Flight Safety Information - August 16, 2021 No. 164 In This Issue : Accident: Congo DH8D at Lubumbashi on Aug 14th 2021, aircraft struck motorcyclist down on landing : Accident: Eva A321 at Guam on Aug 14th 2021, tail strike on balked landing : Incident: THY A333 at Newark on Aug 7th 2021, on ATC instruction rejected takeoff from taxiway : Incident: Aeroflot A359 near Moscow on Aug 12th 2021, release of passenger oxygen masks : Incident: UTAir B734 near Samara on Aug 13th 2021, flat battery : REPORT: Airbus A330-343 - Controller loss of situational awareness factor in 2017 runway incursion, (Hong Kong) : Federal government to require vaccines for air, rail travellers (Canada) : Afghanistan aviation authority advises transit aircraft to reroute : U.S. military takes control of Kabul airport, aims to evacuate 5,000 civilians a day : At least a dozen Afghan pilots have fled from the Taliban, landing in Uzbekistan : Afghan military jet crashes in Uzbekistan - report : 800 People Evacuated From Kabul Aboard A Single C-17 Cargo Jet: Reports : Afghans storm Kabul’s airport in a desperate bid to escape. : FAA Lowers The Legal Boom On Alleged Illegal Charter Flights : Alaska Airlines continues fleet optimization with 12 additional Boeing 737-9 aircraft : Musk says Starship orbital stack to be ready for flight in few weeks : POSITION AVAILABLE - AIRCRAFT ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION MANAGER : RTCA Webinar: Airports - Critical Components in Future Transportation Infrastructure Accident: Congo DH8D at Lubumbashi on Aug 14th 2021, aircraft struck motorcyclist down on landing A Congo Airways de Havilland Dash 8-400, registration 9S-AAN performing a flight from Mbuji-Mayi to Lubumbashi (DR Congo) with 18 passengers and 5 crew, landed on Lubumbashi's runway at 19:15L (17:15Z) but struck a motorcyclist who was crossing the runway. The aircraft received damage to its tyres, the motorcycle was totalled, the motorcyclist received serious injuries and was taken to a hospital. DR Congo's Transport Ministry reported the aircraft 9S-AAN (Dash 8) arriving from Mbuji Mayi hit a motorcyclist in its landing phase to Lubumbashi causing substantial damage to the aircraft. The motorcyclist was crossing the runway. An investigation by DRC's BEA has been opened. The ministry as well as most local media (who quoted the ministry only) did not report on the fate of the driver of the motorcycle. The Aviation Herald received information that the biker did survive the accident with serious injuries and was taken to a hospital. https://avherald.com/h?article=4ebcdce2&opt=0 Accident: Eva A321 at Guam on Aug 14th 2021, tail strike on balked landing An Eva Air Airbus A321-200, registration B-16227 performing flight BR-20 from Taipei (Taiwan) to Guam (Guam) with 146 passengers and 12 crew, touched down on Guam's runway 06R at 15:35L (05:35Z) when the tail struck the runway surface and the crew rejected landing and went around. The aircraft climbed to 3000 feet, positioned for another approach to runway 24L and landed safely about 20 minutes after the balked landing. The aircraft was unable to continue schedule and perform the return flight. The return flight was cancelled. The airline confirmed the aircraft struck its tail onto the runway surface while landing at Guam, the crew fortunately was able to get the aircraft airborne again and perform a landing without further incident. The aircraft needed to be taken out of service. A replacement aircraft is going to be dispatched to Guam the following day. https://avherald.com/h?article=4ebc4e37&opt=0 Incident: THY A333 at Newark on Aug 7th 2021, on ATC instruction rejected takeoff from taxiway A THY Turkish Airlines Airbus A330-300, registration TC-JNI performing flight TK-30 (scheduled dep Aug 6th, actual dep Aug 7th) from Newark,NJ (USA) to Istanbul (Turkey), was cleared for takeoff from runway 22R at intersection with taxiway W but crossed runway 22R, lined up taxiway P (parallel to and east of runway 22R) and commenced takeoff. Tower cancelled the takeoff clearance advising the crew they were on taxiway P. The crew rejected takeoff at about 90 knots over ground, slowed to taxi speed about 1400 meters/4600 feet down the taxiway, turned right onto taxiway E, crossed runway 22R and joined taxiway B. The aircraft subsequently was instructed to taxi to the holding point runway 11 via taxiway W (parallel to runway 29), where the aircraft held for about 45 minutes to have the brakes cool down. The aircraft was subsequently instructed to enter runway 11 at the threshold, taxi along runway 11 to the intersection with runway 22R and line up runway 22R. The aircraft finally departed from runway 22R one hour after the rejected takeoff from taxiway P. The aircraft landed safely in Istanbul with about 100 minutes delay about 9:20 hours after the takeoff from runway 22R. A passenger reported they were accelerating on a taxiway between runway 22R and 22L just after midnight when the crew rejected takeoff. The captain subsequently announced they had rejected takeoff for a mechanical problem. The aircraft subsequently taxied northbound, emergency services attended. The