Flight Safety Information April 13, 2020 - No. 074 In This Issue Boeing 737-881(WL) - Severe Turbulence - Injuries (Japan) Coronavirus delays analysis of downed Ukraine jet black boxes Wuhan airport reopens after months-long lockdown American Airlines Mechanic Dies From Coronavirus (COVID-19) American Airlines Boeing 757 Suffers Tail Strike In Las Vegas FAA sets new minimum requirements for 737 MAX autopilot Taiwan rolls out second round of relief for aviation sector Juneyao Air expects $600 million aircraft capex in 2020-2022 PLA Air Force's first female flight instructors begin teaching pilots 'Mostly empty': Covid-19 has nearly shut down world's busiest airport Russia space chief spars with Elon Musk over launch pricing Position:...Aviation Safety Inspector - Airworthiness (General Aviation Maintenance) 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 Boeing 737-881(WL) - Severe Turbulence - Injuries (Japan) Date: 12-APR-2020 Time: 19:30 LT Type: Boeing 737-881(WL) Owner/operator: ANA winns opf All Nippon Airways - ANA Registration: JA64AN C/n / msn: 33902/3478 Fatalities: Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 26 Other fatalities: 0 Aircraft damage: None Location: over Ehime prefecture - Japan Phase: En route Nature: Domestic Scheduled Passenger Departure airport: Fukuoka Airport (FUK/RJFF) Destination airport: Osaka-Itami Airport (ITM/RJOO) Narrative: A Boeing 737-800 of ANA, operating ANA/NH430 from Fukuoka to Osaka/Itami, suffered severe turbulence while cruising at FL270 over Ehime. A cabin crew suffered a fracture of a part of her pelvis. The seat belt signs were off at the time of the turbulence. JTSB launched an investigation as an accident. A developing low was located at about 200 km southeast of the accident site (992 hPa, 32N 135E at 21:00 local time/12:00 UTC). https://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/235022 Back to Top Coronavirus delays analysis of downed Ukraine jet black boxes Montreal (AFP) - Ottawa and other countries asked Tehran to delay downloading data on the black boxes from a downed Ukrainian international flight, because of coronavirus travel restrictions, Canada said Sunday. Iran had in March agreed to hand over black boxes from Flight 752 to Ukraine or France for analysis -- a move welcomed by Canada and Ukraine. The boxes are expected to contain information about the last moments before the Ukraine International Airlines jetliner was struck by a missile and crashed shortly after taking off from the Tehran airport on January 8. Last week, Iran contacted the countries involved to ask when they could send experts to help download the data off the black boxes, according to the Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB). While stressing that the concerned countries are "anxious for the download and analysis of the recorders to proceed," TSB president Kathy Fox said that they all "provided a consistent response, indicating that travelling was impossible at this time, and likely for some time to come" due to restrictions imposed due to the pandemic. The Iranian military had admitted that the plane was shot down due to "human error." Out of the 176 victims, 57 were Canadian citizens and 29 were permanent residents in Canada. TSB added that representatives or experts from the involved countries should be present when the black box data is downloaded, and that the process should therefore be postponed until "conditions improve enough to allow for safe travel." "We still expect Iran will carry through with its commitment to have the recorders downloaded" once conditions improve, Fox said. https://news.yahoo.com/coronavirus-delays-analysis-downed-ukraine-jet-black-boxes-225439157.html Back to Top Wuhan airport reopens after months-long lockdown Wuhan's airport has reopened for operations, ending more than two months' of inactivity due to the coronavirus outbreak. On 8 April , the Wuhan Tianhe International Airport reopened to a reduced schedule of domestic flights, as Chinese carriers gradually resumed flying to the epicentre of the outbreak. It marks the first time scheduled flights are departing and arriving at the airport, which was shut down on 23 January, amid a city-wide lockdown, aimed at curbing the outbreak's spread. China Eastern Airlines operated the first domestic flight out of the airport for the day. Flight MU2527, a Boeing 737-800 carrying 46 passengers, took off at 7.25am, bound for Sanya in Hainan province. The carrier states it is also resuming flights to other points in its domestic network, such as its hub of Shanghai, Xiamen, Ningbo, as well as Guangzhou. It noted that it carried more than 1,600 passengers at the end of 8 April, including 1,100 outbound passengers. In total, it mounted more than 30 flights on the first day of operations. Compatriot China Southern saw its first flight take off bound for Chengdu. Flight CZ3447 was operated by a 737-700 carrying 81 passengers. It operated 48 flights on the first day of operations - the most among the three largest Chinese carriers. Reinstated routes include Guangzhou, Kunming and Haikou. The carrier had already resumed flying to other points in Hubei province, which Wuhan is capital of, before 8 April. Hubei was also placed on lockdown as the outbreak grew in magnitude. Like China Southern, Air China's first flight of the city was also bound for Chengdu, an Airbus 320 operating flight CA8221. Wuhan's local government announced the shutdown of all urban transport network and a suspension of outgoing flights from the morning of 23 January. The city is a major transportation hub and receives 55 international flights each week from over 20 countries, Cirium schedules data shows. It also sees flights from over 50 points within Mainland China. https://www.flightglobal.com/airlines/wuhan-airport-reopens-after-months-long-lockdown/137854.article Back to Top American Airlines Mechanic Dies From Coronavirus (COVID-19) TULSA, Oklahoma - An American Airlines employee at the Tulsa Maintenance Base has died of COVID-19. American Airlines says mechanic Steve Williams was hospitalized after testing positive and died on Friday. AA released the following statement: "American Airlines is deeply saddened by the passing of our Tulsa team member, Steve Williams, who was hospitalized after testing positive for the coronavirus (COVID-19). We extend our deepest sympathies and heartfelt condolences to his family, friends and our entire team at the Tulsa Maintenance Base. Our focus is on the continued safety and care of his loved ones and our team during this difficult time." https://www.newson6.com/story/41997894/american-airlines-mechanic-dies-from-coronavirus-covid19 Back to Top American Airlines Boeing 757 Suffers Tail Strike In Las Vegas An American Airlines Boeing 757-200 suffered a tail strike while landing at McCarran International Airport (LAS) in Las Vegas. The incident occurred on March 21st, 2020 with American Airlines flight number AA-2341 flying from Miami International Airport (MIA) to Las Vegas. After the tail strike, American moved the aircraft to Roswell. Photo: Venkat Mangudi via Wikimedia Commons According to the aviation-incident website The Aviation Herald, the aircraft registration number N193AN was carrying 50 passengers and eight crew when upon landing, the aircraft struck its tail on the runway surface. According to reports from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the aircraft incurred serious damage and said that it was rating the incident as an accident. During the days that followed, all flights that had been assigned to the aircraft were canceled. American Airlines moved the damaged Boeing 757 to Roswell, New Mexico, on March 25th, presumably for long-term parking. Roswell International Air Center (ROS) was chosen due to its dry climate and amount of available space. Currently, Roswell has 400 planes parked at its 4,000-acre facility but could easily double that figure depending on the size of the aircraft. What is a tail strike? A tail strike occurs when the tail of the aircraft strikes the ground - this can take place at either take-off or landing . Even though the tail of the aircraft can hit the ground while taking off, the vast majority of tail strikes occur during landings. Gusts of wind and crosswinds can play a part in tail strikes, but they are mostly put down to human error. While a simple scraping of metal on the runways sounds like no big deal, tail strikes can cause damage to the bulkhead and lead to a catastrophic event in pressurized aircraft. Tail strikes can also be very expensive to repair. In fact, one airline told Boeing that repairs to one of its planes cost US$12 million when taking into account lost revenue. Designed to be more efficient than the Boeing 727 that it was replacing, the 757 was susceptible to tail strikes in the early years prompting Boeing to recommend special training for 757 pilots. American will retire its 757 fleet sooner than planned With regards to American Airlines N193AN, we can assume that it has flown its last flight for the world's largest airline after American announced that it would be retiring its 757 fleet in 2021. Now with the coronavirus pandemic forcing airlines to ground aircraft, it would appear as if American Airlines may well retire its 757s sooner than what was previously planned. The Boeing 757 has served the carrier well with the oldest of its 757 aircraft having been in service for nearly 27 years, according to planespotters.net. During its time in service, American operated the 757 on transcontinental routes and international destinations from its hubs at New York and Miami. The Airbus A321 will replace the 757 Replacing the Boeing 757 in the American Airlines fleet will be the Airbus A321, which has a similar capacity and range. Currently, American operates the Airbus A321 on its flagship route between New York and Los Angeles. It is a shame that a tail strike should bring about the retirement of N193AN, but