Flight Safety Information - February 25, 2022 No.040 In This Issue : Incident: Inuit B732 near La Grande Riviere on Feb 18th 2022, engine problems : Incident: Inuit B732 near La Grande Riviere on Feb 18th 2022, engine problems : Incident: Aerolineas E190 at Buenos Aires on Feb 24th 2022, loss of cabin pressure : Jet-engine makers look for titanium supplies outside Russia : British Airways cancels Moscow flights as Russia retaliates over Aeroflot ban : Position Available: Safety Evaluator Incident: Inuit B732 near La Grande Riviere on Feb 18th 2022, engine problems An Air Inuit Boeing 737-200, registration C-GMAI performing flight 3H-700 from Montreal,QC to Puvirnituq,QC (Canada) with 26 passengers and 4 crew, was enroute at FL330 about 150nm southeast of La Grande Riviere when the crew observed a decreasing oil quantity for the left hand engine (JT8D) and decided to divert to La Grande Riviera. Descending towards La Grande Riviere about 30nm before the airport the crew received indication that the oil pressure dropped and reduced the left hand engine to idle thrust. The aircraft continued for a safe landing at La Grande Riviere about 25 minutes after leaving FL330. The Canadian TSB reported after landing the crew shut the engine down, the aircraft was inspected by emergency services before taxiing to the apron. https://www.avherald.com/h?article=4f524ef1&opt=0 A Nouvelair Airbus A320-200, registration TS-IND performing flight BJ-787 from Nice (France) to Tunis (Tunisia), was enroute at FL350 about 120nm southsoutheast of Alghero (Italy) when the crew turned the aircraft around and diverted to Alghero reporting smoke in the cabin. The aircraft landed safely on Alghero's runway 20 about 25 minutes later. The aircraft remained on the ground in Alghero for about 11 hours, then continued to Tunis. The aircraft remained on the ground in Tunis for about 19.5 hours, then departed for the next occurrence flight, see Incident: Nouvelair A320 near Alghero on Feb 23th 2022, smoke in cabin. https://www.avherald.com/h?article=4f524c6e&opt=0 Incident: Aerolineas E190 at Buenos Aires on Feb 24th 2022, loss of cabin pressure An Aerolineas Argentinas Embraer ERJ-190, registration LV-GIQ performing flight AR-1802 from Buenos Aires Aeroparque,BA to Rio Gallegos,SC (Argentina), was climbing through FL270 out of Aeroparque's runway 13 when the crew stopped the climb and initiated an emergency descent due to the loss of cabin pressure. The crew diverted to Buenos Aires Ezeiza,BA (Argentina) for a safe landing on runway 11 about 40 minutes after departure. Argentina's Junta de Seguridad en el Transporte (JST) reported the aircraft suffered a depressurization, the occurrence is being investigated by the JST Headquarters. https://www.avherald.com/h?article=4f52281f&opt=0 Jet-engine makers look for titanium supplies outside Russia Aerospace manufacturers are scrambling for titanium in the wake of sanctions against Russia, the world’s leading supplier of the metal. An attendee walks past a Rolls-Royce Holdings aircraft engine on display at the Singapore Airshow in Singapore, on Feb. 7, 2018. (SeongJoon Cho / Bloomberg) Aerospace manufacturers are scrambling for titanium in the wake of sanctions against Russia, the world’s leading supplier of the metal. An attendee walks past... (SeongJoon Cho / Bloomberg)More Engine makers for Boeing and Airbus jets are working to diversify sources of titanium away from Russia as the conflict in Ukraine threatens access to the metal needed to make critical plane equipment. Russia’s VSMPO-Avisma is the main supplier for Safran, a French multinational with operations in King and Snohomish counties that buys nearly half its titanium from VSMPO-Avisma. As military tensions built over recent weeks, the company has bought titanium from distributors in Germany, he said on a conference call. “We have been increasing our stocks of titanium since the start of the year,” Chief Executive Officer Olivier Andries said Thursday. “We have a few months ahead of us for motor parts and landing gear, so some time to accelerate to other sources.” Rolls-Royce Holdings, with 20% of its titanium coming from Russia, has also been stockpiling and diversifying its sources, CEO Warren East said on a separate earnings call. The metal is widely used in engines, fasteners and other aircraft parts because of its light weight, strength and resistance to corrosion. The possibility of sanctions or other interruptions in critical raw-material supplies came into sharp focus on Thursday after Russia mounted an attack on Ukraine following a troop build-up and fervent diplomatic efforts to avoid an invasion. Shortages could exacerbate