Flight Safety Information - September 23, 2021 No. 192 In This Issue : Incident: Passaredo AT42 at Parintins on Sep 19th 2021, engine fire indication : Antonov An-26KPA - Fatal Accident (Russia) : 'Maderna' tourist wanted after skipping Hawaii Zoom hearing : United employees sue the airline over exemptions to the COVID-19 vaccine mandate, as the company announces 97% of workers have gotten the shot : Flight attendant explains why air hostesses always have their hair slicked back : Passenger arrested at Omaha airport after disturbance over COVID-19 rules : Optimizing Aviation Efficiency and Safety When Severe Weather Strikes : Brazilian Carrier GOL Signs Letter of Intent for 250 eVTOL Aircraft : How Many Aircraft Does British Airways Still Have In Storage? : Israeli carrier El Al raises demands for state aid, appeals to prime minister : Boeing lifts China jet demand estimate over two decades to $1.47 trln : Airbus to test shape-shifting 'extra performance wing' : Cracks found on the International Space Station are a 'fairly serious issue,' a former NASA astronaut says : Henry Gourdji Named Winner Of 65th Annual Laura Taber Barbour Air Safety Award : RTCA Webinar: Innovation and Airport Infrastructure Incident: Passaredo AT42 at Parintins on Sep 19th 2021, engine fire indication A Passaredo Avions de Transport Regional ATR-42-500, registration PR-PDS performing flight P3-5965 from Parintins,AM to Manaus,AM (Brazil) with 21 passengers and 4 crew, was climbing out of Parintins when the crew received a left hand engine (PW127) fire indication, worked the related checklists and shut the engine down. The aircraft returned to Parintins for a safe landing. CENIPA reported emergency services checked the engine and found no anomalies, there was no damage. http://avherald.com/h?article=4eda5410&opt=0 Antonov An-26KPA - Fatal Accident (Russia) Date: Wednesday 22 September 2021 Type: Antonov An-26KPA Operator: LPS Flight Checks & Systems Registration: RA-26673 MSN: 8408 First flight: 1979 Crew: Fatalities: 6 / Occupants: 6 Passengers: Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 0 Total: Fatalities: 6 / Occupants: 6 Aircraft damage: Destroyed Aircraft fate: Written off (damaged beyond repair) Location: 38 km (23.8 mls) SW of Khabarovsk ( Russia) Phase: En route (ENR) Nature: Aerial Work (Calibration, Photo) Departure airport: ? Destination airport: ? Narrative: An Antonov An-26 of LPS Flight Checks & Systems was reported missing. Last radar contact was at 38 km from Khabarovsk, Russia. A Mil Mi-8 helicopter discovered the wreckage in a forest near Khrebtovaya Mountain (793m / 2602ft asl) the next day. The aircraft was engaged in a calibration flight for the navaids at Khabarovsk Airport. https://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=20210922-0 (Photo Courtesy: Whoisjohngalt, CC BY-SA4.0, via Wikimedia Commons) 'Maderna' tourist wanted after skipping Hawaii Zoom hearing HONOLULU (AP) — A Hawaii judge issued a bench warrant for an Illinois woman after she failed to appear for a virtual court hearing Wednesday following her arrest for an alleged fake COVID-19 vaccination card that misspelled Moderna as “Maderna.” Judge Karin Holma said she would issue a $500 warrant for the 24-year-old woman's arrest during a hearing on the case held via Zoom. Deputy Hawaii Attorney General Kory Young said he was requesting the warrant even though the scheduled proceeding was a status hearing. She was released without bail earlier this month on two misdemeanor counts of violating Hawaii’s emergency rules to control the spread of COVID-19. In order to bypass Hawaii’s 10-day traveler quarantine, she uploaded a vaccination card with the glaring spelling error to the state’s Safe Travels program and arrived in Honolulu Aug. 23 on a Southwest Airlines flight, authorities said in court documents. The state public defender's office represented her at previous hearings. “Our office did not receive an application from her for our services,” said Public Defender James Tabe. “Therefore, we are not representing her.” It's not clear if she hired an attorney. She hung up on an Associated Press reporter who asked her to comment on the allegations Wednesday. https://www.yahoo.com/news/maderna-tourist-wanted-skipping-hawaii-210825610.html United employees sue the airline over exemptions to the COVID-19 vaccine mandate, as the company announces 97% of workers have gotten the shot A group of United employees sued the company, saying it practiced a "pattern of discrimination" by denying their vaccine exemption requests. More than 97% of the airline's employees are vaccinated against COVID-19 leading up to the September 27 vaccine deadline. United Airlines was the first major US airline to require its employees to be vaccinated for COVID-19 to keep working. Six United Airlines employees have filed a lawsuit against the company, saying it discriminated against workers through its company-wide vaccine mandate. The lawsuit, filed Tuesday in a Texas federal court, alleges the company refused to engage with or denied employees' requests for religious or medical exemptions from the COVID-19 vaccine, which they say violate of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Americans with Disabilities Act. It also said United's "indefinite unpaid leave" policy failed to provide "reasonable accommodations" to