March 30, 2020 - No. 023 In This Issue ABARIS TRAINING POOR MAINTENANCE COULD HAVE LED TO FATAL B-17 CRASH Here is where airlines are parking all those grounded planes as travel dries up Assent Aeronautics Announces New Live Online Digital Aircraft Auction, Presented by Jet Aviation Duncan Aviation to Host Webinar on Cabin Disinfection COVID-19 aviation support package will help industry ride out crisis: Analysts Garmin Announces a Virtual Sun 'n Fun and AERO Friedrichshafen Experience with Aviation Webinar Coronavirus stimulus bill: Flight attendant union 'achieved something unheard of in American history AINsight: Pilot's Survival Guide to a Global Pandemic John Menzies lays off 55% of staff as coronavirus hits air travel American Airlines Will Cut Capacity By 80% In May POOR MAINTENANCE COULD HAVE LED TO FATAL B-17 CRASH In October the Nine-O-Nine, a fully restored Boeing B-17G bomber owned and operated by the Collings Foundation, crashed with thirteen people on board. After landing hard and skidding into the de-icing tanks at the Bradley International Airport, all but the tail and port wing of the 74 year old WWII aircraft was destroyed. Seven lives were lost in the accident, including that of Pilot Ernest "Mac" McCauley, who was regarded as one of the most experienced B-17 pilots in the world. While the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigation is still ongoing and hasn't made a final determination as to what ultimately brought down the Nine-O-Nine, enough serious maintenance issues were uncovered while examining the wreckage that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has decided to rescind the Collings Foundation's license to conduct any more paid flights on their remaining WWII aircraft. While many have spoken out in support of these "living history" flights, the FAA says they must be conducted in such a way that they don't hinder the safety of other air traffic. With the vast majority of the B-17's airframe gone, the NTSB investigation has focused on the four 1,200 horsepower Wright R-1820 "Cyclone" engines recovered from the crash site. Investigators found that hastily attempted repairs to engine number 4, which is believed to have failed in-flight, were actually hindering normal operation: Regarding engine 4, to prevent the magneto "P" leads from separating from the magnetos, someone had attempted to rig the magneto leads in place with safety wire. Inspection and testing of engine 4 left magneto revealed the movement of the safety-wired lead caused grounding to the case, which rendered the magneto lead inoperative. Further, all of the spark plugs in the number 3 and 4 engines were found to be fouled and had electrode gaps that were out of tolerance. From an examination of the aircraft's maintenance records, it was also learned that an arcing and burned wire had been replaced without any investigative steps taken to find what caused the failure to begin with. With basic maintenance tasks either not being performed or at least done incorrectly, the FAA has called into question the culture of safety at the Collings Foundation. The paper is careful not to directly accuse the Foundation or any of its staff with outright negligence, but the implication seems clear. The loss of Nine-O-Nine hit especially close to home for Hackaday. Just a month prior to the crash we had the opportunity to tour the aircraft, and came away with a newfound respect for not only those who designed and built the iconic bomber but the brave young men who flew it. Losing such a rare and historically significant aircraft and its crew was already a tragedy, but to find that negligence may be to blame is truly inexcusable. https://hackaday.com/2020/03/28/poor-maintenance-could-have-led-to-fatal-b-17-crash/ Back to Top Here is where airlines are parking all those grounded planes as travel dries up With demand for air travel in a nose dive, U.S. airlines are taking hundreds of commercial planes out of service and parking them in remote desert airports, with the hope that the aircraft will be back in the air shortly. The coronavirus outbreak has pushed so many planes out of service that the business of storing aircraft is taking off, with some remote airports parking more and more planes on seldom-used runways and taxiways. "There is no doubt, we are extremely busy," said Lisa Skeels, director of corporate initiates for ComAv, an aircraft maintenance and storage firm at the Southern California Logistics Airport in Victorville. Because of the steep drop in demand for air travel and flight restrictions to international destinations, Delta and American Airlines, two of the world's largest carriers, have announced plans to ground more than 1,000 planes combined. Southwest Airlines said it parked two dozen 737-700 planes over the weekend. The need to store idle planes is one of several challenges facing the nation's airline industry, which had only recently been reporting record profits and had invested heavily in new routes, spacious new airport lounges and more fuel-efficient planes. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, U.S. airlines have cut capacity by more than 1.4 million seats, or 6% in the last week alone, according to OAG, an airline data company. Some of the nation's busiest airports have become ghost towns, with foot traffic at Los Angeles International Airport dropping 38% in the second week of March compared with the same period a year earlier, according to data analytics company Placer. Some airlines, including low-cost carrier Spirit, are trying to drum up business by offering one-way tickets as low as $18 a seat, plus fees. Major airlines reportedly are drafting plans for a potential shutdown of virtually all passenger flights because of falling demand and coronavirus outbreaks among air traffic control employees, according to the Wall Street Journal, citing anonymous sources. A spokesman for American Airlines said "we do not have any plans to shut down," while a Delta Air Lines representative