Flight Safety Information February 27, 2020 - No. 042 In This Issue Incident: Swiss B773 near Los Angeles on Feb 25th 2020, hydraulic failure Incident: Spicejet B738 near Kolkata on Feb 26th 2020, suspected fuel leak Incident: Sunwing B738 near Memphis on Feb 25th 2020, smoke in cabin Incident: United A320 near Daytona Beach on Feb 26th 2020, battery charger discharges itself Airbus A321-231 (WL) - Loss of both nose gear wheels on landing (Turkey) Korean Air flight attendant with coronavirus reportedly serviced 400-seat aircraft FAA extends security warnings for Kenya and Mali airspaces NovaJet Aviation Group achieves IS-BAO Stage 3 Accreditation and Maintains ARG/US Platinum Safety Rating Study by Stirling University reveals how safe cabin air really is Proposed US legislation aims to restore faith in aircraft certification FAA proposes 737NG flight control software inspections and updates IFALPA Postpones Singapore Conference Judge rejects Britain's Heathrow Airport expansion plan Cape Air's new plane takes flight Bombardier's Challenger 350 Aircraft Earns Top Spot as the World's Most Delivered Super Mid-size Business Jet Lufthansa Grounds Aircraft and Freezes Hiring on Virus Effect Coronavirus And Service Cuts By Big Airlines Are Inflating Demand For Private Jet Charters 20 space industry predictions for 2020 Call for Papers for the Military Tutorial at ISASI 2020 Incident: Swiss B773 near Los Angeles on Feb 25th 2020, hydraulic failure A Swiss Boeing 777-300, registration HB-JNE performing flight LX-41 from Los Angeles,CA (USA) to Zurich (Switzerland) with 202 passengers, was enroute at FL310 about 390nm northeast of Los Angeles when the crew decided to return to Los Angeles due to the failure of the center hydraulic system. The aircraft landed safely on Los Angeles' runway 25L about 2.5 hours after departure. A passenger reported the crew announced a hydraulic fault about one hour into the flight, they were returning to Los Angeles due to forecast snowy/icy conditions in Zurich. The aircraft is still on the ground in Los Angeles about 18 hours after landing back, but apparently is preparing to depart for Zurich as flight LX-5141. https://flightaware.com/live/flight/SWR41/history/20200226/0330Z/KLAX/LSZH http://avherald.com/h?article=4d3d2f13&opt=0 Back to Top Incident: Spicejet B738 near Kolkata on Feb 26th 2020, suspected fuel leak A Spicejet Boeing 737-800, registration VT-SYA performing flight SG-6480 from Mumbai to Guwahati (India) with 183 people on board, was enroute at FL330 about 180nm east of Kolkata (India) when the crew decided to divert to Kolkata reporting they suspected a fuel leak. The aircraft landed safely on Kolkata's runway 01R about 40 minutes later. A replacement Boeing 737-800 registration VT-SLH reached Guwahati with a delay of 5 hours. The airport reported the occurrence aircraft was inspected, no fuel leak was found, however, a water tank was leaking. The occurrence aircraft returned to service after 5 hours on the ground. http://avherald.com/h?article=4d3d2df4&opt=0 Back to Top Incident: Sunwing B738 near Memphis on Feb 25th 2020, smoke in cabin A Sunwing Boeing 737-800, registration C-GYUK performing flight WG-596 from Cancun (Mexico) to Calgary,AB (Canada), was enroute at FL360 about 150nm southsouthwest of Memphis,TN (USA) when the crew reported smoke in the cabin and diverted to Memphis for a safe landing on runway 36L about 30 minutes later. Passengers reported an e-cigarette of a fellow passenger caught fire. The airline reported the aircraft diverted to Memphis due to smoke in the cabin. It is believed a passenger's vape pen was accidentally discharged on board of the aircraft. The Canadian TSB reported on Feb 26th 2020 that the "suspected cause of smoke is a battery from an e-cigarette." A replacement Boeing 737-800 registration C-FEVD was dispatched to Memphis, resumed the flight and reached Calgary with a delay of 8.5 hours. The occurrence aircraft remained on the ground in Memphis for about 20 hours, then positioned to Calgary as flight WG-9596. https://flightaware.com/live/flight/SWG596/history/20200225/2050Z/MMUN/CYYC http://avherald.com/h?article=4d3d2833&opt=0 Back to Top Incident: United A320 near Daytona Beach on Feb 26th 2020, battery charger discharges itself A United Airbus A320-200, registration N437UA performing flight UA-1456 from Newark,NJ (USA) to Nassau (Bahamas), was enroute at FL360 about 140nm east of Daytona Beach,FL (USA) when the crew decided to divert to Daytona Beach due a passenger's battery charger suffering from a thermal runaway emitting heat, smoke and fire in the passenger's bag. Cabin crew extinhguished and secured the device while the flight crew landed the aircraft safely in Daytona Beach about 30 minutes later. Daytona Beach Airport reported the battery charger caught fire, the fire was contained within the passenger's bag. Cabin crew put the bag into a fire retardant container. The aircraft departed Daytona Beach after about 70 minutes on the ground and reached Nassau with a delay of 2 hours. https://flightaware.com/live/flight/UAL1456/history/20200226/1245Z/KEWR/MYNN The remains of the device (Photo: Airport DAB): http://avherald.com/h?article=4d3d2557&opt=0 Back to Top Back to Top Airbus A321-231 (WL) - Loss of both nose gear wheels on landing (Turkey) Date: 27-FEB-2020 Time: 12:26 LT Type: Airbus A321-231 (WL) Owner/operator: Türk Hava Yolları - Turkish Airlines Registration: TC-JSH C/n / msn: 5546 Fatalities: Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 153 Other fatalities: 0 Aircraft damage: Minor Location: Istanbul Airport (IST/LTFM) - Turkey Phase: Landing Nature: International Scheduled Passenger Departure airport: Frankfurt International Airport (FRA/EDDF) Destination airport: Istanbul Airport (IST/LTFM) Narrative: Turkish Airlines flight TK1598, an Airbus A321-231, suffered the loss of both nose landing gear wheels after landing on runway 16R at Istanbul Airport, Turkey. No injuries were reported among the 146 passengers and 7 crew members. Weather reported six minutes before landing (0920Z) showed the wind at runway 16R was 210° at 28 knots, gusting to 41 knots. https://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/233268 Back to Top Korean Air flight attendant with coronavirus reportedly serviced 400-seat aircraft that flew between South Korea and US twice A Korean Air employee. • The Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed the Korean Air flight infected with coronavirus serviced a flight to Israel with 31 reported cases of the virus. • The South Korean passengers onboard the flight were returned to South Korea, with the flight attendant reportedly servicing additional flights after returning. • South Korean media is reporting that the flight attendant worked flights between Seoul and Los Angeles, a popular route for the airline. The South Korean Center for Disease Control and Prevention has confirmed that the Korean Air flight attendant diagnosed with coronavirus was onboard a flight from Seoul to Tel Aviv where 31 cases of the virus were reported. The flight was operated on February 15 with around 200 passengers onboard, the Times of Israel reported. Though Korean Air has not released the flight attendant's full routing since contracting the virus, it's believed that the employee worked additional flights to and from Seoul in the days following the flight to Israel, according to South Korean news outlets, including flights between South Korea and the US. As reported cases of the virus began to rise in South Korea, multiple Asian nations began restricting entry on visitors from the country, Israel included. South Koreans traveling on the flight to Israel's second most populous city were denied entry to the country, returning home on the same aircraft, according to the New York Times. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a travel warning for South Korea on Monday, advising against non-essential travel. Korean Air Boeing 777 The flight attendant serviced KE957, Korean Air's only scheduled service from Seoul to Tel Aviv, on February 15. As Israel's primary airport, Ben Gurion International Airport serves as the main airports for both Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, as well as most cities in the northern half of the country, with most visitors to Israel passing through the airport. The flight was operated by a Boeing 777-200, according to FlightAware data, which seat over 200 passengers. The Times of Israel reported that around 200 South Koreans were on board the flight, with over 30 being diagnosed with the virus, according to the South Korea Center for Disease Control. After returning to Seoul, the Los Angeles Times reported that the flight attendant may have operated two additional flights between the South Korean capital and Los Angeles. The flights that were serviced by the flight attendant, KE17 and KE12, reportedly took place on February 19 and 20, respectively, with a one-night layover in Los Angeles, the LA Times reported. Korean Air operates multiple daily flights between Seoul and Los Angeles with some of its largest aircraft including the Airbus A380 and a Boeing 747-8i. The flights that the flight attendant reportedly worked were operated by the Airbus A380, the world's largest passenger jet seating over 400 passengers in Korean Air's configuration. https://www.yahoo.com/news/korean-air-flight-attendant-coronavirus-010558635.html Back to Top FAA extends security warnings for Kenya and Mali airspaces 27 February 2020 The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued two new Notams, extending the security warnings for the Kenya and Mali airspaces by another year. https://news.aviation-safety.net/2020/02/27/faa-extends-security-warnings-for-kenya-and-mali-airspaces/ Back to Top NovaJet Aviation Group achieves IS-BAO Stage 3 Accreditation and Maintains ARG/US Platinum Safety Rating TORONTO , Feb. 27, 2020 /CNW/ - NovaJet Aviation Group, a Private Jet Charter & Aircraft Management company headquartered at Toronto Pearson International Airport, is proud to announce it has been awarded The International Standard for Business Aircraft Operators (IS-BAO) Stage 3 Accreditation for achieving the highest levels of safety and professionalism. NovaJet Aviation Group (CNW Group/NovaJet Aviation Group) In addition to progressing to the most advanced level for IS-BAO; widely considered the gold standard for business aviation around the world, NovaJet Aviation Group continues to maintain an ARG/US Platinum Safety Registration. To hold two milestones from the primary certification systems is very rare in an industry that demands the highest safety standards. Greg Young , Vice President & Director of Flight Operations, commented, "We are proud of this recognition, and are committed to maintaining these accreditations through total compliance, transparency and teamwork. We integrate safety into every aspect of our corporate culture and rigorously communicate the value of safety to our employees and customers." IS-BAO builds upon and promotes the highest professional operational standards The IS-BAO is an industry code of best practices designed for the global aviation community to enhance operational safety. NovaJet Aviation Group actively participates in setting the benchmark for safety and efficiency to promote high quality operating practices raising the confidence of regulators and our public stakeholders. IS-BAO Stage 3 is the most advanced level and is only awarded when safety management systems have become a fully engrained aspect of a company's culture, and when a positive culture of safety management has been sustained over time. In order to become and maintain IS-BAO certification, an operator must undergo regular audits every two to three years. While the audits are not required, taking part in this process is the cornerstone to adhering to the strict, global safety guidelines and shows a commitment to excellence. A lengthy list of aviation operations and maintenance practices are subject to deep scrutiny, covering everything from: Organization and Personnel, Training and Proficiency, Flight Operations, Maintenance Requirements and Environmental Management. NovaJet Aviation Group has maintained the highest ARG/US Safety Accreditation since 2011 NovaJet Aviation Group has once again achieved an AR/GUS Platinum Safety rating, the highest possible rating available. The ARG/US Rating is well known worldwide as a standard of excellence. Private jet charter passengers can feel confident knowing that their safety is the aircraft operator's top priority. NovaJet Aviation Group is proud to have a cohesive and energetic team relentlessly focused on quality processes and operations, and our commitment to this process is indicative of our dedication and passion to maintaining a safe and professional operation. About NovaJet Aviation Group Headquartered in Toronto , with additional offices in Windsor , Saint John , Halifax , Gander , St. John's and Fort Lauderdale , NovaJet Aviation Group offers full-service aircraft charter, aircraft management and acquisition services to domestic and international organizations. NovaJet's Aircraft Charter services are available 24/7, offering Light, Medium and Heavy Jets. https://finance.yahoo.com/news/novajet-aviation-group-achieves-bao-111500306.html Back to Top Study by Stirling University reveals how safe cabin air really is The air passengers and crew breathe on most jet airliners is what is called 'bleed air' which is piped into the cabin unfiltered A RESEARCHER at a Scots university has lifted the lid on "fume events" on commercial aircraft, where oil leaks into the engine compressor, the source of cabin breathing air in the vast majority of modern aircraft. Dr Susan Michaelis - a former airline pilot in Australia - started as a visiting researcher at Stirling University's Occupational and Environmental Health Research Group after she was medically retired following exposure to the toxic air. She said