Flight Safety Information February 20, 2020 - No. 037 In This Issue Boeing, crash victims' lawyers negotiate over access to 737 MAX documents Incident: British Airways A35K at London on Feb 19th 2020, hydraulic leak Passenger tries to forcibly open aircraft door, 5 deplaned for unruly behaviour Safety top priority of new aviation act' (Nepal) NTSB releases preliminary report on Medevac plane crash in Unalaska Emirates Has Suspended Flights To Lagos China plans to take over HNA Group and sell its airline assets as coronavirus hits business GoJet Airlines expands fleet with 20 CRJ-550 aircraft Inside the Race to Build the First Sustainable Supersonic Jet Corporate jet deliveries hit decade high in 2019, helped by new models Boeing names new vice president to help jet maker with its biggest challenge SpaceX and Space Adventures offer tourist trips to orbit Position Available:...Investigator/Senior Investigator, Flight Operations Quality Assurance Boeing, crash victims' lawyers negotiate over access to 737 MAX documents The Boeing logo is displayed on a screen, at the NYSE in New York CHICAGO (Reuters) - Boeing Co and lawyers representing families of victims of a 737 MAX crash agreed in court on Wednesday to hold a conference call with U.S. government crash probe authorities over access to documents related to the now-grounded aircraft's design, development and two fatal disasters involving it. Boeing has resisted sharing documents sought by lawyers representing families of victims of an Ethiopian Airlines 737 MAX crash on March 10, which killed 157 people five months after a similar Lion Air disaster in which 189 people died. The lawyers, who are asking why the MAX continued flying after the first crash, say the materials are critical for assessing liability by Boeing and punitive damages. "They're hot documents," Robert Clifford, lead counsel for the plaintiffs, told reporters, saying some show what and when Boeing knew about factors that played a role in the Lion Air accident. Boeing has argued that the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is restricting release of the documents under international guidelines on crash probes and that they are confidential. The plane, once Boeing's fastest-selling jet, has been grounded globally since mid-March while Boeing addresses software and training issues involved in both disasters, costing the planemaker nearly $19 billion. The NTSB seemed to switch its stance on some of the documents in a Feb. 18 letter to Boeing, one topic of Wednesday's hearing in U.S. federal court in Chicago before U.S. Magistrate Judge David Weisman. Boeing and the plaintiffs' lawyers agreed to brief the court on the outcome of a conference call with NTSB assistant general counsel Benjamin Allen scheduled for Thursday. Chicago-based Boeing is in the process of settling a separate batch of lawsuits related to the Lion Air crash, but families of the Ethiopian crash are seeking a jury trial. Following 737 MAX testimony from Boeing executives at congressional hearings in Washington, Ethiopian crash victim lawyers want to know whether the planemaker hid materials. Dan Webb, a lawyer for Boeing, rejected in court the notion that documents have been hidden, saying that some "haven't been produced yet." "Boeing takes very seriously its legal obligations and is working with the plaintiffs in good faith, and consistent with our obligations as a technical advisor to the NTSB, to provide the information they need to pursue their claims," the company said in an emailed statement, adding that it was cooperating fully with investigative authorities. A Lion Air investigation faulted Boeing's design of the 737 MAX but said the airline also made mistakes. The Ethiopian probe is still ongoing, nearly a year after the crash. https://www.yahoo.com/finance/news/boeing-heads-court-amid-fight-134046552.html Back to Top Incident: British Airways A35K at London on Feb 19th 2020, hydraulic leak A British Airways Airbus A350-1000, registration G-XWBD performing flight BA-162 from Tel Aviv (Israel) to London Heathrow,EN (UK), landed on Heathrow's 27R but became disabled on the runway due to a hydraulic leak after landing. The aircraft was subsequently towed to the apron. The airport reported the runway was returned to service within minutes after the aircraft had been towed off the runway. http://avherald.com/h?article=4d3872c9&opt=0 Back to Top Passenger tries to forcibly open aircraft door, 5 deplaned for unruly behaviour A group of five people were off-loaded from IndiGo's Delhi-Jeddah flight on Tuesday for "unruly behaviour" with one of them trying to forcibly open a door of the aircraft as it was taxiing for takeoff. The flight departed from the Delhi airport after a delay of around three hours. (File photo) Agroup of five people were off-loaded