Flight Safety Information - November 3, 2021 No. 221 In This Issue : Accident: Sita D228 at Nepalgunj on Nov 2nd 2021, boar strike : Incident: Delta A319 at Atlanta on Nov 1st 2021, unreliable airspeed : Delta flight to Los Angeles diverted to Dallas due to 'customer disturbance' : Transall C-160NG - Caught Fire on Landing (Somalia) : A Southwest pilot and flight attendant fought over masks. One was cited for alleged assault. : U.S. charges passenger with assaulting American Airlines flight attendant : NTSB Public Meeting Cites Maintenance Error In Fatal Saab 2000 Accident : New Medical Requirements Proposed For Commercial Balloon Pilots : Air Tindi flight that made emergency landing in N.W.T. had run out of fuel, says airline's president : Bombardier’s Safety Standdown Welcomes New Leader as Chris Milligan Succeeds Andy Nureddin in Stewarding Influential Industry Event : Life Flight Network Invests in Safety, Expands Access to Air Medical Transport with Addition of 12 New Bell 407GXi Helicopters : Green hydrogen: One of the main initiatives for sustainable aviation will be produced in Argentina : Lufthansa to Buy $250M of Sustainable Jet Fuel Over Next Three Years : Embry-Riddle and CAAi announce aviation security training partnership : Flight Recorders and Wreckage of Cargo Jet Successfully Recovered from Pacific Ocean; Video and Photos Released : Amazon's Project Kuiper wants to launch two prototype satellites by the end of next year : The Hubble Space Telescope has been offline for more than a week, and NASA isn't sure why : RESEARCH SURVEY - Women in Aviation Maintenance Workforce Survey : Position Available: Aerospace (Pro Pilot), Tenure-Track Faculty Accident: Sita D228 at Nepalgunj on Nov 2nd 2021, boar strike A Sita Air Dornier Do-228, registration 9N-AHB performing a flight from Nepalgunj to Simikot (Nepal) with 17 people on board, was accelerating for takeoff from Nepalgunj when the aircraft collided with 3 wild boars prompting the crew to reject takeoff due to problems with the nose gear. The aircraft came to a stop with the nose gear partially collapsed/bent backwards and damage to the underside of the fuselage. There were no injuries to the aircraft occupants, tThe 3 wild pigs did not survive. The aircraft had suffered another gear collapse when it landed short of the runway in 2013, see Accident: Sita D228 at Simikot on Jun 1st 2013, landed short of runway, gear collapse http://avherald.com/h?article=4ef8f742&opt=0 Incident: Delta A319 at Atlanta on Nov 1st 2021, unreliable airspeed A Delta Airlines Airbus A319-100, registration N364NB performing flight DL-9962 from Atlanta,GA to Key West,FL (USA) with 5 crew, was climbing out of Atlanta's runway 09L when the crew stopped the climb at about 8000 feet reporting unreliable airspeed and decided to return to Atlanta. The aircraft landed safely on runway 09L about 25 minutes after departure. Tower advised emergency services that the emergency aircraft had reported unreliable airspeed. A listener on frequency reported they did not have any airspeed or altitude information. http://avherald.com/h?article=4ef8e427&opt=0 Delta flight to Los Angeles diverted to Dallas due to 'customer disturbance' • Delta plane diverted mid-flight due to 'unruly' passenger (CNN)A "customer disturbance" aboard a Delta Air Lines flight from Atlanta to Los Angeles resulted in the flight being diverted to Dallas on Monday, according to Delta. The incident occurred on Delta Flight 365 that took off from Hartfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. "Situations like these are rare and regrettable for the vast majority of our customers and Delta has zero tolerance for unruly behavior at our airports and aboard our aircraft," Delta said. "We applaud our flight crew's quick decision to divert and address the situation as expeditiously as possible so the remainder of our customers can resume their travels." In its statement Delta did not address the nature of the disturbance. Assault on flight attendant 'one of the worst' in airline's history, American Airlines says Bill Moseley, an actor who was on board the flight, said on Twitter the issue was due to an "unruly passenger. Ah, the unfriendly skies!" The disturbance comes amid an apparent rise in unruly passengers aboard flights since the pandemic began and mask mandates were implemented. The Federal Aviation Administration adopted a zero-tolerance policy for unruly passengers on board flights earlier this year. The agency said in August it had issued more than $1 million in fines to unruly passengers in 2021. A survey by the Association of Flight Attendants released in July found that, of the 5,000 flight attendants surveyed, 85% said they'd dealt with unruly passengers in 2021. https://www.cnn.com/2021/11/02/us/delta-flight-passenger-removed/index.html Transall C-160NG - Caught Fire on Landing (Somalia) Date: Wednesday 3 November 2021 Type: Transall C-160NG Operator: Unknown Registration: EY-360 MSN: 233 First flight: Crew: Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: Passengers: Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: Total: Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: Aircraft damage: Damaged beyond repair Location: Dolow Airport ( Somalia) Phase: Landing (LDG) Nature: Cargo Departure airport: Mogadishu Aden Adde International Airport (MGQ/HCMM), Somalia Destination airport: Dolow Airport, Somalia Narrative: A Transall C-160NG caught fire after landing at Dolow Airport, Somalia. https://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=20211103-0 A Southwest pilot and flight attendant fought over masks. One was cited for alleged assault. A Southwest Airlines pilot was cited for alleged assault and battery after a mask dispute with a flight attendant at a California hotel amid pandemic political discord at the nation's largest domestic carrier. The incident happened Oct. 18 at a hotel bar in San Jose, California, where the crew spent the night after a flight, according to police records and company and union officials. The case has been referred to the Santa Clara County District Attorney's Office for review and possible charges, according to Sgt. Christian Camarillo, public information officer for the San Jose Police Department. "The event involved a disagreement over mask wearing or masks," Camarillo said, declining to provide more details. The district attorney's office is reviewing the case, according to spokesman Sean Webby. Southwest placed the pilot on leave while the matter is investigated, airline spokesperson Brandy King told USA TODAY. King confirmed there was a "crew disagreement during an overnight trip." "We do not have information to provide regarding the context of the event, and we do not discuss personnel issues externally," King said. The San Jose incident happened on a