Flight Safety Information June 23, 2020 - No. 126 In This Issue ProSafe T - Comprehensive SMS, Quality and Audit Solution Webinar Incident: India A319 at Bhopal on Jun 22nd 2020, gear problem on arrival Pilots and Controller Blamed for Pakistani A320 Crash Kobe Bryant pilot's family looking to move Vanessa Bryant lawsuit out of LA Denver airport ordered to pay $33.5 million for noise violations Los Angeles International plans passenger temperature screenings FAA ADMINISTRATOR DICKSON 'VISITS' ERAU...MAKES GUEST APPEARANCE DURING SCHOOL'S AVIATION OUTLOOK NetJets Adopts Advanced Qualification Training Program Hydrogen-powered aviation: Preparing for take-off Taiwan's Newest Airline Prepares To Launch Turkish Airlines Expands US Flight Resumptions US Air Force considers ways to recruit commercial pilots Alaska Airlines adds the Embraer 175 jet to state of Alaska flying Spirit AeroSystems asks lenders for relief after deeper Boeing 737 production cut Virgin Galactic signs NASA deal to take private citizens to the ISS SpaceX's third Starlink launch in three weeks is just around the corner SCSI Slovenia Fall Course Series Position Available: Chief Investigator of Accidents AVIATION SAFETY SURVEY GRADUATE RESEARCH SURVEY Incident: India A319 at Bhopal on Jun 22nd 2020, gear problem on arrival An Air India Airbus A319-100, registration VT-SCN performing flight AI-631 from Mumbai to Bhopal (India) with 45 passengers, was on approach to Bhopal when the crew reported a technical problem with the landing gear. The aircraft continued the approach and landed safely on Bhopal's runway 30. The aircraft remained on the ground for 3.5 hours, then was able to continue the flight for the next sector to Hyderabad (India). http://avherald.com/h?article=4d908607&opt=0 Back to Top Pilots and Controller Blamed for Pakistani A320 Crash The Pakistani Aircraft Accident Investigation Board (AAIB) has released the preliminary report on the Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) accident a month after the crash. According to the report, the flight crew did not follow the procedures and failed to extend its landing gear, leading to a gear-up landing and initiated a go-around with damaged engines. Investigators also accused the crew of being overconfident. The investigation probe clarified that the provisional report had been prepared with data obtained from the cockpit voice recorder (CVR), flight data recorder (FDR) as well as evidence collected from the crash site. The PIA Airbus A320 crashed near Karachi Airport, Pakistan on May 22 while operating a domestic service as flight 8303 from Lahore. There were 91 passengers and eight crew onboard the A320, 97 of which lost their lives while two passengers survived with injuries. AAIB had previously sent a letter to PIA stating that pilots of the ill-fated Airbus A320 did not follow ATC instructions and violated established procedures. "When the aircraft was seven nautical miles from touchdown runway 25L passing 5200 feet, it was relatively high as pert the standard approach profile. I instructed the pilots twice to discontinue approach and turn left heading 180 which he did not comply and continued to approach runway 25L with his own discretion to establish ILS approach runway 25L. I again warned aircraft at 5 nautical miles from touchdown passing 3500 feet. At 4 nm aircraft was observed approaching 1300 feet with ground speed of 250 knots. Aircraft was observed passing runway threshold at ground speed of 210 knots," said the controller in a letter written following the crash. However, the report says that the air traffic controller is also equally responsible for the accident as he failed to warn the pilots about the landing gear issue and the engines' contact with the ground during the first approach. The captain said that he would adjust the speed and altitude of the aircraft prior to landing. However, he and the co-pilot appear to forget to extend landing gear in spite of an alarm that warned pilots that the gear was up. According to the air traffic controller, the crew failed to extend the gear as they were busy with adjusting the speed and altitude for a stabilized landing. As a result of a gear-up landing, both engines got damaged as they contacted the ground at a high speed. The aircraft lost both engines during the second approach resulting in a catastrophic accident. https://airlinegeeks.com/2020/06/23/pilots-and-controller-blamed-for-pakistani-a320-crash/ Back to Top Kobe Bryant pilot's family looking to move Vanessa Bryant lawsuit out of LA TMZ procured the court documents which detail the family's argument to move the case out of LA. Per the report, the family argued that the trial would begin with "two strikes" against the Kobe Bryant pilot due to the "extreme level of popularity of the plaintiff with the jury pool." Zobayan's family is looking to move the Vanessa Bryant lawsuit to Orange County in California. Kobe Bryant's iconic status in LA could potentially harm Zobayan's chances of getting a fair trial, according to the court documents. The Vanessa Bryant lawsuit claims that the pilot, along with the helicopter company, Island Express Helicopters, is responsible for the death of Kobe and Gianna Bryant. Per reports, Vanessa Bryant is seeking hundreds of millions in damages from the lawsuit. Berge Zobayan, the brother of the Kobe Bryant pilot, claimed the passengers on the helicopter were responsible for the crash as they acted irresponsibly. Berge Zobayan's attorney further claimed that they would try to get the Vanessa Bryant lawsuit dismissed by the judge. The latest development in the death of Bryant is a report from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). The report states Ara Zobayan was disoriented in the foggy weather which led to the crash. According to NTSB, Zobayan reached out to the air traffic controllers minutes before the crash and reported that he would be climbing up to 4,000 feet in order to get above the clouds. However, the flight trajectory revealed Ara Zobayan was instead rapidly descending before crashing against the hills near Calabasas, California. The autopsy report released by the Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner-Coroner stated that the Kobe Bryant pilot tested negative for drugs and alcohol. https://www.republicworld.com/sports-news/basketball-news/kobe-bryant-pilots-family-wants-to-move-wrongful-death-case-out-of-la.html Back to Top Denver airport ordered to pay $33.5 million for noise violations Court rules in long-running dispute between Adams County and DIA A judge has ordered DIA to pay $33.5 million to Adams County for noise violations over neighborhoods near the airport. Adams County got just what it asked for in its lengthy fight with Denver International Airport - a judge's order that DIA pay $33.5 million for noise violations that impacted nearby neighborhoods