unvaccinated employees. "United's actions have left Plaintiffs with the impossible choice of either taking the COVID-19 vaccine, at the expense of their religious beliefs and their health, or losing their livelihood," according to the lawsuit. The plaintiffs vary in position across the company - two pilots, a flight attendant, and operations/service representatives. The lawsuit says they requested at least one of either exemptions, but were ultimately denied and put on "indefinite unpaid leave" by the company. United Airlines has not yet responded to Insider's request for comment. Meantime, the air carrier announced Wednesday that 97% of employees are now vaccinated against COVID-19. United was the first major US airline to issue a vaccination mandate for workers. This comes less than a week before the company's major employee vaccine deadline of September 27, announced back in August. The company said in the original announcement that all new and current customer-facing employees would need to be vaccinated against the coronavirus to continue working after the September deadline, unless granted exemption due to religious or medical reasons. Those placed on leave can return to their jobs once the company deems it "safe" to do so, but until then, the leave would be unpaid. The company said it highly encourages, but does not require, its passengers to be vaccinated. United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby said the company accepted "most" of the exemption requests it received, but denied some requests after vetting. Kirby said only "a handful" of employees had quit over the vaccine requirement, adding the company expect more resignations by the vaccine deadline, but "it's going to be a very low number of people that ultimately choose to leave." Delta Airlines has also set up a punitive system for its unvaccinated workers, bumping up health insurance for those refusing to get the vaccine. American Airlines cut off special pandemic leave for its unvaccinated employees, while Alaska Airlines announced it would stop offering paid time off to workers who contract COVID. https://www.yahoo.com/news/united-employees-sue-airline-over-184813007.html Flight attendant explains why air hostesses always have their hair slicked back A flight attendant has explained why she always keeps her hair tied back — and it's not for the reason you might think. Posting to TikTok, Canadian flight attendant Kaylee, who goes by @flyingkaylee, revealed her hair is always off her shoulders not just to meet her dress code, but also for safety reasons. Kaylee explained the 'smoke hoods' create a tight seal around a flight attendant's neck, which isn't as effective if hair is in the way. (TikTok / @flyingkaylee) "We have something on-board called 'smoke hoods'," Kaylee explained in the video. "So, in case there is a fire on-board that we need to fight, we have something that we can put on over [our heads] so we can still be breathing oxygen and not be breathing in the smoke as we're fighting the fire." The smoke hoods "create a tight seal" around a person's neck — but if a flight attendant's long hair is in the way, that seal can't be made, said Kaylee. "It won't work as effectively, so that's why your hair needs to be tied back, so you can create that tight seal and then you can breathe the oxygen as you need to," she said. The second reason you might notice a flight attendant's hair slicked back in a ponytail or bun is for uniform. "If my hair is over my face and getting in the way, that doesn't look so good, so it's also a presentation thing as well," Kaylee explained. The video has been spruiked by thousands of TikTokers who were surprised by Kaylee's explanation. "You are trained fire fighters too? That I did not know," one person commented. Replying to the comment, Kaylee wrote: "FA's (flight attendants) are your '911' in the air, police, emergency and fire. We may get assistance time to time but the reason we're on board is safety first." Another person agreed with the dress code rule: "Looks good to me, but safety has to come first," they wrote. https://travel.nine.com.au/latest/why-flight-attendants-always-tie-hair-back/c622e13b-5fd6-488c-9059-6af0557bd343 Passenger arrested at Omaha airport after disturbance over COVID-19 rules OMAHA, Neb. (WOWT) - Omaha Police arrested an international flight passenger at Eppley Airfield who caused a disturbance when asked to comply with COVID-19 rules. According to the OPD report, Cliff Emerson, 67, of Ashland — who officers said smelled of alcohol — became angry when asked by a United ticket agent on Sunday, Sept. 12, to provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test within the 48 hours prior since he was traveling out of the country. Officers said Emerson threatened them and the airline’s employees after he was told he wouldn’t be able to fly, and he was asked to leave the airport. He said he wouldn’t do so, continued to threaten offers and airline staff, and was subsequently arrested for trespassing, the police report states. Emerson was booked into Douglas County Corrections on misdemeanor charges of disorderly conduct and first-degree criminal trespassing, according to police records. Authorities verified Wednesday that he bonded out and is due in court Oct. 