Flight Safety Information September 9, 2020 - No. 183 In This Issue Incident: American A321 near Charlotte on Sep 7th 2020, problems with weather radar Incident: Envoy E145 at Chicago on Sep 8th 2020, smell of smoke in cockpit Incident: FlyArystan A320 at Atyrau on Sep 7th 2020, avionics cooling fault NTSB: 'Structural failure' led to fatal 2018 air ambulance crash Philippines Airlines Hit Hard By Coronavirus Woman Banned From American Airlines After Calling Flight Attendant 'Mask Nazi' ANA Will Operate Another Airbus A380 Flight To Nowhere Aviation Week Network Unveils the 2020 Universities Identified as Preferred Suppliers to Aerospace Minneapolis-St. Paul Airport could waive millions in fees to airlines The Civil Aviation Department of Hong Kong to Deploy Aireon's Space-Based ADS-B System Airbus Redesigns A350 Center Console Because Pilots Keep Spilling Coffee on Critical Instruments Aviation safety a concern in Vietnam despite reduction in accidents Airbus delivers 39 aircraft but records just a single order in August Virgin Australia to cull a third of its Boeing 737 fleet under Bain ownership Embry-Riddle Undergraduate Degree in Aerospace and Occupational Safety Earns Prestigious Recognition Gerstenmaier warns against ending space station program prematurely Free Webinar: Securing Our Skies through Counter-UAS Measures Trinity College Dublin and EASA Air Ops Community Survey on the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on aviation workers SURVEY:...GA PILOTS AND PIREPs. Graduate Research Survey (1) Incident: American A321 near Charlotte on Sep 7th 2020, problems with weather radar An American Airlines Airbus A321-200, registration N913US performing flight AA-1598 from Philadelphia,PA to Orlando,FL (USA), was enroute at FL300 about 130nm northeast of Charlotte,NC (USA) when the crew decided to divert to Charlotte due to problems with their weather radars. The aircraft landed safely in Charlotte about 30 minutes later. A replacement A321-200 registration N558UW reached Orlando with a delay of 2 hours. The occurrence aircraft returned to service about 14 hours later. https://flightaware.com/live/flight/AAL1598/history/20200907/2005Z/KPHL/KMCO http://avherald.com/h?article=4dc5d61c&opt=0 Back to Top Incident: Envoy E145 at Chicago on Sep 8th 2020, smell of smoke in cockpit An Envoy Embraer ERJ-145, registration N668HH performing flight MQ-3443/AA-3443 from La Crosse,WI to Chicago O'Hare,IL (USA) with 51 people on board, was descending towards Chicago when the crew reported the smell of smoke in the cockpit, subsequently advising they wouldn't evacuate on the runway but vacate the runway and then stop. The aircraft landed safely on runway 10C and vacated the runway. Following an inspection by emergency services the aircraft taxied to the apron. The aircraft is still on the ground in Chicago about 8 hours after landing. https://flightaware.com/live/flight/AAL3443/history/20200908/1100Z/KLSE/KORD http://avherald.com/h?article=4dc5d3da&opt=0 Back to Top Back to Top Incident: FlyArystan A320 at Atyrau on Sep 7th 2020, avionics cooling fault A FlyArystan Airbus A320-200 on behalf of Air Astana, registration P4-KBD performing flight KC-7201 from Atyrau to Almaty (Kazakhstan), was climbing out of Atyrau when the crew stopped the climb at about 8000 feet and returned to Atyrau due to a problem with the avionics cooling. The aircraft landed safely back in Atyrau. Kazakhstan's Civil Aviation Authority reported the crew received an "avionics cooling valve does not work" indication. Maintenance performed deactivation actions according to MEL and released the aircraft to perform the flight. No investigation was opened. The aircraft departed again about 3:45 hours after first departure. http://avherald.com/h?article=4dc5c3f9&opt=0 Back to Top NTSB: 'Structural failure' led to fatal 2018 air ambulance crash • A paramedic, nurse and pilot were killed when their plane broke up in flight over North Dakota MORTON COUNTY, N.D. - A recent report in the federal investigation of a fatal 2018 air ambulance crash in Morton County indicates a structural failure led to the crash, though it doesn't pinpoint the exact cause of the tragedy that killed all three people aboard. An aviation expert says the structural failure might have been a problem with a wing. Pilot Todd Lasky, paramedic Chris Iverson and nurse Bonnie Cook died in the crash the night of Nov. 18, 2018, northwest of Harmon Lake. They were headed from Bismarck to Williston to pick up a neonatal patient when the Bismarck Air Medical Cessna 441 "broke up in-flight," according to a preliminary report. The National Transportation Safety Board on Aug. 13 published its factual report, which outlines conditions and information of the aircraft, its wreckage, the weather and autopsies. A final report, which could identify the probable cause of the crash, is expected in 12-18 weeks, according to Bismarck Air Medical Director of Operations Jonathan Ternes. NTSB lists "aircraft structural failure" as the "defining event" in the new report. A "defining event" would be "the event that led to the accident," said University of North Dakota professor and Aviation Department Chairman Brett Venhuizen, with whom the Tribune shared the report. Venhuizen noted a passage in the report's wreckage and impact information that "Further examination of the right wing showed it had separated at the fuselage." "It seems to me that here (NTSB is) really focused on a structural failure," he said. A variety of reasons could cause a structural failure, such as fatigue of a