May 11, 2020 - No. 033 In This Issue FAA Revokes Aviation Maintenance Technical School Certificate of Florida-Based Boynton Beach Community High School Japan's MHI Completing Acquisition of CRJ Programme Flight certificates extended due to pandemic. IndiGo To Cut Pay And Send Some Staff On Unpaid Leave FAA Announces Safety Rating for Eastern Caribbean Aviation System ATSG's revenue soared by $41.1 million in first quarter. H+S Aviation chosen to support CTS800 turboshaft engines on Super Lynx, Wildcat helicopters FAA Revokes Repair Station Certificate of Ecolift Corporation of Puerto Rico Avianca voluntarily files for Chapter 11 protection Covid-19: New approach to procurement could aid aviation Space Force to get deeper insight into inner workings of SpaceX commercial launches FAA Revokes Aviation Maintenance Technical School Certificate of Florida-Based Boynton Beach Community High School WASHINGTON The U.S. Department of Transportations Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued an emergency order revoking the aviation maintenance technical school certificate of Florida-based Boynton Beach Community High School. The FAA alleges the school, which taught airframe maintenance, committed the following violations: Failed to include the required 750 hours of instruction. Failed to maintain a list of the names and qualifications of its specialized instructors and failed to provide a copy of the list when FAA inspectors asked for it. Failed to maintain documentation showing it gave appropriate tests to students, and failed to maintain attendance, transcript and progress records. Had a classroom that was unusable due to a leaking roof and heating, lighting and ventilation deficiencies. Continued to provide instruction to students despite the failure to comply with regulatory requirements. The FAA determined that safety in air commerce or air transportation required the immediate revocation of the schools certificate. The school surrendered its certificate. https://www.einnews.com/pr_news/516551700/press-release-faa-revokes-aviation-maintenance-technical-school-certificate-of-florida-based-boynton-beach-community-high-school Back to Top Japan's MHI Completing Acquisition of CRJ Programme Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) is completing its acquisition of Bombardier's Canadair Regional Jet (CRJ) programme on 1 June, with both sides agreeing that all transaction conditions have been met. The 1 June acquisition deal comprises "the maintenance, support, refurbishment, marketing, and sales activities for the CRJ series aircraft, along with the type certificates," MHI says in a statement. This includes the services and support bases in Mirabel and Toronto in Canada; and Bridgeport and Tucson in the US, as well as spare parts depots in Chicago and Frankfurt, it adds. MHI's newly-established MHI RJ Aviation Group (MHIRJ) will manage the CRJ programme and customer support network. The customer support network will continue to support CRJ operators around the world and will eventually support operators of Mitsubishi Aircraft's SpaceJet. The SpaceJet is a new regional jet in development that is in flight testing. Mitsubishi Aircraft announced in February it aims to have the aircraft certified in time to start delivering to customers sometime between April 2021 and March 2022. Bombardier earlier announced that the last CRJ aircraft on order, are due to be complete mid-year. MHI bought the CRJ programme because it wants the maintenance facilities and customer support that can then be used to support the SpaceJet. The Japanese conglomerate knows that customer support is an important factor airlines consider, when choosing aircraft to buy. When MHI was negotiating last year with Bombardier to buy the CRJ programme and customer support network, Boeing was negotiating to buy Embraer commercial aircraft. Mitsubishi Aircraft did have an earlier arrangement with Boeing, whereby the US aircraft-maker's global customer support was to support SpaceJet. But the assumption was that, if Boeing bought Mitsubishi Aircraft's major competitor - Embraer commercial aircraft - then Mitsubishi's customer support deal with Boeing would be redundant. This gave impetus to the Mitsubishi-Bombardier deal. But now that the Boeing-Embraer deal has failed to eventuate, it will be interesting to see if the Mitsubishi-Boeing customer support deal will be resurrected. Even if it is resurrected, the fact that MHI has proceeded with the deal with Bombardier, indicates that Mitsubishi Aircraft wants to be in control of its own destiny, rather than be too reliant on Boeing, which has proven to be fickle. http://smartaviation-apac.com/2020/05/japans-mhi-completing-acquisition-of-crj-programme/ Back