aircraft stopped for about 45 minutes to let the brakes cool down, emergency services remained in stand by all the time, then the aircraft taxied to runway 22R and departed without further event. https://avherald.com/h?article=4ebc1eb6&opt=0 Incident: Aeroflot A359 near Moscow on Aug 12th 2021, release of passenger oxygen masks An Aeroflot Airbus A350-900, registration VP-BXP performing flight SU-2143 from Antalya (Turkey) to Moscow Sheremetyevo (Russia), was enroute at FL430 about 170nm south of Moscow when the passenger oxygen masks were released and the inflight entertainment system stopped. The aircraft descended to FL200 levelling off at FL200 about 18 minutes later and continued to Sheremetyevo for a safe landing on runway 24C about 40 minutes after leaving FL430. Passengers reported the crew indicated there was nothing wrong with the cabin pressure, however, the system detection had failed. https://avherald.com/h?article=4ebb714c&opt=0 Incident: UTAir B734 near Samara on Aug 13th 2021, flat battery A UTAir Boeing 737-400, registration VQ-BIC performing flight UT-358 from Samara to Moscow Vnukovo (Russia), was climbing out of Samara about 20 minutes into the flight when the crew received a DC power failure indication due to complete discharge of the battery as result of the failure of the charger. The crew continued the flight to Moscow for a safe landing about 90 minutes after departure. The aircraft remained on the ground for about 5 hours before returning to service. Rosaviatsia reported on landing both thrust reversers failed. Following troubleshooting and documentation the aircraft was returned to service. https://avherald.com/h?article=4ebbec0a&opt=0 Boeing 737-8AS - inaccurate speed readings (Russia) Date: 15-AUG-2021 Time: 10:14 UTC Type: Boeing 737-8AS (BCF) (WL) Owner/operator: ATRAN - Aviatrans Cargo Airlines Registration: VQ-BFX MSN: 33717/1310 Fatalities: Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: Other fatalities: 0 Aircraft damage: None Location: W of Moscow - Russia Phase: En route Nature: Cargo Departure airport: Luxembourg-Findel Airport (LUX/ELLX) Destination airport: Moskva-Vnukovo Airport (VKO/UUWW) Narrative: ATRAN flight V89625, a Boeing 737-800 cargo plane, was en route at FL370 when the flight radioed that they had inaccurate speed readings, requesting an emergency landing at the destination Moscow-Vnukovo Airport. https://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/266786 REPORT: Airbus A330-343 - Controller loss of situational awareness factor in 2017 runway incursion, (Hong Kong) Date: 22-SEP-2017 Time: 08:54 LT Type: Airbus A330-343 Owner/operator: Hong Kong Airlines Registration: B-LNS MSN: 1105 Fatalities: Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 187 Other fatalities: 0 Aircraft damage: None Category: Serious incident Location: Hong Kong-Chek Lap Kok International Airport (HKG/VHHH) - Hong Kong Phase: Take off Nature: Passenger - Scheduled Departure airport: Hong Kong-Chek Lap Kok International Airport (HKG/VHHH) Destination airport: Shanghai-Pudong International Airport (PVG/ZSPD) Investigating agency: CAD Hong Kong Narrative: Hong Kong Airlines HX236, an Airbus A330-343 with 174 passengers and 13 crew, aborted the takeoff roll at Hong Kong-Chek Lap Kok International Airport in a runway incursion incident involving a Boeing 747. A Boeing 747-400F, registered OM-ACB and operated by Air Cargo Global as flight CCC831, landed on runway 07L at Chek Lap Kok Airport following a flight from Turkmenbashi. The aircraft taxied to the cargo apron on the south of the airfield. This necessitated crossing runway 07R, which was being used for departures. Flight HX236 was cleared for takeoff by the Tower controller and at 08:54, the aircraft began rolling for takeoff. At the same time, flight CCC831 crossed the active runway at taxiway J6, which is located 1700 m from the threshold of runway 07R. The aircraft had been instructed by the Ground Controller to taxi to their parking position C12 via taxiways K4 and L2. There was no explicit clearance to cross the runway. The flight crew of the Airbus A330 aborted their takeoff roll and left the runway via J6. The aircraft subsequently took off uneventfully. An investigation revealed that the ground movement controller was a trainee, assisted by an instructor. By the incident time, the instructor had already intervened and taken over from the trainee on more than two occasions to avoid traffic build-up. The instructor was pre-occupied with the task to establish positive ATC control without delay, and probably had a lapse of concentration because he did not follow standard operating procedure to verify the position of flight CCC831, which he mistakenly assumed had already crossed runway 07R and was looking for a taxi route to the parking bay. Causes: A taxi instruction without a specific runway crossing clearance was misconstrued to have included a runway crossing clearance and Aircraft 1 entered RWY07R from J6 while Aircraft 2 was commencing take-off on RWY07R. This resulted in a runway incursion. Contributing Factors 1. An instruction for Aircraft 1 to contact AMS for a runway crossing clearance was not effected as a result of probable lapse of concentration. 