Flight Safety Information - September 15, 2021 No. 186 In This Issue : Crash: Rimbun DHC6 at Intan Jaya on Sep 15th 2021, impacted terrain on go around : Incident: Westjet Encore DH8D at Calgary on Sep 11th 2021, all gear unsafe on approach : Beechcraft B200GT King Air 250 - Crash on Takeoff (Brazil) : B-2 Bomber Crashes In Missouri; Crew Uninjured, FAA TFR In Place : Air Canada Trying to Secure Release of Pilots Detained in Hong Kong Over Positive COVID-19 Test : Miami International Becomes First U.S. Airport to Use COVID Sniffing Dogs : Airlines report over 4,000 cases of unruly passengers : India & Europe to work closely on aviation safety; DGCA & EASA sign pact : Air Canada Reroutes Hong Kong Flights Via Seoul To Avoid Flight Ban : Shake-up at Southwest Airlines ripples over ATL airport’s credit rating : Aviation Institute of Maintenance opens nation’s largest aircraft mechanic school on the South Side of Chicago : Air NZ plans to be flying electric aircraft by 2030, chief pilot says : REGIONAL PILOT BONUSES : Which Aircraft Have The Largest Jet Engines? : Boeing delivers 22 jets in August, 737 MAX 'white tails' nearly gone : SpaceX, Blue Origin awarded NASA contracts to develop moon lander concepts for future Artemis missions : POSITION AVAILABLE: Safety Analyst, Aviation Safety Action : POSITION AVAILABLE: Aerospace Engineer (Powerplants) : Position Available - Safety Evaluator : POSITION AVAILABLE: Decision Science Lead, Flight Safety Crash: Rimbun DHC6 at Intan Jaya on Sep 15th 2021, impacted terrain on go around A Rimbun Air de Havilland DHC-6-300, registration PK-OTW performing a freight flight from Nabire to Intan Jaya (Indonesia) with 3 crew, had attempted an approach to Intan Jaya's Bilorai Airport [WAYB/UGU] in dense fog when the crew initiated a go around at 07:22L (22:22Z Sep 14th). A short time later loud noises of an impact and trees falling was heard at the airport without ever sighting the aircraft. A signal of the emergency locator transmitter activated at that time. Emergency services activated and attempted to find the aircraft, about 2 hours later a helicopter was able to locate the aircraft at an altitude of 2400 meters/7870 feet MSL (Position S3.7433 E136.9873) about 4500 meters/2.4nm from the runway in a "state of total destruction", there were no signs of survivors. Emergency services are currently on their way to the crash site. The aircraft was carrying building materials to Intan Jaya. Intan Jaya's Police reported the aircraft was located at an elevation of 2400 meters about 5000-6000 meters westsouthwest of the runway in a "state of total destruction", it was unlikely that any of occupants survived. The aircraft had departed Nabire at 06:40L for the about 40 minute flight to Intan Jaya. The aircraft went around due to dense fog, turned left and impacted terrain. The captain's mobile phone is still logged into the network, however, when the phone is being called, there is no response. Bilorai Airport (Position S3.7396 E137.0322, altitude 7200 feet MSL) features a runway of 600 meters length located at the edge of a cliff and is surrounded by mountains. http://avherald.com/h?article=4ed46c72&opt=0 Incident: Westjet Encore DH8D at Calgary on Sep 11th 2021, all gear unsafe on approach A Westjet Encore de Havilland Dash 8-400, registration C-GENM performing flight WS-3210 from Comox,BC to Calgary,AB (Canada) with 55 passengers and 4 crew, was on approach to Calgary when the crew selected the gear down but received three red/unsafe gear indications. The aircraft went around, the crew worked the relevant checklists and performed an alternate gear extension which resulted in three green gear indications. The aircraft landed safely. The Canadian TSB reported maintenance replaced the landing gear selector valve. http://avherald.com/h?article=4ed40c28&opt=0 Beechcraft B200GT King Air 250 - Crash on Takeoff (Brazil) Status: Preliminary Date: Tuesday 14 September 2021 Time: 08:40 Type: Beechcraft B200GT King Air 250 Operator: CSM Agropecuária Registration: PS-CSM MSN: BY-364 First flight: 2019 Crew: Fatalities: 2 / Occupants: 2 Passengers: Fatalities: 5 / Occupants: 5 Total: Fatalities: 7 / Occupants: 7 Aircraft damage: Destroyed Aircraft fate: Written off (damaged beyond repair) Location: 1,5 km (0.9 mls) N of Piracicaba Airport, SP (QHB) ( Brazil) Phase: Initial climb (ICL) Nature: Unknown Departure airport: Piracicaba Airport, SP (QHB/SDPW), Brazil Destination airport: ? Narrative: A Beechcraft B200GT King Air 250 crashed shortly after takeoff from Piracicaba Airport, Brazil. The aircraft was destroyed and all seven on board were killed. https://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=20210914-0 B-2 Bomber Crashes In Missouri; Crew Uninjured, FAA TFR In Place A USAF B-2 stealth bomber sustained unknown damage during an emergency landing at Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri shortly after midnight Tuesday morning (Sept. 14). The Air Force reported there was no fire and no one was injured. The crew had reported an in-flight malfunction during what was described as a routine training flight. The Air Force Global Strike Command issued the following statement: “A U.S. Air Force B-2 Spirit experienced an in-flight malfunction during a routine training mission and was damaged on the runway at Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri, after an emergency landing. “The incident is under investigation and more information will be provided as it becomes available.” The FAA issued a temporary flight restriction (TFR) in the area that is scheduled to expire on Friday (Sept. 17). The restriction was imposed “to provide a safe environment for an accident investigation” according to an FAA statement, and is scheduled to be in place until 8 p.m. local time Friday (Sept. 17). Twenty-one B-2s were built. One was lost in a 2008 takeoff accident in Guam, in which no one was injured. The Air Force investigation blamed that mishap on heavy rains that compromised the aircraft’s instrument sensors. The B-2 that crashed this week has been stationed at Whiteman AFB since 1993, according to the Air Force. https://www.avweb.com/aviation-news/b-2-bomber-crashes-in-missouri-crew-uninjured-faa-tfr-in-place/ Air Canada Trying to Secure Release of Pilots Detained in Hong Kong Over Positive COVID-19 Test Air Canada has confirmed that it is attempting to secure the release of four pilots who were detained in Hong Kong last week because one of the crew tested positive for COVID-19. The crew are being held in a purpose-built quarantine camp which is surrounded with high-fencing and protected with perimeter patrols by PPE-clad security personnel and bright outdoor stadium-like lighting. In testimony to the U.S. Congress, a FedEx Express pilot who spent time at the camp last year said he was held in a small room that had “a one-person bed, about 5 feet long, made of two pieces of plywood and a thin mattress, a compact modular bathroom (all of which became a shower stall), a cement floor, and limited hot water, only enough for a daily 5-minute shower, and none at the sink tap.” An internal memo obtained by the Toronto Sun revealed how Air Canada was working with the Canadian government in an attempt to secure the release of the aircrew. All of the pilots tested negative prior to leaving Canada and are fully vaccinated. “Rest assured, Air Canada is working with all stakeholders, including the Canadian government, to facilitate an expeditious return of this crew to Canada,” the memo sent to the airline’s pilots explained. Under Hong Kong’s strict virus prevention rules, anyone who is deemed a close contact must spend 21-days in isolation even if they test negative for COVID-19. Rather than being allowed to quarantine in a hotel room, close contacts are moved to a government-approved camp. “Consular officials are in contact with local authorities and are providing consular assistance to the affected individuals,” a spokesperson for Global Affairs Canada said of the situation. “Consular officials will