Flight Safety Information - October 6, 2021 No. 201 In This Issue : Incident: Easyjet A320N and Go2Sky B738 at Palma Mallorca on Oct 4th 2021, loss of separation, TCAS advisory : Accident: THY B773 at Lahore on Oct 5th 2021, bird strik : Incident: Jazz CRJ9 near Buffalo on ct 3rd 2021, cracked windshield : Incident: United B38M at New York on Oct 2nd 2021, engine shut down in flight : Dassault Falcon 20C - Fatal Accident (Georgia) : US Navy jet crashes in Death Valley; pilot safely ejects : NTSB prepares to recover cargo jet from ocean floor in Hawaii : TSA officers confiscate 2 guns at Cleveland Hopkins Airport : Airlines warn erratic global COVID-19 rules could delay recovery : DGCA introduces online system for reporting aviation safety (India) : FAA Urges Airports to Avoid Using Firefighting Foam With Fluorine : Lufthansa Picks Up Former Philippine Airlines A350s : Air Europa Maintenance obtains FAA Repair Station Certification : Emirates slams Boeing over 777X jet delays : USAIG and Black Swan Solutions® by Empathia Team Up to Boost Policyholder’s Emergency Response Plan (ERP) Readiness Through the Performance Vector Safety Initiative : PhD - Graduate Research Survey Request (1) Incident: Easyjet A320N and Go2Sky B738 at Palma Mallorca on Oct 4th 2021, loss of separation, TCAS advisory An Easyjet Airbus A320-200N, registration G-UZHV performing flight U2-2271 from London Luton,EN (UK) to Palma Mallorca,SP (Spain), was on approach to Palma Mallorca maintaining 3000 feet about 14nm southwest of Palma Mallorca over the Bay of Palma. A Go2Sky Boeing 737-800 on behalf of Corendon Airlines, registration OM-GTF performing flight XR-2222 from Hanover (Germany) to Palma Mallorca,SP (Spain) was on approach to Palma Mallorca about 14nm southwest of Palma Mallorca over the Bay of Palma. With both aircraft maintaining 3000 feet MSL the horizontal distance between the aircraft reduced to 1.5nm on converging flight tracks at 07:25:07Z according to ADS-B data, TCAS issued resolution advisories prompting the Easyjet to climb to 4000 feet and the Go2Sky to descend to 2000 feet. After being clear of conflict the Boeing continued for a safe landing on Palma's runway 06L, the Airbus in the meantime climbed up to FL080 and landed on Palma's runway 24L about 25 minutes after the TCAS resolution. A Listener on frequency reported the crews of OM-GTF and G-UZHV reported TCAS resolutions while over the Bay of Palma. The captain of the Go2Sky Boeing told The Aviation Herald, that there was a TCAS Traffic Advisory, however, no Resolution Advisory, instead ATC corrected the loss of separation, when the Easyjet turned off the localizer unexpectedly possibly due to thunderstorms in the approach path to runways 24 and thus in the missed approach path and 24 knots tailwind at the final approach fix runway 06. The Boeing was instructed to turn onto a heading of 259 degrees and to descend to 2000 feet, the Airbus was instructed to climb to 4000 feet. http://avherald.com/h?article=4ee407bd&opt=0 Accident: THY B773 at Lahore on Oct 5th 2021, bird strike A THY Turkish Airlines Boeing 777-300, registration TC-JJJ performing flight TK-714 from Istanbul (Turkey) to Lahore (Pakistan), landed on Lahore's runway 36L and taxied to the apron. According to ADS-B and Flight Plan data the aircraft did not move again after arriving at the parking position, in particular did not depart the gate, push back, taxi or become airborne for flight TK-715 to Istanbul. Pakistan's Civil Aviation Authority reported flight TK-715 from Lahore to Istanbul with 359 people on board, suffered a bird strike on takeoff and returned to Lahore for a safe landing. The aircraft suffered substantial damage to its wings. Return Flight TK-715 to Istanbul was cancelled. http://avherald.com/h?article=4ee3f880&opt=0 Incident: Jazz CRJ9 near Buffalo on Oct 3rd 2021, cracked windshield A Jazz Canadair CRJ-900, registration C-GJZS performing flight QK-7707 from Washington Dulles,DC (USA) to Toronto,ON (Canada) with 71 people on board, was enroute at FL320 about 110nm southsoutheast of Buffalo,NY when the crew received a "R WINDSHIELD HEAT" caution message, the first officer noticed charring around the heating element on the right forward windshield. While the crew worked the related checklist, the windshield cracked, the crew verified the inner pane was secure, cabin pressure remained unaffected. The crew declared PAN PAN, requested to descend and were cleared to descend to FL280 and FL260, the aircraft continued to Toronto for a safe landing about 35 minutes later. The Canadian TSB reported prior to landing the captain took control of the