declined to comment on the Journal story. Big U.S. carriers have announced plans to slash domestic flights by 30% and international flights by 75%, and some of the aircraft serving those routes may never return to service. Airlines are likely to retire their older, less-efficient planes first, according to industry experts. Delta Air Lines has told investors that it was planning to accelerate the retirement of its fleet of McDonnell Douglas MD-88s and MD-90s, which came into service in the 1980s. The biggest aircraft storage operations are in desert facilities in places such as Victorville, Roswell, N.M., and Tucson, where humidity is low and the runways and taxiways are long enough to accommodate any size of commercial plane. Although airport operators say the business of aircraft storage is surging now, they don't expect to reach capacity anytime soon. "We still have a lot of room," said Scott Stark, director of the Roswell International Air Center. The 5,000-acre facility, located about six miles south of the city of Roswell, can accommodate about 800 planes but is currently storing about 275. Stark said the air center has an additional 200-acre paved area, which is normally unused, that can also be used to park planes, as long as the pilots are careful "not to park on the soft spots" in the aging pavement. Tulsa International Airport has been able to close a seldom-used runway to fit about 50 American Airlines planes without impacting regular operations, said Andrew Pierini, marketing director for the airport. The airport has space for many more planes - the exact number depends on the size of the planes - and has reached out to other airlines that may need to ground aircraft, he said. At the Southern California Logistics Airport in Victorville, ComAv, the aircraft maintenance and storage company, operates a 240-acre facility with enough space to store more than 500 planes, plus hangars that can be used to maintain several more. ComAv is now storing about 275 planes and can hold an additional 200 planes, Skeels said. ComAv has been inundated with requests for its aircraft storage services but Skeels said she can't divulge the name of the airlines seeking the services or the number of planes they may want to store. The coronavirus outbreak is only the latest crisis to boost demand for aircraft storage facilities. Hundreds of Boeing 737 Max planes were grounded after the crashes of Indonesian Lion Air Flight 610 in October 2018 and Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 in March 2019. A combined 346 people died in the crashes. Boeing had reported more than 5,000 orders for the plane but delivered fewer than 400 aircraft, most of which have been stored at remote airfields until aviation regulators determine that the plane is safe to fly again. Southwest Airlines has parked more than 30 of its 737 Max planes at the Southern California Logistics Airport. United Airlines has about a dozen 737 Max jets stored at Phoenix Goodyear Airport, west of Phoenix. American Airlines has about two dozen 737 Max planes stored at Tulsa International Airport and at the Roswell International Air Center in New Mexico. Grounding a 130,000-pound plane involves more than just a big stretch of pavement. Aircraft storage facilities typically charge a base rate simply for parking a plane. The biggest expense is the cost of the aircraft services to keep the plane maintained and ready to return to operation. At Tulsa International Airport, the standard parking rate for an aircraft is 40 cents per thousand pounds a day. That means that a Boeing 777-300ER that weighs roughly 370,000 pounds would cost around $150 a day to store. In addition to the cost of parking, a facility may charge maintenance costs that begin at about $2,000 per plane a month, depending on the services required, according to published reports. A commercial passenger plane can't sit indefinitely on a desert tarmac if the airline hopes to quickly return the aircraft to service, said Henry Harteveldt, an airline analyst with Atmosphere Research Group. "It's a lot more involved," he said. "It's a lot more than simply parking your car on a lot when you go on a trip." The amount and type of maintenance that must be done to an idle plane depends on how soon the airline hopes to return the aircraft to operation, Harteveldt said. An aircraft's avionics, hydraulics, electronics and other operating systems must be regularly checked and tested. Maintenance manuals typically spell out how often such services must be performed. If a plane is going to be stored for several months, the aircraft will be put into an "airplane coma", which involves draining or replacing all liquids and sealing the doors and the engines, Harteveldt said. The question for the airline industry is how long to park the unused planes. If the industry expects the coronavirus outbreak to affect travel for several months, then the grounded planes may undergo the more intensive idling process. But if travel demand is expected to return within weeks, the grounded planes can simply get routine maintenance so they can be ready to fly shortly. Harteveldt said he doesn't know how soon grounded planes will fly again. "No one has perfect 20-20 vision into the future," he said. https://journalstar.com/here-is-where-airlines-are-parking-all-those-grounded-planes/article_828b811e-292a-5810-a4d5-897eddee2118.html Back to Top Assent Aeronautics Announces New Live Online Digital Aircraft Auction, Presented by Jet Aviation, on May 14th, 2020 FORT WORTH, Texas, March 30, 2020 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Assent Aeronautics will transition the Live Assent Private Aircraft Auction on April 30th at Jet Aviation, Dallas Love Field, to a new Live Online Digital Aircraft Auction on May 14th, 2020 to remain in lockstep with the recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), federal, state and local regulations, and at the request of aircraft consignors and bidders alike. Jet Aviation, a General Dynamics