Flight Safety Information November 26, 2019 - No. 244 In This Issue NTSB report details complaints about air ambulance co. involved in fatal Jan. crash Incident: SA Express DH8D at Johannesburg on Nov 20th 2019, engine shut down in flight Incident: Canada Rouge A319 at Las Vegas on Nov 19th 2019, rejected takeoff due to hot brakes Incident: Flybe DH8D near Manchester on Nov 22nd 2019, engine shut down in flight American Airlines flight turns around due to 'intoxicated' passenger Proflight DHC-8-300 damaged in hail storm near Lusaka, Zambia Cessna C208 Grand caravan - Hi-Jacking (Papua New Guinea) Fuel truck crashes into two parked American Eagle jets at DFW Airport Malaysia's air safety downgrade a wake-up call for the government World Aviation Safety Summit to explore airspace congestion solutions IndiGo must step up efforts to replace aircraft with problem Pratt...& Whitney engines APS Attacks Single-Pilot Operations Safety Challenges With Loss of Control In- flight AOPA Warns of Spikes in Aircraft Insurance Rates Airlines have canceled more than 450 Tuesday flights at Denver airport in anticipation of winter storm Laser Targets JetBlue Flight Landing at Newark Airport Metrojet Renews IS-BAO Stage III Certification United Nations aviation agency council chooses Italian delegate as president AA Completes Runway Warning System at 20 Airports ASRS Pilot Reports Relay ADS-B Pros and Cons Skyborne selects Etihad Aviation Training to deliver A320 Type Rating for its IndiGo Cadet Pilot Program Thales connected cockpit puts 5D flight management on horizon Gulfstream Begins G500 Deliveries to Europe Emirates to purchase 30 787-9 airplanes Airlines turn their noses up at Thai pilots Amid mass grounding, Boeing rolls out 737 MAX 10 jet in subdued ceremony Sweet Aviation adds Vision Jet to charter certificate NASA's space pallet concept could land rovers on the moon cheaply and simply IATA Safety and Flight Ops Conference - Baku, Azerbaijan 31 March - 2 April, 2020 USC Aviation Safety & Security Program BlazeTech Aircraft Fire Hazards, Protection and Investigation Course - May 26- 28, 2020 in Woburn MA, USA NTSB report details complaints about air ambulance co. involved in fatal Jan. crash COLUMBUS (WCMH) - Several former Survival Flight employees voiced operational concerns about the company, according to an NTSB report looking into a helicopter crash that killed three people in January. Survival Flight was the company operating the helicopter air ambulance from Grove City to a pickup in Pomeroy when it crashed in Zaleski on Jan. 29 of this year, killing a pilot and two nurses on board. Two other air ambulance companies turned down the January flight due to weather concerns. According to several former employees, pilots said they were "scared to fly," with one nurse saying she believes the pilots were safe, but the company was unsafe. Employees also said there was pressure to perform, with the vice-president of emergency medical services saying the flight volume for the Columbus base was going to be 150 flights a month. A pilot interviewed by the NTSB considered 30-35 flights per month to be realistically achievable. The fatal flight on Jan. 29 was the 26th flight for the month. In addition, several employees witnessed management, including the chief pilot, pressure pilots into accepting flights. One pilot described a situation where a colleague was pressured into flying a fourth flight in one day. The colleague told managers he was afraid of fatigue, but management told him to "drink a cup of coffee before you go... and try to get it done." Another person interviewed during the investigation said pilots were not allowed to "go red," which grounds the helicopters due to weather conditions. "I'm telling them hey, we're red. No, you're not, you guys are amber this evening. Well, no, we're red because it says right here the weather is below our day/night weather minimum... and they won't let you be red... this is just a microcosm of some of the issues," one person told investigators. One of the nurses killed in the January crash, Rachel Cunningham, wrote the below letter detailing incidents where crews were forced to take flights in unsafe conditions. All three crew members who died in the January crash were from Ohio: pilot Jennifer Topper, 34, of Sunbury and flight nurses Bradley Haynes, 48, of London, and Cunningham, 33, of Galloway. An initial NTSB report on the January crash said the Survival Flight helicopter, a Bell 407, made a turn to the right about 15 minutes after takeoff in suburban Columbus Jan. 29, followed by the left turn. https://www.nbc4i.com/news/local-news/ntsb-air-ambulance-employees-had-pilots-fly- in-bad-weather/ Back to Top Incident: SA Express DH8D at Johannesburg on Nov 20th 2019, engine shut down in flight A South African Express Airways de Havilland Dash 8-400, registration ZS-YBU performing flight SA-1453 from Johannesburg to Port Elizabeth (South Africa) with 12 passengers and 4 crew, was climbing through FL160 out of Johannesburg when the crew needed to shut the #1 engine (left hand, PW150) down. The crew returned the aircraft to Johannesburg for a safe landing on runway 03R about 25 minutes after departure. The aircraft remained on the ground for about 6.5 hours, then performed a test flight and subsequently resumed service. http://avherald.com/h?article=4cfc0dc5&opt=0 Back to Top Incident: Canada Rouge A319 at Las Vegas on Nov 19th 2019, rejected takeoff due to hot brakes An Air Canada Rouge Airbus A319-100, registration C-FYKW performing flight RV-1897 from Las Vegas,NV to Vancouver,BC (Canada) with 131 people on board, was accelerating for takeoff from Las Vegas' runway 26R, no delay, when the crew rejected takeoff at about 80 knots after receiving a hot brakes ECAM message. The aircraft slowed safely and stopped on the runway, the crew worked the related checklists, assessed the situation and taxied to the apron. The Canadian TSB reported the brakes temperatures were observed at 750 degrees C immediately after the rejected takeoff. The fuse plugs of the right hand main tyres melted, the tyres deflated. The right hand inboard and outboard wheel brakes and tyres were replaced, the wheel axels were inspected. The overheat and after emergency brake inspections were carried out, the brakes system tested with no faults found and the aircraft returned to service. The aircraft returned to service about 16 hours after the rejected takeoff. http://avherald.com/h?article=4cfc08b6&opt=0 Back to Top Incident: Flybe DH8D near Manchester on Nov 22nd 2019, engine shut down in flight A Flybe de Havilland Dash 8-400, registration G-ECOF performing flight BE-774 from Southampton,EN to Edinburgh,SC (UK) with 69 people on board, was enroute at FL240 about 30nm northeast of Manchester,EN (UK) when the crew received a low engine oil pressure indication and shut the engine (PW150) down. The aircraft diverted to Manchester for a safe landing about 20 minutes later. The passengers were booked into hotels and continued their journey the following day. http://avherald.com/h?article=4cfb51ed&opt=0 Back to Top American Airlines flight turns around due to 'intoxicated' passenger Whether you're a frequent flier or have only flown on a passenger aircraft once in your life, here are five things to know about passenger planes. One "intoxicated" American Airlines passenger got a bit too "lit" while traveling to the City of Lights, and diverted the Paris-bound flight back to New York for "disruptive" behavior. American Airlines Flight 44 had been in the high skies for about an hour on Saturday night when pilots were forced to return to New York because of the rowdy traveler, who was reportedly drunk. The flight, carrying 271 passengers, landed safely at John F. Kennedy International Airport shortly before 7 p.m., NBC New York reported. American Airlines Flight 44 had been in the high skies for about an hour on Saturday night when pilots were forced to return to New York because of the rowdy traveler, who was reportedly drunk. When reached for comment, a spokesperson for the carrier confirmed that the flight indeed turned around due to an "intoxicated" passenger. Flight 44 again departed for the French capital about three hours after the initial takeoff time of 5:40 p.m., they said. "American