Flight Safety Information June 24, 2020 - No. 127 In This Issue ARGUS Releases White Paper on Disruption of Business Aviation Flight Activity Pakistan air crash probe shows pilots distracted by coronavirus worry The first US airline pilot with diabetes captains commercial flight dnata Takes Airport Safety to a New Level FAA selects MSU's Raspet Flight Research Lab to lead UAS safety efforts U.S. Airport Starting Pilot Program That Uses Thermal Cameras To Spot Passengers With Fever Travelers are hiding their coronavirus infections-and airlines can do little about it FAA Pilot Record Database Proposal Draws Fire from NBAA Defense lawyers in MH17 plane trial seek more investigations Aviation services firm Swissport to cut more than 4,500 UK jobs ZeroAvia Targets Commercial Hydrogen Aircraft Ops by 2023 MTSU Aerospace Expands, Refurbishes Diamond Aircraft Fleet Emirates to restart flying A380 superjumbo aircraft in potential boost to jet fuel demand Canberra kicks off search for new advanced jet trainer FAA SHOOTING FOR SEPTEMBER FOR UPDATED COMMERCIAL SPACE LAUNCH REGULATIONS SCSI Slovenia Fall Course Series AVIATION SAFETY SURVEY GRADUATE RESEARCH SURVEY ARGUS Releases White Paper on Disruption of Business Aviation Flight Activity ARGUS International, a member of the SGS Group, released analysis of the disruption caused by COVID-19 on business aviation flight activity. The publication, titled "Is Business Aviation Cleared for Takeoff? A Look at COVID-19's Continued Impact," is available for immediate download on ARGUS' website and outlines the continued impact the global pandemic is having on the business aviation community and provides longer-term predictions. "The COVID-19 pandemic is still having a dramatic impact on the aviation industry," Joe Moeggenberg, CEO of ARGUS International, said. "Using real-time and historical TRAQPak flight tracking data, our aviation analysts took an objective, data-driven look into how this prolonged pandemic has altered business aviation traffic and provides a forecast for future activity." As the white paper outlines, May 2020 recorded an 84% increase in activity from April in North America, which means the industry has already made up one-third of its losses from COVID-19 with June looking just as strong. The white paper is a follow-up to the webinar, "GROUNDED: Navigating the Continued Impact of COVID-19 on Business Aviation Flight Activity." "This white paper offers a unique opportunity for the business aviation industry to gain updated data and projections," Travis Kuhn, vice president of market intelligence at ARGUS International, said. "We believe this white paper will provide much-needed answers to the aviation industry during these uncertain times." Visit ARGUS' website to download a complimentary copy of the white paper. https://www.monitordaily.com/news-posts/argus-releases-white-paper-on-disruption-of-business-aviation-flight-activity/ Back to Top Pakistan air crash probe shows pilots distracted by coronavirus worry ISLAMABAD (Reuters) - The pilots of a Pakistan airliner that crashed last month, killing 97 people, were distracted as they talked about the coronavirus pandemic throughout the flight before an abortive landing bid, an initial inquiry report showed on Wednesday. Presenting the report in parliament, Aviation Minister Ghulam Sarwar Khan said both the pilots and officials at air traffic control did not follow set procedures, leading to the crash. The pilots were not "focused" because of the coronavirus pandemic, he added, though the aircraft had no technical fault. "Unfortunately...the discussion throughout was about corona," Khan said, referring to exchanges between the pilot and co-pilot on the cockpit voice recorder that he said showed they were not focused on their tasks. "Corona was dominant over their mind. Their family was affected, and they were discussing corona." The aircraft suffered no technical flaw, Khan said. "The unfortunate plane was 100% fit to fly. It had no technical fault at all. The captain and the co-pilot were experienced and medically fit to fly the plane." The inquiry report showed the pilot had not mentioned any technical fault during the final approach, Khan added, although the aircraft was flying at 7,220 feet (2,200 m) when 10 miles (16 km) distant from the runway. "The plane should have been at an altitude of 2,500 feet," he said, or the equivalent of 762 m. Khan added that air traffic control drew the pilot's attention to the irregularity, and advised against landing, urging another go-around instead. "But, despite this, the pilot ignored the controller's instruction," the minister said. "When they were in landing position, they were warned by the controllers, but he said, 'I'll manage'... and then they started discussing corona again." The Pakistan International Airlines Airbus A320 (AIR.PA) from the eastern city of Lahore crashed on May 22 in a residential part of the southern city of Karachi, coming down about a kilometre (0.6 mile) short of the runway on its second attempt to land. Its flight data recorder showed the landing gear was raised after having been lowered in preparation for landing, Khan said. "When the aircraft was at 10 nautical miles, the landing gear was lowered," he said. "But it is beyond comprehension that at 5 nautical miles the landing gear was raised again." Khan added, "The last words from the pilot were, 'Oh God, oh God, oh God.'" https://www.reuters.com/article/us-pakistan-airplane-crash/pakistan-air-crash-probe-shows-pilots-distracted-by-coronavirus-worry-idUSKBN23V11Y Back to Top The first US airline pilot with diabetes captains commercial flight (CNN) - Just before 7:30 a.m. on June 22, Southwest Airlines flight 370 lifted off from McCarran International Airport, climbing westward over the Las Vegas Strip with Captain Bob Halicky at the controls. Banking