Flight Safety Information - September 27, 2021 No. 194 In This Issue : Incident: American B738 at New York on Sep 22nd 2021, hydraulic fluctuations : Incident: Delta A333 at Athens on Sep 26th 2021, brakes problem : Incident: Hawaiian A332 over Pacific on Sep 24th 2021, engine oil low pressure : Incident: Kenya B788 over Germany on Sep 20th 2021, loss of communication prompted intercept : Incident: Hawaiian A21N at Honolulu on Sep 23rd 2021, tail strike on landing : Incident: Azur B763 at Varadero on Sep 23rd 2021, rejected takeoff due to bird strikes : Incident: India A321 at Chennai on Sep 24th 2021, engine malfunction : Incident: Lufthansa A320 enroute on Sep 18th 2021, first officer collapses and injures flight attendant : Incident: Pobeda B738 at Sochi on Sep 23rd 2021, rejected takeoff due to door open indication : Man, 32, charged for allegedly punching Hawaiian Airlines flight attendant : Weapons found in passenger bags at Pittsburgh Airport checkpoints : Oman Air seeks oneworld alliance membership : Taliban ask airlines to resume international flights to Afghanistan : American Airlines Pilots Union Thinks Vaccine Mandate Will Lead to Mass Termination of Unvaccinated Pilots : Hong Kong denies work visas to dozens of Cathay Pacific pilots seeking to relocate to city : China's biggest air show to display self-sufficiency drive, military prowess : Does Tesla have a fair chance after NTSB Chief comments? : Landsat 9, NASA's most powerful Landsat satellite ever, is 'go' for launch on Monday : Aviation Safety Community : Position Available - Director of Safety : Position Available - Tenure-Track Faculty Position with a focus on Unmanned Systems : RTCA Webinar: Innovation and Airport Infrastructure : Southern California Safety Institute Upcoming Fall Courses Incident: American B738 at New York on Sep 22nd 2021, hydraulic fluctuations An American Airlines Boeing 737-800, registration N836NN performing flight AA-1444 from New York JFK,NY to Charlotte,NC (USA) with 120 people on board, was climbing out of New York's runway 22R when the crew requested to enter a hold to troubleshoot a problem with the hydraulic system A, which was showing fluctuations. The crew accepted an offer to level off at 5000 feet, worked the checklists, decided to return to JFK and declared Emergency. The aircraft landed safely back on runway 22L, vacated the runway and stopped clear of the runway requesting emergency services to check whether there were any hydraulic leaks around the aircraft. Emergency services reported seeing no leaks and followed the aircraft to the apron. A replacement Boeing 737-800 registration N355PU reached Charlotte with a delay of about 4 hours. The occurrence aircraft returned to service about 31 hours after landing back. http://avherald.com/h?article=4edd7b5c&opt=0 Incident: Delta A333 at Athens on Sep 26th 2021, brakes problem A Delta Airlines Airbus A330-300, registration N826NW performing flight DL-148 from Atlanta,GA (USA) to Athens (Greece) with 248 people on board, was descending from FL410 towards Athens when the crew reported a brakes overheat indication. Athens Airport called all available emergency services to deploy to the runway, while the aircraft entered a hold at FL120 to work the checklists and prepare for the emergency landing. The aircraft finally landed on Athens' runway 03R at a normal speed and slowed safely. Passengers reported they were told there was a problem, however, were not told what problem. The airport said the aircraft landed without brakes. Greek media report the aircraft sustained severe damage to brakes and hydraulic systems. The occurrence aircraft remained on the ground for 3 hours, then departed for the return flight. http://avherald.com/h?article=4edd46a2&opt=0 Incident: Hawaiian A332 over Pacific on Sep 24th 2021, engine oil low pressure A Hawaiian Airlines Airbus A330-200, registration N386HA performing flight HA-460 from Seoul (South Korea) to Honolulu,HI (USA) with 67 passengers and 12 crew, was enroute at FL390 over the Pacific Ocean about 110nm north of the Midway Atoll,UM (USA) when the crew decided to divert to Midway due to an engine (Trent 772) low oil pressure indication. The aircraft landed safely on Midway's runway 06. A replacement Airbus A330-200 registration N381HA was dispatched to Midway Atoll, resumed the flight and delivered the passengers to Honolulu with a delay of about 12 hours. The occurrence aircraft is still on the ground in Midway Atoll about 19 hours after landing. http://avherald.com/h?article=4edc84e9&opt=0 Incident: Kenya B788 over Germany on Sep 20th 2021, loss of communication prompted intercept A Kenya Airways Boeing 787-8, registration 5Y-KZE performing flight KQ-118 from Nairobi (Kenya) to Amsterdam (Netherlands), was enroute at FL400 over Germany when communication with the aircraft was lost. Two Eurofighters were dispatched to intercept the aircraft causing "wake up" calls by supersonic booms to many residents on the ground from Landshut to Frankfurt/Main. Following the intercept communication was restored and the Dreamliner continued to Amsterdam for a safe landing about 30 minutes later. Germany's DFS reported communication with a Kenyan Aircraft had been lost prompting information to Germany's Bundeswehr who dispatched two Eurofighters. Germany's Bundeswehr reported they were dispatching two Eurofighters to intercept an airliner with destination Amsterdam. http://avherald.com/h?article=4edbea5b&opt=0 Incident: Hawaiian A321N at Honolulu on Sep 23rd 2021, tail strike on landing A Hawaiian Airlines Airbus A321-200N, registration N208HA performing flight HA-43 from San Jose,CA to Honolulu,HI (USA) with 129 passengers and 8 crew, was on final approach to Honolulu's runway 04R when the crew initiated a go around from very low height (below 50 feet AGL) at 09:20L (19:20Z), climbed to 3000 feet maintaining routine communication and returned for a landing on runway 04R about 15 minutes after the go around at 09:35L (19:35Z) still maintaining routine communication. The FAA reported providing the time stamp of the go