Flight Safety Information - October 4, 2021 No. 199 In This Issue : Incident: United B78X near Tel Aviv on Sep 29th 2021, flaps problem : Incident: THY B739 at Istanbul on Oct 1st 2021, cabin pressure problem : Incident: Iberia A320 near Porto on Oct 2nd 2021, gear problem on departure : Incident: Serene A332 at Islamabad on Oct 3rd 2021, bird strike : Incident: Spirit A320N at Atlantic City on Oct 2nd 2021, rejected takeoff due to bird strike, engine fire : Boeing 737-83N (WL) - Engine Failure (Russia) : American, Alaska Airlines and JetBlue the latest carriers to mandate COVID vaccines for workers : Rowdy Las Vegas airport flyer arrested for allegedly fighting, spitting on officers : United Airlines has banned more than 700 unruly passengers during the pandemic : Flight Safety Foundation Calls for Accelerated Global Deployment of Digital Health Certificates : New India Secretary of Ministry of Civil Aviation Announced : United needs two aircraft that do not exist: 757-300 and 50-seat jet replacements : Qantas launches contest to replace small jets -sources : Lufthansa adds four new Airbus A350s to its fleet : Blue Origin's exodus of top staffers followed its CEO's demand for all staff to return to the office, reports say : PhD - Graduate Research Survey Request (1) Incident: United B78X near Tel Aviv on Sep 29th 2021, flaps problem A United Boeing 787-10, registration N16008 performing flight UA-85 from Tel Aviv (Israel) to Newark,NJ (USA) with 169 people on board, had just levelled off at initial cruise level 320 when the crew decided to return to Tel Aviv due to a problem with the flaps. The aircraft landed safely on Tel Aviv's runway 12 at a higher than normal speed (194 knots over ground) about 70 minutes after departure. The aircraft remained on the ground in Tel Aviv for 54 hours before departing to Newark. http://avherald.com/h?article=4ee14d68&opt=0 Incident: THY B739 at Istanbul on Oct 1st 2021, cabin pressure problem A THY Turkish Airlines Boeing 737-900, registration TC-JYA performing flight TK-2184 from Istanbul to Ankara (Turkey), was climbing out of Istanbul when the crew stopped the climb at about 13,000 feet due to problems with the cabin pressure. The aircraft returned to Istanbul for a safe landing on runway 36 about 15 minutes after departure. http://avherald.com/h?article=4ee20959&opt=0 Incident: Iberia A320 near Porto on Oct 2nd 2021, gear problem on departure An Iberia Airbus A320-200, registration EC-LXQ performing flight IB539 from Vigo,SP (Spain) to Madrid,SP (Spain) with 110 passengers and 6 crew, was climbing out of Vigo when the crew declared Mayday Mayday reporting they could not retract the landing gear, had a very high fuel burn and needed to land as soon as possible, however, would not need assistance on the ground. The aircraft stopped the climb at FL100 and diverted to Porto (Portugal). At that time Porto was just about to implement low visibility procedures and had a number of aircraft in the holds. Approach queried the A320 crew whether they could accept a CAT I ILS approach with just 200 feet ceiling, the crew accepted. The aircraft landed safely on Porto's runway 17 about 25 minutes after departure from Vigo. The occurrence aircraft is still on the ground about 16 hours after landing in Porto. http://avherald.com/h?article=4ee28d7a&opt=0 Incident: Serene A332 at Islamabad on Oct 3rd 2021, bird strike A Serene Air Airbus A330-200, registration AP-BNF performing flight ER-500 from Karachi to Islamabad (Pakistan), was on final approach to Islamabad's runway 10R when a bird impacted the aircraft. The aircraft continued for a safe landing and taxied to the apron. A post flight inspection revealed damage to the right hand main gear requiring the replacement of parts. The aircraft is still on the ground in Islamabad 13 hours after landing. http://avherald.com/h?article=4ee2a4ed&opt=0 Incident: Spirit A320N at Atlantic City on Oct 2nd 2021, rejected takeoff due to bird strike, engine fire A Spirit Airlines Airbus A320-200N, registration N922NK performing flight NK-3044 from Atlantic City,NJ to Fort Lauderdale,FL (USA), was accelerating for takeoff from Atlantic City's runway 31 when the crew rejected takeoff at low speed (about 60 knots over ground) advising they had a bird strike into the right hand engine (PW1127G) and were stopping on the runway. The aircraft slowed safely and stopped on the runway about 550 meters/1800 feet down the runway, tower