Flight Safety Information April 10, 2020 - No. 073 In This Issue 100 American Airlines flight attendants, 41 pilots test positive for coronavirus What happens when pilots don't get their flying hours? Pilots' identical error shaved A319's take-off distance margin NZ Air Line Pilots' Association says Airways decision to cut air traffic control services 'puts money before safety Pilots urge FAA to require airlines to follow CDC precautions American Airlines Transports Critical Supplies to US and Beyond with More Cargo-Only Flights Airbus's landmark jet output cut faces crucial test A new trio joins space station crew; next visitors are due to ride SpaceX's Dragon USC Aviation Safety & Security Program...Has Moved Online Business Aviation Safety Consortium (BASC) announces completion of first "Virtual" External Audit Call for Nominations For 2020 Laura Taber Barbour Air Safety Award 100 American Airlines flight attendants, 41 pilots test positive for coronavirus Flight crews are still testing positive for coronavirus despite the worldwide slowdown in air travel. One hundred American Airlines flight attendants had tested positive for COVID-19 as of Saturday, the Association of Professional Flight Attendants, which represents that airline's 27,000 cabin crew employees, the group's spokesman, Paul Hartshorn Jr. confirmed to USA TODAY. In a statement, Julie Hendrick, AFPA's new president, said the union had been pushing American as early since January to be more proactive regarding protection for front-line workers. "We have consistently advocated for Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for all of our Flight Attendants to be available on every aircraft, for social distancing between passengers and crew jump seats, for thermal scanning in the airports, and to receive immediate notification of Flight Attendants who have tested positive for the virus," she said. "Flight Attendants are aviation's first responders who are transporting medical personnel and supplies into COVID-19 hotspots, and they need to be treated and protected as such." On Thursday, Capt. Dennis Tajer, spokesman for the union that represents American Airlines pilots, told USA TODAY that 41 of them have tested positive for COVID-19. "Flight crews are a unique and effective (carrier) for the virus, as the only group traveling repeatedly and rapidly across the country," he said. Therefore, he added, "It is critical that flight crews receive "first responder" status and priority for protective equipment. It is equally critical that a more robust screening program be instituted for flight crews and passengers, including priority virus testing for crewmembers. "The safety of our customers and team members is our top priority. We are in close contact with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and public health officials and are coordinating with them on any required health and safety related measures," the airline said in a statement shared by spokesperson, Ross Feinstein. "We continue to look at all ways we can care for - and protect - our team during this stressful time." One American flight attendant, Philadelphia-based crew member Paul Frishkorn, died on March 23. Lori Bassani, the previous president of AFPA, told USA TODAY, "When this hits one of your own, it sheds a whole new light on the coronavirus," said Bassani. "This does spread more fear among our ranks. This is a killer virus, unlike any we have experienced." On Monday, the Transport Workers Union of America, which represents more than 65,000 aviation workers who work for American Airlines and Southwest Airlines among others, sent a letter to the FAA and OSHA regarding the health and safety of airline workers during the coronavirus pandemic. The letter requested aircraft be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected in between flights and asked that flight attendants be provided with personal protective equipment. On Wednesday, Southwest spokesman Brian Parrish said that currently, less than 1% percent of the airline's 60,000 employees have contracted the virus and they will continue to make sure their aircraft and work environments are clean according to CDC guidelines. https://www.yahoo.com/news/100-american-airlines-flight-attendants-180746056.html Back to Top What happens when pilots don't get their flying hours? (CNN) - The coronavirus pandemic has grounded most of the world's airplanes for the immediate future. But when aviation eventually reboots, pilots will need to be up to speed. That doesn't just mean polishing their Ray-Bans and dusting off their navy-blue blazers. It means brushing up on flight-deck skills and ensuring they keep within the boundaries of aviation's stringent safety regulations. And that is presenting a looming challenge as pilots remain housebound. "Pilots require frequent training and 'recency' to be able to fly," says Brian Strutton of the British Airline Pilots Association, or BALPA, which represents the interests of all UK pilots. "Recency" means complying with regulations that stipulate a pilot must have successfully carried out three takeoffs and landings -- one of which using the cockpit's autoland facility -- within the previous 90 days. To qualify for flying both at daytime and night-time, commercial pilots also need to