around: "AIRCRAFT EXPERIENCED A TAIL STRIKE DURING LANDING AT HONOLULU, HI (HNL)", the aircraft sustained minor damage. The occurrence was rated an incident. http://avherald.com/h?article=4edbd601&opt=0 Incident: Azur B763 at Varadero on Sep 23rd 2021, rejected takeoff due to bird strikes An Azur Air Boeing 767-300, registration VQ-BEN performing flight ZF-556 from Varadero (Cuba) to Moscow Vnukovo (Russia) with 330 passengers and 14 crew, was accelerating for takeoff from Varadero's runway 06 when the crew rejected takeoff at high speed (about 130 knots over ground) after a flock of birds impacted the aircraft causing the right hand engine (PW4060) to emit bangs and flames. The aircraft slowed safely and returned to the apron. A post flight inspection also revealed damage to the aircraft's nose. http://avherald.com/h?article=4edbc03a&opt=0 Incident: India A321 at Chennai on Sep 24th 2021, engine malfunction An Air India Airbus A321-200, registration VT-PPF performing flight AI-549 from Chennai to Port Blair (India) with 117 passengers and 6 crew, was climbing out of Chennai when the crew stopped the climb at FL290 and returned to Chennai due to an engine (CFM56) malfunction. The aircraft landed safely back in Chennai about 55 minutes after departure. A replacement A320-200N registration VT-CIF reached Port Blair with a delay of 2:40 hours. The occurrence aircraft is still on the ground in Chennai about 10 hours after landing back. http://avherald.com/h?article=4edbc550&opt=0 Incident: Lufthansa A320 enroute on Sep 18th 2021, first officer collapses and injures flight attendant A Lufthansa Airbus A320-200, registration D-AIWI performing flight LH-1507 from Palma Mallorca,SP (Spain) to Frankfurt/Main (Germany), was enroute at FL360 about 45 minutes prior to estimated landing in Frankfurt when the first officer left the cockpit for a toilet break, but collapsed and fell abeam the forward galley also bringing a flight attendant in that galley down. A number of passengers with medical training assisted first officer and flight attendant, the first officer recovered after some time and was able to continue duties as pilot monitoring. The aircraft continued for a safe landing in Frankfurt about 45 minutes later. A passenger reported the first officer was on the way to the restroom when he blacked out and fell into the forward galley with a loud bang, also hitting the flight attendant working the in the galley. The first officer injured his arm and appeared unconscious until a doctor travelling amongst the passengers provided first aid like putting the first officer's legs up, monitoring blood pressure etc. The first officer's face was pale to light green. The first officer remained lying in the galley for most of the remaining flight, then got up and disappeared from the passenger's view. The flight attendant, hit during the first officer's fall, also was injured and could not continue her duties. On Sep 24th 2021 the BFU reported the pilot was able to continue his duties as pilot monitoring after being treated by medical staff and a recovery phase. The flight attendant received minor injuries. The occurrence was not rated an accident or serious incident and thus is not being investigated by the BFU. http://avherald.com/h?article=4edbb7cb&opt=0 Incident: Pobeda B738 at Sochi on Sep 23rd 2021, rejected takeoff due to door open indication A Pobeda Airlines Boeing 737-800, registration VQ-BHD performing flight DP-306 from Sochi to St. Petersburg (Russia), was accelerating for takeoff from Sochi's runway 24 when the crew rejected takeoff at low speed (about 50 KIAS) due to an aft main door open indication. The aircraft slowed safely and returned to the apron. The aircraft was able to depart about 1.5 hours later and reached St Petersburg with a delay of 70 minutes. http://avherald.com/h?article=4edba319&opt=0 (Photo Courtesy: YSSYguy at the English Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0 , via Wikimedia Commons) Man, 32, charged for allegedly punching Hawaiian Airlines flight attendant Sep. 25—A 32-year-old man has been charged after he allegedly punched a flight attendant twice in an unprovoked attack on a Hawaiian Airlines flight bound for Hilo Thursday. Steven Sloan Jr. was charged with one count of assault and one count of interference with flight crew members and attendants. The alleged unprovoked attack occurred on Flight HA 152 at about 7 :30 a.m. shortly after its departure from the Daniel K. Inouye International Airport. According to an FBI affidavit, the flight attendant was walking down the aisle to collect trash when a male passenger seated in the sixth row aisle seat punched him in the chest. The passenger, identified as Sloan, then arose from his seat and pulled his right arm back as if he was going to punch him again. The flight attendant "took a defensive posture and attempted to cover his body and create space from Sloan when he felt a punch to the back left side of his head, near his ear, " the affidavit said. Sloan then sat back down "as if nothing had happened." The flight diverted back to Honolulu where deputy sheriffs escorted him off the plane and arrested him. In a memo sent to employees, Hawaiian Airlines President and Chief Executive Officer Peter Ingram said the flight attendant was shaken up but otherwise doing well. That afternoon, a second unruly passenger incident occurred on a separate Hawaiian Airlines flight to Seattle. Approximately two hours after Flight HA 22 departed Honolulu, the captain was informed that a female passenger allegedly refused to comply with the federal face mask and "caused a disturbance to other guests, " said Hawaiian Airlines spokeswoman Tara Shimooka. Flight attendants and an off-duty pilot de-escalated the situation. As a precautionary measure, the captain decided to return to Honolulu. The passenger was escorted off the plane without incident and custody was turned over to federal authorities, according to spokeswoman Toni Schwartz of the Hawaii Public Safety Department. https://www.yahoo.com/news/man-32-charged-allegedly-punching-040100058.html