the air passengers and crew breathe on most jet airliners, except the B787 Dreamliner, is what is called "bleed air", which is taken from the flow entering the engine and piped into the cabin unfiltered. It can then lead to a condition known as aerotoxic syndrome. Michaelis said her research has shown it can become contaminated by engine oil containing chemicals called organophosphates, which leaks at low levels in all flights when pressurised air from the engine is used to seal the engine oil system and bearing chambers. Her research is backed by a documentary, Everybody Flies, by former Concorde captain Tristan Loraine, to be screened at Glasgow's Everyman Cinema on March 9. Michaelis told The National her problems started when she was flying in Australia: "I was flying from the mid-1980s on the BAe 146 out of Canberra and I immediately smelled oil. "It was so regular on changing power and air supply and they told me that I'd get better as soon as I was out of that environment. "I was the first officer so I knew what I was doing and I would get sick short-term, then go out into the fresh air or settle down with the crew and I was fine. "After two-and-a-half-years I could no longer do the job because it was getting worse and worse ... not realising I wouldn't get better after that day, 23 years ago." She added: "I wanted answers because I'd worked hard for my flying licence and so on and I needed answers." Her search took Michaelis, who has 5000 hours of flying time under her belt, to the University of New South Wales and then to Stirling. Along the way she has qualified as an air accident investigator, published many papers on fume events, as well as giving presentations around the world. Michaelis said that based on research, in terms of clean cabin air supply, standards and compliance guidance are "inadequate" and she has made a series of recommendations, including a specialist task group. The industry has said there is no evidence that fume events cause lasting harm. However, the union Unite is behind 10 cases which are heading to court later this year. In a statement, the Civil Aviation Authority said: "The overall conclusion of independent studies and evidence reviews is that there is no positive evidence of a link between exposure to contaminants in cabin air and possible acute and long-term health effects, although such a link cannot be excluded." https://www.thenational.scot/news/18264166.study-dr-susan-michaelis-reveals-safe-cabin-air-really/ Back to Top Proposed US legislation aims to restore faith in aircraft certification US senators have introduced a bill to Congress intended to reinforce safety and oversight, particularly with regards to certification, in the aftermath of the Boeing 737 Max grounding crisis. The proposed legislation, titled the Restoring Aviation Accountability act, has been submitted by Democratic senators Richard Blumenthal, Tom Udall and Edward Markey - all members of a Senate transportation committee. Udall says the measure will reverse provisions which have allowed "self-certification" in the aviation industry, addressing a "substantial weakness" in the US FAA certification process. He says the bill has support from the US Air Line Pilots Association, the Association of Flight Attendants, and other industry groups. Part of the proposal specifically requires implementation of recommendations from a joint technical review of the 737 Max flight-control system. But it would demand, more broadly, establishment of a commission to review the FAA safety delegation programme, to evaluate whether alternative certification schemes would provide more robust oversight. "The American people expect the FAA to be tough, independent and uncompromising when it comes to their safety," Udall says. "This new bill would restore integrity in the FAA's certification process while restoring the flying public's faith in American aviation." The bill states that an independent type certificate review panel would also be set up, comprising 18 members - among them four FAA safety inspectors and three pilots responsible for airline training standards, plus maintenance, crew and manufacturer representatives. US-built aircraft would be prohibited from being sold to foreign airlines unless the state concerned is compliant with ICAO standards, as determined by international safety assessment programmes. The FAA would require manufacturers to submit information as to whether aircraft are being sold to domestic or foreign operators, including the potential need for additional training materials - including those for operations, maintenance, and simulation. Granting of exemptions for use of non-motion training devices to replace full-motion simulators for validation and qualification would be prohibited, the bill adds. It also introduces additional "whistleblower" protection. "This bill is a safety-first measure that makes a number of improvements in the aviation system, including aircraft certification, delegated authority and the oversight of the FAA's certification process," says Air Line Pilots Association, International, president Joe DePete. Association of Flight Attendants-CWA international president Sara Nelson adds that the type certification process "needs serious correction", stating: "It is critical to establish a commission to recommend a transition from the [organisation designation authorisation] programme." https://www.flightglobal.com/air-transport/proposed-us-legislation-aims-to-restore-faith-in-aircraft-certification/136965.article Back to Top FAA proposes 737NG flight control software inspections and updates The Federal Aviation Administration intends to require airlines inspect flight control computers on more than 500 737NGs to address risks that aircraft might drift below the glideslope during landing. A proposed rule released 26 February targets aircraft with flight control computers equipped with "operational programme software" versions "P8.0" and "P9.0". Affected flight control computers are made by Rockwell Collins, now Collins Aerospace. Boeing has already released a software update to address the issue, and the FAA's order, if finalised, would give airlines one year to make the updates. "The FAA has received reports that during autopilot-coupled instrument landing system approaches, the airplane did not capture or track the glideslope correctly," says the proposed rule. "This caused airplanes to continue descending below the glideslope without any fault indication from the autopilot system." Those instances occurred with autopilot engaged as the aircraft descended to capture the glideslope at a rate greater than 2,000ft/min (609m/sec), and with "late arming" of the aircraft's approach mode. "The high descent rate is maintained by the autopilot and can result in the airplane descending below the glideslope beam, which requires the flight crew to correct the problem manually," the FAA says. That condition "can result in controlled flight into terrain on airplanes that