Flight Safety Information - August 20, 2021 No. 168 In This Issue : Incident: Ryanair B738 near London on Aug 19th 2021, autopilot problem : Bell TH-57 Sea Ranger (Bell 206) - Serious Accident (Florida) : Cessna 402B Businessliner - Accident (Colombia) : Passenger jet makes emergency landing at Portland airport (Maine) : Recovery of Hawaii cargo jet on sea floor set to begin in fall : Southwest pilots, flight attendants say they're exhausted; pilots ready to picket : Fines Against Unruly Airplane Passengers Now Total Over $1 Million : Asian airlines report high vaccination uptake among crew : United Airlines Partners With Walmart For Easier COVID-19 Testing : ACSF Rolls Out ASAP Courses : Cherokee Nation, Spartan College Partner To Offer Cherokee Citizens Aviation Education (Oklahoma) : DHL Express Adds 12 Electric Aircraft to Fleet with New Purchase : Air Safety Whistleblower Protections Critical at a Time of Heightened Air Safety Risks : South Korea flag carrier to hire new pilots in preparation : Jet Edge Has Acquired 27 Private Jets After Securing $150 Million From KKR : NASA halts SpaceX work on lunar lander after Blue Origin suit : Pilot Pipeline Newsletter : Aviation Safety Community : POSITION AVAILABLE - AIRCRAFT ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION MANAGER : RTCA - Upcoming RTCA Training Opportunities Incident: Ryanair B738 near London on Aug 19th 2021, autopilot problem A Ryanair Boeing 737-800, registration EI-EVO performing flight FR-212 from London Stansted,EN (UK) to Dublin (Ireland), was climbing throuogh FL310 out of Stansted about 100nm northwest of Stansted when the crew stopped the climb and decided to return to Stansted due to problems with the autopilots. The aircraft landed safely back on Stansted's runway 22 about 55 minutes after departure. http://avherald.com/h?article=4ebfc9fb&opt=0 Bell TH-57 Sea Ranger (Bell 206) - Serious Accident (Florida) Date: 19-AUG-2021 Time: c. 13:45 Type: Bell TH-57 Sea Ranger (Bell 206) Owner/operator: US Navy Registration: MSN: Fatalities: Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 2 Other fatalities: 0 Aircraft damage: Unknown Location: East Milton, FL - United States of America Phase: Unknown Nature: Training Departure airport: Milton-Whiting Field Naval Air Station South Airport, FL (KNDZ) Destination airport: Narrative: A Bell TH-57 Sea Ranger (Bell 206) crashed in East Milton, Florida, west of Naval Outlying Landing Field (NOLF) Santa Rosa (NGS/KNGS). Both occupants sustained serious injuries. https://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/266952 Cessna 402B Businessliner - Accident (Colombia) Date: 19-AUG-2021 Time: Type: Cessna 402B Businessliner Owner/operator: Private Registration: HK-4933 MSN: 402B-0320 Fatalities: Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 2 Other fatalities: 0 Aircraft damage: Unknown Location: Santiago Vila Airport (GIR/SKGI) - Colombia Phase: Landing Nature: Private Departure airport: Destination airport: Girardot-Santiago Vila Airport (GIR/SKGI) Narrative: A Cessna 402B crashed under unknown circumstances at Santiago Vila Airport (GIR/SKGI). Both occupants were injured and were taken to a hospital. https://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/266949 Passenger jet makes emergency landing at Portland airport (Maine) An American Airlines spokesperson said the plane had a 'mechanical issue' and the pilot landed out of an abundance of caution. An American Airlines jet that departed from Bangor made an emergency landing at the Portland International Jetport on Thursday morning, officials said. The Bombardier CRJ900 landed normally and taxied to a gate where passengers deplaned “like on any other flight,” Zachary Sundquist, the airport’s assistant director, told News Center Maine. One passenger said the crew advised that there was an engine problem. An American Airlines spokesperson said the plane had a “mechanical issue” and the pilot landed out of an abundance of caution. The plane left Bangor International Airport around 7:25 a.m., destined for North Carolina, before landing in Portland around 8:55 a.m. https://www.pressherald.com/2021/08/19/passenger-jet-makes-emergency-landing-at-portland-airport/ (Photo Courtesy: NTSB) Recovery of Hawaii cargo jet on sea floor set to begin in fall The jet cabin from Transair Flight 810 rested on the Pacific Ocean floor off the coast of Oahu. An undersea effort to recover key components of a Hawaii cargo jet that crashed July 2, leaving its wreckage hundreds of feet under the water, is expected to begin this fall. The U.S. National Transportation Safety Board is coordinating with the insurance company for Transair, the small cargo carrier that was operating the plane, the agency said in an emailed statement. Pilots on Transair Flight 810, a 46-year-old Boeing Co. 737-200, were forced to make a dramatic, nighttime water landing