continue to monitor their health and well-being closely.” The crew have been held in Hong Kong since last Thursday. In a bid to prevent a reoccurrence, Air Canada has now added a stopover in Seoul, South Korea for a crew change so that pilots don’t have to get off the plane in Hong Kong and run the risk of being placed into quarantine. The FedEx pilot in last year’s incident spent six days in a “drafty room” in the quarantine camp before U.S. officials secured his release and “extracted” him from Hong Kong. The pilot described being driven to the airport in a convoy of vans as if he was a criminal being extradited. A member of British Airways cabin crew caused outrage in Hong Kong when she described a stint in the quarantine camp last year as like being held in a concentration camp. The crew member was also taken from her hotel room by “space-suited” officials and taken to the camp after being classed as a close contact. https://www.paddleyourownkanoo.com/2021/09/14/air-canada-trying-to-secure-release-of-pilots-detained-in-hong-kong-over-positive-covid-19-test/ Miami International Becomes First U.S. Airport to Use COVID Sniffing Dogs More than 16 months into the COVID-19 pandemic, the travel industry continues to get creative with the way it is dealing with the virus. Miami International Airport (MIA) this week announced that is collaborating with the Global Forensic and Justice Center (GFJC) at Florida International University (FIU) and American Airlines to install a trial program of COVID-19 detecting dogs at the airport. The airport will host the two dogs—Cobra, a Belgian Malinois, and One Betta, a Dutch Shepherd—for a 30-day pilot program. The dogs are potentially able to immediately detect and alert to the virus in public spaces. The virus, according to FIU, causes metabolic changes in a person that produces compounds excreted by a person’s breath and sweat, which allows the dogs to alert to the virus. The two will be stationed at airport security, the same place that the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has traditionally deployed canines. If the dogs are able to detect a person who may be carrying the virus, security will pull the person aside to get a rapid COVID test. According to Miami International, the dogs were able to detect COVID during their training sessions at a rate from 96% to 99%. According to Miami’s Mayor, should the program prove successful in actual practice, it could expand beyond the airport. “The pandemic has pushed us to innovate to stop the spread,” Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava said in a statement announcing the program. “We’re proud to do everything we can to protect our residents. I look forward to seeing how the airport tests their skills and expanding the pilot program to other County facilities.” While Miami will become the first U.S. airport to use the dogs, others internationally have been using them for some time, including Dubai’s main airport. https://www.travelmarketreport.com/articles//Destinations/articles/Miami-International-Becomes-First-US-Airport-to-Use-COVID-Sniffing-Dogs Airlines report over 4,000 cases of unruly passengers (CNN) – The Federal Aviation Administration is dealing with a surge of unruly passengers. The agency has opened more than 750 investigations so far in 2021. That’s about four times the normal amount federal officials have on an annual basis. Airline crews have reported nearly 4,300 incidents this year. Most of them involve alleged violations of the federal mask mandate imposed by the Transportation Security Administration for all airline, bus and train passengers. https://www.cleveland19.com/2021/09/14/airlines-report-over-4000-cases-unruly-passengers/ India & Europe to work closely on aviation safety; DGCA & EASA sign pact NEW DELHI: The Indian Directorate General of Civil Aviation of India (DGCA) and the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) on Tuesday signed a working arrangement to strengthen their relationship and to achieve common safety and environmental protection standards. India and Europe have agreed to work closely in the field of aviation by signing an agreement that could lead to tapping India’s true potential to becoming an important centre for designing and manufacturing of aircraft and engines. Aimed at promoting cooperation; understanding of each other’s regulatory systems and facilitating exchange of aeronautical products, services and personnel, the agreement “is the result of intensive negotiations between the two parties over several years and marks an important milestone in strengthening the relationship between India and Europe in the aviation world,” the agreement says. “Where a production approval is granted by one party for the manufacture of an aircraft, engine or propeller based on design approval issued by the other party in carrying out the functions and duties of the state of design, both parties shall ensure… that there is an agreement or arrangement acceptable to them between the manufacturing organisation and organisation responsible for the type design which guarantees that: (A) the manufacturing organisation has the right of access to the approved design data relevant for production purposes and (B) the manufacturing organisation cooperates with the organisation responsible for the type design in assessing information on the design, manufacture and operation of the aircraft, engine or propeller concerned,” the agreement says. The agreement says through this working arrangement, India and EASA intend to develop closer collaboration in several domains. These include: “Rule-making cooperation, including sharing of information and best practices, in order to support the implementation of harmonised aviation safety and environmental protection requirements. Facilitate issuance or acceptance of certificates for products, parts and appliances. Sharing of safety information, including co-operation on continued airworthiness of in-service products, parts and appliances accepted or approved in application of the Working Arrangement and technical training and professional staff development,” says EASA. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/india-europe-to-work-closely-on-aviation-safety-dgca-easa-sign-pact/articleshow/86205824.cms Air Canada Reroutes Hong Kong Flights Via Seoul To Avoid Flight Ban Air Canada has decided to re-route its Hong Kong-bound flights via the South Korean capital of Seoul. The decision comes after some of the airline’s crew have had to quarantine in Hong Kong following a reported positive coronavirus test. Such action may see the carrier avoid a flight ban in Hong Kong, which other airlines have already been subjected to. Four crew members detained Air Canada’s decision to re-route its Hong Kong-bound flights to Seoul reportedly comes as a result of some of its crew members being detained upon arrival in Hong Kong. Specifically, the Toronto Sun reports that this came about after a pilot from an Air Canada flight, which had four crew members onboard, tested positive for coronavirus. This led to the crew being detained by Chinese authorities last Thursday, despite the fact that the other three members tested negative. Interestingly, the pilot who reportedly tested positive is fully vaccinated, and had a negative PCR test before leaving Canada. According to an Air Canada spokesperson, the pilot in question was asymptomatic throughout the flight. This could raise suspicions regarding the legitimacy of his alledged positive test. Air Canada stated in a memo that it is “working with all stakeholders, including the Canadian government, to facilitate an expeditious return of this crew to Canada.” The pilot in question is reported to be a 60-year-old male. Photo: Vincenzo Pace | Simple Flying Re-routing Hong Kong-bound flights It is reported that the affected crew are currently being held in a government facility. In the meantime, the Canadian Consulate in Hong Kong is working to secure their release. Hong Kong’s restrictions presently include a 