Flight Safety Information - October 7, 2022 No.194 In This Issue : Incident: Transavia B738 near Frankfurt on Oct 3rd 2022, loss of cabin pressure : Incident: United B763 near Shannon on Oct 5th 2022, fuel leak : Incident: Easyjet A321N at Gran Canaria and Fuerteventura on Sep 26th 2022, landed below final fuel reserve : Incident: Hawaiian A332 at Los Angeles on Sep 22nd 2022, trim motor failure causes erratic movements of trim wheel : Air NZ flights cancelled after jet suffers birdstrike : Air France and Airbus on trial 13 years after Atlantic jet disaster : Mechanical issues force American Airlines Charlotte to London flight to land in NYC : NTSB opens investigation into plane veering off runway, hitting sign at Dayton International Airport : GAMA Head Decries 'Broken' FAA : EMBRAER SIGNS ROYAL JORDANIAN AIRLINES : Ethiopian Airlines to Take a Large Stake in Nigeria Air : Cathay Needs Another 1,000 Flight Attendants as It Seeks to Restock Ranks : Why Hong Kong Is Giving Away Half A Million Free Flight Tickets : Jamaica elected to governing council of International Civil Aviation Organization : SA pilots are flying off to America after local airlines went bust : WWII Glider Pilots celebrating 50th annual reunion in Lubbock : Jet Fuel Shortage Leads To Flight Cancellations For US Airlines Bound For Cape Town : GRADUATE RESEARCH SURVEY Incident: Transavia B738 near Frankfurt on Oct 3rd 2022, loss of cabin pressure A Transavia Boeing 737-800, registration PH-HXB performing flight HV-5801 from Amsterdam (Netherlands) to Tel Aviv (Israel), was enroute at FL350 about 40nm north of Frankfurt/Main (Germany) when the crew initiated an emergency descent due to the loss of cabin pressure. The aircraft diverted to Frankfurt for a safe landing on runway 25C about 30 minutes later. The airline reported a technical fault that is being investigated, a loss of cabin pressure can neither be ruled out nor confirmed. A replacement Boeing 737-800 registration PH-HXK positioned to Frankfurt, resumed the flight and reached Tel Aviv with a delay of 9 hours. https://www.avherald.com/h?article=4ff500a3&opt=0 Incident: United B763 near Shannon on Oct 5th 2022, fuel leak A United Boeing 767-300, registration N666UA performing flight UA-928 from London Heathrow,EN (UK) to Chicago O'Hare,IL (USA) with 157 passengers and 10 crew, was enroute at FL350 about 580nm northwest of Shannon (Ireland) when the crew decided to turn around and divert to Shannon due to a fuel leak on the upper side of the left hand wing. The aircraft landed safely on Shannon's runway 24 about 80 minutes after the decision to turn around. A runway inspection found no contamination. A replacement Boeing 767-300 registration N665UA positioned from Newark,NJ (USA) to Shannon, resumed the flight as UA-3039 and is estimated to reach Chicago with a delay of about 24 hours. The occurrence aircraft is still on the ground in Shannon about 24 hours later. https://www.avherald.com/h?article=4ff4fba8&opt=0 Incident: Easyjet A321N at Gran Canaria and Fuerteventura on Sep 26th 2022, landed below final fuel reserve An Easyjet Airbus A321-200N, registration G-UZMF performing flight U2-6195 from Bristol,EN (UK) to Gran Canaria,CI (Spain) with 190 passengers and 7 crew, was on final approach to Gran Canaria's runway 03R when the crew needed to go around due to deteriorating weather conditions resulting in insufficient visibility The aircraft climbed to FL100 and diverted to Fuerteventura, CI (Spain) declaring a fuel emergency where the aircraft landed about 25 minutes later. Spain's CIAIAC reported the aircraft landed with 900kg of fuel remaining, about 100kg below the final reserve minimum and opened an investigation. https://www.avherald.com/h?article=4ff4f813&opt=0 Incident: Hawaiian A332 at Los Angeles on Sep 22nd 2022, trim motor failure causes erratic movements of trim wheel A Hawaiian Airlines Airbus A330-200, registration N393HA performing flight HA-3 from Los Angeles,CA to Honolulu,HI (USA), was climbing out of Los Angeles' runway 24L when the trim wheel started to move erratically. The crew disengaged the autopilot, worked the related checklists and decided to return to Los Angeles for a safe landing on runway 24L about 90 minutes after departure. The NTSB reported the primary trim motor failed causing the erratic movements of the trim wheel. No notification of any faults were displayed on the ECAM. The crew returned to Los Angeles. The aircraft returned to service after about 2 days on the