Monday night. That Friday, Oct. 22, Southwest sent a lengthy memo to pilots and flight attendants about civility and the golden rule. "Crossing the line in a heated conversation can be a violation of our guidelines for employees and can even end in loss of job," it said. "We realize there has been a steady drumbeat over the last 19 months about civility and respectful discourse – and that is for good reason. Many of our people have been faced with an uncomfortable situation where their beliefs are not shared by someone else, resulting in a confrontation of some kind," the memo began. "And for every situation we hear about, there are dozens more for which we don't. It is vital that we treat everyone with respect and honor our differences without pushing our ideals on someone else." The memo sent by Bob Waltz, Southwest's vice president of flight operations and Sonya Lacore, vice president of inflight operations, recommends that flight crews have a briefing at the start of a trip to "set the right tone" about concerns and expectations. It reminds employees masks are required, including during briefings. "And when the day is done and we retire for the day/evening, it is especially important that we measure our discussions when they veer toward sensitive topics that elicit emotional responses," the memo said. "Being off-duty is never an excuse to ignore the Golden Rule. Everyone has a different story before coming to work, and many times the best support we have is one another." Southwest's flight attendants union, TWU Local 556, said in a statement, "We are aware of this matter and the fact that the investigation continues. As with all flight attendants we represent, we will support our member in accordance with the law and our collective bargaining agreement.'' The Southwest Airlines Pilots Association, which represents the airline's pilots, declined to comment, citing the pending investigation. https://www.yahoo.com/news/southwest-pilot-flight-attendant-fought-145435048.html U.S. charges passenger with assaulting American Airlines flight attendant (Reuters) - U.S. prosecutors in Colorado on Monday charged a 20-year-old California man with assaulting a flight attendant on an Oct. 27 American Airlines flight that forced its diversion. The New York to Santa Ana, California, flight made an unscheduled landing in Denver after the alleged assault in which witnesses said a flight attendant was punched in the nose, resulting in bleeding and a concussion. Brian Hsu, of Irvine, California, who is also charged with interference with a flight crew, was released on a $10,000 unsecured bond by U.S. Magistrate Judge Autumn Spaeth after making an initial appearance Spaeth ordered him to appear in Denver on Nov. 15 for a hearing and directed him to submit to a mental health evaluation. A lawyer for Hsu did not immediately respond to requests for comment. U.S. airlines have reported a record number of violent incidents this year and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has pledged a "zero tolerance" approach. American Airlines Chief Executive Doug Parker said in a video posted on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/p/CVlEKgSD-F- last week "this type of behavior has to stop," calling the incident "one of the worst displays of unruly behavior we've ever witnessed." An FBI agent said in an affidavit a witness reported Hsu punched the flight attendant in the face near the lavatory. The flight attendant felt dizzy after the flight and was removed by stretcher. She was taken to the hospital where doctors told her that she had a concussion and she told the FBI she "currently has pain in her nose, head, and sinuses." Hsu told the FBI he was returning home to California from New York after receiving brain surgery in Rhode Island. Hsu said he accidentally bumped a flight attendant and claimed the flight attendant then "charged at him and hit her nose against the palm of his right hand." The flight attendant said she was struck on the head when speaking to another flight attendant. After telling the passenger to sit down because the fasten seat belt sign was lighted, "the male passenger raised his arms as though he were going to stretch" but then struck her on the head, the FBI said. The flight attendant said she "took a defensive posture" and then he charged at her flailing his arms, the FBI affidavit said, adding the passenger initially backed down but later charged her and "struck her in the face." On Oct. 8, President Joe Biden said he instructed the Justice Department to "deal" with https://www.reuters.com/world/us/biden-says-us-will-deal-with-violence-airplanes-2021-10-07 the rising number of violent incidents onboard planes. Through Oct. 25, there have been 4,941 reports of unruly passenger incidents, including 3,580 related to pandemic face covering regulations. In June, a group representing major U.S. airlines such as American, Delta Air Lines and United Airlines, as well as aviation unions, asked the Justice Department to prosecute violent air passengers. A union representing Southwest Airlines workers said in May that a flight attendant "was seriously assaulted, resulting in injuries to the face and a loss of two teeth." https://www.yahoo.com/finance/news/u-charges-passenger-assaulting-american-172345742.html NTSB Public Meeting Cites Maintenance Error In Fatal Saab 2000 Accident According to an announcement at a public meeting on Nov. 2, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has determined that “incorrectly wired anti-skid sensors” compromised the braking system of a PenAir Saab SA-2000, and was a significant factor in the Oct. 17, 2019, fatal runway overrun accident in Unalaska, Alaska. NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy said, “Even though the airplane, the pilot, the weather, and federal oversight all had a role in this tragedy, it was entirely preventable. The brake system should have been designed to protect against human error during maintenance, the pilot shouldn’t have landed on a runway with such a strong tailwind, and federal regulators should have considered the runway safety area dimensions when authorizing the airline to fly the Saab 2000 into that airport.” PenAir Flight 3296 overran the runway while landing at Unalaska Airport (also known as Tom Madsen Airport or Dutch Harbor Airport). According to the NTSB, “The airplane crashed through the perimeter fence, crossed a road, and came to rest on shoreline rocks on the edge of Dutch Harbor.” One passenger was killed; one was seriously injured; and eight others received minor injuries, “mostly during the evacuation,” according to the board. The pilots, flight attendant and 29 passengers escaped injury. A post-accident investigation showed that maintenance personnel mis-wired the anti-skid system sensors while