Flight Safety Information May 15, 2020 - No. 098 In This Issue Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner - Crack Windshield (Japan) Charter Providers Roll Out New Covid Safety Measures US pilot jailed in Singapore for breaking coronavirus quarantine Officials: Why Was Man Killed by Jet on Texas Runway There? Face masks on the fly: Las Vegas airport adds PPE vending machines Airlines have instructed flight crews to not let masks lead to in-flight disruptions PAL Group completes global safety audit Air travel won't return to pre-crisis levels until 2023, IATA chief warns Delta wrestles with too many pilots, too many planes Delta to retire Boeing 777 aircraft fleet to rein in costs Virgin Galactic is looking for 2 pilots to fly its spaceflight missions Online - Human Factors & CRM Courses The USC Aviation Safety & Security Program Has Moved Online! SCSI Online Human Factors in Accident Investigation Course Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner - Crack Windshield (Japan) Date: 14-MAY-2020 Time: 13:10 UTC Type: Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner Owner/operator: United Airlines Registration: N26952 C/n / msn: 36403/263 Fatalities: Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 4 Other fatalities: 0 Aircraft damage: Minor Location: 870 km east-northeast of Tokyo/Narita International Airport (NRT/RJAA) - Pacific Ocean Phase: En route Nature: Cargo Departure airport: Hong Kong International Airport/Chek Lap Kok (HKG/VHHH), Hong Kong Destination airport: San Francisco International Airport (SFO/KSFO), CA, USA Narrative: A Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner of United Airlines, operating flight UAL/UA2862, suffered crack on the left front windshield en route at 870 km east-northeast of Tokyo/Narita International Airport. The crew declared an emergency at 13:10 UTC(22:10 Japan Standard Time), and made a safe landing at Narita beyond the curfew at 15:07 UTC(00:07 JST on 15th May). The flight had no passengers and there were no injuries among four crew. No radio transmissions have been recovered from LiveATC so far, although on the Narita Emergency/Guard frequency at 13:12:14, the following was heard: "There's an aircraft on, uh, one twenty-one five that is declaring pan-pan. Did Tokyo call back?" https://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/236024 Back to Top Charter Providers Roll Out New Covid Safety Measures Aircraft charter and management provider Silver Air is among the latest to introduce a comprehensive health and safety program in response to the Covid-19 pandemic. In addition to extensive cleaning, sterilization, and sealing of aircraft and ground transportation vehicles until needed, the Santa Barbara, California-based company is requiring its crew and passengers to undergo a virtual health screening prior to boarding. This story is part of AIN's continuing coverage of the impact of the coronavirus on aviation. With the Covid-19 crisis severely curtailing commercial aviation traffic, private aircraft charter providers are eager to assure the traveling public that they are providing the latest in disinfection and sanitization measures, among them California providers Clay Lacy Aviation and Silver Air. Van Nuys-based Clay Lacy introduced its "CleanCheck" standard after evaluating and implementing new technologies and best practices from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Department of Transportation, FAA, OEMs, and other industries, such as bipolar ionization and ClearCabin antimicrobial barrier application. The charter operator's aircraft are cleaned and disinfected after each flight and the company has increased the cleaning frequency for its facilities. "Health and safety is always our first priority," said company president and CEO Brian Kirkdoffer. "We examined every department, facility, and process and asked how we could thoughtfully change to provide the absolute safest service and environment." Meanwhile, Private jet management and charter operator Silver Air developed its "Covid-19 Cleared" program in conjunction with medical professionals and infectious disease specialists, with the aim of reducing potential infectious touchpoints on its aircraft. While safety has also been the company's primary concern, "the current environment has challenged us to redefine what that means," explained CEO Jason Middleton. In addition to aircraft sterilization, its protocol has medical professionals conduct virtual health screenings of passengers and crews before boarding. https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/business-aviation/2020-05-13/charter-providers-roll-out-new-covid-safety-measures Back to Top US pilot jailed in Singapore for breaking coronavirus quarantine SINGAPORE - An American cargo pilot who admitted to "poor judgment" in breaking a quarantine order to buy medical supplies became the first foreigner imprisoned in Singapore for breaching its restrictions meant to curb the coronavirus, his lawyer said Friday. FedEx pilot Brian Dugan Yeargan, 44, of Alaska, was sentenced to four weeks Wednesday after he pleaded guilty to leaving his hotel room for three hours to buy masks and a thermometer, defense lawyer Ronnie Tan said. Singapore has one of the largest outbreaks in Asia, with 26,000 cases. More