north, the twin-engined Boeing 737-700 with the airline's ubiquitous blue, yellow and red livery leveled off at its cruising altitude of 40,000 feet for its flight to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. For the passengers on board, it was a normal flight, landing twelve minutes early. But Halicky, a 59-year-old Las Vegas resident, had waited nine years for this opportunity. It was the first United States commercial flight with a pilot with insulin-treated diabetes at the controls, according to the American Diabetes Association, a milestone years in the making. A triumphant return to the skies "It was super exciting to return to the cockpit and also to be the first ever [type 1 insulin dependent] pilot in America to fly [commercially]," Halicky told CNN after the flight. For years, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) didn't allow pilots with insulin-treated diabetes to fly commercial airliners, even as other countries like Canada and the United Kingdom began to ease their restrictions, allowing these pilots to fly commercially provided they did so with a second pilot. The FAA deemed it too high risk. Any pilot diagnosed with insulin-treated diabetes was barred from flying commercially. The American Diabetes Association, the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association and other organizations lobbied the FAA to re-examine their policy. Last November, the FAA announced that pilots with insulin-dependent diabetes could apply for the first-class medical certificate required to fly commercially. Under the new guidance, the first batch of medicals was issued in April. Flying first-class medical "The FAA issued a new medical protocol late last year for pilots with insulin-treated diabetes mellitus (ITDM)," the FAA said in a statement to CNN. "The decision was based on the advancement in medical technology and the treatment of ITDM. The protocol allows pilots with ITDM to apply for a special-issuance medical certificate to have air transport, commercial or private pilot privileges." To date, the FAA says it has issued six first-class medicals for pilots with insulin-treated diabetes. The agency does not track commercial flights of pilots with insulin-treated diabetes and could not say whether this was the first such flight. But the American Diabetes Association, which is in contact with these six pilots, hailed Monday's Southwest flight as a breakthrough. "This is a historic day for pilots living with diabetes who have been sidelined for too long, as well as for all people living with diabetes," said ADA CEO Tracey Brown. "The American Diabetes Association (ADA) has had the great privilege of partnering with incredible pilots over the course of the past decade to make this dream a reality. These pilots are tireless advocates whose dedication is remarkable." A career in flight Halicky had spent his entire career in the skies before diabetes derailed his flying. He was an Air Force pilot from 1987 to 1991. He joined Southwest Airlines in 1993, while also flying with the Arizona Air National Guard. In 2002, he retired from the Air National Guard, but kept flying for Southwest, which declined to comment for this article. In July 2011, Halicky was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. He stayed in the industry as an instructor pilot, helping younger pilots build experience in simulators. When the FAA allowed insulin-dependent pilots to apply for first-class medicals, Halicky was one of the first on the list, submitting his blood sugar history, doctor's notes, his insulin regime and more. On April 13, 2020, the FAA issued Halicky a first-class medical for the first time in nearly a decade. He finished the necessary requalification course as soon as he could, and on Monday morning, he climbed into the cockpit of a SWA 370, ready to helm a commercial flight for the first time in nearly a decade. A huge uplift to the diabetes community In the air, Halicky couldn't stop smiling. "I'm super pumped about this," he said after landing in Seattle, calling it "a huge uplift to the diabetes community." But he had little time to celebrate the accomplishment. Less than two hours after landing, he was back in the air on a flight to Oakland. In the next few days, he has stops in Albuquerque, Phoenix, Houston, Milwaukee and more before he returns to Las Vegas, a commercial pilot once again. https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/first-commercial-pilot-diabetes/index.html Back to Top dnata Takes Airport Safety to a New Level Dubai, UAE, 23 June - dnata, one of the world's leading air services providers, has taken several measures to ensure the safety and well-being of employees and passengers and provide travelers with confidence and peace of mind when they fly to and from Dubai International airport (DXB). Since the COVID-19 outbreak began, dnata's expert teams have worked around the clock to develop and implement a comprehensive health & safety program, enhancing services, processes and training across the company's operations. dnata has run disinfection programs, introduced new personal protective measures, and further improved aircraft cleaning services to safeguard its skilled staff and deliver world-class safety for its airline partners and their passengers. Steve Allen, Divisional Senior Vice President, UAE Airport Operations and Travel, dnata, said: "The impact of COVID-19 on the aviation, travel and tourism industries has been rapid and significant. We are all in this together and can only overcome the challenges if we join forces with our partners and put the health and safety of people at the heart of everything we do. "We have further improved services, processes and training to adapt to the new operating environment and help our airline customers restore consumers' confidence in travel. I thank all of my colleagues