overhauling the left main landing gear. As a result, during the accident landing, one tire skidded and burst, leading to “the subsequent release of brake pressure on two of the three remaining wheels.” The board reported that the loss of effective braking on three of the four main landing gear wheels prevented the flight crew from stopping on the runway. The board also criticized the crew. “Because the captain elected to land on a runway with a reported tailwind that exceeded the airplane manufacturer’s operating limit, the airplane touched down with a higher-than-normal groundspeed.” That decision was “intentional, inappropriate, and indicative of plan-continuation bias,” according to the NTSB. The FAA also caught flak from the board, which claimed the agency “did not recognize that the safety area beyond the end of the runway did not conform to the recommended safety criteria for an airplane in that design category.” https://tinyurl.com/2ccj6cz9 New Medical Requirements Proposed For Commercial Balloon Pilots The FAA has proposed a new rule that would require commercial hot air balloon pilots to hold second-class medical certificates when operating for hire. As the regulations stand, balloon pilots are exempt from the medical requirement under 14 CFR 61.3(c)(2)(vi). According to the agency, the change will address the directive laid out in the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018 to revise medical certification standards for commercial balloon pilots along with an NTSB recommendation to remove the exemption. “Balloon pilots are responsible for the safety of their passengers,” said FAA Administrator Steve Dickson. “This proposed rule would ensure that balloon pilots meet the same medical requirements as pilots of other commercial aircraft.” As the proposed rule (PDF) is currently written, the new requirement would not apply to pilots conducting flight training in balloons. The agency is expected to publish the official draft of the rule in the Federal Register this month. Once published, the rule will be open for public comment for 60 days. https://www.avweb.com/flight-safety/faa-regs/new-medical-requirements-proposed-for-commercial-balloon-pilots/ Air Tindi flight that made emergency landing in N.W.T. had run out of fuel, says airline's president An Air Tindi aircraft flying from Yellowknife to Fort Simpson, N.W.T., made an emergency landing in Fort Providence on Monday because it ran out of fuel, says the airline's president. Chris Reynolds said the flight left Yellowknife "with insufficient fuel," causing both engines to fail. No serious injuries were reported. The five people on board — three passengers and two pilots — were brought to the Fort Providence Medical Centre to be assessed and were released soon afterward. Asked how the plane could have taken off without enough fuel, Reynolds said he wouldn't speculate. "We'll definitely uncover it in the investigation," he said, adding that his company, like the Transportation Safety Board (TSB), has started investigating the incident. "Transportation Safety Board is very thorough, but frequently we can get to the root cause, at least internally, quite a bit quicker. So we're running that parallel investigation right now," he said. Air Tindi president Chris Reynolds said he doesn't how or why a plane would depart without enough fuel but that the airline is investigating. He said his primary focus right now is on ensuring the crew is well-supported. The TSB's John Lee said the agency is working with the RCMP and Air Tindi to gather information, including photographs of the plane and the site, and will interview the crew Tuesday and the passengers at a later date. He said the TSB will also retrieve the cockpit voice recorder and send it to its lab in Ottawa. "Once we get that information collected and we have a chance to analyze it, we'll have a better idea of the plan going forward," he said. Emergency response Reynolds said the airline got a call around 6:30 p.m. Monday night from the flight crew, who said they had a malfunction with the Twin Otter airplane and that they were diverting to Fort Providence. "We activated our emergency response that time, and basically with the satellite tracker, were able to talk to them and watch what was happening as they headed towards Fort Providence," said Reynolds. He said it became obvious about three or four minutes before they eventually landed that they weren't going to make it to the runway in Fort Providence so Air Tindi called the RCMP to help. No serious injuries as Air Tindi flight makes emergency landing near Fort Providence, N.W.T. "We saw where they touched down," Reynolds said. It was about eight kilometres from the community. He added it was about 15 minutes before they were able to connect again with the crew. "It's a waiting game, but you're so relieved to hear that everybody is OK," said Reynolds. 'Two feet of water breaking through ice in pitch black' The crew and three passengers waited by the aircraft for help to arrive. Cameron Sapp, the co-chief of the Fort Providence volunteer fire department, said they could go toward where the plane landed by vehicle for a few kilometres. "And then the rest of it was kind of old swampland, broken trees, dealing with like two feet of water, only a couple of inches of ice, breaking through ice, trying to get our way in there," he said, adding they were doing this by foot and on all terrain vehicles (ATVs). Sapp said it was dark when he got to the site and that RCMP and staff from the territory's Environment and Natural Resources department were already there trying to come up with a plan for how to get the crew and passengers out. "We came up with a game plan to just walk," said Sapp. "I'm going to have to walk them out. It was fairly hard. This was one person on an ATV rather than doubling up somebody else." It's a waiting game, but you're so relieved to hear that everybody is OK. - Chris Reynolds, Air Tindi president He said the group was shocked and a little cold, and got colder as they walked out of the bush. "They had to walk through water, two feet of water breaking through ice in pitch black," said Sapp, who reassured them the walk wasn't going to be that long and that there was coffee and warmth waiting for them once they got to the vehicles. "I was very thankful just for the conditions we were in to get to the scene. [It] was quite hectic just to get there. Once we got there and seeing everybody was fine, was quite a relief," he said. Crew is 'shaken up' Reynolds said his primary focus is making sure everyone is OK and well supported. He said the crew was flown to Yellowknife Tuesday morning and is "shaken up." "You know, most of the time in these scenarios, it doesn't settle in for a little while, sometimes hours, sometimes days, sometimes longer. So