Saveri said the plane landed without incident and that the pilot was "right there as we [deplaned]," and that the "flight crew was solid!" https://pix11.com/2019/11/04/united-flight-makes-emergency-landing-at-newark- airport-after-smoke-in-cockpit-faa/ Back to Top Back to Top Incident: Laudamotion A320 at Fuerteventura on Nov 2nd 2019, rejected takeoff due to computer fault A Laudamotion Airbus A320-200, registration OE-LMB performing flight OE-2169 from Fuerteventura,CI (Spain) to Vienna (Austria) with 160 passengers, was accelerating for takeoff from Fuerteventura's runway 01 when the crew rejected takeoff at low speed and returned to the apron. A passenger reported that there was nothing unuusal until the brakes came on at relatively low speed, no unusual sounds, no unusual smells, no unusual vibrations. After the aircraft returned to the apron, a technician came on board and went straight to the cockpit and sat in the captain's seat. Soon after some noise was heard from below the cabin, obviously the maintenance folks triggered something mechanical, an odour developed on board. Obviously all attempts were unsuccessful, the crew announced, the flight would be postponed to the next day. The following day a Ryanair Boeing 737 was dispatched from Palma Mallorca, which took them to Vienna. The airline reported the board computers showed a fault message at low speed prompting the crew to reject takeoff as a precaution. The issue could not immediately be solved on site, the passengers therefore were rebooked onto a replacement flight the following day and taken to hotels in Fuerteventura while waiting for the replacement flight. The issue was diagnosed as an indication problem of the board computer, technicians are still working the solve the issue. A replacement Ryanair Boeing 737-800 registration EI-ENA reached Vienna with a delay of 26.5 hours. The occurrence aircraft is still on the ground in Fuerteventura about 46 hours after the rejected takeoff. http://avherald.com/h?article=4ced0b66&opt=0 Back to Top Colorado-based Air Methods Corp. faces federal complaint over alleged helicopter safety issue A federal civil lawsuit was filed Monday against Air Methods Corp. of Greenwood Village alleging violations of safety standards in connection to an emergency-services helicopter. The complaint, filed by the U.S. Attorney, District of Colorado, claims that an Air Methods helicopter, in Tampa, Fla., went on 51 flights after the company was notified by the Federal Aviation Administration that the helicopter's pitot tubes - crucial in determining airspeed - were "severely corroded," according to a news release. Air Methods operates air-ambulance helicopters across the country. The complaint alleges that on Nov. 4, 2014, an FAA aviation safety inspector identified the problem and that the helicopter "continued to operate" in violation of federal regulations. "If a pitot tube is not functioning properly, it can cause the airspeed reflected on a helicopter's instruments to vary significantly from the actual airspeed, which can present serious safety concerns," the release said. Air Methods was aware of the hazards, according to the complaint, which seeks to recover civil penalties from the Colorado company. "When a federal safety inspector notifies an air-ambulance company that one of its helicopters has a potential safety issue, the company must address that issue," U.S. Attorney Jason Dunn said in the release. "Air Methods kept the helicopter in the air despite being warned about the corroded pitot tubes, and we intend to hold the company accountable for its actions." Founded in 1980, Air Methods has a workforce of more than 4,500 people with more than 300 bases serving 48 states, according to its website. "Air Methods vigorously disputes the allegations contained in the complaint but cannot provide further comment as the litigation is pending," the company said Monday. https://www.denverpost.com/2019/11/04/air-methods-corp-federal-complaint-alleged- helicopter-safety-issue/ Back to Top Chinese pilot grounded after photo of woman in cockpit sparks outrage A Chinese airline has suspended a pilot for breaching safety rules after this photo emerged on social media. Hong Kong (CNN) - A Chinese pilot has been grounded after a photo of a woman sitting in an airplane cockpit emerged on social media, sparking outrage over a breach of safety rules. The photo, posted by the woman on the Twitter-like Weibo social network, showed her taking the pilot's seat and making a V-sign while wearing civilian clothes. "[I am] super thankful to the pilot! I am really so excited," the caption read. The photo was spotted by a Chinese aviation blogger on Sunday. The blogger identified that the image was taken on an Air Guilin plane mid-flight, and criticized the airline for