existing supply-chain issues that threaten a production ramp-up for both major planemakers. “As long as the geopolitical situation stays tame, no problem,” Boeing CEO Dave Calhoun said in a Jan. 26 conference call. “If it doesn’t, we’re protected for quite a while, but not forever.” Boeing announced a new deal with VSMPO in November. Airbus said it sources titanium directly from the Russian company and through major suppliers, through programs that account for geopolitical risk. “We are therefore protected in the short/medium term,” the European planemaker said in an email. “We are closely monitoring the situation with our suppliers.” VSMPO’s role supplying nearly a quarter of global titanium poses a threat to aerospace supply chains, Jefferies analyst Sheila Kahyaoglu earlier this month. Howmet Aerospace Inc., which sources titanium from Japan, and Allegheny Technologies Inc., could serve as alternative suppliers, she wrote in a research note. Safran’s CFM International venture with General Electric is the sole producer of engines for Boeing’s 737 MAX single-aisle jets and one of two providers for Airbus SE’s rival A320 series. London-based Rolls makes engines for larger twin-aisle aircraft. “A blockade would certainly create tensions everywhere,” Andries said Thursday. Added strain The concerns over supplies of titanium and other metals over coming months add to existing bottlenecks for raw materials and tightening labor markets that have plagued sectors from aeropace to automaking. Raytheon’s Pratt & Whitney unit said Wednesday that metal castings shortages will delay shipping roughly 70 jet engines to Airbus in the first quarter. Raytheon Jet-Engine Output for Airbus Stymied by Parts Shortage Parts shortages, abetted by worker absenteeism at U.S. sites tied to the omicron variant of coronavirus, have also caused Safran deliveries to slip. Raw materials like metals, resins and semiconductors are harder to come by, Andries said. Sign up for Evening Brief Delivered weeknights, this email newsletter gives you a quick recap of the day's top stories and need-to-know news, as well as intriguing photos and topics to spark conversation as you wind down from your day. Suppliers are gearing up output with “a very complex situation to manage,” Airbus CEO Guillaume Faury said in Feb. 17 interview. He cited “access to raw materials being difficult and the prices very high, the price of energy very high, logistics around the world is a challenge and prices are very high.” Fighter parts In a bid to safeguard technology and supplies for future commercial and military jets, Safran along with Airbus and Tikehau Ace Capital this week agreed to buy alloy and forging company Aubert & Duval from France’s Eramet. Outside of the U.S., Aubert & Duval is the only elaborator of special alloys able to withstand extreme temperatures that will be needed for a future European fighter jet. “It’s highly strategic,” Andries said. “We needed to keep this strategic supplier not only afloat but performing.” https://www.seattletimes.com/business/jet-engine-makers-look-for-titanium-supplies-outside-russia/ British Airways cancels Moscow flights as Russia retaliates over Aeroflot ban London (CNN Business)British Airways has suspended its flights to Moscow after Russia banned all UK carriers from its airspace. Russia's Federal Agency for Air Transport said in a statement Friday that it was banning UK registered flights, as well as aircraft owned, leased or operated by a person associated with the United Kingdom, from transiting the country's airspace. The Russian agency said the measure was taken in response to the decision by the UK government Thursday to ban Aeroflot and other Russian airlines from British airspace. That was part of a package of sanctions announced by Prime Minister Boris Johnson after Russia invaded Ukraine. "We apologize for the inconvenience but this is clearly a matter beyond our control," British Airways said in a statement. "We are notifying customers on canceled services and are offering a full refund." BA was flying three times a week to Moscow. It said it would also have to reroute some services to Asia, potentially causing longer flight times. Russia's flag carrier Aeroflot had been operating direct flights between Moscow and London's Heathrow and Gatwick airports, according to its website. "No aircraft on a scheduled service which is owned, chartered or operated by a person connected with Russia, or which is registered in Russia shall fly in United Kingdom airspace," the UK Department for Transport said in a bulletin. The restrictions went into effect at midnight, and are due to expire on May 23. Russia's