perform three night-time take-offs and landings within the 90 days, which are harder because the pilot has less visual cues. This covers the three daytime take-offs and landings as well. But there are other annual checks, as well. These include the License Proficiency Check, which a pilot would have to do every year to keep their pilot's license valid. Also, the airline that the pilot flies for will have to perform an Operational Proficiency Check every six months. "Most of these checks could be conducted in what is known as a 'D level' simulator," says Adam Twidell, an experienced pilot and CEO of PrivateFly, a booking platform for on-demand jets. These are the most realistic and offer the highest definition and lifelike responses -- just like flying the real thing. Simulators are also important to help pilots keep their skills sharp. While much can be practiced using computer games such as Microsoft Flight Simulator, there is no substitute when it comes to ratings, training and certifications. Pilots need to access real, full-scale flight simulators. But for that to happen, simulators need to be available. In the UK, for example, many facilities offering simulators are closed. There is also the issue of the availability of instructors and examiners to conduct checks. A co-pilot also needs to be present. "There's going to be a significant backlog of available simulator slots. When airlines do want to get back to normal operations they won't be able to do it instantly," Twidell tells CNN Travel. Expense is an issue, too. Simulator time costs around $300 to $400 an hour, and that's without the necessary associated personnel. It's all an enormous undertaking. Additionally, there are regular fire and smoke training requirements, where pilots have to go into a smoke-filled aircraft and evacuate it. There are also first aid courses and crew resource management training, which involves assessing how crew members work together as a team. Combine the complexity of the different types of training and certifications that flight crew might have to catch up on if the grounding persists for a prolonged period with the fact that the majority of the world's 290,000-plus active pilots are sitting at home, and the scale of the imminent problem becomes all too apparent. Pushing the boundaries To help alleviate the pressure accumulating from the potential expiration of the pilots' medical certificates and ratings (additional elements of the pilot's license that allows them to fly specific types of aircraft), time extensions are being granted worldwide by regulatory authorities. Across Europe, the EU Aviation Safety Agency, or EASA, has extended the deadlines for certain requirements on condition that each airline comes up with a detailed pilot training plan that the agency will assess. If it's a credible plan, an extension could be granted. In the United States, the Federal Aviation Administration's assistant chief counsel for enforcement, Naomi Tsuda, says that, due to the extraordinary circumstances related to the pandemic, the FAA will not take legal action against pilots in cases of noncompliance with medical certificate duration standards if their certificate expires between March 31 and June 30, 2020. "The FAA will reevaluate this decision as circumstances unfold, to determine whether an extension or other action is needed to address this pandemic-related challenge," said Tsuda in an FAA Notice of Enforcement Policy. In the UK, the Civil Aviation Authority, in line with EASA guidance (while the UK is still in the EU), has exempted all operators, aircrew, instructors and examiners engaged in commercial air transport from the normal validity periods for licenses, certificates and ratings that expire before October 31, 2020. Deferring the expiry of licenses and certificates is certainly helpful. But all of this is incredibly stressful for the airlines' workforces. Staffing issues The world's longest and largest twin-engine airliner, the Boeing 777-9X, has completed its first test flight from Boeing's wide-body factory near Seattle. "Over 40 airlines have grounded their entire fleets, including airlines like EasyJet, and the majority of others have grounded 80-90% -- it's just unheard of. That gives you an idea as to how many pilots are not flying aircraft," says Sam Sprules, managing director at pilot recruitment agency AeroProfessional. Sprules tells CNN that a lot of flight crew are either grounded on minimal pay or being asked to take unpaid leave for the next couple of months. In some countries, airlines are operating from the furlough or pay subsidy schemes, and in worst case scenarios crew are being terminated. "Recruiting of flight crew has pretty much dried up at the moment while airlines are rightly focusing on trying to consolidate their finances just to survive," he says. This is a colossal body-blow to an industry that was booming before the Covid-19 crisis took hold. However, Sprules also says that a small minority of aviation businesses are taking an optimistic approach, believing that recovery will be sooner rather than later. "What they want to do is keep their recruitment moving to capitalize on the fact that there are a lot of skilled crew in the market right now." Face-to-face interviews are now replaced with online