Flight Safety Information September 21, 2020 - No. 191 In This Issue Incident: Delta A359 over Beaufort Sea on Jan 21st 2020, engine trouble Incident: S7 A320 enroute on Sep 10th 2020, unreliable airspeed Accident: Silverstone F50 at Mogadishu on Sep 19th 2020, runway excursion on landing Accident: British Airways B763 near London on Nov 17th 2016, fumes affect flight attendants Piper PA-46-310P Malibu JetPROP DLX - Fatal Accident (Texas) Pilatus PC-6/B2-H4 Turbo Porter - Fatal ACCIDENT (Italy) North American TB-25N Mitchell - Accident (California) FAA not prepared to update jet evacuation rules The Boeing 737 Max is likely just weeks away from being cleared to fly again Unruly anti-mask passengers disrupt Japanese airlines Air India And Cathay Dragon Receive Hong Kong Flight Bans FAA Moving Slowly On Drone Certification Jet Fuel Is Now So Cheap It's Being Blended for Use by Ships Last in, first out: Female pilots bear brunt of airline job cuts Boeing gearing up for 787 move to South Carolina -sources Former British Airways Boeing 747s Heading To Rossiya Airlines AerSale Agrees to Acquire 24 Boeing 757-200 Passenger Aircraft and Spare Engines Stored at its Roswell Singapore Airlines Pilots Agree to Deeper Pay Cuts to Save Jobs Why JetBlue Is Still Eager to Get the Airbus A220 Boeing books two 737-800BCF orders, says new freighter conversion lines opening Position Available:...Flight Operations Inspector (Helicopter) Graduate Research Survey Incident: Delta A359 over Beaufort Sea on Jan 21st 2020, engine trouble A Delta Airlines Airbus A350-900, registration N508DN performing flight DL-159 from Detroit,MI (USA) to Seoul (South Korea) with 189 people on board, was enroute at FL380 over the Beaufort Sea, when the crew received abnormal indications for one of the engines (Trent XWB) and drifted the aircraft down to FL220. The aircraft diverted to Fairbanks,AK (USA) where the aircraft landed safely on runway 20R about two hours later, vacated the runway and stopped for an inspection by emergency services. Passengers reported the crew told them they were diverting to Fairbanks due to engine issues. Local emergency services were dispatched to Fairbanks Airport with the information the right hand engine of the aircraft had been shut down. A replacement Airbus A350-900 registration N503DN was dispatched from Detroit to Fairbanks, departed for the continuation flight DL-159A about one hour ago and is estimated to reach Seoul with a delay of 21 hours. The occurrence aircraft remained on the ground in Fairbanks for about 27 hours, then positioned to Minneapolis,MN (USA) and returned to service about 9 hours after landing in Minneapolis. On Jan 28th 2020 the Canadian TSB reported the right hand engine surged which led to a roll back and subsequent shut down. On Feb 6th 2020 the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) released Emergency Airworthiness Directive 2020-0020-E requiring a "a liquid prohibited zone in the cockpit, and the procedures to be followed in the case of inadvertent liquid spillage on the centre pedestal." The EASA argues: Two in-service occurrences were reported involving inadvertent liquid spillage on the ENG START panel or ECAM Control Panel (ECP) on the centre pedestal in the flight deck on A350 aeroplanes. In both cases, the aeroplane experienced an un-commanded engine in-flight shut-down (IFSD) of an engine some time after the liquid spillage. Subsequent engine relight attempts were not successful. In both events, the flight crew performed a diversion and landed the aeroplane safely. Results of the preliminary technical investigations indicate abnormal operation of the components of the ENG START panel or ECP due to liquid spillage in the system. This condition, if not corrected, could lead to a dual engine IFSD, possibly resulting in a forced landing with consequent damage to the aeroplane and injury to occupants. Dated Jul 28th 2020 EASA superseeded the previous EAD with Airworthiness Directive EASA-2020-90R1 reporting following temporary solutions as laid out in EAD-2020-20E "Airbus developed mod 116038, introducing a water resistant ENG START panel and ECP ICP." EASA writes: "Consequently, this AD is revised to exclude post-mod 116038 aeroplanes from the Applicability." The second case referred to by EASA happened in November 2019, see Incident: Asiana A359 near Manila on Nov 9th 2019, engine shut down in flight. https://flightaware.com/live/flight/DAL159/history/20200121/1727Z/KDTW/RKSI http://avherald.com/h?article=4d24da4d&opt=0 Back to Top Incident: S7 A320 enroute on Sep 10th 2020, unreliable airspeed A S7 Sibir Airlines Airbus A320-200, registration VQ-BPN performing flight S7-1213 from Moscow Domodedovo to Kaliningrad (Russia), was enroute at FL340 about 110nm west of Moscow (editorial note: high level winds of about 80-100 knots from the west) when the crew determined their speed indication system was faulty. The aircraft descended to FL280, subsequently the crew decided to return to Moscow Domodedovo. On the way back the aircraft flew two rounds in a holding pattern and landed safely back in Moscow about 55 minutes after the turn around and about 110 minutes after departure. A replacement A320-200 registration VQ-BRD reached Kaliningrad with a delay of about 4 hours. The occurrence aircraft returned to service about 22 hours after landing back. https://flightaware.com/live/flight/SBI1213/history/20200910/0740Z/UUDD/UMKK http://avherald.com/h?article=4dcdcd1b&opt=0 Back to Top Accident: Silverstone F50 at Mogadishu on Sep 19th 2020, runway excursion on landing A Silverstone Air Services Fokker 50 on behalf of Saacid Airlines, registration 5Y-MHT performing a freight flight from Mogadishu to Beledweyne (Somalia) with 4 crew, went off the runway 05 while landing in Mogadishu and collided with a concrete perimeter fence at about 09:30L (06:30Z). Captain and first officer are reported to have received minor injuries. The aircraft, that had departed Mogadishu and shortly after departure returned to Mogadishu, received substantial damage. Locals report the captain was trapped in the cockpit for a while until rescuers were able to free him, he and the first officer received minor injuries. Local media report all four occupants were rescued without injuries. Somalia's Aviation Minister reported two of the four crew received injuries when the aircraft crashlanded following an immediate return to the airport after departure. The aircraft was registered to Kenyan company Silverstone and chartered by Somali company Saacid Airlines. Somalia's Civil Aviation Authority have opened an investigation into the accident. Preliminary information suggests problems with the landing gear may have prompted the return. http://avherald.com/h?article=4dcceeb2&opt=0 Back to Top Accident: British Airways B763 near London on Nov 17th 2016, fumes affect flight attendants A British Airways Boeing 767-300, registration G-BZHA performing flight BA-429 from Amsterdam (Netherlands) to London Heathrow,EN (UK), was enroute at FL240, cabin drinks service had just been completed, when the flight attendants returned to the galleys to stow the carts, when two flight attendants began to feel unwell with headache, dizziness and difficulties to concentrate. One of the flight attendants in the rear galley felt she could no longer safely keep on her feet, needed to sit down and was administered