shortly after takeoff from Daniel K. Inouye International Airport after losing power in both engines. The two pilots were rescued. The plane came to rest at depths of 360 to 420 feet (110 to 128 meters) about two miles off the coast of Oahu, according to NTSB. Investigators will search for the plane’s two crash-proof recorders and attempt to pull to the surface critical components such as the two engines. The Federal Aviation Administration on July 16 grounded parent company Rhoades Aviation Inc.’s operations on its one remaining 737 as a result of “deficiencies” it discovered in maintenance, the agency said. The company had been under investigation since last fall, according to FAA. Transair didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment. https://www.staradvertiser.com/2021/08/19/breaking-news/recovery-of-hawaii-cargo-jet-on-sea-floor-set-to-begin-in-fall/ Southwest pilots, flight attendants say they're exhausted; pilots ready to picket Southwest Airlines pilots are preparing to picket as front-line employees at the airline complain of mismanagement, low staffing, scheduling chaos and a lack of food and hotels for pilots and flight attendants. Unions representing Southwest's front-line employees say the airline is severely understaffed, but continues to pack its flight schedule as air travel rebounds, forcing pilots and flight attendants to regularly work the maximum number of hours permitted by federal law. Staffing and weather issues have forced Southwest to cancel thousands of flights this summer. On Thursday, by late afternoon, Southwest had canceled 170 flights and delayed 852 others, the most of any U.S. airline. At the same time, United had 31 cancellations, while Delta had four. "We are united on this issue. Our flight attendants are weary, exhausted, and they can take no more," Lyn Montgomery, Southwest flight attendant and union president, told ABC News. "We're asking that additional flights not be added to the schedule until the company can handle the flight schedules that we currently have. We all want to get back to the pre-pandemic days, but we have to be able to handle things the way they are right now, the way things are still with the pandemic." Crews say they routinely arrive in destination cities only to learn they have no hotel or food availability and cannot reach the company for help. "We're being asked to work longer hours, more shifts and extended duty days. We get to the curb and at the end of the day, and we have no idea what hotel we're supposed to go to," Montgomery said. "We have to wait for hours to call crew scheduling. There's no food in the hotel, so we're unable to get food. We're not able to get food with the long lines at the airport. So food is the major issue. And we're also being told that if we call in sick, we have to go see a company doctor to verify the illness." In July, Southwest offered its flight attendants double time to pick up extra shifts. The company is now offering its employees referral bonuses to try and fill vacancies. "The safety of our Employees and Customers comes first, at all times, and that continues to be the priority in everything that we do, Sonya Lacore, Southwest vice president of inflight operations, told ABC News in a statement. "We are aware of the concerns the TWU 556 raised in their letter, and there is much work already underway to address many of the issues this summer." Casey Murray, a Southwest captain and pilot's union president, said issues raised with the company have largely been ignored. "Management's refusal to even attempt any of our solutions, or have any real discussion has led us to this point, we must accept that our efforts to improve efficiency and make Southwest Airlines more competitive have fallen on deaf ears, time and time again, because the company has made it clear that they are comfortable with the operation as managed," Murray said in a video to Southwest pilots Thursday morning. Southwest Vice President Bob Waltz acknowledged some of the airlines' challenges, telling ABC News in a statement: "The airline and travel industry have seen a multitude of operational challenges as we navigate the effects of the pandemic. We have teams across the airline working diligently to adapt to the current environment and support our employees during this peak travel season, including efforts focused on providing support to our pilots." "We routinely work with the Southwest Airlines Pilots Association on a variety of matters that affect our pilots, but we also have a responsibility to consider a number of factors before implementation of suggestions. We remain committed to listening to feedback and proactively working to address issues as we navigate the months ahead," Waltz explained. Southwest is not the only airline facing staffing challenges. American Airlines has had to cancel thousands of flights this summer due