2. Verification of the position of Aircraft 1 was not effected and subsequently an incorrect assumption that the aircraft had already crossed RWY07R was made as a result of loss of situational awareness when instruction was issued. 3. Clarification with ATC was not effected before entering an active runway without a specific runway crossing clearance. Weather about the time of the incident (08:54 LT / 00:55Z) >> VHHH 220100Z 09005KT 9999 FEW010 SCT028 27/25 Q1011 NOSIG VHHH 220030Z 06005KT 9999 -SHRA FEW005 SCT028 26/25 Q1011 TEMPO 4000 SHRA Sources: http://www.cad.gov.hk/reports/OM-ACB_Serious%20Incident%20Bulletin%20English%203-2017.pdf https://www.flightradar24.com/2017-09-22/00:54/12x/CRK236/ef293c6 VHHH aerodrome chart: http://www.hkatc.gov.hk/HK_AIP/AIP/AD/HK_AD2-80A.pdf Accident investigation: cover Investigating agency: CAD Hong Kong Status: Investigation completed Duration: 3 years and 10 months Download report: Final report https://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/199903 Federal government to require vaccines for air, rail travellers (Canada) The federal government said Friday it will require air and train travellers, as well as public servants and workers in federally regulated industries, be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Transport Minister Omar Alghabra announced Friday that employees working in the federally regulated industries – including the air, rail and marine sectors – will be required to be vaccinated no later than the end of October. "In addition, the vaccination requirement will also extend to certain travellers. This includes all commercial air travellers, passengers on interprovincial trains and passengers on large marine vessels with overnight accommodations such as cruise ships," Alghabra said, adding that those who are unable to get vaccinated will be offered alternative accommodations such as testing and COVID-19 screening. "Vaccine requirements in the transportation sector will help protect the safety of employees, their families, passengers, their communities and all Canadians." There are close to half a million people who work directly for the federal government, a Crown corporation, the military or the RCMP, and nearly a million more work in federally regulated industries, which include banks and airlines. The move to require vaccinations of both airline employees and passengers has been welcomed by the Canadian airline industry. The National Airlines Council of Canada (NACC), which represents Air Canada, WestJet, Air Transat and Jazz Aviation, said in a statement released Friday that the group is reviewing the government's announcement "to fully understand the obligations placed on the sector." "We remain committed to working with the federal government and our respective labour and employee groups as we proceed with implementation of the government's new mandatory vaccination policy for airline employees," NACC president Mike McNaney says, adding that the group is seeking further clarifications from Ottawa over the vaccine requirements for domestic travellers. "As these new policies are implemented, Canada's major carriers will maintain their ongoing support for vaccination campaigns, while continuing to invest heavily in the safe restart of travel and tourism in order to drive our national economic recovery in every region of the country." Air Canada called the announcement "a welcome step forward in the evolving measures to protect the health and safety of airline employees, customers and all Canadians." "Air Canada also remains committed to the continued development and application of new safety measures and processes that are effective and convenient for customers as they become available," the company says in a statement. "Such measures are vital to the safe restart of the air transport industry which, apart from enabling Canadians to travel freely, is also an essential driver of economic activity in Canada." WestJet Airlines says in a statement that it welcomed the announcement regarding mandatory vaccinations and said it will work diligently to implement the government policy. The Calgary-based airline has a workforce of about 6,000 employees, although 4,000 remain inactive or furloughed. "We understand our people will have questions and will be discussing with our employee and labour groups in real-time,” WestJet executive vice-president of people and culture Mark Porter said in a statement. "We are seeking additional detail from the federal government on the requirement and are committed to working together to ensure the successful implementation of the policy by late-October." The airline also says it will comply with "the requirement for domestic travellers to be fully vaccinated or tested prior to departure", and is pushing for rapid antigen testing to be considered an acceptable alternative for unvaccinated travellers. Via Rail, a Crown corporation that will have to require its employees be fully vaccinated, says in a statement that it "will provide more information on our plan as soon as possible." The move to mandate vaccinations for