4. https://www.wyomingnewsnow.tv/2021/09/22/passenger-arrested-omaha-airport-after-disturbance-over-covid-19-rules/ Optimizing Aviation Efficiency and Safety When Severe Weather Strikes With the correct technology, airport personnel can measure and detect severe weather and take proactive steps to minimize disruptions and ensure safety. By: Timo Lindfors When you’re responsible for ensuring safe and efficient takeoffs and landings, inclement weather is not your friend. From thunderstorms and snowstorms to heavy winds, rain, fog and ice, severe weather events can create potentially hazardous conditions that cause cost-prohibitive, inconvenient delays and put lives at risk. Whether developing suddenly or slowly, inclement conditions are, according to the Federal Aviation Administration, by far, the largest cause of flight delays. In fact, inclement weather causes nearly 70 percent of all flight delays of greater than 15 minutes in an average year. Worse yet, while human error is the most common cause of accidents, weather is a primary contributing factor in nearly 25 percent of all aviation accidents, with a National Transportation Safety Board study revealing more than two-thirds of all weather-related general aviation crashes have been fatal. No matter where in the world an airport is located, severe weather conditions can complicate how air traffic controllers, pilots and airport personnel decide to maintain the safety and efficiency of airport operations. How Severe Weather Impacts Daily Operations and Personal Safety Given the busy nature of airports, efficient daily operations are essential while ensuring travelers fly safely to their destinations. Understandably, at airports of all sizes across the globe, severe weather can have a dramatic impact on both these factors. Let’s take a look at some of the most common severe weather phenomena affecting aviation. Lightning Lightning strikes can cause serious injuries and even death to fliers and airport/airline personnel, damage aircraft, interfere with avionics, shut down engines and even incapacitate pilots. Complicating the issue, many airports don’t effectively monitor lightning or mitigate its impact. Some smaller airports use audible thunder to indicate the presence of lightning in the area, while most others employ basic single-point sensors that are challenged to communicate a storm’s precise location or classify in-cloud versus cloud-to-ground strikes. Beyond uncertain lightning information, disparate safety procedures and warning criteria hamstring airport operations because notifications alerting personnel when to halt operations and move to shelter, as well as when it is safe to resume, can be inconsistent. Wind Shear Wind shear — or the sudden change in the direction or velocity of wind — most commonly impacts aviation in the form of delays, cancellations and diversion of flights to alternative airports, but it can also quickly create dangerous situations during takeoff and landing. Whether landing or taking off, large commercial aircraft must be able to avoid drastic disruptions to their flight paths caused by one of the most dangerous — and difficult to assess — weather phenomena in aviation. Even though winds alone are rarely the cause of accidents, wind shear remains a persistent risk because it takes place at a height, and under flying conditions, when planes are most vulnerable. Since wind shear puts lives at risk and can lead to crippling financial damages, airports need to reliably perceive wind shear dangers, alert the appropriate personnel and take action before accidents happen. Low Visibility Every year, low visibility cancels, delays or disrupts flights around the world. Whether the product of water (rain, fog, snow, sleet, graupel) or rock-based obscurants (sand, dust or other particulate matter), visibility is an important factor in all phases of flight. Good visibility means airports can maximize inbound/outbound aircraft so that they are running at full capacity. However, as visibility decreases, airport operations have to become less efficient to ensure safe departures and arrivals. Freezing Conditions When temperatures plummet and precipitation falls from the sky, freezing conditions complicate daily operations and require extra time and manpower to ensure safe travel. In addition to causing costly delays and cancellations, extreme cold forces decision-makers to deice and anti-ice aircraft, as well as ameliorate the impact of freezing conditions on runways and taxiways. Unfortunately, the deicing and anti-icing processes create significant time and cost impacts. Not only are the fluids used costly, but queuing planes for deicing only further delays operations. While aviation decision-makers cannot control Mother Nature, there is a broad range of tools available to help mitigate the impact of lightning, wind, fog, icing and other dangerous weather conditions to make aviation safer and more efficient. Mitigating Risk and Improving Safety with Measurement Technologies When it comes to severe weather, balancing minimal operational downtime with optimal safety can be difficult without the right tools. To ensure safe and efficient airport operations in all weather, decision-makers need accurate assessments of wind, visibility, cloud height, pressure, lightning, wind shear, precipitation, runway surface conditions and more. That’s where aviation