Weapons found in passenger bags at Pittsburgh Airport checkpoints PITTSBURGH — Allegheny County Police say that a loaded Ruger 9mm handgun was found in a passenger's bag at the alternate security checkpoint early Sunday morning at Pittsburgh International Airport, less than 24 hours after another firearm was found in a separate incident Saturday afternoon. On Saturday, a Colt .380 cal. handgun was spotted inside a passenger's bag at the main security checkpoint. In both instances, TSA agents alerted Allegheny County Police, who investigated further, and took both weapons into their custody. County police determined the firearms in both cases belonged to passengers who possessed valid concealed carry permits, according to a statements provided by County Police. No charges are expected to be filed in either case, though County Police do state that passengers who bring firearms into an airport checkpoint can face federal civil fines from the Transport Security Administration up to $10,000, and repeat offenders can face fines up to $13,910. https://www.wtae.com/article/weapons-found-in-passenger-bags-at-pittsburgh-airport-checkpoints/37741346 Oman Air seeks oneworld alliance membership DUBAI, Sept 26 (Reuters) - State-owned Oman Air announced on Sunday its intention to apply to join the oneworld global airline alliance and said it had asked fellow Gulf carrier and member Qatar Airways to help it. Oman Air said it had approached Qatar Airways, whose chief executive Akbar Al Baker is the chairman of the airline group, for guidance in making its application. "As the industry recovers from COVID, airline alliances are going to be more important than ever," the airline said in an emailed statement to Reuters. "This will provide us with excellent global connectivity, a seamless travel experience and more valuable loyalty offerings for our guests." A oneworld spokesman said the alliance was at any time in talks with prospective members but that it did not comment on specific airlines. "As airlines recover from COVID-19, alliances will become more important by providing global connectivity, as airlines reshape their networks, many with reduced fleets when compared to their pre-COVID size," the onewolrd spokesman said. A Qatar Airways spokesperson earlier referred comment to oneworld. There are 14 airlines in the oneworld alliance, including Qantas, American Airlines and British Airways. Qatar Airways holds direct and indirect stakes in three oneworld members, including British Airways and Cathay Pacific. Oman Air flies to 34 destinations, which it says will increase to 44 next year. It has 47 aircraft in its fleet with 32 jets in operation. https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/oman-air-says-wants-join-oneworld-airline-group-2021-09-26/ Taliban ask airlines to resume international flights to Afghanistan •The statement from the foreign affairs ministry comes as the new administration has stepped up efforts to open up the country and gain international acceptance following the collapse of the Western-backed government last month. •The airport, which was damaged during the evacuation, has since been reopened with the assistance of technical teams from Qatar and Turkey. The Taliban government in Afghanistan appealed on Sunday for international flights to be resumed, promising full cooperation with airlines and saying that problems at Kabul airport had been resolved. The statement from the foreign affairs ministry comes as the new administration has stepped up efforts to open up the country and gain international acceptance following the collapse of the Western-backed government last month. A limited number of aid and passenger flights have been operating from the airport. But normal commercial services have yet to resume since it was closed in the wake of the chaotic evacuation of tens of thousands of foreigners and vulnerable Afghans that followed the Taliban’s seizure of the capital. The airport, which was damaged during the evacuation, has since been reopened with the assistance of technical teams from Qatar and Turkey. While some airlines including Pakistan International Airlines have been offering limited services and some people have been able to get places on flights, prices have been reported to be many times higher than normal. Foreign ministry spokesman Abdul Qahar Balkhi said the suspension of international flights had left many Afghans stranded abroad and also prevented people from travelling for work or study. “As the problems at Kabul International Airport have been resolved and the airport is fully operational for domestic and international flights, the IEA assures all airlines of its full cooperation,” he said, using an abbreviation for Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, the Taliban’s term for their new government. Since taking power, the Taliban have grappled with a severe economic crisis and have faced pressure on issues ranging from girls’ education to allegations of reprisals against former officials and others associated with the previous government. https://www.cnbc.com/2021/09/26/taliban-ask-airlines-to-resume-international-flights-to-afghanistan.html American Airlines Pilots Union Thinks Vaccine Mandate Will Lead to Mass Termination of Unvaccinated Pilots Pilots at American Airlines are lobbying the White House in an effort to get an exemption from President Biden’s vaccine mandates. They fear that if pilots are forced to choose between the vaccine or their jobs, some airlines will “implement the mass termination of unvaccinated pilots”. In the worst-case scenario presented to the White House, Federal Aviation Administration and Department of Transportation by the Allied Pilots Association, pilots at the Dallas Fort Worth-based carrier claim the very viability of the U.S. aviation industry could be put in jeopardy if a vaccine mandate is imposed. The union is urging the Biden administration to enshrine an “alternative means of compliance” within any federal vaccine mandate. An alternative means of compliance could be regular