some sectors and activities is likely to be supported by the Canadian public. According to a new Yahoo/Maru poll, 77 per cent of Canadians are in favour of having an identification system that shows whether someone is fully vaccinated or not. https://www.yahoo.com/finance/news/federal-government-to-require-vaccines-for-air-rail-travellers-180939538.html Afghanistan aviation authority advises transit aircraft to reroute (Reuters) -The Afghanistan Civil Aviation Authority (ACAA) said on Monday that Kabul airspace had been released to the military and that it advised transit aircraft to reroute, according to a notice to airmen on its website, hastening some airline route switches. United Airlines, British Airways and Virgin Atlantic had already stopped using Afghanistan airspace after insurgents took control of the presidential palace in Kabul as U.S.-led forces departed and Western nations scrambled on Monday to evacuate their citizens. ACAA said any transit through Kabul airspace would be uncontrolled and it had advised the surrounding flight information regions that control airspace. Kabul's flight information region covers all of Afghanistan. Flight tracking website FlightRadar24 said on its Twitter account that an Air India flight from Chicago to Delhi had changed course and exited Afghanistan's airspace shortly after entering, while a Terra Avia flight from Baku to Delhi was also changing course. Airlines and governments have paid more attention to the risks of flying over conflict zones in recent years after two deadly incidents involving surface-to-air missiles. A Malaysia Airlines plane was shot down over eastern Ukraine in 2014, killing all 298 people on board, and an Ukraine International Airlines jet was downed by Iran's military in 2020, killing all 176 passengers and crew. The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration in July imposed new flight restrictions over Afghanistan for U.S. airlines and other U.S. operators. The FAA said flights operating below 26,000 feet were prohibited in the Kabul Flight Information Region, which largely covers Afghanistan, unless operating in and out of Hamid Karzai International Airport, citing the risk "posed by extremist/militant activity." The restrictions do not apply to U.S. military operations. Other countries, including Canada, Britain, Germany and France had also advised airlines to maintain an altitude of at least 25,000 feet over Afghanistan, according to website Safe Airspace, which tracks such warnings. Commercial flights set to land in Afghanistan have also been affected by the chaos on the ground. Emirates has suspended flights to Afghanistan's capital, Kabul, until further notice, the airline said on its website. https://www.yahoo.com/news/airlines-reroute-flights-avoid-afghanistan-031445470.html U.S. military takes control of Kabul airport, aims to evacuate 5,000 civilians a day The U.S. military took control of air traffic at Kabul's Hamid Karzai International Airport and secured the airport's perimeter, the Pentagon and State Department said late Sunday, as thousands of Americans, foreign nationals, and Afghans jostled to leave the country, now effectively under Taliban control. President Biden has ordered about 6,000 U.S. troops to secure the airport and aid the evacuation, and the full contingent of U.S. forces is set to arrive within 48 hours, the joint statement said. "Tomorrow and over the coming days, we will be transferring out of the country thousands of American citizens who have been resident in Afghanistan, as well as locally employed staff of the U.S. mission in Kabul and their families, and other particularly vulnerable Afghan nationals," the Pentagon and State Department said. All U.S. Embassy staff were moved to the airport Sunday, and U.S. officials say they are working to accelerate the evacuation of Afghans who helped the U.S. and are eligible for Special Immigrant Visas. "The Pentagon intends to have enough aircraft to fly out as many as 5,000 civilians a day, both Americans and the Afghan translators and others who worked with the U.S. during the war," The Associated Press reports. "But tens of thousands of Afghans who have worked with U.S. and other NATO forces are seeking to flee with family members. And it was by no means clear how long Kabul's deteriorating security would allow any evacuations to continue." There are about 88,000 Afghans eligible for SIVs who could need to be evacuated, and only about 2,000 have arrived in the U.S. over the past two weeks, The Washington Post reports. The Pentagon has plans to relocate up to 30,000 SIV applicants to the U.S. in the immediate future while their applications are processed, Fox News reported Sunday night, citing Defense Department documents. "Once we get more airlift out of Kabul, we're going to put as many people on those planes as we can," and "not just American citizens, but perhaps some Afghan SIV applicants as well," Pentagon spokesman John Kirby told Fox News. "We're going to focus on getting people out of the country, then sorting it out at the next stop." He added that "we're going to be in oversight of the air operations at the