and partners at the airport for their relentless commitment to consistently achieving the highest possible level of safety across our operations." In May, dnata completed a mass disinfection program of all ground support equipment (GSE) to protect its employees and customers' passengers. More than 11,500 pieces of GSE including buses, passenger steps, baggage dollies, and pushback tractors were disinfected at the two Dubai airports. A bowser spray unit and handheld sanitation units were used to ensure the most effective disinfection was carried out on all equipment airside, including the company's cargo operations. In addition to the disinfection of its equipment and facilities, dnata has supplied employees with Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), including face masks and hand sanitizers. Detailed guidelines on wearing and the safe disposal of PPE have been provided to staff in various roles. Regular safety inspections are conducted by a dedicated team, with team briefings held daily to ensure that all guidelines are understood and followed. dnata has also worked closely with Dubai Airports to maximize safety for passengers throughout their airport journey, from check-in to boarding. Check-in desks at the airport have been installed with protective barriers, and waiting areas have been modified to help passengers observe social distancing. The boarding process is facilitated by dnata's boarding agents who wear the required PPE and ensure that passengers board in small numbers. Boarding gates are deep cleaned and disinfected after the boarding of every flight. Furthermore, dnata has enhanced its aircraft cabin cleaning services. The process involves extensive cleaning with a stronger disinfectant, and includes a comprehensive wipe-down of all surfaces - from windows, tray tables, seatback screens, armrests, seats, in-seat controls, panels, air vents and overhead lockers in the cabin to lavatories, galleys and crew rest areas. The on-board cleaning chemicals are approved by the relevant authorities and proven to kill viruses and germs. They leave a long-lasting protective coating against new contamination of viruses, bacteria and fungi on surfaces, and are eco-friendly. A dedicated quality team and shift managers oversee the cleaning on the majority of flights. Including Dubai International, dnata offers reliable and safe ground handling, cargo and catering services at more than 120 airports globally. At each location, dnata works closely with its partners and authorities to ensure the highest safety standards for customers and employees across its operations. https://www.aviationpros.com/ground-handling/ground-handlers-service-providers/catering-cleaning-services/press-release/21143204/dnata-limited-dnata-takes-airport-safety-to-a-new-level Back to Top FAA selects MSU's Raspet Flight Research Lab to lead UAS safety efforts Raspet Flight Research Laboratory personnel prepare to fly a TigerShark Block 3 XP unmanned aircraft system as part of UAS research at Greenwood-LeFlore Airport earlier this month. Raspet was recently designated as the Federal Aviation Administration's UAS Safety Research Facility. STARKVILLE, Miss.-Mississippi State University once again is leading a major federal unmanned aircraft systems research, testing and development initiative. MSU's Raspet Flight Research Laboratory was recently designated as the Federal Aviation Administration's UAS Safety Research Facility, placing the research center as the helm of studying and developing safety and certification standards as UAS become increasingly integrated in the U.S. airspace. "Mississippi State University is a national research leader in many fields, and our foundational work with unmanned aircraft has positioned us, as this selection demonstrates, to help write the flight safety plan for this potentially transformational aspect of the aviation industry," said MSU President Mark E. Keenum. "This designation further solidifies MSU and the state of Mississippi as a leader in unmanned aircraft systems, which will bring more academic, research and economic opportunities to our state." The U.S. Congress earlier charged the FAA with developing safety rules regulating UAS, commonly known as drones. "Raspet has a rich heritage of aviation development and testing, and we're building upon that foundation by providing the FAA with research needed to quickly, safely and efficiently integrate UAS into the National Airspace System," said Dallas Brooks, Raspet director. "We're proud the FAA has selected us as their UAS Safety Research Facility, and we're looking forward to working together to ensure the benefits of this amazing technology are realized without compromising safety." Along with its partner universities in the FAA's UAS Center of Excellence, Raspet already conducts the vast majority of safety-related UAS research for civil use. Known as the Alliance for System Safety of UAS through Research Excellence, or ASSURE, the Center of Excellence is a leading research coalition of 25 universities and more than 100 government and industry partners. Integrating UAS into the National Airspace System would enable manned and unmanned aircraft to safely operate side by side using many of the same air traffic management systems and procedures. Issues Raspet has been and will be addressing in its role as the UAS Safety Research Facility include: • -Validating and verifying results, recommendations and conclusions of UAS safety research from around the world. • -Developing safety-based recommendations to inform FAA decisions on UAS policy, regulation and safety guidance. • -Investigating technologies that enable UAS to accurately and reliably detect other aircraft and adjust the course of the UAS to maintain safe distances; successful implementation of these detect-and-avoid systems would permit UAS to