Company, will be the presenting sponsor of the Inaugural Assent Live Virtual Auction on May14th, and will host both the November 19, 2020 and April 29, 2021 Live Assent Aeronautics Private Auctions at the freshly renovated Jet Aviation, Dallas Love Field Facility. "As the world's first live and lux aircraft auction house, adding a virtual component to our capabilities has certainly been on the drawing board. COVID-19 is a crisis. We are focused on preserving life while still supporting our economy, our clients and our staff in these difficult times, by continuing to be The Market Maker for private aircraft," said Jake Banglesdorf, Vice President of Assent Aeronautics. "Frankly, bidders still want to bid, and sellers still want to sell, so we are accelerating our roll out of the live online bidding platform, so they can shake hands, albeit digitally, through Assent Aeronautics Aircraft Auctions." The catalog for the auction will be released in the coming weeks, and will include Challengers, Citations and Beechcraft King Airs that are exclusively available through Assent, along with other aircraft as well. Assent's December Auction catalog featured slightly over $30MM in Business Aviation Aircraft, and Assent's closing rate exceeds Eighty Percent (80%) for aircraft offered over $1MM. Further Assent's virtual biding technology is powered by the same online bidding software that well-known automobile, real estate and fine art auction houses use in their digital platforms. Bidders will still be verified and approved by Assent. Consignors will not need to reposition their aircraft but will be required to allow for visual inspections and records reviews at their own facilities should a bidder make the request. "Our nation's health and safety are, of course, everyone's primary concern at this difficult time. At Assent, we can assure you, those are our top priorities as we join with others in the industrial complex to lead, innovate and redouble our efforts to keep our economy alive and resilient," said W. Hulsey Smith, President and Chief Executive Officer of Assent Aeronautics. "If we all work together now, together we can come out of this crisis better on the other side." To learn more about Assent Aeronautics please visit our website at http://www.AssentAero.com ABOUT ASSENT AERONAUTICS Assent Aeronautics is a family owned company, founded in 2004 and headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas. Assent Aeronautics' distinct business units include aircraft brokerage, aircraft transaction advisory consulting, aircraft management and aircraft maintenance. Able to trace the company's heritage back to a private family flight department established in the 1940s, Assent Aeronautics has a proven track record of success. After numerous requests from companies and individuals to manage their aircraft, Assent Aeronautics was founded to help aircraft owners and operators maximize dispatch reliability and safety while saving money through more efficient expense forecasting and full-time expert technical supervision. For more information visit http://www.assentaero.com https://www.benzinga.com/pressreleases/20/03/n15692124/assent-aeronautics-announces-new-live-online-digital-aircraft-auction-presented-by-jet-aviation-on Back to Top Duncan Aviation to Host Webinar on Cabin Disinfection Duncan Aviation is excited to announce it will host a webinar on cabin disinfection methods and what the company is doing to ensure the safety and well-being of its team members and customers. April 3, at 2 p.m. CST, join Duncan Aviation Critical Resource Master Specialists Rob Weyant and John Simms, and Aircraft Clean Air Sales Consultant Vince Restivo, as they discuss the aircraft cabin disinfection services available through Duncan Aviation. This free, informative webinar will discuss two very different aircraft disinfection systems. The first will be the disinfectant process for aircraft cabins that Duncan Aviation has developed and implemented for aircraft arrival and departure at its main MRO facilities. The company uses Aeroclave units to mist disinfectant that kills viruses but doesn't harm finishes and avionics throughout an aircraft fuselage. In the next few weeks, this process will be implemented and available for scheduling through the company's avioncis Satellites or at customer locations. The second method to be discussed is the Aviation Clean Air Ionization System, which is not a one-time disinfectant for an aircraft, but a longer-term approach to helping limit the spread of viruses, keeping passengers safe and aircraft flying. This system is installed in an aircraft and provides clean air while continually sanitizing aircraft surfaces throughout flight. https://www.aviationpros.com/aircraft/maintenance-providers/mro/press-release/21131617/duncan-aviation-duncan-aviation-to-host-webinar-on-cabin-disinfection Back to Top COVID-19 aviation support package will help industry ride out crisis: Analysts SINGAPORE: Analysts have welcomed the S$750 million of support set aside by the Government for the aviation sector, noting that it will help the industry recover more quickly from the blow dealt to it by COVID-19. On Thursday (Mar 26), Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat announced a S$48.4 billion package - up to S$17 billion of which will be drawn from past reserves - to protect jobs and support the economy in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak. More than S$750 million will go to schemes aimed at supporting Singapore's aviation sector, which employs more than 190,00 people and contributes more than 5 per cent of the country's gross domestic product (GDP). More than S$400 million of that money will go to a jobs scheme, which will see the Government pay up to 75 per cent of the first S$4,600 of a worker's monthly wages. The other S$350 million will be for an enhanced aviation support package aimed at providing relief to businesses in the aviation sector. This will help retain a minimum level of air