queried whether the aircraft needed any assistance, the crew replied "roll the trucks please". A short while later tower advised there appeared to be fire underneath the engine. The crew acknowledged, the fire bell was audible in the background of that transmission, and about a minute later advised they were evacuating the aircraft. There were no injuries. The airline reported a large bird entered one of the engines, the crew braked safely and brought the aircraft to stop, received indication of engine damage and ordered an evacuation in line with standard operating procedures. Videos show the aircraft was evacuated through the left hand forward and left hand aft main doors using slides. On Oct 4th 2021 it emerged, that an entire fan blade had fractured at its root and separated. http://avherald.com/h?article=4ee2677c&opt=0 Pilatus PC-12/47E - Fatal Accident (Italy) Date: 03-OCT-2021 Time: 13:07 LT Type: Pilatus PC-12/47E Owner/operator: Aviroms Rent A Car Registration: YR-PDV MSN: 1532 Fatalities: Fatalities: 8 / Occupants: 8 Other fatalities: 0 Aircraft damage: Written off (damaged beyond repair) Category: Accident Location: San Donato, near Milano-Linate Airport (LIN) - Italy Phase: Initial climb Nature: Private Departure airport: Milano-Linate Airport (LIN/LIML) Destination airport: Olbia-Costa Smeralda Airport (OLB/LIEO) Investigating agency: ANSV Narrative: A Pilatus PC-12/47E turboprop, registration, was destroyed in an accident near Milano-Linate Airport (LIN/LIML), Italy, killing all eight on board. The aircraft took off from runway 36 at Linate Airport at 13:04 local time. It made a climbing right hand turn after departure and stopped the climb at an altitude of about 5300 feet. At 13:07 the aircraft entered a steep and fast descent until it impacted a building under construction. A large fire erupted. Italian and Romanian media report the aircraft was owned by Teleinvest SA. However, the Romanian aircraft register lists Aviroms Rent A Car as the owner. https://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/268299 Boeing 737-83N (WL) - Engine Failure (Russia) Date: 03-OCT-2021 Time: 07:00 UTC Type: Boeing 737-83N (WL) Owner/operator: S7 Airlines Registration: VP-BND MSN: 28245/1054 Fatalities: Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 177 Other fatalities: 0 Aircraft damage: Unknown Location: N of Rostov - Russia Phase: En route Nature: Passenger - Non-Scheduled/charter/Air Taxi Departure airport: Moskva-Domodedovo Airport (DME/UUDD) Destination airport: Simferopol Airport (SIP/URFF) Narrative: S7 Airlines flight S72007, a Boeing 737-800, diverted to Rostov Airport following an engine failure. The aircraft had departed Moscow at 06:23 UTC on a flight to Simferopol. At 06:59 a descent was initiated from the cruising altitude of 37000 feet. The flight crew elected to divert to Rostov, where a safe landing was made at 07:50 UTC. https://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/268296 American, Alaska Airlines and JetBlue the latest carriers to mandate COVID vaccines for workers American Airlines, JetBlue and Alaska Airlines have joined United Airlines in mandating that employees must be vaccinated against COVID-19, per the Wall Street Journal. Why it matters: The Biden administration has been pressing businesses to require workers to be vaccinated against the virus as vaccination rates flatten across the U.S. Get market news worthy of your time with Axios Markets. Subscribe for free. The airlines provide government services including cargo hauling and special flights, which they say makes them contractors to the government so they fall under President Biden's mandatory vaccination directive, AP reports. The big picture: American Airlines told staff on Friday that it would require all employees based in the U.S. and "certain international crew members" to be vaccinated, per a memo obtained by Reuters. The American memo gave no timeline. But JetBlue Airways and Alaska Airlines said Friday they'd implement a vaccine mandate as early as Dec. 8, AP notes. That's the deadline the White House has given for federal contractors to be inoculated, with limited exceptions. Delta said it's "still evaluating Biden's order," according to AP. https://www.yahoo.com/news/american-alaska-airlines-jetblue-latest-235412916.html Rowdy Las Vegas airport flyer arrested for allegedly fighting, spitting on officers LAS VEGAS (KSNV) — An Arizona woman was arrested