Flight Safety Information May 6, 2020 - No. 091 In This Issue Crash: East African Express E120 at Berdale on May 4th 2020, aircraft shot down Incident: Aeroflot SU95 at Moscow on May 5th 2020, engine shut down in flight 05-MAY-2020 - Cabiline SA Learjet 35A accident: 2 dead (Argentina) Delta Further Reduces Seating On Flights In Response To Coronavirus FAA Responds to NTSB's "Most Wanted" Safety Recommendations Talon Air Renews ARGUS Platinum and IS-BAO Stage III Safety Ratings Masks Will Be Required At Denver International Airport Flying During Coronavirus: How Airlines Are Changing Their In-Flight Rules Chinese Airline Topples Southwest to Become World's Biggest Virgin Atlantic Cuts Over 3,000 Jobs in the UK; Ends Gatwick Airport Operations Ethiopian remodels 9 passenger aircraft for cargo Inside the Race to Launch the First 'Boomless,' Carbon-Neutral Supersonic Jet SCIENTISTS CREATE JET ENGINE POWERED BY ONLY ELECTRICITY Leasing bosses expect modest 2020 jet deliveries due to crisis Tom Cruise to Film Aboard International Space Station, NASA Administrator Says The USC Aviation Safety & Security Program Has Moved Online! SCSI Online Human Factors in Accident Investigation Course Call for Nominations For 2020 Laura Taber Barbour Air Safety Award On-line CRM Training Sessions Crash: East African Express E120 at Berdale on May 4th 2020, aircraft shot down An East African Express Airways Embraer EMB-120, registration 5Y-AXO performing a charter freight flight from Baidoa to Berdale (Somalia) with 4 passengers, 2 crew and a load of medical supplies, was on approach to Berdale at about 2200 feet MSL about 3 minutes prior to landing and about 3nm before the airport at approximately 15:45L (12:45Z), when the aircraft was hit by an object similiar to a rocket propelled grenade, lost height, impacted ground and burst into flames. All occupants perished, the aircraft was destroyed. The Transport Minister of Southwest Region of Somalia reported there were no survivors. Ethiopian troops operating and guarding the airport in the civil war stricken area secured the crash site. The airline reported the aircraft was shot down 5km from the airport in Bardale. The aircraft had flown from Mogadishu via an intermediate stop in Baidoa to Berdale (Baardale). Kenyan Security Forces reported the aircraft was downed by a rocket propelled grenade launched from the area of Berdale. Al Shabab rebel forces can not be ruled out. An Ethiopian journalist on site claims without providing evidence, the rocket propelled grenade was launched by Ethiopian troops. According to the United Nations the Berdale Airfield is located at coordinates N2.3303 E42.3118 about 93nm southwest of Baidoa. http://avherald.com/h?article=4d6de1d4&opt=0 Back to Top Incident: Aeroflot SU95 at Moscow on May 5th 2020, engine shut down in flight An Aeroflot Sukhoi Superjet SU-100-95, registration RA-89105 performing flight SU-1356 from Moscow Sheremetyevo to Saratov (Russia), was climbing out of Sheremetyevo's runway 06R when the crew stopped the climb at 8000 feet, shut the left hand engine (SaM146) down and returned to Sheremetyevo for a safe landing on runway 06R about 30 minutes after departure. A replacement Airbus A320-200 registration VP-BFE reached Saratov with a delay of 3 hours. http://avherald.com/h?article=4d6e094c&opt=0 Back to Top 05-MAY-2020 - Cabiline SA Learjet 35A accident: 2 dead (Argentina) Date: Tuesday 5 May 2020 Time: ca 23:00 Type: Learjet 35A Operator: Cabiline SA Registration: LV-BXU C/n / msn: 35-462 First flight: 1982 Crew: Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 2 Passengers: Fatalities: 2 / Occupants: 2 Total: Fatalities: 2 / Occupants: 4 Aircraft damage: Damaged beyond repair Location: near Esquel Airport, CB (EQS) ( Argentina) Phase: Approach (APR) Nature: Ambulance Departure airport: San Fernando Airport, BA (FDO/SADF), Argentina Destination airport: Esquel Airport, CB (EQS/SAVE), Argentina Narrative: A Learjet 35A ambulance jet, registration LV-BXU, was destroyed when it crashed on approach to Esquel Airport (EQS/SAVE), Chubut Province, Argentina. There were four people onboard, two pilots, a doctor and a nurse. Both pilots survived with serious injuries. The plane was trying to land at the time of the accident, around 11pm, in a dense fog that limited visibility to 100 metres. https://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=20200505-0 Back to Top Delta Further Reduces Seating On Flights In Response To Coronavirus Delta Air Lines, Inc. (NYSE: DAL) CEO Ed Bastian said Tuesday that the airline is blocking even more seats on its flights to enforce social distancing, In addition to previously announced healthy and safety measures. Delta Says First-Class Seats Dropping By Half After blocking middle seats on all flights in mid-April, Delta announced Tuesday that it is also blocking select window and aisle seats in all cabins configured with 1X2, 2X2 and 2X3 seating. Seat blocks for narrow-body and regional jets will begin this week, while blocks for two-seat sections of widebody aircraft will begin in the coming weeks, according to the Atlanta-based airline. The cap on seating means 50% fewer seats in first class and 40% fewer seats in the main cabin as well as in Delta's Comfort+ and Premium