from IndiGo's Delhi-Jeddah flight on Tuesday for "unruly behaviour" with one of them trying to forcibly open a door of the aircraft as it was taxiing for takeoff, insisting that their two companions who lost their boarding passes be allowed to take the flight, officials said. As the incident unfolded on board, the pilot brought the plane back to the parking bay and off-loaded the group. The flight departed from the Delhi airport after a delay of around three hours, the official said on Wednesday. Confirming the incident, IndiGo said in a statement, "Some passengers displayed unruly behaviour and were off-loaded to continue flight operations. A report has been filed with the relevant authorities as per protocol." "A group of 110 passengers of connecting flight from Srinagar were travelling on this A321neo aircraft. Their two co-passengers were off-loaded at boarding gate as they had lost their boarding passes. "During taxiing (for takeoff) the group leader demanded that two members of their group be accepted on board. Crew stopped him and convinced him to be seated on his place but again passenger shouted on board and tried to open the door," the official told PTI. Accordingly, the captain decided to return to parking bay. Along with the group leader, three female and a male co-passengers were also off-loaded from the plane, according to the official. The official stated that once the passengers were deplaned, anti-sabotage drill was performed. https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/passenger-tries-forcibly-open-aircraft-door-deplaned-for-unruly-behaviour-1648130-2020-02-19 Back to Top Safety top priority of new aviation act' (Nepal) A panel formed to formulate a new aviation act has claimed that the Draft of New National Aviation Act 2020 has prioritised aviation safety. Submitting the draft to Tourism Minister Yogesh Bhattarai today, Yagya Prasad Gautam, coordinator of the panel, said that the new act will address the existing issues of the country's aviation sector. "From aircraft procurement to passengers' insurance, we have tightened the rules for each aspect related to aviation safety," Gautam said, adding that the new act will help to build a safe and credible aviation sector of the country. The draft of the new aviation act has included a provision of passengers' insurance in the domestic sector. "We have signed the Montreal Convention for international passengers, however no such provision has been implemented for domestic passengers," he said, "The new act has included a provision to insure domestic passengers." Likewise, aiming to reduce air accidents in domestic sector, the act has included a provision of not allowing airline companies to purchase aircraft operated for more than 15 years. And if any airline company purchases an aircraft operated for less than five years, the government will provide customs and other discounts. The act has also mentioned that single engine aircraft for commercial flights will be banned completely. However, single engine aircraft can be used for private and training purposes. With the enactment of the new act, individuals will also be allowed to own private aircraft. Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation (MoCTCA) will soon table the draft of the act at the Cabinet, the minister said. "Formulation of a new act in the aviation sector was necessary in terms of changed context and to become globally competitive. The ministry believes that this act will help in improving and further developing Nepal's aviation sector." MoCTCA had formed the panel on October 22 to study the current status of the Nepali aviation sector and international practices so that a suitable act could be formulated. https://thehimalayantimes.com/business/safety-top-priority-of-new-aviation-act/ Back to Top NTSB releases preliminary report on Medevac plane crash in Unalaska The LifeMed King Air Beechcraft as seen underwater. (Courtesy Cole Corbett) The National Transportation Safety Board has released its preliminary report on a medevac airplane that crashed into the waters of Unalaska Bay last month. While the early findings establish some of the facts surrounding the Jan. 16 crash, the chief of the NTSB's Alaska Regional Office said it's too soon to pinpoint the cause. Related: Three rescued by boat after LifeMed plane crashes in Unalaska "We're still very much in the formative stages of the investigation," said Clint Johnson. "However, (the report) does outline the circumstances and the weather conditions and the sequence of events that led up to the accident." The LifeMed King Air Beechcraft plane went down about 100 feet northwest of the airport runway while trying to take off around 8 a.m. All three people onboard - a pilot, a paramedic and a nurse - evacuated to a life raft and were rescued