aircraft as he had the clear view. http://avherald.com/h?article=4ee3f880&opt=0 Incident: United B738M at New York on Oct 2nd 2021, engine shut down in flight A United Boeing 737-8 MAX, registration N27252 performing flight UA-2631 from New York La Guardia,NY to Houston Intercontinental,TX (USA), was climbing out of La Guardia's runway 31 when just at the time of being handed off to departure the crew declared emergency reporting the failure of the left hand engine (LEAP). The crew requested to divert to Newark,NJ (USA), stopped the climb at about 4500 feet and diverted to Newark for a safe landing on runway 22L about 15 minutes after departure. A replacement Boeing 737-800 registration N26208 reached Houston with a delay of about 3 hours. The occurrence aircraft is still on the ground in Newark about 65 hours after landing. http://avherald.com/h?article=4ee40bbf&opt=0 Dassault Falcon 20C - Fatal Accident (Georgia) Status: Preliminary Date: Tuesday 5 October 2021 Time: 05:44 Type: Dassault Falcon 20C Operator: Sierra West Airlines Registration: N283SA MSN: 83 First flight: 1967 Crew: Fatalities: 2 / Occupants: 2 Passengers: Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 0 Total: Fatalities: 2 / Occupants: 2 Aircraft damage: Destroyed Aircraft fate: Written off (damaged beyond repair) Location: ca 2 km W of Thomson-McDuffie County Airport, GA ( United States of America) Phase: Approach (APR) Nature: Cargo Departure airport: Lubbock Preston Smith International Airport, TX (LBB/KLBB), United States of America Destination airport: Thomson-McDuffie County Airport, GA (KHQU), United States of America Flightnumber: PKW887 Narrative: Sierra West Airlines flight PKW887, a Dassault Falcon 20CC, N283SA, was destroyed when it impacted trees and terrain while on approach to Thomson-McDuffie County Airport (HQU/KHQU), Thomson, Georgia. The captain and first officer were fatally injured. The final ADS-B data point (located 1.1 nautical miles from Rwy 10 threshold) showed a descent rate of -1,600 feet per minute at 700 MSL (200' AGL) and a ground speed of 133 Kts. The Field elevation is 500.9' MSL. Lowest permitted decent on any approach to Rwy 10 is 400/1. https://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=20211005-0 US Navy jet crashes in Death Valley; pilot safely ejects The aircraft was assigned to Air Test and Evaluation Squadron (VX) 9 based at Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake The pilot of a U.S. Navy fighter jet survived this week after crashing in California's Death Valley National Park, Navy officials said Tuesday. The F/A-18F Super Hornet went down at around 3 p.m. Monday in a remote area of the park, a Navy statement read. The unidentified pilot, who safely ejected from the aircraft, was treated for minor injuries at a Las Vegas hospital and was released later that night. "No civilians were harmed as a result of this incident," the Navy statement added. "The National Park Service and Navy will work together to coordinate cleanup of this Wilderness area." The aircraft was assigned to Air Test and Evaluation Squadron (VX) 9 based at Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake – located in the Mojave Desert about 150 miles northeast of downtown Los Angeles. The Navy has used the installation since the 1940s for missile and rocket development, Stars and Stripes reported. https://www.foxnews.com/us/us-navy-jet-crashes-death-valley-pilot-safely-ejects NTSB prepares to recover cargo jet from ocean floor in Hawaii Investigators want to learn why Transair flight experienced mechanical problems National Transportation Safety Board investigators are scheduled to begin recovery operations this weekend for the wreckage of a Boeing 737 cargo jet that ditched off the Hawaiian island of Oahu on July 2. The TransAir 737-200 was bound for Kahului. Shortly after takeoff from Daniel K. Inouye International Airport in Honolulu, the pilots reported anomalies in both engines and put the plane into Mamala Bay. The pilots escaped and were rescued by the U.S. Coast Guard and the Honolulu Airport Aircraft Rescue Fire Fighting Unit. Investigators want to get the flight data recorder, cockpit voice recorder, engines and other components to help piece together what went wrong during Transair flight 810. The recorders are important because they can provide information about the performance and operation of the plane. The fuselage broke into two pieces, with the wings and tail attached to the aft section. Both engines separated from the wings at impact. All the wreckage is on an ocean shelf at a depth ranging from 350 to 450 feet, the NTSB said last