Flight Safety Information - August 2, 2021 No. 152 In This Issue : Incident: India Express B738 over Arabian Sea on Jul 31st 2021, cracked windshield : Incident: Pobeda B738 near Ekaterinburg on Jul 29th 2021, airframe vibrations : Incident: Spirit A321 at Orlando on Jul 28th 2021, different fumes in cockpit : Ethiopian Airlines denies shipping arms, soldiers to Tigray :Brooks introduces bill to help civilian Defense Department pilots qualify for licenses : Two travelers submitted fake vaccination cards before flying to Toronto. Each was fined nearly $16,000. : Qantas auctions off two A380 lie-flat airplane seats : Space tourists fly at their own risk — nobody is regulating their safety. Experts say ticket-holders are accepting their role in an 'experiment' : Position: Apply Now! - Manager – Quality Control : Position Available: Learjet 60 and 60XR Pilots Incident: India Express B738 over Arabian Sea on Jul 31st 2021, cracked windshield An Air India Express Boeing 737-800, registration VT-GHC performing flight IX-1581 from Thiruvananthapuram (India) to Dammam (Saudi Arabia) with 8 crew, was enroute at FL380 over the Arabian Sea about 330nm northwest of Thiruvananthapuram when the crew decided to descend the aircraft and return to Thiruvananthapuram due to a cracked windshield. The aircraft levelled off at FL210 for the return and landed safely back in Thiruvananthapuram about 110 minutes after departure. A replacement Boeing 737-800 registration VT-AXI reached Dammam with a delay of about 5.5 hours. The aircraft was carrying cargo to Dammam and was to take Indian citizens stranded in Saudi Arabia due to Covid back to India. The occurrence aircraft is still on the ground in Thiruvananthapuram about 14 hours after landing back. https://avherald.com/h?article=4eb20a41&opt=0 Incident: Pobeda B738 near Ekaterinburg on Jul 29th 2021, airframe vibrations A Pobeda Boeing 737-800, registration VP-BQG performing flight DP-310 from Krasnojarsk to Sochi (Russia), was enroute at FL340 about 120nm eastsoutheast of Ekaterinburg (Russia) when the crew decided to divert to Ekaterinburg to investigate vibrations at the forward right hand fuselage. The aircraft landed safely on runway 26L about 25 minutes after leaving FL340. Rosaviatsia reported a post flight inspection revealed an open hatch to connect external power supply and an auxiliary power unit, the aircraft received no damage. The aircraft was returned to service after the hatch was examined and closed. The aircraft continued the flight after about 70 minutes on the ground and reached Sochi with a delay of 65 minutes. https://avherald.com/h?article=4eb1ec76&opt=0 Incident: Spirit A321 at Orlando on Jul 28th 2021, different fumes in cockpit A Spirit Airlines Airbus A321-200, registration N663NK performing flight NK-336 from Orlando,FL to Detroit,MI (USA) with 208 people on board, was in the initial climb out of Orlando's runway 18L when the crew donned their oxygen masks upon contacting departure at about 2000 feet. The crew subsequently declared emergency reporting different fumes in the cockpit and requested to return to Orlando. Departure provided vectors for an ILS to runway 18R. The aircraft landed safely on 18R about 16 minutes after departure and taxied to the apron. A replacement A321-200 registration N673NK reached Detroit with a delay of 2:45 hours. The occurrence aircraft returned to service about 3:20 hours after landing. https://avherald.com/h?article=4eb215eb&opt=0 Ethiopian Airlines denies shipping arms, soldiers to Tigray Ethiopian Airlines, the largest carrier in Africa, on Sunday denied it was transporting weapons and soldiers to the war-torn Tigray region. Calls to boycott the state-owned airline appeared on social media over allegations it was involved in the nine-month-old conflict. "Ethiopian Airlines strongly refutes all the recent baseless and unfounded allegations that are running on social media regarding the airline's involvement in transporting war armament and soldiers to the Tigray region," it said in a statement on Twitter. The war pitting government forces and their allies against Tigray rebels has cost thousands of lives and pushed hundreds of thousands into famine, with claims of rights abuses on both sides. The allegations about the national carrier appeared in numerous Twitter posts, some accompanied by pictures of soldiers boarding one of its planes. But Ethiopian Airlines said the reports "used various photoshopped, old and unrelated pictures to tarnish our brand". Flights to and from Tigray, the northernmost region of Ethiopia, were suspended after the conflict erupted in November and after being reopened for a period, the airspace was shut again a month ago. "We have had no flight to the region since then, and none of our aircraft landed in the conflict area," Ethiopian Airlines said. The United Nations and other aid agencies have issued urgent appeals for the opening of air and road routes into Tigray, where the UN says more than five million people are in desperate need of help. The UN's humanitarian chief Martin Griffiths and US aid head Samantha Power are both visiting Ethiopia to press for access to the region. The Ethiopian government and Tigray rebels have accused each other of being to blame for the difficulties in reaching Tigray by road. https://www.yahoo.com/news/ethiopian-airlines-denies-shipping-arms-143541938.html Brooks introduces bill to help civilian Defense Department pilots qualify for licenses DOD civilian pilots cannot currently use FAA regulation to add an FAA certificate or rating. Congressman