pilot and flight attendant shortages. While airlines received billions of dollars in government aid to keep employees on the payroll, many front-line workers took early retirement or severance packages at the height of the pandemic, leaving airlines desperate to fill openings as air travel rebounded. Southwest pilots say they will picket during the busy Thanksgiving and Christmas rush if their demands are ignored. https://www.yahoo.com/gma/southwest-pilots-flight-attendants-theyre-004836507.html Fines Against Unruly Airplane Passengers Now Total Over $1 Million Curbing bad behavior in the sky has long been one of the most thankless parts of flight attendants’ job descriptions. But, while a typical year sees unruly incidents top out somewhere around 150, COVID-19 has caused chaos in the skies and has left flight attendants to endure more than ever. The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on Thursday announced that it has proposed another $531,545 in penalties against misbehaving airline passengers. With those additions, the FAA’s 2021 total proposed fines for unruly behavior now exceeds more than $1 million across 3,889 incidents in the sky. Most of those incidents (2,867 or about 73%) come from passengers refusing to comply with the federal facemask mandate, which the FAA just extended through the end of the year. Here are just some descriptions of a few of the incidents that flight attendants and others have been tasked with dealing with, according to the FAA: “$45,000 against a passenger on May 24, 2021, JetBlue Airways flight from New York, N.Y., to Orlando, Fla., for allegedly throwing objects, including his carry-on luggage, at other passengers; refusing to stay seated; lying on the floor in the aisle, refusing to get up, and then grabbing a flight attendant by the ankles and putting his head up her skirt. The passenger was placed in flexi-cuffs and the flight made an emergency landing in Richmond, Va.” “$32,500 against a passenger on Jan. 2, 2021, Southwest Airlines flight from Orlando, Fla., to Kansas City, Mo., for allegedly assaulting passengers around him because someone in his row would not change seats to accommodate his travel partner. He told his travel partner he would need to bail him out of jail for the physically violent crimes he threatened to commit. The captain returned the flight to the gate where law enforcement met the passenger. Southwest banned him from flying with the carrier in the future.” $30,000 against a passenger on Jan. 3, 2021, Frontier Airlines flight from Atlanta, Ga., to New York, N.Y., for allegedly interfering with the flight attendants’ deplaning procedures upon arrival. He attempted to gain entry to the flight deck by physically assaulting two flight attendants, threatening to kill one of them, and demanding them to open the door. The captain called for law enforcement to meet him after exiting. Most famously this year, there was an incident of an unruly passenger on a Frontier flight from Philadelphia to Miami earlier this month when attendants had to duct-tape a passenger to a seat because of his behavior that went viral. The FAA has taken extraordinary steps to try and get passengers to comply with the new COVID-19 rules, including a marketing campaign that asked passengers to treat airplanes like a trip to grandma’s house. The problem has also become bad enough for the Association of Professional Flight Attendants to call it “out of control” and “coming to the point where we have to defend ourselves” earlier this year. And for Airlines for America (A4A), the industry trade group for U.S. airlines, to write Attorney General Merrick Garland to urge “swift prosecution for cases of unruly passenger behavior.” Now, the job to prosecute the reports will fall to local law enforcement (the FAA does not have criminal prosecutorial authority). https://www.travelmarketreport.com/articles/Fines-Against-Unruly-Airplane-Passengers-Now-Total-Over-1-Million Asian airlines report high vaccination uptake among crew SINGAPORE/KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 19 (Reuters) - Asian airlines are reporting high vaccination take-up rates among pilots and cabin crew as they wait for the region's tight pandemic-related border controls to be relaxed. International travel in the Asia-Pacific region remains down about 95% from pre-pandemic levels, and concerns about the Delta variant have led to even stricter quarantines or flight caps in some places, leaving many air crew members idle and hoping for a recovery. Singapore Airlines Ltd (SIAL.SI), Malaysia Airlines, Australia's Qantas Airways Ltd (QAN.AX) and Hong Kong's Cathay Pacific Airways Ltd (0293.HK) are among those requiring crew to be vaccinated or risk losing their jobs. Singapore Airlines said 99% of active pilots and cabin crew had been vaccinated ahead of a Sept. 1 deadline, as well as all frontline ground