Flight Safety Information May 14, 2020 - No. 097 In This Issue Incident: Rossiya A319 near St.Petersburg on May 13th 2020, loss of cabin pressure Pilots demand recommended COVID-19 protocols be required Vietnam determined to save British pilot, avoid its first COVID-19 death EASA to set out 'safety protocol' for restoration of air transport PDX will require face coverings for anyone inside the airport, effective Monday Coordinated response critical to recovery of Pacific Island aviation and economies - ICAO SG NBAA Launches New Interactive Virtual Business Aviation Platform FAA Amends Oxygen Mask Rule, But Not Without Controversy NTSB report on Virginia State Police helicopter crash points to vortex ring state MedAire's First Aid for Aviation Training Now Available Via Virtual Classroom A4A Applauds Approval of New Sustainable Aviation Fuel Pathway American Airlines To Return Some ERJ175s And ERJ145s To Service Assent Aeronautics Announces $18.9MM Aircraft Lineup for Historic Live Virtual Auction Online - Human Factors & CRM Courses The USC Aviation Safety & Security Program Has Moved Online! Incident: Rossiya A319 near St.Petersburg on May 13th 2020, loss of cabin pressure A Rossiya Airbus A319-100, registration VQ-BAS performing flight FV-6413 from St. Petersburg to Ufa (Russia), was climbing through FL340 when the crew initiated an emergency descent due to indications of loss of cabin pressure. The aircraft returned to St. Petersburg for a safe landing about 45 minutes after departure. A replacement A319-100 registration VQ-BCP reached Ufa with a delay of 2 hours. The occurrence aircraft is still on the ground about 6 hours after landing back. http://avherald.com/h?article=4d73ff2e&opt=0 Back to Top Pilots demand recommended COVID-19 protocols be required Industry group says airlines are working hard to comply with public health guidelines Airline pilots are at odds with carriers over how to keep crews and passengers safe during the COVID-19 pandemic, and their union is pressing Congress to mandate uniform procedures for preventing transmission of disease-causing virus. On Tuesday, House Democrats sided with the pilots, releasing legislation that would require airlines to abide by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention cleaning and decontamination requirements. Some Democrats in the Senate, too, say they agree airlines should do better: Democratic members of the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee suggested during a May 6 hearing that the federal government should set uniform guidelines for the aviation sector and traveling public. "To date, airlines, airports, and federal agencies have implemented inconsistent measures to thwart the spread of the novel coronavirus through the aviation system," ranking member Maria Cantwell, D-Wash, wrote in a Monday letter to the White House Coronavirus Task Force, noting that "airlines and airports need further guidance and clarity." According to the Airline Pilots Association, the pilots' union, nearly 300 of its members have tested positive for COVID-19 pandemic. In addition to calling on Congress to require airlines to follow CDC and Federal Aviation Administration guidance for aircraft and flight deck cleaning and disinfection, they've also sought mandates for the carriers to provide PPE gear for flight crews and employee notification when colleagues have been exposed in the workplace. In a May 6 report, the union accused airlines of failing to comply with public health guidelines. "Each day we are getting reports that airlines are still not doing the right thing - and what is required to keep flight crews and passengers healthy and safe during this pandemic," Capt. Joe DePete, ALPA president, said in a statement. "These reports of noncompliance make clear that Congress must act, not just to protect pilots and passengers, but also to restore confidence in airline travel. The first step to ensuring an economic turnaround is to have uniform, mandatory public health guidelines." 'Enhanced' cleaning The CEO of Airlines for America, an industry trade group, argued at the May 6 committee hearing that airlines are working hard to comply with public health guidelines and that the association has not been able to identify systemic compliance failures. "We're doing everything that we can in cockpits to keep it clean in terms of the pilots, our flight attendants," said the CEO, Nicholas Calio. "We've enhanced the cleaning procedures so I guess we wouldn't agree with the claims." A spokesperson for A4A also said that all members "comply with or exceed" CDC guidance. "All A4A carriers have aircraft equipped with HEPA filters and have implemented intensive cleaning protocols, in some cases to include electrostatic cleaning and fogging procedures," said Communications Director Katherine Estep. "In addition to enhancing sanitation procedures, carriers have also implemented a range of policies - including back-to-front boarding and adjusting food and beverage services - to help ensure the wellbeing of passengers and crew." To date, several airlines including American, Delta, United, Southwest and JetBlue have required passengers to wear masks during some or all of their interactions with airline employees and passengers, JetBlue being the first major airline to do so on April 28. A spokesperson for