to Top Flight certificates extended due to pandemic VENICE - Local aviators, supported by the national Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, are applauding the FAA's issuing of a recent federal aviation regulation. The regulation helps pilots by extending the validity of expired or soon-to-expire medical certificates, flight reviews, recency of experience requirements for instrument pilots, and flight instructor certificates - in most cases - until June 30. Venice Aviation Society, Inc. President Dave Wemberly said the extension will apply to flight school pilots and charter pilots that come and go from Venice Municipal Airport on a regular basis - as well as the many recreational pilots based in Venice for medical checkups and written flight reviews. "It applies to commercial pilots as well as general aviation pilots for the same reasons," Wemberly said. If a pilot has a physical due but doctors aren't doing those, or if a pilot has a "check ride" test due, the June 30 extension will assist, he said. "It's going to help a little," Wemberly said. Additional conditions tied to proficiency were attached to several provisions of the rule intended to provide relief from the near-total shutdown of flight training and testing caused by the coronavirus pandemic. The Florida Flight Training Center at Venice airport, which survives largely on international students, was sold last year prior to the pandemic. Despite national flight restrictions put in place to fight the spread of COVID-19, it's doing OK - albeit with reduced flight operations. Alan Hawkins, CFO with Florida Flight Training Center, and its sister company Florida Flight Maintenance, were required under its lease to stay in operation since it provides aviation fuel and maintenance of aircraft. Hawkins said they normally have around 50 students. A group of 20 completed their classes just before the pandemic hit and overseas flights were halted, although some stayed on and have been unable to get back to India. "We're playing catch up now," Hawkins said. He's grateful for the locals who decided to earn their instrument certification during this time, and for existing students who've decided to do some extra work while stuck in Venice. Waiting in the wings are students from Germany, India and Italy, ready to fly to Venice, Florida, for their instrument training, Hawkins said. https://www.yoursun.com/coronavirus/flight-certificates-extended-due-to-pandemic/article_e554d0e4-8b11-11ea-9c5e-f71f3bcfb7a3.html Back to Top IndiGo To Cut Pay And Send Some Staff On Unpaid Leave The CEO of IndiGo, Ronojoy Dutta, has told his airline employees that they will be facing pay cuts and unpaid leaves in the next two months. The largest Indian airline is facing the brunt of this ongoing coronavirus pandemic. All commercial passenger flights across India were suspended on the 25th of March, and as of now, it is very uncertain when regular services will resume. IndiGo operates an all narrowbody fleet and holds a 47.5% domestic market share in India. During March, the airline had already announced a plan to cut salaries of all the employees in April. IndiGo had initially said that it would cut 15% of wages of employees in non-leadership roles, while senior-vice presidents and above will face a 20% pay cut. However, IndiGo reversed its decision and paid full salaries to all its employees in April. Pay cuts are imperative to survival Before the start of a nationwide ban on flights, IndiGo had ruled the Indian airline industry for more than five years. The airline is not only the largest in India but also the largest low-cost carrier (LCC) in Asia in terms of fleet size and passengers carried. Since the demise of Jet Airways last year, IndiGo has moved to increase its dominance in the airline market further. IndiGo operates an Airbus-dominant fleet, with 234 A320-family jets and 25 ATR 72s. It follows a typical leasing model, which helps it in obtaining sales on bulk orders and reduced maintenance costs. It still has more than 600 aircraft on order, which were to be delivered in the next few years. However, the current situation is such that every airline is making changes with hopes of survival. Almost every airline in India has initiated pay cuts for its employees until flights resume. GoAir has delayed April's salaries and sent 60% of its employees on unpaid leaves. Meanwhile, Spicejet implemented pay cuts in March and will not pay most of its pilots for April and May. Air India staff saw a reduction in allowances, while Vistara also sent senior management on compulsory leave for up to four days. In the Fiscal Year of 2020, the Indian aviation industry is expected to incur a loss of Rs 25,000 crore ($3.3 bn). Airlines will be