Flight Safety Information December 19, 2019 - No. 261 In This Issue Jet Lessor Sues Boeing Over MAX Timeline: Boeing's changing schedule for 737 MAX fix, return to service Incident: Delta B712 at Huntsville on Dec 17th 2019, rejected takeoff due to configuration warning Accident: Namibia A319 at Windhoek on Dec 13th 2019, passenger assist unit collapses Incident: United B738 at Nagoya on Dec 18th 2019, flaps problem Boeing 767-381ER - Engine Fire (Japan) Beechcraft 200 King Air - Attempted Theft (California) AIRASIA X PILOTS DIVERTED TO FURTHEST AIRPORT AFTER ENGINE FAILURE FOUL-UP Laura Taber Barbour Aviation Scholarship Fund FAA Certifies Protection System Against Catastrophic Loss-of-Engine Accidents China Eastern receives first A350 with cockpit touchscreens Delta to rejoin industry group Airlines for America Watch a full test flight of Lilium's all-electric urban aircraft Airbus sees strong sales haul this year on Asia demand, long-range A321 NASA's Mars 2020 rover passes its driving test Position:...Corporate Safety Investigator Call for Papers - ISASI 2020 IATA Safety and Flight Ops Conference - Baku, Azerbaijan 31 March - 2 April, 2020 Jet Lessor Sues Boeing Over MAX Boeing Co. is being sued by an aircraft leasing company seeking to cancel its order for 22 of the aerospace giant's 737 MAX jetliners that it alleges is worthless. Dublin-based Timaero Ireland Ltd. is seeking more than $185 million in damages after filing suit in Chicago on Tuesday. Timaero received the first two of its MAX jets last December and was due to take another pair this year as part of a deal first struck in 2014. The firm alleged Boeing refused to repay advance payments made on its jets, which like the rest of the global MAX fleet have been grounded by regulators since March in the wake of two fatal crashes. Boeing declined to comment. It has set aside an initial $6.1 billion to compensate customers through a mix of cash, discounts on future orders and services. It recorded $252 million in concessions as of Sept. 30, according to a regulatory filing. Timaero alleges Boeing has breached its sales contract by not providing flyable aircraft, and was aware of the flight control issues that investigators have pointed to as contributing to the twin crashes. "The 737 MAX aircraft contracted for between Boeing and Timaero are now either worthless or seriously diminished in value," Timaero said. Avia Capital, another Russian aircraft leasing company that had agreed in 2013 to purchase 35 MAX jets, sued Boeing in August for breach of contract. Avia filed a motion to voluntarily dismiss the case in October, after the two sides had come to an "understanding." The order no longer appears in Boeing's backlog. Leasing companies account for more than 40% of outstanding MAX orders. Airlines typically have to continue paying rent on aircraft that have been grounded, though some plane-rental executives have said Boeing has stepped in to cover payments. Boeing this week said it would pause production of the MAX in January as it seeks regulatory approval for software and training fixes to the jet. Airline and industry officials don't expect this to be granted until February at the earliest. The company has continued building the planes and has assembled around 400 which can't be delivered, alongside more than 380 that were already in service until March. Boeing has said it hasn't suffered any direct cancellations because of the grounding, though some customers have swapped for other aircraft or, in the case of India's Jet Airways, gone bankrupt. Aircraft financiers said Boeing purchase contracts are typically tightly written, with limited recourse for customers for delays stretching less than a year. Timaero said in its suit that Boeing has breached such excusable delay provisions. "Boeing was motivated by considerations outside of the scope of its obligations, including greed, failing to act fairly and reasonably in dealing with Timaero, and failing to adhere to standards of the trade or profession," said the lessor. https://www.barrons.com/articles/jet-lessor-sues-boeing-over-max-51576700157 Back to Top Timeline: Boeing's changing schedule for 737 MAX fix, return to service (Reuters) - Boeing Co said on Monday it would suspend production of its best-selling 737 MAX jetliner in January, the firm's biggest assembly-line halt in more than 20 years, as repercussions of two fatal crashes of the now-grounded aircraft drag into 2020. The company has come under criticism from regulators, suppliers and airlines for providing what have turned out to be unrealistic estimates for the 737 MAX returning to service. Here is how Boeing's forecasts for a fix of an anti-stall system linked to the crashes and approvals of new pilot training materials have changed over time: DEC. 12, 2019 - Boeing abandons its goal of winning regulatory approval for the 737 MAX to resume flying in December after the FAA said the plane would not be cleared to fly before 2020. DEC. 11, 2019 - FAA chief Steve Dickson says 737 MAX will not