with no serious injuries. Though the NTSB has yet to conduct a full interview with the pilot, Johnson said, he initially told investigators the "airspeed rapidly dropped" during the downwind takeoff from the airport's "runway 31" orientation, which faces Hog Island. That direction is required for departures before daybreak. The report also said the plane's stall warning horn sounded before it crashed into the water. The wind was coming from the east-southeast at 16 knots, with gusts up to 22 knots, giving the plane a strong tailwind. Johnson said the NTSB will likely take a year to complete its investigation and release a final report. "We don't speculate," he said. "We're very factual in our investigations, and that's exactly what we are going to do here. We have a ways to go on this and still a lot of work to do. We're not drawing any conclusions at this point." The medevac accident is one of two Unalaska plane crashes currently under investigation by the NTSB. The agency is also studying RavnAir Group's PenAir plane crash in October, which killed one passenger and injured about a dozen others. While the NTSB's preliminary report on that crash identified pilot inexperience and shifting winds as factors, the full investigation is expected to take a year. https://www.alaskapublic.org/2020/02/19/ntsb-releases-preliminary-report-on-medevac-plane-crash-in-unalaska/ Back to Top Emirates Has Suspended Flights To Lagos Dubai-based long haul legend Emirates has suspended all flights to Lagos for the foreseeable future. The airline has said it will not resume flying to the Nigerian destination until the airport improves its Instrument Landing System (ILS). Other airlines have experienced difficulties in landing at the Nigerian airport too, as the nation suffers a prolonged case of the Harmattan haze. Emirates A380 Emirates is suspending services to Lagos due to bad weather. Photo: Getty Emirates abandons Lagos Emirates has stopped flying to Lagos temporarily due to issues with the weather. In a statement posted on its website, the airline said, "Due to poor weather and low visibility in Lagos, the following Emirates flights have been cancelled on 17th and 18th February: EK781/EK782: Dubai - Lagos - Dubai EK783/EK784: Dubai - Lagos - Dubai." Emirates has said that affected passengers in Dubai can still travel to Abuja as an alternative to Lagos. The airline usually operates 14 weekly services between Dubai and Lagos, according to CH-Aviation, but has had a lot of disruption to flight schedules lately. On the 13th of February, it diverted its service to Accra instead and hooked up with local airline Arik Air to take its passengers onwards to Lagos. Emirates is not alone in experiencing difficulty at Lagos For the past two weeks, numerous airlines have canceled or diverted flights bound for Lagos due to poor visibility at the airport. Delta Air Lines, Lufthansa, Air France and a number of others have all had to divert flights away from Lagos and are reportedly considering suspending services also. British Airways A380 British Airways is also suspending Lagos services. Photo: Getty British Airways has also canceled Lagos operations. The UK airline usually operates daily services to the Nigerian destination but has cited 'operational constraints' as a reason to cancel services. In an email seen by CH-Aviation, it said, "Due to adverse weather at the airport, we were unable to safely land in Lagos. If you wish to travel from Accra - London Heathrow, there are a limited availability of seats to book ... Our Customer Relations team will review each case on an individual basis." What's the problem with Lagos? The issue at Lagos is a weather phenomenon known as the Harmattan haze. The Harmattan is a season in West Africa that runs from late November to mid-March. It sees a dry and dusty northeasterly trade wind invading the region, bringing with it heavy dust from the Sahara Desert. In some places, this haze can severely limit visibility and block the sun for many days. Landing in poor visibility is not usually an issue, at least if the airport has the right equipment. Using Instrument Landing Systems (ILS) of at least CAT III, pilots can secure enough assistance to land safely, even when the visibility is near to nothing. Lagos Airport was supposed to have ILS CAT III installed some time ago, but some have raised questions over whether it was even bought for the airport. The Nigerian Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has insisted to This Day that CAT III ILS has not only been bought for the airport, but also installed. He further said that not only was it in place in both Lagos and Abuja, it was also calibrated. However, he explained that following calibration, some inaccurate readings were noted, specifically on runway 18R, the one used by