this week after she allegedly fought with Las Vegas officers and started spitting when she wasn't allowed to board a flight. Karleen Gearing, 21, of Phoenix was taken into custody Tuesday at McCarran International Airport, one of the latest incidents involving unruly flyers that have been reported nationwide. According to an arrest report, officers were called to an airport gate on reports of a woman being belligerent and yelling at employees with Southwest Airlines. A supervisor told officers the woman was denied boarding because of her behavior, and she would not be allowed to rebook. Police say they tried to explain the situation to Gearing, but she continued to yell and at some point fell down. Officers told Geearing she was being arrested and handcuffed her, "at which time she began to fight with officers and began to spit and yell and [caused] a scene around other passengers," the arrest report states. Officers could smell alcohol on her and believed she was under the influence. Gearing was held down, and police said they eventually put a "spit mask" on her after she spat on two officers. She was able to slip her cuffs several times, and police said they had to switch to flex cuffs. She was also "hobbled" in a police cruiser "to keep her from kicking officers," the report states. An ambulance medically cleared Gearing before she was booked at Clark County Detention Center. The Federal Aviation Administration has reported a surge in unruly passengers, many involving people who are drunk or angry about face mask requirements. In Las Vegas, at least nine flyers have been levied fines totaling $120,000 so far this year due to their behavior. Criminal charges are left to local jurisdictions, as the FAA says it does not have any prosecutorial authority. Court records indicate Gearing is facing charges of battery on a protected person, resisting a public officer and violating airport rules and regulations. She's been released on her own recognizance on the condition that she stays out of trouble and stays away from Southwest Airlines. Her next court appearance is scheduled for Oct. 27. https://news3lv.com/newsletter-daily/rowdy-las-vegas-airport-flyer-arrested-for-allegedly-fighting-spitting-on-officers United Airlines has banned more than 700 unruly passengers during the pandemic (CNN) - United Airlines says its banned more than 700 passengers for their behavior during the pandemic. United CEO Scott Kirby says the number of unruly passengers for their behavior is low compared to the number of customers overall. Right now, the airline services close to three million customers a week. It's also low in comparison with other U.S. airlines. Delta has banned 1,600 people from flying since the pandemic began. Kirby credits deescalation training given to United flight attendants for having lower rates of incident over mask violations. https://fortwaynesnbc.com/2021/10/04/united-airlines-has-banned-more-than-700-unruly-passengers-during-the-pandemic/ Flight Safety Foundation Calls for Accelerated Global Deployment of Digital Health Certificates BRUSSELS, Oct. 3, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Flight Safety Foundation today called on the aviation industry, regulators and health authorities around the world to accelerate development of standardized and internationally accepted digital health certificates and to have them widely deployed within the next 12 months. "Commercial aviation has begun the long, slow climb out of the travel trough created by the COVID-19 pandemic, but even the most routine international trip is fraught with confusion and frustration about acceptable documentation, testing requirements and the specter of quarantines, never mind the risk of fake COVID test results or vaccine status fraud," said Foundation President and CEO Dr. Hassan Shahidi. "To maximize passenger health safety we need a secure, globally accepted digital tool that enables travelers to upload and carry with them their vaccine status, recent test results or COVID-19 recovery status, and that will be recognized and accepted wherever they go," he said. While dozens of airlines and countries have deployed digital health certificates and apps, the pace of adoption of these tools has been slow and uneven. The Foundation is concerned that as travel picks up, airlines, security personnel and immigration and border control agents are likely to be faced with a bewildering array of testing