connectivity that is "critical to enable overseas Singaporeans to return home and keep our supply lines for essential goods open", Mr Heng said. "With travel demand practically zero, airlines are bleeding," said International Air Transport Association (IATA) spokesman Albert Tjoeng. "The measures announced by the government will be a big help and is appreciated by the industry at this dire time when airlines are struggling for survival," he added. Mr Heng's speech also showed that the Government has a "clear understanding of the strategic role that aviation plays in the success of Singapore's broader economy", Mr Tjoeng added. Independent aviation analyst Brendan Sobie said the schemes will help the aviation sector to recover more quickly. "The job support scheme should enable the SIA Group, Jetstar Asia and other types of companies in Singapore's aviation industry such as handling companies, catering companies and others, to maintain headcount, ensuring flying can quickly recover to pre-crisis levels when demand returns," said the former chief analyst for the CAPA - Centre for Aviation. "This is important as a quick recovery in air transport will help support a quick recovery for tourism and other industries as well as the overall economy." However Jochen Wirtz, vice dean of graduate studies at the National University of Singapore Business School, said demand for flights may decline in the future. More firms may choose to use video conferencing for meetings instead - as they do now because of the COVID-19 pandemic - rather than shell out for business trips, he said. "We laud the support measures for the aviation sector - which have been offered, in particular, to airlines, airport and ground handling operators," said Association of Aerospace Industries Singapore (AAIS) chief executive Sia Kheng Yok, noting that such measures will help maintain Singapore's capabilities as an air hub. "Given the strong link and interdependence between aviation and aerospace, we hope that the Government will also consider extending additional support to our sector as well," he added. Noting the aerospace industry in Singapore employs about 21,000 people and commands 10 per cent of the global aerospace market, Mr Sia said airlines rely on aerospace companies and maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) services to keep their aircraft flying. "Though the immediate outlook is uncertain, we must ensure that our industry retains its capabilities and talent to provide critical support for the aviation sector once air travel recovers," he said, adding that AAIS has formed its own COVID-19 taskforce to support the aerospace sector through this crisis. SINGAPORE AIRLINES NOW IN "STRONG LONG-TERM POSITION" Airlines have been badly hit following the imposition of travel restrictions by numerous countries to stem the spread of the pandemic, with IATA projecting US$252 billion in lost revenues as a result. National carrier Singapore Airlines (SIA) is among the many companies that have suffered, having cut 96 per cent of its capacity and grounded 138 planes from its fleet of 147. Budget carrier Scoot, which is under the Singapore Airlines Group, has also suspended flights to 49 destinations and grounded 47 of its 49 aeroplanes. After having requested a halt to trading on Thursday (Mar 26), SIA announced plans to raise up to S$15 billion from existing investors through the sale of shares and convertible bonds. The effort is underwritten by the airline's biggest investor, Temasek Holdings, which owns about 55 per cent of the group. "This amount of money they're raising is staggering. It's a lot," said Professor Wirtz, who has co-authored two books on SIA. Noting that the SIA Group recorded revenue of S$16.3 billion in the last financial year, he suggested that the national carrier aim to not just survive the current crisis but come out stronger. "Following the Government support package and Temasek equity announcements, the SIA Group is now in a very strong long-term position relative to the overall Asian airline industry," said Mr Sobie. While other countries may be pressured to offer similar packages for their airlines, not all governments or government-linked investment firms would be able to offer such a level of support, he added. SIA may be able to take advantage of opportunities that arise from this crisis by acquiring other airlines or accelerating expansion in Singapore, or both, he said. "Singapore could emerge as an even stronger hub over the long term, helping justify the massive investments in additional capacity at Changi," he noted. However, Shukor Yusof, the founder of aviation consultancy Endau Analytics, suggested the amount SIA hopes to raise means it may be expecting a long-term downturn. "The amount to be raised is impressive at first glance but it reinforces the gravity of the situation and the length of time SIA may have to endure before the market stabilises," he said. Mr Sobie said it is difficult to gauge how long the current crisis will last for the aviation sector. "While there may be a partial recovery in the second half of this year, it could be a year or even longer before there is a full recovery," he said. "However, SIA is now in a very enviable position to be able to wait until the international market recovers, whenever that is." https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/covid-19-aviation-support-package-will-help-industry-ride-out-12583134 Back to Top Garmin Announces a Virtual Sun 'n Fun and AERO Friedrichshafen Experience with Aviation Webinar Series Garmin is pleased to announce it is hosting a series of aviation webinars next week. With the cancellation of several marquee aviation events, Garmin is bringing an educational line-up of webinars to its customers. Ranging from an overview of its latest products, such as the GI 275 and GTN Xi series, to cost-effective autopilot upgrades, these free webinars offer pilots and customers a broad overview of the latest Garmin has to offer, while