21-day quarantine. To avoid further quarantine issues, and even a potential flight ban, Air Canada has re-routed its flights. The Canadian flag carrier and Star Alliance founding member presently flies to Hong Kong International (HKG) from Toronto (YYZ) and Vancouver (YVR). Starting yesterday, its Hong Kong-bound flights have been making an intermediate stop at Seoul Incheon (ICN). According to Paddle Your Own Kanoo, Seoul will be the site of a crew change. This will mean that pilots don’t have to leave the aircraft in Hong Kong, risking a potential quarantine. RadarBox.com shows that Seoul-Hong Kong is only a two-and-a-half-hour flight, meaning that a fresh crew can easily make a return trip without exceeding their hours. An Air Canada spokesperson offered the following statement to Simple Flying: “Given the newly added restrictions required to enter Hong Kong, Air Canada made the decision to suspend its direct cargo and passenger operations effective September 13, 2021. As of Sunday, our flights will now make a stop in Incheon (Seoul) to allow for a crew change. As a result, our crews will no longer be laying over in Hong Kong, they will be laying over in Seoul.” They later added: “Three of the four pilots have now been released, so only one remains.” Other airlines temporarily banned Hong Kong has taken a strict approach to airlines that bring coronavirus-positive passengers or crew into the region. Indeed, Simple Flying reported last month that it had banned Turkish Airlines and Philippine Airlines from landing there. This came about after each carrier operated a flight to Hong Kong with three positive-testing passengers onboard. The temporary measure prohibited the offending carriers from flying to Hong Kong between August 29th and September 11th. Similarly to the Air Canada case, a Philippine Airlines spokesperson told Simple Flying at the time of its ban that “all three passengers presented negative COVID-19 test results when they checked in for their flights.” https://simpleflying.com/air-canada-hong-kong-flight-ban/ Shake-up at Southwest Airlines ripples over ATL airport’s credit rating The credit rating of Atlanta’s airport hasn’t been changed, but the airport’s vulnerability to outside forces may be a factor Wednesday at a special call meeting of the Atlanta City Council. Southwest Airlines faces a corporate shake-up days after bond analysts cited the company’s importance to Atlanta’s airport. (Photo by Noah Wulf via wikimedia.org) The outside force is an upheaval in the management of Southwest Airlines. On Monday, Southwest Airlines announced President Tom Nealon will retire from the company – three months after he was passed over for the CEO job. This management shift in a Dallas-based airline matters in Atlanta because Southwest is a major tenant at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. Southwest Airline was specifically cited in the credit rating for the $420 million in bonds the council is to discuss Wednesday. Analysts with Moody’s Investors Service, in their Aug. 31 rating action on the bond package, mentioned Southwest and Delta Air Lines in the section titled, “Factors that could lead to a downgrade of the ratings.” One of the five factors observed that a potential credit downgrade could follow: “Any move by Delta to create an additional mid-continent connecting hub or an exit from the market by Southwest Airlines Co.” At this time there is no indication that Southwest intends to make any changes in its routes. However, the airline did issue a cautionary statement to investors on Sept. 9, four days before it announced Nealon’s retirement. The statement noted “The Company continues to experience softness in bookings and elevated trip cancellations.” The “current report” filed by Southwest with the Securities and Exchange Commission did not mention Nealon nor any other leadership shuffle. Further, the current report stated Southwest does not expect to turn a profit in the third quarter “without taking into account the benefit of temporary salaries and wages cost relief provided by payroll support program proceeds.” Finally, the report observed: “The Company will continue to monitor demand and booking trends and adjust capacity, as needed.” Regarding Delta Air Lines, there is no indication Delta has interest in expanding its mid-continent hubs beyond Detroit, Minneapolis and Salt Lake City. As Delta noted in its annual report for 2020, filed Feb. 8, traffic through its core hubs has been reduced significantly due to the decreased demand for flight travel during the pandemic. The language suggests there are no further expansion plans. The council is scheduled to adopt terms for $420 million in bonds that are being sold to refinance existing airport debt at better terms. The council on June 21 had voted to authorize the bonds to be sold with the caveat that the council would reconvene at a later date to finalize terms including interest rates, now set at a maximum of 6 percent a year, and other matters. The sale of debt proceeded accordingly. Analysts with Moody’s Investors Service on Aug. 31 released a rating of the debt as high grade, meaning investors face a minimal risk of loss. The city council arranged a routine special-call meeting on Wednesday to finalize details of the terms. The corporate shake-up at Southwest is so recent that the bond rating houses haven’t issued new credit insights to reflect the collapse of the leadership transition that outgoing Southwest Chairman and CEO Gary Kelly announced June 23: “I am delighted to announce Bob Jordan as CEO. Bob and I have worked side by side for more than 30 years. He is a gifted and experienced executive and well-prepared to take on this important role. Working closely with President Tom Nealon and Chief Operating Officer Mike Van de Ven, we will begin developing transition plans in the coming weeks and months. These three top-notch Leaders make for a powerful team to lead us forward.” https://saportareport.com/shake-up-at-southwest-airlines-ripples-over-atl-airports-credit-rating/sections/reports/david/ Aviation Institute of Maintenance opens nation’s largest aircraft mechanic school on the South Side of Chicago After successfully developing a series of campuses across the country, the Aviation Institute of Maintenance set its eyes on the Chicago area a year ago as the location for its next outpost. And on Wednesday, September 15, elected leaders, community members and executives of the Aviation Institute of Maintenance will gather at 3711 S. Ashland Avenue in the McKinley Park neighborhood to celebrate and commence the opening of the nation’s single largest aviation maintenance education facility. The bull run in industrial real estate that the country has been witnessing over the last year and a half has been a boon to logistics, manufacturing, and other traditional industrial uses, but at the same time, the increasing demand and need for skilled labor is another piece of the equation which could actually end up impacting some of the exponential industrial growth we’re seeing in the Chicago area and beyond. And this is where the Aviation Institute of Maintenance comes in, says Dr. Joel English, the company’s Executive Vice President. “You hear a lot about industrial, but not a whole lot about industrial education,” English says. “And that’s a reality that is hampering the growth of a lot of organizations like airlines, maintenance repair stations, and even manufacturers.” The Virginia-based company, which operates 14 campuses under the Aviation Institute of Maintenance (AIM) flag and six Centura College locations within Virginia, has big plans for the Chicago area, which will not only provide training towards FAA certification for aircraft mechanics, but will ultimately also offer programs and training for skilled careers in welding, CNC operation, and manufacturing. Currently, the organization has roughly 5,000 students enrolled across the country. After the first five years of operation, the Chicago location could support upwards of 600 