and vaccine documents to process. "The only way the industry is going to be able to move forward safely and in a manner that instills confidence in travelers, aviation industry personnel, regulators and health authorities is if all the stakeholders pull together and prioritize development and adoption of these tools," said Capt. Conor Nolan, chair of the Foundation's Board of Governors. "We need solutions that are scalable, interoperable and that ensure sensitive information remains secure." The Foundation recently published on its website "Guidance on Advancing COVID-19 Risk Mitigation in Air Travel," which includes recommendations on ensuring passenger health safety for air travel. Development of the guidance material was informed by the Foundation's Medical Advisory Committee. About Flight Safety Foundation (www.flightsafety.org) Flight Safety Foundation is an independent, nonprofit, international organization engaged in research, education and communications to improve aviation safety. The Foundation's mission is to connect, influence and lead global aviation safety. Contact: Frank Jackman Vice President, Communications +1 703.739.6700, ext. 116 jackman@flightsafety.org SOURCE Flight Safety Foundation https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/flight-safety-foundation-calls-for-accelerated-global-deployment-of-digital-health-certificates-301391220.html New India Secretary of Ministry of Civil Aviation Announced Shri Rajiv Bansal IAS (NL:88) has assumed the charge of Secretary, Ministry of Civil Aviation in the Government of India, Vice Shri Pradeep Singh Kharola, IAS (KN:85) consequent upon his superannuation on September 30, 2021. Shri Bansal is an Indian Administrative Services Officer of 1988 batch, from Nagaland cadre. • He has held many important positions in the Union Government including Chairman and Managing Director of Air India Ltd. in the Ministry of Civil Aviation. • He has also held several key positions within the Government of Nagaland. • Shri Bansal is an Indian Administrative Services Officer of 1988 batch, from Nagaland cadre. He has held many important positions in the Union Government including Chairman and Managing Director, Air India Ltd., Ministry of Civil Aviation; Additional Secretary, M/o Petroleum & Natural Gas; Joint Secretary, M/o Electronics & Information Technology; Secretary, Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC); and Joint Secretary, D/o Heavy Industry, M/o Heavy Industries & Public Enterprises. He has also held several key positions in the Government of Nagaland including Commissioner & Secretary, D/o Health & Family Welfare, Nagaland; Commissioner & Secretary, School EducationDepartment, Nagaland; Commissioner & Secretary, Finance Department, Nagaland, etc. Located at Rajiv Gandhi Bhavan at the Safdarjung Airport in New Delhi, the Ministry of Civil Aviation is responsible for formulation of national policies and programs for the development and regulation of the Civil Aviation sector in the country. It is responsible for the administration of the Aircraft Act, 1934, Aircraft Rules, 1937 and various other legislations pertaining to the aviation sector in the country. This Ministry exercises administrative control over attached and autonomous organizations like the Directorate General of Civil Aviation, Bureau of Civil Aviation Security and Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Udan Academy and affiliated Public Sector Undertakings like National Aviation Company of India Limited, Airports Authority of India and Pawan Hans Helicopters Limited. The Commission of Railway Safety, which is responsible for safety in rail travel and operations in terms of the provisions of the Railways Act, 1989 also comes under the administrative control of this Ministry. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) is the regulatory body in the field of Civil Aviation, primarily dealing with safety issues. It is responsible for regulation of air transport services to/from/within India and for enforcement of civil air regulations, air safety, and airworthiness standards. The DGCA also co-ordinates all regulatory functions with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). https://eturbonews.com/3004667/new-india-secretary-of-ministry-of-civil-aviation-announced/ United needs two aircraft that do not exist: 757-300 and 50-seat jet replacements A fleet conundrum is looming at United Airlines, driven by the simple fact that no aircraft manufacturers currently produce two categories of aircraft that United intends to retire by end-decade. Those aircraft are Boeing 757-300s and 50-seat regional jets like Bombardier CRJ200s and Embraer ERJs. United will continue operating those jets much of this decade. Other carriers surely will, too. But those jets must eventually be retired. The problem is, no replacements currently exist. “We want a machine that produces the same profit margins as the 757-300, which does not appear to be in the cards at this point,” United chief commercial officer Andrew Nocella tells FlightGlobal on 3 October. “A 50-seater hasn’t been produced in years,” he adds, speaking in Boston ahead of the IATA Annual General Meeting. “It’s really going to be a critical issue.” At the end of 2020, United’s fleet included 21 ageing 757-300s, a type with more than 3,000nm (5,556km) of range and, in United’s configuration, 234 seats. The Chicago-based airline intends to operate the type until “as close to the end of the decade as possible”, Nocella says. “It’s such a great machine,” he adds, citing the type’s range, economics and passenger comfort. In June, United said it had ordered a combined 270 737 Max and Airbus A321neos. The airline will use those jets to replace 757-200s – but not its 757-300s. Airline executives have long bemoaned the lack of a new aircraft with capabilities matching the 757. For years, Boeing teased about developing a 757 replacement known as its “New Mid-market Airplane”, which was to have up to 270 seats and 4,000-5,000nm range. But that concept withered in recent years amid the 737 Max grounding and the pandemic-driven downturn. Boeing publicly stepped away from the project in early 2020. Airbus has come closest to filling the gap its A321neo, particularly its in-development 4,700nm-range A321XLR variant. Boeing’s 737 Max 10, with 3,300nm range and 200-passenger capacity in two classes, does not come as close. “Ultimately, we would like for Boeing and Airbus” to produce a narrowbody with more than 200 seats, Nocella says. In the coming years, airport constraints (meaning limited runway space and gates) will make 757-size aircraft more valuable. “When I think about… beyond 2030, the 130- to 150-seat aircraft are going to be too small,” he says. 50-SEAT RIDDLE Nocella faces the same uncertainty at the lower-end of United’s fleet. United plans to retire about 200 50-seat jets (replacing those with Embraer E-Jets). But it will keep about 100 50-seaters. Again, no replacements exist. “The 50-seaters are beginning their retirement phase, and by the end of this decade there will be very few 50-seat regional jets still flying, at least for United,” Nocella says. “Connecting smaller communities to major hubs… is going to become an issue at the end of this decade.” Nocella questions whether a new regional jet would have the operating economics United needs to make its regional routes work. Regional jets tend to have higher per-seat operating costs than either turboprops or larger jet-powered airliners. “The question is… Can they build it at the appropriate set of economics that allows us to flying it successfully?” says Nocella. “I would worry that that next-generation 50-seat jets would… not have what we need.” Embraer has said it is considering developing a new turboprop in the 50-90-seat range, noting turboprops have better operating economics than regional jets. United would consider a turboprop, Nocella says. The Chicago-based airline also agreed to purchase 200 of an electric-powered regional airliners under development by Swedish company Heart Aerospace, and an electric air taxi under development by US firm Archer Aviation. Many companies are working on similar electric-aircraft projects. But technological and regulatory hurdles – not to mention the sheer cost of developing a new aircraft – raise real questions of viability. “We are hopeful,” Nocella says. “You have to start somewhere.” https://www.flightglobal.com/fleets/united-needs-two-aircraft-that-do-not-exist-757-300-and-50-seat-jet-replacements/145746.article Qantas launches contest to replace small jets -sources SYDNEY/BOSTON (Reuters) -Qantas Airways is in talks with several planemakers over plans to renew its main narrowbody and regional airliner fleets and is expected to formalise the negotiations with a tender announcement within days, industry sources said. The Australian carrier