week. Transair’s insurance provider has hired several companies to bring the wreckage and cargo to the surface. The recovery operation will involve a research vessel with remotely operated vehicles and a barge equipped with a crane. Several NTSB investigators will be aboard the research vessel to coordinate the recovery effort. The automated submersibles will be used to rig each of the engines and fuselage sections so they can be brought to the surface. The recorders will be transported to the NTSB Recorder Laboratory in Washington, where they will be downloaded for analysis. The components will be put in crates and shipped to mainland facilities for further examination and testing. The NTSB said the entire recovery operation is expected to last 10 to 14 days, depending on weather and other factors. The Federal Aviation Administration suspended the operating authority of Rhoades Aviation, the official corporate entity operating as Transair, following the crash. https://www.freightwaves.com/news/ntsb-prepares-to-recover-cargo-jet-from-ocean-floor-in-hawaii TSA officers confiscate 2 guns at Cleveland Hopkins Airport CLEVELAND, Ohio — For the second time in less than a month, two loaded guns were confiscated from different passengers within just days at security checkpoints at Hopkins International Airport. According to the Transportation Security Administration, the first gun was found on Sept. 27. TSA officials detected a firearm inside a passenger’s carry-on bag during the routine X-ray screening at about 6:15 a.m. Cleveland police were called and seized the handgun, which was loaded with five rounds. The passenger was cited. At about 5:30 a.m. Sunday, another loaded handgun was found in a passenger’s carry-on bag. The passenger, who had a concealed carry permit from Virginia, told police he did not realize the gun was in his bag. “Our officers are extremely vigilant in keeping firearms and other weapons from being carried onto flights,” Ohio TSA Federal Security Director Donald Barker said in a statement. “We’re seeing far too many guns at airport checkpoints. Passengers who are traveling with firearms need to ensure they are properly packed in their checked baggage.” Last month, two loaded handguns were found on carry-on bags at Hopkins within five days of each other. There have been 19 firearms detected at Hopkins this year. A total of 26 firearms were detected at Hopkins security checkpoints in 2019 and there were 18 last year. Passengers can travel with guns, but they must be in checked baggage, properly packed in a hardback case, unloaded and declared at the airline check-in counter. Guns must also be locked and packed separately from ammunition. Travelers found with a gun in their bag at a security checkpoint could face fines ranging from $4,100 to $13,669, the news release says. https://www.cleveland.com/crime/2021/10/tsa-officers-confiscate-2-guns-at-cleveland-hopkins-airport.html Airlines warn erratic global COVID-19 rules could delay recovery BOSTON, Oct 5 (Reuters) - Global airlines on Tuesday wrapped up their first meeting since COVID-19 brought their industry to its knees, voicing optimism about pent-up demand but desperate for governments to harmonize disjointed border rules to avoid slipping back into recession. The International Air Transport Association (IATA), which groups 290 airlines, said confusion over travel restrictions were holding back the industry's fragile recovery after the pandemic plunged air travel into its worst ever downturn. "People want to fly. We've seen strong evidence of that," said Director General Willie Walsh. "They can't fly because we have restrictions that are impeding international travel." IATA expects international travel to double next year compared with the depressed levels seen during the pandemic and reach 44% of pre-crisis 2019 levels. In contrast, domestic travel is tipped to reach 93% of the pre-pandemic levels. The trade group, which includes dozens of state-owned carriers, blamed that gap on wide variations in entry rules and testing requirements in the top 50 air travel markets. Even some of the airline and leasing company leaders trying to attend the industry's annual gathering in Boston were unable to travel or had to carve out extra time for quarantine. Airlines called for an end to restrictions on vaccinated travelers and for common health protocols at borders, though global coordination in aviation tends to move at a deliberate pace. "Frankly, governments haven't made it easy for airlines or for the traveling public to understand what the rules are to fly," said Joanna Geraghty, president of JetBlue (JBLU.O) which hosted the gathering in a hotel shared with domestic tourists. Even so, the head of Dubai's Emirates, who has been among the most bullish executives on the prospects for recovery once restrictions end, said bookings in markets that were reopening like Britain and the United States had "gone up exponentially." "That reflects a bow-wave of demand that we are seeing everywhere," its president Tim Clark said. "The demand for air travel will restore itself... sooner rather than later." Airlines were buoyed by the Biden administration's plan to reopen the United States in November to air travelers from 33 countries including in Europe on the vital trans-Atlantic run. But airlines left the Boston gathering as they had arrived, with severely strained balance sheets, and Clark said most would remain risk-averse and focused on recouping cash for 2-3 years. IATA warned serious challenges remained for carriers, while venting frustration at airports and other suppliers for not doing enough to share the pain inflicted by the crisis. While the White House has not set a date for lifting travel restrictions on Europeans, JetBlue expects it to happen ahead of the U.S. Thanksgiving holiday next month. "If the reopening is delayed, we are going to face consequences across the industry," Chief Executive Robin Hayes said after chairing the Oct. 3-5 conference, which also agreed a target to reach net zero emissions in 2050 read more . United Airlines (UAL.O) Chief Executive Scott Kirby said the bookings for trans-Atlantic flights last week were higher than at the same period in 2019. The world's largest leasing company, AerCap (AER.N), said a successful reopening of the world's most important long-haul market would set a trend for other markets to follow. "Airlines... don't have the resilience they had," Chief Executive Aengus Kelly told an audience of airline leaders. "They just can't afford for this to go wrong." https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/airlines-warn-erratic-global-covid-19-rule-could-delay-recovery-2021-10-05/ DGCA introduces online system for reporting aviation safety (India) This will be in addition to the e-mail, postal modes of communication The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has introduced a web-based system for voluntary reporting of incidents that pose a potential threat to flight safety. It said that to encourage voluntary safety reporting, besides e-mail and postal mode, web-based reporting had been introduced on the eGCA platform, which made the reporting mechanism more accessible to persons engaged in aviation related activities. However, the Voluntary Safety Reporting System was not a substitute for Mandatory Safety Reporting System that would continue to function. As part of the state safety programme, the DGCA had voluntary safety reporting system to facilitate collection of information on actual or potential safety deficiencies that may not be captured by the mandatory safety reporting system. Non-punitive The DGCA said that the reporting system would be non-punitive and would protect the source of the information. Anyone witnessing or involved or having knowledge of an occurrence, hazard or situation which he or she believes possesses potential threat to flight safety could report the same through the system on eGCA or email or postal mode the contact details made available on the official website of the DGCA, it said in a circular. The information collected through voluntary safety reporting system would be handled in a manner so as to prevent its use for purposes other than safety and shall appropriately be safeguarded. The confidentiality about the identity of the person making the report would be maintained. While anonymous reports would be accepted, the person may disclose his/her identity to enable contact if any part of the report needed clarification, the DGCA said. https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/dgca-introduces-online-system-for-reporting-aviation-safety/article36843829.ece FAA Urges Airports to Avoid Using Firefighting Foam With Fluorine WASHINGTON — The Federal Aviation Administration said Monday it had urged U.S. airports to limit the use of firefighting foam with the chemical PFAS due to the environmental and public health risks as it evaluates possible alternatives. PFAS, nicknamed “forever chemicals” because they do not break down easily, have been associated with various illnesses including kidney cancer. They have been used for decades in household products such as nonstick cookware, stain- and water-resistant textiles, rugs, food packaging, photo