Mo Brooks, R-Alabama, on Thursday introduced the Civilian Aviation Certification Equity Act. This legislation would require that the Federal Aviation Administration modify their existing regulations so that Department of Defense civilian pilots who receive the same training, instruction and qualifications as their active-duty, reserve and national guard counterparts receive the same treatment with respect to FAA recognition of pilot ratings. “The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) currently allows active-duty, reserve, and national guard pilots to use their training and flight hours earned from their time in the military to qualify for a civilian pilot license and for type ratings,” Brooks said. ”But, Department of Defense (DoD) civilian pilots do not enjoy that privilege, even though DoD civilian pilots receive the same training and qualifications as their active-duty, reserve, and national guard counterparts. It is unjust to force DoD civilian pilots to pay out-of-pocket (which can easily exceed $20,000) in order to qualify for FAA pilot’s license and/or type rating when they have proven to be as competent flying their aircraft as other military pilots.” “This issue was brought to my attention by a Meridianville pilot who recently asked the FAA if he could add (pursuant to existing regulations for “military pilots”) a certificate or type rating based on the qualifications he earned as part of his job as a DoD civilian,” Brooks said. “When the FAA declined his request, the pilot contacted my office for help. By requiring the FAA to expand the definition of ‘military pilot’ to include DoD civilians, I aim to ensure equal treatment of pilots with the same training and qualifications no matter if they serve as a civilian or as an active-duty, reserve, or National Guard pilot.” FAA regulations currently allow U.S. military pilots or former military pilots to apply, on the basis of his or her military pilot certifications, for commercial pilot certificates, instrument ratings and type ratings. The FAA, however, currently interprets this regulation to apply only to pilot certifications earned while the applicant was a member of the U.S. armed forces. DoD civilian pilots cannot use FAA regulation to add an FAA certificate or rating, based on qualifications earned while the applicant was a DoD civilian, even if the applicant received the exact same training and qualifications as their active duty, reserve or national guard counterparts. Brooks is serving in his sixth term representing Alabama’s 5th Congressional District. Brooks is leaving the House at the end of his current term to run for the U.S. Senate. Brooks is in a crowded Senate field that includes former Ambassador to Slovenia Lynda Blanchard, former Business Council of Alabama President and CEO Katie Boyd Britt, and Prattville businesswoman Jessica Taylor. Former Brighton Mayor Brandaun Dean is running as a Democrat. https://www.alreporter.com/2021/08/02/brooks-introduces-bill-to-help-civilian-defense-department-pilots-qualify-for-licenses/ Two travelers submitted fake vaccination cards before flying to Toronto. Each was fined nearly $16,000. Before two passengers flew from the United States to Toronto last month, they submitted required copies of their vaccination cards and negative coronavirus test results to a portal reviewed by Canadian authorities. But it wasn’t until they arrived in Canada the week of July 18 that officials discovered the documents the pair presented were fraudulent, the Public Health Agency of Canada said in a news release Friday. Now, each passenger must pay fines totaling nearly $16,000 (about $20,000 Canadian) for submitting “false documentation” and failing to comply with quarantine and testing requirements. “The Government of Canada will continue to investigate incidents reported and will not hesitate to take enforcement action where it is warranted to protect the health of Canadians from the further spread of covid-19 and its variants of concern,” according to an agency statement. Authorities did not identify the pair nor provide additional information about their travel itinerary. A spokesperson with the agency did not immediately respond to a phone message from The Washington Post late Sunday. Both travelers were Canadian citizens, the country’s health agency told Newsweek in an email. Canada reported 907 new cases of the coronavirus on July 30, according to data from Canada’s public health agency. That same day, the United States reported 102,975 new cases, according to data compiled by The Post’s coronavirus tracker. In Canada, airline passengers who are not fully vaccinated against the coronavirus must spend three nights upon arrival at a hotel approved by the government and submit proof of a 14-day quarantine plan, even if they have tested negative for the coronavirus or have already recovered from the illness. They must also submit proof of a negative coronavirus test taken at least 72 hours before their flight. Upon arrival, passengers must get a second coronavirus test and collect a kit containing a test they must take on Day 8 of their quarantine. Last month, Canadian health authorities announced that fully vaccinated air travelers can be exempted from the hotel requirement if they submit proof of vaccination and a negative coronavirus test result to ArriveCAN, the government’s electronic portal. They must still be tested upon entry and submit a quarantine plan in case they are not approved for the exemption. The case involving the Toronto travelers is yet another