Airlines Flight 44 from JFK to Paris, France (CDG), a Boeing 777 with 271 passengers and 13 crew members, returned to JFK due to a disruptive passenger," an American Airlines spokesperson told Fox News on Monday. "The flight landed without incident at 6:50 p.m. ET and re-departed for Paris at 8:56 p.m. on Nov. 23." https://www.foxnews.com/travel/american-airlines-intoxicated-passenger Back to Top Proflight DHC-8-300 damaged in hail storm near Lusaka, Zambia Date: 25-NOV-2019 Time: Type: de Havilland Canada DHC-8-311 Dash 8 Owner/operator: Proflight Air Services, lsf Cemair Registration: ZS-DHF C/n / msn: 405 Fatalities: Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: Other fatalities: 0 Aircraft damage: Substantial Location: Livingstone-Lusaka - Zambia Phase: En route Nature: Domestic Scheduled Passenger Departure airport: Livingstone Airport (LVI/FLLI) Destination airport: Lusaka-Kenneth Kaunda International Airport Narrative: A Proflight Air Services DHC-8-311 sustained serious damage after encountering a hail storm on a flight from Livingstone to Lusaka in Zambia. https://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/230893 Back to Top Cessna C208 Grand caravan - Hi-Jacking (Papua New Guinea) Date: 26-NOV-2019 Time: Type: Cessna C208 Grand caravan Owner/operator: Tropicair Registration: P2- C/n / msn: Fatalities: Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 9 Other fatalities: 0 Aircraft damage: None Location: Between Kandrian and Gasmata - Papua New Guinea Phase: En route Nature: Passenger Departure airport: AYMB - Kandrian Destination airport: AYGT - Gasmata Narrative: The aircraft has been hi-jacked by armed people. Details are on the official PNG Flight Facebook page At time of writing, hi-jacking still in progress. The hijack has ended. There were eight hijackers. Baggage was stolen from the plane. No one was injured. https://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/230898 Back to Top Fuel truck crashes into two parked American Eagle jets at DFW Airport Paramedics evaluated a flight attendant aboard one of the aircraft. The collision happened Monday morning at Terminal B. DALLAS - A fuel truck collided with two American Eagle jets Monday morning at DFW Airport. "A vendor's fueling truck impacted two parked Bombardier CRJ-900 aircraft," said American Airlines in a statement to WFAA. "No passengers or crew members were seriously injured. American is reviewing the incident in coordination with the vendor." The truck, owned by Allied Aviation, destroyed a winglet and damaged part of a wing on one American Eagle jet before driving directly into the wing of a second American Eagle aircraft parked at the neighboring gate. The wing of the second aircraft penetrated the windshield of the truck, according to video obtained by WFAA. It's uncertain if anyone was inside the truck during the collisions. It happened at 8:42 a.m. as both aircraft prepared for departure from Terminal B at DFW. Paramedics evaluated a flight attendant who was onboard one of the aircraft, but that person was released. Both American jets, owned by Mesa Aviation, are CRJ-900s and were taken out of service. The first CRJ-900, N915FJ, was parked at DFW Gate B 35 after a flight from McAllen, Tex. The second CRJ-900, N945LR, which suffered more damage, arrived at DFW Gate B 37 from Albuquerque, according to FlightAware. American had to cancel flights to Shreveport and Lubbock that were to be operated on the two damaged aircraft. Customers were re-booked on other flights today to both destinations, the airline said. DFW Airport's Department of Public Safety is investigating the incident. https://www.wfaa.com/article/news/local/fuel-truck-at-dfw-airport-crashed-into-two- parked-american-eagle-jets/287-b6a05c40-99b4-4e4c-aa73-2f7852e6806f Back to Top Malaysia's air safety downgrade a wake-up call for the government THE Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM) has sought to allay concerns over the recent US downgrade of its safety rating, saying it was purely on its regulatory oversight function. But aviation experts expect the ratings drop to have an impact on the image of the country, as well as on Malaysian air carriers, if other aviation authorities follow suit. The US Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) downgrade of Malaysia's technical regulator from a Category 1 to a Category 2 rating has claimed its first casualty in Malaysia Airlines Bhd, with American Airlines ending their code-share arrangements last Friday. This is a further setback for the national carrier, which is already facing a challenging operating environment and making losses. Malaysia Airlines tells The Edge that it is expecting some loss of revenue from the FAA downgrade. However, it says it is still too early to estimate the full impact as the airline is now subject to its partner airlines' own assessment/consideration. On its code-share agreement with American Airlines, the national carrier clarifies that the pact has turned into a unilateral one under which Malaysia Airlines will still place its marketing code (MH) on applicable American Airlines sectors. However, American Airlines has removed its marketing code (AA) from all applicable Malaysia Airlines sectors. "Malaysia Airlines passengers can still book and fly to the US on code-share flights operated by American Airlines without any disruption," it says, noting that the US cities are Atlanta, Boston, Washington, DC, Houston, Minneapolis, Portland, Seattle, San Francisco, Las Vegas and San Diego, via the Los Angeles, New York, Chicago, Dallas and Miami. Apart from American Airlines, Malaysia Airlines has code-shares to/from the US with other oneworld partner airlines such as Qatar Airways, Japan Airlines and Cathay Pacific. Still, the national carrier acknowledges that passengers may be concerned about the safety of Malaysian carriers since they fall under the purview of CAAM. "However, the FAA has specifically stated that the audit was an assessment of the regulator and not airlines. Malaysia Airlines has been certified under the IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) programme, a benchmark for global safety management in airlines, and it holds the approval of both the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and FAA maintenance organisation," it says. The downgrade has also affected AirAsia X Bhd (AAX), which is the only local airline flying directly to the US. While its flights to Honolulu via Osaka will continue to run as usual, the low-cost carrier will not be able to add new capacity on the existing route or open new routes to the US. As at press time, the carrier had yet to respond to The Edge's queries. Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) does not foresee a significant, immediate negative impact on its overall passenger traffic movements. "While there may be some concerns over losses due to code-share flights, it should be noted that the current aviation landscape has multiple criss-crossed flights operated by many airlines and passengers are not short of connections from multiple carriers. As long as the demand for travel, including tourism attractiveness, exists or is enhanced for Visit Malaysia 2020, passengers will find alternative airlines to make it to the country," the airport operator tells The Edge. MAHB also points out that the FAA downgrade is not a reflection on airport safety as the airport operator also has specific regulations that it adheres to based on international standards by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). "However, Kuala Lumpur International Airport may increasingly become a feeder airport for long-haul travel if we do not attract more long-haul carriers into the country. MAHB's efforts to attract more long-haul carriers and increase the connectivity at KLIA will help to mitigate this potential setback. "We are also fully committed to provide our full support to CAAM in its effort to bring the country back to Category 1 status in the next 24 months," it says. On Nov 11, the FAA downgraded Malaysia to Category 2 after an audit on CAAM in April showed non-compliance with ICAO safety standards, and that it was deficient in one or more areas such as technical expertise, trained personnel, record-keeping, and/or inspection