Flight Safety Information - August 31, 2022 No.167 In This Issue : Incident: THY A333 at Istanbul on Aug 30th 2022, tail scrape on departure : Incident: Azul E195 at Fortaleza on Aug 29th 2022, bird strike : Incident: American B773 over Atlantic on Aug 28th 2022, smoke in the cockpit : Incident: MEA A321N near Athens on Aug 26th 2022, engine trouble : Accident: PAL A333 near Manila on Aug 28th 2022, turbulence injures 12 : Accident: THY A332 near Conakry on Aug 29th 2022, turbulence injures 5 passengers : Cessna 208B Grand Caravan EX - Runway Excursion/Substantial Damage (Indonesia) : PIEDMONT AIRLINES RECRUITS EX-EXPRESSJET PILOTS : Lufthansa Welcomes Its First Boeing 787 Aircraft : Australia to Ditch Airplane Face Mask Mandate and Reduce COVID Isolation Time From September 9 : Man Charged With Making Bomb Threats at Las Vegas Airport : The Dominican Republic Authorizes 12 New Routes From 5 Airlines : Pakistani experts to inform EASA of steps taken to lift PIA ban : Jet2 flight diverted as passenger became aggressive over lack of champagne : FAA Awards $231,000 in STEM-Outreach Grants : ALPA - 66th Air Safety Forum - September 12-15, 2022 - JOIN US! Incident: THY A333 at Istanbul on Aug 30th 2022, tail scrape on departure A THY Turkish Airlines Airbus A330-300, registration TC-JOG performing flight TK-726 from Istanbul (Turkey) to Kathmandu (Nepal), departed Istanbul's runway 35L and climbed to FL350. About an hour later, about 400nm east of Istanbul, the aircraft turned around, descended to FL140 and entered a hold at FL050 to burn off fuel. The aircraft landed safely back on Istanbul's runway 35R about 4:10 hours after departure. A post flight inspection showed minor damage to the aircraft's underside of the tail. The aircraft is still on the ground in Istanbul about 12 hours after landing back. A replacement Airbus A330-300 registration TC-JOB reached Kathmandu with a delay of 6.5 hours. https://avherald.com/h?article=4fd9bf72&opt=0 Incident: Azul E195 at Fortaleza on Aug 29th 2022, bird strike An Azul Linhas Aereas Embraer ERJ-195, registration PR-AYW performing flight AD-4100 from Fortaleza,CE to Belem,PA (Brazil), was in the initial climb seconds after becoming airborne when a vulture impacted the left hand wing. The crew stopped the climb and returned to Fortaleza for a safe landing. Passengers reported a few seconds after becoming airborne there was loud noise from the left hand side, at the same time cabin lights and monitors in the back of their seats went out. Shortly afterwards the captain announced they had collided with vultures and needed to return to Fortaleza, they would need to hold to burn off fuel first. The aircraft landed safely a couple of minutes later. The airline reported the aircraft collided with a bird and needed to return. A number of flights needed to be cancelled as result of the bird strike. The aircraft is still on the ground in Fortaleza about 24 hours after landing. https://avherald.com/h?article=4fd92a58&opt=0 Incident: American B773 over Atlantic on Aug 28th 2022, smoke in the cockpit An American Airlines Boeing 777-300, registration N724AN performing flight AA-38 from Miami,FL (USA) to London Heathrow,EN (UK), was enroute at FL350 about 450nm northeast of Bermuda (Bermuda) when the crew decided to turn around and divert to Bermuda reporting smoke on the flight deck with a smoke indication in the electronic equipment compartment. The aircraft landed safely on Bermuda's runway 30 about 65 minutes after turning around. The airline reported possible mechanical issues. Passengers complained they were left unattended on the floor at Bermuda Airport for about 20 hours. A replacement B773 registration N731AN was dispatched to Bermuda, continued the flight and reached Heathrow with a delay of about 23 hours. The occurrence aircraft is still on the ground in Bermuda about 31 hours after landing. https://avherald.com/h?article=4fd9199c&opt=0 Incident: MEA A321N near Athens on Aug 26th 2022, engine trouble A MEA Middle East Airlines Airbus A321-200N, registration T7-ME7 performing flight ME-203 from Beirut (Lebanon) to London Heathrow,EN (UK), was enroute at FL340 about 220nm eastsoutheast of Athens (Greece) in Turkish Airspace when the crew reported problems with one of the engines (PW1133G) and decided to divert to Athens. The aircraft drfited down to FL280 and landed safely on runway 03L about 45 minutes after leaving FL340. A replacement A321N registration T7-ME9 was dispatched to Athens, resumed the flight and reached London with a delay of about 10 hours. The occurrence aircraft is still on the ground in Athens about 79 hours (3 days 7 hours) after landing. https://avherald.com/h?article=4fd92701&opt= Accident: PAL A333 near Manila on Aug 28th 2022, turbulence injures 12 A PAL Philippine Airlines Airbus A330-300, registration RP-C8780 performing flight PR-113 (dep Aug 27th) from Honolulu,HI (USA) to Manila (Philippines), was descending towards Manila when the aircraft encountered turbulence causing injuries to 9 passengers and 3 crew. The aircraft continued for a safe landing on