Select products. The reduced seating will apply through June 30. Benzinga is covering every angle of how the coronavirus affects the financial world. For daily updates, sign up for our coronavirus newsletter. Delta, Competitors Ask Fliers To Wear Masks Delta previously announced back-to-front boarding and has mandated the wearing of face masks for both passengers and crew. The airline has also revealed its plan to use electrostatic sprayers to sanitize its fleet. COVID-19 is redefining flying etiquette as other airlines such as JetBlue Airways Corporation (NASDAQ: JBLU), American Airlines Group Inc. (NASDAQ: AAL) and United Airlines Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ: UAL) are also asking customers and staff to use face coverings. The United States had 1,204,351 COVID-19 cases and 71,043 fatalities as of Tuesday, according to the Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center. https://www.yahoo.com/news/delta-further-reduces-seating-flights-040213195.html Back to Top FAA Responds to NTSB's "Most Wanted" Safety Recommendations Substantial progress made to address important NTSB safety concerns. The FAA and NTSB regularly collaborate to improve aviation safety.A Fact Sheet released recently by the FAA lists several National Transportation Safety Board safety recommendations, followed by the FAA actions being taken or considered. Of note is the record showing that NTSB and FAA "agree on a course of action about 80 percent of the time." Here are some interesting points in the FAA/NTSB safety recommendation fact sheet. For additional reading, the full fact sheet is available here. While FAA agrees a majority of the time with NTSB's safety recommendations, one clear example of a difference of opinion is in regards to NTSB recommendations A-13-12 and A-13-13, the required installation of crash-resistant flight recorder systems on new or existing turbine-powered, non-experimental, non-restricted-category aircraft that are not equipped with a flight data recorder and a cockpit voice recorder and are operating under Parts 91, 121, or 135. "The crash-resistant flight recorder system should record cockpit audio and images with a view of the cockpit environment to include as much of the outside view as possible," the NTSB recommended on the fact sheet. However, the document stated that the FAA is not considering rulemaking at this time for these recommendations, saying, "The FAA will examine possible ways of polling operators through their aviation safety inspectors to identify voluntary flight data monitoring (FDM) system equipage rates." NTSB's recommendation A-16-36 states that all Part 135 operators should be required to establish safety management system (SMS) programs, an extension of a January 2015 FAA rule that required Part 121 certificate holders to have an SMS in place. The fact sheet stated that "FAA would like to highlight that while SMS is not currently required for Part 135 operators, the FAA has a formal SMS voluntary program in which Part 135 operators may participate. The FAA will conduct a review and hold meetings to determine the feasibility of recommending SMS for Part 135 certificate holders and determine if further action is needed." In an effort to reduce fatigue-related accidents, NTSB recommendations A-94-194/A-95-113/A-14-72 aims to set working hour limits for flight crews, aviation mechanics, and air traffic controllers based on fatigue research, circadian rhythms, and sleep and rest requirements, and requires that aviation safety inspectors brief the threat of fatigue before each departure. "The FAA will publish an Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) addressing Part 91 tail-end ferry operations for Part 135 operators and an NPRM to extend Part 121 flight, duty, and rest limits to tail-end ferry flights that follow an all-cargo flight," the fact sheet explained. In addition, the FAA is updating FAA Order 8900.1 and Advisory Circular (AC) 120-72, Maintenance Human Factors Training, to address NTSB recommendation A-13-3 requiring that personnel performing maintenance or inspections under Parts 121, 135, 145, and 91 Subpart K receive initial and recurrent training on human factors affecting maintenance that includes a review of the causes of human error, including fatigue, its effects on performance, and actions individuals can take to prevent the development of fatigue. The fact sheet listed several important NTSB recommendations aimed at improving the safety of air tour operations in Hawaii. In cooperation with Hawaii commercial air tour operators, aviation psychologists, and meteorologists, NTSB recommendation A-07-18 states that a "cue-based" training program for commercial air tour pilots in Hawaii should be developed that specifically addresses hazardous aspects of local weather phenomena and in-flight decision-making, and would be required training for all newly-hired pilots. The FAA's action includes a revision of Operations Specification (OPSS) B048 and Letter of Authorization (LOA) B548 to require weather training provided via pictorial description, actual video, or PowerPoint presentations of each commercial air tour site, showing examples of acceptable and unacceptable weather at each critical point within the