oxygen before being relocated to one of the seats in the forward cabin where she sat for the remainder of the flight. The flight crew requested medical services on stand by for the arrival of the aircraft and performed a NITS (Nature of Problem, Intention, Time needed, Special Instructions) briefing while descending towards London. The aircraft landed safely on Heathrow's runway 27R. An engineer entered the aircraft to assess the conditions on board while emergency services began to assess the flight attendants and provided first aid. After a few minutes the engineer also began to feel sick. Six of the seven flight attendants were taken to Hillingdon Hospital for assessment. The passengers subsequently disembarked. The occurrence aircraft returned to service about 19 hours after landing. The two flight attendants severely affected during the fume event were diagnosed with the same illness just one week apart in 2018. On Aug 29th 2020 The Aviation Herald learned one of the flight attendants affected by the event has died in August 2020. On Sep 18th 2020 The Aviation Herald received the following statement by a Unite the Union spokesperson, representing British Airlines Stewards and Stewardesses Association: "It is with great sadness that the union has learnt of the death of Estelle and our thoughts are with her family at this time. Unite continues to represent her colleague Nikki, whose health was also badly affected during the same fume event. Unite is supporting legal cases for 220 workers who have suffered illness or injury as a result of being exposed to toxic cabin air. Unite is committed to winning justice for all the affected workers." http://avherald.com/h?article=4dcc847a&opt=0 Back to Top Back to Top Piper PA-46-310P Malibu JetPROP DLX - Fatal Accident (Texas) Date: 20-SEP-2020 Time: 10:49 LT Type: Piper PA-46-310P Malibu JetPROP DLX Owner/operator: KMAC Bravo LLC Registration: N236KM C/n / msn: 46-8508014 Fatalities: Fatalities: 4 / Occupants: 4 Other fatalities: 0 Aircraft damage: Written off (damaged beyond repair) Category: Accident Location: Hilltop, TX - United States of America Phase: En route Nature: Private Departure airport: Horseshoe Bay Resort Airpark, TX (KDZB) Destination airport: Natchitoches Regional Airport, LA (KIER) Investigating agency: NTSB Narrative: The Piper PA-46-310P Malibu JetPROP DLX, conversion #42, took off near Austin and were heading to Louisiana. The pilot reported engine problems and apparently elected to divert to Hilltop Lakes Airport. The aircraft crashed. https://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/242713 Back to Top Pilatus PC-6/B2-H4 Turbo Porter - Fatal ACCIDENT (Italy) Date: 20-SEP-2020 Time: c. 10:00 LT Type: Pilatus PC-6/B2-H4 Turbo Porter Owner/operator: Sky Team Cremona Registration: T7-SKY C/n / msn: 902 Fatalities: Fatalities: 2 / Occupants: 9 Other fatalities: 0 Aircraft damage: Written off (damaged beyond repair) Category: Accident Location: Livrasco (Cremona) - Italy Phase: Manoeuvring (airshow, firefighting, ag.ops.) Nature: Parachuting Departure airport: Cremona-Migliaro Airport (LILR) Destination airport: Cremona-Migliaro Airport (LILR) Investigating agency: ANSV Narrative: From initial information, it would appear that the last skydiver to jump collided with the aircraft and caused it to lose control. Both, the parachutistand the pilot of the aircraft, sustained fatal injuries and the aircraft was destroyed. https://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/242693 Back to Top North American TB-25N Mitchell - Accident (California) Date: 19-SEP-2020 Time: c. 19:30 Type: North American TB-25N Mitchell Owner/operator: Proair Holding Company LLC Registration: N7946C C/n / msn: 108-32213 Fatalities: Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 3 Other fatalities: 0 Aircraft damage: Substantial Category: Accident Location: W of Stockton Metropolitan Airport (SCK/KSCK), CA - United States of America Phase: Landing Nature: Private Departure airport: Chino Airport, CA (CNO/KCNO) Destination airport: Investigating agency: NTSB Narrative: The aircraft force landed to an open field west of Stockton Metropolitan Airport (SCK/KSCK), Stockton, California. The aircraft sustained substantial damage upon impact with an irrigation ditch. Two occupants received unspecified injuries. A third was uninjured. https://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/242667 Back to Top FAA not prepared to update jet evacuation rules DETROIT - The Federal Aviation Administration hasn't updated standards for emergency airliner evacuations in nearly two decades, a period when travelers have increasingly had to deal with tighter aircraft seats, more carry-on bags and support animals, a government watchdog says. The Transportation Department's Inspector General said in an audit report released late last week that the FAA and hasn't done enough research to evaluate the new risks. In addition, it says the FAA largely only updates standards after accidents and hasn't revised them since a 1991 accident. "This lack of data inhibits FAA's ability to determine how to improve evacuation regulations and protect passenger safety in emergencies," the report said. The Inspector General recommended that the FAA regularly collect and analyze emergency evacuation data to find out if standards need to be changed. The agency also should make sure that data used in airplane manufacturers' evacuation demonstrations is up to date. The FAA agreed with both of the Inspector General's recommendations, the audit report said. But in a memo responding to the report, the FAA said it has enacted increasingly rigorous cabin safety requirements over the years including tougher standards for exit pathways, emergency lighting, escape systems, flammability of materials and testing of seats. "These system requirements have increased survivability and the amount of time available for successful evacuations, as demonstrated in many accidents," the FAA wrote. https://www.bostonherald.com/2020/09/20/watchdog-faa-not-prepared-to-update-jet-evacuation-rules/ Back to Top The Boeing 737 Max is likely just weeks away from being cleared to fly again. Here are the few steps remaining before the FAA lifts its 2019 grounding order. • The Boeing 737 Max is likely mere weeks from returning to passenger service. • The plane moved another step closer to being recertified this week as a major international review was initiated. • However, there are few remaining administrative tasks for Boeing and the FAA - and logistical hurdles for airlines - before the plane fully returns to the skies. • Boeing's troubled 737 Max is likely just weeks away from returning to the skies. Although a scathing report from House Democrats on the Transportation committee condemned the Boeing and FAA missteps that led to the crashes in the first place, the plane has undergone virtually unprecedented scrutiny since it was grounded. With one of the final stages in recertification beginning earlier this week, there are only a few steps left before the plane can reenter service. The big steps that are already behind Boeing Boeing completed the plane's recertification flights with the FAA in late June and early July, among the biggest hurdles for the planemaker to overcome before the plane could be cleared to fly again. During the flights, Boeing and FAA engineers tested the various changes made to the jet. On August 3, the FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking outlining the changes it will require before the 737 Max can reenter service. The proposal, one of the last big administrative hurdles, is subject to a 45-day public commentary. Among the changes, 737 Max operators would be required to install a revamped software system on the plane's flight control computer, following a major redesign to the computer, and upload new software for the plane's display system. 