students, English says, providing a pathway to gainful employment for graduates while also bolstering the local workforce for businesses like Boeing, United, and the numerous other companies that operate in and around the city’s airports. However, the skills taught are also transferable to other roles in heavy industry, English adds. “I’ve heard over and over again that [hiring managers] need people who know something about manufacturing, they need welders, they need CNC operators or they need aviation mechanics,” English says about the demand for skilled labor. “And we do well when industry says yes, I know there’s a workforce in Chicago that is trained and ready to hire, so I’ll move there.” While AIM has had success with repurposing shuttered retail locations, such as a former Wal-Mart Neighborhood Market in Charlotte, an old Circuit City store in northern Virginia, or a former Saturn dealership in central Florida, the organization opted for a 20-year, single-tenant lease of the new industrial facility at 3711 S. Ashland developed by Logistics Property Company. In his experience, some of the benefits retail locations tend to offer are available parking and central location near communities, English says. But after taking the entire 137,000-square-foot South Ashland facility, the space that was originally designed for and meant to accommodate 18-wheeler parking was converted into standard vehicle parking for AIM’s upcoming students. With an expectation of having upwards of 600 students enrolled, the school needed roughly 350 parking spaces to be feasible. Additionally, forming partnerships with the City Colleges of Chicago and Chicago Public Schools was a crucial component of the deal, English suggests. Students who have successfully completed relevant courses in high school will be able to roll those credits over into AIM’s maintenance program. And students enrolled at Olive-Harvey College will be able to take courses at AIM, “making it very affordable for them,” English adds. . English also credits broker Michael Conway, VP with JLL, as being essential to not only the site selection, but in helping to connect AIM to and build a partnership with World Business Chicago, which in turn put the plan on the mayor’s radar. Gavin Stainthorpe, also a VP at JLL, worked on the deal with Conway. “I always get to know and work with the community before I bring a school into town, but the kind of the business group that is World Business Chicago is one that I don’t know that I would have figured out without his help on that,” English says of the collaboration. Conway says that the South Ashland site came out on top not only for being a newly completed building, but for its central location near population density. Additionally, industrial properties typically offer a more competitive value proposition over retail locations, Conway suggests. “What’s interesting is a large e-commerce company built a brand new facility at 35th and Ashland just two blocks north, so I think everyone thought that this was going to be a last-mile distribution play,” Conway says of the South Ashland location. “But those aren’t the only companies who go to the city, right?” In many ways, an e-commerce company’s need to be near population density is the same as AIM’s when it comes to student body and talent pool. However, Conway also highlights the need to be accessible for commuter students coming from the suburbs as well. Conway says that being within Chicago proper was “faraway the winner” and made more sense than being out in a far-flung suburb or edge city. “If you’re in Melrose Park or Skokie, or up in Highland Park or Glenview, it’s easier to get to 37th and Ashland than somewhere down I-55 in the south suburbs,” Conways says of the location. “How is that different than going to Columbia, Roosevelt, or UIC, especially, which is known as a commuter school?” While the South Ashland facility is also located near Midway Airport, both Conway and English say that being close to an airport was not a priority. English goes even further and calls the idea that an aviation maintenance school needs to be near an airport a “myth,” instead suggesting that it’s far more important to be in a location that’s more convenient for students to get to. “If you visit any one of the other 170 aviation maintenance schools in the country, almost all of them are on an airport,” English says of the trend. “But there’s this sort of, I’m just gonna call it a myth, that if you’re doing aviation maintenance, you need to be near an airport because that’s where the airplanes are. And that is very much the opposite of the way I view things, because I can get an aircraft to a school, but what I can’t do is get the students that need to go to a technical school like mine to an airport.” But as soon as the ribbon is cut and the Chicago school officially opens this week, it’ll be on to the next one, English says. Since the new Chicago location will be the largest in the AIM network, there aren’t any immediate plans for another Midwest outpost. However, the organization will likely be looking to open a school somewhere in the western market. There are big hopes for the Chicago facility and what it could mean to its immediate community and the opportunities for public school students who may have never considered a career in aircraft maintenance, Conway says. “To me, the exciting part is just being able to create well-paying jobs in Chicago. And it’s happening in Chicago; it’s a great place to work and a great place to live.” https://rejournals.com/aviation-institute-of-maintenance-opens-nations-largest-aircraft-mechanic-school-on-the-south-side-of-chicago/ Air NZ plans to be flying electric aircraft by 2030, chief pilot says New Zealand's aviation industry is starting to take its first steps towards electrification. Air New Zealand is planning to have an electric aircraft in its fleet by 2030, and its turboprop fleets will eventually be replaced with aircraft powered by alternative energy, its chief pilot says. In an interview for Capa – Centre of Aviation, Air New Zealand chief operational integrity and safety officer, David Morgan, said the national carrier, and the aviation industry, had to find solutions to reduce emissions and combat climate change. “We are of the view that we would like to see a zero carbon aircraft in our fleet sooner rather than later.” Morgan said he hoped that would be by 2030. The pilot would probably begin as a trial and carry just cargo, not passengers, he said. It was likely to be a single engine aircraft, but a twin-engine 20 to 30 seater aircraft would be “viable” in 10 years, he said. The revelation comes after Marlborough-based regional airline, Sounds Air, recently outlined its plans to be operating at least three electric aircraft by 2026. Air New Zealand has a goal of net zero emissions by 2050. Air New Zealand’s fleet of 23 Bombardier Q300 would be replaced with an aircraft that ran on alternative power some time after 2030, he said. “That's our expectation. That's the fleet plan.” The 50-seater Q300 have an average age of 15 years. Its newer ATR-72 fleet would also eventually be replaced with aircraft powered by alternative energy, he said. Air New Zealand has 28 of the 68-seater ATRs, with an average age of five years. Morgan said Air New Zealand was focused on decarbonisation and had a goal of achieving net zero emissions by 2050. Air New Zealand plans to replace its Bombardier Q300 with planes powered by alternative energy. Alternative aviation fuels, such as green hydrogen and zero emissions aircraft, would help it reach 50 per cent of its net zero target, he said. Morgan said he was surprised at the rate of change and innovation happening in sustainable aviation. “It's quite exciting, and we want to be part of that.” “As long as we prevaricate and delay we're not going to, as an industry, solve the problem that we have to solve,” Morgan said. “For us, it's about decarbonisation.” Morgan, who has been with the airline for more than 35 years, said the