safely operate beyond visual line of sight-a critical threshold for UAS to reach full potential. • -Serving as a performance evaluation testbed for emerging UAS technologies. MSU's Raspet Flight Research Laboratory is the nation's leading academic research center dedicated exclusively to the advancement of Unmanned Aircraft Systems. Raspet is the only institute in the world designated both as the FAA's UAS Safety Research Facility and as official UAS Test Sites for both the FAA and the Department of Homeland Security. Home to a fleet of the largest and most capable unmanned aircraft in academic use, Raspet conducts UAS research on behalf of federal agencies and commercial industry alike, and it remains a world leader in composite materials research. MSU is Mississippi's leading university, available online at msstate.edu. https://www.msstate.edu/newsroom/article/2020/06/faa-selects-msus-raspet-flight-research-lab-lead-uas-safety-efforts Back to Top U.S. Airport Starting Pilot Program That Uses Thermal Cameras To Spot Passengers With Fever LOS ANGELES (CBSMiami) - One U.S. airport is starting a pilot program that uses thermal cameras to spot passengers with a fever. The hope is to identify travelers with the coronavirus. Los Angeles International Airport is testing how well three different systems identify passengers with a temperature of 100.4 or higher as they pass by. Flyers flagged for fever will be tested again by a medical professional on the spot. But Harvard researchers warn temperature screenings could miss two-thirds of coronavirus cases. A reopening document from Airports Council International and the International Air Transport Association says the screenings "have not proved to be 100% effective" but "can play a useful role in reassuring the travelling public." "This is not meant to catch everybody, it's just another layer of protection that we have, on top of many other layers, to try to do all we can to make sure that our airports are clean, healthy, and safe," says Justin Erbaci, LAX's interim CEO. Qatar Airways resumes LAX service next week. Its flight attendants are wearing head-to-toe PPE, but its CEO Akbar Al Baker calls pre-flight temperature checks "another PR exercise." He says, "We are only doing this to satisfy ourselves. The science doesn't prove that you need to do a temperature check, but we will do." Seattle's Paine Field was the first U.S. airport to launch temperature checks. Frontier Airlines started screening passengers at boarding this month. https://miami.cbslocal.com/2020/06/23/airport-pilot-program-thermal-cameras-passengers-fever/ Back to Top Travelers are hiding their coronavirus infections-and airlines can do little about it People infected with coronavirus were allowed to board aircraft and travel to Hong Kong in recent days, highlighting the challenge of controlling the pandemic at the same time governments seek the safest ways to reopen borders. Hong Kong's health authority said one infected passenger arrived Sunday from Manila on a Cathay Pacific Airways Ltd. flight, and another was on a Cathay Dragon flight from Kuala Lumpur. Both were diagnosed with Covid-19 before they traveled. It also said 45 passengers on Emirates flights from Dubai over the weekend either were confirmed or probable cases. The airline only restarted flights to Hong Kong this month. The infections underscore the risk of peeling back restrictions while the global pace of infections keeps accelerating. Airlines worldwide, largely propped up by government bailouts, have been lobbying to get their planes back in the air as they face more than $84 billion in losses this year. The International Air Transport Association, which represents almost 300 airlines, in May recommended steps to protect passengers and crew from infection, such as temperature checks at the airport and wearing face masks on the plane. But the Hong Kong cases show that infected passengers can bypass voluntary requirements, and there's little airlines can do. "Taking temperatures and having passengers wear masks on flights are steps we can do to ensure the virus doesn't spread," Korean Air Lines Co. said in a statement. "For measures to be put in place to ensure infected passengers don't fly, it has to be done by the authorities and it's not something an airline like us can do on our own." IATA last week outlined recommendations for Covid-19 testing, saying it ideally would be done before arriving at the airport and within 24 hours of travel. If testing is required during the travel process, it should be done at departure, and governments would need to mutually recognize test results, IATA said. Hong Kong's Centre for Health Protection said the 30 new cases on Monday and 16 on Tuesday all had a travel history during the incubation period. The passenger flying on Cathay Flight 906 from Manila, a 58-year-old man, tested positive in the Philippines on Saturday, the day before he arrived. Cathay said it learned about the passenger from health authorities after the plane landed. The airline is following "prescribed procedures in conducting disinfection of aircraft and informing the operating crew and employees," as well as helping to trace those who were in close contact with the man. A spokesman for the Philippine Immigration Bureau said it wasn't the agency's job to check health clearances. "We only check the passport and boarding" pass, spokesman Melvin Mabulac said. The passenger on Cathay Dragon Flight 734 was a 39-year-old woman returning from India via Malaysia, Hong Kong's health department said Tuesday. After landing, she declared she'd tested positive and had been treated for the virus in India last month. The Centre for Health Protection, which advises against all non-essential travel outside Hong Kong, said it is in contact with authorities in the Philippines and India to obtain more information