Delta confirmed that most U.S. carriers have implemented a number of new cleaning and safety measures that "not only meet but exceed CDC guidelines," including capping seat capacity and sanitizing flights, despite reports that middle seats are still being occupied. Uneven enforcement Reuters reported Tuesday that American, Delta and United are no longer requiring flight attendants to enforce rules calling for passengers to wear face masks on board, but rather are being told to encourage them to do so. The airlines would continue to allow employees to deny boarding at the gate to passengers not wearing one and to provide masks to those who do not have one, according to the report. The House bill would require passengers and crew on airlines to wear face coverings. Unlike other domestic airlines thus far, Frontier Airlines announced on May 7 that it would be implementing temperature screenings via touchless thermometers for all passengers and team members prior to boarding flights, effective June 1. "The health and safety of everyone flying Frontier is paramount and temperature screenings add an additional layer of protection for everyone onboard," CEO Barry Biffle said in a statement. Biffle also said the airline hopes to be able to hand that task over to the Transportation Security Administration, which has not announced plans to assume that role. TSA has said it will require employees at airport screening points to wear masks and some airports have required passengers to wear masks. "Increased safety measures like temperature checks are needed to keep passengers and crews safe and restore the public's confidence in air travel," said Sara Nelson, Association of Flight Attendants-CWA President, representing 50,000 Flight Attendants from 19 airlines. "These types of safety measures should be led by the federal government to ensure procedures are based on public health guidance and consistent across the industry." Outside of the U.S., the International Air Transport Association said it supports measures to reduce the risk of onboard transmission, including limiting passenger movement during flight, boarding and unboarding , and using catering processes that reduce contact. However, it doesn't recommend restricting the use of the middle seat to create social distancing, citing evidence that the risk of transmission on board is low. "The cabin environment naturally makes transmission of viruses difficult for a variety of reasons. That helps explain why we have seen little evidence of onboard transmission," IATA CEO Alexandre de Juniac said in a statement. "In the immediate term, our aim is to make the cabin environment even safer with effective measures so that passengers and crew can return to travel with confidence." https://www.rollcall.com/2020/05/13/pilots-demand-recommended-covid-19-protocols-be-required/ Back to Top Vietnam determined to save British pilot, avoid its first COVID-19 death HANOI (Reuters) - Vietnam has mounted an all-out effort to save the life of its most critically ill coronavirus patient, a British pilot who works for Vietnam Airlines, the national carrier. Through aggressive testing and a mass, centralised quarantine programme, the Southeast Asian country has kept its tally of coronavirus cases to just 288 and has reported no deaths. Little expense has been spared to try save the life of the 43-year-old man, identified only as "Patient 91", who caught the coronavirus at a bar in the southern business hub of Ho Chi Minh City in mid-March, state media reported. More than 4,000 people connected to the cluster were tested, with 18 of them found to be infected with the coronavirus. While most have recovered, the British pilot is on life support and his condition has deteriorated significantly. On Tuesday, the health ministry held a meeting with experts from top hospitals and decided that the only way to save the man's life was a lung transplant. His case has garnered national interest in Vietnam, where the government has won broad support for its campaign to contain the coronavirus. On Thursday, state media said 10 people, including a 70-year-old military veteran, had volunteered as lung donors, but had been turned down by state doctors. "We are touched by their good intentions, but current regulations don't allow us to transplant lungs donated by most living people," a representative of the Vietnam National Coordinating Centre for Human Organ Transplantation (VNHOT) told the Tuoi Tre newspaper. The patient has just 10% of his lung capacity left and has been on life support for more than 30 days, Tuoi Tre said. Deputy health minister Nguyen Truong Son told media last month that Vietnam had imported specialist medicine from overseas to treat blood clots in the patient, but to no avail. Vietnam has spent more than 5 billion dong ($200,000) trying to save him, the Vietnam News Agency (VNA) reported. Foreign ministry spokeswoman Le Thi Thu Hang said the pilot's underlying health issues had worsened his condition, but that Vietnam's "best experts and doctors" will try to save him. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-vietnam-pilot/vietnam-determined-to-save-british-pilot-avoid-its-first-covid-19-death-idUSKBN22Q0V3 Back to Top EASA to set out 'safety protocol' for restoration of air transport Europe's aviation safety authority is to set out, in the next few weeks, technical operational guidelines to enable the air transport industry to adopt a co-ordinated approach to restoring airline travel. The European Commission disclosed the measure being undertaken by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency during a briefing on its strategic travel and tourism package on 13 May. EASA is working on the initiative with the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, says the Commission, which will aim to set out a "baseline aviation health safety protocol". This protocol should include measures on strengthening ventilation, hospital-grade air filtering, and vertical airflow. It should also focus on limiting contamination risk by prioritising electronic payment and documentation, avoiding passenger concentration and managing passenger flow, limiting interaction on board, and exploring the "most appropriate allocation of seats based on technical constraints". Within the cabin, movement should be reduced, with less cabin baggage and fewer crew interactions. EASA's protocol will advise on the most appropriate allocation of seats "Regaining the confidence of passengers that aviation is a safe travel mode will be instrumental for exiting this crisis," the Commission states. "The aviation sector should make sure that measures are highly visible, co-ordinated, and communicated to passengers at all times." It points out that the air transport sector is already highly-controlled with long experience in safety and security - and dealing with the risk of coronavirus should "follow the same principles". These include monitoring compliance, regular effectiveness review, and adapting of measures to changing requirements and improving techniques. But the Commission also states that airports and airlines are "not qualified" to provide health services such as screening decisions on passengers, and that these should be left to competent authorities. Shared principles and mutual acceptance of measures at the points of departure and arrival will be "crucial" to ensuring that air travel does not become "overly cumbersome or even impossible", it adds. EASA's guidelines will specify "additional mitigation measures", the Commission says, with the intention of enabling operation of flights "coherently" across the European Union. https://www.flightglobal.com/airlines/easa-to-set-out-safety-protocol-for-restoration-of-air-transport/138355.article Back to Top PDX will require face coverings for anyone inside the airport, effective Monday Portland International Airport accommodates more than 50,000 travelers on an average day, but the coronavirus pandemic has left it sparsely populated. Many flights have been cancelled and international travel has been restricted. Typically crowded parking garages, arrival and departure areas, and security lines are wide open, and baggage carousels sit motionless. Starting Monday, anyone at Portland International Airport will be required to wear a face covering. The Port of Portland issued new guidelines Wednesday, citing the need to protect the health and safety of passengers, employees and contractors at the state's largest airport. The rules come less than a week after Gov. Kate Brown's order requiring some businesses, such as grocery stores, to require face coverings and her suggestion that other businesses promote such behavior. The port already required employees to wear face coverings, following the Centers for Disease Control's April recommendation. A spokeswoman said all airlines and some airport contractors were already requiring face coverings. PDX is still seeing as much as a 95% decline in passenger volume compared to the same time in 2019, a dramatic reduction that is playing out around the world. The airport temporarily ceased transpacific and transatlantic air travel and suspended flights to Mexico and Canada as well. "This is a critical piece of helping restore and build confidence in the travel process," wrote Dan Pippenger, the Port of Portland's chief operating officer, in a statement of the face-covering rules. "We believe this policy supports public health guidance to help keep PDX employees and passengers healthy, and it aligns with our airlines' best practices and with other airports to create a consistent and expected experience for travelers." The new rules will apply to anyone in the airport, except for children under the age of 2 and people who have a medical condition that renders them unable to cover their faces. It's not clear how long the rules will remain in effect. Port officials said the face coverings don't need to be N-95 respirators or surgical masks, meaning that homemade cloth coverings are adequate. The port is also shuttering areas inside PDX where people often gather to await returning friends or family. The port said those people should wait to welcome passengers until they arrive at their residence, unless someone requires medical assistance. Th airport has also reconfigured spaces to help promote social distancing and made other changes. https://www.oregonlive.com/commuting/2020/05/pdx-will-require-face-coverings-for-anyone-inside-the-airport-effective-monday.html Back to Top Coordinated response critical to recovery of Pacific Island aviation and economies - ICAO SG Montréal, 13 May 2020 - Stressing the heightened vulnerability