do not have the upgraded" software, the FAA adds. The FAA says the order would affect 520 US-registered aircraft, though it does not specify how many of those aircraft would need updates. Boeing has told the FAA that the cost of updates may be covered under aircraft warranties. Neither Boeing nor Collins immediately responded to requests for comment. https://www.flightglobal.com/safety/faa-proposes-737ng-flight-control-software-inspections-and-updates/136951.article Back to Top IFALPA Postpones Singapore Conference MONTREAL--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The World Health Organisation (WHO) has called the outbreak of the COVID-19 virus a "global health emergency". The International Federation of Air Line Pilots' Associations (IFALPA) has been closely monitoring the development of the outbreak in Asia in consideration of the Annual IFALPA Conference to be held in Singapore at the beginning of April. The IFALPA Executive Board has thoroughly assessed the situation, considering the latest information from the WHO, the Ministry of Health Singapore (MOH), and several other sources. In consultation with ALPA-Singapore, we have made the decision to abstain from holding this year's IFALPA Annual Conference in Singapore as earlier planned, out of caution for our Conference participants. Instead, in 2020, IFALPA will hold a Special Conference in Amsterdam, which will be shortened to two days, concentrating Conference business on the constitutional requirements, pending decisions, and elections. The IFALPA Annual Conference in Singapore will now be held in 2022. IFALPA extends sincere appreciation and thanks to ALPA-Singapore and the Singapore authorities for their strong support in planning the Conference. We are confident that the aviation industry will overcome the challenges from COVID-19 and look forward to Singapore hosting the global community of pilot associations leadership in 2022. For information please contact Emily Bitting, IFALPA Senior Communications Specialist, emilybitting@ifalpa.org, +1 514 419 1191 ext. 228 Note to Editors: The International Federation of Air Line Pilots' Associations represents more than 100,000 pilots in nearly 100 countries around the globe. The mission of IFALPA is to promote the highest level of aviation safety worldwide and to be the global advocate of the piloting profession; providing representation, services and support to both our members https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200226005701/en/IFALPA-Postpones-Singapore-Conference Back to Top Judge rejects Britain's Heathrow Airport expansion plan LONDON (Reuters) - The expansion of Heathrow Airport was declared unlawful by an appeal court judge on Thursday, a major setback for the $18 billion project that could prompt the British government to pull its support for a third runway. The new runway was approved by the government in 2018, but British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has previously opposed expanding Heathrow, Britain and Europe's busiest airport. During last year's election campaign, Johnson said he would have to find some way of honoring an old promise to lie down in front of bulldozers at Heathrow to halt the expansion plans. The judge said on Thursday that the government had not sought permission to appeal the ruling in the supreme court, meaning that it will now have to rework the policy if it wants it to go ahead. Heathrow Airport said, however, that it would be appeal to the Supreme Court, and that recent commitments made by the aviation industry on meeting carbon commitments by 2050 were in with the Paris Agreement. In his ruling, the judge said that in its current form the government's policy was unlawful as it failed to take into account climate change commitments made by the government when it signed up to the Paris Agreement in 2015. "The government when it published the ANPS (Airports National Policy Statement) had not taken into account its own firm policy commitments on climate change under the Paris agreement. That, in our view, is legally fatal to the ANPS in its present form," said judge Keith Lindblom. Thursday's ruling was a victory for environmental campaigners such as Friends of the Earth and Greenpeace, and local authorities who oppose the expansion. Heathrow Airport, which is owned by Ferrovial (FER.MC), Qatar Investment Authority and China Investment Corp, argues that Britain's exit from the European Union, makes a new runway critical to ensuring that the UK can continue to increase trade with the rest of the world. The airport's two runways are operating at full capacity meaning that it cannot add new flights to drive exports and trade links. In two years, Heathrow be overtaken as the busiest airport in Europe by Paris, whose Charles de Gaulle hub has four runways. Under the 14 billion pound ($18.2 billion) plan , Heathrow's new runway would open in 2028. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-britain-heathrow-ruling/judge-rejects-britains-heathrow-airport-expansion-plan-idUSKCN20L1BT Back to Top Cape Air's new plane takes flight HYANNIS - After years of development, Cape Air's new airplane, the Tecnam P2012 Traveller, took to the skies over the weekend for its first commercial flight. While the occasion was a big one for the Hyannis-based airline, Saturday's inaugural flight from Barnstable Municipal Airport to Nantucket was just minutes long. "We did it on a quiet Saturday morning, but it's a big deal, clearly, at Cape Air, having been operating pretty much the same airplane for 30 years," said Daniel Wolf, the airline's CEO. "It's just huge for all of us." The plane that Cape Air has been flying for decades is the Cessna 402, a slightly smaller, less powerful plane that holds one less person. Don't expect them to disappear anytime soon though. The Cessnas will be used for years to come while the nine-seat Tecnams are phased in. "It's just a much nicer experience for the customer, not that the existing airplane isn't a good experience, but this is just taking it to the next level," Wolf said in a phone interview on Tuesday, still audibly excited over the first ride. Cape Air conducted a worldwide search for a company to build them the new planes, going to eastern Europe, China and France. No U.S. companies responded to the request. The airline landed on Tecnam, a southern Italy-based company that has been building them for the past seven years. There's now five on the ground in Hyannis. Cape Air's plan is to have 20 by the end of the year and acquire 10 to 15 more a year for the next five years. One of the reasons the search took so long was that a lot of smaller airlines are moving to single-engine airplanes. "We really wanted a twin-engine airplane," Wolf said. "A lot of our competitors, or a lot of the airplanes that are out there doing service to small communities, are currently using single-engine airplanes. The reason it's taken a while is we really held the line on wanting to have two engines." Twin-engine