tools such as Microsoft Office Teams or Skype. Airlines can build up pools of candidates so that as soon as the sector is back into recovery mode and restrictions start to subside they can jump into action. "We are doing that with a few of our clients -- conducting applicant gathering and documentation screening and getting candidates to a point where we can go no further, until things start to move again," says Sprules. "You start forgetting things" So besides using computer simulators, how can pilots stuck at home keep their cockpit skills honed? Karlene Petitt, a US-based Boeing 777 pilot and author of "Normalization of Deviance: A Threat to Aviation Safety," tells CNN that pilots could use this time of grounding for educational improvement. She says that in an age where certain aspects of the flight deck are automated, pilots need to know, procedurally, how to set up the flight deck, which buttons to push and which checklists to read. "You start forgetting things if you don't use them," she says. "And much of what we, as pilots, do is cognitive based. If you can keep that alive, then you're not going to lose proficiency. "It would be nice if the airlines made available online training tools that we had during initial training or during initial type rating, so we could go and maintain proficiency while at home, until we get back into the sky." Carriers could also have the ability to track and see which of their pilots are actually utilizing those tools, says Petitt, adding that even a home-made low-tech approach could be beneficial too: In the past, when Petitt was "out of the cockpit" for a couple of years in the days before online pilot training was an option, she made flashcards and what she calls a "paper trainer," a sort of wall poster, to practice cockpit procedures at home. "We did this years ago. You just physically move and touch the button because the motion of actually touching where you would be touching in the airplane helps to instill it into memory." The well-being factor US airlines are requesting an aid package from the federal government that could amount to about $50 billion due to the coronavirus, according to industry group Airlines for America. Joji Waites, flight safety specialist at BALPA, tells CNN that his organization is ensuring that the few crew that are still flying (on cargo, medical, repatriation, and a few scheduled services) are equipped with protective kits where necessary, and checking that aircraft are properly cleaned. "For those that are not flying -- those that are furloughed -- the shift is towards well-being," says Waites. Beyond the practicalities of brushing up procedural skills, pilots need to keep their minds in good shape too. Flight crew are used to quite a structured way of working and are conditioned to knowing what is coming up in the next month in terms of their flight schedules. Waites says that BALPA has been sharing, with its members, mental health and well-being tips from the MIND Charity and from Public Health England. "There are specific resources available," says Waites. "And there is a requirement coming out later this year in August for airlines to have a peer support network program staffed by pilots for pilots for them to raise, confidentially, concerns of well-being and mental health." Many airlines already have these in place ahead of when the regulation comes out, pointing pilots towards those facilities within their airlines where they can share concerns, by "having people to talk to about their anxieties and what they are going through." "Pilots are not used to sitting around," says Waites. "We're thinking ahead to the time when things hopefully resume and scheduled flights start up." https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/pilots-recency-flying-hours/index.html Back to Top Pilots' identical error shaved A319's take-off distance margin Investigators have determined that both pilots of an EasyJet Airbus A319 mistakenly selected the wrong intersection during take-off performance calculations at Nice, resulting in less runway distance being available than the crew had expected. The crew believed they had calculated take-off performance for runway 04R based on a departure from intersection B3 - the most limiting case. But the UK Air Accidents Investigation Branch found that the crew had inadvertently selected intersection Q3, virtually the whole runway length, for the calculation. The aircraft was ultimately cleared to depart from intersection A3, which should have offered an additional 316m margin of runway compared with a B3 departure. But the Q3 miscalculation actually meant the A3 departure reduced the take-off distance margin by 385m - and would have reduced it by over 700m if the B3 intersection had been used. "At lift-off the [captain] noted that the departure end of the runway was closer than he would have expected but did not perceive any other performance issues," says the inquiry into the incident, on 29 August last year. It states that reduced thrust had been used for the take-off roll and that, as the situation emerged, the captain did not feel there was a need to increase power. Crucially, the investigation found, both pilots made the same mis-selection of the Q3 rather than the B3 intersection. As a result, it says, the