component, he added. The plane wasn't struck by anything, nor was there was a fire or explosion, according to previous information released in the investigation. Weather also wasn't a factor. No distress calls were received. The plane's left and right engines "showed no mechanical malfunctions or failure that would have prevented normal operation of either engine," the report said. There also was no evidence of failure or malfunction of the propellers. "Witnesses on the ground reported hearing high-pitch, high-speed engine sounds prior to impact," the report said. The plane had climbed to 14,000 feet before it entered a right descending turn and fell 7,800 feet in about 40 seconds. "I think that (fall) would be consistent with a structural failure. When a wing fails like this and folds up, the aircraft is going to just fall very quickly," Venhuizen said. The plane was in a left descending turn seconds before it lost radar contact. The crash occurred in a snowy field. "The NTSB does a very good job of investigating these accidents," Venhuizen said. "They definitely know what they're doing and are usually able to determine a cause." Memorials were unveiled last year outside of CHI St. Alexius Health and Metro Area Ambulance in Bismarck in honor of Lasky, Iverson and Cook. https://www.ems1.com/plane-crash/articles/ntsb-structural-failure-led-to-fatal-2018-air-ambulance-crash-wzwOZUPdE07LLSPE/ Back to Top Philippines Airlines Hit Hard By Coronavirus Philippines Airlines is reeling from COVID-19 pandemic and is set to slash its workforce by 35% in October. Staff at Philippines Airlines Express, the subsidiary of Philippines Airlines, are also affected, according to Phil Star Global. With no end in sight for the pandemic, the airline expects the travel demand to remain extremely low. The Manila-based airline has 6,000 staff. In the first half of 2020, the airline recorded the loss of P20 billion ($411.9 million) as ticket sales dropped nearly 35% to P36.82 billion. The airline posted a loss of P3.3 billion during the same time last year. In response to the pandemic, the airline has implemented cost-cutting measures. In March, the flag carrier cut its manpower by 300 employees, ranging from ground staff to executives. Up to 2,000 people could be impacted by the airline's next round of cuts. The airline will process voluntary separations first and then cut the required extra staffing to remain viable. In addition, new aircraft expected to be delivered in 2020 and 2021 will be pushed back to 2022 to 2025. According to Inquirer, Philippines Airlines' owner has pumped P6.27 billion into the airline this year thus far and P17.68 billion since 2019. In the meantime, the airline is waiting an economic lifeline from the government. Japan's All Nippon Airways teamed up with Philippines Airlines and acquired 9.5% stake in the airline for $95 million last year. In 2019, PAL's network reach 80 destinations in four continents, allowing both networks to benefit each other and serve passengers better. During the pandemic, the Philippines Airline has deployed the crucial flights to serve stranded Filipinos living abroad and provided cargo services to transport essential goods such as food, medicines and personal protective gear. Philippines Airline currently provides limited services to New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, London and Hong Kong as well as some domestic services. Philippines Airlines has been named one of the safest airlines for travel during the pandemic. In response to the honor, the airline's President and Chief Operating Officer, Gilbert Santa Maria, said, "We are grateful for the unexpected recognition, and honored to be recognized for doing the right thing. PAL shall continue to maintain the highest standards of safety and the protection of the health of our colleagues and all the passengers in our care." https://airlinegeeks.com/2020/09/09/philippine-airlines-set-to-cut-35-percent-workforce/ Back to Top Woman Banned From American Airlines After Calling Flight Attendant 'Mask Nazi' American Airlines has banned a female passenger after the woman allegedly left a nasty, derogatory note for a flight attendant who asked the traveler to properly wear her face mask. It included calling the crew member a "mask Nazi." The incident, first reported by TMZ, apparently happened at some point last week. The flight attendant, also female, alerted her superiors. The note somehow wound up in the hands of a fellow traveler, who tweeted out its content with a picture. Several people who replied to the tweet questioned the veracity of the note, apparently written on the waste/vomit bag in the seatback. But American Airlines confirmed the incident to TMZ, saying it is investigating the note and it has already suspended the customer's ability to travel on its planes. "Our flight attendants are professionals who play a critical role in ensuring the health and safety of our passengers, and we will not tolerate mistreatment of them," an airline spokesperson said. So far, since instituting the mandatory mask policy on flights, airlines have suspended the flying privileges of more than 700 people. The passenger was apparently triggered by the flight attendant asking her to properly wear her mask up over her nose. There didn't seem to be a big brouhaha at the moment, but after the flight landed the passenger handed the flight attendant the note. In part, it read, "You mean (redacted) in life. You are nothing but a glorified maid who needs to jump down off her high horse and learn how to speak to ppl. Nobody