is studying the Airbus A220 and Brazilian Embraer's E2 to replace a regional fleet of 20 Boeing 717s and 18 Fokker 100s, they added. Boeing's 737 MAX 7, the smallest member of its best-selling single-aisle family, is also seen as a contender. In the busiest part of the market, Airbus and Boeing are competing head to head as Qantas also seeks to replace Boeing 737-800s, the oldest of which are nearly 20 years old. The combined moves could lead to staggered purchases of as many as 100 jets including options, the sources said. In Boston, where airline executives were gathering for an industry meeting, Qantas Chief Executive Alan Joyce declined to comment ahead of a virtual news briefing scheduled for Monday. Planemakers Airbus, Boeing and Embraer also declined to comment. Talks over the influential airline's business have been under way for months, but Qantas is expected to set out its requirements publicly within days as it and other airlines eye potential bargains for jets in the wake of the COVID-19 crisis. "We've said for some time that the renewal of our domestic narrowbody fleet is on our agenda," a Qantas spokesperson said. "It's a long-term proposition and when we have any material updates to provide, we will.” Qantas had initially planned to place an order in 2020 https://www.reuters.com/article/qantas-fleet-orders-idUSL3N20G2W6 but that was delayed by the pandemic. Chief Financial Officer Vanessa Hudson said in February a tender would be launched this year. Qantas budget arm Jetstar has 109 A320neo family planes on order https://www.reuters.com/article/us-france-airshow-qantas-idUSKCN1TK06Q, but the start of deliveries has been postponed until at least July 2022 due to the impact of the pandemic. In a separate contest dubbed 'Project Sunrise,' Qantas selected Airbus over Boeing for jets capable of staging the world's longest commercial flights from Sydney to London, but the plans were delayed by the pandemic. Joyce said in August that order for A350-family jets would not be revisited until international borders reopened. Australia said on Friday it would begin a staged opening of international borders https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/australia-ease-international-travel-curbs-sources-2021-10-01 next month but only vaccinated citizens and permanent residents would be included and they would be required to quarantine at home for seven days on arrival. The country has not set a date for opening borders to foreigners. https://www.yahoo.com/finance/news/qantas-launches-contest-replace-small-180452269.html Lufthansa adds four new Airbus A350s to its fleet BOSTON (Reuters) -Lufthansa said on Sunday it has agreed to lease four new Airbus A350-900 long-haul passenger jets, taking on newer planes left without homes as airlines restructure their balance sheets amid the coronavirus crisis. Airplanes are currently available at low lease rates as carriers review their portfolios, industry sources say. Chief Executive Carsten Spohr announced the move by the German flag carrier on the sidelines of an airlines conference dominated by debate over emissions and heavy industry losses due to the pandemic. "Fleet modernization, in my view, is one pillar to cope with the sustainability challenges," Spohr told reporters on the sidelines of a meeting of airlines group IATA. The aircraft were originally earmarked for Philippine Airlines, which has been restructuring its fleet, and will be available early next year, a person familiar with the deal said. Their arrival will speed up the replacement of less fuel-efficient Airbus A340-600 and Boeing 747-400 jets, Lufthansa said, with 30% fewer emissions per plane. Lufthansa said the four new planes will take its A350 fleet to 21 aircraft. Spohr also said he was concerned that a slow reopening of borders in China amid strict coronavirus travel restrictions was hurting the German air carrier's recovery. "We are not only slowing down our recovery at Lufthansa, which is also my concern, we are slowing down the recovery of the economic relations between China and Germany," he said. China sharply reduced transport links with other countries as the coronavirus, which first emerged in the central Chinese city of Wuhan in late 2019, spread around the world. Visitors to mainland China, regardless of nationality, face tough requirements prior to travel including multiple medical tests and stringent quarantine rules upon entry. Airlines, both