Flight Safety Information May 5, 2020 - No. 090 In This Issue Incident: Total Cargo B722 at Rio de Janeiro on Apr 29th 2020, engine shut down in flight Embraer EMB-120RT Brasilia - Fatal Accident (Somalia) Pilot Error, Instructor Delay Caused Deadly T-38 Crash at Vance, Report Finds Allegiant to Offer Health, Safety Kits to Airline Passengers on Flights Man arrested for pointing laser at aircraft FAA Drone Training Initiative Announced: Providing the Skills the Industry Needs Wearing a mask during a Hawaiian Airlines flight will be required Malaysia Airlines' search for a strategic partner Quito Airport ready to resume operations on June 1 Air France Sells 16 Airbus A320 Family Aircraft In Order To Lease Back United Airlines to cut 30% of management in October and braces pilots for changes as well GE is cutting up to 13,000 jobs at its jet engine division because of the pandemic Virgin Galactic completes first glide flight landing in New Mexico desert SCSI Online Human Factors in Accident Investigation Course Call for Nominations For 2020 Laura Taber Barbour Air Safety Award On-line CRM Training Sessions Incident: Total Cargo B722 at Rio de Janeiro on Apr 29th 2020, engine shut down in flight A Total Cargo Boeing 727-200, registration PR-TTO performing a freight flight from Rio de Janeiro Galeao,RJ to Vitoria,ES (Brazil) with 3 crew, was climbing through FL240 out of Rio de Janeiro when engine #3 (right hand, JT8D) suffered compressor stalls, lost power and showed an increase in oil temperture. The crew worked the related checklists and shut the engine down. The aircraft continued to Vitoria on the remaining two engines for a safe landing. Brazil's CENIPA reported there were no injuries and no damage to the aircraft, no investigation was opened. http://avherald.com/h?article=4d6d34b2&opt=0 Back to Top Embraer EMB-120RT Brasilia - Fatal Accident (Somalia) Date: Monday 4 May 2020 Type: Embraer EMB-120RT Brasilia Operator: African Express Airways Registration: 5Y-AXO C/n / msn: 120259 First flight: 1992 Crew: Fatalities: 2 / Occupants: 2 Passengers: Fatalities: 4 / Occupants: 4 Total: Fatalities: 6 / Occupants: 6 Aircraft damage: Damaged beyond repair Location: near Baidoa Airport (BIB) ( Somalia) Phase: Approach (APR) Nature: Cargo Departure airport: ? Destination airport: Baidoa Airport (BIB/HCMB), Somalia Narrative: An Embraer EMB-120RT Brasilia carrying transporting medical supplies crashed on approach to Baidoa Airport, Somalia. All six on board were killed. https://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=20200504-0 Back to Top Pilot Error, Instructor Delay Caused Deadly T-38 Crash at Vance, Report Finds A T-38 Talon instructor pilot failed to take control of the aircraft when his student prematurely used a braking maneuver after touching down, causing the jet to collide with another aircraft, roll over and skid to a halt, killing both pilots, according to an Accident Investigation Board report. The crash, which occurred during a routine training flight Nov. 21, 2019, at Vance Air Force Base, Oklahoma, killed Lt. Col. John "Matt" Kincade, 47, an instructor pilot assigned to the 5th Flying Training Squadron, and 2nd Lt. Travis B. Wilkie, 23, a student pilot assigned to the 71st Student Squadron. The two men had just completed a training flight with another T-38 Talon instructor-student pilot team; then, both aircraft headed back to base for a formation landing. Kincade and Wilkie flew the left wing position, while the second T-38 flew on the right. Officials noted that the early morning low cloud cover steadily lifted, and the operation's supervisor allowed the T-38s to alter their flight status "from instrument recoveries-only to a visual recovery-permissible status of 'Restricted Pattern -- Straight-In Only'" when coming in for the landing, according to the report. Shortly after 9 a.m. local time, Kincade and Wilkie, flying tail number 65-0395, briefly became airborne again after the initial touchdown. In the front seat, Wilkie "prematurely initiated an aerobrake, causing [mishap aircraft 1] to lift back into the air after landing," the report states. Once an aircraft slows below flying airspeed after touching down, the pilot "will raise the nose to enter an aerodynamic braking maneuver" to block airflow and create drag, which slows the plane "to a speed at which the pilot can safely employ mechanical brakes," the Air Force said. In this case, Wilkie's early use of the aerobraking maneuver caused the T-38 to bounce back up and lose contact with the runway surface, officials said. It was Wilkie's 56th training sortie. "At the same time, [Wilkie] applied the right rudder to steer the aircraft away from the left edge of the runway," the report states. "The student's use of the rudder under these conditions -- airborne, configured for landing and at an increased angle of attack -- caused the aircraft to roll and yaw to the right and placed it on a collision course with the second T-38." Because of the delay between rudder application and noticeable aircraft response to the maneuver, the board report, headed by Brig. Gen. Evan