be cleared to fly before the end of 2019. NOV. 15, 2019 - The head of the FAA tells his team to "take whatever time is needed" in their review of the 737 MAX. NOV. 11, 2019 - Boeing says it expects the FAA to issue an order approving the plane's return to flight in December, forecasting commercial flights to resume in January. NOV. 7, 2019 - U.S. and European regulators ask Boeing to revise documentation on its proposed 737 MAX software fix. OCT. 24, 2019 - Boeing says it still expects FAA approval to fly the 737 MAX in the fourth quarter, sending its shares higher despite a slump in quarterly profit. FAA says it will need "several weeks" for review. JULY 18, 2019 - Boeing says it has assumed regulatory approval of the 737 MAX's return to service in the U.S. and other jurisdictions will begin early in the fourth quarter. JUNE 27, 2019 - Boeing says it will take until at least September to fix a newly identified problem with software that emerged when FAA test pilots were reviewing potential failure scenarios of the flight control computer in a 737 MAX simulator. MAY 16, 2019 - Boeing says it has completed a software update for its 737 MAX jets and is in the process of submitting a pilot training plan to the FAA. APRIL 6, 2019 - Boeing says will cut monthly 737 MAX production by nearly 20%; U.S. and airline officials said they now believe the plane could be grounded for at least two months. MARCH 13, 2019 - FAA joins other major global regulators in grounding the 737 MAX, citing evidence of similarities between the two fatal crashes. MARCH 12, 2019 - FAA says will mandate that Boeing implement design changes on the 737 MAX by April that have been in the works for months. MARCH 10, 2019 - An Ethiopian Airlines 737 MAX crashes, killing all 157 people on board. NOV. 30, 2018 - Boeing is weighing plans to launch a software upgrade for its 737 MAX in six to eight weeks that would help address a scenario faced by crew of Indonesia's Lion Air, sources told Reuters. NOV. 13, 2018 - FAA, Boeing say they are evaluating the need for software or design changes to 737 MAX jets following a Lion Air crash. OCT. 29, 2018 - A Lion Air 737 MAX plane crashes in Indonesia, killing all 189 people on board. https://www.yahoo.com/finance/news/timeline-boeings-changing-schedule-737-141746706.html Back to Top Incident: Delta B712 at Huntsville on Dec 17th 2019, rejected takeoff due to configuration warning A Delta Airlines Boeing 717-200, registration N982AT performing flight DL-1250 from Huntsville,AL to Atlanta,GA (USA), was accelerating for takeoff from Huntsville's runway 36L when the crew rejected takeoff at low speed reporting they did not have any mechanical problems and were vacating the runway. The aircraft returned to the apron. A passenger reported the captain announced they had received a takeoff configuration warning. The aircraft stopped on taxiway while running the checklists then returned to the apron. The aircraft was able to depart about 3:45 hours after the rejected takeoff and reached Atlanta with a delay of 3:20 hours. http://avherald.com/h?article=4d0c4754&opt=0 Back to Top Accident: Namibia A319 at Windhoek on Dec 13th 2019, passenger assist unit collapses An Air Namibia Airbus A319-100, registration V5-ANM performing flight SW-708 from Cape Town (South Africa) to Windhoek (Namibia), had safely landed in Windhoek and taxied to the terminal. A number of passengers, while deboarding, required assistance by a passenger assist unit (PAU) (basically a lift), when the PAU tipped backwards and collapsed. Six passengers and two ground staff were injured and taken to a local private hospital. The airline reported three passengers were discharged from hospital after checks and treatment, three were admitted. The ground staff was discharged, too, and are on sick leave. The PAU designed to assist passengers with disabilities had taken two passengers down from flight SW-728 just prior to assisting the passengers of SW-708 to disembark, when the PAU tipped over backwards. A factory welded joint was found broken in the initial investigation into the cause of the accident. The PAU had received a full service just the prior month. The collapsed passenger assist unit: http://avherald.com/h?article=4d0c43d7&opt=0 Back to Top Incident: United B738 at Nagoya on Dec 18th 2019, flaps problem A United Boeing 737-800, registration N37281 performing flight UA-137 from Guam (Guam) to Nagoya (Japan) with 106 people on board, was on final approach to Nagoya's runway 36 when the crew received abnormal indications for the flaps and went around. The aircraft climbed to 5000 feet while working the checklists. The aircraft landed safely on runway 36 at a normal speed about 15 minutes later. The aircraft was able to depart for the return flight with a delay of one hour and reached Guam with 45 minutes delay. http://avherald.com/h?article=4d0c40a1&opt=0 Back to Top Boeing 767-381ER - Engine Fire (Japan) Date: 19-DEC-2019 Time: 09:52 LT Type: Boeing 767-381ER Owner/operator: All Nippon Airways - ANA