than 90% of those infected are foreign workers living in crowded dormitories, while the government recently began easing restrictions for the local population. The tiny city-state has strict penalties for those who breach quarantine rules, don't masks in public or fail to adhere to social distancing measures. Quarantine violators face up to six months in jail, a fine of up to Singapore $10,000 ($7,000) or both. Tan said Yeargan and his two co-pilots were taken to an airport hotel to serve 14-day quarantines upon arriving from Sydney on April 3. It was required because they stated in their health declarations they had visited China, Hong Kong, Macau, Japan and the United States in the two-week period before their arrival, Tan said. Health officials checking on Yeargan found him missing from his room on April 5. Yeargan told the court he took the metro downtown to buy a thermometer and a few boxes of masks before he was to fly home on April 6. Tan said Yeargan needed the items because they were in short supply back home and his wife has been ill. Yeargan's wife had breathing difficulties but tested negative for the coronavirus in March, he said. Tan said Yeargan lost his daughter in a tragic incident four years ago and the possibility of another death frightened him. Yeargan told the court his two co-pilots had flown out on April 6 as scheduled but he has been held back in his room. He also said he has to give up an assignment to fly a humanitarian aid mission to COVID-19-hit countries for the U.S. Air Force due to his blunder in Singapore. "In his address in court, Yeargan said he was sorry, he made a poor judgment and that he shouldn't have gone out," Tan said. The American also said he has "the highest regard for the Singapore people and its laws," Tan added. The court said in its ruling Yeargan should have asked someone to obtain the items for him. Tan said Yeargan was relieved as prosecutors had sought a sentence of up to eight weeks. He said he will apply for a remission for good behavior, which could see the American ending his sentence in three weeks. The Anchorage Daily News reported Yeargan is from the Eagle River community and serves with the Alaska Air National Guard. It said he last spoke to his parents on Mother's Day. "He's taking care of himself," Jim Yeargan was quoted as saying. FedEx spokeswoman Davina Cole told the newspaper the company adhered to all regulations from government authorities related to containing the virus. Yeargan was the first foreigner sentenced for violating quarantine orders, but several Singaporeans have been jailed for between five and six weeks for leaving their homes. Singapore imposed a partial lockdown on April 7 and loosened restrictions Tuesday, with food manufacturers, barbers and laundry shops opening doors three weeks before the lockdown ends June 1. https://nypost.com/2020/05/15/us-pilot-jailed-in-singapore-for-breaking-coronavirus-quarantine/ Back to Top Officials: Why Was Man Killed by Jet on Texas Runway There? Investigators are trying to determine how a man with apparently no security clearance ended up on a runway at a Texas airport where he was struck and killed by a landing commercial jet. Junin Ko, 22, died on May 7 after a Southwest Airlines plane struck him as it landed at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, authorities said. Pilots had reported seeing a person while landing. The Boeing 737 aircraft was arriving from Dallas with 53 passengers and five crew members, airport spokesperson Bryce Dubee said. The man didn't have a security badge, which would have cleared him to enter the airport's secure side, Dubee told the Austin-American Statesman. Employees at the Austin Department of Aviation, airlines and concessions are required to have a badge, he said, adding that the man didn't work anywhere in the airport where a security badge is not required, such as a hotel or gas station. "This type of thing is defined as a runway incursion," Dubee said. "This is the first time we've ever had a security breach of this nature." Dubee didn't offer further comment on how the man got onto the runway. The Federal Aviation Administration, the Transportation Security Administration, Austin police and the airport are investigating what happened, Dubee said. Sponsored by Quote Rush The airport declined to provide details of how or if it would change its security protocols following the incursion. https://www.insurancejournal.com/news/southcentral/2020/05/14/568576.htm Back to Top Face masks on the fly: Las Vegas airport adds PPE vending machines Travelers flying in and out of Las Vegas can pick up a variety of items including forgotten toiletries and designer cupcakes at two dozen vending machines scattered throughout McCarran International Airport. New to the lineup this week: three machines selling personal protective equipment including face masks, gloves, hand sanitizer and wipes. The airport said it is the first in the U.S. to install the machines from vending machine operator Prepango, though Tulsa International Airport has added masks to existing vending machines and many airports are selling masks, sanitizers and related goods in their retail stores. The machines were installed in Las Vegas on Wednesday. The move comes as all major U.S. airlines and an