airport for as long as we can." https://www.yahoo.com/news/u-military-takes-control-kabul-071330487.html At least a dozen Afghan pilots have fled from the Taliban, landing in Uzbekistan Afghan military personnel fleeing the Taliban are making their way into Uzbekistan, including more than a dozen pilots who flew into the country over the weekend. U.S. Senate staffers and Pentagon officials are working with their counterparts in Uzbekistan to ensure the safety of these pilots, CNN reports, as there are concerns that they will be turned over to the Taliban now that the militant group is effectively in control of Afghanistan. The Uzbek Foreign Ministry said in a statement released Monday that over the weekend, 84 members of the Afghan Armed Forces were detained at the Afghanistan-Uzbekistan border. The military members asked for help and received food and medical attention and were placed in temporary housing. There is also a "growing presence" of Afghan military forces near a bridge connecting the Balkh province in Afghanistan with the Surxondaryo region of Uzbekistan, the foreign ministry said, and "measures are being taken to provide humanitarian assistance to these persons." The ministry said it's been in talks with Afghan officials on how to best return citizens to the country, but it's not clear if they are negotiating with the Taliban or representatives of the collapsed Afghan government, CNN reports. https://www.yahoo.com/news/least-dozen-afghan-pilots-fled-051128075.html Afghan military jet crashes in Uzbekistan - report TASHKENT, Aug 16 (Reuters) - An Afghan military jet has crashed after crossing the border into Uzbekistan and its pilot ejected and survived, the Uzbek defence ministry was quoted as saying on Monday. The Afghan government collapsed on Sunday and the Taliban insurgents were poised to take over after capturing the capital Kabul. read more The jet crashed late on Sunday in Uzbekistan's southernmost Surxondaryo province adjacent to Afghanistan. Russia's RIA news agency cited Uzbekistan's defence ministry as saying the pilot had ejected and was injured. https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/afghan-military-jet-crashes-uzbekistan-report-2021-08-16/ 800 People Evacuated From Kabul Aboard A Single C-17 Cargo Jet: Reports As the situation continues to deteriorate in Afghanistan, with even Kabul's international airport, the last hope for U.S. and other foreigners trying to leave the country, being at least partially overrun, we are now hearing that the U.S. Air Force packed one C-17 cargo jet with roughly 800 people and flew them to safety. If these reports, as well as recorded audio, prove to be accurate, it could be a record for an aircraft that serves as the backbone of the Air Force's jet transport fleet. RCH (Reach) 871, a C-17A from Dover Air Force Base in Delaware, took off from Kabul just a few hours ago. This was likely during the same period when the airport's civilian ramp areas were being stormed by Afghans seeking salvation from the Taliban's impending rule. Understanding the worsening situation, the aircraft's crew apparently packed what they thought to be around 800 people into the jet's main cargo bay and headed for the safety of Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar. As you can tell, the person talking to the flight, likely via satellite radio communications, is as stunned as we were when he heard the passenger load number. He asks "Ok, how many people do you think are on your jet?" Then after getting a reply from RCH 871 he responds "800 people on your jet?! Holy... Holy cow... Ok..." According to Boeing, a C-17's passenger carrying capacity is officially "80 on 8 pallets, plus 54 passengers on sidewall seats." So, if this 800 number proves true, you can get an idea of just how jammed-packed the aircraft must have been. We know that C-17s can move far more people than their official capacity during an emergency, as was the case after a Typhoon hit the Philippines in 2013. One photo published by the USAF showed a Hawaii-based C-17 carrying a reported 670 people to safety: More than 670 Tacloban residents sit on board a C-17 Globemaster III before being evacuated to Manila following Super Typhoon Haiyan, which hit the Philippines Nov. 17, 2013. This is unlikely to have been the only super-packed U.S. flight that has or will leave Kabul. We also know that the United Arab Emirates (UAE) packed one of their C-17s with people before this flight in an attempt to get them out before the Taliban sacked Kabul: A tanker bridge has also been created that is refueling heavily laden USAF transport flights as they move from Afghanistan to safer locales in the Middle East. The tankers could allow for the loaded transports to make tactical departures from Kabul with lower fuel loads than they would have to without aerial refueling support. There could be a major shortage of jet fuel at Kabul International, as well. We have reached out to U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) to get more information on this extremely laden evacuation flight and will report back when we know more. In the meantime, this serves as yet another