worst affected with almost 70% of loss in revenue. IndiGo's plan Ronojoy Dutta has said that pay cuts are significant as far as the survival of IndiGo is concerned. Moreover, the unpaid leave period won't be long and will be between 1.5 to 5 days, depending on the position of the employee. This will make sure that IndiGo will retain a major part of its workforce, and employees won't lose their jobs. Dutta added that the pay cuts were imperative as the airline will grow with a "much lower capacity initially and gradually build up capacity in succeeding months." As of now, there is no firm date as to when operations will resume. https://simpleflying.com/indigo-unpaid-leave/ Back to Top FAA Announces Safety Rating for Eastern Caribbean Aviation System The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced that the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) has been assigned a Category 2 rating because it does not comply with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) safety standards under the FAA's International Aviation Safety Assessment (IASA) program. A Category 2 IASA rating means that laws or regulations lack the necessary requirements to oversee air carriers in accordance with minimum international standards, or that civil aviation authorities are deficient in one or more areas, including technical expertise, trained personnel, record-keeping, inspection procedures or resolution of safety concerns. The OECS's carriers can continue existing service to the United States. They will not be allowed to establish new service to the United States. The Eastern Caribbean Civil Aviation Authority (ECCAA) provides aviation safety oversight for OECS members Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, as well as St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Under the IASA program, the FAA assesses the civil aviation authorities of all countries with air carriers that have applied to fly to the United States, currently conduct operations to the United States, or participate in code-sharing arrangements with U.S. partner airlines, and makes that information available to the public. The assessments determine whether foreign civil aviation authorities comply with ICAO safety standards, rather than FAA regulations. A Category 1 rating means the country's civil aviation authority complies with ICAO standards. A Category 1 rating allows air carriers from that country to establish service to the United States and carry the code of U.S. carriers. To maintain a Category 1 rating, a country must adhere to the safety standards of ICAO, the United Nations' technical agency for aviation that establishes international standards and recommended practices for aircraft operations and maintenance. https://ftnnews.com/aviation/39448-faa-announces-safety-rating-for-eastern-caribbean-aviation-system Back to Top ATSG's revenue soared by $41.1 million in first quarter Air Transport Services Group's (ATSG's) first quarter 2020 results, as compared with the first quarter of 2019, which include customer revenues that rose by 12 percent, or $41.1 million, to $389.3 million. Both of ATSG's principal business segments, aircraft leasing and air transport, plus its other businesses on a combined basis, generated higher revenues. GAAP (generally accepted accounting principles) earnings from continuing operations were $133.7 million versus a $22.6 million for the prior year, including warrant-related effects in each period. Quarterly re-measurements of financial instrument values increased first quarter after-tax earnings by $108.1 million and $4.9 million in 2020 and 2019, respectively. Warrant gains in each quarter stemmed primarily from decreases in the traded value of ATSG shares in the first quarter of each year. Adjusted earnings from continuing operations (non-GAAP) rose 13 percent, to $29.3 million. Adjusted Earnings Per Share (non-GAAP) were $0.43 diluted, up $0.06. Adjusted Earnings from Continuing Operations and Adjusted EPS exclude elements from GAAP results that differ distinctly in predictability among periods or are not closely related to operations. Adjustments from GAAP include financial instrument revaluations, amortisation of aircraft lease incentives, retiree benefit costs, losses of non-consolidated ATSG affiliates, and acquisition-related expenses. Adjusted EBITDA from Continuing Operations (non-GAAP) increased 9 percent, to $124.0 million. Contributions from our airlines, and from the increase in externally leased 767 freighters, drove the majority of the increase in Adjusted EBITDA. Adjusted Earnings per Share, Adjusted Earnings from Continuing Operations and Adjusted EBITDA from Continuing Operations are non-GAAP financial measures and are defined in