Manila's runway 06. The airline reported 9 passengers and 3 members of the crew were rushed to hospital. All but one were discharged by the following day. The occurrence aircraft returned to service about 17 hours after landing. https://avherald.com/h?article=4fd923a1&opt=0 Accident: THY A332 near Conakry on Aug 29th 2022, turbulence injures 5 passengers A THY Turkish Airlines Airbus A330-200, registration TC-JNB performing flight TK-537 from Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso) to Conakry (Guinea) with 134 people on board, had climbed to FL400 enroute and was on approach to Conakry when the crew reported they had encountered turbulence causing injuries on board. The aircraft continued for a landing on runway 06. Five passengers were taken to a hospital. Guinea's Authorities reported the crew of the aircraft, that was enroute to Conakry from Istanbul via Ouagadougou, advised tower they had encountered severe turbulence and had injuries on board. A crisis center was immediately set up at Conakry, the arriving passengers were assessed, five of them were transported to a hospital. The aircraft remained on the ground for about 7 hours before departing for the return flight TK-538 with a delay of about 5 hours. https://avherald.com/h?article=4fd914a6&opt=0 Cessna 208B Grand Caravan EX - Runway Excursion/Substantial Damage (Indonesia) Date: 30-AUG-2022 Time: c. 13:05 Type: Cessna 208B Grand Caravan EX Owner/operator: Smart Aviation Registration: PK-SNW MSN: 208B-5579 Fatalities: Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 4 Other fatalities: 0 Aircraft damage: Substantial Category: Accident Location: Sinak Airport (NKD/WABS), Puncak Regency, Papua - Indonesia Phase: Landing Nature: Passenger Departure airport: Timika-Moses Kilangin (Tembagapura) Airport (TIM/WAYY) Destination airport: Sinak Airport (NKD/WABS) Confidence Rating: Information is only available from news, social media or unofficial sources Narrative: A Cessna 208B Grand Caravan EX, PK-SNW, sustained substantial damage when it veered off the runway on landing in rainy conditions at Sinak Airport (NKD/WABS), Puncak Regency, Papua. The two pilots and two passengers sustained minor injuries. https://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/282235 PIEDMONT AIRLINES RECRUITS EX-EXPRESSJET PILOTS Regional carrier Piedmont Airlines announced expedited job offers for recently furloughed ExpressJet Airlines pilots under its “distressed carrier” contract terms. ExpressJet recently filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy and has since ceased all flight operations and furloughed approximately 1,300 pilots. In the wake of ExpressJet’s announcement, Piedmont announced on August 25 its plan to offer jobs to seniority list pilots recently furloughed from ExpressJet. Piedmont will invoke the “distressed carrier provision” in its Air Line Pilots Association-negotiated contract, a provision that was added in 2021, and, according to Piedmont’s website, “allows the company to offer pilots at carriers deemed ‘distressed’ a safe haven for employment, including longevity-based pay and bonuses.” Other incentives include contractual flow to American Airlines, expedited job offers, travel to Piedmont’s training center to complete or resolved outstanding paperwork or background issues, and more. Piedmont Airlines, based in Maryland, operates a fleet of Embraer 145 regional jets under the American Eagle brand. Matt Kernan, Piedmont Airlines director of operations, said, “Piedmont added distressed carrier language to its pilot contract last year before anticipating the fragility of some regional carriers after the pandemic. No one wants to see an airline fail, ever. We know that ExpressJet pilots are well-trained aviators who know the Embraer 145, and we are very pleased to make this transition as easy as possible for them.” “This is an opportunity to get these pilots significant pay and bonus increases, expedited job offers and in the process, help Piedmont grow its fleet,” continued Kernan. “A pilot with five years’ experience can start at over $160 an hour.” Trouble started for ExpressJet in 2018, when Delta Air Lines and ExpressJet announced plans to end their Delta Connection contract. In 2020, travel disruptions due to the COVID-19 pandemic caused United Airlines to end its United Express contract with ExpressJet. The company shut down for about a year. In October 2021, ExpressJet rebranded and began flying as Aha! Almost a year later the company reported a $17 million loss and filed for bankruptcy on August 23. The airline plans to liquidate its assets and auction them off to repay its creditors. “A combination of conditions led us to this decision,” ExpressJet Chairman and CEO Subodh Karnik said in a statement. “Despite the valiant efforts of our employees to overcome challenges, and despite great support by our cities and airports—especially Reno-Tahoe and the community there, we arrived at a point where termination of operations was in the best interest of our stakeholders.” The company said growth, which was an integral