increasing number of airports now require passengers to wear masks or other face coverings during the coronavirus pandemic. "With all the changes that have been happening rapidly ... it's not unthinkable that someone can show up at the airport and forget one of these items that are now almost essential for travel,'' said Christine Crews, spokeswoman for McCarran. McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas has added vending machines selling personal protective equipment including face masks, gloves, sanitizer and wipes. She said sample prices include $4.25 for 50mL (about 1.7 ounces) of liquid hand sanitizer, a 10-pack of alcohol wipes for $5.25 and $7.50 for a pack of three disposable masks or $14.50 for a reusable cloth mask. Some airlines have said they will provide face masks to passengers who don't bring their own. Allegiant, which is big in Las Vegas and is headquartered there, is handing out kits that include a mask and wipes. Las Vegas, like airports around the country, has seen passenger traffic plummet since the coronavirus outbreak began earlier this year and travel came to a halt. In March alone, 2.3 million fewer passengers traveled through the airport, a 53% decline. In 2019, more than 51 million passengers, a record, flew in and out of the gambling and entertainment hot spot. The marquee attraction, casino resorts on the Las Vegas Strip, have been closed since mid-March. No reopening dates have been announced by casino operators, but most plan to gradually reopen their hotels, resorts and restaurants. MGM Resorts, which has a dozen properties on The Strip, has said passengers will be encouraged to wear masks. https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/airline-news/2020/05/14/las-vegas-airport-adds-vending-machines-selling-face-masks-sanitizer/5194744002/ Back to Top Airlines have instructed flight crews to not let masks lead to in-flight disruptions Passengers are required to wear masks during travel. But crew members are being told to avoid confrontation in the air. U.S. airlines have all rolled out new policies requiring travelers to wear masks when they board and fly in an effort to keep passengers and employees as safe as possible from the coronavirus. But crew members are being told to avoid escalating a situation once in the air if a passenger refuses to keep the mask on. There are exceptions for those who are very young or who have a medical condition. In a memo sent to American Airlines pilots Monday, the day the mask policy went into effect, the carrier said enforcement of the requirement around face coverings would depend on where a customer is. At the gate, for example, travelers can be prevented from boarding if they are not wearing a mask. "Once on board and off the gate, the face covering policy will become more lenient," the communication says. "The flight attendant's role is informational, not enforcement, with respect to the face covering policy. The flight attendants are instructed not to escalate the issue if the passenger refuses to wear a face covering and to consider options, such as reseating if other passengers are involved, to defuse the situation." Dennis Tajer, spokesman for the Allied Pilots Association, which represents American Airlines pilots, said the policy undermines the airline's mask requirement. "'Lenient' and 'mandate' don't go together; they're not a pairing that survive," said Tajer, a captain for the airline. He said it may not always be possible to move a noncompliant passenger to a seat with space around it, and pointed out that in some cities, someone could be asked to leave a grocery store for not complying with mask rules. "I can't ask you to leave the airplane when we're in flight," he said. United Airlines says its mandatory face-covering policy is enforced first at the gate when passengers board, then "flight attendants inform and remind customers of the policy during flight in ways that are similar to our other safety policies." Passengers who refuse to wear a mask at the gate will be pulled aside by a customer service agent to discuss options, including moving to a new seat where they can stay a safe distance from other passengers. An airline statement said an "isolated situation where a customer may be denied boarding as a last resort" could be possible. The expectation is for passengers to continue wearing masks during the flight except while eating or drinking. "If for some reason this policy causes a disturbance onboard, we've counseled our flight attendants to use their de-escalation skills, and they do have the flexibility to re-seat customers on the aircraft as needed," the statement says. In a statement to The Washington Post, JetBlue said that under the new policy, its crew members will be "sensitive to all situations, using their best judgement to maintain compliance while upholding our service standards and will try to de-escalate issues onboard to the best of their ability." The statement also noted that customers who choose not to follow the mask policy will be reviewed for future travel on the airline. And Southwest Airlines said in a statement that while workers would provide a mask to passengers and "strongly encourage" that they comply with the policy, the carrier was not in a position to deny boarding to someone