about the cases. The Hong Kong arrivals aren't likely to be isolated cases. While some countries, including Australia, have said their borders are likely to be effectively closed for the rest of the year, others -- including members of the European Union -- are working on allowing more international flights. Biogen Inc. said in March it fired a female worker who returned to China from Massachusetts without disclosing her infection. Local media said the 37-year-old took a large dose of anti-fever medication before she boarded to hide her illness. JetBlue Airways Corp. banned a passenger who flew from New York to Florida and notified the crew after landing that he had tested positive for coronavirus, CNN said in March. https://fortune.com/2020/06/24/airlines-travel-flight-hiding-coronavirus-infection/ Back to Top FAA Pilot Record Database Proposal Draws Fire from NBAA NBAA is voicing objections to an FAA proposal to require electronic Pilot Records Database (PRD) reporting, saying the notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) raises a range of privacy and other concerns. Open for comment through June 29, the NPRM specifies that the PRD is designed to facilitate sharing of pilot records among air carriers and other operators. Under the NPRM, air carriers, public aircraft operators, air tours, fractional providers, and corporate flight departments would be required to enter pilot data into the PRD and would also have access to data contained within the PRD. The NPRM further would require air carriers, fractional providers, and certain other operators to evaluate available data in the PRD before hiring a pilot candidate. NBAA has called on its members to weigh in on the proposal, warning it would have a "substantial impact" on a large contingent of the business aviation community. Specifically, the association is concerned over a requirement in the proposal to include check pilot comments from training events in PDR records, as well as "overly burdensome and inconsistent" reporting requirements that encompass historical records dating back nearly a decade. Of particular concern is an attempt to define a corporate flight department. "Business aviation organizations are not homogenous, cookie-cutter entities. Each flight department is structured differently, maintains different records, and has unique hiring and employment policies," NBAA maintained. https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/business-aviation/2020-06-23/faa-pilot-record-database-proposal-draws-fire-nbaa Back to Top Defense lawyers in MH17 plane trial seek more investigations Defense lawyers for a Russian charged with involvement in the downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 over eastern Ukraine in 2014 say the nearly six-year investigation into the deadly incident still has not produced a definitive picture of what happened THE HAGUE, Netherlands -- Defense lawyers for a Russian charged with involvement in the downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 over eastern Ukraine in 2014 said Tuesday that the nearly six-year investigation into the deadly incident still has not produced a definitive picture of what happened and further investigations are needed. The claim came at the trial of three Russians and a Ukrainian charged with crimes including murder for their alleged involvement in what prosecutors say was a missile attack that blew the Amsterdam-to-Kuala Lumpur flight out of the sky, killing all 298 passengers and crew on board on July 17, 2014. In a move that could significantly delay the trial, Dutch lawyers representing Russian suspect Oleg Pulatov asked for clarifications and translations of evidence already produced by prosecutors and more investigations, including questioning more than 100 witnesses. Lawyer Sabine ten Doesschate said she and the defense team would have more requests for further investigations in the future after they have been able to travel to Russia to speak with Pulatov. She said lawyers have not been able to visit Pulatov because of coronavirus lockdown restrictions. After years of investigations by an international team, prosecutors last year named four suspects: Russians Igor Girkin, Sergey Dubinskiy and Pulatov as well as Ukrainian Leonid Kharchenko. None of them have appeared for their trial, which started in March and is still at a preliminary stage. At trial hearings earlier this month, prosecutors outlined in detail how the international investigation ruled out other theories and concluded that a Buk missile trucked into Ukraine from a Russian military base was used to shoot down the plane. But another of Pulatov's defense attorneys, Boudewijn van Eijck, accused investigators of tunnel vision in focusing on that theory and not adequately checking out other possible causes, such as the possibility that MH17 was shot down by a Ukrainian fighter jet or another missile. Presiding Judge Hendrik Steenhuis adjourned the case until Friday, when judges are expected to rule on the defense requests. https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/defense-lawyers-mh17-plane-trial-seek-investigations-71404497?cid=clicksource_4380645_7_heads_posts_headlines_hed Back to Top Aviation services firm Swissport to cut more than 4,500 UK jobs Airport trade body warns up to 20,000 jobs in UK at risk as result of coronavirus crisis Some of Swissport's largest operations include services at London's Gatwick and Heathrow airports, Manchester, Newcastle, Edinburgh and Glasgow, alongside a host of regional airports. The airport ground handling company Swissport is planning to cut more than 4,500 jobs in the UK as a trade body warned as many as 20,000 UK jobs could be lost in an industry reeling from the coronavirus pandemic. Swissport, which handles services such as passenger baggage and cargo for airlines, on Wednesday began