weather management systems that incorporate a wide range of sensors to produce real-time reports and alerts come in. Measuring lightning involves standalone sensors that detect nearby lightning, a precision lightning network that includes more advanced sensors deployed around the airport and a global lightning network able to detect all lightning events around the globe. Combined, these components can be integrated into systems to trigger lightning warnings that keep staff and passengers safe while ensuring operations run at optimal efficiency. For wind shear, the best aviation weather management systems incorporate three measurement technologies: a low-level wind shear alert system (LLWAS), weather radar and scanning wind lidar. LLWAS measures average wind speed and direction using a network of remote ultrasonic sensors fixed around runways and along approach or departure corridors. Weather radar, used during precipitation, can measure the wind field from the entire aerodrome and beyond. Scanning wind lidar, used in clear sky conditions, provides wind shear detection, 3D wind information and wind inversion detection that can measure the entire field, from the runway and its approach and take-off areas. Concerning visibility, categorized airports must have instrumented meteorological optical range (MOR) measurements and a system calculating Runway Visual Range (RVR), the most essential factor for enabling air traffic control and pilots to make the correct operational decisions. Visibility, or MOR, can be measured with two approved technologies: transmissometer and forward scatter, with transmissometer technology like Vaisala’s LT31 transmissometer. Forward scatter technology, such as Vaisala’s FD70, is, in addition to the meteorological visibility (MOR), able to measure the drop size distribution and velocity of falling hydrometeors as well as offer present weather detection. Weather radars can deliver precise meteorological information for a specific area, tracking the location of severe storms. By providing advanced warning of a broad range of approaching weather phenomena, including wind shear, precipitation type and amount, thunderstorms, microbursts and more, weather radar can enable good situational awareness and help improve safety and airport efficiency. Additionally, novel lidar ceilometers can detect freezing conditions in the atmosphere at altitude. With these measurements, decision-makers are able to notify any planes flying through how they could be impacted and enable airport operators to monitor potential nearby snowfall, which will lower RVR, force runway maintenance teams to clear runways and taxiways, cause flight delays and lower the frequency of takeoffs and landings. When airports are selecting the technologies comprising their aviation weather management system, it is important to consider vendors that offer comprehensive solutions that integrate individual sensors, sensor suites and complex systems to provide situational awareness. Vendors should also be experienced in aviation so that they have insight into what airports face when it comes to the impact of severe weather on operations and safety. To maintain scheduled operations and keep staff and travelers safe, decision-makers require precise and timely weather information to plan ahead, rapidly react to changing conditions and reduce disruptive delays. With the right technologies, airport decision-makers can measure and detect severe weather and take the proactive steps necessary to minimize delays and cancellations, while keeping operations running as safely and smoothly as possible. Timo Lindfors is a 20-year employee of Vaisala with a background in the company’s research and development projects on dropsondes, sounding systems, services development and aviation systems. As part of Vaisala’s aviation team, Lindfors has been involved with numerous wind shear projects with customers worldwide to review and plan how to implement the best fit-for-use wind shear systems. https://www.aviationpros.com/ground-handling/ground-handlers-service-providers/ramp-operations-training/article/21235266/vaisala-optimizing-aviation-efficiency-and-safety-when-severe-weather-strikes Brazilian Carrier GOL Signs Letter of Intent for 250 eVTOL Aircraft Low-cost airline GOL Linhas Aéreas Inteligentes S.A., one of Brazil’s leading carriers based in Rio de Janeiro, announced that they have signed a non-binding letter of intent with Avolon for purchase and/or lease of 250 electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft (eVTOL). Avolon is the world’s third-largest leasing business specializing in providing aircraft leases and lease management services to airlines and their investors. The company is based in Dublin, Ireland with offices worldwide including in the United States, Dubai, Hong Kong, Shanghai and Singapore. Currently, Avalon’s fleet consists of 837 aircraft, including aircraft leased by US carriers American Airlines, Delta Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines and Southwest Airlines. “Today’s announcement represents a significant step in building an eVTOL ride sharing platform that will reshape the commercial aviation market in Brazil. Gol and Grupo Comporte both bring broad and diverse networks, along with proven track records in scaling multiple businesses, making them the