staff. Malaysia Airlines said all active pilots and cabin crew had received vaccines as had 95% of Malaysia-based employees under a policy set in July. Qantas on Wednesday said all employees must be vaccinated, while Cathay has mandated it for pilots and cabin crew by Aug. 31. Cathay said on Thursday in a memo to staff that only vaccinated crews would be able to operate flights to countries Hong Kong considers "high risk" starting on Friday in return for a halving of quarantine time on return to one week. However, hours later, it sent a second memo seen by Reuters saying the rules had not eased and crews would need to quarantine for 14 days when returning from countries like Britain. Cathay said last week 99% of pilots and 91% of cabin crew had booked or received vaccinations. read more Even in places like the Philippines where crew vaccinations are voluntary, carriers are reporting high take-up rates. Philippine Airlines said 90% of flight crew were vaccinated, while budget carrier Cebu Pacific (CEB.PS) said 92% of its workforce, including 97% of pilots, were inoculated. AirAsia Philippines said 92% of its workers had received doses, including 97% of cabin crew. In Taiwan, China Airlines Ltd (2610.TW) said all pilots and cabin crew had completed at least their first dose, while EVA Airways Corp (2618.TW) said more than 90% of air crew had received both doses. The Taiwanese carriers did not specify whether vaccinations were mandatory or voluntary. United Airlines Inc (UAL.O) this month became the first U.S. airline to require COVID-19 vaccinations for all domestic employees, a move that was followed by Hawaiian Airlines. https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/singapore-airlines-malaysia-airlines-require-covid-19-vaccines-crew-2021-08-19/ United Airlines Partners With Walmart For Easier COVID-19 Testing United Airlines has partnered with Walmart and Albertson Companies to make it easier for passengers to get COVID-19 tests when traveling. With integration with the airline’s mobile app and website, passengers will be able to access their test results easily and tie them to their bookings. COVID-19 testing is slowly becoming a regular part of post-pandemic travel. However, the rules are still a real patchwork depending on the origin and destination. For instance, just earlier today, Simple Flying revealed that quarantine-free travel from Germany to Singapore requires approval and four PCR tests. The same in the other direction requires nothing special related to COVID-19. United Airlines’ new partnership From today onwards, United Airlines is partnering with Walmart and Albertson Companies locations across the United States to make COVID-19 test appointments more accessible to its passengers. The partnership is an enhancement of a feature added to the airline’s digital infrastructure back in April. Through the United Airlines app or website, passengers will be able to book an appointment at more than 3,800 test sites easily. Once the appointment is complete, test results are sent directly to the United Airlines app, where they are available within four to 48 hours of the test-taking place. According to United Airlines, it is the only airline that provides customers with the travel requirements of their destination and lets them complete and upload any relevant paperwork directly in its app and on its website. American Airlines, for example, is using the third-party app VeriFLY. So far, United has handled almost 3.3 million vaccinations, test results, and passenger locator forms through its app and website. Commenting on the new offer, Linda Jojo, United’s executive vice president for technology and Chief Digital Officer, said, “United continues to deliver solutions that make it simple for customers to understand and meet all testing and vaccination requirements… This enhancement to our mobile app and website will give our customers confidence and peace-of mind knowing they have access to all of the information and services they need…” Ahead of the curve Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, United Airlines has been trying to place itself ahead of the curve when it comes to testing. The airline first launched COVID-19 tests for passengers on a limited basis between San Francisco and Hawaii on September 24th. According to the airline, this made it the first on the route to offer such a service. The airline was also the first to start offering a self-test that could be taken abroad and met the CDC requirements for travel back to the United States. While some destinations will now accept complete vaccination instead of testing, it looks as though COVID-19 tests are here to stay for the foreseeable future on many routes. https://simpleflying.com/united-airlines-walmart-covid-testing/ ACSF Rolls Out ASAP Courses The Air Charter Safety Foundation (ACSF) is releasing two e-Learning courses