COVID-19 testing, alongside wearing a face mask even once face-covering rules are relaxed for the fully vaccinated. “Throughout the pandemic, APA has closely consulted with infectious disease specialists to guide our decision-making, and we remain committed to finding workable solutions to the challenges our industry continues to face,” a letter from Captain Eric Ferguson, president of APA reads. “We are concerned that the Executive Order’s anticipated 60-day implementation period for mandatory vaccination could result in labor shortages and create serious operational problems for American Airlines and its peers,” the letter continues. Ferguson warns that the effects of mass pilot layoffs could coincide with the peak holiday travel period. “Our nation’s airlines, and the traveling public, cannot afford significant service disruptions due to labor shortages,” the letter cautions. Central to the union’s argument for a permanent alternative means of compliance is the fact that pilots “are held to unique physical fitness standards” in order to maintain a medical certificate issued by the FAA. If a pilot is considered unfit by an FAA physician, their career could be prematurely finished. While some pilots are exempt from taking a vaccine due to medical reasons, Ferguson claims some pilots are scared about the potential of “career-ending” side effects from taking a COVID-19 vaccine. “All of those members are still able to perform their duties as professional pilots. To force those pilots out of their positions, rather than offering viable alternatives will have adverse consequences upon their families and the industry as a whole,” Ferguson’s hard-hitting letter continues. The union notes that the FAA has “recognized the unique issues” the vaccine can have on pilots because it requires a 48-hour break between a pilot having the shot and then going onto fly a plane. The limitation is in place to deal with well documented mild short term side effects such as flu-like symptoms and tiredness. American Airlines has urged pilots and other workers to get vaccinated, advocating a voluntary approach with employee incentives offered to anyone who gets a COVID-19 jab. AA chief executive Doug Parker has encouraged workers to get vaccinated before a federal vaccine mandate is imposed so that they can take advantage of the incentives on offer. A much different approach has been taken by United Airlines which will require all employees to provide proof of full vaccination by September 27. Only a small number of pilots have been granted a medical or religious exemption and all of those must take an indefinite period of unpaid leave. Pilots and other frontline workers with a vaccine exemption will only be allowed to return to work once United deems that the threat of COVID-19 has sufficiently diminished. https://www.paddleyourownkanoo.com/2021/09/25/american-airlines-pilots-union-thinks-vaccine-mandate-will-lead-to-mass-termination-of-unvaccinated-pilots/ Hong Kong denies work visas to dozens of Cathay Pacific pilots seeking to relocate to city HONG KONG: Immigration officials in Hong Kong have denied work visas to dozens of overseas Cathay Pacific pilots seeking to relocate to the city, prompting the airline to terminate their employment. Several dozen Cathay pilots had attempted to move from Australia, New Zealand, Canada and Germany after the carrier shut down its foreign bases, putting about 280 skilled jobs at risk, the South China Morning Post has learned. The employees were able to keep their job only on condition they secured a valid work visa for Hong Kong. However, since the carrier axed its regional airline Cathay Dragon in October last year, creating a large pool of unemployed cockpit crew, not a single new work visa for a foreign pilot has been approved. Cathay Pacific on Saturday confirmed the Immigration Department had rejected all visa applications from its overseas pilots, though it did not specify the number. "We have been informed by the Immigration Department that the work permit applications from overseas-based pilots who have applied to relocate to Hong Kong have been rejected," an airline spokeswoman said. "We are reaching out to support these officers, many of whom will have the opportunity to elect an enhanced termination benefit." Immigration data for the first eight months of the year showed 496 visa applications from non-local pilots, of which 73 were seeking a first-time work permit. All the applicants were subsequently rejected. Another 423 had sought an extension of an existing visa, of which 312 were approved. The nearly 100 Britain-based Cathay pilots who learned their overseas base would close earlier this month were likely to face the same rejection should they seek to transfer to Hong Kong without already possessing the right to work in the city. Alex Jackson, chairman of the Hong Kong Aircrew Officers Association, which represents unionised pilots, expressed "great disappointment" at the situation in a memo to members. "This decision was one made by the Hong Kong government, the options for a better resolution were limited and outside our control, especially in the current climate," Jackson said. "Sadly, this represents yet another blow to those who have staked their career on Cathay Pacific Airways." However, a concern group for former Cathay Dragon pilots lauded the government's approach. "Four months have gone by since Cathay made promises to start re-employing local pilots, whilst a small number have indeed started working again, the vast majority are still jobless," the group said in a statement. Of the 300 out-of-work pilots holding local residency, it said, only 60 had been rehired by local airlines. "It is good to see that immigration is recognising this, and denying new work visas as per their own policy, and we still hope that they extend this to visa renewals to expedite the re-employment of local pilots," a spokesman for the group said. Since the start of the year, Cathay has shuttered its foreign pilot bases in a bid to cut costs, focusing instead on its Hong