international flights. He said, "Unfortunately, it was in the process of recalibrating that the weather situation in Lagos changed for the worse, hence the disruption of international flights into Lagos. Some airlines opted to divert their flights to Kotoka airport (CAT II ILS) in Ghana, leaving innocent travelers stranded, when they could have easily diverted to Abuja (CAT III ILS), where flights to Lagos are regular." Lagos Airport Lagos Airport claims to have ILS CAT III, but it's not working properly. Photo: Getty However, The Nation claims that, whatever the reason, the ILS Is faulty. It says that the Visual Glide Slope Indicator (VGSI), a ground device that uses lights to assist pilots in landing, is not working properly. According to the publication, the Nigerian Minister of Aviation Hadi Sirika admitted that some components of the ILS were faulty. CAT III ILS allows airlines to land even in zero visibility. CAT II, on the other hand, requires a minimum of 800m of visibility in order for aircraft to land. The weather phenomenon is expected to continue into March, making it difficult if not impossible for large aircraft to land until the ILS system is fixed. https://simpleflying.com/emirates-lagos-flight-suspension/ Back to Top China plans to take over HNA Group and sell its airline assets as coronavirus hits business, report says • HNA Group was once one of China's most aggressive deal making firms, spending $50 billion to build an empire that once spread from Deutsche Bank to Hilton Worldwide. • It began unwinding those bets two years ago to shift the focus to its core airlines and tourism businesses, after drawingscrutiny from Beijing and other overseas regulators. • The company has in recent weeks come under pressure from the new coronavirus outbreak in China which has forced airlines to cancel thousands of flights. China plans to take over HNA Group Co and sell off its airline assets, as the coronavirus outbreak has hit the Chinese conglomerate's ability to meet financial obligations, Bloomberg reported on Wednesday, citing people familiar with the matter. The government of Hainan, the southern province where HNA is based, is in talks to take control of the conglomerate, the report said. HNA directly controls or holds stakes in a number of local carriers, including its flagship Hainan Airlines. HNA did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the Bloomberg report. HNA Group was once one of China's most aggressive deal making firms, spending $50 billion to build an empire that once spread from Deutsche Bank to Hilton Worldwide. It began unwinding those bets two years ago to shift the focus to its core airlines and tourism businesses, after drawing scrutiny from Beijing and other overseas regulators. In December, its chairman Chen Feng said that the firm had faced cash flow shortages that forced it to delay some salary payments in 2019, but vowed to resolve its liquidity risks this year. The company has in recent weeks come under pressure from the new coronavirus outbreak in China which has forced airlines to cancel thousands of flights. Hainan Airlines and other airlines have tried to cut their losses by putting foreign pilots on unpaid leave, Reuters reported on Tuesday. Hong Kong Airlines, also part-owned by HNA, said on Friday that it will cut 400 jobs. China's aviation regulator acknowledged the industry's pains last week, and said it would support restructurings or mergers to help airlines cope with the epidemic. https://www.cnbc.com/2020/02/19/china-to-take-over-hna-group-and-sell-its-airline-assets-report-says.html Back to Top GoJet Airlines expands fleet with 20 CRJ-550 aircraft US-based Trans States Holdings' regional carrier GoJet Airlines is adding 20 new Bombardier CRJ-550 aircraft to its fleet. The airline is now operating as United Express and Delta Connection, and exclusively as United Express by mid-2020. United is the launch customer for CRJ-550. The addition of the CRJ-550 aircraft will take GoJet's total fleet count to 74 by next year. GoJet had reached an agreement with United Airlines to operate 54 CRJ-550 aircraft for the latter for ten years. Designed to offer first-class seating for business and leisure travellers, the two-cabin CRJ-550 aircraft commenced commercial service last October. The CRJ-550 has 50 seats with three classes of service; ten in United First, 20 in Economy Plus and the remaining 20 in Economy. A derivative of the CRJ-700 regional jet, the aircraft offers Wi-Fi and spacious leg room to passengers. In addition, each aircraft will be equipped with in-seat power throughout the cabins over the coming months. The new aircraft are expected to start being delivered later this year. GoJet Airlines president and CEO Rick Leach said: "The GoJet team continues to work incredibly hard to ensure