of island societies to external shocks, ICAO Secretary General Dr. Fang Liu explained to a videoconference of Pacific Islands Directors General this Monday that the same cooperation through ICAO which originally connected their States to the world will be integral to their air transport recoveries post COVID-19. "As we've learned after decades of global air connectivity generating significant new sources of tourism and trade revenue among Pacific Island economies, we all need each other to be prosperous and sustainable," Dr. Liu said. "For your recoveries to be truly successful, your goal should be to assure not only your State's local recovery, but also the recoveries of your neighbours and their neighbours." The videoconference for the Pacific Islands Directors General of Civil Aviation (DGCAs) was organized by ICAO Asia-Pacific Regional Director Mr. Arun Mishra. It specifically targeted Pacific Island States in consideration of air transport's irreplaceable role in addressing the unique challenges they face, whether with respect to limited natural resources, narrow-based economies, and extended distance from major markets. The videoconference was well attended by the DGs of Pacific States, representatives from International Organizations such as EASA, PASO, ACI, CANSO, IATA, IFATCA along with partner Member States United States and Singapore. Dr. Liu also cautioned against countries taking go-it-alone approaches to their recoveries, noting that "if a common set of goals is not established among all the stakeholders being negatively impacted by COVID-19, the strength we normally derive from our diversity could quickly devolve into unhelpful duplication and inefficiencies." She further underscored that "jump-starting the aviation engines of Pacific Island economies will need to be part of a broader recovery consensus by governments, and therefore subject to highest-level political buy-in." On this point, she encouraged the Directors General "to continue their efforts in highlighting to your respective national ministries that a return to full air transport connectivity is critical to successful COVID-19 recoveries," and reviewed ICAO's own efforts to ensure a regionally and globally coordinated air connectivity recovery. "As you will have seen from the recent State Letters and news releases ICAO has issued, we've been very active throughout the COVID-19 period on numerous fronts relating to public health, operational safety measures, maintaining critical air cargo supply chains globally, the expediting of humanitarian and repatriation flights, and other urgent priorities," Dr. Liu said. "ICAO and other UN organizations are critical to an effective global response during times of global crisis, and we're doing everything in our capacity today to accelerate the recovery of your air transport sectors." https://reliefweb.int/report/world/coordinated-response-critical-recovery-pacific-island-aviation-and-economies-icao-sg Back to Top NBAA Launches New Interactive Virtual Business Aviation Platform NBAA GO will focus initially on three previously live core events. NBAA's new GO Virtual meeting platform brings together business aviation professionals.NBAA As our personal and professional lives move through the drastic changes the world is experiencing, aviation associations like the National Business Aviation Association are moving fast to re-tool content delivery systems to maintain their usual high level of educational benefits. NBAA's new GO Virtual Interactive Platform is an example of the shifting mindset association executives are working with to keep members engaged and updated. NBAA GO (short for "Go Online") initially launched with pre-recorded and interactive live content that delivers the latest advancements, best practices, and progress in the business aviation industry, all aimed at industry professionals. With nearly 40 hours of available content currently being offered, NBAA GO virtual sessions provide access to important educational programs available anytime. "We're extremely excited to offer this new, interactive product to business aviation professionals seeking to further their education about the latest developments in our industry," said Jo Damato, CAM, NBAA vice president of educational strategy and workforce development. "Especially during this difficult time, it's more important than ever that business aviation professionals remain informed and engaged. The platform is open to everyone right now at introductory member pricing regardless of their membership status." The new interactive platform will initially feature sessions tied to three NBAA staple events that were canceled or curtailed for 2020 because of the COVID-19 crisis. These include the following virtual events: Virtual IOC2020: The 2020 NBAA Virtual International Operators Conference sessions will focus on the latest critical safety and security information, and they were launched on April 30. New sessions will be available weekly on Thursdays at 11 am EDT. Virtual MC2020: The education sessions at the 2020 NBAA Virtual Maintenance Conference will cover new ways of doing business and best practices in aircraft maintenance. This virtual conference launched May 4 with a free keynote presentation offering the latest regulatory updates from the FAA, and new sessions will be available