Kong base. Some 3,000 Hong Kong-based pilots recently agreed to permanent pay cuts to preserve their jobs at the coronavirus-battered carrier. The airline's remaining overseas pilot bases, spread across the United States and employing 140 people, will be reviewed later in the year. In the first half of 2021, Cathay imposed a range of permanent and temporary staffing cuts. The group's workforce has fallen by a further 2,500, to 23,100, since the end of last year, on top of the record 5,900 jobs it shed in October 2020 when it closed Cathay Dragon. Cathay, meanwhile, remains stuck near rock bottom, operating from a city with some of the strictest pandemic-related travel and quarantine rules anywhere in the world, even as other global airlines are experiencing a revival as some countries begin to reopen. With Cathay continuing to jettison pilots, carriers elsewhere are facing challenges training and retraining enough cockpit crew members to satisfy demand. The airline said on Monday that Hong Kong's strict rules continued to hamper its recovery, leading it to slash its projection for the number of flights it would be able to operate in the third quarter of this year. While initially it had hoped to be flying 30% of its pre-pandemic schedule, that figure was revised down to about 13%. https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/2187947/hong-kong-denies-work-visas-to-dozens-of-cathay-pacific-pilots-seeking-to-relocate-to-city China's biggest air show to display self-sufficiency drive, military prowess ZHUHAI, China (Reuters) - China's drive for self-sufficiency in aerospace and its growing military prowess will be on display at the country's largest air show this week, in an event set against the backdrop of the coronavirus pandemic and trade frictions with the West. The normally biennial Airshow China in the southern city of Zhuhai, delayed by a year due to COVID-19, will be a mostly domestic affair because of tight quarantine rules. "The fact that Airshow China is happening at all, when the global air show calendar has been pretty disrupted, allows China to show it has returned to post-COVID normalcy," said Douglas Barrie, a senior fellow for military aerospace at the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS). Local aerospace and defence firms have ramped up their presence significantly. Major Western suppliers like Airbus and Boeing will send their China-based teams, and there will also be a virtual component for those unable to travel. The country's efforts to improve homegrown aerospace technology will be in the spotlight at a time of a growing strategic rivalry with the West. "As China faces increasing threats from the West, it needs to improve its military-industrial, aviation and aerospace capabilities," said Song Zhongping, a military commentator and former PLA instructor on missile technology. Trade frictions with the West are also accelerating China's desire to reduce its dependency on foreign-made commercial products. Commercial Aircraft Corp of China's (COMAC) C919 narrowbody plane, due to be certified this year, is made up mostly of Western parts but the mix is expected to change over time as Chinese technology advances, with the engines a key target for eventual domestic replacement. ARMS RACE More than 100 aircraft have registered for display in the air or on the ground as China shows off its military might and its space ambitions, including a next-generation crewed rocket and heavy-lift launch vehicle. State media reported the J-16D electronic warfare version of the J-16 fighter jet will make its show debut. The flying displays will feature some products China wants to export, including the AG600, the world's largest amphibious aircraft, designed for fire-fighting and sea-rescue roles. The Wing Loong II, an armed drone similar to the American MQ-9 Reaper, has already been sold to customers including the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Pakistan as China competes against Western rivals for more military exports. A new series of drone products named Feihong, including an unmanned helicopter, loitering missiles and a new generation of stealth drones, will make their debut at the show. "Beijing is intent on not just pushing locally made military aircraft and aerospace technologies, but also its ability to address almost any military requirement out there," said Kelvin Wong, a Singapore-based defence technology analyst at Janes. The show comes as analysts warn Asia may be sliding into an accelerating arms race as countries react to China's military growth. The United States and its Asian allies have expressed growing alarm at Beijing's military buildup, pressure on Taiwan and deployments in the contested South China Sea. Chinese-claimed Taiwan has complained for a year or more of repeated flights by China's air force near the democratically governed island. The United States, Britain and Australia this month established a security partnership that will involve helping Australia acquire nuclear-powered submarines. https://www.yahoo.com/finance/news/chinas-biggest-air-show-display-231411834.html Does Tesla have a fair chance after NTSB Chief comments? By Joey Klender This is a preview from our weekly newsletter. Each week I go ‘Beyond the News’ and handcraft a special edition that includes my thoughts on the biggest stories, why it matters, and how it could impact the future. Earlier this week, NTSB Chief Jennifer Homendy made some disparaging comments regarding Tesla’s use of “Full Self-Driving” to explain its semi-autonomous driving suite. The remarks from Homendy show that Tesla may not have a fair chance when it ultimately comes to proving the effectiveness of its FSD program, especially considering agency officials, who should remain impartial, are already making misdirected comments regarding the name of the suite. In an interview with the Wall Street Journal, Homendy commented on the company’s use of the phrase “Full Self-Driving.” While Tesla’s FSD suite is admittedly not capable of Level 5 autonomy, the idea for the program is to