procedures. The downgrade serves as a wake-up call for the government as CAAM is an agency under the purview of the Ministry of Transport (MoT). For the first time, CAAM admitted there were shortcomings in its structure and operations. At a press conference last Tuesday, officials took full responsibility for the slip in Malaysia's aviation safety rating. They say the downgrade does not mean that it would be unsafe to fly on Malaysia- based airlines or that the country's airports might lack safety standards; it merely means that CAAM as an aviation authority overseeing the sector is not up to the mark in the eyes of the FAA. While CAAM officials express optimism that the country can regain Category 1 status within 12 months, it took Thailand two years to regain the Tier 1 certification after losing it in 2015. Thailand slipped into Category 2 status again in February this year. Indonesia was upgraded to Category 1 after nearly a decade. The FAA downgraded its status to Category 2 in 2007, following a series of crashes involving Indonesian airlines, including Garuda. The FAA upgraded its aviation safety rating to Category 1 in 2016. According to an aviation expert, it is not good for the image of the aviation industry in Malaysia if the technical regulator's competence is questioned. "It reflects on the government and the whole industry. CAAM can regain Tier 1 status if it fulfils FAA requirements to the latter's sole satisfaction. However, this may take about two to three years. A downgrade will not usually affect the operations of aviation players but it will affect the travelling public's perception," he adds. Malaysia joins five other countries - Thailand, Bangladesh, Curaçao, Costa Rica and Ghana - that have been placed under Category 2 restrictions. Shukor Yusof, founder of aviation advisory firm Endau Analytics, concurs, noting that while the focus of the downgrade is on CAAM, it is an opportune time for the government to take a step back and review the overall aviation climate in Malaysia. "CAAM was rightly penalised for its deficiencies but the blame has to be shared collectively. Both the MoT and the Prime Minister's Office must be held accountable," he tells The Edge. "The downgrade has everything to do with Malaysia's aviation safety. If the country's regulator is not up to the mark, how can we trust it to supervise other safety aspects of the complex aviation sector? If Malaysia continues to be in denial, more severe problems will crop up sooner rather than later. "CAAM is modelled after the UK's Civil Aviation Authority but does not operate like the CAA," Shukor says, adding that Malaysia can probably take a leaf out of the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore's book. Malaysia's aviation authority was split into two entities in 2016. CAAM governs all aspects of technical and safety matters related to civil aviation in the country while the Malaysian Aviation Commission (Mavcom) regulates the economic and commercial matters of the industry. "Clearly, the economic implications are worrying. The reputational risks will be more pervasive and could potentially be more serious," says Mavcom, adding that it will also commit to working with CAAM and the government to rectify the issues raised by the FAA. Shukor says the ramifications are serious for Malaysia's aviation industry if the European, Japanese or Australian aviation authorities follow suit with safety downgrades and either limit or ban flights by Malaysian carriers to these countries, which would have a bigger impact on travellers. It was reported that Thailand's downgrade to Category 2 in 2015 led to some Thai carriers being barred from starting services to China, South Korea and Japan, while all airlines were forced to undergo a re-certification process. Mavcom tells The Edge that it is cognisant of the economic consequences of the FAA downgrade, which it says could include the risk of regulators from other jurisdictions losing confidence in the air operator's certificate (AOC) issued by CAAM. "If this occurs, these regulators may conduct audits on Malaysia-registered carriers. This could be dependent on their bilateral relationship with Malaysia and the FAA." In the event the other regulators require the operations of Malaysian air carriers in their respective territories to be audited, Mavcom says this will place the carriers in difficulty as flights into the said countries by Malaysia-based carriers may be limited. "If there are any audit issues pertaining to the AOC issued by CAAM, the concerned Malaysian carrier may be barred from initiating new operations into that country," Mavcom says. A possible lack of confidence in pilot training and aircraft certification in Malaysia may also impact pilots trained here and the local maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) industry, it adds. "It is also possible that we may face a bottleneck for approvals that involve the FAA in relation to MRO, such as aircraft parts from the US. The additional cost of doing business in Malaysia due to increased expenses relating to regulatory compliance may also make the country less attractive to industry players." Another repercussion is that CAAM would not be able to re-register any aircraft from US registration to Malaysian registration. "This would have a negative impact on business jet operations, particularly in Subang," says Mavcom. "We should also brace ourselves for negative ratings from investors of companies providing aviation-related services." https://www.theedgemarkets.com/article/malaysias-air-safety-downgrade-wakeup-call- government Back to Top World Aviation Safety Summit to explore airspace congestion solutions Average delay per flight due to air traffic control in the GCC is estimated at 29 minutes DUBAI: Industry safety experts at the World Aviation Safety Summit 2019 to be held on December 9 and 10, will present potential new solutions to the problem of airspace congestion for the Middle East and wider regions, which costs in excess of $7 billion in lost productivity time to passengers and adds more than $9 billion to airline operating costs. The average delay per flight attributed to air traffic control issues in the GCC region is currently estimated at 29 minutes, and this number could double by 2025 if urgent measures are not taken. One of the key challenges is the fact that a larger part of the airspace in the world is allocated for military aviation rather than civil or commercial. There are currently a number of ongoing initiatives to decongest the region's airspace, including the GCC Air Navigation Committee and the Middle East ATM Enhancement Programme. There have been some improvements in recent years such as Oman upgrading its airspace technology, which has led to southbound flights running more efficiently. Khalid Al Arif, Executive Director, Aviation Safety and Environment Sector at Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, said, "It is important that we look at new solutions to airspace management as aviation continues to grow in the region. The industry is critical to the economies of the region and we must find ways to create greater efficiencies. The World Aviation Safety Summit will provide us with an opportunity to discuss the progress made over recent years and how we can continue to collaborate as an industry to ensure that we maximise the available airspace." Potential solutions that will be presented include redesigning the regional air space and upgrading technology that will enable increased capacity for airlines. The summit will include a session dedicated to air traffic control and airspace management, which will showcase the value and necessity of addressing problems. According to an IATA report, solving the challenges of airspace management and creating greater collaboration could lead to an additional 620,000 jobs and $80 million in GDP by 2037. The World Aviation Safety Summit 2019, which is being hosted by the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, is returning to Dubai this year for its seventh edition. The event will bring together local and international stakeholders and provide them with a platform to review and examine the implementation of cutting-edge aviation safety procedures and future-proof regulatory