cares about your stupid seat policies or your nose issues. We pay your salary and your attitude is unnecessary. ... The very fact that we have to listen & kowtow to a nobody who does (redacted) except collect our trash and serve crappy food makes me absolutely ill. You are a mask nazi and a 4 eyed (redacted) and if it wasn't for this job, you would be cleaning motel rooms for $2 tips and meth." Here is the tweet from the fellow flier and a picture of the note. • WARNING: The note contains curse words and harsh language. today a passenger handed this to a flight attendant upon deplaning. the flight attendant had asked her to wear her mask over her nose. incredibly done with the general public. pic.twitter.com/wDUVqxkyKH https://www.travelpulse.com/news/airlines/woman-banned-from-american-airlines-after-calling-flight-attendant-mask-nazi.html Back to Top ANA Will Operate Another Airbus A380 Flight To Nowhere ANA is gearing up to operate a second flight to nowhere with its Airbus A380 'Flying Honu' aircraft. The flight comes after a successful first flight that was held in late August. Some airlines are resorting to operating flights to nowhere as global travel restrictions remain in place. At first glance, a flight to nowhere is usually a bad thing. Some examples have seen aircraft fly halfway across the Atlantic, before turning back due to technical issues onboard. However, the current situation has moved the goalposts, with some airlines operating such flights on purpose. Why isn't the ANA A380 flying? The ANA Airbus A380 is immediately eye-catching. Both of the aircraft that have been delivered to ANA so far have been painted with elaborate turtle-inspired paint jobs. The liveries are part of the branding that the airline has applied to its Hawaiian route. ANA is using the Airbus A380 only on its route between Tokyo and Honolulu. However, no such flights had operated since late March when the Hawaiian government implemented a 14-day quarantine policy for island arrivals. This effectively killed passenger demand as the route was tourism centered. A previous flight to nowhere However, the airline saw an opportunity to use its aircraft in August. Since late March, the entire Airbus A380 fleet had remained passengerless. Rather than continuing to sit around, ANA decided to use its 'ANA Blue' Flying Honu to operate a 1-hour 26-minute sightseeing flight around the Tokyo area. According to the Japanese Aviation Wire, there were 334 people on the previous flight, all selected through a lottery process. The prices for the flight ranged from 14,000 yen ($132) for a central economy seat, all the way up to 50,000 yen ($470) for a first-class seat. The publication goes on to state that a second flight will now be operated on September 20th due to the popularity of the first flight. The second flight will be performed by the airline's newer A380, painted in 'emerald green.' What's happening with the Airbus A380 fleet? For the time being, outside of these extraordinary flights, ANA's pair of Airbus A380 aircraft have remained passengerless. The airline has always said that it would use the plane solely on its Hawaii route, ruling out usage on other international routes. However, lower levels of passenger demand would likely rule it out from different routes anyway. The Japanese carrier placed a total order for three Airbus A380 aircraft. The third and final plane was due to be delivered to the airline during this spring of this year. In April, an ANA Spokesperson told Simple Flying: "In regards to the delivery of our 3rd A380 aircraft, it has been confirmed to be delayed. However, we are unable to provide you the exact delivery date as it is still under coordination." https://simpleflying.com/ana-airbus-a380-flight-to-nowhere/ Back to Top Aviation Week Network Unveils the 2020 Universities Identified as Preferred Suppliers to Aerospace and Defense Hiring Managers NEW YORK, Sept. 08, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Aviation Week Network today announces the university rankings from Aviation Week Network's annual Workforce Study, sponsored by PwC and in partnership with American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics and Aerospace Industries Association. Aviation Week Network's annual Workforce Study is the industry's single source of demographic and hiring data since 1997 that identifies trends in technological challenges, leadership, demographics and ranks the top universities for A&D recruitment. While there are numerous university rankings, the Aviation Week Network Workforce Study uniquely identifies the universities selected by aerospace and defense companies' critical complex skills, highest volume of new graduate hiring, and investment in research and development. The top universities in these three categories include: Hiring for critical skills (A&D companies call them preferred suppliers): • Georgia Institute of Technology • University of Central Florida • University of Washington Highest volume of new graduate hiring: • University of Central Florida • University of Maryland • Pennsylvania State University Where A&D companies invest in research and development: • Georgia Institute of Technology • University of California, Los Angeles • University of Colorado, Boulder "The Aviation Week Network Workforce Study differs from other university ranking polls in one simple way-the universities and colleges are those that companies choose as their primary resources for the talented workforce needed for the future," said Greg Hamilton, president of Aviation Week