during a three-year period starting in 2014. The ruling from Jefferson County District Judge Christie Bachmeyer was handed down on Friday but became public Monday. The judge concluded that DIA didn't properly monitor noise emanating from aircraft using the airport, violating an intergovernmental agreement it had with the county that goes back to the late 1980s, when the airport was built. Adams County maintains that DIA relied on an arcane and outdated noise modeling system - rather than actual ground measurements - to gauge airport noise. Bachmeyer ruled that methodology wasn't in keeping with the agreement DIA had made with surrounding communities. "Since Denver has not remedied the violations as required by the agreement, Denver must now make a $500,000 payment for each of the 67 ... violations over the three-year period from 2014 through 2016 in the total amount of $33,500,000," the judge wrote in her order. Adams County, along with Thornton, Aurora and Brighton, sued the airport in 2018 over the noise issue, which impacted long-established neighborhoods west and south of the airport. The case went to trial in Jefferson County last fall. It was the latest legal challenge over noise levels at DIA in a string of lawsuits filed against the airport dating back nearly 30 years. Denver had agreed to measure and minimize aircraft noise as part of its annexation of land in Adams County back in the 1980s for the sprawling 53-square-mile airport, the county argued at trial. "Adams County was willing to take on the burdens of having an international airport as long those burdens were mitigated," county Commissioner Steve O'Dorisio said Monday. O'Dorisio praised the court for handling such a complex and challenging case. Bachmeyer's ruling ran 41 pages. "The court came down on our side after going through mountains of data and diving deep into technical details," O'Dorisio said. "Denver and Adams County work through so many issues together - this is one issue when we needed a third party to work through it." Stacey Stegman, spokeswoman for DIA, said Monday that airport leaders are "disappointed in the decision and are considering next steps." She didn't say if that would include an appeal. DIA has taken a combative tone regarding Adams County's noise complaints in the past, contending that it had already given the county and its cities $40 million in excessive noise payments, dating from the airport's February 1995 opening through 2011. Those payments, DIA said in a filing it submitted to the court last year, were based on the airport's same noise modeling system that was at issue in the latest trial. Adams County and its cities were fully aware of the system DIA was using during the years they were collecting millions in noise levies, DIA asserted. Airport officials alleged that as aviation technology has advanced and planes have become quieter, the municipalities feared that money would dry up - precipitating the most recent litigation. The issue over aircraft noise at DIA came to prominence once again this year in an unrelated case, when the airport and Denver sued Aurora to stop plans approved by that city that would allow a developer to build single-family homes within a mile of the airport's next planned runway. "This decision will allow housing in an area with far greater noise exposure" than in established neighborhoods around the airport, DIA said in a January news release accompanying the announcement of the lawsuit. O'Dorisio said he hopes the relationship with DIA will be smoother going forward. "Whatever Denver decides to do in monitoring noise in the future, the method of modeling needs to be accurate, reliable and the data needs to be accessible," he said. https://www.denverpost.com/2020/06/22/denver-airport-noise-adams-county/ Back to Top Los Angeles International plans passenger temperature screenings • Los Angeles International Airport will trial thermal scanners on passengers in its internationally focused terminal. • The program is voluntary and will be available for both arriving and departing travelers. • The trial comes as the aviation industry grapples with concerns over the spread of Covid-19. Los Angeles International Airport will start piloting thermal scanning of passengers on Tuesday, a trial that aims to identify passengers with fevers, a symptom of Covid-19, Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti said Monday. The trial is voluntary and will last at least two months, an airport spokesman said. The scanners will be at Tom Bradley International Terminal, which has a high number of international flights, in both departure and arrival areas, Garcetti said. Departing passengers will be told by staff that they should not travel if they register temperatures of more than 100.4 degrees. Arriving travelers will be referred to staff from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention if they register temperatures that high. "To be clear, these thermal camera temperature checks will not replace other safety measures," Garcetti said in a webcast. "This is an additional layer of safety." Los Angeles World Airports, which runs LAX, said it is working with the airport investment arm of the Carlyle Group, which is providing technology through Schneider Electric and others for the project, called the Terminal Wellness Pilot Program, at no cost to the airport. "As an active member of the aviation community, Carlyle Airport Group ... recognized early on that extraordinary cooperation and decisive response was needed to retool and rebuild passenger confidence in air travel," Amit Rikhy, CEO of the private equity giant's airport investment group, said during the webcast announcement. Airport officials plan to share results of the trials with the Transportation Security Administration, the CDC, local health officials and with other airports. While air travel has recovered somewhat from more than five-decade lows hit in April as states have reopened and summer travel season kicked off, demand is still down about 80% from a year ago, according to data from the Transportation Security Administration. Airlines have scrambled to come up with ways to ease travelers' concerns about the virus and to protect crews. While federal officials have recommended face coverings in places where it's impossible to socially distance, it isn't a government requirement. Carriers last month started mandating masks for passengers. They have taken other steps, too. For example, budget carrier Frontier Airlines this month started taking travelers' temperatures and said if they register more than 100.4 or higher they won't fly. United Airlines, for its part, this month began asking passengers questions about their health as they check in for their flights. More than 88 million travelers passed through LAX last year, making it the world's third-busiest airport after Atlanta and