weekly on Mondays at 2 pm EDT. Virtual SDC2020: This virtual conference will feature a combination of 2020 NBAA Schedulers & Dispatchers Conference sessions recorded live on-site in Charlotte, North Carolina, in early March. New sessions recorded virtually will keep members up-to-date on the latest operational information critical to business aviation, with an emphasis on building resilience in the face of challenges. Virtual SDC2020 sessions are available now and more will be added by May 15. Each session includes a live question-and-answer portion allowing attendees to engage virtually with session presenters and other industry professionals. Live sessions and Q&A will also be recorded for on-demand consumption. Additionally, nearly every NBAA GO online interactive session is eligible for quarter-point credit toward initial or recurrent Certified Aviation Manager (CAM) approval." NBAA GO will include all of the scheduled education sessions planned for SDC2020, IOC2020 and MC2020 that lend themselves well to the virtual format," Damato added. "While these interactive online sessions are in no way intended to replace the experience of attending an NBAA conference in person, during this difficult time NBAA GO offers an exciting and innovative way for business aviation professionals to continue their engagement with education about our industry." https://www.flyingmag.com/story/news/nbaa-go-virtual-business-platform/ Back to Top FAA Amends Oxygen Mask Rule, But Not Without Controversy The U.S. FAA has amended a Part 121 rule requiring an increase in the flight level threshold at which the remaining pilot at the aircraft controls must don an oxygen mask when the other pilot leaves his or her seat. The amendment, which went into effect on March 23, increases the required flight level threshold from FL 250 to FL 410. The FAA has long mandated certificate holders to furnish, and flight crewmembers to use, oxygen masks during domestic, flag, or supplemental operations involving turbine-engine powered airplanes with pressurized cabins. The FAA established the requirements to mitigate the risk of an event of an in-flight cabin pressurization failure. Petitioners backing the amendment have asserted that the more limited use of oxygen masks below FL 410 would not adversely affect safety because of the extremely low risk for depressurization at altitudes above flight level 250. Meanwhile, the FAA said certificate holders will incur "minimal" costs associated with updating manuals and flight crewmember training programs to include the new flight level standard. Certificate holders already make frequent updates; according to the FAA, the amendment involves only a straightforward change in flight level and regulatory references. Industry has indicated it supports this amendment. The amendment essentially harmonizes the FAA rules with those of the International Civil Aviation Organization and comes after the Air Line Pilots Association lobbied for its inclusion in the 2018 FAA reauthorization act. However, there remains some concern among some in the pilot community that the change would result in crews losing the benefit of repetitive interaction with a vital piece of safety equipment. "Most pilots never really put the mask on when the other pilot left," said one retired airline pilot who spoke with AIN on condition of anonymity. "They were too busy talking to the flight attendants. But there was one thing this did on a daily basis...It made the pilot interact with a needed piece of equipment. At [our airline] we knew how to take the mask out, test it, put it back into the box and over time we became familiar with using the mask. Now that is all gone. Airline pilots will never have to take the mask out again unless it is needed for an emergency. This is not good." https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/air-transport/2020-05-13/faa-amends-oxygen-mask-rule-not-without-controversy Back to Top NTSB report on Virginia State Police helicopter crash points to vortex ring state The U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has released its factual report on the 2017 crash of a Virginia State Police Bell 407, suggesting that the helicopter may have entered vortex ring state before impacting terrain in Charlottesville. Virginia State Police Bell 407 The Virginia State Police helicopter that crashed on Aug. 12, 2017, while on a mission to monitor public demonstrations in Charlottesville. NTSB Photo Both Virginia State troopers on board were killed in the Aug. 12 crash, including the pilot, Lieutenant H. Jay Cullen, who was commander of the Virginia State Police aviation unit; and an observer, Trooper-Pilot Berke M.M. Bates. The purpose of their flight had been to provide video surveillance of the "Unite the Right" rally and counter-protests happening in Charlottesville, which had turned violent that afternoon when a car had driven into a crowd of counter-protesters, killing 32-year-old Heather Heyer. After overflying the demonstrations for approximately 40 minutes, Cullen and Bates were tasked with providing overwatch for Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe's motorcade. At 4:48 p.m. local time, their helicopter was hovering in the vicinity of the motorcade when witnesses saw it enter a rolling oscillation, begin to spin to the right and