Network. "Companies were asked to provide their top three universities in each category, with the aggregated data providing the final list of top schools." In addition, the annual Workforce Study surveys a 10% random sample of engineering students, this year at 14 U.S. universities. Of the students responding, 72% indicate an interest in careers in aerospace, primarily on the basis of the continued vast advances in technology and opportunity for career development over time. Students also indicated that reputation of a university's specific academic program is on par with cost and location as the primary drivers in selecting where they will study. In addition to the Workforce Study, Aviation Week Network will host a webinar called "Preparing Workforce Strategies for a Post-Pandemic World" on September 11th at 10:00 a.m. ET. Click here to register. For more information on the Workforce study, visit aviationweek.com/workforce. ABOUT AVIATION WEEK NETWORK Aviation Week Network is the largest multimedia information and services provider for the global aviation, aerospace, and defense industries, serving 1.7 million professionals around the world. Industry professionals rely on Aviation Week Network to help them understand the market, make decisions, predict trends, and connect with people and business opportunities. Customers include the world's leading aerospace manufacturers and suppliers, airlines, airports, business aviation operators, militaries, governments and other organizations that serve this worldwide marketplace. Aviation Week Network's portfolio delivers award-winning journalism, data, intelligence and analytical resources, world-class tradeshows and conferences, and results-driven marketing services and advertising. Aviation Week Network is part of Informa Markets, a division of Informa PLC. ABOUT INFORMA MARKETS Informa Markets creates platforms for industries and specialist markets to trade, innovate and grow. We provide marketplace participants around the globe with opportunities to engage, experience and do business through face-to-face exhibitions, targeted digital services and actionable data solutions. We connect buyers and sellers across more than a dozen global verticals, including Aviation, Pharmaceuticals, Food, Medical Technology and Infrastructure. As the world's leading market-making company, we bring a diverse range of specialist markets to life, unlocking opportunities and helping them to thrive 365 days of the year. For more information, please visit www.informamarkets.com. Media Contact Elizabeth Sisk Director, Marketing Communications Aviation Week Network +1 860.495.5498 elizabeth.sisk@aviationweek.com https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2020/09/08/2090212/0/en/Aviation-Week-Network-Unveils-the-2020-Universities-Identified-as-Preferred-Suppliers-to-Aerospace-and-Defense-Hiring-Managers.html Back to Top Minneapolis-St. Paul Airport could waive millions in fees to airlines • Move intended to preserve air service here, but some disagree. Some $40 million paid by airlines to operate at the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport could be waived in an effort to offset a steep decline in air travel due to the COVID-19 pandemic. A subcommittee of the Metropolitan Airports Commission (MAC) on Tuesday considered a proposal to extend the financial break to airlines serving the Twin Cities market. A decision on the measure by the full commission is expected later this fall. The move was opposed by a local citizens' group, the South Metro Airport Action Council (SMAAC), which said some of the money should be used to study public health and safety risks related to air traffic over south Minneapolis. SMAAC is known for advocating for less aircraft noise in the metro. SMAAC President Jim Spensley said a study could determine whether there's a connection between flights hovering over south Minneapolis and COVID infections in the area. He told the MAC's Operations, Finance and Administration Committee that at least $1 million should be spent on such a study. As the pandemic took hold during the normally busy spring break season last March, the number of passengers screened before their flights at MSP plunged 95%. While travel has improved somewhat since then, the aviation industry continues to struggle as the pandemic lingers. Noting that other airports have embraced similar relief packages for airlines, MSP officials said the action would help preserve commercial air service to the traveling public in Minnesota. It will also ensure the airport remains "a competitive and attractive option as airlines consider resuming air service," a MAC memo states. The MAC, which owns and operates MSP airport, received $125 million from the federal government, part of the $2 trillion Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) bailout. The bulk of the CARES Act money will help the airport pay down debt, cover operating costs and move forward with several construction projects. The money received by the airport from the CARES Act serves as a benchmark to determine the amount of relief that could be extended to the airlines, which typically provide 33% of the MAC's total revenue. But the waiver of up to $41 million in fees and rent won't divert the funds the airport received from the federal government to the airlines, said MAC spokesman Patrick Hogan. "We aren't actually providing airlines CARES Act money. We're just proposing to waive some costs airlines would otherwise owe us," Hogan said. The amount of relief to individual airlines would be determined by