planes add redundancy, he said. On the rare occasion that something goes wrong with an engine, the plane can still run on the other one. With a handful of Tecnams on Cape and ready for service, Cape Air is working to get all of its pilots trained on them. There are some differences with fueling, ground handling and baggage compartments, Wolf said. The CEO was aboard the maiden commercial flight, as was Cape Air President Linda Markham, the company's two chief pilots and the two pilots flying the plane. "It was important to us that as we prepare to launch our new fleet across the Cape Air network, we tested our first commuter service in our very own backyard," Markham said. There also was a Nantucket man on board who was looking to get back to the island. "He showed up in the airport, it was a 7 a.m. departure from Hyannis to Nantucket, and he showed up at the airport for just a regular flight. I think he's a resident on Nantucket - little did he know he was going to be making aviation history," Wolf said. As the Tecnams are integrated across Cape Air's routes, the 402s will be phased into charter service, a new wing for the business. https://www.capecodtimes.com/news/20200227/cape-airs-new-plane-takes-flight Back to Top Bombardier's Challenger 350 Aircraft Earns Top Spot as the World's Most Delivered Super Mid-size Business Jet for the Sixth Consecutive Year Bombardier's leading Challenger 350 business jet has extended its impressive market performance as the world's most delivered business jet in the super mid-size segment for the last six years. The Challenger 350 aircraft outpaced its competition in 2019, with 56 deliveries and a 44-per-cent share of the super mid-size segment. The award-winning aircraft has consistently ranked as the top-selling aircraft in the super mid-size segment since it entered into service in 2014. "The Challenger 350 aircraft offers customers the complete package - superior comfort, performance, reliability and value, all in a single business jet. This unbeatable combination is why, year after year, the Challenger 350 business jet continues to top the rankings as the world's most delivered super mid-size business aircraft and why it remains the preferred choice of flight departments, individuals and charter operators around the world," said Peter Likoray, Senior Vice President, Worldwide Sales and Marketing, Bombardier Business Aircraft. "It's a proud record that underscores Bombardier's commitment to building the most comfortable, best-performing aircraft on the market." The Challenger 350 jet boasts class-defining performance, a true seats-full, tanks-full range capability and can connect New York City to London.* Several enhancements have made a great aircraft even greater, including an available compact Head-up Display (HUD) and Enhanced Vision System (EVS), class-leading cabin sound-proofing technology and refined cockpit aesthetics. A performance improvement package also allows the aircraft to fly up to 1,500 NM farther out of short runways, complementing its already impressive steep-approach capability. This latest success builds upon a tradition of outstanding market leadership for the Challenger 300 aircraft family platform. For more than a decade, the Challenger 300 series aircraft have accounted for more deliveries than any other business jet platform in the super mid-size segment, with almost 800 unit deliveries worldwide since 2004. In 2019, Robb Report Magazine recognized the Challenger 350 business jet as the Best of the Best super mid-size aircraft for the second year in a row. As the only super mid-size aircraft that can fly full range at full fuel with full seat capacity, the Challenger 350 aircraft offers the luxury of having it all. With its signature smooth ride, exceptional cabin and the lowest operating costs in its class, the Challenger 350 business is in high demand. Its stylish and spacious cabin accommodates up to 10 passengers, features a fully-equipped galley, and unrestricted access to the baggage compartment in flight, while recently enhanced sound-proofing technology further establishes the cabin as the quietest in its class. https://www.aviationpros.com/aircraft/business-general-aviation/press-release/21127296/bombardier-aerospace-bombardiers-challenger-350-aircraft-earns-top-spot-as-the-worlds-most-delivered-super-midsize-business-jet-for-the-sixth-consecutive-year Back to Top Lufthansa Grounds Aircraft and Freezes Hiring on Virus Effect Lufthansa is offering employees unpaid leave and deferring the hiring of new flight attendants and station personnel-even though they already started training-as part of a package of measures to limit the economic effect of the coronavirus outbreak "at an early stage." In a statement released on Wednesday, Europe's largest airline by revenue said that it will reassess, suspend, or defer all new planned hires to a later date. It plans to suspend flight attendant and station personnel training courses starting in April and continues to consider options to expand part-time work. In administrative areas, it added, the core Lufthansa brand will reduce its project volume by 10 percent and the budget for material costs by 20 percent. Lufthansa Group disclosed it already has grounded the equivalent of 13 long-haul aircraft across Lufthansa, Swiss, and Austrian Airlines as it canceled all services to and from mainland China through March 28 and reduced capacity to Hong Kong. The company said it plans additional frequency adjustments between Hong Kong and Frankfurt, Munich, and Zurich. The German airline group contended it is too early to estimate the earnings effect of the coronavirus outbreak, though it will comment on the matter when it releases 2019 financial results on March 19. https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/air-transport/2020-02-26/lufthansa-grounds-aircraft-and-freezes-hiring-virus-effect Back to Top Coronavirus And Service Cuts By Big Airlines Are Inflating Demand For Private Jet Charters After Year Of Strong Sales Despite years of environmentally-driven criticism bordering at times on out-right mockery, the world's makers of private jets delivered more new planes last year than in any year since 2009, and 15% more than in 2018. And now growing concerns around the world about the spread of coronavirus and the resulting dramatic reduction of international airline service in some big markets like China are combining to drive up demand to charter corporate jets. Indeed, demand currently is especially strong for mid-size, large, very large and ridiculously large corporate jets with really long legs, i.e. those capable of flying at least 7,000 miles unrefueled. Paris Air show takes off The G650 is the best-selling large business jet of recent years. Recent reports say that demand for private flights between Hong Kong and both Australia and the United States have more than tripled in January as word spread about the flu-like virus officially named COVID-19. Meanwhile, though