descend rapidly to the ground. The factual report does not identify a probable cause for the accident; that will be issued "in coming months," according to the NTSB. However, the report strongly suggests that the helicopter may have entered the dangerous aerodynamic condition called vortex ring state, in which a helicopter descends into its own downwash, creating large vortices at the tips of the main rotor blades that limit their ability to produce lift. Accident investigators recreated the final moments of the flight using recovered data from the helicopter's engine control unit (ECU), airport surveillance radar, and automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast (ADS-B) returns. They found that the helicopter slowed to a forward airspeed of about 10 knots before the accident sequence began, while also beginning a slight descent. Winds aloft were estimated to be just a few knots. The combination of low forward airspeed and increasing descending vertical speed put the aircraft in a situation where vortex ring state was likely, according to information supplied by Bell. Around this time, the ECU recorded an increase in torque from 54 to 104 percent, corresponding with an increase in collective position. "Even as the collective continued to increase to a peak of 68 percent . . . the helicopter's altitude decreased, indicating that the helicopter did not respond to the increase in collective," the report states. This is characteristic of a fully developed vortex ring state, in which using collective to increase the pitch of the main rotor blades only aggravates the situation by increasing the size of the tip vortices. Using security camera footage, investigators estimated that the aircraft descended at a constant acceleration of 0.37 g towards the ground, indicating "that the descending helicopter was generating lift but not enough lift to maintain altitude," according to supporting information in the accident docket. Recovery from vortex ring state requires exiting the area of vortices, either through the traditional recovery technique of increasing forward airspeed and partially lowering collective, or through the so-called Vuichard recovery technique, which combines lateral cyclic thrust with an increase in power and lateral anti-torque thrust. Cullen's colleagues at the Virginia State Police aviation unit told investigators that he had exhibited knowledge of both techniques, but investigators could find no record that he had ever received vortex ring state recognition and recovery training in the Bell 407. Like other Bell 407s, the accident helicopter was equipped with an airspeed-actuated pedal restrictor control system (PRCS), which reduces total left pedal travel at higher airspeeds by automatically adjusting the left pedal's forward stop. Above 55 knots indicated airspeed, the PRCS solenoid energizes, engaging a cam that limits forward travel of the left pedal by 25 percent. This cam was found in the engaged position in the accident wreckage, although components of the PRCS later functioned normally when bench tested. Calculations made by Bell at the NTSB's request indicated that even if the PRCS had remained engaged in the hover, the available left pedal travel should have been sufficient to maintain heading at the accident aircraft's weight and altitude. https://www.verticalmag.com/news/ntsb-report-virginia-state-police-helicopter-crash/ Back to Top MedAire's First Aid for Aviation Training Now Available Via Virtual Classroom MedAire, the world's leading provider of medical and security services to the business and general aviation industry, now offers its flagship training program via virtual classroom. The virtual Management of Inflight Illness & Injury (MIII) course teaches crew members the skills needed to provide assistance quickly and accurately when a medical event occurs in flight, as well as essential COVID-19 risk mitigation measures. Students in the virtual course receive a package of life-saving training equipment and instruction on first responder techniques via interactive guidance. The class is delivered via Zoom to engage students through voice, video and chat. The MedAire Training Pack includes a manikin and wrist monitor, bandages and personal precaution equipment for students to get hands-on experience in proper technique. Students receive an American Heart Association CPR Card upon successful completion of the course. The virtual Management of Inflight Illness and Injury curriculum also includes detailed information on essential COVID-19 risk mitigation measures: • Personal precaution equipment: types, uses, and hands-on training on the proper donning and doffing of gloves and masks • How to deliver oxygen onboard safely to reduce exposure to airborne viruses • Aircraft surface cleaning and disinfecting • Hotel room safety for crew that must overnight • Infection control guidelines for cabin crewmembers "Innovation is a hallmark of MedAire," said Bill Dolny, MedAire CEO. "As the needs of those in the aviation industry evolve, MedAire is continuously adapting and innovating to meet those needs. Since 1986, thousands of crewmembers and flight departments have relied on MedAire's first responder training. Now, crewmembers can continue to receive the training they need, regardless of their location." For more information