a successful rollout of the CRJ-550, and the feedback from customers has been fantastic. "United's decision to add more of these aircraft so quickly after the initial product launch is indicative of their long-term commitment to both the CRJ-550 platform and to GoJet. We look forward to growing this exciting programme with United." GoJet Airlines operates more than 250 daily flights to around 80 destinations, serving over five million passengers annually. In October, the CRJ-550 service was first introduced at United's Chicago O'Hare Airport. The service was also recently launched from its New York / Newark hub. https://www.aerospace-technology.com/news/gojet-crj500-aircraft-bombardier/ Back to Top Inside the Race to Build the First Sustainable Supersonic Jet Can a supersonic jet be made fit for travel at a time when the planet is endangered and commercial aviation is being required to seriously clean up its act? For nearly 20 years, nobody other than hotshot military pilots has been able to fly supersonically. But a startup out of Reno, Nevada, is aiming to change that-and they're just a few years away from debuting their new jet. The basic physical laws of aerodynamics have served as a universal leveler since 2003, when the supersonic Concorde was retired. Everybody, whether in the fastest corporate jet or a commercial jet, has been limited to the maximum subsonic cruise speed of around 660 mph, or a good deal less than that for most of us. But it's not part of human nature to accept a barrier once broken. And the daily Concorde flights between New York and London, cruising at 1,300 mph, created an elite passenger group who loved what they called "the rocket"-crossing the pond in just three and a half hours. Inevitably a banished privilege became seen as a market that needed to be met. The problem was that, in order to meet it, the factors that killed off Concorde had to be surmounted. The only crash of a Concorde, in Paris in 2000, killing 113 people, was a setback but not in itself terminal. The business model never made sense: the Anglo-French consortium that built the jet predicted a world fleet of 200. Only 14 were ever in regular service (seven by Air France and seven by British Airways) and operated more for prestige than profits. But Concorde's biggest flaw was that in order to reach its scorching speed its engines guzzled gas, polluted the skies and created intolerable noise at takeoff and landing. There was also the sonic boom: a window-rattling detonation on the ground caused by a shock wave created if the jet flew supersonically over land, which led to Concorde being restricted to supersonic flight over water. Can this beast ever be tamed and made fit for travel at a time when the planet is endangered and commercial aviation is being required to seriously clean up its act? The folks at Aerion think so. Aerion has been working for nearly a decade on a supersonic corporate jet, the AS2. It won't be as fast as Concorde; tradeoffs have had to be made in order to find a virtuous combination of speed and much tougher environmental standards. Getting to a viable model has been problematic: unable to fund development on its own, Aerion had to find a partner with deep pockets and even deeper technical resources. First up were Airbus, but they bailed after deciding such a niche market did not fit their future. Next were Lockheed Martin, but after a year they were replaced by Boeing, who are now driving the program. The decisive partner, though, was GE, who are providing the engine-the first new engine for commercial supersonic flights in five decades. This was a bet on more than the AS2. GE is banking on being the sole engine provider for more supersonic commercial jets to come, possibly including a Boeing/Aerion airliner. In the end, it will take two significant technical advances to validate the AS2 concept. The engine will have to meet the same standards for noise and emissions that are now mandatory for subsonic jets. And the aerodynamicists have to sculpt a new form that enables frictionless high speed flight that curbs the supersonic boom and needs far less brute power from the engines to reach cruise speed. Aerion's own strength, demonstrated in its original concept, has been in aerodynamics and, specifically, in a revolutionary blade-sharp wing exploiting a phenomenon known as laminar-flow to significantly cut aerodynamic drag. This, and other refinements, reduces by at least a quarter the shock wave that creates the sonic boom. As a result, Aerion has pioneered what it calls "boomless cruise"-meaning that it will be able to be routed over land at supersonic speed without creating a boom, albeit at less than its maximum cruise speed of just over 1,000 mph. Aerion hasn't disclosed the development costs, nor has Boeing put a number to