Pettus, found that "[Kincade] was unaware of [Wilkie's] rudder input until after the onset of the rapid right roll." As the T-38 lifted off the runway and crossed into the other T-38's path, it struck the second jet with its right main landing gear, followed by its right wing. The pilots in the second aircraft were not injured in the accident. "After their aircraft collided with [mishap aircraft 2], [mishap aircraft 1] rolled right over the top of [aircraft 2] then impacted the ground upside down with engines in full military power," the report states. However, Pettus found that a collision with the second T-38 "was inevitable." "By a preponderance of the evidence, the causes of the mishap were [Kincade] failing to take control of [the aircraft] as a precarious situation developed and [Wilkie] subsequently making an inappropriate flight control input," he said. Pettus added that Wilkie "lacked an effective visual scan during the formation approach," substantially contributing to the accident. "Due to his focus on [mishap aircraft 2], [Wilkie] did not adequately cross-check his runway alignment prior to touchdown. Instead, he used rudder in an attempt to steer [his aircraft] as his premature aerobrake lifted the weight from [mishap aircraft 1's] wheels after [it] initially touched down," Pettus said. In a statement to Air Force Magazine, Wilkie's family said more research into the accident should have been conducted, finding the report "grossly and unjustly incomplete." The family added that tandem landings in a 1960s-era trainer are unnecessary and dangerous. The formation landing has "no continuing practical benefit to combat pilot proficiency or survivability," they said, according to the magazine. "Although it is the instructor's mandate to keep a student pilot safe, it should not be his or her job to ensure preservation of life during an exceedingly unsafe maneuver in an exceedingly tired old plane in which minor student errors occurring in hundredths of a second cannot be corrected quickly enough by the instructor," they said. "We don't think the Air Force is doing right by our Airmen and Airwomen by mandating student pilots land in formation in a plane so old that it doesn't perform as responsively as needed to prevent loss of life." https://www.military.com/daily-news/2020/05/04/pilot-error-instructor-delay-caused-deadly-t-38-crash-vance-report-finds.html Back to Top Allegiant to Offer Health, Safety Kits to Airline Passengers on Flights Allegiant, one of the airlines that made Sarasota Bradenton International Airport one of the fastest growing in the United States, announced a measure on Sunday that it hopes will help restore customer confidence during the cornavirus pandemic. In a letter to customers, Chief Operating Officer Scott Sheldon announced that the company will provide complimentary health and safety kits to all customers flying the leisure-focused airline. The kits, which include a single-use face mask, a pair of disposable non-latex gloves and cleaning wipes, will be rolled out through Allegiant's network this week. Kits will be distributed to customers as they board their flights. "Our 4,500 Allegiant team members across America are - as always - 100 percent focused on making sure your travels are as safe and seamless as possible," Sheldon wrote. "Whether you need to travel today, or are looking ahead to future vacations and long-overdue visits, we understand that your decision to travel is personal, and many factors are involved. And we know that a healthy environment is at the top of that list. It's personal, and it's critical - for you, and for our dedicated crew members who fly every day," Sheldon wrote. Allegiant released contents of the letter in a press release on Monday. This new program builds on other measures announced by Allegiant, including enhanced onboard and in-terminal health and safety measures, cleaning and disinfection, air purity, low-touch service initiatives aimed at preventing cross-contamination, and social distancing efforts. Details are available on Allegiant's website through a dedicated online resource page, Going the Distance for Health and Safety. https://www.aviationpros.com/airlines/news/21136810/allegiant-to-offer-health-safety-kits-to-airline-passengers-on-flights Back to Top Man arrested for pointing laser at aircraft Edcouch (Texas)- A 41-year-old man from Edcouch was arrested Sunday after pointing a laser at a Texas Department of Public Safety aircraft. According to Lt. Christopher Olivarez, a spokesman for DPS, the incident took place at 11:00 p.m. Personnel lead Troopers to the residence of Luis Fernando Solis. Solis then admitted to pointing the laser at the aircraft. He was arrested and was charged with one count of Illuminating an aircraft with a laser pointer. His bond was set at $2,000. Solis remains in jail. https://www.valleycentral.com/news/local-news/man-arrested-for-pointing-a-laser-at-aircraft/ Back to Top FAA Drone Training Initiative Announced: Providing the Skills the Industry Needs FAA drone training initiativeA new FAA drone training initiative will