ideal strategic partners for Avolon,” stated Avolon’s CEO Dómhnal Slattery. “Their unparalleled market access, coupled with our deep knowledge and relationships in the Brazilian aviation market, leaves us strongly positioned to capitalise on the expected demand for VA-X4 zero-emissions, ultra-short-haul transport.” The Brazilian carrier placed the order for 250 VA-X4 eVTOL aircraft manufactured by Vertical Aerospace, a British aircraft manufacturer. Founded in 2016 and based in Bristol, England, Vertical Aerospace specializes in the designing and building of zero carbon, electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft. Faster, Quieter, Greener, Cheaper The Vertical Aerospace VA-X4 aircraft prides itself on its speed, quietness, affordability and sustainability. Reaching speeds higher than 200 mph, the vehicle is 100 times quieter than a helicopter at cruise. The eco-friendly aircraft produces zero emissions and is capable of carrying one pilot and four passengers at ranges of 100+ miles. Maximum performance of the aircraft is achieved through its lightweight carbon fiber composite airframe. “The VA-X4 is ideal for a city like Sao Paolo with a population of over 22 million people. Our eVTOLs will transform how we travel around high population density cities that are clogged with traffic by taking to the skies with zero emissions aircraft,” said Vertical Aerospace CEO Stephen Fitzpatrick. “We look forward to working with our existing partners Avolon and our newest partners Gol and Grupo Comporte, on bringing this revolution in air travel to Brazil.” The entity helping fund the project is Grupo Comporte, an entity in conjunction with the airline’s leading shareholder. Founded in 2001, GOL currently operates a fleet of 127 Boeing 737 aircraft. Utilizing these aircraft, the airline leads in Brazil’s corporate and leisure segments and continues to operate with the lowest unit cost in Latin America. The VA-X4 could quite possibly be the first commercial aircraft utilized by airlines that has a zero carbon footprint. It will be exciting to see how the carrier decides to utilize the aircraft and which direction they move in developing this unique route network. The aircraft will help GOL further capitalize in the corporate and leisure market segments with its plans to begin operations in 2025. https://airlinegeeks.com/2021/09/22/brazilian-carrier-gol-signs-letter-of-intent-for-250-evtol-aircraft/ How Many Aircraft Does British Airways Still Have In Storage? British Airways was forced to send a considerable portion of its fleet into long-term storage as the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic began to be felt. While aircraft have been shuffled around, many remain grounded for the time being, which begs the question, how many? The aviation industry is finally recovering, though the UK is a fair bit behind due to its strict COVID-19 travel rules. These are set to be relaxed in stages throughout October, but a large portion of the fleet will largely remain grounded until they are. 74 aircraft inactive According to data from ch-aviation.com, 74 of British Airways’ aircraft are currently listed as inactive out of 257 in the aircraft’s fleet (not including Cityflyer’s E190s). Surprisingly, the majority of these aircraft are narrowbodies. Across the Airbus A320 family, 54 are currently listed as inactive by ch-aviation. This includes 18 A319s, 18 A320s, and 18 A321s (all ceo aircraft). By comparison, only 20 of the airline’s widebody aircraft are currently inactive. This includes seven Boeing 777-200(ER) jets. While all of the airline’s Boeing 787-10s and -9s are flying, one of the -8s is currently inactive. This aircraft is being repaired after an incident earlier this summer. Additionally, the entire Airbus A380 fleet is now idle, accounting for the other 12 aircraft. Along with the airline’s 787-9s and 787-10s, the entire 777-300(ER) fleet is currently operational, alongside all of the Airbus A350s and A320neo family aircraft. Where are the aircraft stored? British Airways got reasonably creative with its fleet storage at the very start of the pandemic, as it simply couldn’t store all its fleet at Heathrow at once. Many 747s were sent to Bournemouth, while several narrowbodies went to Glasgow. The situation has changed somewhat now. While two A320s remain up at Glasgow, Bournemouth has been cleared. 21 of the airline’s Airbus A320 family aircraft are at its secondary Gatwick base, which has caused a stir recently as British Airways decides what to do with the airport’s operations. The Airbus A380 fleet has a reasonably interesting storage plan. While one was recently returned to London Heathrow, three are in Doha, with a further two resting their wings in Teruel. Two Boeing 777-200s join the A380s at Teruel. Six Airbus A380 aircraft are at Madrid’s Barajas Airport. They are joined by far more of the airline’s aircraft. Roughly 25 Airbus A320 family are resting their wings in the Spanish sun, with the majority consisting of the Airbus A321. Will this number go down? As mentioned, the inactive aircraft are heavily weighted towards the narrowbody fleet. Yesterday’s announcement that the US is reopening to European travelers seems to have spurred a considerable demand that could see some widebody aircraft returning to service. Later in October, the UK