its own investment. Given that the grounding of the Boeing 737 MAX will cost the company north of $16 billion, they will clearly be vigilant about the costs of this project, while betting on the value of a technology transfer from Aerion. The first flight is planned for 2023, with 2026 as the target to deliver to customers. Depending on the cabin layout, it will be able to take up to 12 passengers. The ultimate question for both investors and would-be customers is: What advantage are you buying with a supersonic private jet? Aerion's answer is time saved: an Atlantic flight time from New York to London of around four hours, saving around two hours depending on prevailing tail or head winds; New York to Moscow in around six hours, saving two and a half hours; New York to Singapore in 13 hours and 45 minutes, saving 4.15 hours. Longer flights involve refueling stops. That is where a supersonic jet begins to lose its competitive advantage. The AS2 has a range of around 4,700 miles. The newest subsonic corporate jet, the Gulfstream G700, has a range of 7,500 miles, good enough to fly nonstop from New York to Tokyo. The Gulfstream will cruise at the upper limit of subsonic flight at 660 mph, with great fuel economy. On a similar route the AS2 would have to make a refueling stop, losing its advantage each minute while the Gulfstream is in the air. In terms of cabin comforts there is nothing to choose between the top line corporate jets and the AS2-they are equal in luxury and space, unequal only in terms of speed. With the current technology there isn't any prospect of a significant extension of the AS2's range. Aerion's business model calls for the program to be viable on the shorter nonstop flights over water alone. That would surely be compelling enough for the pond-hoppers who yearn for the same bragging rights that Concorde delivered-"the rocket" is back! https://www.worth.com/inside-the-race-to-build-the-first-sustainable-supersonic-jet/ Back to Top Corporate jet deliveries hit decade high in 2019, helped by new models Deliveries rose 15% from 703 to 809 jets, the highest level since 2009 Air Culinaire Worldwide CEO Cliff Smith discusses the food menu he has designed for the New York private airline market. (Reuters) - Business jet deliveries across the globe hit a decade high in 2019, the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) said on Wednesday, helped by strong market demand for new models. Deliveries rose 15 percent from 703 to 809 jets, the highest level since 2009, GAMA said in its 2019 year-end aircraft billing and shipment numbers. Business jet deliveries are being underpinned by the ramp-up of new models by manufacturers Bombardier Inc and General Dynamics Corp unit Gulfstream Aerospace that offer longer ranges and amenities such as beds and hot showers at 40,000 feet. Honeywell Aerospace's business aviation outlook from last year expects a 7 percent rise in deliveries in 2020. ON-DEMAND PRIVATE JET SERVICE WILL SHUTTLE PASSENGERS FOR $600 GAMA said North America accounted for 67.1 percent of business jet deliveries, the largest market for corporate aircraft followed by Europe. Bombardier employee Francis Masse polishes the sign of Bombardier's Global 7500, the first business jet to have a queen-sized bed and hot shower, is shown during a media tour in Canada in 2018. (REUTERS/Christinne Muschi/File Photo) Gulfstream generated the highest value of deliveries with almost $7.9 billion in billings, followed by Bombardier at $5.7 billion. https://tinyurl.com/uo36l4m Back to Top Boeing names new vice president to help jet maker with its biggest challenge Boeing has named Mike Fleming its new Boeing Commercial Airplanes Vice President of 737 Max Return to Service and Global Aviation Safety System. The announcement was made internally to Boeing staff. Boeing has turned to a longtime executive who helped steer the company through the Dreamliner crisis to help with the jet maker's efforts to safely return its grounded 737 Max to airline service. Mike Fleming has been named vice president of what Boeing internally is calling the "737 Max Return to Service and Global Aviation Safety System." Boeing Commercial Airplanes President and CEO Stan Deal and Boeing General Services President and CEO Ted Colbert announced Fleming's move to workers in an internal email. "Mike has been a central player in our return to service efforts, working closely with airline customers and Boeing's numerous services and support teams," the message from Deal and Colbert said. "Aligning him under Boeing Commercial Airplanes with close connection to the BGS team will ensure we continue to operate efficiently as a One Boeing team supporting our customers, preparing airplanes to safely return to service and providing top-notch support once they are back in the