Beijing, according to Airports Council International. https://www.cnbc.com/2020/06/22/la-international-airport-to-trial-passenger-thermal-screening-amid-coronavirus-concerns.html Back to Top FAA ADMINISTRATOR DICKSON 'VISITS' ERAU MAKES GUEST APPEARANCE DURING SCHOOL'S AVIATION OUTLOOK Social distancing measures didn't stop FAA Administrator Steve Dickson from "dropping in" to visit with students at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University via a videoconference June 18 to talk about the state of aviation. Dickson encouraged students to continue pursuing aviation and aerospace career paths because there are "a lot of great opportunities to get involved in aviation and a lot of great things going on." The airline transport pilot told students that things are beginning to look up after an initial 95-percent decline in commercial air travel during the onset of the coronavirus pandemic. Looking to the future, he said the technology revolution leading to lower-cost unmanned aircraft systems and the race toward developing viable electric vertical takeoff and landing vehicles "is happening now." Dickson said the United States was likely experiencing "the most exciting period in aviation that we've had" since the "introduction of the jet engine, or pressurization." He added that "we're really just scratching the surface on unmanned systems" and predicted there would be significant advancements "within the next few years" that would lead to "really exciting developments." The administrator pointed out that the FAA has also become increasingly more adept at regulating airspace for commercial space travel as interest in the field continues to soar. He said the FAA uses spacecraft launch telemetry to monitor missions "in real time" from an FAA command center, and works "very closely with private firms" including SpaceX, Blue Origin, and others to "more surgically manage" the airspace rather than to close large chunks of the country's airspace system during launches. Participants planning for a future in aviation or the aerospace industry had questions about the return of air travel, and Dickson was candid about the numbers. He noted that general aviation operations were down during the height of the pandemic but "not as much as commercial airlines." The administrator said there is a "pent-up demand for leisure travel," and he predicted that "some volume will come back" in the coming months, especially if ticket prices remain depressed. He added that GA is currently swinging "up" when compared to a three-year average. However, he cautioned that corporate and business travel could continue to suffer because of changes in the workplace that have since welcomed "virtual" meetings rather than face-to-face gatherings. "I think that business travel will be slower because corporate travel will be scrutinized further," he explained. "There's not going to be a substitute for person-to-person contact, ultimately, but it's going to be some time before we see business travel" return to the numbers that were previously posted. A peek into the administrator's private life revealed that his days often begin before 6 a.m. with rounds of emails and meetings concerning technology, safety, airspace, and regulations-and often don't end until well after dinnertime. Dickson's 6 p.m. video chat with students followed a two-hour town hall on GA safety with AOPA, Textron Aviation, Signature Flight Support, and others. He revealed that his favorite airplane to fly was the McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle, which was "the cream of the crop" when he flew it for the military, and "undefeated in air-to-air combat." He also has a "soft spot in my heart for the Boeing 757" because "it was just a great-performing aircraft. The 757 and 767 were real game-changers because they flew transoceanic trips on two engines," a feat that was previously unheard-of in 1982 when the pioneering two-crew jetliner with glass cockpits and a range of at least 3,200 nautical miles was introduced. https://www.aopa.org/news-and-media/all-news/2020/june/22/faa-administrator-dickson-visits-erau Back to Top NetJets Adopts Advanced Qualification Training Program NetJets has become the first FAR Part 91K/135 business aviation operation to receive FAA support to launch an advanced qualification program (AQP) for pilot training. The first NetJets fleets to transition to the AQP are the Citation Sovereign and Latitude, with the Citation XLS next on the schedule. NetJets' fractional-share operation has become the first Part 91K and 135 business aviation operation to receive FAA support to launch an advanced qualification program (AQP) for pilot training. The company has been working on this effort since 2018, but this process began 10 years earlier when NetJets transitioned to training to Part 121 standards. The first NetJets fleets to transition to the AQP are the Citation Sovereign and Latitude, with the Citation XLS next on the schedule. This will be followed by the Bombardier Global, Embraer Phenom 300, and Bombardier Challenger 350 fleets later this year. Next year will see the Challenger 650 and the Citation Longitude added to AQP. NetJets' Gulfstream fleet will be the last to follow, which will be done at the FlightSafety learning center in Savannah, Georgia. Training on the other fleets will be done at the FlightSafety center next door to NetJets' headquarters in Columbus, Ohio. NetJets had already implemented a higher standard of training-under a program where the FAA recommends that charter operators train pilots to Part 121 standards-from 2008 to 2018. This included implementing an aviation safety action program (ASAP) and flight operations quality assurance (FOQA) program. NetJets also more recently added an air carrier designated examiner program where FAA inspectors oversee all training and checking and are dedicated to the NetJets operation. All of these efforts got NetJets nearly all the way to meeting AQP requirements, and the FAA encouraged the company to work with the FAA to achieve full AQP status. AQP steps up pilot training to a much higher level compared to traditional business aviation processes. "What we have found is AQP allows NetJets to develop a training program that's appropriate for us and our pilots," said Sean Kennedy, NetJets director of operations and v-p of operations. "They can focus on where they need to improve and be better prepared for our flight operations." A key part of AQP is adding real-world scenarios to flight training, based on FOQA information from the NetJets fleet. "AQP is a whole different ballgame," he added. "It's a custom program for NetJets and the FAA to look at data and decide what do you need to meet the next cycle [of training]. The requirements change every year. It's relevant to what's happening in the industry." "NetJets prides itself in our unwavering