solely because they refused to wear a mask. "While our employees are not expected to control the personal behaviors of customers, employees and crews will respectfully request that customers abide by the policy, and we have existing guidelines for managing any issue that escalates," the statement said. Reuters first reported on the airline guidance to crews this week. Unions for pilots and flight attendants have urged authorities such as the Federal Aviation Administration and lawmakers to mandate measures including wearing masks to make sure that rules are consistent across the industry - and to give airlines and their employees firmer ground to stand on if travelers don't want to comply. "We have called for federal guidance from the government so that this is clear and consistent across the industry and we set clear conditions for people who want to fly on airplanes right now," Sara Nelson, president of the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA, which represents nearly 50,000 flight attendants at 19 airlines, told CNN. "The fact of the matter is that there is no way to appropriately socially distance on an airplane, and therefore everyone needs to be wearing masks." She said flight attendants are used to having to deescalate situations in the air all the time, so the airlines' direction is not unheard of. In a separate statement, Nelson said that airlines were putting new policies into place "on the fly with essentially no coordination or direction from the federal government." "We need a federal plan of action to implement safety measures on masks, social distancing, cleaning, and more," Nelson said in the statement. "Safety, health and our entire economy is on the line. We need federal requirements that mitigate risk during this pandemic and put the safety of crews and the traveling public first." The FAA said in a statement that it would keep engaging with partners in talks about protecting the health and safety of passengers and crew. The agency pointed to a recent safety alert that included guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on wearing cloth face coverings. "Although the FAA's statutory authority is to regulate the safe operation of civil aircraft, we are lending aviation expertise to federal public health agencies and airlines as they issue guidance for crew members, including health monitoring, screening protocols and aircraft cleaning," the statement said. https://www.washingtonpost.com/travel/2020/05/14/airlines-have-instructed-flight-crews-not-let-masks-lead-in-flight-disruptions/ Back to Top PAL Group completes global safety audit Flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) and PAL Express have complied with the highest international aviation safety standards and completed their 2019 IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA). The IOSA is the safety evaluation system of the International Air Transport As¬sociation (IATA) that assesses the operational management and control systems of an airline. The audit is conducted every two years and is accepted by top government aviation authorities as the gold standard in airline safety assessments. The IOSA audits for PAL and PAL express started in November, 2019 and ended in the first quarter of 2020. PAL has completed its seventh consecutive IOSA renewal, marking 14 years of full international safety compliance. PAL was the first Filipino airline to be IOSA-registered for safety, and for eight years was the sole airline in the country to earn and sustain the distinction. PAL Express was the second Filipino airline to be included in the IOSA Registry in March 2014, and earned its first renewal in March 2016. It has now completed its fourth consecutive certification with the recent successful Audit. "The IOSA registration affirms that safety is Philippine Airlines' topmost priority and at the heart of our operational culture, "remarked PAL President Gilbert F. Santa Maria. "In the face of the COVID- 19 pandemic, that culture ensures the safety of all the travelers who put their trust in our airplanes and our people. We look forward to the opportunity to resume flying to serve the Filipino people and help in the recovery of the economy." The consistent IOSA renewals of PAL and PAL ex¬press were among the key factors that earned them the maximum rating of "seven stars" rating for safety, as announced last year by the international rating organization AirlineRatings.com. PAL is a certified 4-Star Global Airline and was ranked 30th best airline in the world by Skytrax in 2019, along with the World's Most Improved Airline honors. Passing the audit and the resulting inclusion in the IOSA Registry confirms that the PAL Group airlines conform with industry safety standards on Flight Operations; Aircraft Engineering and Maintenance; Organization and Management (including the airlines' Safety Management System and Quality Management System); Operational Control and Flight Dispatch; Cabin Opera¬tions; Ground Handling Operations; Cargo Operations; and Security Management. Both airlines operate under the common brand name "Philippine Airlines" and serve 76 destinations in the Philippines and abroad, although regular flights had been temporarily suspended since March 2020 due to the lockdowns and travel restrictions