Registration: JA606A C/n / msn: 32975/883 Fatalities: Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 278 Other fatalities: 0 Aircraft damage: Unknown Location: near Fukuoka Airport (FUK/RJFF) - Japan Phase: Initial climb Nature: Domestic Scheduled Passenger Departure airport: Fukuoka Airport (FUK/RJFF) Destination airport: Tokyo-Haneda Airport (HND/RJTT) Narrative: ANA's flight NH246 from Fukuoka to Tokyo/Haneda, a Boeing 767-300ER, suffered No.2 engine fire just after take off from runway 16 of Fukuoka. The flight crew declared an emergency, and the airplane returned back to Fukuoka safely at 10:15 LT. No personal injuries were reported. https://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/231553 Back to Top Beechcraft 200 King Air - Attempted Theft (California) Date: 18-DEC-2019 Time: c. 07:30 Type: Beechcraft 200 King Air Owner/operator: WL Aviation LLC Registration: N72MM C/n / msn: BB-497 Fatalities: Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 1 Other fatalities: 0 Aircraft damage: Substantial Location: Fresno Yosemite International Airport (FAT/KFAT), Fresno, CA - United States of America Phase: Taxi Nature: Illegal Flight Departure airport: Destination airport: Narrative: The aircraft, a 1979 Beechcraft 200 King Air, registration N72MM, impacted airport fencing and building structure during an apparent theft attempt at Fresno Yosemite International Airport (FAT/KFAT), Fresno, California. The airplane sustained substantial damage and the subsequently apprehended adolescent non-pilot rated sole occupant onboard was not injured during the incident. https://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/231545 Back to Top AIRASIA X PILOTS DIVERTED TO FURTHEST AIRPORT AFTER ENGINE FAILURE FOUL-UP AirAsia X diversion wrong engine procedures An AIrAsia X A330. An AirAsia X flight crew facing an engine oil pressure problem failed to follow procedures by increasing thrust when they should have shut down the engine down and then tried to restart it after it failed. The pilots then chose to divert to Melbourne when both Adelaide and Alice Springs, which was just 445km away when the incident occurred, were closer. AIrAsia The errors are outlined in an Australian Transport Safety Bureau final report into the engine failure in 2016 on a flight from Sydney to Kuala Lumpur with 234 passengers and 10 crew on board. AirAsia X has since restated flight crew operational requirements for engine restarts and diversion decision making. It is also using the incident as the basis of a training package on diversions and engine failures. The AirAsia X pilots received an "engine 2 oil low-pressure alert' alert message which investigators later determined was due to shaft failure in the Rolls Royce Trent 700's oil pressure pump. The alert required the crew to immediately reduce thrust to idle and then follow an Airbus procedure to shut down the engine if the warning persists. However, investigators acknowledged there was some ambiguity in the checklist language and believe the crew misinterpreted the term "persists" to mean that they wait to see if the condition persisted. They instead attempted to trouble-shoot the engine formed the view that the warning was the result of a gauge failure. "With the intent of further troubleshooting, the crew then increased the engine's thrust. This led to the engine stalling and ultimately failing,'' the ATSB said in the report. "Despite available guidance and cumulative evidence to the contrary, the flight crew determined that the right engine was not damaged and could be restarted. "Consequently, and contrary to the operator's procedures, the flight crew made two attempts to restart this engine. Both restart attempts failed. "Also contrary to the operator's procedures, the flight crew elected to divert to Melbourne following the engine failure, bypassing closer suitable aerodromes." Among other things, the flight crew decided to divert to Melbourne because they believed the emergency was controlled, they were more familiar with Melbourne, they didn't believe the other two airports had the relevant emergency services and it had the best maintenance options. But the ATSB said the decision to fly to Melbourne instead of the closer airports increased the time the aircraft was operating "in an elevated risk environment of single-engine operations". ATSB director transport safety Dr Stuart Godley said the incident demonstrated the importance of flight crews adhering to standard operating procedures when responding to alerts. It also demonstrated the importance as well as the need to design those procedures with clarity, he said. "Further, the investigation report identifies that where there is not a need for an immediate response, that flight crews look at the full contextural and available information before deciding on a plan of action," he said. AirAsia said in a statement that safety always underpinned its operations and it had fully cooperated with the ATSB throughout the review process. "AirAisa reviewed its internal