route along with industry-recommended course reversal maneuvers. Other NTSB safety recommendations listed on the fact sheet involve drug and alcohol impairment, the strengthening of occupant protections in new rotorcraft, coordination of evacuation procedures between Part 121 flight attendants and flight deck crew members in cases of loss of communications, and new recommendations for inoperative radar altimeters in helicopter emergency medical services operations. A lengthy focus of safety recommendations in the fact sheet was aimed at the Alaskan Air Tour industry to reduce the risk of weather-related accidents involving the continuation of flight under visual flight rules (VFR) into instrument meteorological conditions. In particular, NTSB recommendation A-17-42 states that automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast (ADS-B) data from Ketchikan air tour operations needs to be analyzed on an ongoing basis, with meetings held annually with Ketchikan air tour operators to engage in a discussion of any operational hazards reflected in the data and collaborate on mitigation strategies for any hazards identified. The fact sheet stated that "FAA determined that there are several portions of Ketchikan air tour flight paths where ADS-B data is not available. However, discussions with industry stakeholders indicate that their use of "Spider Tracks" technology, a commercially available GPS tracking tool, allows the air carriers to have full coverage of the entire flight path. Spider Track information has been openly shared with the FAA, and is routinely incorporated into the bi-annual air tour safety meetings." https://www.flyingmag.com/story/news/faa-ntsb-most-wanted-safety-recs/ Back to Top Talon Air Renews ARGUS Platinum and IS-BAO Stage III Safety Ratings The audits were conducted before the outbreak of the COVID-19 virus. Following a comprehensive on-site audit, Talon Air has renewed two of the private aviation industry's leading third-party safety ratings: ARGUS Platinum and IS-BAO Stage III. The audits were conducted before the outbreak of the COVID-19 virus. According to Talon CEO James Chitty, "I am proud of our team for successfully passing these intensive audits," adding, "safety has always been Talon's number one priority. There is nothing more important to us than the safety and well being of our clients and team members." ARGUS and IS-BAO are recognized throughout the industry and by regulators as key measures of an operator's dedication to safety and industry best practices, often exceeding regulations. Auditors reviewed all aspects of Talon's operation, including flight operations, maintenance, dispatch, charter and safety. In addition to the ARGUS and IS-BAO status, Talon is also a Wyvern Wingman operator. Less than one percent of all charter companies worldwide have achieved the top ratings in all three independent audit programs. https://www.aviationpros.com/airports/press-release/21136858/pr-newswire-talon-air-renews-argus-platinum-and-isbao-stage-iii-safety-ratings Back to Top Masks Will Be Required At Denver International Airport DENVER (CBS4) - Everyone in Denver is required to wear a face mask in public starting Wednesday - and that includes all passengers, employees and visitors at Denver International Airport. Passengers should wear their face coverings throughout the airport including during the TSA screening process. However, TSA recommends travelers be prepared to adjust their mask so that officers can visually confirm their identity during the checkpoint screening process. Several airlines are now requiring passengers to wear face coverings and airport officials say others are likely to implement similar requirements. It is highly recommended that passengers review airlines requirements and safety measures before flying. In addition to requiring masks, officials said the airport has implemented the following measures to help prevent the spread of the virus: * Installed over 100 hand sanitizing stations in high-traffic areas * Installed disinfecting wipe dispensers at each gate so passengers can wipe down their seat and tray upon boarding * Regularly cleaning high-touch areas including restrooms, the train to the gates and gate holdrooms * Disabled air hand dryers in the restrooms to reduce the spread of germs * Installed floor tape to indicate a safe distance to stand at customer service booths and other areas of public interaction * Reconfigured TSA security lines to provide more space between passengers and added signage to encourage passengers to social distance while in line * TSA is installing plexiglass shields at screening podiums to allow for distance between officers and passengers and the same will be installed at other areas where there is public interaction * Many restaurants are focusing on carry out options and others have spread out seating to accommodate for social distance * Closed food court seating on all three concourses For more information about DEN's response to COVID-19 and operational impacts, visit www.flydenver.com/. Denver's mask requirement extends to anyone over the age of 3 who is outside their home and cannot maintain a safe distance from people. Several local governments in Colorado now require certain people to