example of airline passengers who have refused to comply with covid safety requirements as more countries loosen their nonessential travel restrictions. Throughout the pandemic, unruly passengers have defied flight attendants and refused to wear masks during their flights as required. One couple boarded a flight to Hawaii in November, despite having tested positive for the coronavirus. A Hawaii couple knew they had coronavirus before flying. They boarded a flight anyway and were arrested, police say. Those who submit false information or documents to Canadian authorities upon entry are subject to fines and criminal charges. The offense carries a maximum fine of about $600,000 and up to six months in jail. It could also lead to prosecution for forgery under the country’s criminal code. In the case of the two travelers who entered Canada from the United States in mid-July, the Canadian health agency issued each passenger four fines totaling $15,820 for “providing false information related to proof of vaccination credentials and pre-departure tests” and for “non-compliance with the requirement to stay at a government-authorized accommodation and on-arrival testing requirements.” The incidents reported Friday “are the only instances since July 5 of fraudulent documents detected at the border,” the agency told Newsweek. The agency said it would not provide additional details to the outlet, citing the privacy of those involved and judicial process. https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2021/08/02/fraudulent-covid-19-documents-canada/ Qantas auctions off two A380 lie-flat airplane seats (CNN) — If you were a pre-pandemic frequent traveler who's spent the last 18 months daydreaming about settling into a comfy seat on a long-haul flight, Aussie airline Qantas has you covered. A pair of lie-flat, Business Class seats that once graced the inside of a Qantas A380 aircraft will soon be available to purchase via an online auction. Travel to and from Australia might be curtailed right now -- and Qantas' fleet of A380s might be grounded in the California desert -- but one winning bidder will be able to install these aircraft seats in their living room and recreate the inflight experience at home. Other items in the auction include a private charter flight, a 787 simulator experience and a kids soccer coaching clinic with Graham Arnold, the head coach of the Australian national soccer team. A different item will launch daily from August 2 to 6, with the A380 seats set to go live at 8 a.m. AEST on August 5. There are a couple of caveats: To enter the auction, you have to be based in Australia, as well as be a member of Qantas Frequent Flyer program with points to spare. The A380 seats must also be purchased as a pair. Qantas also clarifies that the seats' built-in TV screens won't work outside of the aircraft. The seats can be plugged into a home electronic output via a converter, and will recline, allowing the winner to embrace the inflight vibes. Qantas will accept starting bids of 350,000 Qantas points for the seats. The A380 can carry up to 853 travelers and its incredible size -- plus its spacious interior and quieter inflight experience -- has rendered the aircraft popular with pilots and travelers alike. But the superjumbo never took off in the way Airbus hoped -- and the airline manufacturer announced plans to discontinue the aircraft in 2019. Qantas has 12 superjumbos in its fleet, currently out of action due to the pandemic and parked up in the Mojave Desert, where they're apparently dodging rattlesnakes. Qantas has said the A380s may remain out of action for another two years. Pre-pandemic, Qantas had also started refurbishing its A380s, meaning original Skybed seats -- like the ones on auction -- are gradually being replaced with newer iterations. The Qantas auction offers grounded Aussies the chance to use up their dormant points and the airline has reason to assume there'll be considerable interest in the auction -- back in September, the airline put old 747 bar carts on sale, and they were reportedly snapped up quickly. "Whilst travel remains the number one thing frequent fliers want to use their Qantas Points on once borders open up, we know that many are keen to use some points on unique, big-ticket items," says Qantas loyalty CEO Olivia Wirth in a statement. "Points Auction gives members the chance to bid on special experiences and we expect these items to create a points bidding frenzy." https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/qantas-auction-a380-business-class-seats/index.html Space tourists fly at their own risk — nobody is regulating their safety. Experts say ticket-holders are accepting their role in an 'experiment' • Space law experts told insider Blue Origin and Virgin Galactic ticket-holders fly at their own risk. • Federal agencies do not plan to regulate the flights till at least 2023 in order to give the companies freedom to innovate. • When billionaires Jeff Bezos and Richard Branson blasted off into space it represented the dawn of space tourism for many, but experts say the industry is far from ready for the masses. There are currently no regulations for Blue Origin and Virgin Galactic space flights when it comes to anything from passenger safety to air traffic and environmental pollution. Space law experts told Insider the industry is still too new to be heavily regulated and federal agencies will likely take many years to develop policies to make trips to the edge of space as safe as a flight across the country. The Federal Aviation