part of its business plan, was impeded by a “lack of availability of aircraft and the inability to swiftly establish passenger servicing infrastructure in smaller airports.” The company also cited lower revenues due to the “impact of COVID-19 variants and the inability to implement hotel bundle offers—foundational to aha!’s ‘air hotel adventure’ plans.” Fuel prices and other costs were also listed as contributing factors. Pilots can learn more about Piedmont’s distressed pilot provisions on the airline’s website. https://www.aopa.org/news-and-media/all-news/2022/august/30/piedmont-airlines-recruits-ex-expressjet-pilots Lufthansa Welcomes Its First Boeing 787 Aircraft It has been a difficult few years for the American manufacturer Boeing: the significant issues that led to the grounding of the 737 MAX and, more recently, the delivery delays of the 787, as well as the development delays for the 777-9, have left the Seattle-based company to play catch-up with its European rival Airbus, which has been enjoying the success of its latest products. For this reason, Boeing has every reason to celebrate the delivery of the first Boeing 787 to German airline Lufthansa. On Monday the aircraft registered D-ABPA left Paine Field Airport (PAE) in the Seattle area and landed at Frankfurt Airport at around 11 a.m. local time on Tuesday. This is the first of 32 Boeing 787Dreamliners that Lufthansa will receive between now and 2027 when it will completely replace the 17 A340-300 aircraft currently in service for the German carrier. Lufthansa’s 285-aircraft strong fleet almost entirely consists of Airbus aircraft, with the only exceptions being 8 Boeing 747-400 (flagged to be replaced by the 777-9s) and 19 Boeing 747-8i aircraft of which Lufthansa is the largest operator. “Today’s delivery to the Lufthansa Group is a significant milestone for both companies as we resume European 787 deliveries and Lufthansa receives its first 787. I am delighted to see Lufthansa join a growing set of airlines worldwide operating the industry’s most capable twin-engine airplane,” said Stan Deal, president and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes in PR Newswire. “With unmatched fuel efficiency and huge passenger appeal, the 787 will play an integral role in the Lufthansa Group’s long-haul network.” New Business Class Product This first Boeing 787-9 aircraft is configured with 26 Business Class seats, 21 Premium Economy seats and 247 Economy seats for a total capacity of 294 passengers. Lufthansa has decided to refurbish its business class product on this aircraft, providing aisle access to every seat that can be converted into a 2-meter-long bed. This is a preview of the new top-of-the-line product that Lufthansa will introduce next year in all four classes of service offered across its network: Economy, Premium Economy, Business and First. “With the Boeing 787, we are introducing another modern aircraft type that is one of the most fuel-efficient long-haul aircraft in our fleet,” said Jens Ritter, the CEO of Lufthansa Airlines in a press release. “This will allow us to significantly further improve the average CO2 balance. This aircraft is sustainable and offers customers a premium flying experience.” From October, the aircraft will be deployed on domestic routes in Germany to train and certify the crew on this new aircraft type for Lufthansa. Once this phase is completed, the aircraft will become part of the long-haul fleet and its first scheduled destination will be the Canadian city of Toronto. https://airlinegeeks.com/2022/08/30/lufthansa-welcomes-its-first-boeing-787-aircraft/ Australia to Ditch Airplane Face Mask Mandate and Reduce COVID Isolation Time From September 9 Australia has become the latest country to ditch its airplane face mask mandate following a meeting of the national cabinet, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese confirmed on Wednesday evening. Alongside the lifting of face mask rules, political leaders have also agreed to reduce the isolation period for COVID-19 positive cases from seven days down to just five days. Both changes will come into effect from September 9. From that date, Australia will no longer have any pandemic-era travel restrictions remaining in force. It is a remarkable turnaround given the fact that Australia once had some of the strictest rules in the world. Qantas had already dropped mask rules on international flights leaving Australia to countries where masks weren’t required by law. However, passengers were required to wear masks on all international flights to Australia, as well as on all domestic flights. The rules had caused a fair amount of confusion in recent months because face mask mandates in airports had been lifted back in June. But as soon as passengers went to board the aircraft they were required to wear a mask. Qantas chief executive Alan Joyce said he couldn’t understand why masks were still required on airplanes when the risk of onboard transmission, he claimed, was “very low”. The airline is set to drop masking rules as soon as it is legally allowed