air," the executives added. "Additionally, Mike will lead our efforts on global aviation safety engaging with customers, regulators and the industry to further strengthen safety across the aviation ecosystem," the CEOs said. Fleming is now a member of the Boeing Commercial Airplanes leadership team. He reports to Deal, with whom he had worked at Boeing's General Services unit for the past three years. Fleming's new job involves perhaps the greatest challenge in the company's history. The company now has 400 737 Max jets parked and stored across Seattle, Moses Lake and Everett and another 387 Maxes delivered to airlines that were grounded in March 2019 and are not flying passengers. Each aircraft must be carefully inspected and its systems updated with improved flight-control systems once modifications are approved by the Federal Aviation Administration. Aerospace analyst Kevin Michaels of AeroDynamic Advisory told aerospace suppliers attending the recent Pacific Northwest Aerospace Alliance conference in Lynnwood that the job may take Boeing up to two years. Kevin Michaels of AeroDynamic Advisory spoke to participants at the recent Pacific Northwest Aerospace Alliance conference at the Lynnwood Convention Center, saying it may take Boeing between 18 and 24 months to properly prepare and deliver the close to 800 737 Max jets that are grounded in the Puget Sound region, Moses Lake and elsewhere in the world. After opposing any additional training for pilots for years, Boeing last month backpedaled and agreed that extra simulator training for 737 Max pilots will be developed and introduced. An official Boeing biography states that Fleming started his career as a Boeing structural design engineer in 1986. For the next 12 years, he held positions in engineering, manufacturing, program management and customer services. In 1998, Fleming became the 777 fleet support chief, responsible for that wide-body airplane's in-service performance and support. Most Puget Sound Boeing watchers will remember Fleming as one of Boeing's point men during the Dreamliner 787 crisis, which saw the fleet grounded after its lithium batteries were smoking and catching fire. Between 2011 and 2016, Fleming was vice president for 787 services and oversaw the introduction and support of the newly introduced 787 jets. Fleming led the team responsible for providing all 787 flight and maintenance documentation, spares provisioning needs, and flight and technical training materials for airline customers. That part of Fleming's background and experience will be invaluable as Boeing works with the FAA and its increasingly angry and frustrated airline customers to develop new flight and technical training materials for the 737 Max. Additionally, production of what formerly was Boeing's best-selling jet at the company's Renton factory has been halted since January. Boeing's new CEO David Calhoun has said he knows Boeing needs to improve its relations with employees and safety regulators and also regain the public's trust. https://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/news/2020/02/19/boeing-names-new-vice-president-to-help-jet-maker.html?ana=yahoo&yptr=yahoo Back to Top SpaceX and Space Adventures offer tourist trips to orbit Dragon Low Earth Orbit Spaceflight Experience SpaceX and Space Adventures have partnered to offer space tourists a trip to orbit on the SpaceX Crew Dragon space capsule. They expect the first flight to launch in late 2021 or early 2022. Around $50 million will get you a seat. From Spaceflight Now: The mission would not dock with the space station, but would instead fly into an orbit above the station's altitude of about 260 miles (420 kilometers) above Earth, according to Space Adventures, the Virginia-based company that arranged flights of seven wealthy space tourists on Russian Soyuz capsules between 2001 and 2009... Responding to a question on Twitter about a possible price tag of $52 million per seat, (Space Adventures chairman Eric) Anderson tweeted: "Per seat price for a full group of four not quite that much (not dramatically less, but significant enough to note). Definitive pricing confidential, and dependent on client specific requests, etc." Anderson tweeted that the training regimen for the Crew Dragon flight will be "significantly less than the few months required for previous missions or ISS missions." "Dragon in this profile allows up to 5 days," Anderson tweeted. "3 days is probably ideal, 40-50 orbits or so." https://boingboing.net/2020/02/19/spacex-and-space-adventures-of.html Back to Top Position Available: Investigator/Senior Investigator, Flight Operations Quality Assurance Date: Feb 7, 2020 Location: Flight Training Academy (DFW-FTRN) Additional Locations: None Requisition ID: 37019 Intro Are you ready to explore a world of