for members who participate in the Aviation Safety Action Program (ASAP). ACSF administers an ASAP through a cooperative arrangement with the FAA, providing an opportunity for charter, fractional, and Part 91 operators to participate in the voluntary, self-reporting program. Developed in concert with NATA’s Safety 1st Program, the free courses provide an introduction to ASAP, along with principles and administration of the program. They also educate on the use and benefits of the program. Lasting less than one hour each and provided through NATA’s Learning Management System, the courses were developed for aviation safety leaders in a variety of roles. ACSF said the courses will outline the “four pillars of value of ASAP,” provide an understanding of how the program gets integrated into a safety management system, explain safety risk management, discuss the process used for ASAP report evaluation, walk through the FAA Memorandum of Understanding process, and show how to review evidence for the success of an ASAP. “We’re all grateful to roll out technology that enables the ASAP to build awareness and help aviation organizations learn from home or the office,” said ACSF president Bryan Burns. “It’s a big plus that, for participants, there’s no need to travel to a workshop training venue or download a PowerPoint.” https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/business-aviation/2021-08-19/acsf-rolls-out-asap-courses Cherokee Nation, Spartan College Partner To Offer Cherokee Citizens Aviation Education (Oklahoma) Spartan College of Aeronautics and Aviation and the Cherokee Nation announced have announced a historic agreement. The two will partner to provide Cherokee Nation citizens opportunities to attend the college to become pilots or technicians. Spartan College's CEO said they have plans to work with Sequoyah High School in Tahlequah to introduce Cherokee students to aviation careers. The agreement was signed in Tahlequah on Thursday, which was National Aviation Day. https://www.news9.com/story/611f9bfeb7bb230bf45cfd56/cherokee-nation-spartan-college-partner-to-offer-cherokee-citizens-aviation-education DHL Express Adds 12 Electric Aircraft to Fleet with New Purchase Eviation is expected to deliver the 12 Alice aircraft to DHL in 2024. (DHL) DHL has purchased 12 electric aircraft from Eviation which will operate on all routes currently serviced by piston and turbine aircraft, the company announced in an Aug. 3 press release. “We firmly believe in a future with zero-emission logistics,” John Pearson, CEO of DHL Express, said in a statement. “Therefore, our investments always follow the objective of improving our carbon footprint. On our way to clean logistics operations, the electrification of every transport mode plays a crucial role and will significantly contribute to our overall sustainability goal of zero emissions. Founded in 1969, DHL Express has been known as a pioneer in the aviation industry for decades. We have found the perfect partner with Eviation as they share our purpose, and together we will take off into a new era of sustainable aviation.” Eviation’s electric aircraft, the Alice eCargo plane, will have a payload of 2,600 lbs. And a range of 815 kilometers, according to the release. The aircraft will require 30 minutes or less to recharge during flights. It also has fewer parts than traditional aircraft which will reduce maintenance costs and improve reliability. Eviation's Alice aircraft could be used on feeder routes. (DHL) “From day one, we set an audacious goal to transform the aviation industry and create a new era with electric aircraft,” Eviation CEO Omer Bar-Yohay said in a statement. “Partnering with companies like DHL who are the leaders in sustainable e-cargo transportation is a testament that the electric era is upon us. This announcement is a significant milestone on our quest to transform the future of flight across the globe.” Eviation is expected to deliver the 12 Alice aircraft to DHL in 2024, according to the release. “The next time you order an on-demand package, check if it was delivered with a zero-emission aircraft like DHL will be doing,” Eviation Executive Chairman Roei Ganzarski said in a statement. “With on-demand shopping and deliveries on a constant rise, Alice is enabling DHL to establish a clean, quiet and low-cost operation that will open up greater opportunities for more communities.” DHL has set sustainability goals that include investing 7 billion euros in efforts that reduce CO2 emissions by 2023, according to the release. The company has also committed to zero emissions by 2050. https://www.aviationtoday.com/2021/08/06/dhl-express-adds-12-electric-aircraft-fleet-new-purchase/ Air Safety Whistleblower Protections Critical at a Time of Heightened Air Safety Risks Air Safety Risks as Air Travel Resumes A report recently released by Allianz titled Aviation