commitment to safety," said NetJets COO Alan Bobo. "We are thrilled to be the first private aviation company to receive support from the FAA under this new program. The standards for safety have always been the top priority for NetJets and we look forward to continuing to evolve our service, safety, and success with AQP." https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/business-aviation/2020-06-22/netjets-adopts-advanced-qualification-training-program Back to Top Hydrogen-powered aviation: Preparing for take-off Hydrogen as an energy source will play a key role in transforming aviation into a zero carbon/climate-neutral system over the next few decades. Novel and disruptive aircraft, aero-engine and systems innovations in combination with hydrogen technologies can help to reduce the global warming effect of flying by 50 to 90%. Moreover, these innovations can help to meet the drastic reduction targets for aviation emissions set out in the EU Green Deal. A new independent study, commissioned by Clean Sky 2 and Fuel Cells & Hydrogen 2 Joint Undertakings on hydrogen's potential for use in aviation, was presented at an online event yesterday, which featured Adina-Ioana Vălean, the European Commissioner for Transport, and Patrick Child, Deputy Director-General of the Directorate-General for Research and Innovation at the European Commission, as keynote speakers. Leading industry representatives Stéphane Cueille (Chief Technology Officer, Safran), Glen Llewellyn (Vice-President Zero Emissions Technology, Airbus), David Burns (Vice-President Global Business Development, Linde), Per Ekdunge (Executive Vice-President, PowerCell) and Rolf Henke (Member of the Executive Board, German Aerospace Centre - DLR) also featured. The study found that hydrogen - as a primary energy source for propulsion, either for fuel cells, direct burn in thermal (gas turbine) engines or as a building block for synthetic liquid fuels - could feasibly power aircraft with entry into service by 2035 for short-range aircraft. Costing less than €18 ($20) extra per person on a short-range flight, and reducing climate impact by 50 to 90%, hydrogen could play a central role in the future mix of aircraft and propulsion technologies. Such disruptive innovation will require significant aircraft research and development, further development of fuel cell technology and liquid hydrogen tanks, and also investment into fleet and hydrogen infrastructure and accompanying regulations and certification standards to ensure safe, reliable and economic hydrogen-powered aircraft can take to the skies. Industry experts anticipate that it will take 10 to 15 years to make these important advancements, and consequently the research needs to start now. The study estimated that the first short-range hydrogen-powered demonstrator could be developed by 2028 if sufficient investments into R&I are made. The technical challenges and unique characteristics of hydrogen as an on-board energy source make it best suited to commuter, regional, short-range and medium-range aircraft. For the next decades, long-haul air travel is likely to be based on liquid hydrocarbon fuels; but increasingly these too will need to be sustainable and these 'drop-in' fuels will also rely on hydrogen for their production. According to the report, the following policy actions are needed: • An aviation roadmap to guide the transition. This needs to set clear ambitions, align standards, coordinate infrastructure build-up, overcome market failures, and encourage first movers. • A strong increase in long-term Research & Innovation (R&I) activities and funding. This would lead to legal and financial certainty for technology development. • A long-term policy framework should lay out the rail guards for the sector, including how climate impact will be measured and how the roadmap will be implemented. • Adina-Ioana Vălean, European Commissioner for Transport, said, "Hydrogen in aviation offers many opportunities for the transformation of our aviation sector." "From production, to distribution, to new aircraft designs and large-scale use, it provides numerous opportunities for European companies to be at the forefront of our industrial revolution in the years to come." Patrick Child, Deputy Director-General for Research & Innovation, commented, "Research and innovation is vital to realise the full potential of hydrogen technologies for decarbonisation of aviation." "The EU's future Horizon Europe research and innovation framework programme is a fantastic opportunity to advance this agenda, working in partnership with industry and the research community." "The excellent co-operation between the existing Joint Undertakings dedicated to Hydrogen Fuel Cells and Clean Aviation illustrates the need for close synergies between the two sectors as we work together on the ambitious objectives of the post-Covid recovery and the European Green Deal." Axel Krein, Executive Director of Clean Sky 2 Joint Undertaking, said, "Our ultimate goal is to achieve climate-neutral aviation by 2050. Turning this ambition into reality requires the seamless integration of a range of important new technological advancements, one of which is hydrogen-powered aircraft." "This comes hand in hand with priorities such as hybrid engines, more electric aircraft, ultra-efficient short- and medium-range aircraft and lighter airframes. The mix of these various game-changing technologies will help us to reach our final destination." Bart Biebuyck, Executive Director of Fuel Cells & Hydrogen 2 Joint Undertaking, concluded, "The cost of producing clean hydrogen came down in recent years thanks to cheaper renewable electricity and bigger and cheaper production technology." "At the same time, fuel cell performance in terms of durability, capacity and cost has made big steps forward." "This combination has now made it possible to look to such solutions for decarbonisation of the aviation industry and the results of the study are clear on the huge potential of hydrogen in aviation." "The hydrogen and fuel cell sector is ready to work hand in hand with the aviation industry to design, test and produce the required components and make zero emission aviation an everyday reality." https://www.h2-view.com/story/hydrogen-powered-aviation-preparing-for-take-off-2/ Back to Top Taiwan's Newest Airline Prepares To Launch Even during this uncertain time in the aviation industry, Taiwan has revealed plans for a start-up airline to emerge. Kinmen Airlines is set to be based in Kinmen County, an island governed by the Republic of China. The airline has plans to take off in October in a five-phase development project. Located just six kilometres away from China, Kinmen County is a strategic location for the new airline. According to Focus Taiwan, one of the airline's investors, Tsai Chuan-Cheng, explained that an airline based in the island