take-off performance cross-check was "invalidated" and the error was undetected. "The flight crew considered that the software user-interface and data presentation was a factor in the intersection selection error being made and subsequently missed," it adds. Data entry on the electronic flightbag application was "clumsy and often requires re-entering", according to pilot testimony to the inquiry. For Nice, it says, the B3 and Q3 intersections are easy to mis-select as they are adjacent. The captain involved has since reinforced departure error management briefings to include a review of intersection and performance implications. EasyJet has been working on updating performance software, the inquiry notes, to put greater emphasis on graphic rather than text representation of runway data. Airbus had also been developing enhanced take-off monitoring for A320s and A330s, using a version of take-off surveillance introduced on the A350 the previous year. This function, known as TOS2, checks to confirm the aircraft is travelling on the intended runway and that the performance calculations are compatible with available distance. The aircraft (G-EZBI) involved in the incident, however, was not TOS2-capable. https://www.flightglobal.com/safety/pilots-identical-error-shaved-a319s-take-off-distance-margin/137835.article Back to Top NZ Air Line Pilots' Association says Airways decision to cut air traffic control services 'puts money ahead of safety' Airways NZ announced this morning it was in the process of cutting services to seven regions. The New Zealand Air Line Pilots' Association (NZALPA) has launched an attack on the organisation tasked with controlling airspace around Aotearoa. Airways NZ announced on Thursday morning it will be reviewing the level of service provided at seven regional airports: Hawke's Bay, Gisborne, New Plymouth, Rotorua, Invercargill, Kapiti Coast Airport and Milford Sound Piopiotahi Aerodrome. "The announcement by State Owned Enterprise Airways to remove air traffic services from seven regions is a decision to put money ahead of the safety of the travelling public," NZALPA President, Captain Andrew Ridling said in a statement. "This decision lacks integrity, is reckless and is an ill-informed approach by an inexperienced group of aviation leaders. "Airways have already been given $107 million of taxpayers' money either directly or via rebates, and also applied for $5 million in wage subsidy in order to prevent redundancies. "Where is the essential safety case to close these regional air traffic towers? Let alone the thought given to the regional economic impact? "NZALPA pilot and air traffic control members are absolutely fearful for themselves and the travelling public that this decision with only tacit discussion can be made by the so-called Airways leadership. "This means the Civil Aviation Authority requirement to have air traffic control in attendance will be unable to be met for typical propeller aircraft such as ATR and Q300." Both ATRs and Q300s are used by Air New Zealand on its regional services. "Airways is now proposing to move the safety level of our national airspace system back to the levels seen in developing nations," Captain Ridling said. Airways NZ has been approached for comment. https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/travel/2020/04/nz-air-line-pilots-association-says-airways-decision-to-cut-air-traffic-control-services-puts-money-ahead-of-safety.html Back to Top Pilots urge FAA to require airlines to follow CDC precautions To limit coronavirus spread, attendants won't have to sit together in jump seats or don oxygen masks in safety demonstrations, FAA says Just hours after the FAA granted flight attendants a reprieve from two long-standing pre-flight practices because of concerns over the coronavirus, the Air Line Pilots Association Thursday sent a letter urging the agency to adopt additional measures. In a letter to Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao, the 63,000-member professional pilots' union urged the FAA to "immediately" order airlines to make voluntary CDC guidelines related to flight deck cleaning and sanitation mandatory. They also asked Chao to require employees be notified of fellow workers who test positive for the disease. "Our members are the key to ensuring the safe transportation of passengers and cargo - and have been responsible for keeping the nation's economy going in the midst of this global public health crisis," wrote ALPA President Joseph G. DePete. "The least we can do for them is protect their health and safety." The union first made the request to the FAA March 31 but the guidelines remain voluntary. On Wednesday, FedEx reported that one of its pilots died from COVID-19. "It is imperative to make CDC recommendations a requirement immediately, not tomorrow, not next week," DePete wrote. That request came shortly after the FAA agreed to ease regulations requiring flight attendants to demonstrate how to use life preservers and oxygen masks before takeoff in order to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus. In a six-page order responding to a request from trade group Airlines for America, the FAA also said it would allow flight attendants normally forced to share a jump seat during takeoff and landing