disregarding flight safety. The woman has since deleted the original photo on her Weibo account. The photo went viral by the time it had been taken down. The aviation blogger's post about the image currently has 22,000 likes. Air Guilin confirmed that the incident took place during a flight from the southern city of Guilin to Yangzhou, eastern China on January 4. In a statement on Monday, the airline said it had suspended the unnamed pilot from flying duties "for life" for violating civil aviation rules, while other members of the flight crew had been banned indefinitely, pending further investigation. The carrier said it had always placed the safety of its passengers as its top priority, and reiterated it had a "zero tolerance policy towards any unprofessional and improper acts that could endanger air safety." "We will enhance our rigorous safety guidelines, to avoid incidents like this from happening again," the statement said. A company representative told state media outlet Beijing Youth Daily that every carrier has its own rules and, if the pilot decides to apply for jobs with other airlines, it'd be up to other carriers to decide whether or not to hire him. Meanwhile, the photo sparked outrage on Chinese social media. "This is putting passengers' lives in the entire aircraft at risk," one user commented. Another asked: "How can an aviation professional not understand the basics of air safety?" The woman was identified as a student taking a flight attendant course at the Guilin Tourism University, according to the state-run People's Daily. It is unclear whether she is personally connected to the pilot. This is not the first time that pilots have violated air safety rules in China by inviting guests into the cockpit mid-flight. In 2018, a pilot received a six-month suspension after he was found to have invited his wife into the cockpit three times during a Donghai Airlines flight, People's Daily reported. Airlines around the world have strengthened security measures relating to cockpit entrance following the 9/11 attacks. Peter Goelz, former managing director of the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board, told CNN in 2015 that automatic locks on cockpit doors have been installed on planes in the United States to prevent intruders from gaining access to flight control systems. Regulations issued by the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) also ban pilots from using smartphones for personal use - including taking pictures - when the plane is in the air, unless they have gotten permission in advance. https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/china-pilot-suspended-cockpit-photo-intl-hnk- scli/index.html Back to Top Qantas' search for female pilots has led to more workplace harassment Australian airline Qantas has lofty ambitions to increase the number of women in its cockpits. In 2017, it launched the Nancy Bird Walton initiative, named for the pioneering female pilot, and committed to having women make up at least 20% of its 2018 pilot intake. Within the next decade, the airline said, at least 40% of its new pilot hires will be female. It's a big jump: As of earlier this year, around 250 of Qantas' 4,000 pilots were women. But behind the scenes, according to an independent survey of 2,400 Qantas pilots and cabin crew, there are significant costs for these female pilots. Some said they experienced a backlash against the campaign, and were forced to bear the brunt of their male colleagues' ire. While one in four Qantas employees had experienced sexual harassment in the past year from a coworker or passenger, female pilots reported the highest rates of sexual harassment and bullying, according to The Australian, which obtained the Qantas report. In some cases, that bullying includes sexist comments, which two-thirds of female pilots found "common," or suggestions that they had been given their jobs because of their gender, rather than on merit. Until 2016, female Qantas pilots had to wear men's uniforms. Their uniforms may fit better now, but the atmosphere in the cockpit can still be uncomfortable, as one anonymous commenter observed in the report: "The men are always telling stories about female pilots. As soon as a female pilot makes a mistake, it's as if all female pilots are bad or hopeless." Other airline colleagues noted a culture of "what happens on tour stays on tour," where whistle-blowers are made to feel like trouble-makers or "put through the absolute ringer" (sic) for speaking out. Qantas did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Female pilots face comparable challenges worldwide, with harassment and discrimination reported at airlines in Canada, the US, and the UK. In the US, pilots have the greatest adjusted gender pay gap of all professions, according to a Glassdoor