the number of passengers boarding at MSP. Delta Air Lines is by far the dominant carrier here, with Sun Country a distant second. https://www.startribune.com/msp-airport-could-waive-millions-in-fees-to-airlines/572353802/ Back to Top The Civil Aviation Department of Hong Kong to Deploy Aireon's Space-Based ADS-B System MCLEAN, Va., Sept. 9, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Aireon is pleased to announce that The Civil Aviation Department (CAD) of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Hong Kong's air navigation service provider (ANSP), has selected Aireon to provide space-based ADS-B for Air Traffic Service (ATS) surveillance services. CAD Hong Kong provides annual air traffic services for more than 400,000 aircraft landing and departing the Hong Kong International Airport, and manages overflights passing through the flight information region (FIR). Aireon will provide real-time space-based ADS-B air traffic position information to CAD Hong Kong, including 100 percent coverage of their FIR. The ANSP will also gain access to Aireon data in transition zones surrounding the CAD Hong Kong airspace for enhanced cross-border safety and situational awareness of aircraft entering or flying near the boundary. Additionally, the Aireon-CAD Hong Kong agreement includes the provision of space-based ADS-B for air traffic flow management (ATFM) to support regional coordination for a significant portion of the Asia Pacific airspace. "We are delighted to work with CAD Hong Kong to provide space-based ADS-B data to one of the busiest regions in the world," says Peter Cabooter, Aireon's Vice President of Customer Affairs. "Their dual utilization of the Aireon's data will provide immediate benefits to their customers and aircraft who enter their region by creating a level of situation awareness never before used in this airspace, and their focus on cross-border collaboration and visibility is pivotal to enhancing operations. We look forward to the best practices Hong Kong will establish in this deployment." Aireon is scheduled to deploy space-based ADS-B for ATS surveillance and ATFM to CAD Hong Kong in the first quarter of 2021. They will join other leading ANSPs in the region already utilizing Aireon's space-based surveillance service, including the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS), Airports Authority of India (AAI) and NiuSky Pacific Limited, formally known as Papua New Guinea Air Services Limited (PNG Air Services Ltd). About Aireon LLC Aireon has deployed a space-based air traffic surveillance system for Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) equipped aircraft throughout the entire globe. Aireon is harnessing next-generation aviation surveillance technologies that were formerly ground-based and, for the first time ever, is extending their reach globally to significantly improve efficiency, enhance safety, reduce emissions and provide cost savings benefits to all stakeholders. Space-based ADS-B surveillance covers oceanic, polar and remote regions, and augments existing ground-based systems that are limited to terrestrial airspace. In partnership with leading ANSPs from around the world, like NAV CANADA, the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA), Enav, NATS and Naviair, as well as Iridium Communications, Aireon is providing a global, real-time, space-based air traffic surveillance system, available to all aviation stakeholders. For more information, please visit www.aireon.com https://www.insidenova.com/news/state/the-civil-aviation-department-of-hong-kong-to-deploy-aireons-space-based-ads-b-system/article_19009fa5-42d6-562b-98c7-f45bb16176d6.html Back to Top Airbus Redesigns A350 Center Console Because Pilots Keep Spilling Coffee on Critical Instruments • Two flights have been diverted so far after spilled beverages shut down engines. I remember the last time I spilled coffee on myself. It wasn't a huge deal-I ruined one of my white shirts, I got a little wet, but I didn't end up having to divert an airliner to a nearby runway. That may sound like a scene out of Airplane, but it's a real problem with the Airbus A350, according to World of Aviation. Due to the design of the cockpit's interior, pilots have been spilling coffee on the instrument cluster often enough-twice in the past eight months-for it to be a problem. It's not a problem because of the mess, it's a problem because the spills result in engine shutdowns. Only one engine per plane has been affected so far, but as the report shows, Airbus is already taking measures to mitigate this issue. The first incident occurred on a flight likely operated by Asiana Airlines, and to be fair, it's said that tea was spilled upon the instrument panel, not coffee. Nonetheless, one of the Rolls-Royce Trent XWB engines abruptly shut down soon after the spill. The plane was forced to land short of its destination at a different airport. Another incident occurred on a Delta Airlines flight between Seoul, South Korea, and Detroit, Michigan in January of this year. Coffee was spilled onto the instrument cluster, and about 15 minutes later, one of the engines shut down. The plane diverted safely to Fairbanks, Alaska. In response to this problem, Airbus has decided to make the center console of their aircraft more resistant to liquids. However, that's apparently not the core issue. Pilots have allegedly reported the cupholders in the aircraft being too small, which forces them to use the instrument panel as a sort of makeshift table. The European Union Aviation Safety Agency has released