to instead sit in passenger seats near the exits in order to abide by the social distance guidelines recommended to avoid the spread of the disease. Proximity The relocation, the FAA said, will help flight attendants "comply with recommendations from the World Health Organization and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention concerning proximity to other people." Airlines for America contacted the FAA after expressing concern that a shortage of disinfectant wipes would "place crewmembers in the position of donning and demonstrating the oxygen masks and life vests during passenger briefings without having the equipment properly disinfected prior to each briefing." Flight attendants, whose job virtually always requires some level of contact with the public, have been hit hard by the coronavirus, with a Philadelphia-based American Airlines flight attendant dying last month and an American Airlines flight attendant based in St. Louis dying this week of complications from the virus. Hundreds of Southwest and American Airlines flight attendants have tested positive for the virus, according to the unions that represent them. "The FAA finds that granting this exemption supports the continuity of air transportation, which is essential in this national emergency," the exemption read. The Association of Flight Attendants-CWA, a union representing 50,000 flight attendants at 20 airlines, backed the request and applauded the waiver. Sara Nelson, president of the association, said the exemption will ensure that flight attendants "can safely social distance while performing our critical safety duties and demonstrations." In a press call earlier this week, Nelson urged passengers to hold off on leisure travel until the pandemic is over. The waiver occurs even as the Transportation Security Administration marked a grim benchmark, reporting only 94,931 travelers went through TSA checkpoints nationwide on Wednesday - an all-time low since the pandemic hit. By contrast, 2.23 million travelers went through TSA screening on the same weekday last year. TSA screening officers, too, have been hit by COVID-19: The TSA reported that 42 screening officers have tested positive for the coronavirus. In all, the agency has had 327 employees, both screeners and non-screeners, test positive for the virus. Two have died. https://www.rollcall.com/2020/04/09/faa-gives-flight-attendants-some-space-and-a-pass-on-safety-demos/ Back to Top American Airlines Transports Critical Supplies to US and Beyond with More Cargo-Only Flights FORT WORTH, Texas - At American Airlines, caring for people extends beyond the airplane. In times of need, American is there to care for the communities we serve. The airline is expanding its cargo-only operation this month to provide more than 5.5 million pounds of capacity to transport critical goods each week between the U.S. and Europe, Asia and Latin America. American increases weekly cargo-capacity to 5.5 million pounds to transport critical goods between the US and Buenos Aires, Dublin, Frankfurt, Hong Kong, London, Seoul, Shanghai and Tokyo to support those in need. FORT WORTH, Texas - At American Airlines, caring for people extends beyond the airplane. In times of need, American is there to care for the communities we serve. The airline is expanding its cargo-only operation this month to provide more than 5.5 million pounds of capacity to transport critical goods each week between the U.S. and Europe, Asia and Latin America. These flights will help transport life-saving medical supplies and materials to the U.S., including personal protective equipment and pharmaceuticals. Other essential goods will include manufacturing and automotive equipment, fresh fruits and vegetables, fish, mail, and electronics. "The air cargo industry plays a critical role in pulling the world together in times of crisis, and it takes all of us to get the job done," said Rick Elieson, President of Cargo and Vice President of International Operations. "With the expansion of American's cargo-only flights, we have more capacity to bring critical medical supplies and protective gear to the areas that need it most. We also play a key role in transporting essential goods to keep the world's economy moving. I take immense pride in all the ways our airline and our industry are responding to make a difference when the world needs us most." In March, the airline began operating its first cargo-only flights since 1984 between Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) and Frankfurt (FRA), transporting more than 350,000 pounds of medical supplies, mail for active U.S. military, telecommunications equipment and electronics to support communities impacted by the coronavirus (COVID-19) health crisis around the globe. In the coming week, American will expand its cargo-only service to multiple destinations with the addition of flights from DFW to Dublin (DUB) and Hong Kong (HKG); between New York (JFK) and London Heathrow (LHR). The airline is also working toward adding cargo-only service to Shanghai (PVG) and Seoul (ICN) and between Miami (MIA) and Buenos Aires (EZE) by the end of the month. In addition to this service, American continues to carry cargo on all of its passenger flights. Internationally, the airline's widebody aircraft