ground. https://www.avherald.com/h?article=4ff51efc&opt=0 Air NZ flights cancelled after jet suffers birdstrike Hundreds of passengers had their travel plans disrupted after an Air New Zealand jet suffered bird strike as it departed Wellington. Air New Zealand flight NZ 402 was departing Wellington about 6am today, but was forced to land back in the capital. Air New Zealand Chief Operational Integrity and Safety Officer David Morgan said the plane required engineering maintenance. This meant that NZ402, along with two flights between Auckland and Wellington and two more between Auckland and Christchurch, had to be cancelled. "Due to school holidays, Air New Zealand has limited availability to re-accommodate customers today, however our teams have been communicating with affected customers to rebook them on the next available service." Herald columnist and women's rugby advocate Alice Soper was among those on a cancelled flight, with her plans to travel to Auckland to MC an event thrown into disarray. On Twitter, she said spent two hours on the phone with Air New Zealand and they offered a flight at 8pm - five hours after her event was due to start. She eventually spoke to Jetstar and booked a seat on an early afternoon flight. "Jetstar just saved the day and I am crying at their counter," she said. Another Twitter user, Newsroom co-editor Tim Murphy, said the PA system at Auckland Airport told passengers on cancelled flights there were no seats on other flight and they could rebook for Saturday. Morgan said the safety of customers and crew was Air New Zealand's top priority. "We apologise for any disruption this may have caused and thank our customers for their patience and understanding." https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/air-nz-flights-cancelled-after-jet-suffers-birdstrike/54VGBYJGCM4BDTFHN3S6R2IOWY/ Air France and Airbus on trial 13 years after Atlantic jet disaster • Air France 447 crashed en route from Rio to Paris in 2009 • Black boxes retrieved after two-year search of Atlantic floor • Air France and Airbus face "involuntary manslaughter" trial PARIS, Oct 7 (Reuters) - More than 13 years after an Air France jet plunged into the Atlantic, killing all 228 people on board, the French carrier and planemaker Airbus go on trial in a Paris court next week with relatives seeking "light at the end of a long tunnel". Flight 447 vanished in pitch darkness during an equatorial storm en route from Rio de Janeiro to Paris on June 1, 2009. After a two-year search for the A330's black boxes, French investigators found pilots had mishandled the temporary loss of data from iced-up sensors and pushed the 205-tonne jet into an aerodynamic stall or freefall, without responding to alerts. But the BEA accident agency also disclosed that Air France had expressed concerns about increased icing incidents before the crash and had started receiving improved speed probes. Experts say the relative roles of pilot or sensor error, as well as erratic displays or fatigue, will be key to the historic trial. Monday's opening hearing will mark the first time French companies have been directly placed on trial for "involuntary manslaughter" following an air crash, rather than individuals. While corporate reputations and a long-awaited catharsis for families are at stake, the nine-week trial is not expected to lead to significant financial penalties. However, experts say larger sums have been paid in compensation or civil settlements. The maximum fine for either company, if convicted of involuntary manslaughter, is just 225,000 euros ($220,612) or five times the maximum monetary penalty for an individual, who unlike a company can also face jail, according to French legal experts. That represents a little over two minutes of pre-COVID planemaking revenues for Airbus or five minutes of passenger revenues for airline parent Air France-KLM (AIRF.PA), according to 2019 data. There are also significant legal costs. TRAINING CHANGES Even so, AF447 sparked a broad rethink about training and technology and is seen as one of a handful of accidents that changed aviation. But reforms have followed the methodical pace of global regulation or become mired in industry disagreements. Among dozens of safety recommendations, experts say the investigation led to critical changes in the way pilots are trained to cope with mid-air upsets, or loss of control. But a call from the BEA for studies into better tracking in radar dead-zones met little response until the disappearance of a second jet, Malaysia