policies and procedures and corrective action was taken immediately," it said. "AirAsia X has achieved IATA's IOSA certification since 2014 - the global benchmark for upholding the world's highest safety standards. "AirAsia operates within the same strict safety guidelines as every airline operating in Australia and we work hard to ensure the highest standards of safety and operational integrity are maintained at all times. "Safety is about continual improvement and we welcome the findings from the ATSB report, as well as any updates from the manufacturer or feedback that we receive from any regulator that we have ongoing dialogue with, to review any areas to improve." https://www.airlineratings.com/news/airasia-x-pilots-diverted-wrong-airport-engine-failure-foul/ Back to Top Back to Top FAA Certifies Protection System Against Catastrophic Loss-of-Engine Accidents EXTON, Pa.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), following over two years of multi-departmental review, has awarded a first-of-its-kind Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) to Innovative Solutions & Support, Inc. (NASDAQ: ISSC) for protection against one-engine-inoperative (OEI) catastrophic loss-of-control accidents. Authorities suggest that one-engine-inoperative loss-of-control accidents are responsible for as many as 90 fatalities annually. Industry periodicals write: "While pilots who haven't flown with an auto-throttle might not fully appreciate its benefits, the King Air ThrustSense® system adds more than just easier speed control and engine management. In the King Air, the IS&S auto-throttles also offer a significant safety benefit in case of failure of one engine, especially on takeoff. This hazard has come under the microscope as a result of a pair of King Air takeoff accidents: in Wichita in 2014; and Addison, Texas, on July 1 this year." -Matt Thurber, Aviation International News, July 5, 2019 The IS&S auto-throttle upset protection system automatically adjusts power in the operating engine to provide the maximum safe thrust, preventing loss of control yaw that can catastrophically upset the aircraft. The system is available for rapid turn-around retrofit. About Innovative Solutions & Support, Inc. Headquartered in Exton, Pa., Innovative Solutions & Support, Inc. (www.innovative-ss.com) is a systems integrator that designs and manufactures flight guidance and cockpit display systems for Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM's) and retrofit applications. The company supplies integrated Flight Management Systems (FMS) and advanced GPS receivers for precision low carbon footprint navigation. https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20191218005716/en/FAA-Certifies-Protection-System-Catastrophic-Loss-of-Engine-Accidents Back to Top China Eastern receives first A350 with cockpit touchscreens China Eastern Airlines has taken delivery of the first Airbus A350 to be fitted with a touchscreen option for the large displays in the aircraft's cockpit. The initial aircraft to receive the option is an A350-900, MSN373, which is registered B-30CW. FlightGlobal had reported earlier this year that Airbus was testing touchscreen displays on an A350-1000, and certification by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency took place in November. The technology is being introduced as an option through avionics specialist Thales. Some 20 carriers have selected the feature. Three of the six 15.4in screens in the A350 cockpit can be adapted to include touchscreens. These include the two outermost screens - which normally show electronic flightbag information - and the lower of the two central screens, which normally contains the multi-function display. Airbus test pilot Jean-Michel Roy says the electronic flightbag display can be swapped, through a single button-push, with the multi-function display. With the flightbag on the central touchscreen, both pilots are able to interact simultaneously with its features. Source: Airbus Touchscreen capability will feature on the outer and lower central displays While A380 crews interacted with the flightbag through an integrated keyboard, the A350 also introduced a keyboard-cursor control unit - which includes a trackball to navigate a cursor between screens. Roy says the touchscreen brings a third method of interaction for the crew. "This allows the pilot to be more efficient, avoiding having to move a cursor between four displays all the time," he states. Allowing both pilots to interact with the electronic flightbag reduces workload, he adds, simplifies cockpit management during demanding stages of the flight, including take-off performance calculation, en route chart access, and preparation for approach. "The centre display can be controlled by both pilots - whereas before, only the one which had selected it could interact," says Roy. Source: Airbus Both pilots can simultaneously interact with the central touchscreen Roy points out that the A350 will retain the other methods of interacting with the