has been long-awaited. "Given that a large number of families from Kinmen live in Southeast Asian countries, it is critical that Kinmen has its own airline to serve its people through a more comprehensive air travel network," he noted. Taiwan News reported in late May that the airline's investors had earmarked over $168m to fund its establishment. The investors are Taiwanese businesspeople who find that Kinmen's strategic location between China and Taiwan will serve them well. The new airline will thus come to the aid of these businesspeople who require constant travel between the two countries. Former Kinmen councilor, Chen Tsang-Chiang, and businessman Tsai are among the investors who see the need for Kinmen Airlines' signature route. The emergence of Kinmen Airlines will not only help established business people, but younger budding entrepreneurs to connect to the Chinese market. Tsai explained that "the launch of Kinmen Airlines will bring numerous job opportunities to young locals and connect Kinmen businesses to the Chinese market." Plans for Kinmen Airlines At the end of May, Focus Taiwan announced that a logo is in the works for the airline. The finalized logo for Kinmen Airlines was uploaded to social media yesterday. Kinmen Airlines just announced its brand. They're now applying to the CAA for the first phase of preflight preparations. In October, there will be an establishment ceremony, along with the start of a five-phase journey to development. For instance, the airline will need to conduct at least 50 hours of flying tests and rehearsals before allowed to fly commercially. As for aircraft, the investors have told Focus Taiwan that they have not confirmed which aircraft will be utilized. However, back in March, they hinted at using ATR 72-600s, which are typical for routes between Kinmen and Taiwan. Both Taiwanese-based Mandarin Airlines and UNI Air employ ATR 72-600 planes for trips between the two destinations. Additionally, Kinmen's location will make it convenient for locals to explore other countries. Tsai explained that the new airline would enable residents to "fly across the Taiwan Strait and explore the whole world." Currently, those living in Kinmen County have to transit in Taipei or other Taiwanese cities before they can fly internationally. Kinmen will introduce a more straightforward method for residents to travel outside of Taiwan. Taiwan's unlucky start-up airline While the investors behind Kinmen Airlines are confident its tactical route will perform well, Taiwan's most recent start-up venture had to suspend operations in a mere two months. Start-up airline, Starlux, commenced operations in January this year - right before the virus outbreak plagued the industry. Started from sibling rivalry, CEO Chang Kuo-Wei has hopes for Starlux to become the 'Emirates of Taiwan'. Taiwan based Starlux Airlines However, in March, Starlux was down to just one return flight to Da Nang daily. Two weeks later, the airline had to ground its entire fleet due to non-existent travel demand. This month Starlux has relaunched, flying to Malaysia, Da Nang, and Penang. Let's hope the second time's the charm for this Taiwan-based start-up. For Kinmen, it seems that commencing operations in October will also rely on how the coronavirus pandemic pans out by then. https://simpleflying.com/taiwan-startup-airline/ Back to Top Turkish Airlines Expands US Flight Resumptions Turkish Airlines will be expanding its flights to the United States in July. The announcement from the airline comes just days after international flights were resumed to four destinations within the US. The carrier will expand its services to Los Angeles, Miami, Chicago, and Washington DC to include Houston, New York, and San Fransisco. Turkish Airlines will fly to seven US cities in July After facing several delays, Turkish Airlines finally resumed flying to the US last week following the grounding of flights due to COVID-19. We reported on Friday that Turkish Airlines would be reinstating flights to some US cities, flying 12 times a week to four destinations. The carrier has since announced that this will be expanding in July to include three further routes. This will increase the number of services to 24 a week during July. The carrier will keep its thrice-weekly services to Chicago, Washington DC, and Miami until the end of July 2020. The route to Los Angeles will continue to fly three times a week until the end of June. From July 1st, this will increase to four times a week. From July 1st, flights to New York will commence, with five flights offered per week. Three flights per week to San Francisco will follow on July 15th. Lastly, on July 26th, three flights to Houston will be added to the schedule. Ramping up its schedule As Turkey has now lifted all entry requirements and restrictions for foreign nationals, its national flag carrier is ramping up its services as it attempts to reinstate its global network. From July, the carrier will add Toronto and Montreal to its routes in North America. The airline will also finally launch scheduled flights to Vancouver in August, after a two-month delay. This new route will be its 15th destination in North America. Aside from North America, Turkish Airlines is increasing flights to other international destinations during June and July. The number of domestic routes is also set to increase. Current plans show that during July, the airline plans to operate 40 domestic routes and fly to 123 international destinations. If these flights operate as planned, Turkish Airlines will be flying 80% of its pre-corona domestic schedule and 40% of its international routes. Last week Turkish Airlines was reported as the busiest operator in Europe. Eurocontrol, an organization that supports European aviation, said that Turkish Airlines had 400 flights in the Eurocontrol area on June 18th. This was the first time that an airline has had this many planes in the area since March 24th. Istanbul opens the third runway Just days after international flights were allowed to resume in Turkey, the third runway was opened at Istanbul Airport. The central hub of the national carrier is now the second airport in Europe to operate three independent parallel runways. It is the latest development for the airport that hopes to be one of the busiest in Europe by the time it is finished. This is good news for the national carrier which has appeared to cope well with the current pandemic. While the carrier has had to delay delivery of some of its new planes, it has been able to avoid laying off employees, at least for now. With its plan to increase its route over the next two months, maybe a return to normality is finally in sight. https://simpleflying.com/turkish-expands-us-flights/ Back to Top US Air Force considers ways to recruit commercial pilots The US Air Force (USAF) is considering ways to recruit pilots