attack has already forced the closure of Ukrainian airspace, and the fallout from the crisis will lead more carriers to reroute flights, adding to costs at a time of rising fuel prices. "On Thursday evening, we took the decision to start avoiding Russian airspace and our flight paths will continue to be adjusted for some Virgin Atlantic passenger services between the UK, Pakistan and India," a Virgin Atlantic spokesperson said. " We apologize for any inconvenience caused to customers by slightly longer flight times." Virgin Atlantic is also suspending cargo flights between London and Shanghai while it considers rerouting those services. The European Union Aviation Safety Agency said Ukraine's skies and airspace in Russia and Belarus within 100 nautical miles of borders with Ukraine could pose risks, Reuters reported. "The impact for us is not huge because right now we are only flying to a small number of destinations in Asia and we can reroute our flights," said Luis Gallego, CEO of IAG, the parent company of British Airways that also owns Iberia, Aer Lingus and Vueling. https://www.cnn.com/2022/02/25/business/aeroflot-british-airways-russia/index.html Pilot Shortage: Recruiting From The Entire Pool “At United, we’re convinced that the root of the problem is that it costs over $100,000 and takes five or more years to obtain all the training to become eligible to fly for a major airline,” said Scott Kirby, CEO at United Airlines in a recently published opinion piece titled “The truth about the pilot shortage.” Well, that is pretty rich—pardon the pun—for someone who chose not to become an airline pilot despite receiving free flight training and a Bachelor degree when he joined the U.S. Air Force in the late 1980s. The military service pathway is still available today and it is now opened to women as well. Except for nepotism, it continues to be the most reliable way to get a pilot resume at the top of the pile without accumulating debt. Learning to fly is not cheap—and never was. However, the $100,000 price tag Kirby cites was first floated more than a decade ago. Apparently, numbers pulled out of thin air are inflation proof. Interestingly, the $100K number is higher than United’s own tuition fee at the newly minted United Aviate Academy. For a cool $89,000, 10 months of training, 18 months “building hours” with industry partners, and two years at one of its regional airline partners, United promises candidates to be at the top of the priority list when a position as First Officer opens up. No timeline on that. And there lies the root cause of our recruiting troubles. Pay your money, commit to years of training and low pay employment, and you may or may not hit the jackpot. It is not an investment; it is a high-stakes gamble. Compare that to the medical field. It takes hundreds of thousands of dollars in tuition fees, eight years of academic education, and three to seven years of residency with low pay and lousy shifts before doctors-to-be can become fully fledged doctors. Yet, this STEM occupation yielding wages comparable to piloting for a major airline attracts so many people that med school selection committees turn down 60 percent of all applicants (half of them women) annually. Why? The industry only trains the people it needs according to forecast. In other words, if you get accepted into med school and make it through, you will win the jackpot. Likewise, many countries use a controlled pathway to commercial pilot training to match graduations to national needs. Here, the FAA issues around 6000 original ATP certificates annually regardless of the job market. Our reputation for taking the money and squashing the “dream” is well-deserved and a repellent. The rigid seniority system that allows a money-happy Captain to turn into a starving Relief First Officer following a few bad senior management decisions is not helping either. Until we improve the probability for a positive return-on-investment, potential candidates will continue to steer away no matter how loud we scream “pilot shortage,” how many scholarships we offer, and how cheap we make the training. Kirby touches on an additional recruiting challenge, diversity. “Only 19.6 percent of United’s pilots are women or people of color,” he says. What he cleverly avoids saying is that less than 7 percent of United’s pilots are women. By wrapping up men of color with women percentages, it doesn’t look that bad. That is until you realize that there are approximately 35 million American men of color (11 percent of the population) versus 167 million American women of all races (51 percent of the population). And United is not really working at closing