displays, offering alternatives to pilots if conditions such as turbulence make touchscreen use more difficult. "We are offering cheese and dessert," he says. "If I encounter turbulence, the [keyboard cursor control unit] may be more stable." Airbus will offer the touchscreens exclusively on the A350 for now. It says there is a "certain level" of retrofit ability but the airframer is not planning to implement touchscreens as standard, preferring to reserve them as an option. #A350 XWB - New Touch Screens Cockpit Displays https://www.flightglobal.com/news/china-eastern-receives-first-a350-with-cockpit-touchscreens/135851.article Back to Top Delta to rejoin industry group Airlines for America Delta Air Lines is rejoining the industry group that represents U.S. airlines, four years after leaving the group over differences on policy issues. The reuniting resolves a disagreement between the Atlanta-based airline and its industry association that began under former Delta CEO Richard Anderson, a pugnacious leader who took an aggressive and independent approach on policy positions and other matters. Led by Anderson, Delta in 2015 announced plans to leave industry group Airlines for America (A4A). The association's members include American Airlines, United, Southwest, JetBlue, Alaska, Hawaiian, Air Canada, UPS, FedEx and Atlas Air.Delta said then that it would save $5 million in annual dues that could be better used for its own business and to support "what we believe is a more efficient way of communication in Washington on issues that are important to Delta customers and employees."The airline at the time said A4A "failed to support Delta on several key issues" including allegations that Gulf carriers unfairly get government subsidies, as well as issues with the Export-Import Bank. Delta said in October 2015 that it would officially leave A4A effective April 2016.In the spat, Airlines for America responded that Delta "has not been aligned with other A4A members on a few key industry positions," including on how to reform the nation's air traffic control system. Then A4A, led at the time by American Airlines CEO Doug Parker as board chairman, retorted by giving Delta an "immediate departure" from the association. The aftermath of the "'I quit!' 'You're fired!'" exchange lasted more than three years after Anderson handed the reins to current CEO Ed Bastian in 2016. Anderson is now CEO of Amtrak.Bastian in a written statement Wednesday said Delta looks forward to rejoining A4A "and working jointly with other airline members to address issues that impact our people, our customers and the communities we serve."Bastian, leading Delta in a growth phase versus the recovery and rebuilding era under Anderson, has taken a different approach on industry issues. Bastian also recently promoted "Delta Kindness Tags" that can be shared with the idea of igniting the idea to "do something kind and make a difference in someone's life."Delta will officially rejoin A4A in 2020.Bastian said Delta would work with A4A on issues like sustainability initiatives, fighting certain passenger taxes and advocating for other policies.A4A CEO Nicholas Calio issued a statement saying the group and its members are pleased to welcome Delta back," adding: "We are a stronger association with Delta as a member."Calio said the group is more effective "when we speak with a unified industry voice." https://www.ajc.com/blog/airport/delta-rejoin-industry-group-airlines-for-america/Pg08iYfnAx5RdNq9Bs8uaM/ Back to Top Watch a full test flight of Lilium's all-electric urban aircraft Watch a complete Lilium Jet test flight These days, it seems like everyone is building their own electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. The race is clearly on to develop these vehicles in a bid to anticipate the next major sea change in how we get around cities, but what we've seen so far of these vehicles is usually quick clips and heavily edited highlight reels. Lilium, a Munich-based startup building their own urban air mobility vehicles, is showing off a lot more than that today. The footage above is actually from a test conducted at the beginning of October, and Lilium says it has now completed that phase of testing and is working on phase two. But this look at its Jet in action is an illuminating three minutes, showing the aircraft going through its vertical take-off and landing process, as well as flying around and making turns before returning to its origin point. This is a relatively low-speed demonstration compared to what the Lilium Jet can achieve with its unique propulsion method - the company has flown at speeds of up to 100 km/h (~60 mph) since, and is also working on moving the flaps for its jets to a full flat angle, which should help it move horizontally even faster. Ultimately, Lilium will look to use its jet (with a pilot controlling the vehicle at least for the first few years of operation) in an air taxi service ferrying people around cities. https://techcrunch.com/2019/12/18/watch-a-full-test-flight-of-liliums-all-electric-urban-aircraft/ Back to Top Airbus sees strong sales haul this year on Asia demand, long-range A321 FILE PHOTO: The logo of Airbus is pictured at the aircraft builder's headquarters of Airbus in Colomiers near Toulouse PARIS (Reuters) - Airbus is on course to end 2019 with a rise in its order backlog after netting more sales than deliveries across its major products, a senior executive said on Wednesday, thanks partly to strong demand in Asia. Airbus is expected to beat arch-rival Boeing in orders and, unusually, in deliveries this year as the Boeing 737 MAX remains grounded with its production now also halted. The launch of a long-range new version of the mainstay Airbus A321 medium-range jet, and a wave of business in Asia, has led to a higher-than-expected haul for Europe's planemaker. Chief Commercial Officer Christian Scherer, who stepped up from the ATR turboprop affiliate to take the top Airbus sales job just over a year ago, hinted that Airbus would top 1,000 gross orders this year, up at least 20% from 2018. The robust performance comes despite trade tensions and U.S. tariffs on Airbus jets in a transatlantic subsidy dispute, though Scherer insisted trade duties posed a "very serious problem" for airline clients. Noting that Airbus has won 940 orders so far this year, Scherer said the planemaker expected to reach a milestone by the end of the year, in a clear sign it would cross the 1,000 mark. He also said Airbus would show a book-to-bill ratio above one for every civil programme, meaning net orders after cancellations would exceed delivery volumes. "That includes the most recent arrival in the family, the A220," Scherer said. The prediction appeared to exclude the A380, which is no longer being sold. Airbus notched up 940 gross sales and 718 net orders after cancellations in the first 11 months. It targets 860 deliveries, having lowered that 2019 goal due to delays in production of the A321neo. Scherer said Airbus was working to ease the problem but that it would take time to absorb the delays completely. It has not yet decided whether to build a new A321neo assembly line, he added. Boeing sold 243 jets or an unadjusted net total of 56 after cancellations between January and November. That excludes a tentative deal from British Airways owner IAG for 200 of its grounded 737 MAX that is yet to be confirmed. While the MAX is on backfoot, Boeing has sold 75 of its 787 Dreamliners. TOO EARLY FOR NEW PLANES Scherer defended Airbus's position in the wide-body market against planes like the 787, saying it would fight for its A350-1000 to replace Boeing's successful 777-300ER. Airbus suffered a setback earlier this year when it was forced to announce plans to close production of its A380 superjumbo, the world's largest airliner, due to weak sales. But the launch of the smaller A321XLR and a surge in sales of the A220, an even smaller jet recently acquired by Airbus from Canada's Bombardier , underpinned demand. Air France said on Wednesday it had finalised an order for 60 of the 130-seat A220 planes. Scherer also denied that Airbus stood to benefit from rival Boeing's decision to suspend production of its grounded 737 MAX jet after two deadly crashes, emphasising that the disruption would hurt the sector at large. "We're in a growth industry," Scherer said on a conference call with French aerospace journalists. "When you have one player that isn't playing its part, it's extremely destructive," he added, referring to the balance of the aircraft market rather than Boeing's efforts to get changes to the jet approved. The eventual development of a larger version of the Airbus A220 was "not a question of if, but when", Scherer said, adding that it is not currently under consideration. A replacement for the 150-240 seat A320 jet family will also have to wait for a breakthrough improvement in environmental and economic performance, unlikely before the 2030s, Scherer said. Boeing's grounding crisis has led to sporadic rumours of a new race to build replacements for the 737 and competing A320. A premature A320 replacement without as-yet unproven technology would threaten global climate objectives taken by the aerospace industry, Scherer said. Airbus has said it is examining a demonstration model for a "decarbonised" 100-seat regional plane that could nurture technology for a broader generation of planes in the 2030s. https://www.yahoo.com/finance/news/airbus-sees-strong-sales-haul-170027768.html Back to Top NASA's Mars 2020 rover passes its driving test It steered, turned and successfully completed its first drive. NASA/JPL-Caltech The Mars 2020 rover has completed its first drive almost half a year after getting its wheels. Rich Rieber, the project's lead mobility systems engineer, says the rover has "earned its driver's license." According to NASA JPL's announcement, it successfully steered, turned and drove in 3-foot increments over small ramps covered with special static-control mats. The rover's first drive happened during a 10-hour