given the current crisis, it was probably inevitable that American would retire its 757 aircraft early. https://simpleflying.com/american-757-tail-strike/ Back to Top FAA sets new minimum requirements for 737 MAX autopilot The FAA's Master Minimum Equipment List for the 737 MAX now features new requirements tied to autopilot and flight controls Airlines flying the 737 MAX will face new restrictions on the operation of some autopilot-related systems when the type returns to service. The changes are detailed in revision 2 of the Master Minimum Equipment List (MMEL), published by the Federal Aviation Administration on 10 April 2020. The new rules remove exemptions for several systems, in effect increasing the required redundancies for dispatching the MAX when it returns to service. The revised MMEL includes 12 changes to required equipment or redundancies on board. Previously, for example, a 737 MAX could be dispatched with no working autopilot systems so long as en route operations and approach minimums did not require the system, and the total amount of flying was acceptable to the flight crew. Under the new rules at least one of the two autopilot computers on board must be functional for an aircraft to depart. The audible warning system for autopilot disengage and warning lights tied to Speed Trim Fail and Stabilizer out of Trim must now also be functional for a MAX to depart. Under the prior rules these were not required so long as autopilot was not in use or the the trim system was "verified to operate normally." Similarly, at least one of the autopilot command switches and lights must now function, tied to the working autopilot system on board. Ditto for the autopilot disengage light and Control Wheel Autopilot Disengage Switches. As the autopilot requirements increase these warning and control systems can no longer be exempted. Just a few of the revisions to the minimum equipment list for the 737 MAX, increasing redundancy and alerts related to the aircraft's autopilot system Finally, the Flight Controls section of the document was updated to require both of the Control Wheel Trim Switch Systems be operating properly. Previously the MMEL allowed for one "inoperative on non-flying pilot's side provided control wheel trim switch operates normally on flying pilot's side." The pilots of both the LionAir and Ethiopian Airlines fought against incorrect trim settings as the Maneuvering Characteristics Augmentation System (MCAS) erroneously pushed the aircraft into the ground. Given the critical nature of trim control in both accidents this change increases the odds that pilots could overcome another runaway trim issue. Or at least ensures that both have the necessary control systems in place to do so. All of the MMEL changes are secondary, however, to the other revisions Boeing is making to the MCAS system and other facets of autopilot as it works to bring the MAX back to the skies. These include not allowing MCAS to repeatedly override pilot inputs. It will also include as standard (previously only an add-on feature) an alert for angle-of-attack (AOA) disagree between the redundant sensors on board. MCAS depends on the AOA system to trigger its controls. In both crashes it activated when one of the AOA sensors indicated problems while the other reported normal flight. Lack of notification regarding that disagreement between the AOA sensors is believed to have contributed to the pilots' inability to regain control in both crashes. The new rules apply to both the MAX 8 and MAX 9 models. Presumably the MAX 10 will include similar requirements when its MMEL is released as part of the type's certification. https://paxex.aero/2020/04/737max-autopilot-minimum-requirements-faa/ Back to Top Taiwan rolls out second round of relief for aviation sector About a month after it first extended a financial lifeline to its aviation sector, Taiwan has unveiled a second round of relief measures to cope with the impact of the coronavirus outbreak. It will provide the sector with credit guarantees and other subsidies. The package is expected to cost the Taiwanese government NT$50 billion ($1.66 billion), states the Ministry of Transportation and Communications, and will be adjusted according to how to the coronavirus outbreak pans out. As part of the package, the Taiwanese government will provide special funds as credit guarantees, for any company that has applied for financial institution loans to sustain their operations. It will also offer interest subsidies to companies. The CIvil Aviation Administration of Taiwan is also in discussion with the industry about the financial relief package, and will work with various stakeholders to accelerate financial assistance. The administration adds that companies who have received the preferential loans should use it to pay their employees' salaries, among others. On 17 March, Taiwan rolled out its first assistance package for the aviation sector, which was reported to be to the tune of about NT$30 