737 Max operators would be required to use a revised flight manual, install new wiring for the plane's horizontal stabilizers, complete tests of each plane's angle-of-attack sensor system, and perform operational test flights. In the preliminary summary, the FAA wrote that it found that Boeing's proposed changes to the Max design, along with flight crew and maintenance procedures, "effectively mitigate the airplane-related safety issues that contributed to the Flight 610 and Flight 302 accidents." Now, as the 45-day public comment period nears an end, there are just a few steps remaining in the process. Review by Regulators The multinational Joint Operational Evaluation Board (JOEB) - made up of regulators and pilots from the US, Canada, Brazil, and the European Union - will meet for about nine days to review the new training that Boeing plans to recommend for 737 Max flight crews. That meeting began at London's Gatwick Airport on Monday, September 14, and should wrap up next week, according to the FAA and reports from Reuters. After that, the results will be incorporated into a draft by the FAA's own Flight Standardization Board (FSB), which sets the minimum required training for pilots. The result of that is published and open to public comment for 15 days, Reuters has previously reported. The entire process - from the start of the JOEB meeting to the end of the FSB review - takes "roughly probably 30 days from beginning to end, FAA administrator Stephen Dickson has previously said. Dickson has also said he plans to undergo the recommended training and fly the jet himself before approving anything to move forward. Given the start date for the JOEB, that suggests the process should wrap up by early-to-mid October. The FAA did not return a request for comment for this article. Once the FAA approves Boeing's changes, the legwork begins After the FSB review is finalized and the FAA reviews the final documentation, the FAA will issue an advisory of a coming safety change, known as a Continued Airworthiness Notification to the International Community (CANIC). That would be followed shortly by an Airworthiness Directive (AD) formalizing the changes published in the earlier notice of proposed rulemaking. Within a few days, the FAA would lift the March 2019 order grounding the jet. However, planes would not be able to return to service immediately. The FAA plans to inspect each individual airplane itself before certifying it to fly again, making sure that all the required changes and updates have been made. In the past, that was a job delegated to Boeing. "A successful, complete, functional test flight of each aircraft will be required before it is individually re-certified as airworthy," airline consultant R.W. Mann told Business Insider. "It's literally a tail number by tail number approach, not a fleet-wide re-certification. More cumbersome and expensive than earlier imagined." Airlines will be responsible for training their pilots according to the FSB standard. Meanwhile, international regulators can choose to lift their own grounding orders in line with the FAA, or to finalize their own reviews. Both European and Canadian officials have said they would certify the plane independently - both have carried out certification flights, so the decision would likely come quickly after the FAA lifts its grounding. Finally, as airlines install updates and train their pilots, they'll need to work to pull planes out of storage and get them flight-worthy, inspecting and cleaning aircraft that have been sitting on the ground for more than 18 months. Conceivably, the plane could reenter passenger service with US airlines by the start of the holiday travel season. https://www.yahoo.com/news/boeing-737-max-likely-just-123700011.html Back to Top Unruly anti-mask passengers disrupt Japanese airlines • Voluntary measures leave carriers in bind, leading to calls to make them mandatory TOKYO -- Disgruntled passengers caused major delays on two recent domestic flights from Hokkaido over requests to wear face masks, underscoring the limits faced by Japanese carriers relying on voluntary measures to safeguard against the coronavirus. A Peach Aviation flight scheduled to depart Kushiro for Osaka's Kansai International Airport on Sept. 7 was delayed when a male passenger refused to wear a mask, demanding that the matter be put in writing. The passenger continued to shout objections after the flight took off, leading the pilot to divert the plane to Niigata Airport to remove the man. The flight reached Osaka more than two hours late. The departure of a Hokkaido Air System flight from Okushiri Airport was similarly delayed on Sept. 12 when a passenger was removed for refusing to wear a mask. Many airline operators in the U.S. and Europe have made masks mandatory for passengers, but Japanese carriers have been limited to relying on voluntary cooperation. "Considering masks are not required in other public spaces [in Japan,] it's not clear whether we can require them on planes," said an official at a major Japanese airline. In the case of the Hokkaido flights, the passengers were removed for failing to provide adequate explanations for refusing the mask request and remaining confrontational, putting flight safety at risk. "A safe environment is necessary for demand to recover," said aviation analyst Kotaro Toriumi. "A mandatory mask requirement should be considered, even if for a limited time." An industry group representing the country's 19 airline operators on Friday issued guidance for passengers on its website following such incidents. In addition to calling for wearing masks in airports and on board, the Scheduled Airlines Association of Japan recommended that passengers who are unable to comply to contact staff. "If the mask's material is the issue, we can prepare face shields or take other steps appropriate for the situation," said an association official. The online guidance states that "boarding may be refused" for passengers who ignore or otherwise fail to follow the airline staff's instructions. https://asia.nikkei.com/Business/Transportation/Unruly-anti-mask-passengers-disrupt-Japanese-airlines Back to Top Air India And Cathay Dragon Receive Hong Kong Flight Bans Air India and Cathay Dragon have received flight bans until October 3rd from Hong Kong authorities after flying in multiple COVID-19 positive passengers. Cathay Dragon will not operate its Kuala Lumpur route due to the ban, while Air India can operate no flights. The ban comes after six passengers tested positive on an Air India flight and five did on Cathay Dragon's Kuala Lumpur flight. More flight bans Hong Kong has been cracking down on airlines who have carried too many COVID-positive passengers early on. Under new measures, any airline which has more than five positive passengers will receive a route ban, according to the South China Morning