trends post Covid 19 identifies significant safety risks in the airline industry, including “rusty” pilots, “air rage”, new routes, new generation aircraft and even insect infestations impacting instrumentation accuracy. Specific risks include: Dozens of “rusty” pilots notified the Aviation Safety Reporting System about making mistakes after climbing back into the cockpit following an extended hiatus. “Many of the pilots cited rustiness as a reason for the incidents after returning to the skies following months of lockdown. While there have been no reported incidents of out of practice pilots causing accidents injuring passengers, mistakes reported included: forgetting to disengage the parking brake on takeoff, taking three attempts to land the plane on a windy day, choosing the wrong runway and forgetting to turn on the anti icing mechanism that prevents the altitude and airspeed sensors from freezing.” Insect infestation of mothballed aircraft has resulted in an “alarming trend” in the number of reports of unreliable airspeed and altitude readings during the first flight(s) after some planes have left storage. A surge of “air rage” and unruly passengers, including sometimes violent resistance to flight crew enforcing the mask mandate. A shortage of qualified pilots and air crew, which could result in fatigued staff. Whistleblower Protections for Airline Workers, Including Pilots Employees in the aviation industry are on the frontline and it is crucial that they can raise concerns to air carriers or the FAA without fear of reprisal. Fortunately, the AIR21 whistleblower protection law protects employees of air carriers from retaliation for engaging in protected whistleblowing, including: disclosing a potential violation of any FAA order, regulation, or standard to an employer or the federal government; commencing a proceeding related to a potential violation of an airline safety regulation; or testifying, assisting, or participating in a proceeding related to a potential violation of an airline safety regulation. In addition, AIR21 protects an employee for refusing to perform work assignments that the employee reasonably believes would cause them to violate any order, regulation, or standard of the FAA or any other provision of Federal law relating to air carrier safety. AIR21 prohibits a broad range of retaliatory acts that have a negative effect on the employee’s terms, conditions, or privileges of employment. This includes intimidating, threatening, restraining, coercing, blacklisting, or discharging a whistleblower. Even paid administrative leave may constitute an adverse action under certain circumstances. Williams v. American Airlines, ARB No. 09- 018 (Dec. 29, 2010). Remedies for Aviation Safety Whistleblowers Under AIR-21, a prevailing whistleblower can recover: Reinstatement; Lost wages and benefits; Uncapped compensatory damages for emotional distress and reputational harm; and Attorney fees and litigation costs. Uncapped compensatory damages can be substantial. In 2020, Judge Morris awarded pilot Karlene Petit $500,000 in compensatory damages for emotional distress, humiliation, and reputational harm. In his decision, Judge Morris found that Delta’s referral of Petit for a mental health evaluation was an adverse action in retaliation for her reporting insufficient maintenance on ambulance helicopters. The referral for a mental health evaluation placed at issue her career and livelihood in that formally questioning a pilot’s mental fitness stigmatizes that pilot in the eyes of the close-knit aviation community. Air Safety Whistleblower Protection Law: Proving Causation and Exhausting Administrative Remedies The statute of limitations for filing an AIR21 claim is just 90 days after the alleged retaliatory action. AIR21 whistleblower retaliation claims are filed with OSHA. Following an investigation, OSHA can order relief where there is reasonable cause to believe that retaliation has occurred. An OSHA memo clarifies that “the reasonable cause standard is somewhat lower than the preponderance of the evidence standard that applies following a hearing,” and that OSHA can issue a merit finding where an investigation reveals that the complainant could succeed in proving a violation. The burden for an AIR21 air safety whistleblower to prove causation is extremely low. An AIR21 whistleblower “need not show that protected activity was the only or most significant reason for the unfavorable personnel action, but rather may prevail by showing that the respondent’s reason, while true, is only one of the reasons for its conduct, and another [contributing] factor is the complainant’s protected activity.” Hutton v. Union Pacific R.R., ARB No. 11-091, ALJ No. 2010-FRS-00020, slip op. at 8 (May 31, 2013). Put another way, a trier of fact must find the contributing factor element fulfilled when the following question is