billion. This included loans and subsidies. The Taiwanese government also announced then that it was lowering or waiving landing and parking charges. https://www.flightglobal.com/airlines/taiwan-rolls-out-second-round-of-relief-for-aviation-sector/137851.article Back to Top Juneyao Air expects $600 million aircraft capex in 2020-2022 Juneyao Air anticipates $600 million in aircraft capital expenditures from 2020 to 2022, outlining its plans around the expected delivery of 32 aircraft during that period in its latest annual report. The mainline carrier is scheduled to receive nine aircraft per year in 2020 and 2021, comprising two Boeing 787s in each period, and eight aircraft in 2022. Low-cost subsidiary 9 Air will receive three aircraft each year in 2021 and 2022. This will result in $200 million capital expenditure in 2020, $250 million in 2021 and $150 million in 2022. In 2019, the carriers received eight aircraft and phased out two from their combined fleet. Juneyao ended the year with 70 Airbus A320 and A320neo family aircraft and six 787s, while 9 Air had 19 737 jets and one 737 Max 8. Both carriers plan to remove five aircraft from their combined fleet in 2020. The company's operating revenue gained 16.6% to CNY16.7 billion ($2.4 billion) in 2019, and against an 18% increase in operating costs, operating profit was up by 8.8% to CNY2.3 billion. Net profit for the year declined by 19% to CNY994 million. The group posted a 15.8% gain in RPK, but against 17.2% higher ASK, load factor was down one percentage point to 85.2%. ASK and RPK on domestic flights, which form a significant portion of the total network, were up in tandem, by about 11% while RPK on international flights gained 47.4% against a 54.5% increase in ASK. Among other risk factors, Juneyao highlighted the cost pressures of the yuan depreciating against the US dollar in 2019, due to intensifying international trade frictions, arising from the impact on dollar-denominated interest rates and oil prices. https://www.flightglobal.com/juneyao-air-expects-600-million-aircraft-capex-in-2020-2022/137855.article Back to Top PLA Air Force's first female flight instructors begin teaching pilots The People's Liberation Army Air Force's first female flight instructors began training students late last month, the Air Force said in a statement released on Friday. Several female fighter jet pilots were selected in August for flight instructor training at the Aviation University of the PLA Air Force, and they passed qualification tests in February, it said. The instructors are graduates of the university and can fly basic trainer and advanced trainer planes as well as fighter jets. They have been training flight students in CJ-6 basic trainer aircraft since late March, the Air Force said. The Chinese military enrolled its first female pilots in 1951, and about 580 female aviators in 10 generations have joined the Air Force since then. The first seven generations of female pilots only flew transport planes, but some have been selected to operate fighter jets since the eighth generation. In the selection for the 10th generation in 2013, the Air Force selected 38 women who graduated from high school that year and sent them to its Aviation University. After five years of strict training, 17 graduated and qualified as fighter jet pilots. Thirty-five female students are currently learning to fly at the Aviation University. After graduation, some will become the 11th generation of female pilots. Wu Peixin, a Beijing-based observer of military aviation, said the female instructors must have developed rich experience and skills in operating various types of planes to qualify as flight instructors－a truly demanding job. "Generally speaking, women are more patient and more attentive to details, and these traits are useful in flight training," he said. "Moreover, female students are likely to feel more relaxed and encouraged when they are trained by female instructors." Wu said the recruitment and deployment of more women in aviation units appeared to be a trend in the military. http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202004/13/WS5e93bcdca3105d50a3d15a48.html Back to Top 'Mostly empty': Covid-19 has nearly shut down world's busiest airport Greensboro, North Carolina: cancelled. Houston-Bush, Texas: cancelled. Los Angeles, California: cancelled. Milwaukee, Wisconsin: cancelled. The departure board at Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson international airport's updates with cancellations while a nearly vacant Plane Train shuttles back and forth between seven largely empty terminals. Though known as the world's busiest airport, and the state of Georgia's largest employer, the coronavirus outbreak and its resulting shutdowns have wiped out the crowds at Hartsfield-Jackson, and with them a revenue stream propping up the southern capital's middle class. A city within a city, the giant airport's success keeps tens of thousands employed across the metro