the non-GAAP reconciliation tables at the end of this release. Capital spending was $143.5 million, up 56 percent. Capital expenditures included $105.4 million for the purchase of five Boeing 767 aircraft in the first quarter, and for freighter modification costs. Joe Hete, chief executive officer of ATSG, said, "The flexibility and resilience of ATSG's business model again proved its value, as the company responded to rapidly changing business conditions with the speed and attention to detail that its customers demand, while generating solid financial results overall. As an example, our aircraft maintenance technicians on short notice completed avionics adjustments to the New England Patriot's 767 aircraft that enabled it to fly to China to pick up more than 1 million masks for health care workers in Massachusetts. Similarly, our airlines' pilots, flight attendants and line maintenance techs are answering the call from their global customers to maintain the flow of vital supplies and personnel under very challenging conditions. Despite the pandemic, we remain cautiously optimistic about the rest of 2020, as we deploy more 767 converted freighters for customers responding to expanded e-commerce shopping, and operate passenger aircraft to support the U.S. military's evolving requirements." ATSG's airlines operated sixty-nine aircraft at March 31, fifteen passenger and fifty-four cargo aircraft. Two of ATSG's four 757-200 freighters are expected to remain available for service through 2020, although current DHL commitments for ATSG's 757-200 freighters ended May 1. Rich Corrado, President, said that "We are staying in constant contact with our principal customers as the pandemic continues. Today, they are telling us that they intend to continue to use our aircraft and other resources largely in line with their earlier expectations, including plans to lease seven to nine more of our newly converted 767s this year. Most of our cargo aircraft continue to operate within expanding time-definite express networks as e-commerce transactions accelerate during the pandemic. Demand for our passenger aircraft, however, is expected to remain sensitive to pandemic-driven changes in the U.S. military's troop deployment and rotation plans, and reductions in operations for Omni commercial customers through 2020." https://www.stattimes.com/news/atsgs-revenue-soared-by-411-million-in-first-quarter-aviation/ Back to Top H+S Aviation chosen to support CTS800 turboshaft engines on Super Lynx, Wildcat helicopters H+S Aviation, a Signature Aviation Global Engine Services company, has reached an agreement with Light Helicopter Turbine Engine Company (LHTEC) to provide sole OEM-authorized maintenance, repair and overhaul services for the CTS800 turboshaft engine series at the company's Portsmouth, U.K. facility. LHTEC, a joint venture between Rolls-Royce and Honeywell, chose H+S Aviation to assume complete MRO support for its CTS800-4A and CTS800-4N series engines powering Leonardo's Super Lynx and Wildcat helicopters beginning in 2020 and for a period of 10 years, per the companies' agreement. "We are excited to bring H+S Aviation on as the first independent Authorised Repair Centre for the CTS800," Daryl Mastin, LHTEC president said. "H+S Aviation has provided exceptional MRO support to Rolls-Royce and Honeywell for decades, so we are confident in the capabilities and service they will bring to LHTEC customers." Global Engine Services president and chief operating officer Hugh McElroy said the company is proud that H+S Aviation emerged as the prime choice to take over MRO support for the CTS800 line. "Our facility's location in Portsmouth is ideal for supporting the customer base, given more than half of the CTS800 engine population is operated by the U.K.'s Ministry of Defence," McElroy said. Approximately 54 percent of the CTS800 engine's helicopter fleet is utilized by the U.K.'s MOD. The remaining fleet operators include the Algerian Navy, Royal Airforce of Oman, South African Airforce, Royal Thai Navy, Republic of South Korea, Japanese Ministry of Defence and other national military organisations. "The H+S Aviation team has a history of success supporting many of these customers for other product lines they operate," Mark Stubbs, Global Engine Services chief commercial officer said. "Adding support for the CTS800 enables us to build on our existing relationships with military operators that trust our services to deliver to their needs." McElroy said the goal is to have the transition completed for CTS800 engine maintenance to be performed at the Portsmouth shop before the end of 2020. LHTEC aims to provide tooling from its Phoenix, Arizona, facility and begin training H+S Aviation's designated