report, with a 27% gap in base pay. Surprisingly, this gap appears to be widening. In an email, Geoff Murray, a former commercial pilot and current Oliver Wyman aerospace consultant, said this disparity is probably the result of a lack of seniority among female pilots, who tend to be newer recruits. The first woman employed as a pilot in the US, Emily Warner, was hired as recently as 1973, he said: even now, women make up about 6% of all US commercial pilots. The numbers are gradually creeping up, however: In 2018, 7,136 women were certified to fly as airline pilots in the US, up 26% from 2009, out of a total of 99,880. With aviation facing unprecedented growth, airlines are moving fast to head off a growing shortage of pilots. Many have concluded that women are the answer, and adopted similar policies accordingly: Virgin Australia last year announced that it would be aiming for gender parity among its 2019 cadets. But despite these initiatives, it's still rare to hear a woman's voice over the public address system. More concerning is how many of the old guard seem to prefer it that way. https://qz.com/work/1741598/qantas-female-pilots-report-harassment-and-bullying/ Back to Top EU Air-Safety Regulator Denies Dragging Out Review of Boeing Max * EASA chief says he won't bend to pressure from Ryanair * Ky: 'If Mr. O'Leary doesn't like it, that's his problem' Europe's air-safety regulator defended its scrutiny of Boeing Co.'s grounded 737 Max after one of the model's biggest customers said the agency has become an obstacle to the jet's return. European Union Aviation Safety Agency Executive Director Patrick Ky hit back at claims from Ryanair Holdings Plc chief Michael O'Leary that the authority is "dragging its heels" over the Max, saying it's simply fulfilling its obligations. "If Mr. O'Leary doesn't like it, that's his problem, but it's not going to put pressure on me to go faster, I can assure you," Ky said in an interview in Helsinki. "We are doing what we think is right." Tensions are running high as the Max's idling after two fatal crashes threatens to extend into next year, hurting carriers that are relying on the model to lift margins. Ryanair has 135 orders for the jet and says it may get only 20 of the 60 due for next summer even if the revamped 737 flies again by Christmas. With the crisis surrounding the Max posing a challenge to the FAA's credibility, other regulators have followed EASA's lead on assessing the plane's safety. Ky said that the way forward is now clearer than it was a few months ago but that EASA needs to analyze Boeing's proposed modifications to the Max's systems, software, components and operational procedures. Pilot Training "We need to assess whether the changes have been safely made," he said. "We also need to determine what will be the operational requirements, meaning training requirements for the pilots. That will be one of the key decisions." O'Leary said on Bloomberg TV that EASA is moving more slowly than the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration, which is leading scrutiny of the Max. The Cologne, Germany- based agency has also avoided meeting with a Max users' group in Europe and needs "to move with a little more pace," he said. Boeing has been upgrading software on the Max that was linked to the crashes at Lion Air and Ethiopian Airlines, and has said it expects that the plane will be cleared to fly this year. Ky reiterated suggestions that EASA may take longer to get the model back into service while it checks through the fixes. "Our latest plans are pointing at a date for our decision to be in January 2020," he said. "As far as I know, the FAA was planning on December. If we have a couple of weeks of time difference I don't think it's a major problem." Ky said the U.S. regulator's own schedule has slipped after it originally suggested the Max might return to service in May, adding that EASA is equally eager to wrap things up, with 25 staff who are working on the topic "starting to really want to take normal holidays and to have other projects." 'Confident' O'Leary said earlier that Boeing and the FAA "haven't been easy to deal with" in recent months but that the manufacturer -- who he speaks with "once a week" -- has identified and rectified the issues with the plane. "We are one of the airlines with a Max simulator here in Europe," he said. "We're very confident that this aircraft is safe. The regulators need to work with us as an industry to get this aircraft back flying." Ryanair said it now expects to get its first Max jets in March or April rather than January or February, based on the model getting clearance to fly in North America before Christmas. The delays are holding back expansion and causing Ryanair to extend leases and hold off on selling older planes, Chief Financial Officer Neil Sorahan said. The airline will also close bases and cut job cuts to make up for slower capacity growth and the absence of fuel efficiencies from the Max. Ryanair rose the most in five years after beating quarterly earnings estimates and refining its full-year profit guidance, with O'Leary saying he's more optimistic about future operating conditions. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-11-04/ryanair-first-half-profit-gains- on-jump-in-ancillary-revenues Back to Top FAA Releases Privacy Plan for ADS-B The FAA is putting one of the final pieces in place for the transition to the January 1 ADS-B deadline, releasing a plan to protect the privacy of operators from real-time flight-tracking services. Agency officials announced the flight-tracking opt-out plan at NBAA's recent Flight Planners Summit held in conjunction with the association's annual convention in Las Vegas. Additionally, the officials said they would establish new data-sharing limits for air traffic tracking service providers if operators want to opt out of having their flight information broadcast over the internet. Those limits are expected to go in effect by year-end, NBAA said. The Privacy ICAO Address (PIA) Program will be implemented in phases. Under the first phase, to be in place by January 1, the FAA will set up a portal to accept requests from operators seeking to keep their real-time ADS-B position and identification information private. Those operators will receive an alternative, temporary ICAO aircraft address that is not linked with their FAA registration information. To qualify, the aircraft must be U.S-registered, 1090-MHz ADS-B equipped, and fly in U.S. airspace. Under Phase 2, the FAA will transition the PIA program to a third-party service provider. That move is anticipated in mid-2020. NBAA, which has long sought protections for operators from the publicly available information that comes with ADS-B, welcomed the move. "We're pleased the FAA has responded positively to ADS-B privacy concerns of operators, which NBAA has raised in numerous government/industry forums, including with the NextGen Advisory Committee," said NBAA president and CEO Ed Bolen. "Until now, the lack of a privacy solution has been a disincentive for some operators to equip with ADS-B. No one should have to surrender their privacy and security just because they board an airplane." https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/business-aviation/2019-11-04/faa-releases- privacy-plan-ads-b Back to Top Bristow Out Of Bankruptcy Bristow Group officially emerged from Chapter 11 bankruptcy reorganization last week with $535 million in new capital and a new board of directors with extensive experience in energy, finance, and helicopter businesses. The company filed for bankruptcy in May, claiming debts of $1.885 billion against assets of $2.86 billion and citing "previously disclosed financial challenges" and "constrained liquidity." L. Don Miller, who was appointed Bristow CEO in February 2019 and guided it through the bankruptcy process, will remain in his current office and a member of the company's board. Other board members include Aris Kekedjian (chairman), Wesley E. Kern, Robert J. Manzo, Lorin L. Brass, G. Mark Mickelson, Brian D. Truelove, and Hooman Yazhari. Former Bristow director Ian A. Godden will continue as chairman of Bristow Aviation Holding Limited, Bristow's UK affiliate, and serve in an advisory role to Bristow. Miller said the restructured Bristow is "committed to further building on our global leadership role in offshore oil and gas transportation and search and rescue" and will "remain focused on being 'best in class' for all our stakeholders, particularly our employees, customers, and new owners as we continue to look for ways to drive innovation and efficiencies across the global business." https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/general-aviation/2019-11-04/bristow-out- bankruptcy Back to Top Cape Air sets date for debut of new Tecnam prop aircraft This post contains references to products from one or more of our advertisers. We may receive compensation when you click on links to those products. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. For an explanation of our Advertising Policy, visit this page. Cape Air has set a date for the debut of its first new aircraft, the Tecnam P2012 Traveller, with plans to introduce it on flights to Vermont in December. The Hyannis, Massachusetts-based regional carrier will begin flying the prop plane between its Boston Logan (BOS) base and Rutland (RUT) on Dec. 14, its website and Diio by Cirium schedules show. The first passenger flight is scheduled as Cape Air 52 from Rutland to Boston at 7 am local time, according to Cape Air's website. Seats are on sale on Cape Air's website. However, as with any new aircraft introduction, the date could slide due to any number of reasons. In October, the airline's training captain John Peck told TPG that entry-into-service was dependent on pilot training, which at the time was due to begin before the end of the month. The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration, while it had certified the Traveller, had yet to certify Cape Air's pilot training program. Cape Air CEO Dan Wolf said at the same October event that the airline would debut the Traveller on the Boston-Rutland route before rolling it out to other routes subsidized under the U.S. Department of Transportation's Essential Air Service program. After the Boston EAS routes, Cape Air plans to begin flying the Traveller from its bases at Billings (BIL) in Montana and St. Louis (STL) over the next 18 months. The Tecnam prop is Cape Air's first-ever new aircraft. The airline has commitments for 110 aircraft with plans to replace its fleet of 83 Cessna 402s in five years or less. The Traveller seats nine passengers - though, unfortunately, not in the co-pilot seat as they can on the Cessnas - plus two pilots. Each seat is a window seat and features amenities like a cup holder and USB power outlet. Every seat on Cape Air's Tecnam P2012 Travellers have ample legroom and USB charging ports. (Photo by Edward Russell/TPG) Tecnam ferried the first two aircraft to Cape Air's base on Cape Cod from Italy over three days in September. The aircraft made five stops enroute, including in Holland and Greenland. https://thepointsguy.com/news/cape-air-sets-date-for-debut-of-new-tecnam-prop- aircraft/ Back to Top Norwegian Air to sell six aircraft, boosting cash by $55 mln OSLO, Nov 5 (Reuters) - Norwegian Air has agreed to sell six of its Boeing 737-800 aircraft to Pembroke Aircraft Leasing 5 Limited, a subsidiary of Standard Chartered Plc , the Oslo-based budget carrier said in a statement. "The transaction is expected to increase the company's liquidity by approximately $55 million after repayment of debt and have a positive equity effect," Norwegian said. "The sale is in line with the company's continued strategy of capitalizing on the scale built up over the last few years and the changed focus from growth to profitability," it added. The aircraft are currently operated by Norwegian and deliveries will take place in the fourth quarter of 2019 and in the first quarter of 2020. https://www.reuters.com/article/norwegianair-aircraft/norwegian-air-to-sell-six-aircraft- boosting-cash-by-55-mln-idUSFWN27K17I Back to Top Aviation professionals are seeing effects of pilot shortage: BAML survey The next time your flight is delayed, it might just be that there's no one to fly the plane. There's a major pilot shortage in the U.S. In 1987, the number of pilots in the U.S. stood around 827,000. By 2018, that number decreased to just over 633,000, according to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). And the problem is becoming more and more apparent, according to a Bank of America Merrill Lynch (BAML) survey done in conjunction with Aviation Week. The survey gauged the perceptions of 917 aviation professionals in the U.S. and Canada on the training and recruitment of pilots. Forty-six percent say they already see a pilot shortage, and 36% expect to see a shortage in the U.S. and Canada in the next five years. One of the main drivers of the shortage is that the U.S., on average, has some of the oldest pilots in the world. This is especially true among those who fly transport. In 2002, the average U.S. transport pilot was 46, according to FAA data cited by BAML, and by 2018, that number rose to 51. BAML cited data analysis from the aviation training company CAE Inc. (CAE) showing that 42% of U.S. transport pilots are in the 50-64 years range. BAML analyst Ronald Epstein tells Yahoo Finance that the modernization of the U.S. military has also played a role in the nation's pilot shortage. "In North America, pilots have largely come out of the military. Still, largely due to the operating capability of military aircraft today, one aircraft can do more than an aircraft did 30 years ago. So because of that, you have fewer pilots," he said. Effect on consumers A service shortage within any industry is sure to affect consumers, and the airline industry is no different. "Part of the cost structure of an airline is labor," explains Epstein. "As the number of pilots gets tighter, like with any labor market, when you get tighter labor, pay will go up ... You'll probably see upward pressure on labor costs, and those labor costs will get passed through to consumers," he added. Boon for pilots One group that stands to benefit the most from a pilot shortage are pilots themselves. As the law of supply and demand dictates, the