frameworks. https://gulfnews.com/business/aviation/world-aviation-safety-summit-to-explore- airspace-congestion-solutions-1.68074886 Back to Top IndiGo must step up efforts to replace aircraft with problem Pratt & Whitney engines -regulator NEW DELHI, Nov 25 (Reuters) - India's air safety watchdog said IndiGo must do more to fix its aircraft fitted with Pratt & Whitney engines, linked to in-flight shutdowns, as it fears the budget airline may not meet its Jan. 31 deadline to replace them. Deliveries of new planes taken by IndiGo must be used to replace the aircraft that are fitted with the problem Pratt engines, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) said on Monday. Those planes should then be grounded until their engines are replaced with new ones, after which they can fly again. Indigo is the biggest customer of Airbus A320neo jets. The regulator's move effectively prevents India's top airline from expanding its network until it has replaced all the Pratt & Whitney engines. United Technologies' Pratt & Whitney engines have consistently caused issues since they entered into service in 2016, forcing IndiGo to ground its planes several times. In a recent review meeting with the airline, the DGCA felt that the steps taken by IndiGo so far to replace all the engines "do not instil enough confidence with regard to the timely completion of the said task". "If left unaddressed, we may find ourselves in a situation, in which, we remain saddled with large number of aircraft with unmodified engines ... and we are left with the only option i.e. to ground them," the regulator said in the statement. On Nov. 1 the regulator had orderedthe airline to replace all P&W engines on its fleet of almost 100 twin-engined Airbus A320neo family aircraft with new power units by Jan. 31, 2020. If the replacement is not complete, all planes that still have unmodified engines will be grounded and could cause "large scale disruptions" in operations. The latest directive is aimed at preventing such a situation, the DGCA said. IndiGo, owned by InterGlobe Aviation, said the current schedule remains intact, and it is working with P&W and Airbus to meet the DGCA guidelines. https://www.reuters.com/article/india-indigo-pratt-whitney/indigo-must-step-up- efforts-to-replace-aircraft-with-problem-pratt-whitney-engines-regulator- idUSL4N28537A Back to Top APS Attacks Single-Pilot Operations Safety Challenges With Loss of Control In- flight Loss of Control In-flight (LOC-I), aviation's #1 fatal threat to air safety, is over six times more numerous for single-pilot operators than for crewed airplanes averaged across the combination Part 135 on demand, executive/corporate, and general aviation business flight operations. Aviation Performance Solutions LLC (APS), a global leader in Upset Prevention & Recovery Training (UPRT), has doubled down on helping single-pilot operators bring everyone home safely by investing in adding a 1-hour simulator upgrade for the first 50 single pilots to sign up for any initial APS on-aircraft UPRT program by November 29, 2019. Because recent NTSB data reveals that single-pilot operators account for more than six times the number of fatal LOC-I accidents over the past 10 years compared to crewed operations, mitigating this threat through properly conducted UPRT is a critical safety goal for the aviation industry. MESA, ARIZ. (PRWEB) NOVEMBER 25, 2019 Aviation Performance Solutions LLC (APS), a global leader in Upset Prevention & Recovery Training (UPRT), announced today a special week-long safety initiative aimed at investing in single-pilot operational safety. For single-pilot operators, APS will include a 1-hour advanced simulator session with and of its initial multi-day on-aircraft UPRT programs. apstraining.com/single-pilots 50 Single-pilot Slots Open for Five Days - Up to One Year to Fly the Program: * Who: Exclusive to single-pilot operators. Piston, turboprop, turbofan, and turbojet operators are all included. * What: First 50 on-aircraft UPRT programs booked receive a 1-hour advanced UPRT simulator upgrade on APS ($1500 value). * When: Submit your name online from 9 am EST Monday, November 25 through 9 pm EST Friday, November 29, 2019 - apstraining.com/single-pilots * Where: Training must be accomplished at APS Headquarters in Arizona within 1- year. * Why: You are at risk. Comprehensive UPRT offers an unparalleled training experience that could one day save your life. Because recent NTSB data reveals that single-pilot operators account for more than six times the number of fatal LOC-I accidents over the past 10 years compared to crewed operations, mitigating this threat through properly conducted UPRT is a critical safety goal for the aviation industry. Moreover, overcoming this risk is integral to APS' purpose to help pilots bring everyone home safely. While it is well-established that on-aircraft UPRT is highly effective and significantly superior to simulator training, there are still critical UPRT scenarios that cannot safely be practiced in an airplane. This upgrade allows single pilots, who are generally less likely to add simulator training to their UPRT program, an opportunity to get comprehensive training and reduce their risk of Loss of Control In-flight (LOC-I). "This unprecedented upgrade and investment by APS in single-pilot safety, allows our team to provide single-pilot operators critical training that they need to enhance their operational security. My strong advice for every single-pilot operator is to get one of APS's 50 slots immediately and transform your skills to an all-new level in just 2.5 days," said APS CEO, Paul 'BJ' Ransbury. "APS is dedicated to the safety of every pilot and their passengers. We are committed to leading this initiative to substantially reduce the number of lives lost due to preventable LOC-I related accidents." Learn more about the Every Pilot In Control Solution Standard: apstraining.com/epic-s2 ABOUT AVIATION PERFORMANCE SOLUTIONS Aviation Performance Solutions LLC (APS) trains thousands of professional pilots and instructors in comprehensive Upset Prevention and Recovery Training (UPRT) skill development. UPRT programs include integrated Loss of Control In-flight (LOC-I) solutions via industry-leading computer-based, on-aircraft (jet, turboprop, and piston), and advanced simulator UPRT. All training is in full compliance with the Airplane Upset Recovery Training Aid, FAA AC 120-109A Stall Prevention and Recovery Training, ICAO Manual on Aeroplane Upset Prevention and Recovery Training, IATA Guidance Material and Best Practices for the Implementation of UPRT, and FAA AC 120-111 Upset Prevention and Recovery Training. Headquartered at the Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport in Mesa, Arizona, with additional training locations in the US and Europe, APS provides global access to the highest quality upset prevention and recovery training available. apstraining.com https://tinyurl.com/ulo2na8 Back to Top AOPA Warns of Spikes in Aircraft Insurance Rates Seeing aircraft insurance premiums increasing well in the double-digits year-over-year, the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) has been working with insurance industry executives and underwriters on strategies for pilots to help buffer the sharp rate hikes. "We've been spending quite a bit of time to understand what's been happening in the insurance space and come up with strategies to help educate pilots about what they can do to help mitigate the increases," said AOPA president and CEO Mark Baker. Rates are going up "pretty dramatically," particularly in the owner-flown turbine market, said Tom Haines, senior v-p of media and outreach for AOPA, adding some are seeing increases in the 15 percent to 25 percent range and "some way more than that." This is especially true for owners who are transitioning into turbines, Haines said. For the owner-flown market, which has to absorb the costs on their own, "that's serious dollars." Baker added that some potential buyers are now walking away from new aircraft sales once they learn the insurance costs that are coming with it. Mitigation strategies are important, Baker said, because with the current state of the aviation insurance market, "There are going to be increases." Aviation