aviation industry had either not known how to address climate change or had not wanted to. Good airlines were focused on meeting the needs of their customers, and customers were increasingly concerned about the environment the impact flying was having on it, he said. Air New Zealand’s ATR fleet has an average age of five years. Morgan said Air New Zealand chief executive Greg Foran recognised the difficulty that the industry was in and the airline’s obligation to communities to help solve the climate change crisis. “Greg's given the mandate for us to push and push harder.” Covid-19 had not slowed down Air New Zealand’s sustainability goals and the airline was challenging the International Air Transport Association to think about sustainability in the same way it did with safety. Air New Zealand chief operational integrity and safety officer, captain David Morgan says its decarbonisation goals will be achieved by using zero emissions aircraft and sustainable aviation fuel. “The reason for that is because the clock is ticking.” The Government, as a majority shareholder of the national carrier, had outlined its expectation that the airline should be involved in finding sustainable aviation fuel solutions, he said. “As we are such a significant part of aviation in New Zealand we'll have to look to deliver that.” https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/industries/126364924/air-nz-plans-to-be-flying-electric-aircraft-by-2030-chief-pilot-says REGIONAL PILOT BONUSES If there was ever any doubt about the need for pilots, or the need to try and retain pilots, those doubts have been squarely put to rest. In August, Piedmont, PSA, and Envoy, all of whom fly under the American Airlines banner, announced significant retention bonuses. All captains are to receive $30,000 immediately, first officers will receive $30,000 when they upgrade, all pilots who stick around for the flow to American will receive $70,000, and there will also be $50,000 biannual bonuses available, with the details to be announced. This is a blatant admission that the pipeline of pilots is drying up. It might also be an admission of sorts by American Airlines that pilots are not sticking around to get the promised flow to the American mainline. While I don’t have the details about how this program will work, or what the catches are, this indicates that the adage that “money talks” is going to be put to a test. For example, how long will an upgrading FO have to stay to receive and keep the $30,000 bonus? What if that FO decides to bid back to the right seat for personal reasons? What is the structure of the biannual bonus? And, perhaps most important to so many of the pilots at the three airlines: how long do they have to realistically wait to get a shot at American? If the wait is too long, the problem is not going to be solved, as those pilots who are experienced and marketable will apply to Delta, United, Southwest, et al. If I am in management at American Airlines Group, I would be trying to figure out what to say to get them to stay. It remains to be seen whether Delta and/or United will feel compelled to do something similar. Make no mistake that while the pilots in question are flying RJs, these bonuses are approved and maybe even initiated by management, since they pay the bills. It is clear that they see a shortage on the horizon. I recently had a pilot from American on one of my flights, and while this wasn’t yet public knowledge, the overall need for pilots is, and we were discussing the state of the industry going forward. Every major airline will tell you that they all have the same 4,000 to 5,000 who are viable candidates in their pool of applicants. What makes this such a challenge is that, for the first time ever, multiple carriers are trying to hire at least 1,000 pilots a year. Delta, United, Southwest all would love to train more than that, and JetBlue is not far behind. UPS, FedEx and the Amazon contractors (Southern and Atlas) all need experienced pilots. While the pay at Southern and Atlas is still below where it should be, there is reason for optimism that the pilots are on the verge of a new contract that will dramatically increase compensation. It doesn’t take much to see that four airlines hiring 1,000 pilots each will quickly deplete the current pool of available talent. It’s important to realize that these aren’t just pie-in-the-sky numbers either. While the pandemic is not over, travel demand has rebounded, and people are ready to move. Airlines responded to the downturn by offering early retirement packages that helped avoid furloughs. Retirements are not going to slow down, and every carrier is ordering airplanes that will result in a net growth of their fleets. They wouldn’t be doing this if they didn’t have confidence that the business would be there. In fact, in 2022, United will be taking a new airplane every three days. It’s been decades since the majors have seen that kind of movement. This is going to create an incredible series of opportunities, but it will also put great strains on each company’s training centers. There will be positions open as instructors, evaluators, course content creators, and more. Recruiters will also be in demand. New and more airplanes will also open up opportunities for mechanics, which is another area of great staffing concern. But for us as pilots, this represents an opportunity to try as many different types of flying as you might care to experience. Ultra long haul, cargo, wide body, narrow body, charters, Boeing versus Airbus…it is all on the table. Some pilots will bid aggressively and fly every plane in the fleet, and others will find a niche and settle in for the long haul in one seat or one fleet. You certainly won’t starve. I am curious to see the gotchas of the American Airlines Group deal with its subsidiaries, but I do think it is indicative of the state of an industry that needs to work hard to make learning to fly more accessible, more affordable, and more attractive. Let’s hope that this is just the beginning! - Chip Wright https://blog.aopa.org/aopa/2021/09/14/regional-pilot-bonuses/ Which Aircraft Have The Largest Jet Engines? The jet engines on aircraft are always a bit bigger than you’d expect, especially if you have the opportunity to get up close and personal. But which are the biggest in the world, and which aircraft do they power? While there could be various interpretations of the size of jet engines, such as length, thrust, or some other measurement, we’ve gone for fan diameter as a comparison. Biggest on a widebody The biggest jet engine on a commercial widebody today comes from the house of GE. The GE90 was introduced in 1995, making its debut on the Boeing 777 for British Airways. The GE90 powers all variants of the 777 family, including the -300ER, the -200LR and the Freighter. The GE90 brought with it lightweight and innovative carbon fiber blades, using composites for the first time in engine technology. The carbon fiber is mixed with a toughened epoxy, giving the blade strength, despite being one-third of the weight of titanium. Two variants of the GE90 were produced – the GE90-94B, which powers the Boeing 777-200 and 777-300, and the GE90-115B, which is used on the longer-range variants such as the -200LR and the -300ER. Out of the two, the -115B is very slightly larger in diameter, by just one inch (2.54 cm). Winner – Boeing 777-200LR, 777-300ER & 777F at 135 inches (343 cm) diameter Biggest on a narrowbody The newest narrowbodies fall into two camps – the CFM LEAP series of engines or the Pratt & Whitney Geared Turbofan (GTF) family. Of the two choices, the one that goes biggest is the P&W GTF, but only specific models. The biggest LEAP engine is the 1A, used on the A320neo family of jets, at 78 inches (198 cm). P&W’s 1100G-JM, also used on the A320neo family of engines, surpasses this at 81 inches (206 cm). The PW1000G-JM has been powering the A320neo since 2016, and the A321neo since 2017. It remains one of two options available to airlines, so it’s