reminder of how the C-17 and its dedicated crews continue to make the impossible possible when called upon to do so. https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/42005/800-people-evacuated-from-kabul-aboard-a-single-c-17-cargo-jet-reports Afghans storm Kabul’s airport in a desperate bid to escape. The crowds outside Kabul’s international airport swelled and swelled on Monday morning, leaving the fences and security forces straining to contain the mass of people desperate to escape Afghanistan as the Taliban took control. They rushed through the perimeter of the airport’s civilian section and swarmed the tarmac. Soldiers stood guard, many with weapons drawn. As flights prepared to depart, people clung dangerously to the sides of military planes even as one taxied down the runway. As the chaos spread, U.S. troops took control of the airport’s civilian section, while people rushed through the boarding gates and tried to push their way onto two commercial planes that were parked beside the terminal. With civilian air travel temporarily halted, the arriving and departing military planes underscored the stark divide between foreign nationals and some Afghans who were a flight away from safety, and many more who would have no escape. The U.S. government said that in the coming days it would evacuate thousands of American citizens, embassy employees and their families, and “particularly vulnerable Afghan nationals.” The desperation was evident as some people broke down in tears, recognizing that their chance of escape was slim. Reports of gunfire also circulated throughout the morning. Although the Taliban has seized control of the country, there is no government in any real sense. That made it hard to get reliable information, both for people inside the country and the wider world watching the events unfold. Video from journalists recorded sounds of gunfire at the airport as people ran across the tarmac and approached gates from outside. The local news media aired video of young Afghans clinging to a plane as it taxied. Apache helicopters flew low over the crowds to clear the way for military planes. The Afghan Civil Aviation Authority said on Monday that all civilian flights in and out of the Kabul airport had been suspended because of the chaos. The agency urged people to not travel to the airport. But the tracking site Flightradar24 reported that a Boeing 777-300 from Turkish Airlines had departed for Istanbul after five hours on the ground. Twenty years after the United States invaded Afghanistan, the airport was the nation’s final redoubt, one of the last places in the capital not controlled by the Taliban. The State Department said all embassy personnel had been evacuated to the airport, where they were being defended by the U.S. military. But for the thousands of others hoping to find refuge, there was no escape. https://www.nytimes.com/2021/08/16/world/asia/kabul-airport-taliban-afghanistan.html FAA Lowers The Legal Boom On Alleged Illegal Charter Flights The FAA sent a strong message last week that it would come down hard on operators who carry passengers for hire without all the appropriate certification or qualifications. So-called “gray charter” is cited as a major problem within the air charter industry. It is identified as operators claiming flights that are actually revenue-generating operations are misrepresented as either sales demos or some other dodge to get around the strict (and costly) federal requirements of commercial flying for hire. Legitimate charter operators have long complained that gray charter has been financially undercutting their legal operations. The agency last week proposed more than $1.2 million in fines against five separate operators it alleges conducted the illegal flights, which it called “careless and reckless, endangering lives or property.” They include Pottco Airlease of Council Bluffs, Iowa, being charged $344,672 in civil penalties for 16 passenger revenue flights flown in a Cessna Conquest turboprop “without a required air carrier or operating certificate.” Also on the list is sister company Pottco Tactical Air, being charged $301,676 in fines for 43 flights flown in a Conquest from airports in eight Midwest states between July and November 2019. The company also lacked required personnel, including a qualified director of operations, a chief pilot and a director of maintenance, according to the FAA’s allegations. The company also “employed pilots who had not passed the required written or oral tests, competency and proficiency checks, including passing a check ride during the preceding 12 months,” the agency said. Other companies facing six-figure fines for multiple illegal charter flights include Wikert Air and Oracle Aviation, both based in Omaha, Nebraska; and East Shore Aviation of North Charleston, South Carolina. All five companies have been in contact with the FAA about their cases. Underscoring the importance of combating illegal charter, the rules of which can sometimes be confusing for brokers, passengers and others, the FAA is conducting an online seminar for operators, mechanics, schedulers and passengers on the topic, titled “Preventing and Identifying Illegal Air Charters—Learn How to Prevent and Avoid an Illegal Air Charter Flight”—on Monday, Aug. 23, at 19:00 Eastern Daylight Time. https://www.avweb.com/aviation-news/faa-lowers-the-legal-boom-on-alleged-illegal-charter-flights/ Alaska Airlines continues fleet optimization with 12 additional Boeing 737-9 aircraft SEATTLE, Aug. 16, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Alaska Airlines announced today it is accelerating its fleet growth by exercising options early on 12 Boeing 737-9 aircraft. The option aircraft are now firm commitments for 2023 and 2024. This additional commitment brings Alaska's total firm 737-9 order to 93 aircraft, five of which are currently in service. Alaska announced a restructured agreement with Boeing in December 2020 to acquire 68 737-9 aircraft between 2021 to 2024, with options for another 52 deliveries between 2023 and 2026. This year, the airline has exercised 25 of the options, including 13 planes in May. As part of this transaction, Alaska will add 25 options to backfill the ones that have been exercised. "We are excited to accelerate Alaska's growth, building on our solid financial foundation that enabled us to weather the pandemic," said Nat Pieper, Alaska Airlines senior vice president of fleet, finance and alliances. "These aircraft are a prudent, long-term investment in our business that we can make while simultaneously maintaining our strong balance sheet." "Boeing continues to be a terrific partner for Alaska. We began flying our first 737-9s this past spring, and we're extremely pleased with the operational, financial and environmental performance of the aircraft," said Pieper. "The planes are exceeding our expectations – from how quiet the engines run to the greater range they provide – and our guests love them." Alaska's 737-9s are configured to carry 178 guests with 16 First Class seats and 24 Premium Class seats, which provide the most premium legroom of any other U.S. airline. As more travelers take to the skies, Alaska remains committed to Next-Level Care for our guests and employees by implementing more than 100 ways to maintain the highest standard of safety – from clean planes to clean air in the cabin (with hospital-grade air filtration systems). For everyone's safety on board, Alaska continues to enforce the federally mandated mask policy, even for those who are fully vaccinated. On board, our guests will enjoy the amazing customer service we're known for. We've recently expanded food and beverage service on our flights, adding more West Coast inspired meals in First Class like Guajillo Chile-Lime Salad with ancient grains, and additional fresh food items throughout the cabin that can be pre-ordered before departure up to two weeks before departure. Guests can relax and get in a vacation state-of-mind with free craft beer, West Coast wines and cocktails in First Class and Premium Class, which are also available for purchase in the main cabin. Guests can stay connected with inflight internet or satellite Wi-Fi available on most flights. For entertainment, kick back and select from more than 1,000 movies and TV shows that can be streamed to your own personal service for free. From mid-September through mid-October, we'll be celebrating Latinx content and creators with special entertainment selections. Alaska is the newest member of the oneworld global alliance. With oneworld and our additional airline partners, guests can fly to as many as 1,000 destinations around the world. Flyers can also earn and redeem miles with our highly-acclaimed Mileage Plan program to fly on more than 20 oneworld and airline partners. https://www.dailyrecordnews.com/news/state/alaska-airlines-continues-fleet-optimization-with-12-additional-boeing-737-9-aircraft/article_ed4d3319-9e3d-592a-b760-7dee4c2166f2.html Musk says Starship orbital stack to be ready for flight in few weeks (Reuters) -SpaceX founder Elon Musk said on Saturday the first orbital stack of the Starship rocket should be ready for flight in the coming weeks, taking the unorthodox billionaire a step closer to his dream of orbital and then interplanetary travel. SpaceX in May successfully landed its Starship prototype, SN15, a reusable heavy-lift launch vehicle that could eventually carry astronauts and large cargo payloads to the moon and Mars. The touchdown came after four prototype landing attempts had ended in explosions. "First orbital stack of Starship should be ready for flight in a few weeks, pending only regulatory approval," Musk tweeted https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1426715232475533319. The complete Starship rocket, SpaceX's next-generation launch vehicle, stands 394 feet (120 meters) tall when coupled with its super-heavy first-stage booster. It is at the center of the Tesla Inc CEO's ambitions to make human space travel more affordable and routine. An orbital Starship flight is planned for year's end, and Musk has said he intends to fly Japanese billionaire entrepreneur Yusaku Maezawa around the moon in the Starship in 2023. https://www.yahoo.com/finance/news/musk-says-first-orbital-stack-014507469.html POSITION