insurers, and especially in the general aviation niche, have lost money for most of the past decade as rates have softened. In fact, in the past year the number of aviation of underwriters has dropped from 18 to 12. But Baker said this is more than just a market correction for the insurance industry. Insurance costs for the two Boeing Max fatal accidents are estimated to top $1 billion. Add to that other accidents, such as the 2018 Southwest Airlines accident. That is against a backdrop where the total premium intake in the U.S. across all modes of aviation is in the neighborhood of $1.5 billion. AOPA has worked with NBAA and insurance executives on various strategies. Among them include sharing training protocols and other efforts to enhance safety, Haines said, stressing that exceeding minimum safety standards is key in an insurance underwriter's consideration of rates. Baker cautioned against being too anxious to switch insurers. It helps when the underwriter "knows your story," he said. This is especially critical if an owner is stepping into a turbine from a piston. https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/business-aviation/2019-11-25/aopa-warns- spikes-aircraft-insurance-rates Back to Top Airlines have canceled more than 450 Tuesday flights at Denver airport in anticipation of winter storm Travelers are encouraged to check with carriers for flight schedules, fee waivers An airlines passenger negotiates snow and slush in the ground transportation area of Denver International Airport January 05, 2017. A winter storm bearing down on Denver has resulted in hundreds of flight cancellations at Denver International Airport during the busy Thanksgiving travel period. Already, airlines serving the airport have canceled 453 Tuesday flights, Alex Renteria, an airport spokeswoman, said. On Monday, 58 flights were canceled in anticipation of the storm. On Tuesday, about 196,000 travelers are expected to pass through DIA, a spokeswoman said. On Monday, 190,000 used the airport. Airport officials are expecting between 8 to 14 inches of snow by midday Tuesday. Travelers should check with the airlines before heading out to the airport. Travelers should also plan to arrive at the airport at least two hours before flight time, Williams said. Airlines, including Frontier, Southwest and United, are offering travel waivers because of the storm. Some travelers have the opportunity to change flight schedules without being charged a fee. Travelers should contact carriers to find out if the waiver applies to their flight. On Tuesday delays are anticipated because of the weather and as airplanes deice before takeoff, said Emily Williams, an airport spokeswoman. The National Weather Service predicts winds could reach up to 20 miles per hour, bringing periods of blowing snow and limiting visibility at times. More than 200 pieces of snow equipment will be in use at DIA where crews will be working through the night to keep runways clear. AAA Colorado on Monday advised holiday travelers using the airport to "expect delays and cancellations. Check with your airline for travel advisories and potential itinerary changes." https://www.denverpost.com/2019/11/25/denver-airport-flights-cancelled-november- snow/ Back to Top Laser Targets JetBlue Flight Landing at Newark Airport There have been more than two dozen laser incidents reported at Newark this year, and about 5,200 nationwide WHAT TO KNOW * The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating an incident where laser was pointed at a commercial flight in Newark * The crew of a JetBlue flight originating in West Palm Beach, Florida noticed the laser as it was flying Saturday night over Paterson * Lasers can temporarily blind a pilot and are considered a problem at airports around the country Another commercial flight has been targeted by a laser. The crew of a JetBlue flight originating in West Palm Beach, Florida noticed the laser as it was flying Saturday night over Paterson, New Jersey on approach to Newark Liberty International Airport. The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating. There have been more than two dozen laser incidents reported at Newark this year, and about 5,200 nationwide. The national total is on pace to surpass the total of more than 5,600 in 2018. https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/Laser-Targets-JetBlue-Flight-Landing-at- Newark-Airport-565462871.html Back to Top Metrojet Renews IS-BAO Stage III Certification Hong Kong-based business aviation service provider Metrojet has received International Standard for Business Aviation Operators (IS-BAO) Stage III certification renewal for three years to 2022. The company that provides aircraft management, maintenance, and aviation consultancy initially received the certification awarded by the International Business Aviation Council (IBAC) in 2016. "Since then, we have fully revamped our safety management system [SMS] manual, overhauled our emergency response to be efficient in dealing with various crisis situations; enhanced our flight data monitoring; and launched a new, comprehensive fatigue risk management system," said Metrojet head of safety and quality Kent Wong. "We are very grateful that our efforts to attain world-class safety standards are recognized." IS-BAO is a voluntary program of industry best practices that embrace the SMS culture and certification of which is awarded following successfully passing an audit by IBAC. "Metrojet has developed our own [SMS] and become the first business aviation organization gaining SMS certification in Asia in 2009," Metrojet CEO Gary Dolski said. "With a strong safety and quality team, we are proud to have progressed our safety culture and continuously improved our SMS over the years." https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/business-aviation/2019-11-25/metrojet- renews-bao-stage-iii-certification Back to Top United Nations aviation agency council chooses Italian delegate as president MONTREAL (Reuters) - The International Civil Aviation Organization's governing council on Monday chose Salvatore Sciacchitano, the head of the agency's Italian delegation, to become president for a three-year term starting Jan. 1, 2020. Aysha al Hamili, a pilot in the United Arab Emirates and its representative at the UN's aviation agency ICAO, was running against Sciacchitano to become the first female president of the 36-member governing council. https://kfgo.com/news/articles/2019/nov/26/united-nations-aviation-agency-council- chooses-italian-delegate-as-president/961038/ Back to Top FAA Completes Runway Warning System at 20 Airports Runway status lights at Los Angeles International Airport Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is one of 20 major U.S. airports to have the FAA's Runway Status Lights (RWSL) system installed. This includes the Takeoff Hold Lights (THL), which illuminate when there is an aircraft in position for departure and the runway is occupied by another aircraft or vehicle and is unsafe for takeoff. (Photo: FAA) The FAA's Runway Status Lights (RWSL) system is now operational at all 20 major U.S. airports slated to have the new technology. According to the agency, this is the first system designed to automatically provide a direct warning to pilots and vehicle operators about potential runway conflicts. The technology alerts pilots and vehicle operators to stop when runways and taxiways are not safe to enter, cross, or begin takeoff. Red lights embedded in the pavement illuminate when the presence of other traffic creates a potential conflict. RWSL uses the airport's surface surveillance system to determine the location of aircraft and vehicles. The lights are fully automated, requiring no input from air traffic controllers. Runway Entrance Lights (REL) are deployed at taxiway and runway crossings and illuminate if it is unsafe to enter or cross a runway. Takeoff Hold Lights (THL) are deployed in the runway by the departure hold zone and illuminate when there is an aircraft in position for departure and the runway is occupied by another aircraft or vehicle and is unsafe for takeoff. A report on the effectiveness of RWSL at the 15 airports where it was operational in 2017 found an overall 52 percent reduction in the average runway incursion