not guaranteed that you’ll be on a P&W-powered neo every time. However, it’s fairly easy to spot if you are. The P&W engines surround their high bypass ratio fan blades with green rub strips. These help reduce friction and excess noise, but also provide a handy visual guide to which engine is powering your flight. All P&W GTF engines have a raindrop symbol on the nose cone, as opposed to the spiral that you’ll see on the LEAP engines. Winner – Airbus A320neo family at 81 inches (206 cm) Biggest on a regional jet The regional jet market is dominated by Embraer, with relative newcomer the Airbus A220 also picking up market share. Both families picked P&W to supply the powerplants for the aircraft, and both sport the largest engines in the marketplace. The A220 uses the PW1500G, which has a fan diameter of 73 inches (185 cm). The E195-E2 and the E190-E2 use the PW1900G, which also has a fan diameter of 73 inches (185 cm). The A220 has used the powerplant the longest, since back when it was the Bombardier C-series, and gets a slightly higher maximum thrust of up to 25k, compared to 23k on the E2 jets. Winner – Airbus A220 and Embraer E2 at 73 inches (185 cm) Biggest future engine Anyone with an interest in jet engines will already be aware that there is something much bigger on the horizon. The GE9X is the powerplant for the forthcoming Boeing 777X, and holds the Guinness World Record for the highest recorded thrust. It’s a huge beast, with a massive diameter of 134 inches (340 cm), but it’s not the biggest. The biggest engine in the history of commercial aviation will be the Rolls-Royce UltraFan. Set to be the future engine of the most efficient widebodies, the UltraFan will have an epic diameter of 140 inches (355 cm), surpassing even the great size of the GE9X. While work on the UltraFan is set to pause for a while, we can expect this incredible engine manufacturer to return to its plans in the future. Eventually, it will build the world’s biggest jet engine… well, until someone else makes one a bit bigger. https://simpleflying.com/aircraft-largest-jet-engines/ Boeing delivers 22 jets in August, 737 MAX 'white tails' nearly gone SEATTLE/PARIS (Reuters) -Boeing Co delivered 22 airplanes in August amid revived domestic travel and won orders for seven 787s in a respite for a program hobbled by industrial defects and a halt in deliveries. The closely watched monthly snapshot comes as Boeing tries to recoup billions of dollars in lost sales from the coronavirus pandemic, and move beyond a safety scandal caused by two fatal 737 MAX crashes. Of the 22 jetliners delivered last month, 14 were 737 MAX passenger jets and two were P-8 maritime patrol aircraft. The remaining six jets were widebodies, including three KC-46 tankers for the U.S. Air Force. For the year to date, Boeing has delivered 206 aircraft. European rival Airbus delivered 40 jets in August to reach 384 since the start of the year. Through August, Boeing had delivered 169 of its best-selling 737 MAX jets since that aircraft returned to service in late 2020 following a nearly two-year safety ban. Crucially, Boeing has virtually eliminated a stockpile of up to 200 unwanted jets known in the industry as "white tails," left by the MAX crisis, according to industry sources. But it is grappling with structural defects in its bigger 787, which have caused it to cut production and halt deliveries. Boeing nonetheless struck an optimistic note with higher industry forecasts on Tuesday, citing a recovery in domestic markets, although international travel remains depressed and coronavirus variants pose potentially new risks. Boeing said it received orders for 53 aircraft in August, including 35 MAX and 18 widebody aircraft. Those include 11 777 freighters - one for FedEx Corp and 10 more from a buyer or buyers Boeing declined to identify. Total orders for August, after cancellations and conversions, stood at 23. That brings orders for the year so far to 683 or 280 after cancellations, ahead of Airbus' net total of 132. INDIAN DEAL Industry sources said Boeing is close to winning an order for some 70-100 737 MAX jets from India's Akasa, a budget startup founded by billionaire Rakesh Jhunjhunwala, pending separate talks on a long-term engine service deal. But it remains in a dispute with Irish budget airline Ryanair, one of its biggest customers, over the pricing of a potential order for up to 250 MAX jets as demand for new airliners picks up in Europe. Ryanair says it is not prepared to bow to Boeing's pricing demands amid uncertainty over COVID-19 trends and suspended talks last week. Market sources say Boeing has signalled more confidence on prices after securing orders from United Airlines and others, and after finding homes for all but 20 of the "white tails". European sources accuse Boeing of slashing prices aggressively to win deals, a charge it denies. Asked on Tuesday about supplies of MAX jets, Stephen Jones, chief executive of Flair Airlines, told Reuters in Montreal, "I think it has tightened up quite a lot." The airline secured MAX jets at what he called a "great price" in March. https://www.yahoo.com/finance/news/boeing-delivers-22-jets-august-150623636.html SpaceX, Blue Origin awarded NASA contracts to develop moon lander concepts for future Artemis missions NASA has awarded a combined $146 million in contracts to five companies, including SpaceX, Blue Origin and Dynetics, to develop lander concepts as part of the agency’s Artemis program. The awards include $26.5 million to Blue Origin; $40.8 million to Dynetics; $35.2 million to Lockheed Martin; $34.8 million to Northrop Grumman; and $9.4 million to SpaceX. Only two companies that submitted proposals, Blue Ridge Nebula Starlines and Cook & Chevalier Enterprises, did not receive contracts. The contracts were awarded under NextSTEP-2 (Next Space Technologies for Exploration Partnerships) Appendix N: Sustainable Human Landing System Studies and Risk Reduction. The solicitation, released at the beginning of July, says the objective of the contract is “to engage with potential commercial partners for concept studies, sustaining HLS concept of operations (ground and flight) development, and risk reduction activities.” What that means in practice is that the selected companies will develop lander design concepts, including conducting component tests, and evaluate them for things like performance and safety. These awards are separate from the Human Landing System contract that was given to SpaceX earlier this year -- the one that both Blue Origin and Dynetics disputed to a government watchdog, and that Blue Origin later opposed in a lawsuit against NASA that’s still ongoing. Feds dismantle Blue Origin and Dynetics protests of NASA’s SpaceX lunar lander award However, the outcome of this batch of awards will likely inform future lander development contracts through the rest of the decade. “The work from these companies will ultimately help shape the strategy and requirements for a future NASA’s solicitation to provide regular astronaut transportation from lunar orbit to the surface of the Moon,” the agency said in a statement. The Artemis program was established in 2020 with a number of objectives, not only to return humans to the moon for the first time since the days of Apollo but to make such travel routine by the late 2020s. NASA isn’t just stopping at the moon; the agency also wants to expand into inter-planetary exploration, including human missions to Mars. https://www.yahoo.com/finance/news/spacex-blue-origin-awarded-nasa-212839525.html Safety Analyst, Aviation Safety Action Indianapolis, IN US Schedule Full time POSITION PURPOSE Provides support for Republic Airways Safety Action Programs. Assists with projects and process studies for ASAP programs in Flight Operations, Inflight, Dispatch, and Maintenance to promote Safety in preventing accidents and incidents while enhancing Company policy and FAR (Federal Aviation Regulation) compliance. ESSENTIAL DUTIES To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. · Maintains