to do so, but Joyce says Qantas “respects and understands” that some passengers will continue to want to wear a mask onboard. Last week, Singapore surprised some analysts by dropping its own face mask mandate. The German government, however, has resisted calls to ditch airplane masking rules and has instead extended the provision through to April 2023 at the earliest. https://www.paddleyourownkanoo.com/2022/08/31/australia-to-ditch-airplane-face-mask-mandate-and-reduce-covid-isolation-time-from-september-9/ Eisenhower Airport holds job fair to get aviation jobs filled (Wichita, Kansas) WICHITA, Ka.n (KSNW) — It’s not just restaurants and schools feeling the staffing pinch. Wichita’s largest industry is struggling to fill the void. Aviation companies, from plane builders to the airport, are still seeking employees following the pandemic. Since the pandemic, staffing in some sectors of the aviation industry has yet to return to what it used to be. A job fair hosted by Eisenhower National Airport on Tuesday shed light on the staffing struggles that remain. “I certainly don’t have too much experience about aviation or anything like that, but yeah, everyone has been friendly so far,” said Adrian Emanuel, who attended Tuesday’s job fair. According to the Aerospace Industries Association, the pandemic grounded much of the aviation industry. It lost more than 87,000 workers and is still working on getting those workers back. A spokesperson for Bombardier said they currently have 200 openings in Wichita, and Eisenhower Airport is also looking to hire three more people. “We’ve had a lot of vacancies that have directly impacted operations. So we want to make sure that we’re fully ramped up in advance of snow season for snow removal as well as some other critical functions,” said Jesse Romo, the director of airports for the Wichita Airport Authority. This job fair provided an opportunity for the airport to find new employees and people like Unique Esquer an opportunity to find a new job. “I want to just get my foot in the door, and that is fine with me. I can build from there,” said Esquer. The same goes for Nicholas Thorp. He was in the medical field for years, and now he hopes an aviation career will soon take flight. “It is always good if you can try to think outside of the box. Try to do something different because the expertise that you might bring might blend well with a company that is looking,” said Thorp. More than 20 aviation-related companies were at the job fair Tuesday, and it was popular. So many people were waiting before doors opened that they decided to open the event early. If you would like to apply to the openings at the airport, click here. https://www.ksn.com/news/local/eisenhower-airport-holds-job-fair-to-get-aviation-jobs-filled/ Man Charged With Making Bomb Threats at Las Vegas Airport A man faces three felony charges of communicating a bomb threat after allegedly driving his truck into a secure area of the Las Vegas airport and producing a fake bomb last week. LAS VEGAS (AP) — A man faces three felony charges of communicating a bomb threat after allegedly driving his truck into a secure area of of the Las Vegas airport last week and producing a fake bomb. Sergio Magana, 36, also faces charges of possessing a hoax bomb and destroying property. Two similar misdemeanors were added on Monday, including the unlawful manufacture, purchase, possession, sale, advertisement or transportation of a hoax bomb and destroying property. A police report obtained by the Las Vegas Review-Journal said Magana drove nearly a mile on airport property and was arrested at the scene on Aug. 25. “The car stopped on (the officer’s) driver’s side, and the subject shouted, ’I’m trying to get your attention; I’ve been looking for you,” police said, the Review-Journal reported. “(The motorist) then states, ‘I got a bomb right here,’ as the subject held up an unknown aerosol can wrapped with duck tape.” The man allegedly told Las Vegas police that he drove into the secure area of the airport to tell police about “the cartel people,” who he said come into the convenience store where he works, the newspaper reported. Court records show Magana is represented by the Clark County public defender’s office. Officials there did not immediately respond to a call and email from The Associated Press on Tuesday. A police dog detected no explosives in the vehicle. The incident caused no flight cancelations or delays, said airport spokesman Joe Rajchel. https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/nevada/articles/2022-08-30/man-charged-with-making-bomb-threats-at-las-vegas-airport The Dominican Republic Authorizes 12 New Routes From 5 Airlines Condor, Neos, Swoop, Frontier, and Air Century received authorization to launch these new services. The Dominican Republic’s Civil Aviation Board has authorized the launch of 13 new routes from five airlines, which will begin between November 2022 and January 2023, as well as the availability of 61 new international routes, which, so far, don’t have an airline to operate them. New established