wear masks. https://denver.cbslocal.com/2020/05/04/masks-required-denver-international-airport/ Back to Top Flying During Coronavirus: How Airlines Are Changing Their In-Flight Rules The latest on mandatory masks, blocked middle seats, and updated boarding procedures. After coming to a near standstill due to the coronavirus outbreak, the air travel industry is turning its collective attention to what it will take to get passengers flying again. The first step: making fliers feeling safe in the confined space of an airplane with new onboard regulations. In addition to increased sanitizing procedures, airlines across the globe are changing their boarding protocols, are allotting more space for fliers onboard planes, and have begun mandating passengers and flight crew wear personal protective gear, like face masks and gloves. Face masks in particular have been widely endorsed across the industry in recent weeks. The Association of Flight Attendants-CWA, which represents 50,000 flight attendants, has called upon the Department of Transportation and Health and Human Services to make masks a requirement for all air passengers nationwide. Similarly, the International Air Transport Association and U.S. Travel Association have both released guidelines for passengers and crew to wear masks, as well as other changes to the check-in and boarding processes to allow for social distancing during travel. Here are the latest policies among individual airlines. Air Canada Following an order from Canada's Minister of Transport, Air Canada has required masks or facial coverings for all passengers since April 20. Coverings must be worn over the mouth and nose while at check-in, during the boarding process, and during flight. While on board the aircraft, the masks may be removed for eating and drinking, if the emergency oxygen is deployed, or if flight attendants deem adequate physical distance can be maintained in-flight. Customers must bring their own face coverings, but they "do not need to be medical masks-any face covering including a scarf or similar item is acceptable," the airline's policy says. Air Canada has also adjusted its boarding process to minimize potential contact between passengers by allowing fewer people to board at a time, and its gate agents are re-seating fliers to maintain social distancing. Air France Masks will be compulsory for all Air France passengers starting May 11. The airline says it will be contacting all customers on upcoming flights via email or text to remind them to have one or more facial coverings for their trip. All crew members must also wear masks. When possible, Air France is also spacing fliers out. "On most flights, the current low load factors make it possible to separate customers as required," the airline says. American Airlines Starting May 11, all passengers on all flights must wear face coverings. (Flight attendants have been required to wear masks since May 1.) As supplies and operational conditions allow, the airline will distribute face masks and sanitizing wipes to all customers. "Very young passengers and those with conditions that prevent them from wearing a face covering will be exempt from the requirement," American's policy says. The carrier's gate agents are reassigning seats to create more space between fliers (family groups can be placed together, however). American says through May 31, it "will not assign 50 percent of main cabin middle seats or seats near flight attendant jump seats on every flight, and will only use those middle seats when necessary." Delta As of May 4, Delta began requiring all passengers to wear face masks at all points throughout their journey. Face coverings are "required starting in the check-in lobby and across Delta touch-points including Delta Sky Clubs, boarding gate areas, jet bridges, and on board the aircraft for the duration of the flight-except during meal service," according to the airline's policy. Delta employees will undergo temperature checks and must also wear masks when within six feet of of others. Passengers will be reminded of the new rules via email and through the Delta app. "We continue to encourage customers to bring their own face covering when traveling with us, supplies will be available for customers who need them." (People unable to keep a face covering in place, including children, are exempt from the new regulations.) Delta is also reducing the total number of passengers on each flight and blocking middle seats in economy, Comfort Plus, and Premium Select cabins. The airline has also changed its boarding process to load the plane row by row from back to front. (However Delta One, first class, and Diamond Medallion members can board at any time.) Emirates All passengers have been required to wear masks on board Emirates flights since April. The airline has also recently introduced new protective equipment guidelines for its cabin crew, which includes a disposable gown over their uniforms, mask, goggles, and gloves. At Dubai International Airport, Emirates' home base, all customers and employees must wear masks and gloves. For some flights, the airline has partnered with the Dubai Health Authority to conduct rapid result blood tests for coronavirus prior to boarding. Additionally, Emirates