the gender gap. Its much-publicized intention to balance recruitment using a 50 percent diversity intake does not reflect the composition of the American population. Women will have to share the stated 50 percent diversity quota with men of color. Why? An Army research published in 2014 found that flight crews with at least one woman on board have fewer crashes. You’d think that such factual data would drive a safety-obsessed industry to engage and recruit women as a priority. The reluctance to do so is grounded in our history and existing workforce. Although men of color traditionally faced hiring discrimination in the airlines, women were simply “not allowed to apply” until the mid-1970s. The corporate culture has not changed much since Richard J. Ferris, UAL CEO at the time, famously declared in spite, “It is now possible for a flight attendant to get a pilot pregnant,” after losing yet another hiring discrimination lawsuit. Most airlines still do not recognize or celebrate the March 8 anniversary of the world’s first female pilot license. What has changed is who we need to attract. According to recent research, two-thirds of millennials still think it is easier for men to get ahead. By the same percentage, they say that needs to change. The very social fabric of our industry is a repellent for them. The time has come to deal with it if we want to improve our attractiveness. Mireille Goyer is a passionate aviation enthusiast, an airline transport pilot, a training expert, an author and an award-winning diversity and inclusion advocate. She is president of the Institute for Women of Aviation Worldwide. The 12th annual edition of Women Of Aviation Worldwide Week (WOAW) takes place March 7-13, 2022. The week serves as a call to address gender imbalance in the air and space industry. https://www.avweb.com/insider/pilot-shortage-recruiting-from-the-entire-pool/ 4 more flights from India to Ukraine amid safety concerns The development comes amid concerns over safety of more than 20,000 Indians who live in different parts of Ukraine. An Air India special ferry flight – a Dreamliner B-787 aircraft – left for the Boryspil International Airport in Ukraine on Tuesday morning. Four more flights are operating from India to Ukraine amid heightened tensions with Russia, the Indian High Commission in Ukraine has said in a tweet, amid concerns over the safety of over 20,000 citizens. Apart from these, three special Air India flights are flying between Tuesday and Saturday - the first one left on Tuesday morning. The development comes after the embassy last week advised Indian students and other citizens whose stay is not essential to leave Kyiv temporarily amid growing tensions between Ukraine and Russia. “In view of the continued high level of tensions and uncertainties of the current situation in Ukraine, additional flights are being organised,” read the latest notification by the Indian Embassy. https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/4-more-flights-from-india-to-ukraine-amid-safety-concerns-101645511236867.html Air India rushes Dreamliner B-787 to Ukraine to evacuate nationals amid standoff with Russia With a capacity of over 200 seats, the plane is supposed to land back in Delhi tonight. Reportedly, around 20,000 Indians including students live in Ukraine. A Dreamliner B-787 aircraft was deployed by Air India last night to bring back stranded Indian nationals from Ukraine which faces an invasion from Russia. With a capacity of over 200 seats, the plane is supposed to land back in Delhi tonight. Reportedly, around 20,000 Indians including students live in Ukraine. Air India had earlier announced on February 18 that it would fly three Vande Bharat Mission flights between India and Ukraine. The planes will fly in and out of Boryspil International Airport which is also Ukraine's largest airport in Kyiv, the conflicted country's capital, and are scheduled for February 22, 24, and 26. This is in addition to other airlines like Air Arabia, Fly Dubai, Qatar Airways, and more continuing their operations, after the cap on the number of flights and seats between the two countries was lifted to accelerate evacuation of Indians. Air India will also operate flights PS1395 and PS393 from Kyiv to Delhi on February 25 and 27 and March 6. The ministry of external affairs (MEA) recently also announced additional Air India flights from Ukraine to help those who wish to return to India. The announcement comes in the wake of the Kremlin recognising two separatist-held regions in eastern Ukraine after Russian president Vladimir Putin ordered troops to march in those areas. Any attempts to establish peace in the