eventually roll out a fully autonomous driving program for those who choose to invest in the company’s software. However, instead of focusing on the program’s effectiveness and commending Tesla, arguably the leader in self-driving developments, Homendy concentrates on the terminology. Homendy said Tesla’s use of the term “Full Self-Driving” was “misleading and irresponsible,” despite the company confirming with each driver who buys the capability that the program is not yet fully autonomous. Drivers are explicitly told to remain vigilant and keep their hands on the wheel at all times. It is a requirement to use Autopilot or FSD, and failure to do so can result in being locked in “Autopilot jail” for the duration of your trip. Nobody wants that. However, despite the way some media outlets and others describe Tesla’s FSD program, the company’s semi-autonomous driving functionalities are extraordinarily safe and among the most complex on the market. Tesla is one of the few companies attempting to solve the riddle that is self-driving, and the only to my knowledge that has chosen not to use LiDAR in its efforts. Additionally, Tesla ditched radar just a few months ago in the Model Y and Model 3, meaning cameras are the only infrastructure the company plans to use to keep its cars moving. Several drivers have reported improvements due to the lack of radar. These comments regarding FSD and Autopilot are simple: The terminology is not the focus; the facts are. The truth is, Tesla Autopilot recorded one of its safest quarters, according to the most recently released statistics that outlined an accident occurring on Autopilot just once every 4.19 million miles. The national average is 484,000 miles, the NHTSA says. It isn’t to say that things don’t happen. Accidents on Autopilot and FSD do occur, and the NHTSA is currently probing twelve incidents that have shown Autopilot to be active during an accident. While the conditions and situations vary in each accident, several have already been proven to be the result of driver negligence, including a few that had drivers operating a vehicle without a license or under the influence of alcohol. Now, remind me: When a BMW driver is drunk and crashes into someone, do we blame BMW? I’ll let that rhetorical question sink in. Of course, Homendy has a Constitutional right to say whatever is on her mind. It is perfectly reasonable to be skeptical of self-driving systems. I’ll admit, the first time I experienced one, I was not a fan, but it wasn’t because I didn’t trust it. It was because I was familiar with controlling a vehicle and not having it manage things for me. However, just like anything else, I adjusted and got used to the idea, eventually becoming accustomed to the new feelings and sensations of having my car assist me in navigating to my destination. To me, it is simply unfortunate for an NTSB official to claim that Tesla “has clearly misled numerous people to misuse and abuse technology.” One, because it isn’t possible, two, because it would be a massive liability for the company, and three, because Tesla has never maintained that its cars can drive themselves. Tesla has never claimed that its cars can drive themselves, nor has Tesla ever advised a driver to attempt a fully autonomous trek to a destination. VIDEO The numerous safety features and additions to the FSD suite have only solidified Tesla’s position as one of the safest car companies out there. With in-cabin cameras to test driver attentiveness and numerous other safety thresholds that drivers must respond to with the correct behaviors, Tesla’s FSD suite and its Autopilot program are among the safest around. It isn’t favorable for NTSB head Homendy to comment in this way, especially as it seems to be detrimental to not only Tesla’s attempts to achieve Level 5 autonomy but the entire self-driving effort as a whole. https://www.teslarati.com/tesla-fair-chance-ntsb-chief-comments/ Landsat 9, NASA's most powerful Landsat satellite ever, is 'go' for launch on Monday Liftoff is set for 2:12 p.m. EDT (1812 GMT). NASA has cleared its newest powerful Earth-observing satellite for a launch into orbit from the California coast on Monday (Sept. 27). The satellite, called Landsat 9, is on track to lift off from the Vandenberg Space Force Base atop an Atlas V rocket provided by the United Launch Alliance. Liftoff is targeted for 2:12 p.m. EDT (11:12 a.m. PDT or 1812 GMT) "The spacecraft, the Atlas V rocket, all range equipment, are ready," NASA launch director Tim Dunn told reporters in a press conference Saturday (Sept. 25). The mission has a 30-minute window in which to lift off from Vandenberg's Space Launch Complex 3E, he added. Four small cubesats will also launch into orbit with Landsat 9. Two will study the solar wind and exoplanet atmospheres as part of NASA research. Two others are flying undisclosed missions for the U.S. Space Force, Dunn said. Landsat 9 will be the ninth and most advanced satellite to study Earth from above for the Landsat program, a joint effort by NASA and the U.S. Geological Survey that has provided constant imagery of our planet for nearly 50 years. It carries a high-resolution camera and a sensitive infrared sensor that together can image the Earth across 11 spectral bands and resolve objects down to about 50 feet (15 meters) wide. The satellite should orbit the Earth at altitude of about 438 miles (705 kilometers) over the planet's poles. "For nearly 50 years, Landsat satellites have documented Earth's changing landscape," Michael Egan, NASA's Landsat program manager, said in the press conference. "Landsat 9 will improve and expand upon this unparalleled record of our home planet." Landsat 9 will be able to image the entire Earth every 16 days. When combined with data from its predecessor Landsat 8, which launched in 2013 and is still in use today, the two satellites can cover the entire Earth every eight days, Egan said. Landsat 9 is designed to last at least 5 years in orbit and replace the aging Landsat 7, which is also in use today. Landsat satellites have been studying