CTS800 team in the next 90 days. "First and foremost, our focus will be on our employees' health and safety; therefore, we will work with LHTEC to train our team of technicians on the maintenance of the CTS800 engine line through virtual channels, given the state of the COVID-19 pandemic and international travel restrictions," McElroy said. Further, McElroy said the company looks forward to bringing CTS800 operators "the same quality workmanship and expert technical support the team has delivered for over 75 years." "We're grateful for LHTEC choosing our facility as CTS800's new support centre and hope operators are satisfied with their new maintenance partner," McElroy said. "This is an exciting time to be a part of the H+S Aviation team." https://www.verticalmag.com/press-releases/hs-aviation-chosen-to-support-cts800-turboshaft-engines-on-super-lynx-wildcat-helicopters/ Back to Top FAA Revokes Repair Station Certificate of Ecolift Corporation of Puerto Rico WASHINGTON The U.S. Department of Transportations Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued an emergency order revoking the repair station certificate of Ecolift Corporation of San Juan, P.R. The FAA alleges Ecolift repeatedly performed aircraft maintenance work that it was not authorized to perform. The work included: An altimeter correlation check on a Beechcraft 1900C airplane. Audio control panel installation on a McDonnell Douglas 600N helicopter. Altimeter installation on a Robinson R-44 helicopter. The company also failed to retain documentation showing that it performed the work according to approved technical data, and failed to document who performed the work. Transponder work on a Cessna 182 airplane. Pitot-static system, transponder and compass swing inspections on an Airbus EC145 helicopter. Engine, tail boom, drive shaft, exhaust, battery and avionics maintenance on a Bell 505 helicopter. Transponder inspections and tests on a Eurocopter EC-130 helicopter and on a Robinson R-44 helicopter. Transponder maintenance work on a Piper PA-23-250 airplane. In each instance of alleged unauthorized maintenance work, the company signed documents stating it had performed the work according to the applicable federal aviation regulations, and approved the aircraft for return to service. The FAA also alleges Ecolift: Failed to properly document maintenance it performed on the engines of a Bell 427 helicopter. Allowed an unauthorized person to sign off on approving a Bell 407GX helicopter and a Bell 206L4 helicopter for return to service following maintenance work. Failed to provide sufficient workspace and areas to properly segregate, identify, store and protect articles that were undergoing maintenance. Prior to discovering the above-referenced alleged violations, the FAA had identified earlier instances where Ecolift performed unauthorized maintenance work. Between 2016 and 2018, the agency had worked with the company to develop a corrective action plan to address this issue. During investigations in 2018 and 2019, the FAA notified Ecolift that it was violating federal aviation regulations by continuing to perform unauthorized work. Ecolift has surrendered its certificate. https://www.einnews.com/pr_news/516551706/press-release-faa-revokes-repair-station-certificate-of-ecolift-corporation-of-puerto-rico Back to Top Avianca voluntarily files for Chapter 11 protection Latin American operator Avianca is voluntarily filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection with a New York court, to give the company time to re-organise its business. Avianca Holdings says the filing request, with the Southern District of New York bankruptcy court, is "necessary" given the "unpredictable impact" of the coronavirus crisis on its operations. It says the measure is intended to "preserve" its business. "Avianca will continue to operate and serve our customers during this process," it stresses. "We remain steadfast in our commitment to connect individuals, families, and businesses." Avianca Holdings is one of 39 companies participating in the joint filing, with others including Avianca Ecuador, Avianca Costa Rica, Tampa Cargo, and Taca International Airlines. The filing lists Avianca Holdings as being 78.1%-owned by BRW Aviation while the balance of 21.9% is owned by Kingsland Holdings. Among its five largest secured creditors are Wilmington Savings Fund Society with bonds of over $484 million and UMB Bank with $325 million in long-term debt. The filing lists the 40 largest unsecured creditors including engine maintenance providers, aircraft manufacturers, leasing firms and various aviation service companies. Avianca says it will restructure its balance sheet and obligations to deal with the effects of the crisis