is placing vacant seats between individuals or family groups on board its planes. In-flight food and beverage service has been reduced to personal bento boxes to reduce contact between crew and passengers. For more details, visit the airline's social distancing page. JetBlue The first U.S. airline to mandate that all passengers wear masks, JetBlue announced new rules on April 27 that went into effect on May 4. The policy states that fliers must wear face coverings during all stages of travel, including check-in, boarding, in flight, deplaning, and throughout the airport. The only fliers exempt from the new rules, according to the airline's statement, will be small children who "are not able to maintain a face covering." Masks are also compulsory for crew members. The airline has also limited the number of seats available for sale "on most flights," which allows additional space between passengers who are not traveling together. Lufthansa The Lufthansa Group began requiring passengers bring their own facial coverings on flights since May 4. "A reusable fabric mask is recommended, but all other types of coverings, such as disposable masks or scarves, are also sound alternatives," says a statement from the airline group, which includes Lufthansa, Swiss, and Austrian Airlines, as well as budget carrier Eurowings. The carriers' flight attendants will also be required to wear masks through at least August 31. Lufthansa Group airlines are also blocking the middle seat in economy and economy plus cabins. The group contends that this practice "will no longer remain a necessity, as the facial covering provides the necessary protection," but will continue allocating fliers as far apart as possible while low load factors allow. Southwest As of May 3, Southwest has required its customer-facing employees to wear face masks. That new rule will be extended to passengers on May 11. They will be required to wear their own facial covering in order to board a flight with the airline. If a passenger forgets a mask, the airline will provide one. Additionally, sanitizing wipes will be available upon request to passengers on board each flight. The airline has no plans to change its well-known open seating policy, but it will temporarily reduce the number of passengers on each flight. It's also tweaking its famous alphanumeric boarding process: Fliers will still board sequentially, but in smaller groups of 10 at a time. Flight attendants will also guide passengers on how to deplane while maintaining social distancing. The airline has completely suspended drink and snack service until further notice. United Effective May 4, all passengers must wear a facial covering on United flights. "We encourage customers to bring their own face coverings, but our customer service agents will be able to provide them if you don't have one when you board our aircraft," the airline's rules say. "Certain customers-such as those who have a medical condition that prevents them from wearing a face covering, those who cannot put on or remove a face covering themselves and small children-will not be required to wear one on board." Through at least the end of May, United is limiting seat selections in all cabins. Fliers won't be able to select middle seats or seats next to each other, and seats will be alternated to maintain a safe distance across aisles, too. The airline has also moved primarily to prepackaged snacks and sealed beverage options on board. https://www.cntraveler.com/story/flying-during-coronavirus-how-airlines-are-changing-their-in-flight-rules Back to Top Chinese Airline Topples Southwest to Become World's Biggest • Southwest removed over 1 million seats from schedule this week • Airbus A380s 'on gardening leave' due to lack of demand: OAG China Eastern Airlines Corp. overtook Southwest Airlines Co. as the world's biggest airline by number of seats after the U.S. carrier grounded many of its flights, according to OAG Aviation Worldwide. The number of seats available globally slid to 26.6 million this week compared to 109 million the same time last year, despite OAG's earlier hopes that there could be a bottom for the market at around 30 million seats. "Dramatic cuts are outstripping those small shoots of optimism," OAG analyst John Grant wrote in his weekly blog. "Some 270 airlines added capacity back to the tune of approximately 3.9 million seats; unfortunately, 303 airlines reduced capacity by some 5.6 million including over 1 million fewer seats from Southwest Airlines." Empty Skies Airlines keep slashing capacity as pandemic weakens travel demand OAG Aviation Worldwide The decline has taken a toll on wide-body aircraft, with no flights scheduled for Airbus SE's A380, which Grant described as being on gardening leave. Globally, domestic flights account for more than 82% of all seats, he said. Northeast Asia remains the largest regional market in the world. Capacity there is up 6% from last week, according to OAG. In China nearly 900,000 seats have been added as travel restrictions are eased and carriers try to stimulate demand with cheap fares. Shanghai-based China Eastern is one of the country's "Big Three" state-owned carriers, along with China Southern Airlines Co. and Air China Ltd. The trio reported heavy first-quarter losses last week, but capacity additions for the national holidays that end Tuesday have helped fuel hopes for a rebound. Flight analytics company Cirium last week said the green shoots of recovery in China are a "beacon of hope" for the aviation industry. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-05-05/chinese-airline-topples-southwest-to-become-world-s-biggest Back to Top Virgin Atlantic Cuts Over 3,000 Jobs in the UK; Ends Gatwick Airport Operations, A Major Hub for Orlando International Airport Given that virtually all non-essential travel has come to a standstill due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, beside the theme parks, airlines are among the worst affected. In a recent interview, Southwest Airlines CEO Gary Kelly emphasized the need for Disney World to reopen in order to lure in more passengers. Now overseas, the stark decrease in travel has led Virgin Atlantic to announce that it is cutting 3,000 jobs in the UK and ending its operations at Gatwick airport, a major hub for Orlando International Airport and guests traveling to Walt Disney World Resort. The airline, which currently employs a total of about 10,000 people, is in the process of applying for emergency loans from the government. Virgin Atlantic Chief Executive Shai Weiss spoke to the degree of damage the pandemic has had on the company and industry as a whole: "We have weathered many storms since our first flight 36 years ago but none has been as devastating as Covid-19 and the associated loss of life and livelihood for so many." Virgin Atlantic will now only be flying from London Heathrow and Manchester. With the Gatwick route now shut down, it comes at a loss of three direct flights to Orlando International Airport daily. MCO's social media team even took to Twitter to bid the royal fleet goodbye. Virgin Atlantic will also be reducing the size of its fleet, no longer using its fleet of seven (yeah, seven) 747-400 aircraft, one of which featured a full Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge overlay. The airline hopes to restore about 60% of its pre-pandemic flying capacity by the end of 2020. https://wdwnt.com/2020/05/virgin-atlantic-cuts-over-3000-jobs-in-the-uk-ends-gatwick-airport-operations-a-major-hub-for-orlando-international-airport/ Back to Top Ethiopian remodels 9 passenger aircraft for cargo Ethiopian Airlines announced that it has reconfigured passenger cabins of four B777-300ER, three B737-800 and two B767-300 aircraft to boost its capacity in response to the growing demand for cargo shipment. Ethiopian has 12 freighter aircraft operating in full capacity. However, as the need for cargo shipment increases for timely delivery of medical supplies in the wake of the pandemic, additional cargo capacity has become essential. With conversion of its A350, B787 and Q400 passenger aircrafts in the pipeline, nine of Ethiopian aircraft have been modified to provide cargo service only. Ethiopian has been transporting vital supplies across Africa to support the fight against Covid-19. It is also loading cargo in the cabins as well as the belly of the passenger aircraft with out removal of seats to support its operation. https://www.stattimes.com/news/ethiopian-remodels-9-passenger-aircraft-for-cargo-air-cargo/ Back to Top Inside the Race to Launch the First 'Boomless,' Carbon-Neutral Supersonic Jet Aerion's AS2 is designed to cruise at more than 1,000 mph, but it could also become the most environmentally friendly business jet in its class. "Supersonic" may bring to mind the 1970's Concorde or today's lightning-fast fighter jets, but the term has come to mean something very different in the last 10 years, as the race towards a new generation of supersonic business jets accelerates. Five US companies, as well as aviation firms in both Russia and Japan, are developing supersonic aircraft. Now, there's an all-out dog fight to be first in the air. The longest-running player is Aerion Corp., which has been touting the time advantages of its supersonic business jets since 2004. Its AS2, which the company plans to have certified in 2026, hits a theoretical top speed of Mach 1.4 (or 1,075 mph) cruise. The supersonic jet not only promises to shave hours from a typical flight-3 hours 39 minutes from New York to Cape Town for instance-but it will get six to 10 passengers there in hyper-speed comfort, with plush, recliner seats and lounges, and a full chef's galley, naturally. The race towards hyper-speed: The AS2, expected to be certified in 2026, is one of several supersonic business jets that could be flying in the next five years. "AS2 will be the first privately built supersonic business aircraft ever," Tom Vice, Aerion Chairman and CEO, told Robb Report in an interview. "We expect our aircraft to be the choice of travelers not just because it is the fastest and most luxurious, but also because it is the most environmentally sustainable." The new generation of supersonic jets is very different from the days of the Concorde, a fast but incredibly fuel-inefficient and cramped aircraft that was forced to reduce its air speed over land because of the window-jarring sonic booms it produced on the ground. The AS2 will have what Aerion is calling "Boomless Cruise" technology