Post. This is what occurred on two flights last Friday. Air India flight 310, from Delhi to Hong Kong, was found to carry six positive passengers onboard. This meant the airline received a two-week ban from Hong Kong authorities, the second time it has got one in a month. Despite strict pre-flight testing requirements, over a dozen have tested positive on arrival in Hong Kong. Cathay Dragon received a two-week ban on its Kuala Lumpur-Hong Kong route after five passengers were found to have COVID-19. All the passengers had transited through Kuala Lumpur after taking an Air India Express flight, raising severe concerns about India's testing efficacy. According to the Bangkok Post, four passengers also tested positive on the same flight last week, all of whom also transited from India. The transit through Kuala Lumpur has become popular for those returning to Hong Kong due to the shortage of flights from India. Air India at the center Air India has been in hot water in the last month or so, receiving bans from multiple countries. Just last week, Dubai banned Air India Express flights after the airline knowingly carried two positive passengers. Similarly, Air India was banned from August 18th to 31st from flying to Hong Kong after its previous flight had 11 positive passengers. These instances have raised questions about the accuracy of testing in India. Most countries require a negative COVID-19 test from at least 72 to 96 hours before the flight. Despite all passengers having all this, many are testing positive on arrival. According to the SCMP, Hong Kong has doubts over India's testing reliability and the authenticity of health documents. With two bans for Air India, and many transiting Indian passengers testing positive, the city might enforce even stricter testing requirements to prevent more cases. International flights India has been signing new travel bubble agreements to restart international flights. Notably, many East Asian countries, such as Singapore, Hong Kong, Thailand, and more, have been missing in these agreements. This could be due to rising COVID-19 cases in India. India is now the second-worst affected country globally, and cases are growing rapidly, with over 90,000 every day. This poses a risk to international flights since passengers could bring in imported cases. However, hundreds of thousands also need to fly out of India, forcing countries to place strict quarantine requirements. Flights will continue to resume, but countries might be preparing for harsher measures, such as designating select labs in India for tests. https://simpleflying.com/air-india-cathay-dragon-bans/ Back to Top FAA Moving Slowly On Drone Certification The Chinese government is trying to influence U.S. aviation policy but it's not hiding behind fake websites or social media pseudonyms to do so. The People's Republic of China is one of 66 individuals and organizations commenting on an FAA Federal Register Notice on the certification of some drones. As we reported earlier, the agency is proposing to certify some unmanned aircraft under Part 21, a category reserved for "aircraft that would be eligible for a standard airworthiness certificate but for which certification standards do not exist due to their unique, novel, or unusual design features." It's a largely procedural move that gives the FAA a slot for which to consider certification applications for a wide range of designs to meet an ever-increasing range of novel uses for aircraft and many of the comments stressed safety but also flexible access to the technology. As for China, it has a huge vested interest in the way unmanned systems are regulated in the world. China is home to some of the world's largest manufacturers and in its comments urged the FAA to harmonize its rules with those of other jurisdictions, notably the European Union. The EU has set up three categories of unmanned systems, each with their own regulatory and operational rules. The FAA said China was jumping the gun with the request because the NPRM only lays out the procedural roadmap for accommodating drones in the regs and that the specific rules for the various types of unmanned aircraft will follow. It promised to consult with other jurisdictions in ironing out those details. AOPA and several individuals urged the agency to exempt RC models and their operation from the new regs but there were also a couple of commenters who said the rules should apply to all unmanned aircraft regardless of their use. "This policy does not apply to UAS that are operated under the exception for limited recreational operations, as they are not required to meet airworthiness requirements or apply for type certification," the agency said in its review of the comments. The agency says it's not ready to do any rulemaking yet but it is planning to use Part 21 for the certification of some drones. "This policy applies only to the procedures for the type certification of UAS, and is not intended to establish policy impacting other FAA rules pertaining to unmanned aircraft, such as operations, pilot certification, or maintenance," the agency said in its analysis. "The FAA will seek public comment on the particularized airworthiness criteria for each applicant as certification standards for this new special class evolve. Once generally applicable standards are identified, the FAA may conduct rulemaking." https://www.avweb.com/aviation-news/faa-moving-slowly-on-drone-certification/ Back to Top Jet Fuel Is Now So Cheap It's Being Blended for Use by Ships (Bloomberg) -- Supply Lines is a daily newsletter that tracks Covid-19's impact on trade. Sign up here, and subscribe to our Covid-19 podcast for the latest news and analysis on the pandemic. The fuel that powers passenger planes is normally among the most expensive oil products, but in a sign of the times the coronavirus has turned it into a blending component for typically cheaper shipping fuel. Straight-run kerosene, usually processed into jet fuel, is now being used to make very low-sulfur fuel oil for the maritime industry amid a plunge in consumption by airlines. Higher than normal amounts of diesel and vacuum gasoil are also finding their way into shipping fuel. The shift, almost unthinkable just a year ago, reflects the obliteration of demand the aviation industry has suffered in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic. And with the International Air Transport Association not expecting air travel to get back to pre-virus levels until 2024, it may be a feature of the market for some time to come. Jet fuel components were used for blending in April and May in Singapore before it became uneconomic as prices moved back to a premium to VLSFO, said Eugene Lindell, a senior analyst at consultant JBC Energy GmbH. The switching is picking up again after aviation fuel flipped back to a discount, he said. "Only in a situation where the economy is in complete tatters, do we see usually more expensive components heading straight into VLSFO," Lindell said. Jet fuel prices in Singapore plunged from above $70 a barrel in January to close to $20 in early May before recovering to trade around $41, according to Bloomberg Fair Value data. VLSFO bunker prices in the Asian oil hub, meanwhile, are around 53% lower than they were at the end of last year, Cocket Marine prices show. See also: Jet Fuel a Headwind for Oil Market as Other Fuels Take Off