on the training available through MedAire, visit www.medaire.com. https://www.aviationpros.com/aircraft/business-general-aviation/press-release/21138075/medaire-inc-medaires-first-aid-for-aviation-training-now-available-via-virtual-classroom Back to Top A4A Applauds Approval of New Sustainable Aviation Fuel Pathway WASHINGTON, May 13, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Airlines for America (A4A), the industry trade organization for the leading U.S. airlines, applauds the addition of a seventh annex to ASTM International's sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) specification, D7566, which will further enable the use of SAF by the U.S. airlines. "Even as the U.S. airlines work to address the COVID-19 crisis and aid in our national and global recovery, we remain committed to achieving our aggressive climate and sustainability goals. The increased production and use of sustainable fuels is a key pillar of our efforts," said A4A Vice President for Environmental Affairs Nancy Young. "The approval of this new pathway provides yet another avenue for the production of SAF. The more pathways there are, the more SAF that can be produced and ultimately provided to airlines for use in our aircraft." ASTM International, one of the largest standards-development organizations in the world, approved and published the new annex to D7566 with support from the Commercial Aviation Alternative Fuels Initiative® (CAAFI), which A4A co-founded in 2006. Annex A7 establishes criteria for the production and use of a type of synthesized paraffinic kerosene from hydroprocessed hydrocarbons, esters and fatty acids (HC-HEFA-SPK). The standard provides that HC-HEFA-SPK fuel, which was developed by IHI Corporation, may be blended at up to 10 percent by volume with conventional jet fuel. It represents the seventh approved pathway for the production of SAF. This fuel pathway was the first to receive expedited review under ASTM's "fast track" review process and benefitted from guidance from a special clearinghouse established by the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to help guide SAF producers through the rigorous assessment and approval process. "Although the U.S. airlines represent only 2 percent of the nation's greenhouse gas emissions inventory, we are committed to continuing to reduce that carbon footprint. A4A commends ASTM International, FAA, the airframe and engine manufacturers, the U.S. military, jet fuel producers and our entire CAAFI team for completing the review and approval of this new SAF pathway under rigorous expedited protocols. Advancing the commercialization and deployment of SAF will help the aviation industry meet its emissions reduction goals, while diversifying fuel supply and enhancing energy security," said Young. More information about the deployment of sustainable aviation fuel is available in A4A's SAF primer. And to learn about the U.S. airline industry's commitment to the environment, please visit AirlinesFlyGreen.com. ABOUT A4A Airlines for America (A4A) members are Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Atlas Air, Delta Air Lines, FedEx, Hawaiian Airlines, JetBlue Airways, Southwest Airlines, United Airlines and UPS. Air Canada is an associate member. A4A advocates on behalf of the leading U.S. airlines, both passenger and cargo carriers. A4A works collaboratively with industry stakeholders, federal agencies, the Administration, Congress, labor and other groups to improve aviation for the traveling and shipping public. For more information about the airline industry, visit our website airlines.org and our blog, A Better Flight Plan, at airlines.org/blog. https://www.heraldmailmedia.com/news/state/a4a-applauds-approval-of-new-sustainable-aviation-fuel-pathway/article_7f58659c-5492-5052-b0c3-7f5f869804e1.html Back to Top American Airlines To Return Some ERJ175s And ERJ145s To Service American Airlines will bring more regional jets back into service under the American Eagle brand from June 3rd. Envoy Air, American's fully-owned subsidiary, will be bringing all of its crisis-related parked E175s and ERJ145s back into service. Bringing the E175s and ERJ145s back into service Due to a downturn in passenger demand, American parked a number of planes, including regional jets operating under the American Eagle and the Envoy brands. These included both Embraer 145s and 175s. The ERJ145s seat 50 passengers while the E176s seat 76 in a two-class configuration. According to a report in View From the Wing, the Senior Vice President of Air Operations at Envoy Air has said, "All of the E-175s and E-145s that we parked as a result of COVID-19 [are expected to be] returned to service by June 3." These jets usually service small cities and short shuttle routes. The ERJ145s can be found on routes from Baltimore-Washington (BWI) to New York-JFK, Nashville to JFK, Chicago-O'Hare to Cincinnati, and more. The E175s operate a number of domestic routes to secondary airports as well as between major cities like New York-LaGuardia to Detroit, O'Hare to Cleveland, Los Angeles to San Francisco, and more. However, recently, these planes have become more common on short-haul routes. Normally, American operates robust schedules with mainline jets between New York and metro areas like Boston and DC. Now, American is down to daily E175 service on these routes through early June. The smaller planes are easier to fill, given reduced demand. And American still has to maintain minimum levels of service after receiving funding from the United States government to help it through this crisis. Although the Department of Transportation (DOT) is getting a little more lenient, nevertheless, the smaller jets will likely operate on many routes in the meantime. Envoy operates under the American Eagle brand alongside PSA, Piedmont, Republic, and SkyWest. The return of all parked E175s and ERJ145s only applies to Envoy Air. Other carriers, like Republic and Piedmont, will likely keep their fleet parked. Envoy Air At the end of 2019, Envoy Air operated a total of 58 ERJ-145s and 70 E175s. However, that number has since grown. 