also providing a general operational overview of its vast product line. Garmin aviation webinars are scheduled in Central European Summer Time (CEST) or Central Time (CT) to accommodate customers' schedules around the world. Select webinars are presented in German. Depending on their time zone, customers can sign-up for a variety of webinars via either link below: www.Garmin.com/SNF2020 www.Garmin.com/AERO2020 Aviation Webinar Descriptions: The Latest Products from Garmin: GI 175, GTN Xi and more Check out the latest avionics available from Garmin, including the powerful GI 275 electronic flight instrument and the faster, brighter GTN 650Xi/GTN 750Xi touchscreen navigators. Autopilot Retrofits The GFC 500 and GFC 600 retrofit autopilots offer reduced maintenance, as well as safety-enhancing capabilities such as Garmin Electronic Stability Protection (ESP), underspeed/overspeed protection and coupled approaches. This webinar will focus on the features and benefits of both autopilots. Cost-effective Avionics Upgrades Learn about upgrading an aircraft panel with cost-effective avionics such as the GPS 175, GNC 355 and GNX 375 navigators, G3X Touch and the GFC 500 autopilot. Garmin Services Overview Learn how cost-effective Garmin services, including Pre-Departure Clearances, eAPIS, and international trip support, can simplify international flying. Garmin Avionics for Experimental Aircraft Check out experimental avionics options from Garmin, including the G3X Touch flight display and the G5 electronic flight instrument, GMA 245 audio panels and more. Spring 2020 rebates In addition to a comprehensive webinar line-up, Garmin is offering the same rebates and promotions that it planned to offer at the Spring aviation events. Avionics Rebate Garmin is offering special savings on autopilots, navigators, ADS-B Out transponders, audio panels and more. Customers can attend one of the webinars above to learn more. Eligible purchases must be made between March 30 and April 6. Portables Rebate Customers can take advantage of a $150 rebate on the D2 Delta PX, D2 Delta S and D2 Delta aviation watches, and a $100 rebate on the GDL 50/51/52 series. Eligible purchases must be made between March 30 and May 29. eLearning Promotion Pilots who are looking to stay current while at home can check out Garmin Aviation eLearning courses, which are now 10% off through April 30. These eLearning courses provide a pilot who is new to the subject or product - or an experienced user desiring a refresher - instruction on best practices for operational use. Visit https://fly.garmin.com/fly-garmin/training/ to learn more. For additional information regarding aviation rebates or promotions, visit: Garmin.com/AviationPromos. https://www.aviationpros.com/education-training/trade-associations-events/press-release/21131583/garmin-international-garmin-announces-a-virtual-sun-n-fun-and-aero-friedrichshafen-experience-with-aviation-webinar-series Back to Top Coronavirus stimulus bill: Flight attendant union 'achieved something unheard of in American history' Flight attendants were among those rejoicing at the passage of the $2 trillion government stimulus bill in response to the coronavirus, which has had a major impact on the U.S. economy and businesses across the country. The bill - titled the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) - ensures that even with drastically decreased air traffic amid the pandemic, aviation workers will still get paid. It passed both chambers of Congress and awaits President Trump's signature. "Our union put forward this plan, and we worked with unions representing workers across aviation and transportation to make our case to Congress," Sara Nelson, the president of the Association of Flight Attendants union, told Yahoo Finance. "Hundreds of thousands of people sent letters and made calls. Together, we achieved something unheard of in American history: relief crafted for workers, by workers." 'An unprecedented win for frontline aviation workers' The bill allocates $25 billion for passenger air carriers, $4 billion for cargo air carriers, and $3 billion for contractors. Those funds must be used to pay employee wages, salaries, and benefits. The amount that each carrier receives specifically is based on the amount they paid employees from April 1 to September 30, 2019, that was reported to the Department of Transportation. "This is an unprecedented win for frontline aviation workers and a template all workers can build from," Nelson said. "The payroll grants we won in this bill will save hundreds of thousands of jobs and will keep working people connected to health care many will need during this pandemic." Not everyone was happy with the outcome of the bill - Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) blasted the Senate for the lack of protections for American families, calling it "one of the largest corporate bailouts with as few strings as possible in American history. Shameful!" But Nelson did not see the bill as a corporate bailout. "It's a rescue package for workers," she said, "for flight attendants, gate agents, pilots, mechanics, caterers, airport maintenance and janitorial staff, and everyone who keeps our aviation system moving. It ensures our aviation system can operate as needed during the crisis, especially to continue moving critical personnel, aid workers, supplies, and other essential business." 