in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. https://business.mb.com.ph/2020/05/14/pal-group-completes-global-safety-audit/ Back to Top Air travel won't return to pre-crisis levels until 2023, IATA chief warns • The trade group's chief, Alexandre de Juniac, said that demand for air travel had dropped more than 90% in Europe and the U.S. since the start of the pandemic. • He warned that recovery will be even slower if lockdowns and travel restrictions are extended. Hoping to see inter-Europe flights resume this summer, IATA chief says The impact on air travel from the coronavirus will be felt for many years to come, according to the International Air Transport Association, which estimates that passenger traffic won't rebound to pre-crisis levels until at least 2023. The trade association for the world's airlines said that demand for air travel had dropped more than 90% in Europe and the U.S. since the start of the pandemic, and warned that recovery will be even slower if lockdowns and travel restrictions are extended. "We are asking governments to have a phased approach to restart the industry and to fly again," Alexandre de Juniac, the IATA's director general and CEO, told CNBC's "Squawk Box Europe" on Thursday. De Juniac is hopeful that some flying will resume by the summer. "We are aiming at reopening and boosting the domestic market by end of the second quarter, and opening the regional or continental markets - such as Europe, North America or Asia-Pacific - by the third quarter, and intercontinental in the fall," he said. "So for summer we hope that you will see flights within Europe coming back, with I hope interesting prices and very safe processes of control." The European Union's external borders remain closed to non-EU nationals until mid-June. The European Commission has recommended a phased approach for its member states to reopen borders that would start with countries with low levels of coronavirus infections. Q2 will look 'similarly bleak' for Dubai Airports amid virus outbreak: CEO The comments from the IATA com as travel groups are desperate to bring operations back to life and some are already rolling out plans to do so. United Airlines has expressed its aims to schedule Europe and China routes in June, Dubai's flagship Emirates Airline will recommence nine outbound routes starting May 21 and European low-cost carrier Ryanair expects to have 40% of its flights running by July 1. Budget carrier Wizz Air will restart routes from London's Luton Airport starting June 16, Lufthansa is planning service expansion in June and IAG will resume some flights in July, among others. Mandatory quarantine 'useless' But any hopes for a boost to the industry with some resumed travel will be dashed if governments institute mandatory 14-day quarantine periods for travelers upon arrival, de Juniac warned. "We are advocating with governments not to implement quarantine measures that will retain people for two weeks that will arrive anywhere," he said. "We think that it is useless provided we have implemented the health and sanitary controls that we are discussing with governments. It is absolutely key for the tourist industry which is so important for so many countries in Europe." Scores of countries including Australia, New Zealand, China, Spain and potentially the U.K. are requiring international travelers to quarantine for two weeks upon arrival, with varying degrees of enforcement: in Australia, arrivals are escorted to a hotel where they must remain for 14 days, while in other countries they are expected to "self-quarantine" at home. Hong Kong issued state-monitored tracking bracelets that arrivals must wear to ensure they do not leave their area of quarantine. Such policies will no doubt deter many people from wanting to travel. De Juniac believes quarantine periods are simply not necessary as long as airlines and airports uphold stringent sanitation and monitoring practices. "Is it possible to have an aircraft full and without risk of contamination? Our answer is yes," de Juniac said, "provided we implement control and sanitary processes for passengers just before the flight - by asking for temperature control, by the obligation to wear a mask, by cleaning the aircraft properly and disinfecting properly, by limiting the distribution of food to prepackaged food, by limiting cabin luggage to one luggage to avoid disembarking and embarking process to be too overcrowded." With such a multilayered approach, he argued, "you limit the risk of contamination. ... And then the quarantine is not useful from our point of view in this case." Looking at the nature of flying - numerous people packed into a tight space, loading and picking up luggage, using the airplane toilets - it's hard to imagine that any sort of virus spread or contamination could be entirely avoided. But the IATA chief was adamant, citing on-board studies carried out "that demonstrate that the risk of contamination is absolutely minimal even when you don't have special equipment." He added that air filters in planes ensure safe ventilation, that sitting behind seat backs rather than face to face with other passengers reduces droplet spread and that mandatory masks will further reduce contamination. "So if you have special equipment, special controls, special