our goal is to support and make sure that they have support through our external sources as well." Reynolds said he doesn't know what shape the plane is in. "Actually, we haven't really cared, to be honest, up until this point," adding that he was scheduled to go see the plane Tuesday. "We'll get there when we get there," he said. Sapp said in a separate interview that the plane looked "fairly intact." "It did look like a normal plane had landed in a swamp area," he said. https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/air-tindi-flight-emergency-landing-fort-providence-1.6234900 Bombardier’s Safety Standdown Welcomes New Leader as Chris Milligan Succeeds Andy Nureddin in Stewarding Influential Industry Event • Seasoned Bombardier executive, Chris Milligan will continue to build on Safety Standdown’s reputation for excellence • • Bombardier’s Safety Standdown celebrates 25 years of aviation safety stewardship and education • • Prominent event promotes lifelong learning opportunities to highlight the industry’s latest safety knowledge MONTREAL, Nov. 02, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Bombardier’s annual Safety Standdown event, one of the most comprehensive safety gatherings in the aviation industry, is honoring a dedicated Bombardier executive who has been a passionate steward and leader of the event for many years and announcing a new successor to lead the program. Bombardier’s Chris Milligan, Vice President, Pre-Owned Aircraft Services and Flight Operations, will take over the reins from long-time Safety Standdown leader, Andy Nureddin, who has led the Bombardier Flight Operations team responsible for organizing this annual safety gathering. Andy has planned to retire at the end of 2022 and is currently focusing on completing a smooth transition of Safety Standdown leadership to Chris. Anthony Cox has been promoted to Vice President, Customer Support and is succeeding Andy in his Bombardier customer-facing capacities. “I am very pleased to introduce Chris Milligan as the new leader of the Safety Standdown team and I want to sincerely thank Andy for his steadfast commitment and hard work in fostering the growth of this invaluable industry event,” said Jean-Christophe Gallagher, Executive Vice President, Services and Support, and Corporate Strategy, Bombardier. “For 25 years, Bombardier has led the industry in providing aviation professionals with critical knowledge-based aviation training in many key areas and Andy has been front and centre in that growth. I am confident that under Chris’s direction, we will continue to provide aviation professionals with more lifelong learning opportunities and focus on disseminating higher standards of safety and professionalism throughout the industry.” Celebrating its 25th anniversary, the Bombardier Learjet flight operations team created the Safety Standdown event in 1996 as a human-factors safety training seminar. As it has flourished, its purpose remains the same – to foster a community of aviation professionals who are committed to lifelong learning and to establishing higher standards of safety and professionalism throughout the industry. Through its overriding theme of “Learn – Apply – Share,” this special two-day conference is filled with learning opportunities, compelling workshops, presentations and more, laying the foundation for many more years of safety training to come. About Safety Standdown Originally conceived in 1996 as a human factors safety-training event for the Learjet flight demonstration team, the conference quickly garnered a reputation for excellence beyond Bombardier’s customer base. In 1999, in response to growing interest within the industry, Bombardier opened the seminar to all pilots. In 2010, Safety Standdown expanded beyond the seminars into a year-round global human factors program offering online resources. Since 1996, more than 10,000 corporate, commercial and military aviation professionals have attended Safety Standdown seminars worldwide, live and through the webcast, including in Brazil, Canada, China, Mexico, Switzerland and the USA. Admission to Safety Standdown has, throughout the years, remained free to all aviation professionals as safety is a top commitment to the flying public. About Bombardier Bombardier is a global leader in aviation, creating innovative and game-changing planes. Our products and services provide world-class experiences that set new standards in passenger comfort, energy efficiency, reliability and safety. Headquartered in Montréal, Canada, Bombardier is present in more than 12 countries including its production/engineering sites and its customer support network. The Corporation supports a worldwide fleet of over 4,900 aircraft in service with a wide variety of multinational corporations, charter and fractional ownership providers, governments and private individuals. News and information is available at bombardier.com or follow us on Twitter @Bombardier. Visit the Bombardier Business Aircraft website for more information on our industry-leading products and services. https://finance.yahoo.com/news/bombardier-safety-standdown-welcomes-leader-160000069.html Life Flight Network Invests in Safety, Expands Access to Air Medical Transport with Addition of 12 New Bell 407GXi Helicopters AURORA, Ore., Nov. 2, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Life Flight Network, the nation's largest not-for-profit air ambulance provider, will add 12 Bell 407GXi helicopters to its air medical fleet. Delivery of the aircraft will begin in May 2022 and will bring the total number of Bell 407GX series helicopters operated by Life Flight Network to 17. Life Flight Network also operates a host of other helicopters and airplanes throughout its service area. Life Flight Network and Bell executives signed an agreement for Life Flight Network’s purchase of 12 new Bell 407GXi helicopters at the Air Medical Transport Conference in Fort Worth, Texas on November 1, 2021. The addition of these IFR certified Bell 407GXi helicopters will allow the program to continue to strategically position its bases to serve rural communities throughout the Pacific Northwest and Intermountain West. "Life Flight Network is excited to add more Bell 407GXi helicopters to our fleet. The aircraft's proven reliability and enhanced safety features enable us to be continuously at the ready and meet our mission of saving lives with industry leading care and transport." said Ben Clayton, Interim CEO. With a range of over 400 miles and an airspeed of 161 miles per hour, the Bell 407GXi is able to quickly transport patients to a higher level of care when they need it most. The aircraft also has a power-to-weight ratio that provides for excellent performance at the higher altitudes within Life Flight Network's service area. Also