government is set to replace the requirement to take a PCR test after arriving in the UK with a rapid test. This should bring down travel costs and perhaps spur more short-haul travel. Unfortunately, the government has missed the busy summer season, with flight schedules usually quieter in the winter anyway. https://simpleflying.com/british-airways-aircraft-in-storage/ Israeli carrier El Al raises demands for state aid, appeals to prime minister JERUSALEM, Sept 23 (Reuters) - Israel's flag carrier El Al airlines (ELAL.TA) said on Thursday it requested $100 million in compensation from the government for its strict COVID-19 travel policies and asked the prime minister to help end a stalemate in bailout talks. El Al was particularly vulnerable at the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020. It has reported losses for three years and had racked up debt to renew its fleet. The company's financial woes were compounded by travel limitations in Israel meant to prevent new outbreaks, and like many airlines around the world it turned to the state for help. It also has new ownership and management, which has been feuding over terms with the government for months. El Al laid off 1,900 employees, nearly one-third of its staff, as part of a recovery plan mandated by the government to receive a $210 million aid package earlier in the year, and reduced its fleet to 29 from 45. But that, it has now said, was not enough. "The Israeli aviation sector is perched above a slippery slope, and there is still doubt whether Israeli aviation companies can survive the crisis without government assistance," the CEOs of El Al and two small local rivals wrote to Prime Minister Naftali Bennett. They asked him to help settle things in an emergency meeting. In a separate letter to the director general of the Finance Ministry, EL Al CEO Avigal Soreq said his airline was "demanding immediate compensation for $100 million for damages caused to El Al due to decisions by the state." Earlier in the month the Finance Ministry said it was ready to offer $50 million more in aid if its owners injected the same amount. There was no immediate comment from the ministry on El Al's latest demand. The airlines, in their letter, asked the prime minister to re-examine the Finance Ministry's demands of their owners. They also asked him to end some health restrictions that have hurt air travel, like mandatory quarantine for kids and vaccinated travelers. https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/israeli-carrier-el-al-raises-demands-state-aid-appeals-prime-minister-2021-09-23/ Boeing lifts China jet demand estimate over two decades to $1.47 trln BEIJING (Reuters) -Boeing Co raised its forecast slightly on Thursday for China's aircraft demand for the next 20 years, betting on the country's quick rebound from COVID-19 and future growth in its budget airline sector and e-commerce. Chinese airlines will need 8,700 new airplanes through 2040, 1.2% higher than its previous prediction of 8,600 planes made last year. Those would be worth $1.47 trillion based on list prices, the U.S. planemaker said in a statement. The 1.2% increase contrasted with the 6.3% growth Boeing forecast last year, which made China a bright spot in the aviation market at the height of coronavirus lockdowns worldwide. Earlier this month, Boeing revised up long-term forecasts for global airplane demand on the back of a strong recovery in commercial air travel in domestic markets like the United States. "There are promising opportunities to significantly expand international long-haul routes and air freight capacity," said Richard Wynne, managing director of China marketing at Boeing's commercial arm. "Longer-term, there is the potential for low-cost carrier growth to further build on single-aisle demand." China's domestic aviation market, although still vulnerable to sporadic local COVID-19 outbreaks, has more or less rebounded to pre-COVID levels, but the country's borders remain virtually closed, with the number of international flights only 2% of pre-COVID levels. Boeing projected a need for nearly 6,500 new single-aisle airplanes over the next 20 years, while China's widebody fleet, including passenger and cargo models, will require 1,850 new planes, accounting for 20% of total deliveries. Air freight market has become a bright spot for Boeing in China as e-commerce demand booms, even as the U.S. planemaker struggles with sales of passenger jets due to trade tensions and the grounding of its 737 MAX. China's aviation authority, the first regulator to ground 737 MAX following two deadly crashes, has yet to approve the return of service for the aircraft in the country. China accounts for a quarter of Boeing's orders of all aircraft. China will also need nearly $1.8 trillion worth of commercial services for its aircraft fleet over the 20-year period, company said. https://www.yahoo.com/finance/news/china-buy-8-700-airplanes-034500147.html Airbus to test shape-shifting 'extra performance wing' TOULOUSE, France (Reuters) -Airbus said on Wednesday it would research an "extra performance wing" capable of changing shape during flight in an effort to secure greater efficiencies and reduce emissions. Chief Technical Officer Sabine Klauke said the planemaker would build a flying demonstrator to test elements including "gust