answered in the affirmative: did the protected activity play a role, any role whatsoever, in the adverse action?” Palmer v. Canadian National Railway, ARB No. 16-035 (Sept. 30, 2016). https://www.natlawreview.com/article/air-safety-whistleblower-protections-critical-time-heightened-air-safety-risks South Korea flag carrier to hire new pilots in preparation Seoul [South Korea], August 20 (ANI/Global Economic): In order to prepare increased passengers and cargo transport in the post-COVID-19 era, Korean Air is going to hire new pilots. Korean Air announced on the 19th that it will recruit new pilots, who have military experience or civilian experience, in 2022. It will receive application documents by the 27th of next month, and the number of employees that will be newly hired is reportedly double digits. Applicants, who have passed documents, physical examination, and interviews, will be hired sequentially next year. The applicants must have more than 1,000 hours of flight time experience, and applicants with military experience should be discharged next year. Korean Air said that it should prepare for the increased airline operations in the post-COVID-19 era, although the recession of the airline industry is continuing. In order to train skilled pilots, one year of training for small and three to four years for medium and large airplanes are required. Because of this, Korean Air should hire new pilots in next year to secure a pilot to be deployed after 2023. Korean Air currently has more than 2,700 pilots. While the number of pilots for large aeroplanes for cargo transport is not enough, most of the small passenger pilots are reportedly taking a leave of absence. Korean Air is also expanding the number of large-sized airplane pilots through job conversion training. By hiring new pilots, Korean Air is expected to continue to strengthen its cargo business in the post-COVID-19 era. The number of pilots of Korean Air's cargo planes, the B747, and B777, is currently reported to be around 600. https://www.bignewsnetwork.com/news/270794313/south-korea-flag-carrier-to-hire-new-pilots-in-preparation Jet Edge Has Acquired 27 Private Jets After Securing $150 Million From KKR Los Angeles-based Jet Edge International has acquired 27 super midsize and large cabin private jets. The announcement comes just a little over two months after the charter operator announced it had secured a $150 million line of credit from KKR. The addition of 11 Challenger 300 and 350 super midsize jets, five large cabin Challenger 650s and 11 Gulfstream G450s was a surprise since the airplanes weren’t acquired in a single deal, but on a one-by-one basis beginning in January. The move comes in a market where demand is outstripping supply. One aircraft broker says he was able to flip a Gulfstream jet like the ones Jet Edge picked up for a $5 million profit within a week. Wayne Starling, executive director of the International Aircraft Dealers Association says, “We have buyers with funds to purchase, but demand for late model aircraft with attractive configurations exceeds supply.” Jet Edge, which mainly manages aircraft for owners, and often buys jets and sells them to clients, who then make them available in its charter fleet, will hold on to its newest additions, says the company’s CEO, Bill Papariella. “We need all of the capacity for our charter customers.” Jet Edge is spending $1.8 million to refurbish each of its newly acquired Gulfstream G450s. JET EDGE INTERNATIONAL Jet Edge is spending $1.2 million on the super midsize jets and $1.8 million on the large cabin aircraft, installing Gogo 4G streaming Wi-Fi, USB ports, Airshow upgrades, inflight entertainment options, sound systems, and Bluetooth connectivity. It is also debuted branded exteriors. Papariella says the plan was originally hatched a year ago when he began to sense the surge in private flying was only going to increase. Since June, charter and fractional operators have been recording flying levels as much as 30% higher than 2019’s pre-pandemic levels. All of the newly acquired aircraft will be flying by the Christmas holidays. However, that’s not all. Papariella says Jet Edge is working on its first-ever order for new jets directly from a manufacturer. The order will be for between 15 and 20 super mid and large cabin aircraft with deliveries to start by the end of next year. The announcement comes as other large operators have either announced orders or signaled their intention to grow their fleets. Last week NetJets, the world’s largest operator of private jets, said it is adding 100 new aircraft by the end of 2022 after already taking 25 so far this year. Flexjet, the second largest fractional operator behind NetJets, is doubling its Gulfstream G650 and accelerating deliveries across the board. In 2019, it placed a $1.4 billion order with Embraer for a mix of Phenom 300s and Praetor 500s