certify institutions offering UAS programs and provide opportunities for collaboration with the agency. The program is a focused effort to match training with labor force needs, benefitting both the industry and students interested in a career in drones. "The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) today announced a new Unmanned Aircraft Systems Collegiate Training Initiative (UAS-CTI) that allows educational institutions and the agency to work collaboratively with students who pursue careers in UAS," says an FAA release. The program will make it easier for students to identify qualified training opportunities - and will make it easier for them to find employment upon completion of their education. Certified institutions will "work with the FAA, other participants, general industry, local governments, law enforcement, and regional economic development entities to address labor force needs," says the announcement. "Providing our nation's youth with educational opportunities is a major commitment of this administration," said FAA Administrator Stephen M. Dickson. "We see these institutions opening doors for students seeking careers in this exciting, growing field of aviation." From the announcement: The FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018 required the agency to establish a UAS collegiate training initiative program. It also called for a process to designate an association of public, two-year institutions of higher education as Community and Technical College Centers of Excellence in Small UAS System Technology Training. The eligibility guidelines for the institutions to participate are: • School type: Not-for-profit, two- or four-year, post-secondary educational institutions. • Accreditation: Must be institutionally accredited by an agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education. • Degree/Certification: Schools must currently offer a bachelors or associates degree with a minor, concentration, or certificate in UAS. Post-secondary institutions with UAS curricula seeking recognition as a UAS-CTI can now apply for this distinction. Once requests for participation are received, the FAA will send potential applicants an initial questionnaire to further evaluate their eligibility for the program. Review information on how institutions can apply. https://dronelife.com/2020/05/04/faa-drone-training-initiative-announced/ Back to Top Wearing a mask during a Hawaiian Airlines flight will be required HONOLULU (KHON2) - Hawaiian Airlines says that passengers will have to wear a face mask starting May 8. The company says that the mask will need to cover the mouth and the nose starting from checking-in at the airport to deplaning at the flight's destination. Young children unable to keep a face covering on or guests with a medical condition or disability preventing its use will be exempted from the policy. Also on May 8th, the airline will modify boarding by asking guests to remain seated at the gate area until their rows are called. Main cabin guests will board from the rear of the aircraft, in groups of three to five rows at a time, and agents will pause boarding as needed to prevent congestion. Guests who require special assistance and those seated in First Class will be able to pre-board. The airline, which has been manually assigning seats to increase personal space onboard, will begin blocking middle seats on its jets, adjoining seats on ATR 42 turboprop aircraft, and other, select seats to continue to provide more space for guests and flight attendants. Depending on load factors, seating may need to be adjusted at the gate to maximize spacing throughout the cabin and meet weight and balance restrictions. The airline says that it will try to seat families and guests travelling in the same party together. It's encouraged for guests who prefer to sit together to contact the airline ahead of the flight or see an airport agent. Hawaiian also reports that it has been electrostatic spraying its cabins, which they say is a safe disinfecting technology that provides additional and effective protection against the virus. Company officials say that the treatment dries in five minutes and is applied nightly on flights between the islands on the Boeing 717 aircraft and before each departure from Hawaii on transpacific routes on Airbus A330s. The airline's A321neo fleet is currently not in service due to a reduced flying schedule. Hawaiian also distributes sanitizing wipes to passengers and has temporarily adjusted certain in-flight services, such as suspending the refilling of beverages in cups or personal bottles, and hot towel service. https://www.news10.com/news/wearing-a-mask-during-a-hawaiian-airlines-flight-will-be-required/ Back to Top Malaysia Airlines' search for a strategic partner Nearly six years after Malaysian sovereign wealth fund Khazanah Nasional rescued and privatised Malaysia Airlines, the carrier is still posting losses while its search for a strategic partner continues. Khazanah stated in 2014 targets for the airline to achieve break-even by the end of 2017 and return to profitability