sensors," with conclusions expected by mid-decade. The project - first reported by industry publication The Air Current - complements the same planemaker's UK-based "Wing of Tomorrow" eco-wing programme, which is preparing the ground for future competition with U.S. rival Boeing. Airbus said the first full-size prototype in that project, designed to be tested on the ground, had been assembled. The six-year-old UK wing project is designed to pioneer a production system capable of handling next-generation wings for future aircraft programmes like a mooted 2030s replacement of the best-selling A320/321 or an upgrade to the existing model. An Airbus official told Bloomberg News in May that the aim was a wing that would be both affordable and capable of being built at a high production rate. The new "extra performance" project will focus on the actual design and aerodynamic performance of such a wing, officials said at a company environmental conference, the Airbus Summit. Wing design is one of the main areas of competition between Airbus and Boeing, which brought previously outsourced wing expertise in-house with a composite wing centre for its 777X. Wings tend to improve in aerodynamic performance when their wingspan is longer, but a longer structure typically adds weight and finding the right balance is a complex juggling act. The proposed new wing would include "pop-up spoilers" or wing surfaces to alter its profile and get the best performance, just as a bird twists its feathers, Airbus officials said. The announcement came at the end of a two-day conference designed to showcase industry pledges to cut emissions amid climate concerns from politicians and investors. https://www.yahoo.com/finance/news/airbus-test-shape-shifting-extra-144134141.html Cracks found on the International Space Station are a 'fairly serious issue,' a former NASA astronaut says Former NASA astronaut Bill Shepherd gave Congress new details about cracks on the space station. About half a dozen cracks appeared in Russia's Zarya module, but they aren't a danger to astronauts. Investigating the cracks is a "fairly serious issue," Shepherd said, and there are probably more. Cracks are appearing on the International Space Station, and retired NASA astronaut Bill Shepherd says they're a "fairly serious issue." After Russian cosmonauts spotted the cracks on the station's Zarya module, Vladimir Solovyov, flight director of the Russian segment of the ISS, publicly revealed the discovery in August. The cracks don't pose a danger to astronauts at this time, NASA says, and the agency told Insider last month that nobody had identified "new potential leak sites" on the station. But in a House committee hearing on Tuesday, Shepherd told Congressional representatives that "there are probably other cracks we haven't found yet." "As far as I know, the Russian engineers and the NASA engineers - they've analyzed it - they don't exactly understand why these cracks are appearing now," Shepherd said. Shepherd has flown to orbit four times on the Space Shuttles. He worked on the International Space Station Program when its first modules were launching, and he commanded the first crew to the station in 2000. He said at the hearing that he'd learned more about the cracks in two meetings of NASA's ISS Advisory Committee, which he recently joined. The cracks are "quite small - they look like scratches on the surface of the aluminum plate," Shepherd said, adding, "there are probably something like half a dozen of them." NASA did not immediately respond to a request for comment. 'This is bad' Shepherd told the House committee that currently, the cracks are not long enough to pose a "serious problem." But last month, Solovyov told state-owned news agency RIA: "This is bad and suggests that the fissures will begin to spread over time," according to a Reuters report translating his statement. Solovyov did not share how extensive the cracks were at the time. Shepherd didn't say whether NASA and Russia plan to further investigate the cracks beyond the analysis they already finished. In the past, both space agencies have taken their time when investigating and repairing issues that don't threaten the safety of astronauts or interfere with ISS operations. The space station is getting old The ISS has been orbiting Earth for 20 years, and it's showing signs of age. Russia's side of the space station hosts some of its oldest components, and the cracks are the latest in a series of issues in those modules. Last year, a toilet on the segment went bust, temperatures mysteriously increased, and an oxygen-supply system broke down. In September 2019, another space-station module, Zvezda, which provides living quarters for the cosmonauts, started leaking air. That wasn't an immediate danger to astronauts, and they eventually found the hole and patched it with Kapton tape. Russian media previously reported that Solovyov told the Russian Academy of Sciences: "There are already a number of elements that have been seriously damaged and are out of service. Many of them are not replaceable. After 2025, we predict an avalanche-like failure of numerous elements onboard the ISS." Even Russia's newest module - a spacecraft called Nauka, which it launched to the ISS in July - has experienced serious problems. Shortly after it docked to the station, Nauka began