that negates the sonic boom. It's also the first supersonic aircraft designed without an afterburner to lower emissions, and will be the first to accept 100 percent biofuels-as opposed to the blends currently in use by some other aircraft manufacturers. "We'll be carbon-neutral from our first flight," says Vice. "We don't believe that speed and protection of our environment need to be mutually exclusive." Vice says the design of the AS2 has improved dramatically since Aerion launched the concept in 2004. "We have to meet a number of competing requirements and that isn't easy, but we've optimized around them to come up with an AS2 design that can meet them all simultaneously," he says. The stars do seem to be aligning for Aerion. Its most recent partnerships with Boeing and GE Aviation not only give it a much deeper aerospace bench, but the actual engines to power the AS2. GE's Affinity engine operates as high as 60,000 feet and works well in both subsonic and supersonic modes (which can be fundamentally different from each other.) Affinity also meets rigorous noise and emissions standards. In the last year, Aerion has grown the company to more than 300 employees, and has hired many aerospace veterans on to its executive team as it prepares the ramp up to production. It has even hired a chief sustainability officer to monitor everything from the AS2's materials and suppliers, to the actual production processes at its new $300 million campus in Melbourne, Fla. Aerion announced last week it would be relocating from current headquarters in Reno, Nev., to Aerion Park, near business-jet maker Embraer, and not far from NASA. To many analysts, this is the clearest sign yet that the AS2 is on its way. Construction on the first AS2 will start in 2023. The company already has an outstanding order for 20 AS2's from fractional provider Flexjet, mostly for international travel. Aerion does not give a price for the AS2, but reliable estimates are between $100 and $150 million. Aerion plans to build more than 300 over the next 10 years. At the end of March, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said it plans to propose a new rule that would be essential to Aerion and the other supersonic players. There are no FAA noise regs in place for civil supersonic aircraft, so the agency said it would review noise certifications to allow airframe and powerplant technology to move forward. The FAA also proposed a new rule to allow testing of supersonic aircraft in US commercial airspace. Congressional supporters of the fledgling supersonic aircraft industry want the federal agency to exercise leadership in creating federal and international policies for civil supersonic aircraft to allow the segment to grow. "All of the parties involved want to come to a global agreement that leads to environmentally acceptable and economically viable supersonic airplanes," said Stewart D'Leon, director of technical operations for the National Business Aircraft Association (NBAA). In a possible wrinkle, the FAA also said in its statement that the rulemaking activities would not rescind current US laws banning flights above Mach 1 over land. That means that-at least for now-the jets would have to dial back to subsonic speeds once they hit the US coastlines. Aviation specialists point out that sonic booms from the new generation of supersonic jets will be different than the Concorde concussions. "We are talking about radically different noise levels than experienced from the Concorde or a typical fighter aircraft, more akin to a very low and distant rumble of thunder, or hearing your neighbor close the trunk of their car," Dan Nale, Gulfstream's senior vice president of engineering, told NBAA. Another Aerion official told NBAA that no sonic booms reach the ground at speeds below Mach 1.2 (921 mph). Just in case, the AS2 will have private aviation's fastest subsonic speed of Mach 0.95. (729 mph). Vice is quick to point out the gains in supersonic technology since the '70s. "Concorde was a bold, noble experiment and a major milestone in the history of aircraft, but the AS2 is very different in both specification and business model," he says, pointing to the Boomless Cruise, environmentally friendly features and fly-by-wire technology in the cockpits. "We'll have an economically viable production volume of 300 units in our first 10 years-plus the backing of several strong investors." https://robbreport.com/motors/aviation/aerion-as2-supersonic-jet-2918574/ Back to Top SCIENTISTS CREATE JET ENGINE POWERED BY ONLY ELECTRICITY A prototype jet engine can propel itself without using any fossil fuels, potentially paving the way for carbon-neutral air travel. The device compresses air and ionizes it with microwaves, generating plasma that thrusts it forward, according to research published Tuesday in the journal AIP Advances. That means planes may someday fly using just electricity and the air around them as fuel. Scaling Up There's a long way to go between a proof-of-concept prototype and installing an engine in a real plane. But the prototype was able to launch a one-kilogram steel ball 24 millimeters into the air. That's the same thrust, proportional to scale, as a conventional jet engine. "Our results demonstrated that