area, but as the airline industry takes brutal hits amid travel bans from Europe to the United States, its troubles are a huge blow for Atlanta. "Revenue is probably down, off the top of my head, 50 to 60%," the airport's general manager, John Selden, said on a city council transport committee conference call at the end of March. "We usually have 2,600 flights a day here, fully loaded. In other words, almost no seats available. Right now, we're down to 1,200 flights and they're mostly empty," Selden said. The airport is down 85% in passengers, he added. A staggering 63,000 people work at the airport when flights run at capacity. Among employees are thousands of airline workers, janitorial staff, restaurant staff and security, with a median salary of $71,500, well above the city's median income. Approximately three-quarters of a million jobs are directly or indirectly tied to the airport across the south-east of the United States. An employee at the airport who works directly with one of the airlines, asking to be identified as E because she does not have permission to speak to the media, said her hours have been cut from 40 to 30 hours already. "On a regular day, maybe there was a flight coming into a gate every two to three hours. Right now, there's a flight coming in to [a handful of gates] every two to three hours," E said. She hasn't heard anything from her employer about whether she might lose her job at some point. "I don't know," she said. But it's all around her. Dunkin' Donuts is closed, she ticks off. So is the shop next to it. A burger chain had just served its last meal. Amid the red cancellations and lines of parked planes, E continues to work, continues to be paid to interact with passengers and staff at the airport. Her employers have not offered her protective gear as she handles equipment and walks through waiting areas and gates before she goes home to her family each night. Instead, she says, she has a couple of masks at home from her stepfather, but the company does wipe down their areas, she stresses. She interacted with only two people on one recent workday, she said, both elderly. Two TSA agents at Hartsfield-Jackson have tested positive for coronavirus, according to the Transportation and Security Administration. Though she adds, that's not terrible because on a normal day, if the airport were busy, she would come across contact with five times as many people. "Slow. It's just slow," she sighed. https://www.yahoo.com/news/mostly-empty-covid-19-nearly-100009960.html Back to Top Russia space chief spars with Elon Musk over launch pricing "Instead of honest competition on the market for space launches, they are lobbying for sanctions against us and use price dumping with impunity," Roscosmos chief Dmitry Rogozin. Moscow (AFP) - The head of Russia's space agency on Saturday accused Elon Musk's SpaceX of predatory pricing for space launches, which is pushing Russia to cut its own prices. "Instead of honest competition on the market for space launches, they are lobbying for sanctions against us and use price dumping with impunity," Roscosmos chief Dmitry Rogozin wrote on Twitter. Rogozin, who is often outspoken on Twitter and previously engaged in online banter with Elon Musk, on Friday raised the issue during a meeting with President Vladimir Putin. He said the Roscosmos space agency "is working to lower prices by more than 30 percent on launch services to increase our share on the international markets." "This is our answer to dumping by American companies financed by the US budget," he said. The market price of a SpaceX launch is $60 million, but NASA pays up to four times that amount, he said. Musk responded to the criticism Saturday by saying on Twitter: "SpaceX rockets are 80% reusable, theirs are 0%. This is the actual problem." SpaceX plans to send astronauts to the International Space Station next month for the first time on board its Falcon 9, a rocket that can be reused, lowering the cost of missions. Musk also announced last month that SpaceX's Crew Dragon capsules will start transporting tourists to the ISS next year. Rogozin has claimed, however, that SpaceX's low pricing is only possible due to lavish funding from the Pentagon. After NASA retired its space shuttles in 2011, Russia became the sole carrier of humans to space, charging NASA for launching US astronauts to the ISS at reportedly $70 million each. Rogozin last year congratulated Musk on Crew Dragon's successful launch, and Musk has tweeted jokes in Russian, with the banter a source of delight for Russian media. In 2014, Rogozin mocked the lack of a US manned flight programme, saying it might as well "deliver its astronauts to the ISS by using a trampoline", after Washington announced new sanctions against Moscow which included some space industries. https://www.yahoo.com/news/russia-space-chief-spars-elon-musk-over-launch-172059681.html Back to Top Position: Aviation Safety Inspector - Airworthiness (General Aviation