AVAILABLE: AIRCRAFT ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION MANAGER IMMEDIATE VACANCY The PNG Accident Investigation Commission is the State Entity in Papua New Guinea responsible for conducting ‘independent, objective, no-blame’ investigations into aircraft accidents and serious incidents. As a signatory to the Convention on International Civil Aviation (ICAO), PNG is committed to the highest standard of compliance with implementing ICAO Standards and Recommended Practices for improvements to safety standards in PNG, the region, and globally. It achieves this goal through the conducting of impartial investigations, making safety recommendations to address safety deficiencies identified from investigations, carry out safety studies, and the public release of its investigation reports. We are committed to working collaboratively with all stakeholders in the aviation system to fulfil the State’s international ICAO obligations for safe air transportation system. The AIC invites suitably qualified candidates to apply for this Senior Management role. INVESTIGATION MANAGER The AIC is looking to recruit an Investigation Manager with adequate experience at senior Executive Management level. Able to provide strategic advice to Board and CEO and be able to lead, mentor and train a team of Investigation professionals of the AIC. Candidate with strong technical experience backed up by high personal integrity and strong ethical values will be strong contenders. The Investigation Manager will work closely with the CEO and the Board to provide advice on strategic technical and operational matters as they continue the trend for organisational development and to enhance the strong development work currently in progress. The Investigation Manager will be required to play a key role in assisting the AIC to pursue its goals to become a multi-modal transport safety organisation. Minimum requirements of the successful applicant include. Tertiary Qualification in an aviation related field with flight operations experience as an airline pilot or aircraft maintenance engineer (LAME) are essential. The candidate must have minimum 10 years of experience as an investigator with an ICAO Annex 13 compliant State Safety Investigation Authority. The successful candidate must have management leadership experience at a senior level in a state investigation entity with proven experience in organisational development, high-level technical advice and liaising with global and regional organisations and donor/financial institutions for resource mobilisation. Detailed understanding of ICAO and the Annexes to the Convention on International Civil Aviation including comprehensive understanding of model State Civil Aviation Frameworks is a requirement. Experience conducting ICAO USOAP activities either as State representative or Auditor, will be a bonus. The candidate with strong demonstrated experience in the development of safety studies based on ADREP compliant data, and exposure to Quality and/or Project Management are highly desirable. Fluent in written and verbal communication using the English Language is a must. Full details of salary, conditions of employment and job description shall be obtained during interview. Please, forward your written applications including relevant certificates together with recent updated CVs to: The Chief Executive Officer Accident Investigation Commission P O Box 1709, BOROKO, 111 NCD or via email: jobs@aic.gov.pg IMPORTANT: Only short-listed candidates will be contacted for interview. If you do not hear from us within two weeks from the closing date of application, then you may consider your application unsuccessful. Note also that those candidates who applied for the Flight Operations Investigator (Fixed Wing) position previously need not apply. Applications close on 10th September 2021. RTCA Webinar: Airports - Critical Components in Future Transportation Infrastructure Wed, Aug 18, 2021 1pm-2:15pm EDT Join RTCA for a discussion with aviation experts on what the $550 billion bipartisan infrastructure deal means to existing and emerging airport infrastructure needs and priorities. From the White House: “The [infrastructure] bill invests $25 billion in airports to address repair and maintenance backlogs, reduce congestion and emissions near ports and airports, and drive electrification and other low-carbon technologies." Panelists discuss complex issues including interoperability challenges presented in a multi-modal transportation ecosystem, the journey toward integration of emerging technologies with existing traditional modes of transportation, the need for new standards, and how we design improvements that anticipate the many changes in operations that will be needed for new entrants to create a safe, accessible, easy to use system that meets the evolving needs of the traveling public. Moderated by Carol Huegel of Gate 2 Gate Solutions, panelists include Chris Oswald of ACI-NA, Justin Barkowski of AAAE, Greg Pecoraro of NASAO, Chris Collings of L3 Harris and Scott Remillard of Saab. Register Free: https://bit.ly/3lKT8YX When: Wed, Aug 18, 2021 1pm-2:15pm EDT Curt Lewis