imaging, and in industrial products. Many states have already outlawed their use in food packaging. The FAA said more than 400 research tests have been completed which evaluated 15 fluorine-free firefighting foam products. The FAA said it “expects a replacement product to be identified and eventually adopted.” The FAA and Defense Department have been researching alternatives to extinguish a fuel fire or other emergencies. “The FAA continues to evaluate firefighting foam that protects the flying public, human health and the environment,” the agency said in a statement. In 2018, Congress directed the FAA by Oct. 4 to “not require the use of fluorinated chemicals to meet” fire-fighter performance standards. Airports Council International – North America said “at present, FAA requirements compel us to use firefighting foam that contains PFAS, known as aqueous film forming foam…. We continue to collaborate with the FAA to ensure that airports are able to operate their facilities in safe, secure, and environmentally responsible ways.” FAA Administrator Steve Dickson noted in an August letter that the FAA’s alternative firefighting agent research project had been impacted by disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. “Airport operators are under considerable pressure from state and local governments and local communities to reduce or eliminate the use” of PFAS at airports, Dickson said in the letter. “There are significant and growing concerns about the human health impacts and associated liability associated with PFAS contamination on and near airports.” Since 2019, the FAA has taken several steps to effectively eliminate the need to discharge firefighting foam that contains PFAS except during an aircraft emergency. https://www.claimsjournal.com/news/national/2021/10/05/306345.htm Lufthansa Picks Up Former Philippine Airlines A350s Lufthansa is continuing to modernize its fleet by opportunistically picking up planes when there’s a good deal. This has some interesting implications for the passenger experience as well. Lufthansa picking up four more Airbus A350-900s Lufthansa is accelerating the modernization of its long haul fleet by leasing four additional Airbus A350-900 aircraft. These planes are expected to join Lufthansa’s fleet in the first half of 2022. The airline currently has 17 A350s, so with these four additional planes, Lufthansa’s A350 fleet will be up to 21 aircraft as of early next year. Lufthansa has ordered four more A350-900s Here’s how Dr. Detlef Kayser, a member of the Lufthansa Board, describes this lease decision: “The Airbus A350 is one of the most modern aircraft of our time. Extremely fuel-efficient, very quiet and much more economical than its predecessors. Our customers appreciate not only the sustainability but also the premium flight experience with this aircraft. The lease agreements allow us to remain flexible in fleet planning and make the most of exceptional market opportunities.” Lufthansa Group has gone on quite the Airbus A350 and Boeing 787 shopping spree lately: In March 2019, Lufthansa Group placed an order for 20 Airbus A350-900s and 20 Boeing 787-9s; these planes are to be delivered between 2022 and 2027, and complemented the 25 Airbus A350-900s that the airline had already ordered In May 2021, Lufthansa Group placed an order for an additional five Airbus A350-900s and an additional five Boeing 787-9s; the additional five A350s are to be delivered in 2027 and 2028, while the additional five 787s are to be delivered in the first half of 2022 It seems clear that the initial order was part of pre-pandemic long-term fleet planning, while the order from earlier this year (as well as the order announced this week) are simply the airline taking advantage of market opportunities as a result of the pandemic. Lufthansa Group has also ordered 25 Boeing 787-9s Where are these A350s coming from? It’s being reported by aero.de that these four Airbus A350-900 leases are coming from Philippine Airlines. The Manila-based airline is currently in bankruptcy, and as part of that the company is significantly scaling back its fleet, including getting rid of most A350s. All of that makes sense, and explains why Lufthansa is able to get these planes on short notice, since Philippine Airlines is looking to dump these planes ASAP. Lufthansa won’t be making major changes to the cabins on these planes. Rather we should just expect some minor cosmetic changes, but that’s about it. That means Lufthansa will be flying the former Philippine Airlines A350s in the same configuration they currently offer. For context, these planes feature 295 