fewer pilots, the more money they can command for their aviation services. The median pay for airline and commercial pilots was $115,670 in 2018, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. However, the training cost to become a commercial pilot ranges from $80,000 to $100,000, BAML noted. BAML's survey showed that 65% of commercial pilots, 68% of executive pilots, and 94% of freight pilots say that they are underpaid. BAML says the pilot shortage underpins the bull market for companies with commercial training exposure, such as CAE, a Canadian company that specializes in training for civil aviation, defense and security, among others. The company currently owns 53% of the airline civil flight simulator market share. Epstein says the pilot shortage affects both commercial and freight transportation. "It's kinda like a Pez candy, the pilots - the men and women go up the canister and pop out the top. So, to the extent the regional airlines and the freight operators will need pilots too - and where are they pulling them from? So to the extent that it impacts the whole industry." https://finance.yahoo.com/news/pilot-shortage-bank-of-america-merrill-lynch-survey- 181836652.html Back to Top Resurgent Boeing 737 MAX could trigger jet surplus, analyst warns * Market faces potential surplus of 1,000 jets next year -Cirium * Air Lease CEO less worried about surge in MAX deliveries * Boeing aims to deliver record-tying 70 planes/month when MAX returns By Tim Hepher and Anshuman Daga HONG KONG, Nov 5 (Reuters) - Airlines that have been forced to rejig operations due to the grounding of the 737 MAX could face a markedly different problem when Boeing Co's best-selling jet is finally cleared to re-enter service: a gradual switch to concerns about oversupply, a leading analyst warned on Monday. The Chicago-based planemaker has continued to produce the jet since it was grounded in March in the wake of two fatal accidents, and is expected to speed deliveries by 40% to 70 units a month when its factory doors reopen, in a bid to start clearing the backlog. Rob Morris, global head of consultancy at UK-based Ascend by Cirium, said the combination of any rapid rebound in deliveries, economic worries and an accumulation of market pressures dating back before the crashes could make it hard to absorb the jets. "Next year is the challenge. When the dam breaks and the MAX starts to flow, there are going to be a lot of aircraft," Morris told a briefing ahead of the Airline Economics Growth Frontiers conference late on Monday. "There could potentially be as many as 1,000 surplus aircraft next year." Until now, most concern has focused on whether regulators would permit an orderly return to service by avoiding gaps in approvals between different countries. But Morris, who has argued a long up-cycle in aviation is nearly over, said there were also risks in opening floodgates too quickly, overwhelming fragile growth in travel demand. Still, he and other delegates at back-to-back aviation finance gatherings in Hong Kong agreed it would take Boeing 18 months or longer to deliver all the stranded aircraft. The operation will be one of the industry's biggest ever logistical challenges and any glitches or delays could act as a further brake on supply. "Getting all those aircraft, that are currently parked, off the ground could take two years," John Plueger, chief executive of Air Lease Corp, said in an interview last week, adding he did not see fundamental changes as a result of the MAX's return. "It is not as if all these MAX could be delivered over a one-, two- or three-month period ... so it is not an open floodgate and 350 planes all coming onto the market tomorrow," he told Reuters on the sidelines of the Airfinance Journal Asia Pacific conference. Boeing has said it aims to return the 737 MAX to service in the United States by the end of 2019 after making software changes in the wake of the crashes, which killed 346 people. Europe's top regulator said on Monday the airliner is likely to return to service in Europe during the first quarter of 2020. Analysts say more than 300 MAX aircraft have been produced since March when commercial flights were banned and deliveries frozen. This could rise to 400 by the time the plane returns to service. Boeing is additionally expected to deliver close to 600 jets straight from the production line next year. It has indicated it plans to deliver up to 70 jets a month, equal to a previous record. Of this, analysts say around 20 are expected to be drawn from inventory parked at its factories and the rest newly built. https://www.reuters.com/article/boeing-737max-supply/resurgent-boeing-737-max- could-trigger-jet-surplus-analyst-warns-idUSL8N27K5OU Back to Top CABIN CREW FATIGUE RESEARCH PROJECT Fatigue is a pervasive issue that affects