cleaning, you reduce the risk to something which will never be zero but will be negligible. That is our strong conviction based on studies, on the equipment we are using - and on something which is even more important, that is safety, which is the key priority of this industry," he said. De Juniac stressed that passengers' safety came first, and that resumption of activity was ultimately up to government decisions. "I think the travelers are expecting us to implement a safe process of sanitary and health control for passengers. We are working with governments on that," he added. "It will be possible to fly safely at least in Europe we hope, and then it depends on government decisions to lift travel restrictions and border closures." https://www.cnbc.com/2020/05/14/coronavirus-air-travel-wont-return-to-pre-crisis-levels-until-2023-iata-chief-warns.html Back to Top Delta wrestles with too many pilots, too many planes Delta Air Lines sounded two alarms Thursday - in an indication of the deep struggle facing the entire airline industry. America's biggest airline warned it could have 7,000 more pilots than needed in the fall, according to a memo to flight operations employees seen exclusively by Reuters. That warning hints at a likely wave of layoffs since Delta has more than 14,000 pilots currently in its workforce. But Delta can't cut any staff until October 1st as part of the financial aid agreement it made with the Treasury. The memo was sent out on the same day Delta announced that it would stop flying all Boeing 777 wide-body jets and would retire some other older high-maintenance planes in an effort to slow down its cash burn. Delta instead will turn to Boeing rival Airbus for more fuel and cost-efficient planes for long-haul flights. But those purchases will only come when ticket sales start to rebound. That's not good news for Boeing - its shares were down Thursday. Delta, considered one of the best run airlines in America, is looking for ways to ease a cash burn as travelers stay on the ground in droves. American Airlines has also announced a large fleet retirement and United Airlines has told its pilots to brace for changes. Recent data showed U.S. airline passenger numbers plunged in recent months - forcing airlines like Delta to cut back on flights. And it's not clear when the flying public will return. Reuters has learned that some airlines will require face-masks at ticket-counters and plane boarding, but will not enforce the measure once the plane leaves the ground. That could leave some passengers wary of boarding a crowded plane. https://www.yahoo.com/news/delta-wrestles-too-many-pilots-171915745.html Back to Top Delta to retire Boeing 777 aircraft fleet to rein in costs (Reuters) - Delta Air Lines said on Thursday it would no longer fly Boeing Co's wide-body 777 aircraft and some of the other older high-maintenance jets, as the U.S. carrier looks to cut costs amid a steep fall in bookings due to travel restrictions around the world. The spread of the novel coronavirus has virtually brought airports around the globe to a standstill, leaving airlines to take drastic steps to make savings. The move to retire 18 Boeing 777 jets, along with the MD-90 planes, by the end of the year would result in second-quarter non-cash impairment charges of $1.4 billion to $1.7 billion, before tax, the airline said. (https://bit.ly/2T3VIKa) Delta said it would use Airbus SE's more fuel-efficient and cost-effective A330 and A350-900 wide-body planes for long-haul flying when international demand returns. "Our principal financial goal for 2020 is to reduce our cash burn to zero by the end of the year, which will mean, for the next two to three years, a smaller network, fleet and operation in response to substantially reduced customer demand," Chief Executive Officer Ed Bastian said. (https://bit.ly/3cuR27W) https://www.yahoo.com/finance/news/delta-retire-boeing-777-aircraft-131757337.html Back to Top Virgin Galactic is looking for 2 pilots to fly its spaceflight missions. Here's what it takes to be the next closest thing to an astronaut. • Sir Richard Branson's space company, Virgin Galactic, recently posted a job listing for two pilots to join its commercial spaceflight team. • Pilots flying for the company will initially be flying test missions for Virgin's aircraft but will eventually transition to space operations. • The job is based at Spaceport America in New Mexico with lots of opportunities to travel in the upper altitudes. Ever wanted to be an astronaut but didn't know how to break into the highly competitive industry? Well, Sir Richard Branson's commercial spaceflight company, Virgin Galactic, just put out a job posting for two pilots to fly its space-bound aircraft and it's the next best thing to being a NASA astronaut. The ambitious endeavor aims to eventually open up space for tourist travel, with seats on the Virgin-branded spaceship costing around $250,000. But while the passengers in the back will be paying through the nose for the opportunity, pilots with the "right stuff" will be getting paid to chart a new course. While spaceflight missions are still potentially years away, the current day-to-day involves flying and assisting in the crafting of test missions for Virgin Galactic's two aircraft, SpaceShipTwo and