seats, including: 30 business class seats (1-2-1 configuration) 24 premium economy seats (2-4-2 configuration) 241 economy class seats (3-3-3 configuration) As a point of comparison, Lufthansa’s current A350-900s feature 293 seats, including: 48 business class seats (2-2-2 configuration) 21 premium economy seats (2-3-2 configuration) 224 economy class seats (3-3-3 configuration) So while the overall seat counts are similar, the distribution of cabins is quite different. For those in business class, these Philippine Airlines planes represent a huge passenger experience upgrade. Lufthansa’s current A350 business class leaves a bit to be desired… Lufthansa A350 business class Meanwhile Philippine Airlines’ A350 business class features Vantage XL seats, with each seat having direct aisle access. Philippine Airlines A350 business class The irony is that this will be Lufthansa’s third new business class product, beyond the current generation of business class seats. There’s Lufthansa’s long-term new business class product, which was first revealed in 2017. That was supposed to debut on the Boeing 777-9, but that plane is now delayed until late 2023 at the earliest. Lufthansa’s eventual new business class product Then the latest five Boeing 787-9s that Lufthansa ordered were also intended for another airline, and Lufthansa intends to keep the business class product that was installed on those planes. While there hasn’t been official confirmation, my guess is that at least some of those planes were intended for Vistara, in which case we can expect yet another new staggered business class product. These planes will also join Lufthansa’s fleet in the first half of 2022. Bottom line Lufthansa is picking up a further four Airbus A350s, which will join the carrier’s fleet in the first half of 2022. All of these are A350s that were being operated by Philippine Airlines, which is currently in bankruptcy. Lufthansa doesn’t intend to modify the cabins of these planes significantly, meaning that Lufthansa will soon be operating some A350s with Vantage XL staggered business class seats. https://onemileatatime.com/news/lufthansa-a350-philippine-airlines/ Air Europa Maintenance obtains FAA Repair Station Certification Air Europa Maintenance is now authorized to perform repairs such as periodic maintenance checks on commercial aircraft operating under U.S. regulations, after obtaining the FAA Repair Station Certification. Having obtained approval from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Air Europa Maintenance now offers a wider range of services to all aircraft registered by the U.S. aeronautical entity. The FAA certification has been achieved after complying with a highly demanding process with the State Aviation Safety Agency, under the bilateral agreement between the United States and the European Union. During this process, personnel training was reinforced with the goal of offering the best maintenance service for Boeing 787-8/-9 Dreamliner and Airbus A330-200/-300 aircraft. The bases of Madrid (MAD) and Barcelona (BCN) can now perform periodic, transit, and weekly overhauls and inspections, as well as the repair of aircraft defects; the service can be expanded according to the needs of customers. The most gratifying aspect of the project has been the teamwork of practically all the areas of our Technical Management, especially highlighting the coordination of the Production, Instruction and Quality areas», said Pedro Macías, Air Europa’s Maintenance Director. Obtaining FAA Repair Station certification is one more step in our transformation and expansion plan in which we find ourselves ready to offer the best service to our current and future customers. We are prepared to give the best service in quality and price in the fleets in which we are certified, highlighting the B787 and the assistance service we can provide for this fleet», he added. https://www.aviacionline.com/2021/10/air-europa-maintenance-obtains-faa-repair-station-certification/ Emirates slams Boeing over 777X jet delays Boston, Oct 5 (Reuters) - The head of Dubai airline Emirates piled pressure on planemaker Boeing (BA.N) on Tuesday over delays to its 777X jetliner, warning that the uncertainty would cause significant disruption for one of the world's biggest carriers. Emirates President Tim Clark said he wanted "another grown-up conversation" with the U.S. planemaker over the timing of the twin-engined jumbo, which is running at least two-and-a-half years behind its originally planned arrival of June 2020. "We work to precision. I struggle with others who can't get that," Clark told reporters shortly before