Chinese and non-Chinese, also face the risk of their flight routes being suspended temporarily if a certain number of infected passengers are detected on arrival in China. https://www.yahoo.com/finance/news/lufthansa-adds-four-airbus-a350s-205720067.html Blue Origin's exodus of top staffers followed its CEO's demand for all staff to return to the office, reports say Blue Origin's talent exodus followed pressure for all staff to return to the office, CNBC reported. Sources told the outlet on Friday that the company's attrition rate has soared past 20%. A Blue Origin spokesperson said the rate was similar to other firms', amid the "Great Resignation." Blue Origin's recent loss of many top employees followed a call for all staff to return to the office. Multiple sources told CNBC that the departures were a direct reflection of CEO Bob Smith's pressure to end remote working across the company. Sources also said that the company's attrition rate passed 20% for this year. A Blue Origin spokesperson told CNBC that attrition "has never exceeded 12.7%" on an annualized rate, which measures employee departures over the last 12 months. Typically, Blue Origin's annual turnover rate is 8% to 9%, sources familiar with the situation said. "We are seeing attrition rates comparable to those reported by other companies as part of what many are calling 'The Great Resignation,'" the spokesperson said. Blue Origin did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment. Earlier this year, 17 top staffers at Blue Origin left the company, with many departing in the weeks after founder Jeff Bezos flew into space, Insider's Kevin Shalvey reported. Per a previous CNBC report, those leaving the space firm included New Shepard SVP Steve Bennett, chief of mission assurance Jeff Ashby and senior director of recruiting Crystal Freund. Some of the departures were noteworthy because of their timing. They followed an announcement that SpaceX would be awarded a $2.9 billion contract for a moon lander for the Artemis missions. Friday's CNBC report noted that the plan for all employees to return to the office in September, known as the "Blue Back Together," initiative, ruffled feathers. Hundreds of workers signed a petition asking the company to at least implement a more flexible work model, but it was never acknowledged by Smith, the report said. CNBC said that the views of its anonymous sources in many ways mirrored those of the 21 current and former Blue Origin employees who published an open letter alleging a toxic, sexist, and unsafe work culture. Insider's Sinéad Baker and Grace Kay reported that the letter also accused Bezos of sacrificing safety in an effort to win the billionaire space race. https://www.yahoo.com/news/blue-origins-significant-talent-exodus-103635099.html PhD - Graduate Research Survey Request (1) Calling All Pilots (and Non-Pilots) My name is Kurt Reesman and I am an Adult Education Ph.D. candidate teaching in the Department of Aviation at Auburn University. I invite you to participate in my research study entitled Training the Emerging Pilot Workforce: Does Generation and Gender Influence Curriculum Development? With your help, I will learn more about the following three questions: 1. Do non-pilots and pilots have different learning styles or preferences? 2. Do pilots in the Baby Boomer, Generation X, Generation Y (Millennials), and Generation Z generations have learning styles or preferences that differ from each other? 3. Do male pilots and female pilots have different learning styles or preferences? You may participate if you are 18 years or older. I am asking that you take 5-10 minutes of your time to complete an anonymous, on-line survey that asks you to provide basic demographic information and then answer 44 questions that only have 2 possible answers each. These questions are from the Felder and Solomon Index of Learning Styles questionnaire. If you are interested and eligible to participate, click the link below to begin the survey. If you would like to know more information, or have any questions about this study, you can send an email to Kurt Reesman at klr0051@auburn.edu or my advisor, Dr. James Witte at witteje@auburn.edu. Thank you for your consideration, Kurt Reesman, Lt Col, USAF (retired) Ph.D. Candidate / Lecturer Department of Aviation Auburn University Survey Link: https://auburn.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_88HSBAVREFUHLE1 Curt Lewis