air travel to and from Hong Kong has not be shut down, as it has been in certain regions of mainland China, there are only about half as many flights a day to and from Hong Kong now than there were before COVID-19's appearance. The number of flights in January between Hong Kong and both Australia and the United States were up 214%. And private flights between Hong Kong and all other destinations were up 34% from January 2018. The International Air Transport Association last week said it expects the coronavirus outbreak will cost airlines around the world a combined $30 billion this year as they chop huge chunks of capacity from their international schedules. And the total negative impact on global airline revenues could grow worse if the COVID-19 outbreak proves to be even more long-lived, infectious, deadly and/or rapidly spreading than currently expected. IATA said most of the revenue hit will be felt by airlines with principal operations in the Asia-Pacific region, where it currently expects a 13% percent drop in demand for all of 2020. That would be the first drop in commercial air travel demand in that region since 2008, when the global economic decline had its biggest impact. Hong Kong, a former independent British protectorate, is not subject to all the strict local/domestic/international travel, work and public gathering restrictions imposed by the Chinese government on much of mainland China. Still, commercial air service to the dynamically capitalist island has been cut nearly 50% since this time a year ago, thanks to the one-two punch of the coronavirus outbreak began and the political protest movement against efforts by China's communist government to tighten up on the freedoms uniquely enjoyed by Hong Kong citizens. As a result, many Hong Kong residents have hired corporate jets to get out of the area, at least temporarily. And many foreign corporations also have moved to evacuate some or all of their employees and their families for the time being. Though, in all likelihood the COVID-19 threat will be gone long before any new private jets ordered today could ever be delivered, the recent events still show how useful private planes can be when commercial aviation options are reduced or eliminated in response to geopolitical - or, as in this case, health - emergencies. Thus, the global threat of the coronavirus' spread is being viewed as catalyst for additional private jet sales. Last year ranked as the fourth-best year ever for the private jet sector, at least in terms of aircraft delivered. The top sales year was 2008, when 1,317 private jets were delivered, followed by 2007 (1,137) and 2009 (874). Total sales value data has not yet been compiled but 2019 almost certainly was a record-setter in that regard, given the roughly 50% rise in private jet prices since those peak sales volume years more than a decade ago and the 106-plane increase in sales volume over 2018. Collectively they build everything from the tiny, 3,600-pound Cirrus SF-50 Vision Jet, that sells for around $1.9 million, to the giant, 1 million-plus pound Boeing 747-9 Business Jet that costs $367 million per copy before the purchaser drops another $25 million to $50 million for a personalized interior. The corporate jets delivered in 2019 represent between 15% and 18% of all corporate jets currently use around the world. Definitive numbers are not available but it's generally believed that there were more than 4,600 private jets in service going into 2019. It is not known how many older corporate jets were retired in 2019 but it is clear that the global fleet has seen net increases over the past five years. In 2017 Jetcraft, a broker of new and used jets for sale, forecast that more than 8,300 new jets would be delivered to the private aviation market through 2027. More recently aircraft parts and avionics maker Honeywell forecast 7,700 planes will be delivered to the private market between 2019 and 2028. Cessna, a unit of Textron that makes what is arguably the most popular line of small and mid-size private jets sold under the Citation name, is expected to remain the sales volume leader over the next decade. Bombardier, the Canadian company that earlier this month sold its last remaining interest in its commercial airliner division to Europe's Airbus SE and its rail car and engine maker division to France's Alstom, is expected to retain second-place in the private jet sales volume race via its large to extra large cabin Global Express line of corporate jets. Gulfstream, a unit of General Dynamics, is projected to remain at the top of the sales value competition over the next decade because of the popularity and the passenger capacity and range capabilities of its large cabin and top-priced G series of jets. And France's Dassault, maker of the Falcon jet line of larger, longer-range private jets, is likely to continue in hot competition with Gulfstream and Bombardier in the fast-growing upper end of the private jet market. Other, mostly newer competitors meanwhile are slugging it out with Textron's Cessna Citation family of jets lead the mid-size marke. While makers of smaller business jets include Switzerland's Pilatus, Japan's Honda Jet, and Minnesota-based Cirrus. Though it is best known for making a small, turbocharged piston engine plane, the SR22, that was the first to include a parachute that can bring the entire plane safely to the ground should it lose power, Cirrus several years ago entered the low end of the private jet market with a four-seat, single engine jet called the Vision Jet. It too is equipped with an all-plane parachute system plus the ability to land itself in an emergency that does not require the use of its parachute system. At the other end of the private jet world are Boeing and Airbus, the two biggest airplane makers in the world and the principle providers of airliners. Airbus currently markets corporate or VIP versions of its A320neo family of single-aisle jets popular with airlines around the world. Boeing, this nation's largest exporter, now markets eight different private market versions of its airliners through its Boing Business Jet or BBJ unit. They include the huge 747-8, two different versions of the 777, two different versions of the 787 and three versions of the 737 MAX. All three versions of the BBJ 737 MAX, however, have been grounded for nearly a year along with all the commercial 737 MAX versions. That grounding, the result of flight control system and pilot training issues that played roles in the deadly crashes of two 737 MAX airliners, is expected to continue at least into this summer. https://www.forbes.com/sites/danielreed/2020/02/27/coronavirus--service-cuts-by-big-airlines-are-pushing-private-jets-to-near-record-sales-despite-environmentalists-efforts/#20ec13a2a281 Back to Top 20 space industry predictions for 2020 In 2019, the U.S. Space Force was formally established, NASA received a 2024 deadline for returning Americans to the moon, and private companies the world