from the commercial side of the aerospace industry. The service's Air Education and Training Command has not yet established new career paths, but is exploring the idea of recruiting experienced commercial pilots or civilians within commercial pilot training programmes, Air Combat Command chief General James Holmes said during a Mitchell Institute webinar. A pilot sits behind the canopy of a Lockheed Martin F-35A fighter The concept aims to take advantage of the growing pool of trained commercial pilots, many of whom have been grounded or are facing layoffs due to the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic on airlines. "Can we bring a pilot [who is] already a commercial-experience pilot, and can we put them through a short programme in the air force to make them an air force pilot?" says Holmes. The Air Education and Training Command is also considering recruiting pilots who are much earlier in their commercial careers, he says. "They're also looking at ways to go out into civilian pilot training programmes and work with them to design the equivalent of our programmes where we could take people out of some of those university or school-based programmes and bring them straight into the air force," says Holmes. Recruiting from the commercial world remains conceptual at this point. In the short term, the USAF is focused on retaining military pilots who just six months ago would likely have departed the service for more lucrative jobs as commercial airline pilots. "People that were reaching the end of their service commitment or had reached it, and were planning on moving to the airlines, are now thinking through that decision," says Holmes. "I think that some of those will decide to stick around with us for a while longer. Some of them will sign a longer-term bonus and decide to commit and some of them will make a year-to-year decision and wait and see what happens in the environment. It gives us a chance to try to convince them to stick with us, which is an opportunity for us." Each year about 900 pilots in the USAF reach the end of their 10-year service commitment. Holmes hopes that the service can convince all of its pilots this year to recommit. https://www.flightglobal.com/fixed-wing/us-air-force-considers-ways-to-recruit-commercial-pilots/138945.article?adredir=1 Back to Top Alaska Airlines adds the Embraer 175 jet to state of Alaska flying Opens opportunities for future new service ANCHORAGE, Alaska, June 22, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Alaska Airlines will start flying the Embraer 175 jet aircraft in the state of Alaska starting in October 2020. The E175, operated by regional partner Horizon Air, will serve select markets in Alaska. Alaska Airlines adds the Embraer 175 jet to state of Alaska flying starting October 2020. "Alaskans who have flown the E175 jet in the Lower 48 have frequently asked when they might see the plane in the state, and we're thrilled the time has come," said Marilyn Romano, regional vice president. "This jet gives us the flexibility to increase daily frequency between Anchorage and Fairbanks up to seven times a day, and to provide year-round service to King Salmon and Dillingham. In time, the new mix of aircraft will unlock other markets in the state for future service." The E175 aircraft compliments the current Boeing 737 mainline flying in, to and from the state of Alaska and is perfect for many communities where larger jets are not the best option. With no middle seats, the regional jet is configured with 12 seats in first class, 12 in premium class and 52 in the main cabin. Onboard amenities include Wi-Fi access, and Alaska Beyond Entertainment, which includes free movies and TV shows direct to customer devices and power outlets in first class. "This has been an especially challenging time for Alaskans with the pandemic and reduction of air service hitting residents hard," said Romano. "We've served the unique needs of the Great Land for 88 years and introducing a new aircraft to our in-state fleet supports additional flying and keeps Alaskans connected within the state and beyond." Alaska Airlines recently added Boeing 737 service to Cold Bay, and started service one month early to King Salmon and Dillingham. Alaska Air Cargo also began serving Unalakleet earlier this month with our 737-700 freighters. Tickets to Anchorage, Fairbanks and all destinations Alaska serves are available for purchase at alaskaair.com. King Salmon and Dillingham flights after August 17 will be available for purchase by June 26. Alaska Airlines and its regional partners serve more than 115 destinations across the United States and North America, providing essential air service for our guests along with moving crucial cargo shipments, such as food, medicine, mail and e-commerce deliveries. With hubs in Seattle; San Francisco; Los Angeles; Portland, Oregon; and Anchorage, Alaska, the airline is known for low fares, award-winning customer service and sustainability efforts. With Alaska and its Global Partners, guests can earn and redeem miles on flights to more than 800 destinations worldwide. Learn more about Alaska at newsroom.alaskaair.com and blog.alaskaair.com. Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air are subsidiaries of Alaska Air Group (NYSE: ALK). SOURCE Alaska Airlines https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/alaska-airlines-adds-the-embraer-175-jet-to-state-of-alaska-flying-301081285.html Back to Top Spirit AeroSystems asks lenders for relief after deeper Boeing 737 production cut (Reuters) - Spirit AeroSystems Holdings , Boeing Co's largest supplier, said on Monday it was seeking relief from its lenders as its finances are stretched by the COVID-19 pandemic and a 737 MAX production halt after deadly crashes. Shares in Wichita-based Spirit, which builds the fuselage, thrust reversers, engine pylons and wing components for the 737 MAX, fell about 4% in after-hours trading. Boeing has asked the aero parts maker to substantially reduce 737 production this year, and Spirit warned that further suspensions or cuts may have a "material adverse" effect on its financial condition. The company said it now expects to deliver only 72 shipsets - or complete sets of parts - to Boeing, compared with 125 planned earlier. "Given the substantial production plan reduction, Spirit could breach the financial covenants under its credit agreement in the fourth quarter of 2020 without an amendment or waiver," the company said in a regulatory filing. A Boeing spokesman said the U.S. planemaker was working closely with Spirit to adjust delivery schedules and production rate profiles as appropriate. Spirit's profits were already under pressure after Boeing halted production of its once best-selling 737 MAX in January. The jet was grounded worldwide in March 2019 after two fatal crashes killed 346 people five months