an airworthiness directive banning liquids in the cockpit near the center console in response to these incidents. In the meantime, Airbus has produced a cover for the instrument panel as a stop-gap solution until the controls can be properly sealed up. The French aerospace company has also introduced procedures to follow if a spill happens despite the cover. https://www.thedrive.com/news/36268/airbus-redesigns-a350-center-console-because-pilots-keep-spilling-coffee-on-critical-instruments Back to Top Aviation safety a concern in Vietnam despite reduction in accidents Vietnam saw a significant decrease in the number of aviation accidents in January-August amid limited air travel due to Covid-19, but some serious cases underlined that safety remains a concern. The Civil Aviation Administration of Vietnam (CAAV) said Tuesday that there were 36 incidents in the first eight months of this year, down 45 percent year-on-year. However, among these were two accidents deemed "serious" and six others carrying a high level threat to aviation safety, Giao Thong, the Transport Ministry's news website, reported. The administration said 17 of the incidents were caused by human error and 14 others were due to technical errors. One incident was caused by bad weather conditions and the remaining four are still under investigation. One of the two "serious incidents" was the explosion of a tire as a Vietnam Airlines Airbus A321 took off from HCMC's Tan Son Nhat International Airport to Phnom Penh in Cambodia in March. No passenger was injured. The other serious accident happened when a Vietjet Air aircraft carrying 217 passengers skidded off the runway and into a grassy bank upon landing in Tan Son Nhat from Phu Quoc Island last June. The airline blamed the incident on unfavorable weather conditions, but aviation authorities are still investigating it. Airports across Vietnam served 14.6 million passengers in the first six months this year, down 46 percent from the same period last year. The country has suspended international flights since late March, while several social distancing periods also limited domestic air travel. https://e.vnexpress.net/news/news/aviation-safety-a-concern-in-vietnam-despite-reduction-in-accidents-4158911.html Back to Top Airbus delivers 39 aircraft but records just a single order in August Airbus recorded a single order during August, for one corporate A320neo which was received from a private customer. It took the airframer's overall net order total this year to 303 aircraft. Total deliveries over the first eight months of the year reached 284, the manufacturer's latest backlog figures show. This means it handed over 39 aircraft during August - comprising two A350s, two A330s and 35 single-aisle models. The deliveries included an A330-900 to Portugal's Orbest while Gulf Air took its first A321neo. Airbus did not register any cancellations for the month. https://www.flightglobal.com/air-transport/airbus-delivers-39-aircraft-but-records-just-a-single-order-in-august/140083.article Back to Top Virgin Australia to cull a third of its Boeing 737 fleet under Bain ownership SYDNEY (Reuters) - Virgin Australia Holdings Ltd said on Wednesday it is returning a third of its fleet of Boeing Co 737 planes to lessors and financiers as part of a turnaround plan under new owner Bain Capital. It has renegotiated financing terms for 56 of the 85 737s it held before it entered voluntary administration in April, a Virgin spokeswoman said, with the others to exit its fleet. "Once demand returns, it remains our goal to grow our fleet to 75 Boeing 737 aircraft," the spokeswoman said. Creditors last week voted in favour of the purchase by U.S. private equity group Bain, paving the way for a strategic overhaul of Australia's second-biggest airline. Under Bain's business plan, Virgin plans to cut a third of its workforce and ditch its widebody planes to focus on being a domestic and short-haul international 737 operator competing against Qantas Airways Ltd . Virgin Chief Executive Paul Scurrah said last week the airline expected to lose domestic share to Qantas as it exited unprofitable routes. It has also closed low-cost arm Tigerair Australia. Qantas said last month it expected its domestic market share could rise to 70% from its pre-pandemic level of 60% as the market recovers because Virgin is reducing the size of its fleet. Both airlines are operating skeleton domestic schedules at present due to Australian state border restrictions put in place to limit the spread of the coronavirus pandemic. https://www.yahoo.com/news/virgin-australia-cull-third-boeing-061126797.html Back to Top Embry-Riddle Undergraduate Degree in Aerospace and Occupational Safety Earns Prestigious Recognition Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University's pioneering bachelor's of science degree in Aerospace and Occupational Safety (AOS) degree has been officially accredited by the ANSAC (Applied and Natural Science) commission of ABET, the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. This designation makes Embry-Riddle's AOS undergraduate degree one of only 20 similar programs in the country to receive this prestigious level of accreditation. A Promising Career Path The AOS program, designed for students who have a passion for preventing potential mishaps, prepares graduates for careers in the aviation industry as well as in manufacturing, construction, insurance, transportation, entertainment and government services, among other fields. Students learn to provide authoritative safety management expertise based on federal regulations and standards set forth by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Department of Defense, Department of Transportation, as well as recognized best practices in the profession. The average salary for a Health and Safety Manager in the United States was $106,871 as of last year, but the range typically falls between $85,830 and $119,429, according to Salary.com. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics has described the employment outlook for these professionals as positive, with a 9 percent growth rate expected from 2016 to 2026. Based on information from recent AOS graduates, starting salaries range from $40,000 to $75,000. Accreditation Matters "Accreditation by ABET is an important external validation of the strength of our faculty and program and the outstanding educational experience provided to our students," said Dr. Alan Stolzer, dean of the College of Aviation on Embry-Riddle's Daytona Beach Campus. "The goal of ABET's intense accreditation process is to verify that academic programs are taught by qualified faculty using industry-relevant techniques and equipment that will produce graduates who can immediately and positively contribute in their profession after completing the degree. I'm pleased that the commission has validated what we already knew - that our AOS program is of the highest quality." Stolzer commended the Department of Applied Aviation Sciences and all AOS faculty, particularly Dr. Mike O'Toole, who "championed and skillfully led the accreditation effort to a successful outcome." ABET accreditation offers assurance to students and their parents that a collegiate program has met standards essential to preparing graduates entering critical STEM fields in the global workforce. Graduates from an ABET-accredited program have a solid educational foundation and are capable of leading the way in innovation and emerging technologies, and in anticipating the welfare and safety needs of the public. In addition, many multinational corporations seek employees with degrees from ABET-accredited programs that translate globally. ABET accreditation begins with an application and an in-depth self-study report, Stolzer explained. The onsite portion of the evaluation typically extends over multiple days and involve industry and academic experts who inspect course materials, review assessment procedures, and interview various stakeholders. www.erau.edu Back to Top Gerstenmaier warns against ending space station program prematurely • Bill Gerstenmaier, a longtime NASA official now working as a consultant for SpaceX, said NASA should not rush to retire the International Space Station while commercial markets for low Earth orbit are still being established. WASHINGTON - The former head of NASA's human spaceflight program, now working as a consultant to SpaceX, said he welcomes greater commercial activity in low Earth orbit but cautioned against ending the International Space Station prematurely. Bill Gerstenmaier discussed the importance of the ISS, from a technical and policy standpoint, during a virtual town hall meeting Sept. 5 by the Los Angeles-Las Vegas Section of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA). His appearance was one of his first public comments on space topics since retiring from NASA in late 2019, several months after being reassigned from the position of associate administrator for human exploration and operations and more than four decades after joining the agency. At the AIAA town hall meeting, he outlined the benefits of the ISS program, from science and technology development to the setting of standards for future exploration efforts. The station, he added, has also been a catalyst for commercial activity, creating demand for launch services for cargo and crew and hosting a growing number of private activities and facilities. While NASA has discussed plans to eventually transition from the ISS to private space stations in LEO, he warned against doing so too quickly. "The push will be strong to end ISS and free up resources, predominantly dollars, for exploration. I think that's a false trade," he said. "ISS is still playing a very strong role in U.S. leadership." He argued it would take time for companies to develop the markets that can sustain private activities to the point where commercial stations are viable. "ISS is enabling the U.S. private sector companies to explore and develop commercial markets in low Earth orbit. This is going to take time," he said. "This effort is actually critical, I believe, to establishing and making exploration sustainable into the future." "We don't want to do an Apollo: a rush to a single objective and then have nothing left," he continued. "We need to build infrastructure, leave pieces behind that the private sector can use, as well as the government, to move forward." Gerstenmaier said he didn't know how long such a transition from the ISS to private facilities would take, but didn't think there was a firm deadline for ending the station. "I don't know that there's a hard date where the station needs to be retired," he said. "I think there will be probably a push to retire the station with the idea that you're going to free up funds for exploration. That's what I described to you as a false choice." NASA's fiscal year 2019 budget request, released in early 2018, proposed ending federal funding of the ISS in 2025 as part of a LEO commercialization initiative. That proposal faced strong opposition in Congress, and NASA has not proposed a similar deadline for the station