The destruction of demand for aviation and road transport fuels has led to a greater availability of blending components for shipping fuel, Unni Einemo, director of the International Bunker Industry Association, said at the Platts APPEC 2020 conference last week. While jet fuel's woes are resulting in cheaper prices for the shipping industry, blending can potentially pose problems. Trading houses and refiners typically buy a variety of fuel oil and distillates to mix into fuel for ships. Using too much straight-run kerosene, however, can lower the temperature at which fuels catch fire, a serious risk for vessels. "As a very combustible petroleum product, jet fuel can be used in a marine fuel blend, and so we would not be surprised this practice may be occurring," Tim Wilson, principal specialist for fuels, lubes and emissions at Lloyd's Register, told Bloomberg earlier this year. However, jet fuel grades can have a far lower flash point, or temperature at which it ignites, than what's required for shipping fuels, he said. https://www.yahoo.com/finance/news/jet-fuel-now-cheap-being-210000851.html Back to Top Last in, first out: Female pilots bear brunt of airline job cuts CHICAGO/SYDNEY/MONTREAL (Reuters) - When Megyn Thompson landed her dream job as a commercial pilot last year, she was one of thousands being recruited globally to boost the number of women in the cockpit and meet record pilot demand. Now an industry-wide campaign to recruit more female aviators is under threat, dealing a blow to efforts to overhaul the male-dominated airline sector as the coronavirus crisis transforms a shortage into a pilot surplus. (reut.rs/2FM3iWc) In the United States alone, the top two airlines are set to furlough more than 3,000 pilots when government stimulus expires this month, and a disproportionate number of those are women. Under layoff agreements between airlines and unions, junior pilots lose their jobs before senior ones, regardless of gender, race or age. These "Last In, First Out" labour deals at many Western airlines mean the most recent hires are the first to go. And those new hires include a higher percentage of women than in the past, the International Society of Women Airline Pilots (ISWAP) said. Thompson, who flies with a regional carrier owned by American Airlines, is among at least 600 female pilots in the United States who will be furloughed on Oct. 1 unless there is more government payroll aid or last-minute union deals. Thompson, 32, said her low seniority ranking puts her "smack-dab in the middle" of a furlough at American's PSA affiliate, which expects to cut about 35% of its pilots. "If you go back 40 years ago it was a man's world through and through, so there are not a lot of women at the top who are protected from this furlough," said Thompson, who decided not to have biological children as she built flying hours for her license."PSA is not letting (me) Megyn go because they don't like her. It's zero to do with that and 100% to do with, if you're the last in, you're the first out." Now the mother of three adopted children is applying for jobs at Amazon, Kellogg and PepsiCo. CAMPAIGN ON HOLD Before the crisis, global air travel was growing at a record 5% a year, generating a need for 804,000 pilots over the next 20 years, based on Boeing Co estimates. The need for more pilots had pushed female recruitment to the top of the agenda. But a shattered post-COVID industry does not expect traffic to regain 2019 levels and start growing again before 2024. "This year we were meant to launch a great big campaign which we have just put on hold because of what has happened," said Australian pilot Davida Forshaw, who heads education and outreach at ISWAP. Despite the female recruitment campaign, just 5.3% of airline pilots globally were women before the coronavirus crisis, ISWAP data shows. That percentage is set to drop again as airlines carry out furlough plans, the group predicts. At American and Delta Air Lines, women make up around 5.2% of the combined pilot population of about 27,800 and 6.7% of the 3,645 pilots whom those airlines expect to furlough, according to numbers provided by their main pilot unions. American Airlines declined to comment directly on the issue, but a spokesman said the union data implied that the proportion of female pilots would slip post-furloughs to 4.9% from 5.1%. Delta said it was in discussions with unions on pilot departures but did not give a breakdown by gender. INDUSTRY SETBACK The shakeout is potentially damaging for an industry already struggling to improve its diversity credentials, with an even tinier fraction of top management jobs held by women. Boosting female pilot employment has become a key goal after the industry was criticised last year by airline executives of paying "lip-service" to diversity. (reut.rs/3cizNaQ) The drive has also been at the leading edge of social change in countries such as India, which has the highest proportion of female commercial pilots in the world at 12%, despite a society that typically frowns on women in such jobs. (reut.rs/3hXs5Vk) Aside from female pilots being furloughed, many others have decided to take early retirement or lost jobs as airlines went bust. Australia's first-ever female commercial pilot, Captain Deborah Lawrie, who broke through the glass ceiling at Ansett in 1980, was one of 220 pilots laid off in April when budget airline Tigerair Australia closed. Only one-quarter of female pilots globally are captains, according to ISWAP data. Tammie Jo Shults, hailed as a hero after she calmly landed a stricken Southwest Airlines flight in 2018, is among the female captains taking early retirement. The need to balance family and work in a profession with frequent absences from home has already made it a challenge to attract female pilots. Shults said the more uncertain career prospects because of COVID will make it more difficult. Still, Shults, who served as one of the first female fighter pilots in the U.S. Navy, urged women to consider alternatives like becoming firefighting pilots before giving up on aviation. "You can't always follow your passion, but don't leave it behind," she said. https://www.yahoo.com/news/last-first-female-pilots-bear-051430881.html Back to Top Boeing gearing up for 787 move to South Carolina -sources * Boeing studying uniting 787 output in one plant post-COVID * Jet currently built in Washington state and South Carolina * Final decision on union-opposed move expected in "weeks" SEATTLE/PARIS, Sept 21 (Reuters) - Boeing Co is nearing a decision to shift more 787 Dreamliner production to South Carolina, industry sources said, a cost-cutting strategy accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic that would deplete its iconic factory north of Seattle. As recently as last year, Boeing was making record numbers of 787s at its Everett widebody hub north of Seattle and - since 2012 - a second plant in North Charleston, South Carolina. But the strategy of supporting two plants has been severely tested by the coronavirus slump in international travel, on top of a cyclical downturn in demand for big jets. The decision marks a watershed moment in a decade-long saga that has seen the 787 emerge as an alternative cash cow to the 737 MAX, grounded for 18 months after fatal crashes. Barring a last-minute U-turn, Boeing is "all but certain" to move the rest of 787 production