a consultation process that is expected to result in 4,556 workers being made redundant, more than half of its 8,500-strong UK workforce. Swissport was already under pressure at the start of the crisis when the collapse of the regional airline Flybe put smaller UK airports at risk. However, the grounding of the vast majority of flights since the UK's lockdown began has all but wiped out revenues for many airlines and their suppliers. The Airport Operators Association (AOA), which represents more than 50 airports, on Wednesday said that up to 20,000 jobs were at risk across UK airports because of persistently lower passenger numbers. Some of Swissport's largest operations include services at London's Gatwick and Heathrow, Manchester, Newcastle, Edinburgh and Glasgow, alongside a host of regional airports. The company declined to give details of where the job losses would fall. Swissport employed about 64,000 workers globally before the crisis. In a memo to staff, Jason Holt, chief executive of Swissport Western Europe, said the cuts were necessary to "secure the lifeline of funding from lenders and investors". Swissport's UK revenues were down by 75% in May, Holt wrote. Swissport is experiencing "the most difficult times in our company's history", he added. The latest redundancies will heighten pressure on the government to support the aviation and aerospace industries, with tens of thousands of job losses already under way. The airlines British Airways and Virgin Atlantic plan to cut 12,000 and 3,000 jobs respectively and the jet engine maker Rolls-Royce is making 9,000 people redundant because of slumping demand for new engines and the associated maintenance. The government's coronavirus job retention scheme is understood to have paid the wages of 59,000 furloughed workers in the aviation industry but the planned end of the scheme at the end of October has prompted many companies to start making workers redundant, given that volumes in some industries are not expected to recover to 2019 levels for years. Before making the cuts Swissport had directly lobbied the government for support for the sector alongside airlines and airports. Their focus has been on the removal of 14-day quarantine restrictions on UK arrivals, which provoked fury from aviation bosses who said it would cost jobs. Karen Dee, the AOA's chief executive, said: "Commercial aviation in the UK has weathered the worst three months in its history, and is now presented with an arbitrary quarantine policy, which has unnecessarily stifled the sector's restart and recovery plans." However, demands for bailouts for specific airlines have faced opposition because of concerns over the viability of some of the businesses who have asked for aid, as well as environmental campaigners' demands that emissions reductions be prioritised as well as job retention. The French government's €7bn (£6.3bn) bailout of Air France included specific conditions on halving carbon dioxide emissions per passenger. The AOA said it thought the toll of job losses triggered by the downturn could be as high as 100,000 if indirectly supported jobs were considered. Nadine Houghton, a national officer at the GMB, said Swissport's cuts were "devastating news" that would particularly hit regional economies. "With Swissport now considering job cuts on this scale, we have deep concerns about the viability of many of our regional airports and the benefits for regional connectivity that they bring," she said. https://www.theguardian.com/business/2020/jun/24/aviation-services-firm-swissport-to-cut-more-than-4500-uk-jobs-coronavirus Back to Top ZeroAvia Targets Commercial Hydrogen Aircraft Ops by 2023 Hydrogen fuel cell propulsion pioneer ZeroAvia this week conducted the first flight with its latest powertrain in a six-seat Piper M-Class aircraft. The flight was made on June 23 from Cranfield University's airfield in the UK where it is working on the government-backed HyFlyer program to advance zero-emissions aviation. According to California-based ZeroAvia, the flight was the first made in the UK involving what it defined as a "commercial-scale" aircraft powered by hydrogen. The company says it intends to have a 10- to 20-seat aircraft certified with hydrogen propulsion within three years, and a 50- to 100-seat model by 2030. By 2040, it believes it could be possible for aircraft carrying 200 passengers to make flights of more than 3,000 nm. For the HyFlyer flight trials, the Piper's single piston engine has been replaced by a powertrain consisting of electric motors, hydrogen fuel cells, and gas storage. According to ZeroAvia, this combination offers a significantly more efficient energy-to-weight ratio than battery-based all-electric propulsion and will make commercial operations viable more quickly in larger aircraft than the numerous small eVTOL models now in development. Later this summer, ZeroAvia intends to make a flight of almost 300 nm from Cranfield in southern England to the Orkney islands in the north of Scotland. This is where the company's partner EMEC Hydrogen is based and where it is working on infrastructure to use renewable energy to produce so-called green hydrogen to fuel aircraft. ZeroAvia believes that by 2023 it could have a hydrogen-powered aircraft ready to start commercial operations carrying up to 20 passengers on trips of up to around 500 nm. It says that operating costs will be lower than for an all-electric aircraft, in part because the technology does not require batteries to be replaced. The HyFlyer program is supported by the UK government's Innovate UK and Aerospace Technology Institute research and technology projects. Its aim is to replace conventional propeller engines in medium-sized passenger aircraft for regional airline operations. ZeroAvia started some test flights with the re-engined Piper M-class aircraft in