region were further decimated by Putin signing mutual aid and friendship agreements with rebel leaders of those regions. https://www.moneycontrol.com/news/business/amidst-rising-tensions-air-india-sends-special-planes-to-ukraine-to-evacuate-indian-nationals-8146341.html Raytheon says it may not ship around 70 engines to Airbus in first quarter Feb 23 (Reuters) - Raytheon Technologies Corp said on Wednesday its Pratt and Whitney unit may not ship around 70 engines to Airbus SE in the first quarter of 2022 due to casting shortages. "Pratt will probably not ship... let's call it 70 engines to Airbus, because of the casting shortages that we're seeing," Raytheon Chief Executive Greg Hayes said at the Barclays Industrial Conference. Hayes' comments confirm pressure on supply chains as Airbus raises production. Reuters reported in January that aircraft due for delivery in 2022 were already estimated a few months late, with a risk of some deliveries drifting into 2023. Forgings and castings are among the items most severely hit in the aerospace supply chain and have relatively long lead times. https://www.yahoo.com/finance/news/raytheon-says-may-not-ship-162321654.html Airbus delivers 142 commercial aircraft to China in 2021 BEIJING, Feb. 23 (Xinhua) -- Airbus delivered a total of 142 commercial aircraft to the Chinese market in 2021, Airbus China said Wednesday. China remained Airbus' largest single-country market globally. Commercial aircraft deliveries in the country accounted for more than 23 percent of Airbus' global deliveries in 2021, according to Airbus China. The delivery volume also marks a year-on-year increase of more than 40 percent compared with its deliveries in the Chinese market in 2020. Among the 142 commercial aircraft delivered to the Chinese market, 130 are single-aisle aircraft and 12 are widebodies. By the end of last year, around 2,100 Airbus commercial airplanes were serving in the Chinese civil aviation market. Meanwhile, more than 330 Airbus helicopters were serving in the Chinese market, according to data from Airbus China. According to Airbus' forecast in November 2021, the global commercial aircraft market is expected to recover to the pre-COVID-19 level between 2023 and 2025, led by the single-aisle aircraft segment. China will be a vital engine for the recovery of the global civil aviation market. The country's continuously growing market would need around 8,200 new commercial aircraft over the 2020-2040 period, accounting for more than 20 percent of the global demand. By 2025, the total sum of China's certified civil transport airport will exceed 270, said the development plan for China's civil aviation industry during the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-2025). Then, China is expected to see its annual air passenger volume reach 930 million, and the country's civil aviation industry is expected to handle up to 17 million flights annually, said the plan issued by the Civil Aviation Administration of China. http://english.news.cn/20220223/2199704fde2944c5ad8906a339dd7c68/c.html Position Available: Safety Evaluator Job Description At Republic Airways, our vision is to be America’s regional airline of choice, and our 6,000 associates work together each day to achieve that by providing a safe, clean and reliable flying experience. Whether the role is on the aircraft or in the office, every person at Republic contributes to our success and our family-oriented work environment. Since our founding in 1974, we’ve grown to become the world’s largest operator of the Embraer 170/175 jet, flying more than 1000 flights daily for our partners, American Airline, Delta Air Lines and United Airlines. Beyond our operations, we’re focused on sharing our time, talents and treasures with our community—both locally and globally. Join Republic Airways where you will find opportunities, reach new heights and be part of something bigger than yourself. Republic Airways, opportunity elevated. #WhyRepublic POSITION PURPOSE Conducts internal evaluations of operational divisions to ensure adherence to federal regulations, company policies and procedures. Conducts aircraft damage investigations, tracks regulatory correspondence and completes special projects as assigned. ESSENTIAL DUTIES To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Conducts internal evaluations of operational divisions to ensure compliance with federal regulations as well as company policies and procedures. Communicates company policies/procedures, Federal Aviation Regulations and other Standards including but limited to International Air Transport Association (IATA) Operational Safety Audits (IOSA) standards, Department