the following year. Instead, it posted MYR792 million ($180 million) in losses after tax in 2018. This attracted the attention of Malaysia's then-prime minister, Mahathir Mohamad, who told a news conference in March 2019 that he was studying options for the airline, which include shutting it down, selling it off, or increasing investment. SEEKING PARTNERS In 2019, Khazanah began its search for a strategic partner for Malaysia Airlines by appointing Morgan Stanley as an independent advisor. Azmin Ali, then minister for economic affairs, told the lower house of parliament in October 2019 that four entities were shortlisted, from a longlist of 20 that had been approached as potential strategic partners for the carrier's parent company Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG). Shukor Yusof, founder of aviation consultancy Endau Analytics, is of the opinion that the turnaround plan laid out by Khazanah in 2014 was "never a realistic target", as the Malaysian sovereign wealth fund did not take into consideration the long-running issues the airline had faced. He says, "Malaysia Airlines was slated to be profitable in 2018 or 2019 as part of the turnaround plan to turn Malaysian Airlines System to Malaysia Airlines Berhad. It was never a realistic target, because the restructuring and transformation crafted by Khazanah didn't take into account the fundamental problems, the technical issues, and the cultural issues that plagued Malaysia Airlines for a long time." Khazanah's search, however, didn't stop the media from bandying around, in September and October 2019, foreign carriers such as Japan Airlines and Qatar Airways as parties interested in the carrier. Air France-KLM came up as a possible candidate in January, prompting the Franco-Dutch airline group to issue a statement on 22 January to state it was "not a current party to the sales process". However, the group confirmed that it "had previously been in contact with Malaysia Airlines' shareholders". So far, two non-airline groups had expressed their interest to acquire Malaysia Airlines. In July 2019, a group of five businessmen led by a former AirAsia Group chairman, Pahamin Abdul Rajab, is said to have met up with Mahathir to propose a turnaround plan through its vehicle Najah Air. More recently in March 2020, a private company by the name of Golden Skies Ventures submitted an offer to fully take over MAG and assume most of its debt. Cirium contacted Khazanah about GSV's offer as well as progress of the search for a strategic investor but has yet to receive a response. The idea of a merger between AirAsia Group and Malaysia Airlines was also floated. In an interview with Reuters dated 17 April 2020, Azmin Ali, who is now the minister for international trade and industry, said a possible merger between the two carriers was one of the options considered in 2019. Shukor, however, suggests alternative options that can be considered include shutting down the existing carrier and to replace it with a newer and smaller entity, permit foreign equity investment into the carrier, or by letting existing shareholders continue pumping money into the airline. "When you shut it down, it doesn't mean it's the end of Malaysia Airlines. You can restart it with a leaner and more nimble carrier. This is a wonderful opportunity as under this current condition, as most of the aircraft are grounded anyway. It allows you plenty of time to rethink, restart and relook at how the future of air transportation is to be in Malaysia. I think this is totally the best way to look at it," he says. Meanwhile, Malaysia Airlines told Cirium in an email response dated 22 April: "Malaysia Airlines is of the opinion that solutions to address the industry oversupply situation and long-term sustainability need to be addressed holistically. Whilst mergers between airlines is one option, addressing the issues via regulations and policies should also not be ignored as it could just be as effective." It adds: "Any merger proposal will need to take into account anti-competition regulations and address the numerous implementation or integration challenges including the people aspects, and respective commitments or liabilities of both airline groups". COVID-19 CHALLENGE The global Covid-19 outbreak also means that carriers now have to focus on survival and any decision on the fate of Malaysia Airlines will also likely have to wait, at least until the pandemic eases. Malaysia Airlines says: "The impact of Covid-19 on the aviation industry is unprecedented and we have experienced significant disruptions to our business with a 94% cut in capacity, hence impacting revenue. This will necessitate a review of our long-term business plan once things have settled down, since many assumptions and parameters have changed as a result of the crisis". In the interim, parent Malaysia Aviation Group is working with Khazanah and the Malaysian government on the financial support it needs. Malaysia Airlines says: "Our immediate priority is to tackle the impact of the pandemic and we have taken hard measures to aggressively defend our