Aviation Safety Action Program (ASAP) agendas and supporting documentation. · Serves as the focal point for safety information regarding the status of ASAP reports. · Maintains a database that tracks safety events and the analysis of those events. · Build data visualization by leveraging existing tools, as well as providing enhancements to business dashboards, and provides department deliverables. · Analyzes and investigates trends relative to ground and flight safety. · Acts as the liaison between the FAA, Company, and Union/Employee Group Representatives for implementation for recommended changes and corrective actions. · Provides feedback to submitters regarding the status of ASAP reports. · Assists in the implementation of policies and procedures in accordance with company and industry guidance. · Conducts follow-up analysis to ensure compliance and effectiveness of corrective and preventative actions. · Maintain the security, integrity, and confidentiality of all report data from all data sources. · May perform other responsibilities as assigned. Responsibilities and duties may change when circumstances dictate (e.g., emergencies change in workload, rush jobs, or technical developments). REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability necessary to perform this job. EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE · Bachelor’s degree (B.S. / B.A.), or aviation related field or equivalent experience in air carrier maintenance, quality assurance, or operations. · 3 years relevant experience (job or coursework). PREFERRED EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE · 3 years of experience with air carrier quality and/or safety program management, Safety Management System (SMS), or Aviation Safety Action Program (ASAP). · Airman Certificate: Commercial pilot, dispatch, or Airframe and Powerplant (or comparable military experience). · Basic knowledge of Microsoft Power BI. · Statistical background and good communications. · Understanding relevant 14CFR and FARs. LANGUAGE SKILLS Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations. Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and the general public. REASONING/PROBLEM-SOLVING ABILITY Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form. DECISION MAKING Makes day-to-day decisions used to support strategic direction. Decisions often require some thought and are somewhat structured. Decisions tend to be short-term and usually moderate cost. PHYSICAL DEMANDS The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. WORK ENVIRONMENT The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Typically not exposed to extreme environmental conditions. TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS Ability to travel up to 10% of the time, including overnight and weekend travel. APPLY HERE POSITION AVAILABLE: Aerospace Engineer (Powerplants) VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT #: AS-11194481-21-AE POSITION TITLE: Aerospace Engineer (Powerplants) POSITION SERIES & GRADE: GS-0861-14 OPEN DATE: September 3, 2021 CLOSE DATE: October 4, 2021 Area of Consideration: U.S. Citizens Duties Summary This position is located in the Office of Aviation Safety, Aviation Engineering Division. The incumbent will participate and direct technical analyses of general aviation and air carrier accidents and incidents in the specialty area of turbine and reciprocating engines, propellers, fuel systems, engine accessories, and auxiliary power units. Responsibilities As an Aerospace Engineer (Powerplants), GS-0861-14, you will: Participates and directs technical analyses of general aviation and air carrier accident and incidents in the specialty area of turbine and reciprocating engines, propellers, fuel systems, engine accessories, and auxiliary power units. Serves as Group Chairman, documenting and analyzing airworthiness issues potentially involved in accidents and develops accident prevention strategies. Coordinates efforts with other Group Chairman, the IIC, and the Team Lead to assure thoroughness of all investigations and that necessary documentation is accomplished as a result of the investigative activity. Prepares factual and analytical reports covering specialty area on each accident. Correlates these findings with those of other Group Chairmen to assist in identifying the causes(s) of the accident. Assists the IIC and report writers in the preparation of the Safety Board's accident report with particular emphasis on the accuracy of factual information and the logic of analyses of the evidence from the investigation. Critically reviews drafts of the Safety Board's accident reports and provides constructive and timely feedback to improve the technical accuracy and logic presented in these reports. Researches and develops appropriate safety recommendation to correct hazardous or unsafe conditions using information obtained in the course of investigations, personal observations, and knowledge of current aviation engineering trends and developments. Acts as an advisor to the US Accredited Representative on foreign investigations. May be required to act as the US Accredited Representative to foreign investigations. Makes presentations and responds to Member's questions at Board meetings following the conclusion of major investigations or projects. Work Environment: The incumbent supports major go-team launches as well as significant international investigations. Major go-team launch teams commonly travel on the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) jet from Reagan National Airport within two hours after an accident notification is received. Timely arrival at the scene of a major accident allows for timely documentation of a wreckage; a delay in this effort can have significant impacts, such as impeding the re-opening of an airport. International travel by US Government employees frequently requires the issuance of a visa from the host country, which is most efficiently obtained at the embassies located in Washington, DC. Additionally, security concerns in many locations make it essential that the investigative team travel together. Physical Demands: Occasionally the aircraft wreckage may contain hazardous materials that may be burning by the time the investigator arrives on-the-scene; therefore, the incumbent may be exposed to a variety of weather conditions and other environmental discomforts such as remote, rugged, snow, rain, temperature extremes, swampy or mountainous areas and hostile settings and may have to wear a hardhat, safety shoes, goggles, gloves, and other protective equipment. Travel Required Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position. APPLY AT: https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/613161300 Position: Safety Evaluator Job Description At Republic Airways, our vision is to be America’s regional airline of choice, and our 6,000 associates work together each day to achieve that by providing a safe, clean and reliable flying experience. Whether the role is on the aircraft or in the office, every person at Republic contributes to our success and our family-oriented work environment. Since our founding in 1974, we’ve grown to become the world’s largest operator of the Embraer 170/175 jet, flying more than 1000 flights daily for our partners, American Airline, Delta Air Lines and United Airlines. Beyond our operations, we’re focused on sharing our time, talents and treasures with our community—both locally and globally. Join Republic Airways where you will find opportunities, reach new heights and be part of something bigger than yourself. Republic Airways, opportunity elevated. POSITION PURPOSE Conducts internal evaluations of operational divisions to ensure adherence to federal regulations, company policies and procedures. Conducts aircraft damage investigations, tracks regulatory correspondence and completes special projects as assigned. ESSENTIAL DUTIES To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Conducts internal evaluations of operational divisions to