such a jet engine based on microwave air plasma can be a potentially viable alternative to the conventional fossil fuel jet engine," lead researcher and Wuhan University engineer Jau Tang said in a press release. Air Jet Air travel represents a small but not insignificant portion factor of climate change. The New York Times reported in September that commercial air is responsible for 2.5 percent of all greenhouse gas emissions - though that excludes military jets. "The motivation of our work is to help solve the global warming problems owing to humans' use of fossil fuel combustion engines to power machinery, such as cars and airplanes," Tang said in the release. "There is no need for fossil fuel with our design, and therefore, there is no carbon emission to cause greenhouse effects and global warming." https://futurism.com/the-byte/jet-engine-powered-electricity Back to Top Leasing bosses expect modest 2020 jet deliveries due to crisis PARIS (Reuters) - Leasing industry leaders said on Wednesday deliveries of new jetliners would remain hampered this year as a result of uncertainties over demand and supply-chain difficulties, despite some speculation of a recovery in the second half. BOC Aviation Chief Executive Robert Martin predicted that combined Airbus and Boeing deliveries would be "at the lower end of the 600-1,000 range". DAE Capital Chief Executive Firoz Tarapore said the partial easing of lockdowns in coming months would be crucial, but it was "hard to imagine a very robust number" for 2020 deliveries. The executives were speaking in a Flightglobal webinar. Airbus predicted 880 deliveries in 2020 before pulling forecasts due to the crisis, while Boeing has suspended guidance since its 737 MAX was grounded last year. Both have cut output plans. https://whbl.com/news/articles/2020/may/06/leasing-bosses-expect-modest-2020-jet-deliveries-due-to-crisis/1014943/ Back to Top Tom Cruise to Film Aboard International Space Station, NASA Administrator Says Tom Cruise is blasting off to outer space. A NASA administrator tweeted Tuesday that the space organization is "excited" to work with the leading man on a film that will be shot aboard the International Space Station. "NASA is excited to work with @TomCruise on a film aboard the @Space_Station," NASA administrator Jim Bridenstine said. "We need popular media to inspire a new generation of engineers and scientists to make @NASA's ambitious plans a reality." The news comes after Deadline reported late Monday that Cruise and Elon Musk's SpaceX were in the early stages of teaming up with NASA for an action-adventure, narrative feature film, and that it would be the first of its kind shot in outer space. It's unclear the details of the project beyond that, but Deadline had reported that the project was not a "Mission: Impossible" film and that currently no studio is involved. Production on "M:I 7 and 8" was recently forced to shut down due to the coronavirus. A representative for NASA did not immediately respond to a request for comment. A representative for Cruise did not immediately reply to an earlier request for comment. Cruise has become well known for performing all his own stunts, whether it's dangling from the side of a plane or helicopter or off the side of Dubai's skyscraper the Burj Khalifa. His latest film "Top Gun: Maverick," which allows him to reprise his role as the pilot from the iconic '80s blockbuster, was meant to open in theaters this summer but was pushed to Dec. 23, 2020. NASA is excited to work with @TomCruise on a film aboard the @Space_Station! We need popular media to inspire a new generation of engineers and scientists to make @NASA's ambitious plans a reality. pic.twitter.com/CaPwfXtfUv https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/tom-cruise-film-aboard-international-210916471.html Back to Top The USC Aviation Safety & Security Program Has Moved Online! The following upcoming courses will take plane in our virtual WebEx classrooms. 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 Aviation Safety Management Systems Providing the skills and practical methods to plan, manage, and maintain an effective Aviation Safety Management System. Special emphasis for safety managers, training, flight department and maintenance managers and supervisors, pilots, air traffic controllers, dispatchers, and schedulers. June 1-12, 2020 9.5 Days Tuition: $3625 Human Factors in Aviation Safety Presenting human factors in a manner that can be readily understood and applied by aviation practitioners in all phases of aviation operations. Emphasis is placed on identifying the causes of human error, predicting how human error can affect performance, and applying countermeasures to reduce or eliminate its effects. June 15-19, 2020 4.5 Days Tuition: $2575 Earn Credit for FlightSafety International 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 National Business Aviation Association Certified Aviation Manager Exam Students taking the following USC courses will earn two points toward completing the application for the National Business Aviation Association 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 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 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