cash position including capacity and resource management, deferring non-critical spend, and implementing cost cutting initiatives across the business." Brendan Sobie, an independent aviation analyst, says the crisis is an opportunity to conduct a broader strategic review of the industry. "The Covid-19 crisis makes it even more pressing as well as provides an opportunity to do a broader strategic review and re-think. That includes re-looking at many of the things that were already in the works but not completed before the crisis," says Sobie. He adds: "I believe the government needs in the interim to support all the airlines to help them get through this crisis until all the bigger picture issues can be evaluated and the building blocks for the future can be put in place." https://www.flightglobal.com/airlines/malaysia-airlines-search-for-a-strategic-partner/138222.article Back to Top Quito Airport ready to resume operations on June 1 Quito Airport has announced that it is working with the airlines and airport community to resume operations on June 1 if given the green light to do so by the Ecuadorian government. The airport, which notes that it has remained open and operational for cargo and repatriation flights for Ecuadorians and foreign nationals throughout the coronavirus crisis, reveals that it been preparing to "adapt to a new way of traveling, with new processes and protocols to care for passengers and airport collaborators" for the past few weeks. Andrew O'Brian, president and CEO of Corporación Quiport, says: "We are working together with the airlines and other members of the airport community and we already have a plan for returning to activities, probably as of June 1st. "Naturally, the national Emergency Operations Committee (COE) will have the final say, and everything will be carried out in co-ordination with the Quito's cantonal COE, led by Mayor Jorge Yunda, the Metropolitan Public Company of Airport Services and the General Directorate of Civil Aviation, who are the authorities we maintain a constant line of communication." He says that valuable lessons have been learned while managing repatriation flights about how airport operations should be carried out following the new sanitary requirements. "Beyond the date of opening of borders and resumption of flights, we are going to be ready, guaranteeing safety and health at the country's main airport," assured O'Brian. Like most airports across the globe, Quito has been hit hard by COVID-19, its passenger numbers falling by 90%, and O'Brian insists that it is in the national interests of Ecuador that it up and running again soon. "Quito's airport service is strategic, it is the city's gateway to the world," says O'Brian, noting that the airport generates 8,500 jobs and provides the fastest way to bring goods and supplies to Ecuador's capital city. https://airport-world.com/quito-airport-ready-to-resume-full-operations-when-allowed/ Back to Top Air France Sells 16 Airbus A320 Family Aircraft In Order To Lease Back Looking to strengthen its financial position and secure more funds, Air France will enter into a sale and leaseback agreement for sixteen of its A320 family aircraft. This will consist of six A319-100s and ten A318-100s. Sale and leaseback is something we've seen take place more frequently as airlines look to survive this global crisis. According to CH-Aviation, Air France is participating in a sale and leaseback agreement with global lessor FTAI Aviation. This agreement will cover a total of 16 Airbus narrowbody jets in possession of the French flag carrier. According to a statement from the lessor, the transaction specifically covers six A319-100s and ten A318-100s (also known as the 'baby bus'). All aircraft are powered by CFM International CFM56-5B engines. Expected to close later this month, the deal sees an average lease duration of 34 months. The specific value of the contract was not disclosed. In total, Air France owns all of its 18 A318-100s. Additionally, the airline owns 20 of the 33 A319-100s in its fleet. Who is FTAI Aviation? FTAI Aviation owns and acquires jet engines and commercial aircraft. On their website, the company claims that its "flexible approach to leasing" allows them to "meet the operational and time-sensitive needs" of its lessees. The airline's website also claims to work with 70 operators across 42 countries. It has a total asset value of $1.5 billion. FTAI's current portfolio includes the following types of aircraft: • Boeing 737s (-700, -800, -900) • Boeing 757-200 • Boeing 767-300ER • The entire Airbus A320 Family range (A318, A319, A320, A321) Conclusion Sale and leaseback has become a familiar term amid this global crisis. We've seen other sale and leaseback deals take place already. The most recent deal before this was one between United Airlines and BOC Aviation. The deal includes six Boeing 787-9 aircraft and 16 Boeing 737 MAX 9. However, the length and value of the leasing term are unknown. Additionally, Cathay Pacific announced nearly two months ago that it would sell six of its Boeing 777-300ER planes to BOC Aviation. The