rate, with 15,484 potential saves by the technology. https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/business-aviation/2019-11-25/faa- completes-runway-warning-system-20-airports Back to Top ASRS Pilot Reports Relay ADS-B Pros and Cons With more aircraft equipped with ADS-B, NASA's Aviation Safety Reporting System (ASRS) is starting to receive more pilot comments on specific instances where ADS-B In played a role in collision avoidance. For example, ADS-B provided situational awareness to a Cessna 172 pilot with respect to unannounced traffic at a non-towered airport. The pilots estimated the other aircraft, which was not talking on frequency, passed nearly overhead and about 200 feet above them. "Had we not seen him [on ADS-B], I believe he would have hit us," the pilot wrote in the ASRS report. A Cessna 182 pilot in IMC observed a conflicting aircraft on the onboard traffic advisory and alert system. Although ATC said the threat aircraft (a Cessna CitationJet) was going to pass well clear, the pilot said the ADS-B display indicated "maneuvering was required." Upon landing, downloaded ADS-B data from both aircraft showed that although the Citation began a descent, it "briefly leveled off at 10,000 feet (our altitude). This happened just as they were passing our location." However, many ADS-B targets were displayed while one pilot transitioned Class C airspace in VMC, making it harder to discern threats. The absence of any traffic advisory resulted in a false sense of security "when an aircraft came directly head-on and passed underneath me probably 100 to 200 feet...ADS-B wasn't too helpful there, because I was right over the airport and there were a lot of targets on the ground and in the air, so it was hard to make any sense of the traffic scope with the targets overlapping." https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/general-aviation/2019-11-25/asrs-pilot- reports-relay-ads-b-pros-and-cons Back to Top Skyborne selects Etihad Aviation Training to deliver A320 Type Rating for its IndiGo Cadet Pilot Progam Skyborne Airline Academy Skyborne Airline Academy has selected Etihad Aviation Training to conduct the third phase of its IndiGo Cadet Pilot Program, delivering combined Multi-Crew Cooperation (MCC) and DGCA approved Type Rating training on the Airbus A320. The 10-week training phase, delivered by Etihad Aviation Training in Abu Dhabi, UAE, will prepare cadets to operate multi-crew jet aircraft, developing their competencies, decision making and communication skills, before familiarizing themselves with the specifics of the A320 aircraft. It is the final stage of the 18-month IndiGo Cadet Pilot Progam, with all training delivered or overseen by Skyborne. Lee Woodward, Chief Executive Officer, Skyborne, says: "At Skyborne we are committed to delivering highly-skilled, capable pilots for our airline partners and have dedicated ourselves to selecting the very best training providers. "We are confident that Etihad Aviation Training, with its state-of-the-art facilities and equipment will provide the perfect setting for our IndiGo cadets to complete their combined MCC and A320 type rating before advancing into employment and flying the line as a First Officer with India's leading airline." Paolo La Cava, Vice President and Managing Director, Etihad Aviation Training, says: "Etihad has 1,800 pilots, a lot of experienced instructors and our facilities are world class. So why don't we maximise our devices, optimise the utilisation of crew resources, and use the same trainers to train other airlines? "That is the unique selling point we have, and we are delighted to be working with the team at Skyborne. We very much look forward to welcoming the first batch of cadets in Q4 2020." In January 2019, Skyborne announced its partnership with IndiGo to train up to 100 pilots a year for five years as part of the IndiGo Cadet Pilot Programme. Skyborne will be hosting seminars from 22-24 November in Delhi, Bengaluru and Mumbai, to provide prospective cadets with more information about the programme. To register your interest and attendance, please visit skyborne.com/events https://www.aviationpros.com/education-training/flight-training/press- release/21115875/skyborne-airline-academy-skyborne-selects-etihad-aviation-training- to-deliver-a320-type-rating-for-its-indigo-cadet-pilot-progam Back to Top Thales connected cockpit puts 5D flight management on horizon Thales is promising a "game-changer" in flight management systems (FMS) with an internet-connected but secure system designed to let pilots take advantage of the full spectrum of available flight, weather and air traffic data to realise optimised flight trajectories for time and fuel efficiency - from 2024. PureFlyt, unveiled on 25 November at the European electronic systems giant's Toulouse development centre, will be certificated for line-fit or retrofit to enter service in five years, promises flight avionics vice-president Jean-Paul Ebanga. This "connected cockpit" concept, he says, does not exist today but will exploit vast quantities of data about the entire air traffic environment to optimise routing in real time throughout the duration of a journey. Indeed, says Ebanga, PureFlyt will manage flight trajectories not only in "4D" - space and time, to minimise delays and maximise fuel efficiency by flying ideal routes - but in 5D. That fifth dimension is aircraft weight, which changes with load and, during flight, with fuel burn. Overall, the system could cut fuel consumption by 3-4%, reckons Thales. Critically, adds Ebanga, Thales is developing its new FMS to tackle the challenge of four "megatrends" that will characterise aviation for several decades to come. First, the passenger aircraft fleet is expected to double in size by 2035 to accommodate traffic demand. At the same time, unmanned systems will start operating in this increasingly crowded airspace. Second, accommodating this growth will require more and more competitive solutions for air traffic and airline management. Third, says Ebanga, this growth must respect environmental demands for emissions and noise reduction. Finally, Thales believes that the huge increase in the number of flying objects can only be accommodated safely with the data benefit of increasing connectivity. CONNECTED SOLUTION The guts of PureFlyt is an all-new and dedicated FMS computer, which will be isolated from the internet - but supplemented by an internet-connected, tablet-based electronic flightbag (EFB). Peter Hitchcock, vice-president commercial avionics, says the EFB should be a convenient interface when it is connected to the FMS via suitably secure channels. And, he says, the growing cohort of millennial-generation pilots may find the tablet to be a natural way to access flight and weather information - although it will not be suitable as a control device during safety-critical segments such as final approach. This teaming of FMS and EFB, he says, is designed to minimise the gap between the "strategic" flightplan objectives - as devised on the ground and represented in the EFB - and the "tactical" reality of managing the flight through the secure FMS system that actually controls the aircraft. PureFlyt, stresses Hitchcock, is an entirely new generation FMS - not, he says, an extension of any existing system. Service entry in the mid-2020s will see it still flying in the mid-2050s or even 2060s, so it has been necessary to devise a new system foreseeing changes in technology, regulations and operational priorities. Product line manager Andre Cleroux describes the system as "mature", having been tested on some 2 billion flight scenarios representing 100 million flight hours. Some 100 test and serving airline pilots from many countries have been to Toulouse to help Thales engineers working on PureFlyt. Cleroux declines to detail short-term objectives for the ongoing development. But, he says, a key feature still being worked on is ensuring the system can simultaneously calculate both optimal and alternative routes - and show both to the pilot. https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/thales-connected-cockpit-puts-5d-flight- management-o-462535/ Back to Top Gulfstream Begins G500 Deliveries to Europe An undisclosed Western-Europe-based charter operator