enhancing the transport environment are the aircraft's large bi-fold side door for ease and speed of patient loading and a three-axis autopilot that contributes to improved safety. Additionally, all 12 aicraft will come certified for Instrument Flight Rules (IFR), which allow for a greater margin of safety and additional operational capabilities. Each Bell 407GXi will be equipped with a Spectrum Aeromed medical interior which provides for equipment necessary for ICU-level care provided in transport. These aircraft are staffed with a Certified Flight Registered Nurse and a Ceritifed Flight Paramedic who possses the experience and training that enables them to provide an advanced scope of practice to their patients. Critical care services can include mechanical ventilation, cardiac monitoring, maintenance of hemodynamic intravenous infusions and the administration of blood products. "Bell is proud to provide Life Flight Network with the most capable and technologically advanced aircraft on the market," said Jay Ortiz, Vice President, Commerical Business, Americas. "The Bell 407GXi with IFR capabilities will ensure Life Flight Network's critical response team is able to perform their mission in any environment." For more than 43 years, Life Flight Network has provided ICU-level care to patients in need of emergency medical transport. Throughout Oregon, Idaho, Washington, and Montana, the company has 25 rotor-wing bases, nine fixed-wing bases, and two neonatal and pediatric bases and operates 30 ground ambulances. ABOUT LIFE FLIGHT NETWORK Life Flight Network, a not-for-profit air medical service, is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Medical Transport Systems (CAMTS), the National Accreditation Alliance of Medical Transport Applications (NAAMTA), and Helicopter Association International (HAI). Life Flight Network is the largest not-for-profit air medical transport service in the United States and maintains its own FAA Part 135 Operating Certificate. It offers ICU-level care during air transport across the Pacific Northwest and Intermountain West. Headquartered in Aurora, Oregon, Life Flight Network is owned by a consortium of Legacy Health, Oregon Health and Science University, Providence Health and Services, and Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center. Life Flight Network was named 2021 Program of the Year by the Association of Air Medical Services. For more information about Life Flight Network or to become a member, visit www.lifeflight.org. SOURCE Life Flight Network https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/life-flight-network-invests-in-safety-expands-access-to-air-medical-transport-with-addition-of-12-new-bell-407gxi-helicopters-301414555.html Green hydrogen: One of the main initiatives for sustainable aviation will be produced in Argentina The Australian company Fortescue Future Industries (FFI) will invest 8.4 billion dollars for the development of green hydrogen projects in Argentina. The announcement was made within the scope of the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26), which is taking place in Glasgow, Scotland. For some time now, we have been reporting on the different developments in which the industry is working -with the support of governments and non-governmental organizations- to incorporate new technologies to reduce carbon emissions and the environmental impact of aviation worldwide. Among all of them, green hydrogen plays a crucial role in the long term, given its characteristics as a totally clean fuel capable of powering aircraft. The energy content of green hydrogen is up to three times higher than that of conventional fossil fuels, and its production is totally pollution-free when using renewable energies such as wind, solar, hydroelectric, among others. The process to generate hydrogen is called electrolysis, a method that uses water, natural sources such as plants, and electrical energy to split water molecules and separate hydrogen atoms from oxygen atoms. In this case, fuel is generated that emits no emissions either in its production or consumption. The aeronautical environment is giving powerful signals in relation to the bet on green hydrogen as a concrete option to decarbonize the industry, perhaps with an implementation that is not viable in the short term, but in the future could become a very good alternative. Several weeks ago, Air New Zealand and Airbus committed to working on the development of hydrogen-powered aircraft. in addition, a group of companies composed, among others, by Air Liquide, TotalEnergies, and VINCI Concessions announced the creation of the world’s largest green hydrogen fund that will invest more than 1.5 billion euros to provide green hydrogen solutions to the aviation industry. 1.5 billion to provide infrastructure solutions. Airbus, Air Liquide, and VINCI Airports have also joined forces to promote the use of hydrogen. One of their first initiatives will be the construction of a network of European airports adapted to aircraft using this material. In addition, MHIRJ Aviation and ZeroAvia also announced that they will collaborate on the design and development of hydrogen-powered regional jets. The government of Chile recently predicted that Santiago airport could be the first in the region to use hydrogen as fuel, undoubtedly excellent news for the continent. These very recent announcements are indicative of the efforts and agreements being made by different areas of the industry to promote the sustainable future of aviation. In that sense, the news of the largest private foreign investment in the last 20 years in Argentina comes at an ideal moment, when green hydrogen can be considered as an input for airline operations in the coming years when aircraft can be adapted for its use. The Australian company Fortescue will produce green hydrogen in the province of Rio Negro, and its yield is estimated at 2.2 million tons per year by 2030. In principle, it will use wind energy for electrolysis, taking advantage of the good conditions for the production of this renewable energy in the Patagonian region of Argentina. Also, the water used in the process will be desalinated seawater and not fresh drinking water. Following a meeting during the second day of COP26, President Alberto Fernandez; Andres Forrest, head of Fortescue; Julie Shuttleworth, CEO of the company, and the company’s head of Latin America, former rugby player Agustin Pichot, announced the investment that will probably place Argentina as one of the main green hydrogen-producing countries in the world. https://www.aviacionline.com/2021/11/green-hydrogen-one-of-the-main-bets-for-the-sustainable-future-of-aviation-to-be-produced-in-argentina/ Lufthansa to Buy $250M of Sustainable Jet Fuel Over Next Three Years Deutsche Lufthansa AG said