all airline cabin crew. Fatigue may impede cabin crews' ability to consistently and effectively manage passengers from safety, security and service perspectives. As part of our undergraduate research project at Swinburne University of Technology (Melbourne, Australia), we are conducting a survey of international cabin crew primarily engaged in long-haul (LH) and ultra long-haul (ULH) flight operations. This survey asks cabin crew for their views on various issues associated with work- related fatigue and stress. We also seek your views on the availability and effectiveness of various fatigue countermeasures. If you are working as LH or ULH cabin crew, you are invited to participate in this study. You will be asked to complete an online questionnaire, which also includes a consent form. The study takes approximately 20 minutes to complete. To access the study, please go to the following website: https://swinuw.au1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_8qBLCKgmpWlraxT Participants who complete the study will be eligible to enter a draw to win the latest iPad (6th Generation). This research project is being supervised by Peter Renshaw at the Department of Aviation, Swinburne University of Technology. If you have any questions, please contact Peter at prenshaw@swin.edu.au Back to Top MEL Administration Manager POSITION PURPOSE Serves as the subject matter expert (SME) of the Minimum Equipment List (MEL) and manages the development, content, administration, compliance and control of Republic Airways MEL, Configuration Deviation Lists (CDL), Non-essential Equipment and Furnishings (NEF), and policy letters. ESSENTIAL DUTIES To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. * Manages the current MEL, CDL, and NEF items and procedures consistent with the FAA MMEL, MMEL Policy Letters and Manufactures Dispatch Deviation Procedures Manual. * Analyze and assess processes of MEL, CDL and NEF items to improve administration, productivity and efficiency during operations. * Coordinates with FAA Flight Operations Evaluation Board (FOEB) and aircraft manufacturer for MMEL proposals. * Attends FOEB meetings and industry workshops; establish networks with other MEL Administrators and benchmarking best practices. * Coordinates with FOEB and engineering to incorporate relief for items installed under a Supplemental Type Certificate (STC). * Collaborates with lead airline and FOEB for MMEL industry solutions. * Serves as the MEL subject matter expert and provides MEL, CDL, and NEF user support. * Revises MEL, CDL and NEF program to reflect current company changes (e.g. Engineering, Operations, Inflight, and Dispatch). * Provides supporting documentation for all MEL, CDL, and NEF Program changes and coordinates with Republic Airways Technical Publications department to produce temporary and regular revisions. * Schedules and facilitates meetings with the FAA concerning every aspect of the MEL, CDL, and NEF Program temporary and regular revisions. * Oversees all updates of SABRE with MEL, CDL and NEF item information during revision periods. * Coordinates with Flight Operations and Dispatch for all MEL, CDL and NEF related changes. * Perform other duties as assigned. REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability necessary to perform this job. EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE * High school diploma or general education degree (GED). * FAA Mechanic Certificate with Rating of Airframe and Powerplant. * 5 years related experience. * Previous experience with MEL/CDL/NEF. * Previous experience in aircraft maintenance. * Experience on E170/175 series aircraft or completion of E170/175 Aircraft Systems Maintenance Course. * Microsoft Office skills are required. * Understands and is able to apply Company policies and procedures. LANGUAGE SKILLS Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Ability to speak effectively before groups of customers or employees of organization. REASONING/PROBLEM SOLVING ABILITY Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form. Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations. DECISION MAKING Makes limited decisions and determines best methods to solve problems by referring to established precedents and policies. Impact of decisions is moderately low. PHYSICAL DEMANDS The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an associate to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Able to move about the work environment. Frequently required to stand, walk, sit, talk and hear. WORK ENVIRONMENT The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Typically not exposed to extreme environmental conditions. TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS Ability to travel up to 10% of the time, including overnight and weekend travel. Curt Lewis