apart. Earlier this year, Spirit reached a deal with Boeing to make 216 shipsets in 2020, but that was cut down to 125 shipsets in May, as the coronavirus crisis hammered international air travel and several airlines started deferring deliveries of planes. As a result, Spirit has been forced to cut thousands of jobs and reduce its quarterly dividend by 90% to just 1 cent per share. The company had already delivered 35 737 shipsets to Boeing as of June 19, and expects to produce and deliver the remaining 37 shipsets over the rest of the year. https://www.yahoo.com/news/spirit-aero-says-boeing-asked-213413137.html Back to Top Virgin Galactic signs NASA deal to take private citizens to the ISS For now, it will merely act as an ISS travel agency for NASA. Virgin Galactic announced that it has made a deal with NASA to bring private astronauts to the International Space Station. So far, Richard Branson's company hasn't done any paid suborbital trips, let alone orbital flights. However, the NASA contract only calls for Virgin to find commercial client prospects and coordinate their transport to the ISS, for now. That could involve training and possibly brokering trips on the SpaceX Crew Dragon, Boeing Starliner or Russia's Soyuz Capsule. The idea is that Virgin Galactic will create a plan for how to do all this and run it by NASA. "NASA will conduct an assessment of the feasibility of Virgin Galactic's plan to develop a new private orbital astronaut readiness program to enable private astronaut missions to the International Space Station," NASA told The Verge. "Virgin Galactic's plans to develop a new private orbital astronaut readiness program directly support NASA's broad strategy to facilitate the commercialization of low-Earth orbit by U.S. entities." While training and trip brokering doesn't sound too thrilling, Virgin Galactic does have some unique expertise. It has a number of ex-NASA employees and is already developing an astronaut training program for future suborbital flights. The company's VSS Unity spaceplane (above) would also be a great way to train private astronauts. Even though they don't enter orbit, passengers experience the same things they would on an orbital spacecraft like zero gravity and high G loading. Virgin also has a Rolodex full of prospective clients that may have already inquired about suborbital flights. The service won't just be for rich space tourists, but could be used by "researchers or even government researchers," the company said. It's also part of a push by NASA to open up the ISS to more commercial use. The agency famously spoke to Tom Cruise about filming a movie on the ISS, and SpaceX recently formed an alliance with a company called Axiom to send private astronauts to the space station as early as this year. Virgin Galactic recently went public, so it's clearly trying to expand its business beyond the suborbital space tourism realm. https://www.engadget.com/virgin-galactic-nasa-private-citizens-iss-122804738.html Back to Top SpaceX's third Starlink launch in three weeks is just around the corner SpaceX is just a few days away from Falcon 9's third Starlink internet satellite launch in 22 days, also the second commercial Starlink rideshare mission in two weeks. If successfully, Starlink v1.0 L9 mission will mark nearly six hundred internet satellites launched by SpaceX since the company began dedicated missions in May 2019, as well as ~530 operational v1.0 spacecraft launched since November 2019. According to SpaceX executives, the company can begin rolling out internet service to customers via "UFO on a stick" user terminals once 14 v1.0 launches have been completed, meaning that the constellation could be just five launches away from generating consistent revenue after the next batch of satellites are safely in orbit. Meanwhile, SpaceX debuted a separate method of generating revenue from Starlink launches just ten days ago when it successfully launched three Planet imaging satellites on top of 58 new Starlink spacecraft. While the revenue from booking a few satellites to launch on Starlink missions is likely nowhere close to covering the actual material cost to SpaceX, it can certainly help offset the extraordinarily capital-intensive process of constellation build-out. Less than two weeks after SpaceX's Starlink rideshare debut, the very next launch is scheduled to include two commercial imaging satellites - this time for BlackSky Global. Another SpaceX Falcon 9 with Starlink launch is on the Eastern Range with an advisory for June 23rd, targetting a T-0 of 6:20 pm EDT from LC-39A. In addition to Starlink, this launch will also carry two small earth observation microsatellites for BlackSky Global. Built by Washington startup LeoStella, the two imaging satellites scheduled to launch on Starlink-9 arrived in Cape Canaveral, Florida on June 1st in time to be processed and installed on top of a stack of either 58 or 60 Starlink internet satellites. SpaceX's first Starlink rideshare placed three Planet SkySat satellites into orbit on June 13th. (SpaceX) Approximately half as large as the three ~110 kg (240 lb) SkySats SpaceX launched on June 13th, LeoStella's first two BlackSky satellites are believed to weigh around 55 kg (~120 lb) each and are capable of imaging the Earth's surface at a resolution of ~1m per pixel from a nominal 500 km (310 mi) orbit. BlackSky's LeoStella contract includes another 18 such satellites, all of which could (but probably wont) launch on future Starlink missions. Smallsat constellation operators typically aim for diversity when launching more than a handful of satellites, ensuring that a hypothetical launch vehicle failure wont delay or destroy an entire constellation. Still, according to competitor Planet, SpaceX's rideshare pricing is so good that it has actively changed how the prolific satellite operator thinks about constellation expansion. Planet, for reference, managed to launch three SkySats - weighing ~330 kg (~730 lb) - for something like $3 million, at least 5-7 times cheaper than launching the same spacecraft on three dedicated Rocket Lab Electron rockets. Supporting Planet's high praise, SpaceX recently announced that it had already secured launch contracts for more than 100 small satellites less than ten months after the program debuted, potentially injecting an impressive $50 to $100 million in revenue. A large portion of those satellites are likely scheduled to launch on one of SpaceX's dedicated semi-annual rideshare missions, the first of which is aiming to launch in December 2020, but at least one or several dozen are probably manifested on Starlink launches. According to CEO Elon Musk, the ultimate cost of a flight-proven Falcon 9 launch can be as low as $15 million - excluding overhead but including a new upper stage, booster recovery, propellant, and other miscellaneous costs. As such, a single 60-satellite