California during 2019. It is also partnered with Intelligent Energy, which is adapting its evaporatively-cooled fuel cell technology for aviation use. https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/air-transport/2020-06-23/zeroavia-targets-commercial-hydrogen-aircraft-ops-2023 Back to Top MTSU Aerospace Expands, Refurbishes Diamond Aircraft Fleet Middle Tennessee State University's Department of Aerospace recently received delivery of six new Diamond Aircraft 2020 DA 40 XLT airplanes to its student training fleet and the Austria-based manufacturer also refurbished 13 aircraft in the university's existing fleet. The final two new planes arrived Friday, June 19. Diamond imported them to the U.S./Canadian border and university officials picked them up near Detroit, Michigan. MTSU received the first four planes from Diamond in April. MTSU, a Diamond customer since the early 2000s, and the company made a joint announcement of the purchase of the new planes and refurbishing of more than half of the current fleet. MTSU utilizes 27 Diamond planes for training student pilots. The six new planes and 13 refurbished planes cost a combined $3,586,330. "We have been experiencing record growth (of professional pilot majors) prior to COVID-19," said Nick Lenczycki, MTSU Flight Operations Center program manager, citing the need for additional student training planes. "As a result, we have been adding aircraft for the last few years." MTSU's Department of Aerospace has grown into one of the most respected aerospace programs in the nation. Seventeen full-time faculty members, 75 flight instructors, and around 1,000 majors place it among the largest of the nation's collegiate aviation programs. "We're excited to add these new planes to our fleet," MTSU Provost Mark Byrnes said. "Our Aerospace program ranks as one of the best in the nation, and these planes will be key in our flight instruction." College of Basic and Applied Sciences Dean Bud Fischer said Diamond Aircraft "are our choice because of their superb maintenance record and their track record of reliable service in a busy flight-training environment." "Diamond Aircraft would like to congratulate MTSU on the new aircraft purchase and on choosing to refurbish their existing fleet," said Scott McFadzean, CEO of Diamond Aircraft Industries Inc. "MTSU and Diamond Aircraft have a long and outstanding relationship and Diamond will continue to support MTSU's mission to prepare students to become leaders of the next generation of aviation professionals. We are honored to continue to provide the industry's safest training platforms for student pilots." Following the arrival of the first four planes, Lenczycki said students "were able to fly them as soon as we reopened from our COVID-19 shutdown." The two newest additions will soon be available for students' training use. Lenczycki credits Diamond Aircraft "for flying the original four new planes down for us and for bringing the remaining two across the border." "When the first four aircraft received certification, the university had just announced that all travel was suspended," he said. "The U.S./Canadian border was closed to nonessential traffic. In order to assist us, Diamond had its pilots (already deemed essential) deliver our aircraft at no cost. The manufacturer sent a chase plane to pick up the team." Regarding the refurbishing of 13 aircraft by its factory service center, the Diamond announcement said since the airframes (airplane bodies) do not have a life limit, the company is revamping the interior, updating some avionics options and painting and restriping the old aircraft to look as good as new. "The 13 aircraft are mid-life aircraft, so to keep them looking great we sent them back to the factory to be returned in like-new condition," Lenczycki said. "Six of these aircraft also had an avionics upgrade that resulted in a more standardized training fleet - a better experience for our students." https://rutherfordsource.com/mtsu-aerospace-expands-refurbishes-diamond-aircraft-fleet/ Back to Top Emirates to restart flying A380 superjumbo aircraft in potential boost to jet fuel demand • Emirates operated world's biggest fleet of A380 before coronavirus pandemic • Airline currently flying to over 40 destinations • Dubai to welcome tourist, business travelers from July 7 Dubai - Emirates, the world's biggest operator of long-haul flights in 2019, will restart flying the A380 in July for the first time since the coronavirus pandemic prompted the grounding of the superjumbo fleet in March. "We are delighted to bring it back into the skies to serve our customers on flights to London and Paris from 15 July, and we are gradually looking forward to gradually introduce our A380 into more destinations according to the travel demand on specific destinations," Adel Al Redha, Emirates' chief operating officer, said in a statement on June 24. Emirates operated the world's biggest fleet of A380, manufactured by Airbus, and the 777, manufactured by Boeing before the pandemic led to the grounding of most big aircraft. The airline, which is based in Dubai International Airport, is currently flying to over 40 destinations. The seven-member UAE federation suspended most passenger flights in late March, except for cargo and repatriation flights, but started gradually easing restrictions in the past two months. The resumption of A380 flights follows Dubai's announcement that it would re-open to business and leisure visitors from July 7. Jet fuel demand in the UAE alone accounted for more than 30% of consumption in the Middle East and more than 2.5% of global jet fuel demand in 2019, according to S&P Global Platts Analytics. This figure does not include refueling abroad of the UAE 's international flights https://www.spglobal.com/platts/en/market-insights/videos/market-movers-europe/062220-compliance-green-credentials-opec-plus-coronavirus-gas-steel