ensure compliance with federal regulations as well as company policies and procedures. Communicates company policies/procedures, Federal Aviation Regulations and other Standards including but limited to International Air Transport Association (IATA) Operational Safety Audits (IOSA) standards, Department of Defense Standards etc. facilitating fair resolutions and imparting quality expertise to all operational departments. Coordinates Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) - Safety Assurance System (SAS) inspections conducted by the FAA Coordinates IOSA conducted by appointed Audit Organization Coordinates DOD inspections conducted by the DOD Communicates with external audit organizations, the FAA and DOD Identifies, tracks, and solves quality and safety concerns, issues or hazards (this includes, but not limited to, interviews, reviews of past evaluation/audit records and compliance data for trends) Reviews changes to applicable regulations in order to recommend appropriate actions to ensure company compliance. Ensure adherence to all Safety and Security regulations Develops and maintains Data Analysis Group key performance indicators, and continuous improvement initiatives for data analysis and visualization. Provides technical leadership to team and department members. Leads through example; monitors, influences and trains others. OTHER DUTIES Performs data analysis on aircraft ground damage to identify trends & systemic causes of aircraft damage. Participates in investigations of aircraft ground damage. Leads investigations into company controllable damage and participates in conference calls for codeshare partner damages. Contributes to the development of SMS training modules for all company associates covered under SMS. Responsible for the continuous improvement of Republic’s Safety Management System Assists with development of SMS structured risk assessment and safety assurance processes, including facilitating Data Analysis Groups Participates in special projects including but not limited to: special request audits, Codeshare meetings and initiatives, Safety Management System (SMS) implementation, monthly safety newsletter and manual reviews using SAS tools. Performs various other duties as assigned. REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability necessary to perform this job. EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE. Bachelor’s degree with at least 2 years of Aviation experience required. Knowledge of the Code of Federal Regulations for Title 14 and 49 and associated regulatory materials. Knowledge in aviation safety systems including, but not limited to: Safety Management System (SMS), System Safety, Safety Assurance System (SAS) and IOSA. Skills in Microsoft Office applications is a must. PREFERRED EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE Bachelor's degree in an aviation or safety related discipline is preferred. At least 3 years of previous experience in aviation. Airframe and Powerplant, Dispatch License or Pilot’s License is preferred. Previous auditing and evaluating experience. LANGUAGE SKILLS Ability to read, analyze, and interpret common scientific and technical journals, financial reports, and legal documents. Ability to respond to common inquiries or complaints from customers, regulatory agencies, or members of the business community. Ability to effectively present information to top management, public groups, and/or boards of directors. REASONING/PROBLEM SOLVING ABILITY Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form. DECISION MAKING Makes decisions and determines best methods to solve problems by referring to established precedents and policies. Decisions tend to be medium range and of medium significance with moderate consequences. PHYSICAL DEMANDS The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an associate to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Able to move about the work environment. Frequently required to stand, walk, sit, talk and hear. WORK ENVIRONMENT The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an associate encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Typically not exposed to extreme environmental conditions. Work in an open air hangar and outdoor weather conditions occasionally. TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS Travel up to 15% of the time, including overnight stays. Equal Opportunity Employment and Disability Accommodations Republic Airways is committed to achieving a diverse workforce by providing equal employment opportunities to all Associates and applicants, and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type with regard to any characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. We are committed to providing applicants and Associates reasonable accommodation to enable the individual to perform the essential duties of the job. If you require accommodation, please contact Human Resources. APPLY HERE POSITION AVAILABLE: Decision Science Lead, Flight Safety Atlanta, GA This position will support the delivery and continued evolution of products based on the safety data, classifications, and models built with Flight Safety metrics and data science. The Technical Lead will help develop the safety data best practices for adoption and training within Flight Safety as well as Corporate Safety, Security and Compliance. This requires a deep knowledge of aviation safety metrics and models, classification models, statistical processes, and core data science/data engineering skill sets. This role will report directly to the Manager, Data and Decision Science. Primary responsibilities: • Bridge the gap between data collected from operations and the risk analysis needed for Delta to make informed decisions about areas of flight safety risk. • Design, develop and implement software products based on data science/machine learning models. • Help develop best practices for flight safety data architecture, data stewardship, and data presentation. • Define and execute the data modeling roadmap. • Build data sets from multiple data sources, both internally and externally. • Partner with Operational data analysis teams to optimize and enhance the data environment for addressing known safety risks and applying methods to discover potential new risks. • Work with operational leaders to ensure that the data products are produced with optimal efficiency and best practices. • Leverage emerging technologies and identify efficient and meaningful ways to disseminate data and analysis in order to satisfy the business' needs. • Provide technical leadership to the Flight Safety department and Corporate Safety. • Practice safety-conscious environment resulting in employee safety and well-being. • Embraces diverse people, thinking and styles. What you need to succeed: • Master’s degree in Computer Science, Data Science, Statistics, Mathematics, or equivalent experience. • Must have at least 2 years of relevant analytical/project management experience. • Must have a working knowledge of Flight Operations and Flight Safety metrics. • Proficiency in working with relational databases and query authoring (SQL). • Proficiency in data visualization best practices and commercially available tools (e.g. Tableau). • Proficiency in Python, Bash script or other basic functional programming tools. • Strong written, oral communication, and interpersonal skills. • A natural curiosity towards constant improvement. • Strong project management, organizational, and prioritizations skills. • Must be able to interact and collaborate at all levels within Corporate Safety, Security and Compliance, Flight Operations, cross-divisional working groups and outside entities. • Must be performing satisfactorily in current position. What will give you a competitive edge: • PhD degree/candidate preferred. • Working knowledge of statistical/machine learning tools (e.g. scikit-learn) preferred. To apply, please visit: https://delta.avature.net/careers/JobDetail/Decision-Science-Lead/6087 APPLY HERE Curt Lewis