Wednesday it will spend $250 million to buy sustainable aviation fuel, or SAF, over the next three years. "The Lufthansa Group is already the largest purchaser of sustainable aviation fuel in Europe and, with this decision, confirms its claim to be among the world's leading airline groups regarding the use of SAF," the German carrier said. The decision comes after the European Union earlier this year proposed measures that would compel carriers to increase their use of the still-scarce and more-expensive fuels. Under the broader climate plan published by the bloc during the summer, which still needs final approval, airlines will have to blend at least 2% of sustainable aviation fuel into their conventional jet fuel starting in 2025, with the proportion rising to 5% in 2030 and 63% in 2050. Aviation is a hard-to-decarbonize sector and will also be discussed during the U.N. climate summit known as COP26, which began Sunday. https://www.marketwatch.com/story/lufthansa-to-buy-250m-of-sustainable-jet-fuel-over-next-three-years-271635923653 Embry-Riddle and CAAi announce aviation security training partnership London, United Kingdom. Wednesday 3rd November 2021 – CAA International (CAAi) and Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University today signed a Memorandum of Understanding focused initially on the development and delivery of aviation security and cyber security training in South America. Signed virtually by Embry-Riddle’s Chancellor, John Watret, Ph.D and CAAi Managing Director, Maria Rueda, the partnership merges the extensive experience of the world’s largest aviation & aerospace university with the regulatory expertise of the UK Civil Aviation Authority. Speaking after the MoU signing, Maria Rueda said: “We are delighted to embark on this new cooperation with Embry-Riddle and look forward to expanding our aviation security training and assistance to South America.” Kevin Sawyer, Senior Manager of Aviation Security at CAAi, added: “As the aviation industry grows and new technologies emerge, the threats to civil aviation diversify. Working with Embry-Riddle, we are committed to helping and educating aviation regulators and industry organisations to manage these threats and develop resilient aviation security and cyber security oversight systems to ensure aviation remains safe and trusted globally.” This partnership supports the principles of ICAO’s GASeP plan. By growing aviation security CAA International Limited Aviation House Gatwick Airport South West Sussex RH6 0YR United Kingdom T +44 (0)330 022 4401 E info@caainternational.com www.caainternational.com training and educational resources in South America, CAAi and Embry-Riddle plan to enhance aviation security oversight and compliance, aviation security awareness and quality control. John Watret, Ph.D said: “We are very pleased to enter this partnership with CAAi in South America. As a university that maintains a reputation for endorsing a culture of safety, this is an opportunity to enhance that culture through collaboration. Both Embry-Riddle and CAAi recognise the opportunity to proactively train to mitigate potential threats, and this training program will be designed to fulfil this obligation to ensure safety and confidence in civil aviation”. For more information, please contact international@caa.co.uk https://caainternational.com/ (Photo showing the forward section of the fuselage of a TransAir B-737 as it's recovered onto a barge from the Pacific Ocean about two miles from Ewa Beach near Honolulu, Hawaii. NTSB photo by Peter Knudson) Flight Recorders and Wreckage of Cargo Jet Successfully Recovered from Pacific Ocean; Video and Photos Released 11/2/2021 Four of the six cargo containers remained in the aft section of the fuselage; the other two containers were found separate but near the wreckage. A pallet of cargo was found during the initial search operation. In the months following the accident, TransAirʼs insurance provider contracted with several companies to recover the wreckage and cargo. These included the Eclipse Group, which operates the Bold Horizon, a San Diego-based research vessel equipped with a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) and other underwater retrieval equipment. A California-based barge, the Salta Verde, was contracted to lift the two sections of the fuselage and transport them to shore in Honolulu. On the morning of Oct. 12, the Bold Horizon left port in Honolulu for the recovery site with two NTSB investigators, two engineers from Boeing and a team of recovery specialists. After the ROV was used to rig the engines with cables and front landing gear assembly with a strap, all three items were recovered and brought to shore on Oct. 17. The Bold Horizon set off again on Oct. 18 to recover the fuselage. The forward section of the fuselage, which measures 37 feet long and weighs about 15,500 pounds, was recovered to the barge on Oct. 20 and brought to shore at Barbers Point in Kapolei, Hawaii, on Oct. 22. The aft section of the fuselage is about 63 feet long and weighs about 48,500 pounds empty and about 60,500 pounds with the four cargo containers. It was significantly larger and more challenging to lift than the forward section of the fuselage. After engineers and ROV operators rigged it so the wings and tail would not separate during the lift, the fuselage was recovered to the surface and placed on the barge on Oct. 30 and brought onshore at Barbers Point on Oct 31. Cargo and some smaller components of the airplane were also recovered. Throughout the course of the recovery operation, the NTSB coordinated efforts with state and federal agencies, including the Hawaii Department of Health; Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources, Division of Aquatic Resources; and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, to ensure that any adverse effects on the environment or sea life were minimized. In addition, a protected species observer was aboard to monitor for encounters with Endangered Species Act-listed species, including false killer whales, Hawaiian monk seals, and sea turtles. No endangered species were encountered during the operation. The flight data recorder and the cockpit voice recorder will be transported to the NTSB laboratory in Washington where they will be cleaned, dried, downloaded and analyzed. Investigators will perform a detailed documentation of both sections of the fuselage, which will remain in Hawaii. The engines were documented, crated, and will be returned to the barge Salta Verde to sail back to the mainland where each will undergo a teardown examination supervised by an NTSB investigator. The investigation, which is expected to be completed in 12-24 months, will include a comprehensive examination of the airplane structure, engines, systems, maintenance, survival