deal is set to be worth $703.8 million dollars. While sale and leaseback ultimately mean a higher cost for the airline in the long-term, the true value of such an agreement is time. When an airline sells its most valuable assets to an aircraft lessor, it's buying itself time to weather this difficult storm of financial uncertainty. With the funds raised, airlines can cover their operating costs in the short term. This includes maintenance on parked aircraft and administrative overhead. https://simpleflying.com/air-france-airbus-sale/ Back to Top United Airlines to cut 30% of management in October and braces pilots for changes as well • United Airlines plans to cut at least 3,400 management and administrative positions in October. • The airline has also told pilots to brace for changes as well, according to two memos seen by Reuters. • The United memos are the first indication of just how much major airlines might downsize due to the health crisis. United Airlines plans to cut at least 3,400 management and administrative positions in October as the coronavirus pandemic crushes air travel demand, and has told pilots to brace for changes as well, according to two memos seen by Reuters. Chicago-based United is among the U.S. airlines that have accepted U.S. government payroll aid that bans job or pay cuts before Sept. 30. However, United and other carriers have warned that demand is unlikely to recover to pre-crisis levels by that date, forcing them to shrink in the fall. The United memos are the first indication of just how much major airlines might downsize due to the health crisis. "We have to acknowledge that there will be serious consequences to our company if we don't continue to take strong and decisive action, which includes making decisions that none of us ever wanted or expected to make," Kate Gebo, Executive Vice President Human Resources and Labor Relations, said in the memo to some 11,500 management and administrative employees. Affected employees will be notified in mid to late July for an Oct. 1 effective date, she said, while encouraging employees to consider a voluntary separation before that date. In a separate memo seen by Reuters, pilots were told to prepare for a "displacement" that will affect roughly 30% of roughly 12,250 pilots. One pilot union official said the group was interpreting the message to mean a 30% reduction as soon as Oct. 1. United sent memos on Monday to a number of work groups about near-term changes and potential long-term implications, spokeswoman Leslie Scott said. "Travel demand is essentially zero for the foreseeable future and, even with federal assistance that covers a portion of our payroll expense through Sept. 30, we anticipate spending billions of dollars more than we take in for the next several months, while continuing to employ 100% of our workforce," United spokesman Frank Benenati said in an email. "That's not sustainable for any company." United and other airlines, which only months ago were mapping out growth plans, have parked jets and drastically cut flight schedules in an effort to reduce costs and shore up cash until demand recovers. https://www.cnbc.com/2020/05/05/united-airlines-to-cut-30percent-of-management-in-october-and-braces-pilots-for-changes-as-well.html Back to Top GE is cutting up to 13,000 jobs at its jet engine division because of the pandemic New York (CNN Business)General Electric is cutting as many as 13,000 jobs in its jet engine business after the coronavirus pandemic brought devastation to the aerospace industry. GE Aviation on Monday announced plans to accelerate its cost-cutting by permanently reducing its global workforce by as much as 25% this year through a mix of layoffs and voluntary actions. This includes the previously-announced plan to cut 10% of GE Aviation's US workforce. The moves are designed to cope with an "unprecedented" and "deep contraction" of the commercial aviation business, the company said. Orders for jet engines and parts have plunged as Boeing (BA) and Airbus (EADSF) have slashed production of new planes. Demand for servicing jets has also collapsed as airlines have grounded countless existing planes during the crisis. "While extremely difficult, I am confident this is the required response to the continued contraction of the industry, and its protracted recovery," GE Aviation CEO David Joyce wrote in a memo to employees. "I am equally confident that the industry will recover over time and that we will be positioned to win." GE Aviation said the job cuts will help the company save $1 billion. The job cuts will apply to salaried and hourly workers around the world over the coming months. In late March, GE announced it would cut 10% of its US workforce, or about 2,600 employees. The company also said it would furlough about half of its US maintenance, repair, overhaul and new engine manufacturing workers. GE is for the first time detailing the impact on its global workforce, which totaled about 52,000 at the end of 2019. GE (GE) shares fell 4% on Monday, leaving them down 44% year-to-date. GE's stalled comeback The coronavirus