WhiteKnightTwo. The opportunity to take to space is, however, on the table as the job posting elaborates that the candidates will eventually be part of "commercial spaceflight operations," bringing passengers to the edge of space for a one-of-a-kind experience. Taking the job would require relocation to Virgin's home base at Spaceport America near Truth or Consequences, New Mexico, right in the middle of nowhere in the vast American Southwest, with additional opportunities to travel for missions in Mojave, California. Take a look at the requirements of what it takes to be a Virgin Galactic pilot. Be must be a US citizen or a protected US person. The requirement to be a US citizen or other US person as defined by 22 CFR §120.15 is due to space technology regulations implemented by the US government. Lawful permanent residents as other protected US persons under 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3) can also apply for the position. Have an FAA Commercial Pilot's License and Class 1 medical. Any pilot for higher must possess a Commercial Pilot's License that requires a minimum of 250 hours of flying. Class 1 medicals are also standard for any pilot flying for an airline and involve going through the most thorough examination performed by aviation medical examiners. Have a degree in a related technical field. Virgin Galactic doesn't specify what kind of degrees will suffice but fields related to aviation typically include engineering disciplines. Some commercial airlines also require either an associate or bachelor's degree for their pilots. Be a graduate of a Society of Experimental Test Pilots-recognized test pilot course. Virgin Galactic pilots are constantly performing test flights with their unique aircraft that the candidates would be involved in flying. A recent flight test saw WhiteKnightTwo, named VMS Eve, drop SpaceShipTwo, named VSS Unity, from 50,000 feet above New Mexico to simulate a re-entry procedure. The spacecraft glided from the altitude all the way down to Spaceport America, reaching speeds of Mach .70. Have 2.5 years of test pilot experience following completion of a Society of Experimental Test Pilots-recognized program. The requirement ensures that candidates for the position are comfortable and competent to perform test flight operations. Each test flight has its own risks as these are new, experimental aircraft and spaceflight is new territory for most pilots. Have at least 3,000 flying hours. The 3,000-hour mark is a typical requirement for pilots applying to most major airlines. Depending on the pilot, it can sometimes take years to fly that many hours, which is why it's a good indicator of experience. Have operational experience in an aviation project or business. Virgin Galactic requires its pilots to be a part of various additional aspects of the business, not just flying the aircraft. Having prior experience being a part of a project or business helps achieve that goal. Be able to clearly communicate aviation knowledge and safety information. Spaceflight is a new venture and most, if not all Virgin Galactic customers will be first-time astronauts. As the ultimate authority on the aircraft, pilots will be tasked with customer relations and that includes answering questions, addressing concerns, exuding confidence, and easing fears. Have experience in a role where you had the responsibility of authorizing and implementing policies and procedures. Virgin Galactic pilots will be involved in creating new procedures and best practices for the aircraft during the test phase. Unlike a traditional pilot job, the pilots won't simply be told how to fly the plane but will need to learn how to fly it in the unique circumstances the spacecraft will be flying in. Be a team player. Flying a spaceship isn't a one-man job, it requires hundreds of behind-the-scenes workers ensuring that everything goes smoothly. Crew resource management is also essential to every flight, not just those heading to space. Meet the personal requirements. The Virgin Group and its subsidiaries have always been known to operate with a unique culture and in order to maintain that, Virgin Galactic outlines a few personal requirements that its pilots need to meet. They include the following: Be motivated, enterprising and enthusiastic • Check your ego at the door • Be a self-starter and possess a sense of humility • Work well under pressure • Thrive under challenging circumstances • Communicate clearly • Be confident and persuasive • Maintain the highest level of integrity and confidentiality This pilot gig is about to get more excited as Virgin Galactic has made some advancements recently to bring its mission closer to reality. Virgin Galactic recently announced a partnership with NASA to develop supersonic-capable vehicles to provide high-speed transportation. Ever since the famed Concorde disappeared from the skies, the desire to re-imagine supersonic transport aircraft has spurred development from multiple companies. The duo will now work together to develop new technology aimed for civil use that could dramatically bring down travel times in commercial transportation. https://www.businessinsider.com/virgin-galactic-job-application-looking-to-hire-pilots-for-spaceflight-2020-5 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