over raised billions of dollars for everything from rockets to antennas. This year shows no signs of a let up in space-sector momentum. Here are 20 predictions for 2020 as seen by SpaceNews reporters and correspondents. VSS Unity is the first suborbital spaceplane in Virgin Galactic's growing fleet of spaceplanes. Credit: Virgin Galactic 1. Suborbital space tourism finally arrives After years of delays, the two leading companies in suborbital human spaceflight may finally enter commercial operations. Virgin Galactic plans to move VSS Unity, its SpaceShipTwo suborbital spaceplane, to Spaceport America in New Mexico early in the year for a final series of test flights. The company, which became publicly traded in October, said in filings it expects to begin tourism flights by June. Blue Origin said in early 2019 it expected to start crewed test flights of its New Shepard suborbital vehicle by the end of the year, but executives later said it wanted to perform a few more test flights without people on board first. The company has yet to disclose details regarding when people will start flying commercially on the vehicle, and for what price. ESA's ExoMars rover will join an orbiter launched in 2016 on a mission to search for evidence of past life on Mars. Credit: ESA 2. A flotilla of Mars missions takes off As many as four Mars missions are scheduled to launch this year. The most ambitious mission is NASA's Mars 2020 rover, which will collect samples for return to Earth on a pair of missions in the latter half of the 2020s in cooperation with ESA. The biggest questions, though, surround ESA's own ExoMars 2020 mission, which has suffered problems with its parachutes. A key set of tests early in the year will determine if the mission can launch on a Russian Proton rocket this summer or if it will have to wait until 2022. China is planning its first Mars mission that will include an orbiter as well as a lander and rover. The United Arab Emirates will launch its first planetary mission, a Mars orbiter called Hope, on a Japanese H-2A rocket. Assuming they launch on schedule, all the spacecraft will reach Mars in early 2021. 3. Angara 5 returns After a five-year gap, Russia's Angara 5 rocket is scheduled to resume flights in 2020. Russia launched the first and so far only Angara 5 mission in December 2014 from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome. ILS Chief Technology Officer Jim Kramer said in December that two Angara 5 missions are planned for this year. Both are Russian government missions. Angara 5 is Russia's successor to Proton, the country's flagship heavy lift vehicle. A launchpad for Angara 5 at Russia's new Vostochny Cosmodrome is expected to be ready in 2023. 4. FCC prepares to run public C-band auction The U.S. Federal Communications Commission decided in November to run its own auction of satellite C-band spectrum instead of letting satellite operators handle it. Giulia McHenry, the acting chief of the FCC's Office of Economics and Analytics, said days later that the commission was "confident we can commence this auction before the end of 2020." The FCC has emphasized a desire for speed in transferring 280 megahertz of C-band spectrum for use in 5G cellular networks. How satellite operators currently using American C-band, notably Intelsat, SES, Telesat and Eutelsat, will transition out of the spectrum is not yet clear. 5. Winners get picked for U.S. National Security Space Launch program The big four in the U.S. launch industry - United Launch Alliance, SpaceX, Blue Origin and Northrop Grumman - hope to be one of two providers that will receive five-year contracts later this year to launch national security payloads starting in 2022. ULA, Blue Origin and Northrop Grumman are pitching newly designed vehicles for the competition, all projected to fly for the first time in 2021. "That means we'll be doing final development and production of first-flight hardware in 2020," Col. Robert Bongiovi, director of the Space and Missile Systems Center's launch enterprise, said in December. Northrop Grumman's Mission Extension Vehicle-1 will be the first private attempt at in-orbit satellite servicing. Credit: Northrop Grumman 6. Satellite servicing and debris retrieval missions move forward Spacecraft will demonstrate their ability to move satellites to new orbits and clean up orbital debris. Northrop Grumman's Mission Extension Vehicle-1, launched in October, is scheduled to dock with Intelsat-901 in early 2020 to extend the life of the communications satellite. Also in 2020, Swiss startup ClearSpace plans to begin leading a European consortium focused on capturing a Vespa payload adapter in 2025 and dragging it into Earth's atmosphere. 7. OneWeb and SpaceX begin major constellation deployments The two leading megaconstellation companies project a rapid increase in launches, enough to begin partial service offering internet access from low Earth orbit later this year. OneWeb launched 34 small broadband satellites on a Soyuz rocket in February, kicking off regular launch campaigns as it builds toward an initial constellation of 650 satellites. SpaceX, having conducted five dedicated Starlink launches so far, projects two dozen such launches this year. If each mission carries 60 satellites, SpaceX could have well over 1,000 satellites in orbit by year's end. 8. NRO commercial imagery buys accelerate The U.S. National Reconnaissance Office in 2019 awarded contracts to multiple commercial imagery providers as it seeks to bring new geospatial data suppliers into the national security overhead architecture. NRO officials said 2020 could be a pivotal year as the agency considers awarding larger procurement contracts to commercial players like Planet and BlackSky that are seeking a piece of the market now dominated by Maxar Technologies, which owns DigitalGlobe. 9. SpaceX will more than double its launch pace The Dec. 16 launch of the JCSAT-18/Kacific-1 communications satellite was SpaceX's last mission of 2019, a slower than expected year with 13 launches - 11 fewer than the company had projected. SpaceX President and COO Gwynne Shotwell said the forecast for 2020 is 35 to 38 launches. That includes 15 to 24 Starlink missions as the company grows its broadband constellation. Shotwell told reporters Dec. 6, "you should see a mission every two to three weeks." The Long March 2D is one of China's many launch vehicles. Credit: CGWIC 10. China's launch rate stays high China expects to conduct more than 40 launches this year, including flights of its most powerful rocket, the Long March 5. Missions on China's manifest include launching Beidou navigation satellites, a mission to Mars and a lunar sample return mission. China completed 34 orbital launches last year, and 37 in 2018 - the first year it surpassed the U.S. and Russia in launches. 