marathon, which demonstrated that all its systems were working well. Rieber said in a statement: "The test unambiguously proved that the rover can operate under its own weight and demonstrated many of the autonomous-navigation functions for the first time. This is a major milestone for Mars 2020." The rover's ground team is optimistic that the rover will perform well on Mars if it was able to steer and drive itself on our planet, which has much stronger gravity than the red planet. After it arrives on Mars in 2021, it will have much more driving to do. Its creators gave it much better cameras (with higher resolution and wide field-of-view navigation) than its predecessors, an extra computer for more more power to process images and make maps, as well as a more sophisticated auto-navigation software. Those will give Mars 2020 the power to drive an average of 650 feet a day to search for signs of life and help shed light on the planet's climate and geology. https://www.engadget.com/2019/12/18/nasa-mars-2020-first-drive/ Back to Top Position: Corporate Safety Investigator (Contract position reporting directly to Delta Air Lines) Responsibilities: The Corporate Safety Investigator will be responsible for conducting in-depth investigations into employee injuries, ground safety events and reports of general safety issues. These investigations will include but are not limited to: traveling to the incident scene, liaising with Government officials, conducting human factors focused interviews, analyzing data, developing recommendations, reporting findings to senior leaders, and writing detailed technical reports. The Investigator will support the Corporate Safety team on a variety of airline operations safety programs and projects. This position will be included on an on-call rotation, maintaining the ability to monitor operational incidents 24/7 during the rotation, identifying critical and major injury incidents, and reporting incidents to the appropriate leaders. Approximately 30% travel is required, sometimes at short notice. The position will report to the Manager of Corporate Safety Investigations and Compliance. Qualifications: The Corporate Safety Investigator must have investigative and technical writing experience. The Investigator should have a working knowledge of airline operations. Must be flexible, with the ability to think critically in a fast-paced environment. The Investigator must be able to communicate effectively communicate both verbally and orally with all levels of employees, from front line employees to senior executives. The Corporate Safety Investigator must be proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and internet applications. Preferred qualifications include experience in OSHA investigations and completion of OSHA 30. To apply for the position, please email a cover letter and resume to David Hammack (Manager of Corporate Safety Investigations and Compliance, Delta Air Lines, Inc.) at David.hammack@delta.com. Back to Top Call for Papers - ISASI 2020 Montreal Sheraton, Montreal PQ September 1 - 3, 2020 With "20/20 Vision for the Future" as our theme, the ISASI 2020 Committee is inviting interested individuals to submit abstracts for papers that address the future of aircraft accident investigation. Presentation topics that support the theme may include, but are not limited to: • Recent accident/incident investigations of interest. • Novel investigation techniques for aircraft, helicopter, and drone accidents. • Data investigation methods, techniques and future developments. • Airport investigation methods and techniques • Future investigator selection criteria and training needs. • Future of aircraft data capture and retrieval and protection of safety information. • Future developments in underwater wreckage recovery. • Future evolution of Family Assistance. We are also interested in papers that address the challenges surrounding the recent 737 Max accidents. While it is not our intent to discuss the accidents themselves, we are hoping to generate thought and discussion on the impact the accidents have had on to the industry as a whole and how it has affected the travelling public. Presentations must be in English and should be 25 minutes long. There will be an additional 5 minutes for questions at the end of each presentation. Abstracts should include the author's current CV [1 page only please] and be sent to isasi2020papers@shaw.ca Important dates: March 20th, 2020 - Last date for receipt of abstracts. May 8th, 2020 - Presenters informed of acceptance and provided with additional instructions. May 22nd, 2020 - Draft program for the 2019 Seminar Technical Program will be published. July 10th, 2020 - Last date for receipt of completed paper and PowerPoint presentation. Any papers not received by this date will be removed from the program and replaced by another speaker. If you have questions related to the paper topics or any other inquiries about the program, please contact the ISASI 2020 Program Chair at avsafe@shaw.ca Curt Lewis