routes With the objective of continuing to promote the air transportation of passengers, cargo, and mail, the Dominican Republic government has allowed the launch of new routes. The carriers Condor (Germany), Neos (Italy), Swoop (Canada), Frontier (United States), and Air Century (Dominican Republic) received authorization to launch 13 new international services. The German carrier Condor received permission to fly between Düsseldorf International Airport (DUS) and La Romana International Airport (LRM). Condor already flies from Frankfurt (FRA) to Puerto Plata (POP) and Punta Cana (PUJ), totaling seven flights per week per Cirium. Condor will operate these services between November 4, 2022, and April 7, 2023. Neos, the Italian company, will also be able to operate flights between Rome Fiumicino International Airport (FCO) and Verona International Airport (VRN) to La Romana. The Milan-based airline already flies from Milan Malpensa International Airport (MXP) to La Romana once a week. NEOS will operate 21 flights on the Rome/La Romana route and 14 on the Verona/La Romana/Montego Bay route for a total of 35 roundtrip flights from November 4, 2022, to March 25, 2023. Frontier, Condor, Neos, Swoop, and Air Century will launch 13 new international routes to the Dominican Republic. The Canadian low-cost carrier Swoop received authorization to operate between Hamilton International Airport (YHM) and Punta Cana. Swoop will start operations from January 11 to April 26, 2023, with a frequency of one flight per week, on Wednesdays. This airline already flies from Toronto to Punta Cana with two weekly services. Frontier, the United States ultra-low-cost carrier, has also requested the Dominican authorities to amend its Operating Permit. The airline is looking to fly the routes Tampa-Santo Domingo and Tampa-Punta Cana. The start of these routes from Tampa International Airport (TPA) is projected for November 5, 2022. The airline will employ its Airbus A320neo fleet, with a capacity for 186 passengers. Finally, the Dominican airline Air Century received authorization to launch seven new international routes. Six of these services will be operated from Santo Domingo International Airport (SDQ) and one from Punta Cana. The destinations of these new routes are Guatemala (GUA), Tampa (TPA), Costa Rica (the government did not specify if the route will fly to San José or Liberia, Costa Rica’s main destinations), Havana (HVA), Santiago de Cuba (SCU), and Miami (MIA). The Miami route will be operated from Santo Domingo and Punta Cana. These routes will be launched in November. Are more routes coming? Additional to these routes that will be launched this year (and January for Swoop), the Dominican Civil Aviation Board announced it has authorized 62 new international routes in the last two years. Not all of these services are active or have actual connectivity. You can see the approved routes in the image above. José Ernesto Marte Piantini, president of the Civil Aviation Board, said, “The formula is quite simple, the greater the air connectivity, the greater the number of international passengers, and the greater the commercial exchange between countries. The successful result of the Dominican Republic's air transport policy has allowed the improvement of the management and quality of services, achieving a 92% increase in charter flights.” https://simpleflying.com/dominican-republic-12-new-routes-5-airlines/ Pakistani experts to inform EASA of steps taken to lift PIA ban Team of aviation officials to travel to Brussels in September A team of Pakistani aviation officials would be sent to Brussels next month to inform the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) about the steps taken to restore Pakistan International Airlines’ (PIA) flight operations, officials said on Friday. The government has stepped up its efforts to restore the national carrier’s flights to European countries, the UK and US. During a briefing given to Aviation Minister Khawaja Saad Rafique, the officials said the team would discuss their air security, safety and operational issues with the agency. On the occasion, the minister directed the PIA to carry relief goods of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) free of charge for the victims of the recent floods. He added that all national institutions had to fulfill their duty together for the relief and rehabilitation of the flood victims. Last month, the Senate Standing Committee on Aviation was informed that the international aviation safety bodies had fixed the date for the audit of the national carrier. The director general of the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), told the meeting that after an online audit in October this year by the International Aviation Safety Assessment (IASA), a physical one would also take place by EASA. The PIA landed in hot water in the wake of its flight PK-8303 crashing in Karachi on May 22, 2020, and the subsequent announcement by then aviation minister Ghulam Sarwar Khan of the grounding of 262 airline pilots suspected of dodging their