and 600s. In April, Vista Global Holding revealed an order for a dozen Bombardier Global 7500s and 10 more Challenger 350s for VistaJet. It also picked up a minority stake in Talon Air, adding 33 large, super-midsize, and midsize private jets. Last week officals told Aviation International News it is launching a European fleet for its XO brand with three Citation XLS midsize jets. Earlier today, it reaffirmed plans to triple the fleet of Red Wing Aviation, another operator where it has a minority interest. In May, Lenexa, Kansas-based Airshare said it would add up to 20 new Challenger 350s, a deal at list price that is valued at $540 million. The company, which counts Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes as an ambassador, plans to expand beyond its current footprint which runs from the Rockies to Texas, the Midwest and Great Lakes region. In June, Mike Guina, president of Kinston, North Carolina-based FlyExclusive, said the charter operator is looking grow its fleet from 72 aircraft with 40 to 50 preowned jets in the next 24 months. It is opening its own paint and refurbishment facility later this month Jet Linx Aviation, which has been expanding through acquisition, announced earlier this week two new executive positions as it looks to step up its M&A activity. Not everyone is jumping into the deep end of the pool. Oxford, Mississippi-based Nicholas Air, which tends to buy aircraft new, but in small increments, seems to be holding off for the moment. Its vice president Peder Von Harten says prices are “30-to-40% higher than the airframe is worth due to simple supply and demand economics.” https://www.forbes.com/sites/douggollan/2021/08/19/jet-edge-has-acquired-27-private-jets-after-securing-150-million-from-kkr/?sh=649620a263e3 NASA halts SpaceX work on lunar lander after Blue Origin suit WASHINGTON (Reuters) -NASA agreed on Thursday to temporarily halt work on a $2.9 billion lunar lander contract awarded to Elon Musk's SpaceX after rival billionaire businessman Jeff Bezos's Blue Origin sued the U.S government, an agency spokeswoman said. Blue Origin has said its lawsuit https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/blue-origin-sues-us-government-over-spacex-lunar-lander-contract-2021-08-16, filed in the U.S. Court of Federal Claims last week, was "an attempt to remedy the flaws in the acquisition process found in NASA's Human Landing System." A U.S. judge has set an Oct. 14 hearing on the case. NASA said in a statement it paused work with SpaceX on the human landing system through Nov. 1. "In exchange for this temporary stay of work, all parties agreed to an expedited litigation schedule that concludes on Nov. 1," the U.S. space agency said. "NASA officials are continuing to work with the Department of Justice to review the details of the case and look forward to a timely resolution of this matter." The U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) last month sided with NASA over its decision to pick a single lunar lander provider, rejecting Blue Origin's protest. SpaceX, headed by Tesla Inc's CEO Musk, this week intervened in the lawsuit to ensure that the court "has a complete and accurate picture of the facts and circumstances surrounding this protest, including the substantial harm that SpaceX will suffer if the court grants the relief sought" by Blue Origin. SpaceX did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Blue Origin, the rocket company founded by Amazon.com Inc's founder Bezos, has said it remains convinced there were "fundamental issues" with NASA's decision and that the GAO was not able to address them "due to their limited jurisdiction." NASA sought proposals for a spacecraft that would carry astronauts to the lunar surface under its Artemis program to return humans to the moon for the first time since 1972. The space agency said on Thursday it "is committed to Artemis and to maintaining the nation's global leadership in space exploration. With our partners, we will go to the moon and stay to enable science investigations, develop new technology, and create high paying jobs for the greater good and in preparation to send astronauts to Mars." In April, NASA awarded SpaceX a contract to build such a spacecraft as early as 2024. https://www.yahoo.com/finance/news/nasa-temporarily-halts-lunar-lander-195420212.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. Upcoming RTCA Training Opportunities DO-178C, Software Considerations in Airborne Systems and Equipment w/Supplements – September 13-17, 11am-5pm est. Airworthiness Security Certification – September 27-30, 11am-5pm est. Safety Management Systems Overview – October 11-14 1pm-5pm est. DO-160G, Environmental Testing – October 25-29, 11am-5pm est. DO-254, Design Assurance Guidance for Airborne Electronic Hardware – December 7-10, 11am-5pm est. Learn more about RTCA’s training offerings. Curt Lewis