and to manage its aircraft orders, leases, and other responsibilities. "It is important to note that this is not an insolvency or liquidation procedure," Avianca is assuring its suppliers. "We intend to pay providers in a timely manner for goods and services provided." The company adds that it is continuing to engage in discussions with the Colombian government over financing structures that would provide additional liquidity through the Chapter 11 process. It says it intends to exit the re-organisation as a "highly-competitive and successful" airline. "We remain a trusted partner," Avianca insists. "As government-imposed travel restrictions on [coronavirus] are gradually lifted, we plan to resume our passenger flights and look forward to welcoming our employees again. "Before the global pandemic, we had made significant progress on our 'Avianca 2021' plan and we remain committed to our purpose of connecting people, families and businesses." https://www.flightglobal.com/avianca-voluntarily-files-for-chapter-11-protection/138302.article Back to Top Covid-19: New approach to procurement could aid aviation (MENAFN - Swissinfo) Airline executives should rethink their supply chains' strategy to shift from a cost-cutting focus to value creation, with people, the planet, and profit as priorities, argues procurement professional, Nikrouz Neshat. The world we once knew, including our private and professional lives, has changed. Countries have closed their borders to protect their populations, and as a consequence, thousands of airplanes have been grounded. We've been encouraged to work from home, when possible. And for those that have taken pay cuts, or lost their jobs, or for companies or even industries hard-hit by the crisis, governments have offered unprecedented financial assistance. In Switzerland, there is an effective and efficient support system to avoid unemployment in times of crises known as short-time work. This has helped many people including those in the aviation industry like myself. Dr. Nikrouz Neshat holds a master's degree in Management from l'università della Svizzera italiana (USI) in Lugano and a doctoral degree in supply chain risk management from Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETHZ). He has worked in various management roles including Procurement and Logistics during the past seven years at SR Technics, a world-leading MRO (Maintenance, Repair, and Operations) service provider for aircraft, engines, and components along with engineering services and training. Walking past the Café Odeon - a historic café/bar in the heart of Zurich where Albert Einstein is said to have enjoyed discussions with his students from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology - I recalled the great scientist's quote that 'in the middle of difficulty lies opportunity'. I asked myself what could we, procurement professionals (responsible for the purchase of goods and/or services), do to help soften the blow to the swiss aviation industry? In the past few weeks, there was a reduction close to 90% of European air traffic, according to statistics from EUROCONTROLexternal link . While the grounding of many of the world's fleets was deemed necessary in response to the huge limitations placed on travel, it has dealt a severe financial blow to both legacy and low-cost airlines and auxiliary businesses. In Switzerland, the government stepped in at the end of April and announced that it would provide financial assistance of nearly CHF 2 billion ($2.05 billion) to the Swiss aviation sector. But considering the recovery phase ahead of aviation, a question comes to mind: Is this the only solution? Regardless of the cause and nature of a crisis, the solution can either be an existing one, or a new approach. Take the pharmaceutical industry as an example. In order to find a cure for Covid-19, efforts are being made to find new therapies, or, existing drugs are tested for their efficacy in treating patients. The testing of new drugs is a very time-consuming process. The same principle can be applied to the aviation industry: When there is an urgent need it's best to turn to existing solutions, such as asking shareholders, banks or governments for financial assistance. However, due to the depth of the current crisis, it would seem this approach doesn't go far enough. Airlines need to look to external sources as well as internally reviewing their own operational practices. In previous crises, in line with the trend of globalization, outsourcing, and off-shoring techniques helped bring down costs. However, the Covid-19 crisis has exposed the risks of such strategies. Role of procurement managers So how could senior executives respond differently? Companies, including