the Earth since 1972. That continuous coverage is key to tracking Earth's changes, especially as the planet experiences more extreme weather, powerful storms, fires and other effects from climate change, mission officials said. "As we know, climate change is real," said Tanya Trujillo, Assistant Secretary for Water and Science at the Department of the Interior in the press conference. "The Landsat program is an excellent tool to help guide our efforts to understand and document the changes we are seeing on a daily basis." Northrop Grumman built the $750 million Landsat 9 for NASA, with the mission's team shaving about $90 million off its initial budget, Thomas Zurbuchen, NASA's associate administrator for science missions, told reporters Saturday. It's been a long road to the launchpad for Landsat 9. The satellite was initially supposed to launch on Sept. 16, but was delayed to Sept. 23 due to a liquid nitrogen shortage related to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. High winds prompted another delay to Sept. 27. The mission will also launch a minute later than planned to avoid a collision chance with NASA's Calypso/CloudSat satellite in orbit, Dunn said. Currently, weather forecasts predict a 60% chance of good conditions at launch time. If NASA and the United Launch Alliance are unable to launch Landsat 9 on Monday, a backup launch window is available on Tuesday, with similar weather conditions expected. https://www.space.com/nasa-landsat-9-earth-observation-satellite-go-for-launch Director of Safety – Bloomington, MN Who Are We: Life Link III is a nationally recognized leader in air medical transport. Our top priority is to put cutting edge technology and education in the hands of our flight medical crew, pilots, mechanics, operational control specialists and communication specialists so we can provide uncompromising care to the communities we live and work in. We do this work while living out our core values of safety, customer focus, excellence, integrity, innovation, and collaboration. Position Summary: Life Link III’s Director of Safety emphasizes innovation, collaboration, and safety in their approach to realizing Life Link III’s mission and values. The Director of Safety reports to the Chief Executive Officer or designee. The primary focus of the Director of Safety is the prevention of harm to people, property, and the environment. The Director of Safety will be expected to lead in areas of Safety Policy, Safety Risk Management, Safety Assurance, and Safety Promotion. To accomplish this, the Director of Safety will provide technical assistance in identifying, evaluating, and controlling hazards in a variety of contexts throughout the organization. The Director of Safety is responsible for the continuous development & implementation of the Life Link III Safety Management System (SMS) and administration of Life Link III Safety Management Programs (SMPs). A qualified candidate will embody the Mission and Values of Life Link III. Position Highlights: •Under the direction outlined by the SMS – assist in implementation, management, modification, and additions to SMP. •SMP implementation, oversight, management, and training, including day-to-day management of the following components: •Hazard Recognition - identify conditions or actions that may cause injury, illness, or property damage. •Inspections/Audits - assess safety and health risks associated with equipment, materials, processes, facilities, or abilities. •Fire Protection - reduce fire hazards by inspection, layout of facilities and processes, and design of fire detection and suppression systems. •Regulatory Compliance - ensure that mandatory safety and health standards are satisfied. •Maintain knowledge and awareness of all safety components of the FAA, OSHA (MN, WI, and Federal), EPA, airport authority, CAMTS, EMSRB, WI DHS, and others as applicable. •Serves as the safety liaison for regulatory and accreditation site surveys. •Health Hazard Control - control hazards such as noise, chemical exposures, radiation, or biological hazards that can create harm. •Ergonomics - improve the workplace based on an understanding of human physiological and psychological characteristics, abilities, and limitations. •Hazardous Materials Management - ensure that dangerous chemicals and other products are procured, stored, and disposed of in ways that prevent fires, exposure to or harm from these substances. •Environment - control hazards that can lead to undesirable releases of harmful materials into the air, water, or soil. •Accident and Incident Investigations - determine the facts related to an accident or incident based on witness interviews, site inspections and collection of other evidence. Record keeping - maintain safety and health information to meet government requirements, as well as to provide data for problem solving and decision making. •Review incident reports of a safety nature. •Track, trend, and analyze data to identify concerns. •Appropriately triage risk of concerns identified and proposes actionable plans for correction. •Assist in development and regularly review site emergency plans for all Life Link III locations, including, but not limited to hangars, crew quarters, administrative offices, supply rooms. •Emergency Response-Manage, administer, and facilitate the exercise of Life Link III’s Emergency Response plan. •Collaborates and engages across all departments and with external stakeholders for plan accuracy and plan updates. •Facilitates across departments for drill planning, drill execution, and evaluation. •Manage, administer, and provide training for the emergency notification software platform. •Security - identify and implement design features and procedures to protect facilities and businesses from threats that introduce hazards. •Identify opportunities, gap analysis, and facilitate cross departmental collaboration about SMP. •Training - provide employees and managers with the knowledge and skills necessary to recognize hazards and perform their jobs safely and effectively. •Provide content for