in subsequent budget requests. Past engineering studies have found that the ISS should be able to operate through at least 2028. Gerstenmaier said it would take time for companies to explore markets for LEO activities, noting that both tourism and pharmaceutical research appeared promising. It was important, he added, to give more industry sectors access to the ISS to see how they can make use of the space environment in their fields. "That's the heart of the innovation that has to occur," he said. "I don't think I can predict where those areas are, but I think our job is to expose the world, get more people to space, let them understand what we're seeing and understand how we're seeing it, and turn them free to figure out how to creatively use it." That innovation, he said, is needed to help stimulate the commercial spaceflight industry despite the success of SpaceX's Demo-2 commercial crew mission to the station this summer. "I think the transportation sector for crew still isn't quite established yet," he said. "I think we need to give that a little bit of time to mature and get ready." He did not discuss in his comments his reassignment from associate administrator for human exploration and operations to a special adviser in July 2019. He quietly retired from the agency late last year and, in February, became a consultant to SpaceX. He declined to go into specifics about his work at SpaceX, but said there's less difference between work at the company versus that at NASA than one might expect, at least from a technical standpoint. "It's interesting being on both sides," he said. "The demands of human spaceflight are the same. The precision that we have to do every day to make sure our crews are safe, make sure the hardware works, are absolutely the same. There's no forgiveness for mistakes or being lazy or not sharing. You have to be 100% focused. That's what we're working on at SpaceX: how do we transition and get ready to really establish a transportation system that normal people would be willing to use." https://spacenews.com/gerstenmaier-warns-against-ending-space-station-program-prematurely/ Back to Top Free Webinar: Securing Our Skies through Counter-UAS Measures Wednesday, 9/16, 1pm ET Join RTCA and experts from Aerospace Industries Association, US Air Force, Skydio & Indra Defence and Security for a panel discussion and audience Q&A on the current state of Counter-UAS, the status of RTCA's SC-238-Counter UAS Standard, and challenges related to ensuring the safety of the National Airspace System. Our panelists discuss why it is so critical that we get it right. REGISTER https://bit.ly/3gUbgt4 SURVEY: GA PILOTS AND PIREPs "Dear GA pilot, Researchers at Purdue University are seeking general aviation (GA) pilots to participate in an online study, partially funded by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) NextGen Weather Technology in the Cockpit (WTIC) program. The goal of this study is to evaluate opportunities for speech-based or other "hands-free" technologies that GA pilots might use to submit PIREPs. If you are able and willing to participate, you will be asked to review a set of 6 weather-related flight scenarios and record PIREPs as if you are flying. The study will last approximately 20 minutes and can be completed using a laptop or desktop computer. Participation in this study is completely voluntary. You can withdraw your participation at any time during the study for any reason. If you agree to participate, you will be asked to acknowledge your voluntary participation. Then there are 4 questions about your flight history, 6 weather scenarios, and 4 questions about PIREPs. Responses to the survey will be completely anonymous. We ask that you complete the study in a quiet location free from background noise. You must be at least 18 years of age or older to participate. When you are ready to begin, please click here: https://purdue.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_6lZhv409DcoV8KF and follow the instructions in Qualtrics. Please feel free to share this link with other pilots you know. Email any questions or concerns to Mayur Deo and Dr. Brandon Pitts at nhance@purdue.edu." Back to Top Graduate Research Survey (1) Stress and Wellbeing for Global Aviation Professionals Dear colleagues, I am inviting you to participate in a research project on wellbeing in the aviation industry during the COVID-19 pandemic. This situation has affected aviation professionals around the world, and this research seeks to identify wellbeing strategies that work across professions, employers, families, and nations. All responses to this survey are anonymous. The findings of this research will inform future work by the USC Aviation Safety and Security Program and the Flight Safety Foundation to improve wellbeing for aviation professionals during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. The survey should take approximately 10 minutes to complete. Please click or copy the link below to access the survey, and please share it with any interested colleagues. https://usc.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_cC2nlWEAazl22TX This research will support a treatise towards a Master of Science in Applied Psychology degree at the University of Southern California's Dornsife College of Letters, Arts, and Sciences. The researcher is also on the staff of the USC Aviation Safety and Security Program. Thank you, and please contact us with any questions, Daniel Scalese - Researcher scalese@usc.edu Michael Nguyen - Faculty Advisor nguyenmv@usc.edu Curt Lewis