Administration has the authority to regulate commercial travel to outer space through its Office of Commercial Space Transportation, but Congress has imposed a moratorium through 2023 on regulating the industry. Frans Von der Dunk, a professor of Space Law at University of Nebraska-Lincoln, told Insider the government is attempting to protect the industry in its infancy so that innovators like Bezos, Branson, and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk can have the freedom to develop new technology and test as many flights as possible, unfettered by heavy government regulations. As it stands, individuals that currently purchase space tourism tickets must sign an informed consent document and a series of waivers releasing the companies from liability if the ticket-holders are injured or killed. Spokespeople from Blue Origin and Virgin Galactic did not respond to a request for comment. But, the director of McGill's Institute of Air and Space Law, Ram Jakhu, told Insider that those who purchase tickets for Blue Origin and Virgin Galactic flights are acknowledging their participation in an experiment and are not classified as "passengers" but rather as "flight participants." Von der Dunk said that while the space-tourism companies will not be held responsible for any injuries or fatalities suffered by flight participants, the companies are being held to high standards when it comes to third parties on the ground. The groups are subject to thorough reviews before each flight to ascertain the spacecrafts will not cause any damage to innocent bystanders on their departure or reentry to the launch area. "The safety of the passengers is not under consideration during the reviews," Von der Dunk said. "They know they're participating in a risky thing. The main concern for regulators is that no third parties are impacted." While flights will not be regulated until at least 2023, Jakhu said federal agencies might step in sooner than that if there are a series of fatalities. He said that he believes the industry will not be regulated until a serious accident occurs. "No matter how competent the companies are, what can go wrong, will go wrong," Jakhu said. "I'm sure someday soon there will be an accident. Blue Origin's rocket is essentially four people sitting on a bomb and accidents happen." In 2014, federal safety investigators stepped in after a fatal Virgin Galactic crash during a test flight. The company was charged with fixing its air-breaking descent device, which had deployed too early during the flight. As space tourism becomes more popular, the FAA will also have to figure out a way to regulate the air traffic so that it does not conflict with airplane schedules. The industry will also be forced to look into regulations regarding spacecraft air pollution. Jakhu and Von der Dunk told Insider they would advise ticket-holders to look into procuring life insurance before a space tour — though the policies could be more expensive than the flight ticket itself due to the risk involved with launching a rocket. https://www.businessinsider.com/space-tourists-fly-at-their-own-risk-nobody-regulates-safety-2021-7 Apply Now! - Manager – Quality Control mba is seeking an experienced mid-career individual to manage its Quality Control function with respect to IOSA* (IATA Operational Safety Audit). The candidate must meet the following requirements, be a self-starter and a leader within the organization. • Must have aviation/airline quality control, operational and/or safety experience and be familiar with the IOSA Program. • Be familiar with Quality Control processes and methodology. • Manage and lead a team of experienced individuals in the performance of aviation safety focused audits. Duties and Responsibilities: Become familiar with IOSA Standards and Recommended Best Practices by discipline Interface with IOSA Auditors, as necessary, through the Quality Control process Together with Director of Audit Programs, responsible for IOSA Audit Report (IAR) production and Program Quality requirements, including: . • Structuring the QC process for IOSA reports; • Ensuring that a complete QC review of all IOSA Audit Reports is carried out in accordance with the IOM Quality Control procedures; and • Ensuring that published deadlines for report delivery and QC processes Maintain QC procedures and documentation support structures for auditors Monitor and administer the QC and continual improvement processes Review outputs from all phases of audit and administrative processes, measuring results, and suggesting improved processes, when appropriate Monitoring of AO and Auditor quality performance and provide feedback to Auditors by means of: • Performing analysis of the gaps in the internal QC process and Auditor QC performance; • Performing analysis of IATA AO monthly performance report biannual AO QC performance summary (Statistical analysis and performance results); • Identifying weaknesses in internal processes, repetitive errors, and auditor behavior or techniques; and • Identifying and recommend any training needs, provision of internal QC training, or any other action necessary to ensure IAR quality to VP of Technical and Quality APPLY NOW! *IOSA is a registered trademark of the International Air Transport Association (IATA). Position Available: Learjet 60 and 60XR Pilots Need qualified Learjet 60 and 60XR aircraft pilots, Captains & Co-Pilots for operations in Europe and the Middle East. Send Resume/CV to: Hr@asm.aero Nasrin.qurashi@asm.aero Aviation Services Management (ASM) www.asm.aero Curt Lewis