annual safety training for all Life Link III locations including, but not limited to, hangars, crew quarters, administrative offices, supply rooms. Document and provide senior leaders updates about annual training. •Attend new employee orientations and provide an overview and expectations of safety at Life Link III. •Participate in safety education to external stakeholders such as hospitals, law enforcement, and EMS agencies. •Collaborate with Marketing and Outreach to coordinate consistent messaging of a safety nature to external stakeholders. •Coordinate with Clinical Services, Operations, Human Resources, or others as needed to assure that action plans are carried out when appropriate. •Create, maintain, and updates policies as appropriate. •Outline and update procedures appropriately to reflect current practices. •Coordinate and lead safety sub-committee meetings. •Coordinate the enterprise safety meeting. •Ensure accountability and consistency of area and base representatives and/or designees. •Lead the selection of base safety representatives, provide work direction and feedback. •Maintain good working relationships with internal and external stakeholders. •Provide safety related education and/or materials as requested or needed. •Promote a culture of safety through collaboration and partnerships that maximize the success of the program. •Serve as a liaison on a wide range of safety related issues, and partner with content experts to ensure quality in the guidance given. What We Are Looking For: •Bachelor's degree in safety, industrial engineering, quality or emergency management, aeronautics, registered nursing or similar. •7+ years of experience in coordinating safety and loss prevention activities in a setting translatable to the services provided by Life Link III. •Professional or equivalent safety certification (i.e. ASP or CSP) •Proven success collaborating across an organization to implement change •Experience leading collaborative teams, committees, or other working groups with internal and external stakeholders. •5+ years demonstrated leadership progression in enterprise-wide safety role(s) •Ability to adjust tasks quickly as circumstances dictate •Ability to communicate clearly and effectively •Ability to travel on short notice within the Life Link III system •Ability to respond to emergency events with limited notice Preferred Qualifications: •Master’s Degree preferred •Experience with rotor and/or fixed wing operations •Emergency Medical Services experience •Certification(s) in CPPS and ARM What We Offer: •We are committed to developing your talents through engaging work and access to an annual Professional Development Fund. •Opportunity to grow •Competitive salary •Competitive Health Benefits •Employer Matching HSA on qualified plans •Employer Matching Retirement Plan with no vesting schedule •Competitive Paid Time Off to foster a work/life balance To Apply Please Go to https://www.lifelinkiii.com/careers/job-openings/ Covid-19 Vaccination Requirements: To maintain the health and well-being of our fellow co-workers and the patients we serve; all Life Link III employees are required to be vaccinated against Covid-19 prior to their first day of employment. Compliance/HIPAA: Must perform work in the manner prescribed by documented work process in order to ensure compliance with all rules and regulations, accreditation standards and laws that apply. Tenure-Track Faculty Position with a focus on Unmanned Systems in the School of Graduate Studies, College of Aviation, Daytona Beach The School of Graduate Studies in the College of Aviation at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU) invites applications for a nine-month tenure-track, open rank position, with strong preference in background and expertise in Unmanned Systems and related areas. The department offers a primarily online Ph.D. in Aviation with specializations in Aviation Safety, Aviation Human Factors, Aviation Operations, and Interdisciplinary. It also offers an MS in Aviation, MS in Occupational Safety Management, and MS in Unmanned Systems in a traditional on-campus format. The candidate will be expected to teach courses in the Ph.D. and/or master’s degree programs and act as the chair and/or member of Ph.D. dissertation or thesis committees. Typical teaching load is 3 courses per semester. In addition to teaching responsibilities, the candidate is required to meet continuing scholarly growth requirements that include publishing scholarly work, actively pursuing and obtaining externally funded research, and presenting work at professional conferences. The candidate will be expected to fulfill service responsibilities to the university and the profession. Faculty for this position will be located on the Daytona Beach campus. The candidate is required to provide instruction through traditional classroom format. Required Qualifications: The position requires a doctorate with relevant experience in aviation, safety, operations, or unmanned systems. Those candidates currently pursuing a doctorate may be considered. Preferred Qualifications: Preferred qualifications include a Ph.D. in a closely related field, FAA Part 107 certificate, FAA pilot certificates, FAA flight instructor certificates, industry safety experience, and/or industry unmanned systems experience. Candidate materials should be submitted online by applying at https://embryriddle.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/External/job/Daytona-Beach-FL/Tenure-Track-Faculty-Position-of-School-of-Graduate-Studies--College-of- Aviation--Daytona-Beach-Campus-_R300653. Candidates must submit the following for consideration: · Current CV. · A letter of application, with emphasis on ability to teach courses on unmanned systems. · Copy of Ph.D. transcript. · Teaching philosophy (one page). · Research plan (one page), including research interests, strategies, and research plan. Consideration of applications will begin on September 15, 2021, and will continue until the position is filled. 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