he was due to meet Boeing leaders on the sidelines of an airline industry summit. Clark, an airline industry veteran who was closely involved in the development of the current 777-300ER model, has lambasted Boeing this year over repeated delays to its 777X. Boeing did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The company has previously said it plans to start delivering the new, larger version of the 777 wide-body jet by late 2023, three years later than originally planned, partly owing to a longer certification process after fatal 737 MAX jet crashes. Clark, who was taking part in an International Air Transport Association meeting in Boston, emphasised that the uncertainty over Boeing's progress with the programme would hamper his airline's complex fleet plans which include Airbus jets. Emirates, which has 126 777X jets on order, is a launch customer for the new aircraft that will replace the current 777 jets that are the backbone of its wide-body fleet. Clark said that Emirates still did not know when the first 777-9 version of the twin-engine jumbo would arrive, nor whether the smaller 777-8 version would be built at all. In May, Clark said Emirates would refuse delivery of 777X jets that did not meet contractual agreements. On Tuesday he said he would like industry contracts to be altered to make manufacturers more liable for the knock-on effects of delays. Currently manufacturers are liable for product defects, not indirect "consequential damages" such as passenger compensation. Analysts say industrial suppliers are reluctant to take on commitments that create open exposure to airline operations. In April the Gulf airline's chairman said that some of the 126 777X jets ordered could be swapped for smaller Boeing 787 Dreamliners. read more Emirates already revised its order for the 777X in 2019, cancelling orders for 24 of the jets as part of a deal that saw it agree to buy 30 Dreamliners. Asked on Tuesday whether Emirates could swap more 777X planes for the smaller 787, Clark said much would depend on Boeing. Turning to recovery, Clark said bookings had increased significantly to markets that are reopening after COVID-19. "We've reduced the loss over this time last year by a significant percentage," he said. "With opening of borders, we've seen a major kick-in of income, of demand, so in the second half of the financial year, we're looking to see a much greater improvement as to the first half," he added. "We still won't be out of the woods ... but going forward into the 2022-23 (April/March) financial year, I'm sure the business will really start to generate the cash that it needs and go profitable during the course of 2022-23, moderately so." Emirates is due to report first-half earnings next month. https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/emirates-pushes-boeing-more-clarity-777x-deliveries-2021-10-05/ USAIG and Black Swan Solutions® by Empathia Team Up to Boost Policyholder’s Emergency Response Plan (ERP) Readiness Through the Performance Vector Safety Initiative New York, NY (October 6, 2021)…USAIG, one of the world’s leading aviation-specific insurance providers, proudly welcomes Black Swan Solutions® by Empathia to its Performance Vector safety initiative. Performance Vector is a portfolio of safety-supporting services made available to most USAIG policyholders that insure a turbine-powered aircraft or place multiple policies with USAIG.* Each eligible policy can select one program option annually to enhance loss control and safety activities. Thinking about managing an emergency involving company aviation assets is nobody’s favorite thing. That means preparation can sometimes get pushed aside by other priorities. But any operator that’s had to navigate through an aviation incident will tell you, it’s an enormous challenge full of complex, time-critical demands. “Emergencies can come without warning and there’s tremendous risk in operating without complete confidence in the plan and resources in place to manage them,” said John T. Brogan, USAIG President and CEO. “For 10 years the Performance Vector program has focused on helping our policyholders enhance safety and preparation in their operations. The addition of Empathia’s world-class crisis management services fits perfectly with those goals, providing a superb new opportunity for our policyholders.” Empathia has provided organizations with an array of vital support services for more than 35 years. Black Swan Solutions® by Empathia, an industry-leading crisis management service, helps client organizations prepare for, respond to, and recover from crises of all kinds. Policyholders