away from its traditional base to South Carolina, two people briefed on its thinking said. It could be announced by late October when Boeing reports earnings, they said. Pressure for a decision is imminent as suppliers need to know what parts to make for jets in 2022. The decision is "weeks not months" away, one of them said. However, several sources cautioned the decision was still subject to final approval and may require additional analysis. Boeing said it had nothing to add to past comments on output. In July, it said it would cut 787 output to six a month in 2021, compared with a recent peak of 14. It also launched a study of the most efficient way to produce the lightweight jet, including the possibility of merging assembly at one location. The earlier decision to move some production to the non-union state of South Carolina was the culmination of a years-old board-led strategy to reduce reliance on Washington state, where Boeing has had stormy relations with unions in the past. But weak demand has forced Boeing to choose between tearing up its industrial diversification goals or gutting the highly integrated Everett plant, the world's largest building by volume. The review has already rattled unions and politicians in Washington state who see Boeing wavering on its commitment to its Seattle-area birthplace, something the company denies. John Holden, president of a local chapter of the International Association of Machinists, has told members Boeing could be threatening a move to win contractual concessions. EVERETT IMPACT South Carolina offers cheaper labor, and the largest 787-10 variant cannot easily be built elsewhere due to its size. But doubling down on the southern state is not without cost. Boeing must weigh the chances that concentrating 787 output in the south would make it easier for unions to organize there, a senior industry source said. Boeing aims to return to a rate of 10-11 787s monthly at some point. Running such rates at South Carolina would require investment to expand the facility. On the other hand, senior industry sources say production could go down before it goes back up, piling even more pressure on Boeing to reorganize 787 output there to save cost. Boeing also faces tough decisions about Everett as demand for twin-aisle jets dwindles. Currently, it builds the 747, 767, 777, and some 787s there. After 2022, only the 767/KC-46 and 777/777X would remain, with Boeing putting out no more than five jets monthly - roughly three times fewer than a year ago. After Boeing canceled plans for a new mid-market jet, there is no obvious backfill for the vacated 787 space, which means the remaining low-rate programs would absorb a bigger share of factory overhead. One outlier scenario gaining attention involves moving 737 MAX production moving from Renton south of Seattle to Everett. But that is unlikely any time soon given the high volumes of planes on order and the priority of getting the 737 MAX flying. Desperate to save cash, Boeing is also having to balance short-term needs with the industry's notoriously long-term planning horizon - but without the usual confidence in its own demand forecasts as the post-crisis economy remains uncertain. "If they do an upgraded version of the 787 in five or eight years, they would have to either do it from a distance, or replicate the expensive design and engineering facilities they have in Everett," Teal Group analyst Richard Aboulafia said. https://www.yahoo.com/news/focus-boeing-gearing-787-move-100000718.html Back to Top Former British Airways Boeing 747s Heading To Rossiya Airlines Seven of British Airways' retired Boeing 747s are heading to Russia. As most people know by now, the airline is retiring its entire fleet of 747s, but not all of them are heading to the scrapyard. Seven will are going to be delivered to Rossiya Airlines within the next two months. By taking the seven 747-400s, the Russian carrier will have a total of 16 747-400s in its fleet. Many aviation enthusiasts were devastated to learn recently that British Airways would be phasing out its stalwart Boeing 747s. However, there's no need to panic; at least seven aircraft are heading to Russia and will fly again. According to Planespotters.net, Rossiya Airlines is set to take delivery of G-BYGA, G-BYGB, G-BYGC, G-BYGD, G-BYGE, G-BYGF & G-BYGG during October and November. The seven aircraft will join Rossiya's existing fleet of nine 747-400s, which initially came from Transaero Airlines. Currently, Rossiya is using its 747s to fly domestic routes across Russia as well as flights to Antalya, Turkey. However, the airline plans to use its 747s on new routes to Thailand. So, you may see the old British Airways 747s in Phuket. British Airways 747s British Airways announced earlier this year that it would be retiring its entire fleet of 747s after half a century of service. The airline had planned to retire its 747 fleet by 2024. However, it brought this forward as financial pressures mean the planes are no longer an efficient option. Now, the airline expects to make its final retirement by January 2021. Like many airlines who have already retired their 747s, the quadjet aircraft will likely be replaced with the more fuel-efficient twinjet. However, it's unlikely they will be replaced immediately. British Airways does not expect to see the industry recover from the current situation for several years, meaning that for now, the Queen will not be usurped. Rossiya Airlines For many, the announcement was tough to hear, the Queen of Skies giving up her throne at last. However, it turns out, not entirely. It will still be possible to see the planes flying for Rossiya. Something which might come as a bit of a surprise considering just last month, we reported that the Russian carrier was looking to acquire Russian-built aircraft. Currently, the airline has 54 aircraft, all of which are either Airbus or Boeing. But the airline is hoping to grow its fleet to include aircraft from Russian manufacturers. The new fleet will include the MC-21 in place of Boeing's 737 MAX. Apparently, the airline hopes to increase its fleet by as many as 250 aircraft. British Airways' old 747s were too good of a deal to pass on. Delivery is due within the next two months. Therefore, we may see the planes back in the skies over Russia reasonably soon. However, due to the age of the aircraft, it may only be for a limited time. Despite this, many airlines still operate the 747 as cargo planes. Atlas Air, Cargolux, UPS Airlines, and Kalitta Air all have 747s in their fleet, and they probably won't retire for several years. However, if you want to fly on one, Russia may be an excellent place to give it a go. https://simpleflying.com/british-airways-747-rossiya/ Back to Top AerSale Agrees to Acquire 24 Boeing 757-200 Passenger Aircraft and Spare Engines Stored at its Roswell, New Mexico Airport Facilities CORAL GABLES, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--AerSale, Inc., a leading provider of aviation products and services, announced today that it has entered into a purchase agreement to acquire 24 Boeing 757-200 passenger aircraft stored at AerSale's Heavy MRO (maintenance, repair and overhaul) facility located at the Roswell Air Center in New Mexico. All aircraft are equipped with Rolls-Royce RB211-535 series engines, and 16 spares are included with the purchase. "Pre-COVID, more