took delivery of the aircraft in Savannah. Gulfstream Aerospace Corp. today announced the Gulfstream G500 has been delivered to its first European customer. An undisclosed Western-Europe-based charter operator took delivery of the aircraft in Savannah. The G500 earned certification from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency on Oct. 11 and is in service in North America, Brazil, the Middle East and Europe. "We are excited about making G500 deliveries to Europe," said Mark Burns, president, Gulfstream. "Since the introduction of the jet in 2014, customers around the world remain impressed and enthusiastic about the innovative cabin, next-generation technology, including the award-winning Symmetry Flight Deck, and high performance, speed and range capability of the aircraft. As the G500 fleet continues to grow in Europe, and around the world, its advanced technology raises the bar for business aviation." The G500 can travel 4,400 nautical miles/8,149 kilometers at Mach 0.90 and 5,200 nm/9,630 km at Mach 0.85. Its Symmetry Flight Deck™ features the first electronically linked active control sidesticks in civil aviation, the most extensive use of touchscreen technology in business aviation and a data concentration network, all of which streamline operations and reduce pilot workload. Passengers also benefit from technology in the cabin. Along with award-winning, bespoke interior design, the G500 offers the Gulfstream cabin experience of 100 percent fresh air, 14 Gulfstream panoramic windows, a low cabin altitude and whisper-quiet sound levels. https://www.aviationpros.com/aircraft/business-general-aviation/press- release/21115985/gulfstream-aerospace-corp-gulfstream-begins-g500-deliveries-to- europe Back to Top Emirates to purchase 30 787-9 airplanes Emirates is updating a portion of a previous 777 order from Boeing, substituting 30 777 planes for the 787-9. (Photo/Boeing) An airline based in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, has committed to buying 30 787-9 Dreamliner airplanes from the Boeing Co. in a deal valued at $8.8 billion at current list prices. The order from Emirates was announced last week at the Dubai Airshow. The airline committed to buying 40 787-10 planes in 2017. In ordering the dash-9, Emirates is updating a portion of a previous 777 order, substituting 30 777 planes for the 787-9, according to a news release. Emirates currently operates 155 of Boeing's 777 jets and has 126 777X planes on order. "This is an important investment and addition to our future fleet and it reflects Emirates' continued efforts to provide the best quality air transport services to our customers," CEO Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum said in the release. "The 787s will complement our fleet mix by expanding our operational flexibility in terms of capacity, range and deployment." The 787-9 can fly up to 296 passengers in a typical two-class configuration, with a range of 7,530 nautical miles. https://charlestonbusiness.com/news/aerospace/77553/ Back to Top Airlines turn their noses up at Thai pilots Thai pilots are failing to find work after graduation despite high global demand in the aviation industry, the Civil Aviation Training Centre president said yesterday. International airline operators are competing to offer jobs to pilots, but "our pilots find no jobs", according to Rear Admiral Piya Atmungkun. Between 600 and 700 newly graduated pilots are struggling to secure seats in cockpits, he said. Aviation programmes and pilot training schools have mushroomed, but many fail to meet international standards, according to RAdm Piya. New pilots are being churned out continually without information on how many of them are actually employable by airline companies. This has led to an oversupply of pilots who aren't up to scratch, he said. "It's true there is a scarcity of pilots, but that demand is for experienced, not new, pilots, RAdm Piya said. He believes a plan to establish a "city of aviation" in the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) will only increase the supply of domestic aviation personnel. "Even before the EEC officially opens, there is already a high number of aviation graduates," RAdm Piya said. "But companies are not employing them because they are not certified according to international standards." One solution, according to RAdm Piya, is a suggestion by the UN-based International Civil Aviation Organisation that Thailand should set up an aviation centre of excellence in the EEC, which would also enrol students from abroad. If given the green light, the new centre would offer high-quality training at a more affordable price than Singapore, he said. https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/1802089/airlines-turn-their-noses-up- at-thai-pilots Back to Top Amid mass grounding, Boeing rolls out 737 MAX 10 jet in subdued ceremony Media were not allowed at the event. Photo taken from KIRO 7 Chopper It was more of a subdued ceremony than what traditionally occurs, but hundreds of Boeing employees nonetheless turned out for the official roll out of the company's biggest 737 MAX at the Renton, Washington factory. The two recent crashes have resulted in all 737 MAX jets being grounded. The Lion Air crash out of Indonesia resulted in the death of 189 people and the Ethiopian Airlines crash led to 157 deaths. It's believed to be linked to an automated system that pushed the nose of the plane downwards. Boeing 737 MAX crisis could have 'huge consequences for future of flying' This new 737 MAX 10 is a slightly expanded version of MAX 9, with 10 more seats and a shorter maximum range, reports Geekwire. Though the grounding puts all future releases into question, Boeing has upwards of 550 orders for the MAX 10. "Today is not just about a new airplane. It's about the people who design, build and support it," said Mark Jenks, vice president of of the 737 program said in a statement. "This team's relentless focus on safety and quality shows the commitment we have to our airline customers and every person who flies on a Boeing airplane." Boeing CEO testimony highlights interplay between profits and humanity Recently Boeing CEO Dennis Muilenburg testified in front of the House Transportation Committee on Capitol Hill, where he apologized to any families affected by the crashes, many of whom were in attendance at that meeting. Before grounding the entire 737 MAX fleet, Boeing had over 300 of the jets in service across the globe. Some expect to see them restored to service as late as March 2020. "I'm honored to take this airplane on its first flight and show the world what you've put your heart and soul into," 737 Chief Pilot Jennifer Henderson told the employee crowd. https://mynorthwest.com/1615048/boeing-max-10-rollout/? Back to Top Sweet Aviation adds Vision Jet to charter certificate Sweet Aviation has been approved to offer charter flights on a Vision jet. Sweet Aviation became one of just two U.S. companies, as of late November, approved by the Federal Aviation Administration to perform charter flights with a Vision Jet. The flight training and aircraft charter, rental and maintenance company based at Smith Field Airport in Fort Wayne added the first-of-its-kind aircraft to its already diverse and modern fleet in January 2018, but was limited to using it for training. Described by Cirrus as the "world's first single-engine personal jet," the Vision Jet purchased by Sweet Aviation was the 25th produced, and it remains among the very few available to the public for training and rental, according to an announcement. "We've worked really hard with the FAA for the past year and a half to make this a reality," Joel Pierce, Sweet Aviation's general manager, said in its announcement. "When we purchased the Vision Jet we knew it would be a game changer for personal and business air travel, and we already have customers eagerly awaiting their flight." Seating up to six passengers, the Vision Jet was designed to be a much less expensive, convenient alternative to conventional private jets. "It has a number of technological and design enhancements that give it a 'personal jet' feel, like spacious, comfortable cabin seating; generous headroom; 'air stairs' that make it easy to get in and out of; built-in USB