Maintenance) Job in Houston, Texas - Department of Transportation The United States government is a massive employer, and is always looking for qualified candidates to fill a wide variety of open employment positions in locations across the country. Below you'll find a Qualification Summary for an active, open job listing from the Department of Transportation. The opening is for an Aviation Safety Inspector - Airworthiness (General Aviation Maintenance ) in Houston, Texas Feel free to browse this and any other job listings and reach out to us with any questions! Aviation Safety Inspector - Airworthiness (General Aviation Maintenance ) - Houston, Texas Federal Aviation Administration, Department of Transportation Job ID: 240245 Start Date: 04/06/2020 End Date: 04/13/2020 Qualification Summary OPM Qualifications Standard for Aviation Safety Series, FG-1825 Minimum Eligibility Requirements:Not more than two separate incidents involving Federal Aviation regulations violations in the last 5 years;Valid State driver`s license;Fluency in the English language;No chemical dependencies or drug abuse that could interfere with job performance; andHigh school diploma or equivalent.Aviation Safety Inspector positions have job-related medical requirements. When applicable, applicants MUST meet job-related medical requirements which will be assessed and validated during the pre-employment process.Medical Requirements: Applicants must be physically able to perform the duties of the Aviation Safety Inspector position in a safe and efficient manner, with or without a reasonable accommodation. The minimum medical requirements include the following requirements:Have good distant vision in each eye and be able to read, without strain, printed materials the size of typewritten characters (glasses and contact lenses permitted);Have the ability to hear the conversational voice (hearing aid permitted); andNot have any physical condition that would cause them to be a hazard to themselves or others that would interfere with their ability to fly as passengers in a variety of aircraft. SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE, TRAINING, AND CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:To qualify for this position you must demonstrate in your application that you possess at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower level. Specialized experience is experience that has equipped you with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position. Applicants should include examples of specialized experience in their work history.In addition, applicants MUST meet all of the following:Experience involving the maintenance and repair of airframes, power plants, and aircraft systems with responsibility for certifying airworthiness;Maintenance experience with 12,500 pounds or less maximum certificated takeoff weight;Aircraft maintenance experience in a repair station; air carrier or airline repair facility; military repair facility; or local, state or Federal government agency;Aircraft maintenance work experience within the last 3 years; andFAA Mechanic Certificate with airframe and power plant ratings.Specialized experience at the FG-12 involves a wide range of assignments or a few highly complex assignments, requiring planning and organization, setting priorities and working without clear or specific guidelines. Work at this level is typically reviewed only to assess the impact on overall organizational objectives.Specialized experience at the FG-11 grade level involves a broad scope of responsibility, more variety, and less clear guidelines such as duties as a Quality Assurance Auditor/Inspector for a Title 14 CFR Part 121, or 135; General Foreman, Foreman, Shift Supervisor, or Shift Manager for a Part 121, or 135; or Supervisory Inspector for a Part 145 repair station. Work at this level is typically subject to review to assure compliance with organized policies or regulations, and specific guidelines to ensure compliance with organizational policies or regulations.Specialized experience at the FG-9 grade level involves assignments involving familiar aircraft, facilities, and equipment such as duties as an Aerospace, Aeronautical Engineer, Lead Mechanic or Inspector; Maintenance Controller for a Part 121, or 135; Line/Flight Chief, Aircraft Maintenance Supervisor supervising the maintenance of airframes and/or power plants in the military service; or Quality Control Inspector inspecting the maintenance of airframes and/or power plants in the military service . Work at this level is typically subject to review and specific guidelines to ensure compliance with instructions. If you'd like to submit a resume or apply for this position, please contact Premier Veterans at abjobs@premierveterans.com. All are free to apply! https://lemonwire.com/2020/04/12/aviation-safety-inspector-airworthiness-general-aviation-maintenance-job-in-houston-texas-department-of-transportation/ 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