unexpectedly firing its thrusters. This caused the entire ISS to spin around 540 degrees and flip upside down before flight controllers regained control an hour later. NASA has the funds to keep operating the ISS through 2024, and it's aiming to get an extension from Congress to continue the station's activities through 2028. But Shepherd said that NASA should first solve the mystery of the Zarya module's new cracks. "Getting to the bottom of this is a fairly serious issue," Shepherd said. "I don't think the station's in any immediate danger. But before we clear the station for another so many years of operational use, we should better understand this." The ISS will eventually be retired and push itself into the atmosphere to burn up. After that, NASA doesn't want to build a new station; the agency is recruiting private companies to do that instead. It's currently evaluating about a dozen space-station proposals from various companies, with the aim of distributing $400 million among two to four of them. Eventually, NASA hopes to be one of many customers on private commercial space stations. The agency has already awarded Axiom Space $140 million to fly modules up to the ISS that will eventually detach from it to become their own space station. Axiom aims to launch its first module to the ISS in 2024. China, meanwhile, launched the first piece of its own space station earlier this year, and astronauts completed their first three-month mission there last week. https://www.yahoo.com/news/cracks-found-international-space-station-182003105.html Henry Gourdji Named Winner Of 65th Annual Laura Taber Barbour Air Safety Award Alexandria, Va. -- The Laura Taber Barbour Air Safety Foundation is pleased to announce Henry Gourdji, a long-time senior official with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) who led the development of a renowned global safety audit program, as the 2021 recipient of the Laura Taber Barbour Air Safety Award. Gourdji, who recently retired from ICAO, spent the last 22 years of his career developing and managing the organization’s Universal Safety Oversight Audit Programme (USOAP), which has established a foundation for global aviation safety. The program, which focuses on eight specific areas crucial to providing effective safety oversight, is widely recognized for its thoroughness, transparency, and contributions to both the flight operations and air navigation arenas. An active pilot, Gourdji also spent more than three decades in Canadian civil service, including 10 years at Transport Canada managing the country’s Civil Aviation National Audit Program. “Henry Gourdji’s tireless commitment to developing, implementing, and expanding USOAP represents a significant contribution to global aviation safety that will pay dividends for years to come,” said Jim Burin, Chair of the Laura Taber Barbour Air Safety Award committee. “Henry’s dedication and insistence on global collaboration have created a legacy that plays a central role in ensuring safe civil aviation operations in every part of the world, every day.” The 65th annual Laura Taber Barbour Air Safety Award recipient was announced September 22. Gourdji was honored during a special virtual ceremony as part of the 74th Flight Safety Foundation International Air Safety Summit. About the Laura Taber Barbour Air Safety Foundation and Award On April 14, 1945, after visiting family in Pittsburgh, Mrs. Laura Taber Barbour was aboard a Pennsylvania Central Airlines DC-3 when it crashed into the rugged terrain of Cheat Mountain near Morgantown, West Virginia. All passengers and crew were killed. In 1956, her husband, Dr. Clifford E. Barbour and son, Cliff, established the Award in her honor. For nearly 60 years, this long distinguished award has recognized those responsible for crowning achievements in aviation safety worldwide. The Award was established through early association with the Flight Safety Foundation and from its founding has enjoyed a rich history of Award Board members, nominees and Award recipients. In 2013, the Laura Taber Barbour Air Safety Foundation was formed from members of the Award Board, the aviation community and the Barbour family. As the foundation plans to broaden the scope of its intent, with great purpose, the Laura Taber Barbour Air Safety Award will continue to spotlight those champions who pioneer breakthroughs in flight safety. For more information on the foundation, the award, and past winners, visit http://LTBAward.org RTCA Webinar: Innovation and Airport Infrastructure Airports are increasingly reliant on technical and related innovations to meet the needs of the communities they serve and those of their airline and other commercial partners. Join RTCA and airport leaders for a discussion about embracing new technologies and utilizing them in concert with physical infrastructure to enhance customer experiences, enhance safety and security, and improve sustainability and operational efficiency. Panelists from major airports debate whether the vision for a more efficient, accessible and greener transportation ecosystem demands a different approach to planning and funding. The session, moderated by Carol Huegel of Gate 2 Gate Solutions is part 2 in a 2-part series and includes panelists from LAWA, MCI, Greater Toronto Airport Authority and others. REGISTER Curt Lewis