factors, vehicle performance, air traffic control, human factors, federal oversight and emergency response. Video b-roll of the recovery operation is available and photographs are available on the TransAir flight 810 album on the NTSBʼs Flickr page. In addition to the links to video and photographs released Tuesday, the web page for the TransAir Flight 810 investigation includes the Sept. 30 news release announcing the wreckage recovery operation, video of the Oct. 9 media briefing in Honolulu, an investigative update and the preliminary report. To report an incident/accident or if you are a public safety agency, please call 1-844-373-9922 or 202-314-6290 to speak to a Watch Officer at the NTSB Response Operations Center (ROC) in Washington, DC (24/7 https://www.ntsb.gov/news/press-releases/Pages/mr20211102.aspx Amazon's Project Kuiper wants to launch two prototype satellites by the end of next year Project Kuiper, Amazon's satellite internet program, is aiming to launch two prototype satellites by the end of next year as it seeks to provide global broadband access to rural and remote areas. The launch and operation of the prototypes first must be approved by the Federal Communications Commission; Kuiper Systems, the Amazon subsidiary that will operate Project Kuiper, filed what’s known as a “request for experimental license” with the regulator on Monday. The goal would be to test and validate the satellites’ propulsion, power and attitude control systems, thermal design and over-the-air software update capabilities. Kuiper Systems, which requested a two-year license, would also collect data on performance and telemetry over time, as well as data on the launch operations and mission management. The two satellites would operate at 590 kilometers above Earth’s surface, one of three orbital altitudes the FCC licensed for use by Kuiper last year. Under that license, Amazon must send up around half its planned total constellation (which clocks in at 3,236 satellites) within the next six years. Once in orbit, the satellites would link up to ground stations in South America, Asia, Texas and four customer terminal units, according to the company’s experimental license application. The company didn’t provide any more details about the customer units in the application, only noting that they would be the prototype of “an innovative, low-cost customer terminal developed by Amazon.” The company said it would perform a “propulsive de-orbit” at the end of the mission, meaning the satellites would burn up in the Earth’s atmosphere at the end of their useful life. Should that process fail, Project Kuiper said the satellites would passively de-orbit via orbital decay three-and-a-half years from launch. Assuming the license is approved, the two prototypes -- dubbed KuiperSat-1 and KuiperSat-2 -- would launch from Cape Canaveral in two separate missions by the fourth quarter of 2022. Amazon has selected ABL Space Systems as the launch provider for the two missions. While ABL's RS1 rocket has yet to reach orbit, the startup said it plans to conduct its first launch of the 88-foot-tall rocket from Alaska by the end of this year. Last week, ABL announced it had closed a $200 million financing round, which reportedly boosted its valuation up to $2.4 billion. The two companies have been working together "for several months," Amazon said, with two integration design reviews already completed. "We see this as just the start of a long-term relationship together and look forward to supporting them as they expand their business," the company said in a statement. The two prototypes are a crucial steppingstone to commercialization, as Amazon seeks to compete in the burgeoning satellite broadband market that’s currently cornered by SpaceX’s Starlink. That market could generate up to $18.6 billion by 2030, according to Allied Market Research. Amazon plans to invest at least $10 billion in Project Kuiper. The e-commerce giant said last April it had secured an agreement with United Launch Alliance for nine launches. Amazon SVP of Devices & Services David Limp said during last year's TC Sessions: Space that the company will seek multiple launch providers for the project. “When you have to put 3,200-plus things into space, you will need lots of launch capacity,” he said. “Our hope is that it’s not just one provider, that there will be multiple providers.” https://www.yahoo.com/finance/news/amazons-project-kuiper-wants-launch-170054279.html Astronauts have visited the Hubble Space Telescope for repairs and maintenance on five occasions. NASA The Hubble Space Telescope has been offline for more than a week, and NASA isn't sure why Astronauts have visited the Hubble Space Telescope for repairs and maintenance on five occasions. NASA NASA's Hubble Space Telescope has gone offline for the second time this year. Hubble's science instruments were registering errors after losing critical synchronization messages. NASA says it's "too early" to say what is causing the problem or how long it may take to fix it. NASA's iconic Hubble Space Telescope is experiencing another mysterious glitch. Already, it's been offline and in "safe mode" for almost a week. Hubble's scientific instruments safely shut down after several failures to communicate timing information between them. NASA engineers are analyzing data from the spacecraft to study the issue, but they've shared little information so far. A NASA spokesperson told Insider that it's "too early in the investigation" to say what might be causing the issue, how engineers might fix it, or when Hubble might come back online. This isn't the first time Hubble has gone offline this year. The observatory spent nearly five weeks in safe mode after its payload computer suddenly stopped working on June 13. NASA engineers finally brought Hubble back online in July by activating some of its backup hardware - a risky, complex maneuver that could have triggered new issues if done incorrectly. Now, four months later, it's offline again. Hubble is the world's most powerful space telescope. It has photographed the births and deaths of stars, spotted new moons circling Pluto, and tracked two interstellar objects zipping through our solar system. Its observations have allowed astronomers to calculate the age and expansion of the universe and to peer at galaxies formed shortly after the Big Bang. But Hubble has been orbiting Earth since 1990, and it's getting old. "This is an older machine, and it's kind of telling us: Look, I'm getting a little bit old here, right? It's talking to us," NASA Associate Administrator Thomas Zurbuchen said in a video after engineers fixed the July issue. "Could the cause of the problem have something to do with Hubble's age? The answer is almost certainly yes," Paul Hertz, director of NASA's astrophysics