pandemic is disrupting the turnaround efforts at GE, which relies on the aviation division for the largest portion of its revenue. Last week GE said it estimates the crisis has wiped out about $900 million of its earnings and hurt free cash flow by around $1 billion. The jet engine division suffered the biggest blow and GE has warned the recovery will be slow. GE said commercial engine orders plummeted 82% to 145 during the first quarter. That included a 99% decline in orders for the LEAP engine, the exclusive engine for the Boeing 737 Max, which has been grounded for more than a year. Boeing also announced plans late last month to cut 16,000 jobs, or 10% of its workforce, after posting a massive loss. It's not just the aviation division that is cutting costs. GE also lowered the headcount at its power division by 700 during the first quarter and implemented a hiring freeze. The news comes as the United States braces for an historic spike in unemployment. The government jobs report set to be released Friday is expected to show the unemployment rate surged to 16.1% in April, the highest level since 1939. https://www.cnn.com/2020/05/04/business/ge-aviation-job-cuts/index.html Back to Top Virgin Galactic completes first glide flight landing in New Mexico desert Virgin Galactic's spaceship VSS Unity landed in the New Mexico desert on Friday, marking its first glide flight from Spaceport America as the company moves toward commercial operations. The company announced the flight on social media and shared photos of the craft on the runway and members of the crew stationed far apart around the special carrier plane that ferries the smaller spaceship to high altitude. After years of development and testing at Mojave Air & Space Port in Mojave, California, Virgin Galactic is close to starting actual operations at its futuristic terminal and hangar in southern New Mexico. The company has not set a date for the first commercial flights but has said it anticipates doing so in 2020. A small number of test flights are needed before Virgin Galactic can take paying customers on supersonic thrill rides to the lower reaches of space to experience a few minutes of weightlessness and a view of the Earth below. The suborbital flights will reach an altitude of at least 50 miles (80.5 kilometers) before the spaceship glides to a landing. The company considered Friday's flight a major achievement that has been in the works since the spaceship and carrier plane relocated to New Mexico in February. The flight provided the first opportunity to test all the components required to fly the carrier aircraft and spaceship in glide configuration from their new home base. Officials will now be reviewing data gathered during the exercise so they can prepare for the next test flight. The spaceship reached a glide speed of Mach 0.70 as the pilots performed a series of maneuvers to check handling and aerodynamics and to get more familiar with the New Mexico airspace. Virgin Galactic CEO George Whitesides congratulated his team on hitting the milestone, especially during such challenging times. 'I am grateful for the commitment displayed by everyone involved, not only in helping to support relief efforts in both New Mexico and California, but also for the dedication and creativity which will allow us to continue safely towards our goal of commercial launch," he said. While many employees have been working remotely during the pandemic, members of the Virgin Galactic team have been helping with relief efforts. They've donated meals, masks, gloves and other medical supplies to communities and hospitals in New Mexico and California. The company also has made donations of more than $60,000 in New Mexico and is working on developing oxygen hoods that could potentially help COVID-19 patients. "We're pursuing sort of an all-hands-on-deck strategy here where we're really trying to help wherever we can," Whitesides said. Virgin Galactic went public on the New York Stock Exchange last fall. Company officials are preparing to release their first quarter results Tuesday. More than 600 customers from around the world have put down deposits for flights, and about 8,000 reservations of interest have been made since the successful test flight into space in December 2018. Company officials expect that interest to surpass the company's capacity for flights for the next few years. The initial seats were sold at $250,000 apiece. Those who want to register interest online are paying a fully refundable deposit of $1,000. https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/news/2020/05/02/virgin-galactic-completes-first-glide-flight-new-mexico/3071679001/ 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 On-line CRM Training Sessions A series of interactive CRM/Human Factors training sessions for pilots, cabin crew and dispatchers. Also available for CRM Trainers & CRM Trainer Examiners . Courses are open to all, however we also offer private courses delivered in your own Time Zone For more details Or please email us at sales@itsacademy.com or call us on +44 (0)117 344 5019 Curt Lewis