operate 17 weekly flights. Passenger flights on widebody aircraft include daily service between DFW and LHR, daily service between MIA and LHR and three weekly flights between DFW and Tokyo Narita (NRT). To read more about American's first cargo-only flight, visit American Airlines Announces Cargo-Only Flights to Help Keep Business Moving. http://news.aa.com/news/news-details/2020/American-Airlines-Transports-Critical-Supplies-to-US-and-Beyond-with-More-Cargo-Only-Flights-OPS-DIS-04/default.aspx Back to Top Airbus's landmark jet output cut faces crucial test PARIS (Reuters) - Airbus's decision to cut output of its best-selling jet by a third amid coronavirus marks a huge shift for the European planemaker, which has enjoyed virtually unbroken growth since it began competing toe-to-toe with Boeing almost 20 years ago. The company's first significant cut in A320-family output, to 40 jets a month, brings production to the lowest level since 2012 and will be implemented in May or June, unions said. Airbus shares, which have fallen around 50% this year due to the crisis, wobbled on Thursday but ended up 2% as several analysts said the company had acted swiftly to reset output. But with all but a handful of airlines shunning deliveries as they hoard cash to survive the crisis, several industry officials and economists suggested the rate may be optimistic. "We have too many planes," said Avitas senior vice-president Adam Pilarski, who has long warned of a jet market bubble - though nothing on the scale of the meltdown in air travel seen since quarantines rippled across the globe last month. Airlines are warning of $252 billion in lost revenues and 38% lower traffic, many times higher than past corrections. With Boeing's competing 737 MAX still grounded after more than a year of safety reviews following two accidents, Airbus signalled on Wednesday that it was ready to act again if needed. "It is a first step," said Rob Morris, chief consultant at UK-based Ascend by Cirium, adding more reductions could be needed because of a large potential jet surplus. That contrasts with 2001 when Boeing cut output sharply after 9/11 attacks, while Airbus - reluctant then as now to cut output due to rigid European labour laws - spotted an opening with upstart budget carriers and went on a selling spree. One such carrier, easyJet , is now one of Airbus's top customers and says it is deferring deliveries. On Wednesday, Airbus was forced by the scale of the crisis to act as Boeing's 737 MAX remained grounded for safety reasons - having also played an unplanned role in curtailing supply that one source likened to a "spent shock-absorber". Airbus "will have to share the (market) pain with Boeing," Agency Partners analyst Sash Tusa said in a recent note. AIRCRAFT RETIREMENTS To defend its new output rate, experts said Airbus appeared to be banking on a sharp increase in retirements of older jets, echoing moves seen after 9/11 and the 2008 financial crisis. Airlines have an incentive in bad times to idle jets early to avoid costly scheduled repair visits. But low oil prices like those seen today tend to push airlines in the other direction. According to Ascend by Cirium, the new Airbus target assumes every plane delivered this year will replace an older one being taken out of service. That suggests borrowing some demand from future years when some of those jets were due to be retired. Other tools used in past crises include pressure on leasing companies to take delivery. They place large speculative orders for good prices and are expected to pull their weight in a downturn - but they too are reeling as airlines hand back jets. Even so, market sources said, Airbus will need to make use of its relatively strong balance sheet to spur deliveries by providing finance to airlines or offering advances or discounts. Unlike in past downturns, the industry is currently facing a fundamental drop in demand everywhere, meaning there is little room for error if Airbus's output calculations go awry. "Right now it looks like a tug of war between Airbus and airlines to see who should store some of those planes," an aircraft finance veteran said, asking not to be named. https://finance.yahoo.com/news/airbuss-landmark-jet-output-cut-180250309.html Back to Top A new trio joins space station crew; next visitors are due to ride SpaceX's Dragon NASA astronaut Chris Cassidy and two Russian cosmonauts are settling into their new home on the International Space Station after today's launch and docking of a Russian Soyuz spacecraft. The Soyuz was launched from Russia's Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan at 1:05 p.m. local time (1:05 a.m. PT), carrying Cassidy and Russian crewmates Anatoly Ivanishin and Ivan Vagner into space. After a four-orbit, six-hour trip, the trio arrived at the station and floated through the hatch to meet up with space station residents Andrew Morgan, Jessica Meir and Oleg Skripochka. Cassidy, a veteran of two previous spaceflights, is due to become the station's commander eight days from now when Morgan, Meir and Skripochka return to Earth. Morgan will have spent 271 days in orbit, a longer-than-normal stint that's aimed at helping NASA understand the effects of long-duration spaceflight. The newly arrived trio's tour of duty is