Starlink launch likely costs SpaceX less than $30 million total, meaning that an average of five small satellites (base price: $1 million per slot) manifested on a Starlink launch would save SpaceX ~17% every time. Regardless, Falcon 9 booster B1051 is scheduled to become the third SpaceX rocket to launch five times when it lifts off for Starlink-9 no earlier than (NET) 4:39 pm EDT (20:39 UTC) on June 25th, a delay of three days from the original June 22nd target. https://www.teslarati.com/spacex-third-starlink-launch-three-weeks/ Back to Top Back to Top Chief Investigator of Accidents • Executive team role with safety and investigation focus • Strategic and organisational leadership • Represent New Zealand in international forums The Transport Accident Investigation Commission (TAIC) investigates significant, aviation, rail and marine accidents and incidents with a view to avoiding similar occurrences in the future. The Commission has set a visionary goal of "No Repeat Accidents - Ever!" Thorough investigation skills are pivotal to the Commission's successful performance, and in this role you will provide strong organisational, strategic and technical leadership, as you lead the organisation's high quality and timely investigative function over the aviation, rail, and marine modes. This is a rare opportunity, due to a relocation based on family circumstances, to drive the capability and performance of highly skilled teams, and contribute at the sector's highest level. For this dual titled role - Chief Investigator of Accidents / General Manager Investigation Services, our ideal candidate will be professionally and technically qualified and have sector investigation experience, however distinct and proven safety management experience from this sector would also be highly desirable. Key competencies and experience you will bring to the role include: • Senior leadership and business skills and experience • Investigative, safety and QA experience and skills • An ability to work conceptually, anticipating and recognising risks/issues and identifying possible solutions • Outstanding all-round communication skills, including the ability to represent New Zealand at national and international level • An understanding of quasi-judicial processes, particularly the rules and requirements applicable to a Commission of Inquiry • Emotional and psychological maturity to handle stressful and emotionally difficult situations and to support your team in this area • Political nous and sound judgement • Medically and physically fit with the ability to travel at short notice. I look forward to hearing from those interested in progressing their career in this pivotal senior role, based in central Wellington, New Zealand. Applications close at 5pm on Wednesday, 24 June 2020. If you are interested in the position, please visit our website www.peopleandco.nz and search on the keyword 19442 under the Jobs tab. All applications will be acknowledged electronically. For further information contact Jacaleen Williams on 0064 4 931 9450 or Michele Walls on 0064 4 931 9448 quoting job number 19442. Only people with the right to work in New Zealand may apply for this position. For advice on obtaining a New Zealand work or residence visa visit www.immigration.govt.nz TO ALL PROFESSIONAL PILOTS, AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLERS, members of their Management, Regulators and related organizations (airplane, helicopter, civil or military) WE REQUEST YOUR SUPPORT FOR A JOINT AVIATION SAFETY SURVEY (JASS) ON: "AERONAUTICAL DECISION-MAKING, INCL. MONITORING & INTERVENTION IN PRACTICE" Dear aviation colleague, you are invited to participate in a research project conducted by the department of Psychology at City, University of London, which aims to elicit your views and thoughts on Aeronautical Decision-Making, including Monitoring and Intervention in normal operation,by which we mean routine line flights without any incidents or technical malfunctions. The questions deal with teamwork and decision-making issues in various Pilot-roles, e.g. the role of the Pilot Monitoring (PM), Pilot Flying (PF), Pilot in Command (PIC) and Co-Pilot, and respectively in the Air Traffic Controller (ATCO)-roles of the coordinating and radioing/radar ATCO as well as pilot's and controller's training and occupational picture. This survey is completely anonymous - no identifying information will be requested or collected - and all responses will be treated as strictly confidential. The survey is approved by City's research and ethics committee (Approval Code: ETH 1920-1414). The introductory section of the survey will provide you with further information and the informed consent. Please click here to access the survey or copy the survey-link below into your browser. https://cityunilondon.eu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_6n7cxeunMyfy0fz By completing the questionnaire, you can - in addition to supporting aviation safety research - even do more good as we will donate a minimum of €2 for the first 1000 fully completed responses to the UNICEF COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund which helps to care for vulnerable children and communities all over the world. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us via email: aviationsafety@city.ac.uk or tom.becker.1@city.ac.uk or via phone: +49 172 7178780. We thank you very much in advance. Your support is truly appreciated. Best regards, Capt. Tom Becker Prof. Peter Ayton Back to Top GRADUATE RESEARCH SURVEY Dear Participants, You are being asked to participate in a research study of your opinions and attitudes about stress and mental health. This research started almost two years ago. The purpose of this study is to examine mental health issues in aviation, specifically Part 121 airline pilots. During this study, you will be asked to complete a brief online survey about your opinions on various life circumstances, stress, and mental health topics. This study is expected to take approximately 15 minutes of your time. In order to participate, you must possess an FAA issued Airline Transport Certificate (ATP) and you must also be currently working as a pilot for a Part 121 air carrier that is headquartered within the United States. Participation in this study is voluntary and data will be collected anonymously, stored confidentially, and you may choose to opt out of the study at any time. We sincerely appreciate your consideration and time to complete our study, as it is another small but important step towards increasing safety in aviation. Please click on the link below to complete the survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/7ZG6M6L For more information, please contact: Tanya Gatlin - Student Researcher Gatlint1@my.erau.edu 281-924-1336 Dr. Scott Winter - Faculty Advisor winte25e@erau.edu 386-226-6491 Curt Lewis