11. Telesat to choose LEO constellation builder Telesat Canada was planning to pick a manufacturing partner to build some or all of its 300-satellite constellation last year, but that was before a competing team split up. Maxar Technologies and Thales Alenia Space were vying together for the $3 billion contract until late last year, when the two parted ways, citing disagreement over the size, scope and financial metrics of their partnership. Those companies are now competing separately against Airbus Defence and Space to build Telesat LEO, a constellation Telesat hopes to have fully in orbit in 2023. 12. New small launch vehicles enter the market Several companies working on small launch vehicles will likely attempt their first launches in 2020. Virgin Orbit announced in December its first orbital launch attempt was "imminent" and would take place after a final series of tests of its converted Boeing 747 with the LauncherOne rocket attached. Firefly Aerospace will soon begin static-fire tests of the first stage of its Alpha rocket, with a first launch later this year from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. Other companies, like ABL Space Systems, Relativity Space and Stealth Space Company (aka Astra Space) will at least make progress toward a first launch, as the industry awaits a long-anticipated shakeout among the dozens of companies that have announced plans to build small launchers. Firefly is among the companies hoping to conduct a first launch in 2020. Credit: Firefly 13. Data Fusion becomes the norm for Earth observation Electro-optical, synthetic aperture radar and radiofrequency data will be combined with information drawn from airborne and terrestrial sensors as well as social network feeds to create new data products for customers. During the 2010s, companies proved they could capture data with increasing frequency and spatial resolution. Data fusion will be a watchword of the 2020s. 14. Space startups find it harder to raise money Recent space startup failures, including Vector Space Systems, Audacy and LeoSat, will make investors more cautious in their approach to space sector investment in 2020. That is not to say that private capital will dry up. Far from it. Many investors will continue to seek space-related investment. However, companies in some of the overcrowded sectors, like small satellite launch, may find it harder to raise additional funding. 15. Maiden flights of Ariane 6 and Vega C Both of Europe's next-generation launch vehicles, the heavy lift Ariane 6 and lightlift Vega C, are scheduled for first flight in 2020. Arianespace is conducting both missions, Ariane 6 with 30 small broadband satellites for OneWeb, and Vega C with the Italian Space Agency's Lares-2 science mission. Ariane 6 is designed to cost 40% to 50% less than the Ariane 5, and Vega C is designed to lift around 700 kilograms more than Vega to low Earth orbit. Exact launch dates for the new launchers have not yet been announced. 16. Flexible communications satellites reign supreme Satellite manufacturers have used the past few years of slow sales to invest in high-throughput technologies that offer more capacity and the ability to better control where that capacity goes. Manufacturers say the ability to offer "flexible" communications satellites that can adjust the power, shape and position of their beams is now the de facto standard to do business. Airbus, Thales Alenia Space and Boeing all rolled out new flexible satellite lines last year. Satellite operators discussing their future satellite plans now stress the importance of flexibility, as evidenced by Inmarsat's purchase of three OneSat satellites from Airbus last year, and SES's purchase of seven O3b mPower satellites from Boeing in 2018. 17. Artemis makes progress NASA ended 2019 getting most, but not all, of what it asked for in additional funding for the Artemis program to return humans to the moon by 2024. The agency will likely award initial contracts for lunar lander development early in the year, but the funding shortfall that effort received - $600 million versus a request of $1 billion for fiscal year 2020 - could mean fewer companies will win contracts. Other major milestones for Artemis include completion of environmental testing of the Orion spacecraft at NASA's Plum Brook Station in the spring and a "Green Run" static-fire test of the Space Launch System core stage at the Stennis Space Center later in the year. However, a first flight of the SLS, an uncrewed mission called Artemis-1, is unlikely to take place before early 2021. In Washington, NASA is expected to reveal just how much that first phase of the Artemis program, through a 2024 landing, will cost, a figure that could cause sticker shock among some in Congress. 18. Signals intelligence from space takes off Companies planning constellations to detect radiofrequency signals from space all have important launches in 2020. HawkEye 360, which has three satellites in orbit, plans to launch another trio later this year on an Indian Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle. France-based UnseenLabs said in September it anticipates launching six more satellites in 2020 following the successful launch of its first satellite on a Rocket Lab Electron in August. And Luxembourg-based Kleos Space, having last year traded Rocket Lab's Electron for a rideshare on an Indian PSLV, anticipates launching its "Scouting Mission" on the Indian space agency ISRO's next mission with the rocket. NASA intends to use Boeing's CST- 100, above, and SpaceX's Crew Dragon spacecraft once they are ready. 19. Commercial crew test flights take place Both Boeing and SpaceX performed uncrewed test flights of their commercial crew vehicles in 2019, setting the stage for crewed test flights in the coming year. NASA has yet to set dates for either SpaceX's Crew Dragon Demo-2 or Boeing's CST100 Starliner Crew Test Flight missions, although SpaceX CEO Elon Musk suggested in late December his company's flight might take place around the middle of the year, after an inflight abort test in January and final NASA safety reviews. NASA is counting on at least one company being able to enter service this year, but is negotiating with the Russian space agency Roscosmos for additional Soyuz seats, just in case. 20. Commercial alternatives surface to NASA's Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System The increasing human and robotic space activity in low Earth orbit will prompt government agencies and commercial firms to invest in networks to relay communications to and from the ground. In 2020, Solstar Space Co. plans to upgrade transceivers to offer Wi-Fi to people and machines in orbit. Addvalue Innovation, a subsidiary of Addvalue Technologies, plans to expand production and delivery of Inter-satellite Data Relay System terminals, which it developed with satellite fleet operator Inmarsat. In addition, NASA's Space Communications and Navigation program office will work to establish public-private partnerships aimed at creating resilient communications and navigation networks. https://spacenews.com/20-space-industry-predictions-for-2020/ Curt Lewis