division, told Insider in July. "Someday, a component will randomly fail that we won't have a backup for. That's the most likely way the Hubble mission will end." The glitch is harder to trace this time The first sign of trouble came at 1:46 a.m. ET on October 23, when Hubble's science instruments issued error codes. They had lost a synchronization message, which provides the instruments with timing information so that they can respond to commands and collect data correctly. The Hubble team reset those instruments and the telescope resumed its science operations the following morning. But on October 25, Hubble's science instruments sent back even more error codes, indicating the loss of several synchronization messages. The instruments automatically entered safe mode, as they're programmed to do. "The team is still working to isolate the problem," the NASA spokesperson told Insider. "They are looking at hardware design documents, software, and are collecting more data from the spacecraft to help diagnose it." In June, after the payload computer failed, engineers were able to quickly narrow down the cause of the issue, since it could only be traced to a few systems. This time, they must cast a much wider net. NASA's Hubble team is investigating all the systems that interface with the science instruments and all systems associated with the synchronization messages. "Hubble has really changed the way we look at the universe, and is still the most in-demand telescope in the world right now," Hertz said in July. "So scientists have not run out of things to do with it, which is why it's important to us that we keep working hard to bring it back into science operations, so that we can continue making great discoveries." NASA is preparing to launch a new Earth-orbiting observatory, the James Webb Space Telescope, in December. That telescope is poised to revolutionize astronomy, peering into the depths of the universe with unprecedented precision in infrared light. But it's not a replacement for Hubble. In fact, they're supposed to work together. Some of the Webb telescope's first tasks will be studying objects that Hubble has discovered. Then once Webb starts making its own discoveries, NASA hopes to follow up on them with Hubble. "What astronomers are really looking forward to is the one-two punch of the Hubble-Webb combination," Hertz said. https://www.yahoo.com/news/hubble-space-telescope-offline-more-210002054.html RESEARCH SURVEY Women in Aviation Maintenance Workforce Survey Dear Aviation Maintenance Professional, You are being asked to participate in a research study of your experience in aviation maintenance. This study is expected to take less than 15 minutes of your time. In order to participate, you must be female, at least 18 years old, a resident of the U.S., actively employed in the U.S., and an FAA-certificated mechanic or repairman. Participation in this study is voluntary, and you may choose to opt out of the study at any time. If you choose to opt out, your data will be immediately destroyed. I appreciate your consideration and time to complete this study. Please click on or copy and paste the URL below: https://forms.gle/mSGMdZiv6f8NZZgM9 For more information, please contact: Danita Baghdasarin baghdasd@my.erau.edu Position Available: Aerospace (Pro Pilot), Tenure-Track Faculty Department Aerospace University Expectation MTSU seeks candidates who are committed to innovative teaching, robust research/creative activity, and meaningful service. We also seek to attract a culturally and academically diverse faculty who value working with a diverse student body. Salary Salary and rank commensurate with education and experience Job Summary/Basic Function The Department of Aerospace at Middle Tennessee State University invites applicants for two full-time, tenure-track faculty positions at the rank of assistant/associate professor. The start date for the positions is August 1, 2022. The positions are contingent upon funding. Successful candidates will be expected to teach classes in the Professional Pilot concentration, undertake collaborative and multi-disciplinary research within the department and university, and be actively involved in university and professional service. Required Education Master’s degree in Aerospace, Aviation or closely related field by appointment date Required Related Experience One year of aerospace or aviation industry experience is required. Required License/Registration/Certification Applicants must have : 1) FAA Commercial - Multi-Engine, and valid Flight Instructor Certificates (CFI, CFII, MEI) OR 2) FAA ATP with 14 CFR Part 121 or Part 135 Pilot-in-Command (PIC) experience. Other Desirables Candidates who possess industry or collegiate teaching experience and those with a terminal degree or ABD in Aerospace, Aviation, Education, Business, or other industry-related fields will receive special consideration. Documents Needed to Apply In order to successfully apply, applicants are required to include the following documents as separate attachments at the time of online application submittal: a cover letter, their curriculum vitae, a statement of Teaching Philosophy, and their Research Statement or Creative Activities (as appropriate to the discipline). NOTE: In addition to the REQUIRED documents listed above for successful application, applicants must include copies of FAA Certifications held attached as Other Document 1. Special Instruction to Applicants If you need help in applying, please contact the Faculty Recruitment Specialist at (615) 898-5128. If you have position-specific questions, please contact Dr. Chaminda Prelis at Chaminda.Prelis@mtsu.edu. MTSU is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer that values diversity in all its forms. Women, minorities, individuals with disabilities, and protected veterans are encouraged to apply. Proof of U.S. citizenship or eligibility for U.S. employment will be required prior to employment (Immigration Control Act of 1986). Clery Act crime statistics for MTSU are available at http://www.mtsu.edu/police/docs/2021AnnualSecurityReport.pdf or by contacting MTSU Public Safety at (615) 898-2424. MTSU is a Tobacco & Drug-Free campus. This position requires a criminal background check. Therefore, you may be required to provide information about your criminal history in order to be considered for this position. For individuals requiring a reasonable accommodation to apply: In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act (ADAAA), if you have a disability and would like to request an accommodation in order to apply for a position with MTSU, please call 615-898-2929 or email emp@mtsu.edu. Application Review Date: 11/22/2021 APPLY HERE: https://careers.mtsu.edu/en-us/job/496571/aerospace-pro-pilot-tenuretrack-faculty Curt Lewis