that select the Black Swan Solutions® ERP Services option as their Performance Vector benefit receive: • Up to 6 hours of consultative support to optimize and align the ERP for smooth coordination in the event it’s activated (first year only) • Access to web-based and quarterly training to keep internal emergency response team members knowledgeable and current • Training in and integration with Empathia’s proprietary Disaster Information Management System (DIMS) to enable flexible, secure deployment and access to operators’ response plans, protocols, forms, and contact data • The ability to rapidly access Black Swan Solution’s® scalable array of specialized resources and services to help meet the response and recovery demands of an emergency Available ready-response services (fee-based, dependent on activation) include: • A dedicated 24/7 contact center staffed by crisis counselors to field calls from concerned family members, friends, stakeholders, and the community impacted by the event • Assistance with emergency contact notification and media relations • Deployment of scalable family assistance resources • Critical incident response and management services to meet the ongoing needs of impacted personnel • Organizational and management consultation • After incident review and planning support “In any crisis scenario, what matters most is people. Empathia and USAIG are aligned in a whole-hearted commitment to doing what is right for the people we serve – not just policyholders, but also their networks and communities,” said Michelle Colosimo, Empathia’s Executive Director of Critical Support Services. “Organizations of all sizes can rely on Black Swan Solutions’ highly qualified crisis specialists to provide accurate information and emotional support, enabling organizational leaders to focus on the most critical needs.” The Performance Vector benefit refreshes with each policy renewal and the ERP services option can be selected in subsequent policy years to sustain the subscription year-to-year. To learn more about the Performance Vector ERP support services option available from Black Swan Solutions® by Empathia, visit the “Safety” tab at www.usaig.com or contact us at safety@usaig.com. *Check with your broker, underwriter, or policy documents to confirm eligibility. Learn More at NBAA-BACE Visit USAIG at the National Business Aviation Association’s Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (NBAA-BACE) in Las Vegas, NV from October 12-14, 2021, booth #2258. Meet USAIG’s team of aviation insurance and safety experts and take part in discussions about Performance Vector and USAIG’s other safety initiatives. USAIG Booth 2258 – Las Vegas Convention Center About USAIG About USAIG United States Aircraft Insurance Group (USAIG) provides a full spectrum of coverage options for owners, operators, manufacturers, and maintainers of corporate, private, and commercial aircraft. In 1928, our founders –World War I pilots and businessmen David Beebe and Reed Chambers – saw the need for an insurance company that truly understood aviation. We remain a world aviation insurance leader delivering innovative, custom-tailored insurance products and services, including Performance Vector safety programs and Performance Vector PLUS good experience returns. United States Aviation Underwriters, Inc. manages USAIG, maintaining the industry’s largest network of underwriting and field claims offices. USAU’s wholly owned subsidiary, Toronto-based Canadian Aviation Insurance Managers manages the Canadian Aircraft Insurance Group insurance pool. USAIG is a subsidiary of General Re Corporation, a Berkshire Hathaway company. Follow us on Twitter @USAIG_CAIG, Facebook & LinkedIn. Please visit our website at usaig.com. About Black Swan Solutions® by Empathia Black Swan Solutions, crisis management services by Empathia, assists organizations in preparing for, responding to and recovering from the human impact of crises. This turnkey approach integrates the expertise of experienced crisis professionals with state-of-the-art technology to provide people with timely and accurate information, as well as the human support they need, during and after a crisis. Black Swan’s crisis management services were originally developed specifically to support organizations within the transportation and aviation industries. Since then, the service's capacity to help clients proactively prepare, respond and recover in times of crisis has spread across industries, with a client base that includes some of the most recognized brands in the world. 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