20 E175s are making their way over to Envoy from Compass Airlines. The first of these 20 jets has arrived in Envoy's care, and the other 19 will follow this year. In addition, Envoy received three new E175 aircraft from Embraer in the first quarter of 2020. 11 more new E175s are due over the course of this year. Envoy Air is American's wholly-owned regional subsidiary. The carrier operates over 185 aircraft comprised of ERJ140s, ERJ145s, E175s, and Bombardier CRJ700 aircraft. The E140s seat 44 passengers while the CRJ-700s seat between 65 and 76 passengers depending on the configuration. Overall From June 3rd, there will be more 50-seat and 76-seat jets flying American Airlines routes. Frequent fliers used to mainline service may find that their flight is operated by one of these regional jets as American alters its schedules and maintains reduced capacity. Nevertheless, the resumption of services with more aircraft is a positive step forward and may lead to the resumption of some routes. Or else, a capacity increase between some cities. https://simpleflying.com/american-embraer-returns/ Back to Top Assent Aeronautics Announces $18.9MM Aircraft Lineup for Historic Live Virtual Auction Presented by Jet Aviation, A General Dynamics Company, on May 14, 2020 Assent Aeronautics FORT WORTH, Texas, May 13, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Private Aircraft Auction House and industry leader Assent Aeronautics will host the largest private aircraft auction in history in the format of a Live Online Digital Aircraft Auction taking place on May 14th, 2020 at 14:00 CST. The inaugural Assent Aeronautics Live Virtual Aircraft Auction will feature six business jets, three turbo props, one amphibian, and three piston twins, bringing an approximate total value of $18.9MM. Most notable, the 2008 Bombardier/Challenger 605 holds the highest market value. Auction Lineup: 2008 Challenger 605 2008 Challenger 605 2008 Bombardier/Challenger 605 1999 Cessna Citation Bravo 1994 Cessna Citation Jet 1980 Beechcraft B55 Baron 1978 Cessna 421C 1977 Beechcraft King Air 100 2016 Beechcraft King Air 350i 1981 Dassault Falcon 50 1997 Cessna Citation Jet 1998 Cessna 182 Skylane Amphibian 1980 Cessna 421C 1988 Cessna Citation II 1982 Fairchild Merlin IIIC "Like many businesses globally, we have had to pivot our business model due to the COVID-19 pandemic and as a result we are hosting the world's first and largest live virtual luxury aircraft auction. We have found that bidders still want to bid, and sellers still want to sell, so we are adding a virtual component to our capabilities while providing an exceptional experience for our clients and partners with the same level of expertise and service that they would receive at an in-person auction house event. The $18.9MM auction lineup will make for an exciting auction," said Jake Banglesdorf, Vice President of Assent Aeronautics. "With the digital research tools from our valuable partnerships, our attendees will have immediate and streamlined access to the data they need to make educated bidding decisions." Powered by Controller.com and Hi-Bid, along with strategic partner Conklin & de Decker, a JSSI Company, Assent Aeronautics ensures that this first-of-its-kind auction will provide buyers with transparent knowledge and pricing power that they have never before had in the market. For more information on the auction, to register to bid, or to view the inventory, visit: www.assentauctions.com. About Assent Aeronautics Assent Aeronautics is a family owned company, founded in 2004 and headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas. Assent Aeronautics' distinct business units include luxury aircraft auctions, aircraft transaction advisory consulting, aircraft management and aircraft maintenance. Able to trace the company's heritage back to a private family flight department established in the 1940s, Assent Aeronautics has a proved track record of success. After numerous requests from companies and individuals to manage their aircraft, Assent Aeronautics was founded to help aircraft owners and operators maximize dispatch reliability and safely while saving money through more efficient expense forecasting and full-time expert technical supervision. For more information, visit assentaero.com. SOURCE Assent Aeronautics https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/assent-aeronautics-announces-18-9mm-aircraft-lineup-for-historic-live-virtual-auction-301058324.html Back to Top 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 Curt Lewis