freight was carried in the cargo holds of passenger aircraft than in pure freighters. As a result of the reduced demand for passenger air travel and the concurrent explosive growth of the e-commerce market, there is a supply shortage of dedicated freighter aircraft for the foreseeable future" These aircraft are amongst the almost 500 commercial aircraft stored at AerSale's facilities in both Roswell, New Mexico and Goodyear, Arizona for numerous airlines, financial institutions and aircraft leasing companies. AerSale provides not only storage for these customers, but also MRO services including light and heavy aircraft inspections, passenger-to-cargo conversions, installation of avionics and other modifications, and aircraft painting services. AerSale has targeted Boeing 757 passenger aircraft as feedstock for a burgeoning freight market. "Pre-COVID, more freight was carried in the cargo holds of passenger aircraft than in pure freighters. As a result of the reduced demand for passenger air travel and the concurrent explosive growth of the e-commerce market, there is a supply shortage of dedicated freighter aircraft for the foreseeable future," stated Craig Wright, AerSale's President of Aircraft & Engine Management. "The Rolls-Royce powered 757 is the optimal narrow-body freighter aircraft to service this need, and our team will be converting these aircraft to freighters at our Goodyear Facility," added Bob Nichols, AerSale's Executive Chairman. A portion of this 757 fleet and spare engines will be disassembled for their component parts, which the industry refers to as USM (used serviceable material). "The amount of USM we will receive from parting-out a number of these aircraft and engines will feed an almost insatiable USM demand from our airline customers that operate in the express package market," stated Gary Jones, AerSale's President of Material Sales. "We understand this market and our customer base, and we are pleased to be able to offer our customers low-cost USM, at a time when almost every airline is extremely cost-conscious." USM typically sells at a substantial discount to new parts manufactured by OEMs, and because they were originally manufactured by the OEMs, have worldwide acceptance by airlines and leasing companies. "I am proud of our industry-veteran management team because one of our strengths is assisting airlines with major fleet transitions, identifying optimal use and value for the associated flight equipment, using our integrated infrastructure to extract that value, and then passing that value on to our customers," added Nicolas Finazzo, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. "We have purchased over $1.2 Billion Dollars of aircraft and engines during our decade in business, and have been a leading provider of whole aircraft, engines and USM. This package of high quality flight equipment last operated by a top-tier airline customer is yet another example of an opportunity for the AerSale platform to extract meaningful value from mid-life flight equipment." About AerSale AerSale serves airlines operating large jets manufactured by Boeing, Airbus and McDonnell Douglas and is dedicated to providing integrated aftermarket services and products designed to help flight equipment stakeholders realize significant savings in the operation, maintenance and monetization of such aircraft, engines, and components. AerSale's offerings include: Aircraft & Component MRO, Aircraft and Engine Sales and Leasing, Used Serviceable Material sales, and Internally developed 'Engineered Solutions' to enhance aircraft performance and operating economics (e.g. AerSafe™, AerTrak™, and AerAware™). AerSale expects to become a publicly traded company after it completes its business combination with Monocle Acquisition Corporation (NASDAQ: MNCL) in the fourth quarter of 2020. For more information about AerSale, please visit our website: www.AerSale.com. https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200918005264/en/AerSale-Agrees-to-Acquire-24-Boeing-757-200-Passenger-Aircraft-and-Spare-Engines-Stored-at-its-Roswell-New-Mexico-Airport-Facilities Back to Top Singapore Airlines Pilots Agree to Deeper Pay Cuts to Save Jobs Singapore Airlines Ltd. pilots have agreed to further pay cuts to remain in employment, the carrier said Saturday. The city-state's flag carrier and the Air Line Pilots Association - Singapore reached the agreement Friday and the company will implement the measures for all remaining pilots in Singapore Airlines and SilkAir with effect from Oct. 1. The deal will help to mitigate further job losses for pilots, it said. Under the agreement, salaries for re-employed captains and first officers will be cut by 60% and 50% respectively, the Straits Times reported, citing an internal circular. This includes a 10% reduction to the monthly variable component of their pay, the newspaper said. Currently employed captains will have pay reduced by as much as 28.5%, while first officers' salaries will be cut by up to 18.5%, the newspaper said. The agreement holds until March 31, 2022, according to the Straits Times. The troubled carrier announced earlier this month that it will eliminate 20% of its workforce -- or about 4,300 jobs -- across its business and the SilkAir and Scoot units as it struggles amid a standstill in international air travel. The company put staff on unpaid leave, and pilots and cabin crew who are not flying no longer receive flight allowances, according to a Straits Times report in August. Unlike many of its peers, Singapore Airlines initially managed to resist job cuts, though some staff were redeployed to work in hospitals, social services and on Singapore's transport network. The airline operated at about 8% of passenger capacity in August. It carried around 40,000 passengers last month, compared with 3.3 million a year earlier. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-09-19/singapore-airlines-pilots-agree-to-deeper-pay-cuts-to-save-jobs Back to Top Why JetBlue Is Still Eager to Get the Airbus A220 Most airlines are trying to defer as many aircraft deliveries as possible, but JetBlue wants to get its Airbus A220-300s as soon as they are ready. Air travel demand plunged earlier this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and it isn't expected to recover fully for years. In response, airlines have negotiated aggressively with Boeing and Airbus (OTC:EADSY) to defer aircraft deliveries in order to relieve some of the pressure on their balance sheets. JetBlue Airways (NASDAQ:JBLU) has been no exception. Entering 2020, the leisure-focused airline planned to take delivery of at least 46 -- and possibly as many as 56 -- Airbus A321neos between 2020 and 2022. After renegotiating its delivery schedule with Airbus, JetBlue now expects just 24 A321neo deliveries over that period (including the long-range A321LR variant). Nevertheless, JetBlue remains as eager as ever to receive the 70 Airbus A220s it has on order. It has even accelerated its A220 delivery schedule modestly during 2020. Let's see why. An excellent E190 replacement In 2018, JetBlue announced that it would order 60 A220-300s to replace its Embraer E190 fleet on a one-for-one basis. (It subsequently ordered another 10 last year.) The A220s are expected to seat 140 passengers while having trip costs roughly in line with the 100-seat E190. The transition from the