possibilities, both at work and during your time off? Join our American Airlines family, and you'll travel the world, grow your expertise and become the best version of you. As you embark on a new journey, you'll tackle challenges with flexibility and grace, learning new skills and advancing your career while having the time of your life. Feel free to enrich both your personal and work life and hop on board! Why you'll love this job • This job is a member of the Investigating team within the Integrated Operations Division. • Responsible for providing analysis of operational flight data as well as producing reports and presentations for the Flight Operational Quality Assurance (FOQA) program. What you'll do • Conducts daily work flow processes for the FOQA program • Assesses events and trends, identifies operational hazards, and validates corrective actions • Develops new data analysis products and methodologies for data mining • Coordinates with the Flight Department for data analysis needs • Coordinates regularly with Allied Pilot Association (APA) FOQA gatekeepers • Coordinates with Tech Ops Department regarding support of the FOQA program • Creates flight animations of actual events for use in operational departments • Assists with accident and incident investigations • Participates in FOQA Monitoring Team meetings • Participates and contributes to the American Airlines SMS process • Develops, prepares and presents analysis of flight data • Represents American Airlines at industry FOQA related meetings All you'll need for success Minimum Qualifications- Education & in related field or equivalent experience/training • 3 years related job experience • Experience working with data mining tools such as Tableau, Business Objects, Access, etc. • Experience performing data analysis and building various related reports in MS Office products Preferred Qualifications- Education & Prior Job Experience • Bachelor's Degree in Information Technology, Mathematics, Engineering, or Statistics • Basic Programming knowledge/experience • Master's degree in related field • Knowledge of aeronautical theory and aviation operations as applied to commercial aircraft • Must be able to handle multiple projects with changing deadlines • Previous experience within a FOQA program • Familiarity with GE Aviation flight data software (previously Austin Digital) • Experience using CEFA animation software • Private pilot license or higher • Experience at an air carrier Skills, Licenses & Certifications • Knowledge of aeronautical theory and aviation operations as applied to commercial aircraft • Proficient using MS Office software • Must fulfill background checks to qualify for unescorted access privileges to airport security identification display areas (SIDA), if applicable • Must be able to secure appropriate airport authority and/or US Customs security badges, if applicable • Must be able to handle multiple projects with changing deadlines What you'll get Feel free to take advantage of all that American Airlines has to offer: • Travel Perks: Ready to explore the world? You, your family and your friends can reach 365 destinations on more than 6,800 daily flights across our global network. • Health Benefits: On day one, you'll have access to your health, dental, prescription and vision benefits to help you stay well. And that's just the start, we also offer virtual doctor visits, flexible spending accounts and more. • Wellness Programs: We want you to be the best version of yourself - that's why our wellness programs provide you with all the right tools, resources and support you need. • 401(k) Program: Available upon hire and, depending on the workgroup, employer contributions to your 401(k) program are available after one year. • Additional Benefits: Other great benefits include our Employee Assistance Program, pet insurance and discounts on hotels, cars, cruises and more Feel Free to be yourself at American From the team members we hire to the customers we serve, inclusion and diversity are the foundation of the dynamic workforce at American Airlines. Our 20+ Employee Business Resource Groups are focused on connecting our team members to our customers, suppliers, communities and shareholders, helping team members reach their full potential and creating an inclusive work environment to meet and exceed the needs of our diverse world. Are you ready to feel a tremendous sense of pride and satisfaction as you do your part to keep the largest airline in the world running smoothly as we care for people on life's journey? Feel free to be yourself at American. Additional Locations: None Requisition ID: 37019 Nearest Major Market: Fort Worth Nearest Secondary Market: Dallas Job Segment: Engineer, Quality Assurance, Data Analyst, Operations, Engineering, Technology, Aviation, Data Curt Lewis