'The bill mandates strict rules on the aviation industry' In order to qualify for this financial assistance, there are several stipulations. The air carrier or contractor must not conduct involuntary furloughs or reduce pay rates and benefits until September 30, 2020. They also cannot purchase an equity security of the air carrier or contractor, or the parent company, if it's listed on a national securities exchange, through September 30, 2021. The bill also ensures that the air carrier or contractor won't pay dividends or make other capital distributions through September 30, 2021. Like all of the businesses receiving aid in the bill, the airlines cannot make stock buybacks for at least a year, which was a major priority for Democrats involved. "It means every worker in aviation has what they need to stay strong through this crisis and continue working to support our communities," Nelson said. "It keeps workers on the job so our industry can ramp back up as soon as it's safe, which is critical to our economic recovery. And at the same time, the bill mandates strict rules on the aviation industry to rein in corporate practices like buybacks, executive bonuses, and stock dividends." To ensure that the financial assistance will be used properly, the bill stipulates that until March 2022, any employee or contractors who makes more than $425,000 a year will not make more than they did in 2019. They also cannot receive severance pay or benefits "which exceeds twice the maximum total compensation" made in 2019. These include through salary, bonuses, stock, and other financial benefits. "This is only the start," Nelson said. "We hope to build from this template to include workers across industries - to keep people connected to their paychecks and benefits and ensure our economy is ready to restart quickly and safely as soon as we have the virus under control." https://finance.yahoo.com/news/coronavirus-stimulus-bill-flight-attendants-175324324.html Back to Top AINsight: Pilot's Survival Guide to a Global Pandemic Life is completely different now. Covid-19 has required all of us to make significant adjustments in our daily routines. People are working from home. Kids are not in school. As my family and neighbors are stocking up, locking down, and staying home, I'm preparing for my next flight. As I begin to pack my bags, I realize that flying is different now. Social distancing and good hygiene, such as hand washing, are two practices that can help contain the spread of coronavirus and "flatten the curve." This is all for the greater good, and we should all do our part. But flight crews, in addition to health and safety concerns, now face significant logistical and operational challenges. The realities of a global pandemic include restrictive travel advisories, shelter-in-place orders, and air traffic disruptions; each requiring a lot more planning, preparation, and patience to operate safely during this crisis. Before heading out to the airport, there's some work to be done. The first question-and most obvious if you're operating internationally-is can you or should you go? The current U.S. Level 4 travel advisory urges Americans not to travel abroad. This advisory from the State Department is the most severe and suggests that if you do choose to travel, don't rely on the U.S. government for assistance. The Level 4 travel advisory, announced on March 21, allows trade (such as cargo) to continue, but restricts non-essential travel, such as tourism. Again, this is a U.S. advisory; other countries might be more restrictive. Other considerations, for international travel, include rapidly changing customs and immigration procedures and health assessments required for entry around the globe. Health assessments might include temperature checks, blood draws, or more comprehensive Covid-19 tests. Most of these procedures are variable based on the individual's travel history (looking back 14 days). Some countries, such as South Korea, have an app for self-assessment that must be downloaded and completed before entry. At the very least, have a good understanding of the most current health assessments and the protocol if any of these tests are failed. It's probably helpful to have resources on the ground, to aid if needed. Specifically for flight planning, one term that hasn't been widely used since 9/11 is ATC Zero. This term is used by the FAA when air traffic control personnel are no longer able to provide services within the airspace managed by a specific facility; normal flight operations during these periods are suspended. During 9/11, the entire U.S. National Airspace System was shut down for several days. During the past two weeks, ATC tower facilities at Chicago Midway, Las Vegas McCarren, all three major New York airports (JFK, LGA, and EWR) and Indianapolis Center (ARTCC-East High Sector above FL230) went to an ATC Zero status due to "staffing issues" associated with positive Covid-19 tests. During this crisis, as a contingency, pilots should plan to add enough extra fuel to accommodate unplanned reroutes or airport closures due to potential disruptions caused by an ATC Zero status. Understandably, there are a lot of health and safety concerns and apprehension by pilots. These concerns often relate to interactions with other individuals and are valid. On March 12, the FAA published Safety Alert For Operators 20003 that provides interim health guidance, as it relates to Covid-19, for air carriers and crew. Outside of the aircraft, there are several opportunities for exposure to this virus. Preflight and postflight routines require pilots to interact with many individuals, including line techs, fuelers, and maintenance personnel. For the most part, these activities should present no greater risk than going to the grocery store or picking up a carry-out order. Limiting contact by social distancing, wearing protective gear (such as latex gloves), and handwashing should keep you safe. Once in the aircraft, there are other challenges. How can a flight crew distance themselves from each other and passengers when confined to a pressurized aluminum tube? The short answer is that it is difficult. Both pilots and passengers must self-assess before going to the airport; if an individual is symptomatic (feverish, has a cough, and difficulty breathing), has been in contact with someone who has tested positive, or is unsure, they need to remove themselves from the flight. Likewise, before anyone boards the aircraft, the operator must sanitize the flight deck and cabin as recommended by the CDC. Both internationally and domestic, once you land at your