exams. In January this year, EASA had refused to lift the ban imposed on the PIA to travel to European countries and the UK on the basis of the audit conducted by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO). Following the findings of the audit, the PIA CEO had written a letter to EASA to lift the ban. In his two-page response sent on January 20, EASA Executive Director Patrick Ky had written that while the development was an important step towards potential lifting of suspension of the PIA’s authorisation, it was important to address the overall oversight capacity of the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (PCCA). “As indicated in our letter dated 31 March 2021, the emerging situation on the above-mentioned SSC indicated serious degradation of the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority certification and oversight capabilities. Such information shall be taken [into account] by EASA when lifting the suspension,” the letter had read. It had added EASA would conduct its own audit of PIA prior to lifting of the restrictions in accordance with Article 235(d) of the TCO Regulation (EU) No 452/2014. https://tribune.com.pk/story/2373395/pakistani-experts-to-inform-easa-of-steps-taken-to-lift-pia-ban Jet2 flight diverted as passenger became aggressive over lack of champagne A Jet2.com (LS/EXS) flight was reportedly diverted to Munich on Friday after a 70-year-old woman became aggressive and violent when she was informed that “free champagne” was not part of the service. Videos of the pensioner have been shared on social media platform TikTok of the event which happened on a flight from Manchester to Rhodes. According to reports, the woman started lashing out after cabin crew took away her Gin & Tonic following her aggressive behaviour and after hitting her own head on the overhead bins, hit a male crew member twice. The woman was arrested on arrival at Munich Airport and potentially faces charges of being drunk on an aircraft and assault after which the flight continued without her. A spokesperson for Jet2 confirmed the incident saying: “We can confirm that flight LS819 from Manchester to Rhodes was diverted to Munich Airport so that a disruptive passenger could be offloaded. We would like to apologise to customers for this unforeseen delay and any inconvenience caused. “The health and safety of our colleagues and customers remains our number one priority and, as a family friendly airline, we take a zero-tolerance approach to disruptive behaviour. We will not hesitate to vigorously pursue any costs incurred as a result of this diversion.” https://ukaviation.news/jet2-flight-diverted-as-passenger-became-aggressive-over-lack-of-champagne/ FAA Awards $231,000 in STEM-Outreach Grants The grants will help three universities with STEM outreach for underrepresented students in STEM and aviation. Continuing its efforts to reach the next generation, the Federal Aviation Administration awarded $231,000 in grants on Monday to support Science, Technology, Engineering and Math—or STEM—outreach to underrepresented students. The STEM outreach grants will be awarded as follows: $125,000 to North Carolina State University; $100,000 to Kansas State University; and $6,000 to Sinclair Community College in Ohio. These grants will help the universities engage in STEM outreach, particularly for students who are underrepresented in STEM and aviation. Furthermore, the schools will “design and conduct drone-centered immersion programs, summer camps, after-school programs and community outreach efforts” to reach elementary, middle and high school students, according to the FAA. “If kids can dream it, they can do it. It’s up to us to light the path for them,” FAA Deputy Administrator Bradley Mims said. The grants further the agency’s efforts to encourage students and “the next generation of aviators.” Other efforts include the FAA’s Adopt-A-School program and its Airport Design Challenge. In January, the FAA awarded $5 million in grants for aviation classes at higher-education institutes, high schools, state and local governments and flight schools. https://www.nextgov.com/technology-news/2022/08/faa-awards-231000-stem-outreach-grants/376503/ 66th Air Safety Forum – Join Us! PERSEVERANCE THROUGH STRENGTH AND UNITY September 12 – September 15, 2022 | Omni Shoreham Hotel | Washington, DC safetyforum.alpa.org CONFIRMED KEYNOTES INCLUDE • Capt. Joe DePete – President, Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l • The Honorable Jennifer Homendy – Chair, National Transportation Safety Board • The Honorable David Pekoske – Acting Administrator, Transportation Security Administration • Mr. Nick Robinson, Director General Civil Aviation, Transport Canada • Capt. “Sully” Sullenberger – Former U.S. Ambassador to ICAO • Mr. Dieudonne Kazzembe, Aero Club Foundation Scholarship Recipient Agenda and registration information can be found at safetyforum.alpa.org THANK YOU, SPONSORS & EXHIBITORS! Sponsorship and exhibitor opportunities are available. Email airsafetyforum@alpa.org for more information. Curt Lewis