those in aviation, rely on their supply chain partners to create and deliver value, meaning most of the value is procured. Procurement, above all, is driven by the aim to reduce costs. Therefore, it would be advisable for company executives to work more closely with their procurement managers during this unprecedented downturn to seek their expertise in finding additional solutions. But that can work only if procurement managers win the endorsement of the CEO and are even granted a dedicated seat at the highest level because procurement can be a significant contributor to enterprise value and a driver of competitive advantage in the coming years. Secondly, procurement must be harmonized within the company (rather than decentralized), and thirdly, procurement should be managed so its focus shifts from pure cost-cutting and control to value creation, with people, the planet, and profit as priorities. New technologies such as automation and digitalization would simplify procurement processes and make them more reliable. Paperless communication, better known as Electronic Data Exchange (EDI), with key suppliers could save efforts and cost, while video conferences with suppliers could facilitate strategic procurement talks to consider options even to eliminate costs involved in external processes. Aviation procurement professionals in Switzerland are in a unique position to bring about positive change. We have access to some of the world's best universities and research centres. A strong procurement think tank coupled with networking opportunities at a time when international travel has largely come to a halt provides us with a chance to define the future of procurement in a post Covid-19 world. This would be of interest to aviation companies active in Switzerland (including those in Swiss Aerospace Cluster - SAC) and other industries as well. https://menafn.com/1100138591/Covid-19-New-approach-to-procurement-could-aid-aviation Back to Top Space Force to get deeper insight into inner workings of SpaceX commercial launches WASHINGTON - SpaceX on May 6 was awarded an $8.9 million contract modification that gives the U.S. Space Force direct insight into the inner workings of the company's commercial and civil space missions. The contract for "non-National Security Space fleet surveillance" gives the Space Force access to SpaceX missions until November. "This contract provides for non-NSS fleet surveillance efforts across the SpaceX family of launch vehicles for non-NSS missions," said the contract announcement. The $8.9 million is an addition to an existing $297 million contract awarded to SpaceX in February 2019 for three national security launches. A spokesman for the U.S. Space Force's Space and Missile Systems Center said in a statement that the contract modification "enables the Space Force to engage in engineering surveillance of SpaceX's fleet of launch vehicles for non-NSS launches." The existing $297 million fixed-price launch service contract requires SpaceX to provide access to data and analyses of the launch vehicle systems, the spokesman said. But it did not include access to "tools, systems, processes and launch site activities developed by the launch service provider for non-NSS missions." These tools are unique and proprietary, developed by launch providers for analyzing data generated by their internal systems. Under Phase 1A of the National Security Space Launch program, SpaceX and United Launch Alliance received multiple contracts over the past four years, and many of those missions have not flown yet. SMC said a similar fleet surveillance modification for Phase 1A contracts will be awarded to ULA. Access to fleet surveillance also will be required in Phase 2 launch service procurement contracts scheduled to be awarded later this year. The SpaceX contract gives SMC visibility into the company's operations during an especially active launch period as SpaceX deploys its Starlink broadband internet constellation with its fleet of Falcon 9 rockets. So far seven Starlink missions have been launched and several more are planned before the end of the year. SpaceX also is preparing to launch a commercial crew NASA mission to fly two astronauts to the International Space Station. The access to the company's internal operations will help the Space Force "enhance mission assurance for NSS launches using the Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy launch vehicles," the SMC spokesman said. "Engineering insight into all launches by an NSS launch provider such as SpaceX directly contributes to increased reliability of national security launches." https://spacenews.com/space-force-to-get-deeper-insight-into-inner-workings-of-spacex-commercial-launches/ Curt Lewis