of Defense Standards etc. facilitating fair resolutions and imparting quality expertise to all operational departments. Coordinates Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) - Safety Assurance System (SAS) inspections conducted by the FAA Coordinates IOSA conducted by appointed Audit Organization Coordinates DOD inspections conducted by the DOD Communicates with external audit organizations, the FAA and DOD Identifies, tracks, and solves quality and safety concerns, issues or hazards (this includes, but not limited to, interviews, reviews of past evaluation/audit records and compliance data for trends) Reviews changes to applicable regulations in order to recommend appropriate actions to ensure company compliance. Ensure adherence to all Safety and Security regulations Develops and maintains Data Analysis Group key performance indicators, and continuous improvement initiatives for data analysis and visualization. Provides technical leadership to team and department members. Leads through example; monitors, influences and trains others. OTHER DUTIES Performs data analysis on aircraft ground damage to identify trends & systemic causes of aircraft damage. Participates in investigations of aircraft ground damage. Leads investigations into company controllable damage and participates in conference calls for codeshare partner damages. Contributes to the development of SMS training modules for all company associates covered under SMS. Responsible for the continuous improvement of Republic’s Safety Management System Assists with development of SMS structured risk assessment and safety assurance processes, including facilitating Data Analysis Groups Participates in special projects including but not limited to: special request audits, Codeshare meetings and initiatives, Safety Management System (SMS) implementation, monthly safety newsletter and manual reviews using SAS tools. Performs various other duties as assigned. REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability necessary to perform this job. EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE. Bachelor’s degree with at least 2 years of Aviation experience required. Knowledge of the Code of Federal Regulations for Title 14 and 49 and associated regulatory materials. Knowledge in aviation safety systems including, but not limited to: Safety Management System (SMS), System Safety, Safety Assurance System (SAS) and IOSA. Skills in Microsoft Office applications is a must. PREFERRED EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE Bachelor's degree in an aviation or safety related discipline is preferred. At least 3 years of previous experience in aviation. Airframe and Powerplant, Dispatch License or Pilot’s License is preferred. Previous auditing and evaluating experience. LANGUAGE SKILLS Ability to read, analyze, and interpret common scientific and technical journals, financial reports, and legal documents. Ability to respond to common inquiries or complaints from customers, regulatory agencies, or members of the business community. Ability to effectively present information to top management, public groups, and/or boards of directors. REASONING/PROBLEM SOLVING ABILITY Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form. DECISION MAKING Makes decisions and determines best methods to solve problems by referring to established precedents and policies. Decisions tend to be medium range and of medium significance with moderate consequences. PHYSICAL DEMANDS The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an associate to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Able to move about the work environment. Frequently required to stand, walk, sit, talk and hear. WORK ENVIRONMENT The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an associate encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Typically not exposed to extreme environmental conditions. Work in an open air hangar and outdoor weather conditions occasionally. TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS Travel up to 15% of the time, including overnight stays. Equal Opportunity Employment and Disability Accommodations Republic Airways is committed to achieving a diverse workforce by providing equal employment opportunities to all Associates and applicants, and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type with regard to any characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. We are committed to providing applicants and Associates reasonable accommodation to enable the individual to perform the essential duties of the job. If you require accommodation, please contact Human Resources. Curt Lewis