E190 to the A220 will thus reduce JetBlue's unit costs significantly. The biggest drawback of the A220-300 relative to the E190 is that its extra seating capacity makes it less well suited to operating high-frequency business routes. However, that's less of a drawback right now. Airlines have slashed flight frequencies on key business routes this year due to extremely weak business travel demand. Thus, JetBlue could potentially offer fewer flights using the larger A220-300 on certain business routes, with minimal risk of losing customers to rivals offering more frequent service. This would allow it to capitalize on the type's low unit costs without suffering a big unit revenue penalty from flooding the market with capacity. During JetBlue's Q1 earnings call, CEO Robin Hayes told investors that the key Boston-Washington route would be a great candidate for A220 service in 2021 for this very reason. The ideal aircraft for long-and-thin routes The Airbus A220-300 is also a great aircraft for long routes with relatively modest demand, due to its low trip costs and long range. Such long-and-thin routes are an important niche for JetBlue, particularly in its new focus city operation at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). Earlier this month, JetBlue announced seven new routes at LAX, including three transcontinental routes -- to Charleston, South Carolina; Richmond, Virginia; and West Palm Beach, Florida -- that had no nonstop service previously. The airline has already demonstrated success operating transcontinental routes that rivals have shied away from. For example, for the past four years, JetBlue has offered the only nonstop service between LAX and Buffalo, New York. However, all of these routes would probably be significantly more profitable with an A220-300 than with JetBlue's A320-family jets. The arrival of the A220s could also encourage JetBlue to launch new routes that wouldn't be viable with any of the planes currently in its fleet. Delivery schedule on track JetBlue's first A220 went into production on a new Airbus assembly line in Mobile, Alabama earlier this year and will be delivered next quarter. JetBlue is scheduled to receive another seven A220s in 2021: an increase from the six it was expecting as of this January. Eight more will arrive in 2022, with the bulk of the carrier's A220s arriving in 2023 and 2024, when leases for many of JetBlue's E190s will expire. Like other airlines, JetBlue expects a choppy demand recovery over the next couple of years. But between the unit cost benefits of replacing E190s with far more efficient Airbus A220-300s and the potential for adding new long-and-thin leisure routes with the A220, JetBlue seems as eager as ever to get this next-generation plane into its fleet. https://www.fool.com/investing/2020/09/20/why-jetblue-is-still-eager-to-get-the-airbus-a220/ Back to Top Boeing books two 737-800BCF orders, says new freighter conversion lines opening SYDNEY, Sept 21 (Reuters) - Boeing Co said on Sunday a customer had ordered two converted 737-800BCF freighters and that it had signed agreements to open additional cargo conversion lines in Guangzhou, China, and Singapore to meet demand for express traffic and e-commerce. The air freight market has outperformed the passenger market because of restrictions put in place to control the coronavirus pandemic that have severely limited passenger travel. Boeing said the 737-800BCF converted freighter, based on the generation of the popular narrowbody made before the grounded 737 MAX, now had 134 orders and commitments including the purchase by the unidentified customer. To date, Boeing has delivered 36 of the freighters to more than 10 operators across four continents. The airplane is capable of carrying up to 23.9 tonnes (52,800 pounds) and flying up to 2,000 nautical miles (3,750 km). The U.S. manufacturer said the new conversion line at Guangzhou Aircraft Maintenance Engineering Co Ltd (GAMECO) was scheduled to open in early 2021, making it the second 737-800BCF line for the operator. "The addition of the new production line demonstrates our ability to quickly respond to market trends and requirements and is a testament to the skill and professionalism of the entire GAMECO-Boeing team," GAMECO General Manager Norbert Marx said in a statement. Boeing said it would also add a second conversion line for its widebody converted freighter, the 767-300BCF, at Singapore Technologies Engineering Ltd's facility in Singapore. The second line is scheduled to open later this year. The International Air Transport Association reported a 13.5% fall in freight in July, compared with a 79.8% decline in passenger travel. https://www.yahoo.com/news/boeing-books-two-737-800bcf-224208689.html Back to Top Position Available: Flight Operations Inspector (Helicopter) The Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) is a commercial semi-state body that oversees the safety and security of Irish civil aviation, provides air traffic management (ATM) services in Irish airspace and at state airports and communication services on the eastern north Atlantic. The IAA receives no state funding and circa 80% of our income is earned from international business. We are currently seeking applications from appropriately qualified candidates for creation of a panel for the position of Flight Operations Inspector (Helicopter) working within the Safety Regulation Division (SRD). An immediate vacancy currently exists. Candidates should have: Essential • A current EASA Airline Transport Pilot • License (ATPL) with multi-engine type rating. • A minimum of 10 years' experience as a pilot. • Considerable experience as pilot-in command of helicopter aircraft. • Experience in operational management within an air transport operation; or experience as an Desirable 5,000 flying hours, consideration may be extended to candidates with less hours, based on having: • Experience in Search and Rescue operations (SAR). • Experience in dealing with operator training requirements and training organisations. • Additional qualifications such as instructor and examiner ratings. Candidates should have a good understanding of aviation safety management systems and a sound working knowledge of European Union and European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EU/EASA) aviation regulations and the international regulatory framework, including the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) standards. The desired candidate will also demonstrate excellent written, oral and inter-personal communication skills. Full details are available on the Careers Section of our website - https://www.iaa.ie/careers/current-vacancies Applications, including details of career to date and a brief outline of how your skill set meets the requirements for the position sought, should be sent in strict confidence to: ciaran.buckley@iaa.ie Short-listing may apply and a panel may be formed from which future vacancies may be filled. The closing date for receipt of applications is 17:00 hrs Friday, 2nd October 2020. For general queries please contact Ciaran Buckley by email ciaran.buckley@iaa.ie The Irish Aviation Authority is committed to a policy of equal opportunity. https://execjobs.irishtimes.com/job/11579/flight-operations-inspector-helicopter-/ Back to Top Graduate Research Survey 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