ports for connectivity and device power; and an enhanced entertainment system," the announcement said. "In addition, as with all Cirrus Aircraft, the Vision Jet comes with the patented CAPS feature - which stands for Cirrus Airframe Parachute System - a built-in parachute that pilots and passengers may deploy in case of an emergency." Sweet Aviation is owned by helicopter pilot and aviation enthusiast Chuck Surack, founder and president of Sweetwater Sound, the world's leading music technology and instrument retailer. Charter flights are available from Sweet Aviation by contacting Craig Agapie, its operations director, at 260-267-5505 or craig@sweetaviation.com. https://www.fwbusiness.com/fwbusiness/article_f877d833-662b-5232-a4fb- f9725dc1f1c9.html Back to Top NASA's space pallet concept could land rovers on the moon cheaply and simply Establishing an enduring presence on the Moon will mean making a lot of landings - and NASA researchers want to make those landings as reliable and cheap as possible. This robotic "pallet lander" concept would be a dead simple (as lunar landers go) way to put up to 300 kilograms of rover and payload onto the Moon's surface. Detailed in a technical paper published today, the lander is a sort of space pallet: a strong, basic framework that could be a unit in many a future mission. It's still a concept and doesn't really have a name, so space pallet will do for now. It's an evolution of a design that emerged in studies surrounding the VIPER mission that was intended to "minimized cost and schedule" and just get the rover to the surface safely. In a rare admission of (at least theoretically) putting cost over performance, the paper's introduction reads: The design of the lander was based on a minimum set of level 1 requirements where traditional risk, mass, and performance trade parameters were weighed lower than cost. In other words, the team did not sacrifice 'good enough' for 'better' or 'best.' It should be noted, of course, that "good enough" hardly implies a slapdash job in the context of lunar landers. It just means that getting 5 percent more tensile strength from a material that costs 50 times more wasn't considered a worthwhile trade-off. Same reason we don't use ebony or elm for regular pallets. Instead they're using the space travel equivalent of solid pine boards that have been tested into the ground. (The team does admit to extrapolating a little but emphasizes that this is first and foremost a realistic approach.) The space pallet would go up aboard a commercial launch vehicle, such as a Dragon atop a Falcon 9 rocket. The vehicle would get the pallet and its rover payload into a trans-lunar injection trajectory, and a few days later the space pallet would perform the necessary landing maneuvers: attitude control, landing site selection, braking, and a soft touchdown with the rover's solar panels facing the sun. Once on the surface, the rover would go on its merry way at some point in the next couple hours. The lander would take a few surface images and characterize its surroundings for the team on Earth, then shut down permanently after 8 hours or so. Yes, unfortunately the space pallet is not intended to survive the lunar night, the researchers point out. Though any presence on the moon's surface is a powerful resource, it's expensive to provide the kind of power and heating infrastructure that would let the lander live through the freezing, airless cold of the Moon's weeks-long night. Still, it's possible that the craft could be equipped with some low-key, self-sustaining science experiments or hardware that could be of use to others later - a passive beacon for navigation, perhaps, or an intermittent seismic sensor that detect nearby meteorite impacts. I've asked for a bit more information on the possibilities of science instruments onboard, and what the alternatives might be should the space pallet not be pursued further than concept stage. But even if that were to be the case, the team writes in the paper, "it is important to note that these and other derived technologies are extensible to other lander designs and missions." https://techcrunch.com/2019/11/25/nasas-space-pallet-concept-could-land-rovers-on- the-moon-cheaply-and-simply/ Back to Top Back to Top USC Aviation Safety & Security Program On-Site and Custom Courses To meet the diverse needs of all elements of the aviation community, the USC Aviation Safety & Security Program offers our courses to be conducted at your facility. Whether you are a small, medium or large organization; a private company, government agency, or the military...we can work with you to bring the right training to your facility. Choose from any of our courses. All of our courses can be customized to fit the specific needs of your organization. Don't see the exact course or subject you want? We have created courses, seminars, and presentations for companies - such as Safety Performance Indicators for Korean Air and Safety Auditing for Quanta Services. To bring USC Aviation Safety & Security Education to your organization, please contact us at hinaba@usc.edu or +1 (310) 342-1352. Earn Credit for FlightSafety Master Technician- Management Program Students taking the following USC courses will earn elective credits towards FlightSafety International's Master Technician-Management Program * Human Factors in Aviation Maintenance * Human Factors in Aviation Safety * Gas Turbine Accident Investigation * Helicopter Accident Investigation * Safety Management for Aviation Maintenance * Safety Management for Ground Operations Safety * Accident/Incident Response Preparedness Earn Points Toward NBAA Certified Aviation Manager Program Students taking the following USC courses will earn two points toward completing the application for the National Business Aviation Certified Aviation Manager Exam. * Aviation Safety Management Systems * Accident/Incident Response Preparedness * Human Factors in Aviation Safety * Aircraft Accident Investigation * SeMS Aviation Security Management Systems For further details, please visit our website or use the contact information below. Email: aviation@usc.edu Telephone: +1 (310) 342-1345 Back to Top Aircraft Fire Hazards, Protection and Investigation Course presented by N. Albert Moussa, PhD, PE May 26 to 28, 2020 BlazeTech Corporation 29 B Montvale Ave, Woburn MA 01801 USA. Dear Colleague, While commercial air transport is very safe, the advent of new technologies poses fire safety challenges that will be treated in this course. This offering draws upon Dr. Moussa's work in this area since 1971 as well as related courses that BlazeTech has been teaching since 1998. Lectures will include an update on Li and Li-ion battery fires, flammability of carbon fiber and glass fiber composites, emerging aviation fluids, engine fires, fuel tank fire/explosion, fire extinguishment methods, protection methods, aircraft accident investigation, and fire/explosion pattern recognition. Recent requirements and accidents are continuously added to the course. For each type of fire, this course will provide a cohesive integrated presentation of fundamentals, small- and large-scale testing, computer modeling, standards and specifications, and real accident investigation - as outlined in the course brochure. This integrated approach will enable you to address safety issues related to current and new systems and circumstances, and to investigate one of a kind fire and explosion accidents. The course will benefit professionals who are responsible for commercial aircraft, helicopters and unmanned aerial vehicles including design, equipment selection, test, operation, maintenance, safety management system, hazard/risk assessment, and accident investigation. View Brochure for course content and registration form (also embedded below). View Testmonials of previous attendees and their Companies. View some of the technical references discussed in this course. We also offer this course at the client site as well as customized courses on fire and explosion in other areas. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us. Albert Moussa, Ph.D., P.E. BlazeTech Corporation 29B Montvale Ave. Woburn, MA 01801-7021 781-759-0700 x200 781-759-0703 fax www.blazetech.com firecourse@blazetech.com LinkedIn Curt Lewis