expected to last six and a half months. If all goes according to plan, they'll greet NASA's Doug Hurley and Bob Behnken next month when they arrive on the first-ever SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule to carry astronauts. https://www.yahoo.com/finance/news/trio-joins-space-station-crew-224216991.html Back to Top TheUSC Aviation Safety & Security ProgramHas Moved Online! The following upcoming courses will take plane in our virtual WebEx classrooms. Gas Turbine Accident Investigation Skills and knowledge to examine the involvement of turbine engines in fixed wing and rotary wing aircraft accidents. May 4-8, 2020 4.5 Days Tuition: $2575 Software Safety Philosophies and methods of developing software, analyzing software, and managing a software safety program. May 11-14, 2020 4 Days Tuition: $2125 SeMS Aviation Security Management Systems Managing and implementing aviation security measures at medium to small size aircraft operators, all airports, and Indirect Air Carriers, with emphasis on risk assessment and cyber security. May 11-15, 2020 4.5 Days Tuition: $2575 Safety Management Systems for Managers Providing Managers and Supervisors an understanding of the principles of an SMS and a clear vision of the role of the manager May 27-28, 2020 1.5 Days Tuition: $1025 More classes will move online soon. If you want to take a specific class online, or have any questions, please contact us. Earn Credit for FlightSafety Master Technician-Management Program Students taking the following USC courses will earn elective credits towards FlightSafety International's Master Technician-Management Program • Human Factors in Aviation Safety • Gas Turbine Accident Investigation • Helicopter Accident Investigation • Safety Management for Aviation Maintenance • Safety Management for Ground Operations Safety • Accident/Incident Response Preparedness Earn Credit for FlightSafety Master Technician-Management Program Students taking the following USC courses will earn two points toward completing the application for the National Business Aviation Certified Aviation Manager Exam. • Aviation Safety Management Systems • Accident/Incident Response Preparedness • Human Factors in Aviation Safety • Aircraft Accident Investigation • SeMS Aviation Security Management Systems For further details, please visit our website or use the contact information below. Email: aviation@usc.edu Telephone: +1 (310) 342-1345 Photo Credit: PFC Brendan King, USMC Back to Top posted on April 9, 2020 08:00 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Business Aviation Safety Consortium (BASC) announces completion of first "Virtual" External Audit BASC and McDonald's Global Aviation Services partner to conduct the first successful "Virtual" Annex 6 Part 2/Annex 19 SMS and Operational Compliance external audit. During the debrief conducted on April 7, 2020, the McDonald's flight department was commended as an "Extremely well processed and documented team...focused on equipping and treating team members with trust and respect, that is the core of this high performing organization." Brandon Vondrak, Safety and Quality Assurance Manager for McDonald's commented that it was "well organized" and went "real smooth." The team "...reflected on it, and one of the positives from this downtime was that it allowed everyone in our department to participate. Not sure that would have happened with an operative schedule." Rick Malczynski, Founder and President of BASC, stated, "As the COVID-19 pandemic started to advance, we immediately started brainstorming ways we could continue serving our membership in the effective manner to which they are accustomed. We knew the virtual concept was the way to go and started researching the best ways to accomplish it." Numerous mediums, hosts, and other resources were considered, and with the help of McDonald's, GoToMeeting was selected as the sole interface. BASC members are familiar with this resource, as it is how the Quarterly Continuing Education/Safety Round Table is broadcast. Malczynski commented, "I asked Brandon if they were up for this and I received an enthusiastic, "Yes!" We did quite a bit of testing individually, and as a group, and it was working well. I have to admit, I lost some sleep thinking about how the aircraft inspection would go. However, it went perfectly! Cabin crewmember Lisa Weissinger set the tone by expertly sharing the internally created Flight Attendant QRH (Quick Reference Handbook) and every piece of equipment under her purview aft of the flight deck. Luckily, the hangar connectivity cooperated and they completed a thorough and professional aircraft inspection! GoToMeeting on the iPad worked like a charm, and we were able to share everything by video. If team members needed to share electronic files or processes, we changed the host screen and everyone had 'access' to those files. As an example, the Manager, Aviation Maintenance Wayne Sanchez was able to show the meticulous aircraft maintenance record keeping by sharing electronic processes by broadcasting his FlightDocs account, as well as, sharing live video views of supporting documents and logbook entries." Team members were scattered throughout the Chicagoland area, with a small contingent practicing social distancing at the