destination, basic needs such as lodging and food will create another challenge. As travel decreases and cities shut down, hotel rooms and food have become scarce. In the past two weeks, entire hotels have closed. Those hotels that have remained open have limited services. In cities with shelter-in-place orders, it's difficult to reliably and safely find food. One consideration for any trip during this crisis is to provision extra food and water for your entire crew. Foil-packed salmon with a dash of soy sauce is much better than going hungry. The entire world and aviation system are under stress. At a human level, crew members may become more stressed. In multi-crew operations, pilots need to check on one another. In addition to keeping their families safe and healthy, many now face economic uncertainties. In less than a month, at a dizzying pace, the airline industry-along with several other industries-has gone bust. Flying is different now. The job is much harder now. It will continue to be different and become more challenging until Covid-19 is contained. For now, take care of the details and be patient. Most important, take care of yourself and family; we'll get through this together, apart. https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/blogs/ainsight-pilots-survival-guide-global-pandemic Back to Top John Menzies lays off 55% of staff as coronavirus hits air travel March 27 (Reuters) - Airport services group John Menzies said on Friday it was laying off more than half its global workforce to cope with the impact of the coronavirus-related slump in air travel, adding that it hoped to hire many staff back in future. It also said it will need special dispensation to get aid from a UK emergency fund for which it does not currently qualify. Among the biggest providers of fuelling, ground handling, lounge services and maintenance, Menzies said its volumes had dropped 20% in the past two weeks as airlines ground flights in response to faltering demand and government curbs on movement. "John Menzies Plc has existed since 1833 and been listed since 1962, but never have we faced such difficult and unpredictable times," Chief Executive Giles Wilson said in a statement. Menzies, which employs over 32,000 employees at more than 200 airports worldwide, said it has reduced headcount by more than 17,500 and that the reductions are being supported by some countries' government schemes. The company said it intended to take as many staff back on as possible in future, and it later described the reductions as furloughs and not redundancies. A company spokeswoman said the company hoped "the vast majority will be back when flight volumes start to pick up again". The company said it was waiting for the refinement of the eligibility criteria for the COVID Corporate Financing Facility (CCFF), for which it does not currently qualify. While it will receive the 80% salary aid on offer from the British government, a company spokesman said that in terms of accessing emergency credit, the group was too big to be classified as a small to medium-sized enterprise (SME), but too small to have the credit rating necessary for the CCFF. Britain's state aid programmes for the coronavirus shutdown carry conditions related to the company's contribution to the UK, rather than global, economy, and demand that firms were already on solid financial ground before March 1. Wilson said Menzies plays an important role in the aviation supply chain, which includes airlines, airports and service providers. "Without these three components of the supply chain working together, the sector will not function," he said. Menzies said it was in talks with its lenders as it reviews all options to shore up liquidity and withstand the impact of the virus. Edinburgh-based Menzies was a major British high street name until the late 1990s, when it reinvented itself as a major global provider of fuelling and cargo handling for airlines. Operating in 34 countries for over 500 airline customers, the company was already struggling last year with weakness in Europe, lower cargo volumes and fallout from the global grounding of Boeing's 737 MAX jets. https://www.reuters.com/article/health-coronavirus-john-menzies/update-2-john-menzies-lays-off-55-of-employees-due-to-crisis-in-air-travel-idUSL4N2BK27P Back to Top American Airlines Will Cut Capacity By 80% In May In a statement released on Friday, American Airlines announced that it is planning on cutting its year-on-year capacity by 70-80% for domestic, and 80-90% for international flights in May. The airline says that it is making cuts to address "record low customer demand." Once a day from LAX to Hawaii American Airlines has announced further reductions to its year-on-year capacity over the next two months. Domestic capacity will be down by 60-70% in April, and 70-80% in May, whereas international capacity is down by 80-90% across the two-month period. American said that the most significant changes to the schedule is the reduction in service to Hawaii, beginning next month. In response to the new 14-day quarantine rules for travelers flying to Hawaii, American has decided to suspend operations to Kona, Lihue, and Maui. The airline will continue to operate one daily flight from Los Angeles to Honolulu. The new schedules will be reflected on the airline's website from the 29th of March for April, and the 5th of April for May. Alleviation of FAA slot rules "The domestic capacity reductions take into consideration the FAA's recent decision to grant additional flexibility in slot-use policies at U.S. airports during this unprecedented situation. These waivers will allow the airline to better align capacity with demand in light of adjustments to the flight schedule," the statement from this morning read. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) granted airlines slot relief earlier this month until the end of May. The decision came after carriers and IATA argued that it was unfair to maintain the "use it or lose it" approach under these extreme circumstances. Normally, the rules state that an airline must use a minimum of 80% of its allocated airport slots not to lose them next season. This rule was causing airlines to fly near-empty or "ghost" aircraft to and fro, in order not to see their slots taken away. EU also set to amend slot legislation The European Commission announced on the 11th of March that it would put forward legislation to temporarily alleviate airlines from their airport slot usage obligation, which would allow them to adjust their capacity without repercussions. Given that the amendment to the EU Slot Regulation first needed to be drafted by the Commission, then approved as a mandate by the Council of the EU, and then negotiated in the European Parliament, it has yet to come into effect. But will apply retroactively from the 21st of January when it so does. Good thing, as the EU is not the swiftest of bureaucratic beasts. Hawaii's new rules Since Wednesday the 25th of March, anyone arriving in Hawaii on international or domestic flights must complete a 14-day quarantine. The new rule applies to both incoming travelers and returning residents. Coupled with a state-wide "stay at home" order, this has essentially stopped all tourism and closed down hundreds of businesses and hotels on the islands. Just yesterday, a chartered Boeing 747 landed in Frankfurt from Honolulu, carrying Europeans who had been stranded on their cruise ship in the Pacific for a month. At first, the Hawaiian authorities would not let them disembark, but due to a maintenance problem that could not be fixed with passengers onboard, they allowed them to leave the ship and transfer to the airport. https://simpleflying.com/american-airlines-may-capacity/ Back to Top OneWeb reportedly heads into bankruptcy and SpaceX might be next OneWeb - one of several companies hoping to sell Internet connections from space - could file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy as soon as Friday, according to a report in the Financial Times. The report follows a similar one from Bloomberg on March 19 warning that OneWeb executives were contemplating bankruptcy. OneWeb itself confirmed last week it had conducted layoffs that, TechCrunch reported, were as high as 10% of its workforce. Citing unnamed sources, the FT reported Friday that OneWeb - which has so far raised a whopping $3.4 billion from investors including SoftBank, Virgin Group, Qualcomm and Bharti Enterprises - had attempted to secure as much as $2 billion more from struggling SoftBank, but the financial upheaval caused by the spread of the new coronavirus recently brought an end to those talks. The publication reported that most of OneWeb's 500 employees will likely be out of a job by next week, and that satellite production in the company's manufacturing facility in Florida will cease as a result. OneWeb has so far put roughly 70 low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellites into space, well below its initial goal of around 600 for commercial service in the latter part of 2020. The company declined to comment on the FT's report. Eyes turn to Musk What's more noteworthy is the shadow OneWeb's struggles cast over SpaceX's Starlink efforts. SpaceX - backed by billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk - is working to get its own Starlink-branded constellation of LEO satellites into space via its Starship space-transportation business. But, according to analyst Tim Farrar with TMF Associates, SpaceX has been working this year to drum up extra money for its orbital ambitions. For example, Farrar pointed to a Wall Street Journal report indicating that SpaceX is lobbying FCC officials to make Starlink eligible for the agency's $20.4 billion Rural Digital Opportunity Fund. The FCC will begin doling out money from the fund in October to telecom companies that agree to offer Internet connections in rural parts of the US. That money is clearly of interest to Musk and his Starlink initiative, considering he said earlier this month that one of his main goals for the business is to "be in the not-bankrupt category." Even more pressing, Farrar noted that SpaceX has failed to raise the money it had hoped for. He pointed to comments from the company on March 9 indicating interest in raising $500 million, but a filing on March 13 showing the company raised just $221 million. "That's no more than two months of cash burn at SpaceX's current rate of spend," Farrar wrote. "SpaceX is currently heading on autopilot towards a concrete wall of bankruptcy," Farrar concluded, noting that the company could seek funds from the US government considering it has taken over some of the space work that NASA used to do. Why this matters Many in the telecom industry have been watching with interest the evolution of the LEO Internet-from-space industry. After all, OneWeb's initial satellites clocked 400 Mbit/s downloads with 32-millisecond latency in receivers on the ground - figures roughly comparable to terrestrial cable, fiber and 5G offerings. OneWeb has said those speeds will help it target a wide variety of market sectors, including selling Internet services to regular customers as well as connections for businesses and government uses. The company has also said it can supply backhaul connections for remote 5G cell towers. Musk himself said earlier this month at a satellite trade show that "Starlink is not some huge threat to telcos. I want to be super clear: it is not." But Musk's reported interest in the FCC's RDOF program tells a slightly different story, particularly if Starlink bids directly against the likes of Windstream, CenturyLink and others for a slice of the FCC's rural broadband funding. However, if the COVID-19 financial crisis deepens, the nascent LEO satellite Internet industry could well be put on an indefinite - and potentially financially crushing - hold. https://www.lightreading.com/services/oneweb-reportedly-heads-into-bankruptcy-and-spacex-might-be-next/d/d-id/758531 Curt Lewis