Back to Top Canberra kicks off search for new advanced jet trainer Canberra has commenced the search for a new advanced jet trainer to replace BAE Systems Hawk 127s operated by the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF). A request for information (RFI) for the Air 6002 Phase 1 requirement was issued on 1 June, says the Australian Department of Defence. "Defence is yet to fully define the requirements for Air 6002 Phase 1 Future Lead-in Fighter Training System," it says. "However, aircraft performance and aircraft mission systems that bridge between the pilot training system and fast jet conversion courses will be critical requirements. The Future Lead-in Fighter Training System will be expected to remain relevant to its role in training fast jet aircrew and supporting joint force training, to be adaptable to those needs as they evolve, to be affordable, and to be safe out to an indicative timeframe of 2050." Of major trainer manufacturers, BAE, Boeing and Leonardo all say they are interested in the requirement. BAE is upbeat about the prospects for its long-running platform. "The Hawk is the world's most successful and proven military aircraft trainer, built on more than 35 years of experience training pilots for the world's leading air forces. For more than 20 years, we have worked in partnership with the Royal Australian Air Force to ensure it has the pilots it requires... and we believe Hawk is the proven solution to continue this partnership." Boeing plans to pitch its developmental T-7A Red Hawk, having briefed on the jet at the Avalon Airshow in February 2019. "[The] T-7A Red Hawk is an all-new advanced pilot training system designed for the US Air Force training mission, with the flexibility to evolve as technologies, missions and training needs change. It includes trainer aircraft, ground-based training and support - designed together from the start." Leonardo says it will offer the M-346, which it claims is the ideal platform for training future pilots of the Lockheed Martin F-35. It notes that the M-346 is operated by Israel, Italy, Poland and Singapore, all of which are current or prospective operators of the Joint Strike Fighter. "The M-346 training system is cost-effective and state-of-the-art, with the reliability of a fully developed programme, representing a competitive and no-risk solution compared with the alternatives," says Leonardo. Korea Aerospace Industries, which produces the T-50 advanced jet trainer, tells FlightGlobal that it is reviewing the RFI. Cirium fleets data shows that the RAAF operates 33 Hawk 127s. https://www.flightglobal.com/fixed-wing/canberra-kicks-off-search-for-new-advanced-jet-trainer/138954.article Back to Top FAA SHOOTING FOR SEPTEMBER FOR UPDATED COMMERCIAL SPACE LAUNCH REGULATIONS The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) hopes to release its updated regulations for the commercial space launch and reentry business in September, a year later than originally planned. Working with industry has been more time consuming than anticipated, but apparently worth the investment. An FAA official said today the new version is "extensively changed" from what it planned to publish last year that created considerable industry angst. The FAA's Commercial Space Transportation Advisory Committee (COMSTAC) got updates on actions underway at the FAA's Office of Commercial Space Transportation (AST) during a virtual meeting today. It was the first COMSTAC meeting in over a year. COMSTAC now has a new charter, new leadership and a revised membership. Charity Weeden, Vice President of Global Space Policy for Astroscale, is COMSTAC's new chair, succeeding Mike Gold who held the position for many years. Brig. Gen. Wayne Monteith (Ret.), who used to command the Air Force's 45th Space Wing at Patrick Air Force Base, FL, which is in charge of launches from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, took over FAA/AST in January 2019. Since then he has reorganized the office at the direction of Secretary of Transportation Elaine Chao to more effectively deal with the explosive growth in the commercial space transportation business, while also responding to the mandate in the White House's Space Policy Directive-2 (SPD-2) to streamline and modernize the regulations that govern the industry. SPD-2, issued in May 2018, similarly directed the Department of Commerce (DOC) to modernize its commercial satellite remote sensing regulations. SPD-2 envisioned a fast track approach to revising both sets of regulations, but neither met the 2019 target. DOC's new regulations were published last month and will be discussed with its Advisory Committee on Commercial Remote Sensing (ACCRES) at a three-day meeting that begins tomorrow. FAA's new regulations are still in work. Monteith told COMSTAC they are in the "sausage making" phase of the review cycle right now. Lirio Liu, Executive Director of FAA/AST's Operational Safety Directorate, explained the regulations are in "executive review" within DOT. She did not give a timeline for how long that takes, but noted they then must go to the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for a 90-day review. She pointed out that with the goal of publishing them in September, that means they must be sent to OMB next month. Liu said the extra time spent interacting with industry resulted in regulations that are "extensively changed" from what they planned to release last summer. That version caused considerable consternation in industry. Monteith promised "we will deliver the right regulations at the right scope at the right time, and that time is now just a few months away." https://spacepolicyonline.com/news/faa-shooting-for-september-for-updated-commercial-space-launch-regulations/ 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