hangar. The meeting was hosted from Fort Worth. The following day, Vondrak shared, "The group at the hangar stayed and got a plan together after the findings (debrief). We have a good action plan in place." The BASC program calls for the auditor to reach out thirty days after the debrief, and inquire whether there is any additional help BASC can provide to successfully complete the Corrective Action Plan. "These guys were so well prepared and are such professionals. Malczynski said, "Some of the aspects of the SMS resemble programs and documentation I have observed at CFR Part 121 carriers. They really insured the success of this project. The Safety Team consisting of Brandon Vondrak, Jim Dvorak and Lisa Weissinger did an amazing job, not only making sure this happened, but that it went smoothly and professionally.BASC continues to get better and better as organizations like this continue to join our ranks and share the amazing accomplishments they achieve on a daily basis!" He added, "I really enjoy being with flight departments, the aviation environment, and the people that make it happen. But I have to admit, this was definitely the next best thing. We proved an effective and accurate assessment can be conducted, knowledge and experience can be shared, we can all continue to get a little wiser, and heck...maybe even have a little fun along the way!" ### About the Business Aviation Safety Consortium (AviationConsortium.com, LLC or BASC): Headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas, BASC serves as a logical partner for SMS, regulatory, and operational excellence verification for high performing business aviation organizations. BASC was founded in 2016 and accepted the first member in January of 2017. For more information, visit http://www.aviationconsortium.com Back to Top Call for Nominations For 2020 Laura Taber Barbour Air Safety Award ALEXANDRIA, Va. -- The Laura Taber Barbour Air Safety Foundation is now accepting nominations for the 2020 Laura Taber Barbour Air Safety Award, honoring a leader in global aviation safety. The Award is scheduled to be presented during the 73nd Annual International Air Safety Summit, taking place Oct. 19-21 in Paris, France. Presented since 1956, the Laura Taber Barbour Air Safety Award recognizes notable achievement in the field of civil or military aviation safety in method, design, invention, study or other improvement. The Award's recipient is selected for a "significant individual or group effort contributing to improving aviation safety, with emphasis on original contributions," and a "significant individual or group effort performed above and beyond normal responsibilities." Mechanics, engineers and others outside of top administrative or research positions should be especially considered. The contribution need not be recent, especially if the nominee has not received adequate recognition. Nominations that were not selected as past winners of the Award can be submitted one additional time for consideration. Please note that self-nominations will not be considered. The Laura Taber Barbour Air Safety Award's story dates back 75 years. On April 14, 1945, after visiting family in Pittsburgh, Laura Taber Barbour was aboard a Pennsylvania Central Airlines DC-3 when it crashed into the rugged terrain of Cheat Mountain near Morgantown, West Virginia. All passengers and crew were killed. In the years following, her husband, Rev. Dr. Clifford E. Barbour and son, Clifford E. Barbour, Jr., established the Laura Taber Barbour Air Safety Award in her honor. The Award Board, composed of leaders in the field of aviation, meets each year to conduct a final review of nominees and selection of the current year's recipient. Please help us honor this year's most deserving recipient. Nominations, including a 1-2-page narrative, can be submitted via the Laura Taber Barbour Foundation website at http://ltbaward.org/the-award/nomination-form/. Nominations will be accepted until May 10, 2020. For more information, including a complete history of Award recipients, see www.ltbaward.org. About the Laura Taber Barbour Air Safety Foundation and Award On April 14, 1945, after visiting family in Pittsburgh, Mrs. Laura Taber Barbour was aboard a Pennsylvania Central Airlines DC-3 when it crashed into the rugged terrain of Cheat Mountain near Morgantown, West Virginia. All passengers and crew were killed. In 1956, her husband, Rev. Dr. Clifford E. Barbour and their son, Cliff, established the Award in her honor. For nearly 65 years, this long distinguished award has recognized those responsible for crowning achievements in aviation safety worldwide. The Award was established through early association with the Flight Safety Foundation and from its founding has enjoyed a rich history of Award Board members, nominees and Award recipients. In 2013, the non-profit Laura Taber Barbour Air Safety Foundation was formed from members of the Award Board, the aviation community and the Barbour family. As the foundation plans to broaden the scope of its intent, with great purpose, the Laura Taber Barbour Air Safety Award will continue to spotlight those champions who pioneer breakthroughs in flight safety. For more information on the foundation, the award, and past winners, visit http://LTBAward.org Curt Lewis