Airlines MH370, five years later. Over a decade after the BEA's initial findings, there are no signs of another of its longstanding concerns being addressed. Although black boxes provide important clues, the trial could rekindle a long-running privacy row over whether cockpits should also be monitored visually to decipher future accidents, especially now that security cameras are part of everyday life. In 2011, the BEA recommended the addition of cockpit video recordings to be consulted only in case of an accident, supplementing existing voice and data information. It has been pushing for their introduction since an earlier Airbus crash 30 years ago, and the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board last year put the same idea on its list of "Most Wanted" safety improvements - saying it would have been "extremely helpful" in investigating Boeing 737 MAX crashes. Pilot unions oppose cameras as an invasion of privacy, while some airline industry groups have questioned the cost. The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration said it encourages cameras on a voluntary basis while studying screen-capture technology. The trial at Paris Criminal Court runs until Dec 8. Yemenia was fined the maximum 225,000 euros over a separate 2009 crash by a French court last month and says it will appeal. ($1 = 1.0199 euros) https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/air-france-airbus-trial-13-years-after-atlantic-jet-disaster-2022-10-07/ Mechanical issues force American Airlines Charlotte to London flight to land in NYC Mechanical issues forced an American Airlines flight from Charlotte to London to land at JFK Airport Thursday morning in Queens, N.Y. ROSS D. FRANKLIN AP An American Airlines flight from Charlotte to London made an unplanned landing in New York City early Thursday, the airline told The Charlotte Observer. The Boeing 777-200 aircraft was headed for Heathrow Airport and carrying 264 passengers and 12 crew members. It diverted from its route due to a “possible mechanical issue,” airline spokeswoman Amy Lawrence said. According to flight tracking site FlightAware, the plane departed Charlotte Douglas International Airport at 11:03 p.m. Wednesday, a little less than an hour behind schedule. The American Airlines Flight No. 732 circled near Long Island, New York, before landing at John F. Kennedy International Airport at 2:38 a.m. Total travel time was three hours and 37 minutes. The plane landed safely and without incident, the airline said. Passengers deplaned normally, and Lawrence said the airline apologized for the inconvenience caused. Passengers are scheduled to depart from JFK airport at 9:40 p.m. Thursday. The airline told the Observer that travelers were offered accommodation on other flights based on availability. Afternoon Observer Everything you need to know about the day's news in Charlotte, direct to your inbox Monday-Friday. American Airlines did not share additional details on the nature of the possible mechanical issue or when exactly the plane diverted its route. The American Airlines flight that was headed for Heathrow Airport had 264 passengers and 12 crew members on it. American Airlines is the dominant carrier at Charlotte Douglas, which ranks as the fifth busiest airport in the world. https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/business/article266919546.html#storylink=cpy NTSB opens investigation into plane veering off runway, hitting sign at Dayton International Airport Plane slid off runway, hit sign at Dayton International Airport VANDALIA — “Over in a matter of seconds;” that’s how one passenger on United Flight 3818 described an incident at Dayton International Airport when the plane veered off the runway Wednesday night. Crews were called out to the airport just after 7 p.m. Wednesday on reports of a airplane crash. A statement from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said the the United flight, operated by Air Wisconsin, “slid off the runway after landing at Dayton International Airport around 7:10 p.m.” According to FlightAware, United Flight 3818 took off from Washington Dulles International Airport at 5:41 p.m. and landed at Dayton International at 7:10 p.m. United flight veers off runway at Dayton International Airport; No injuries reported Gil Turner, City of Dayton Aviation Director, provided more details into the incident Thursday. He said when the plane went off the runway, it hit one of the taxiway signs and lighting signs. “The left wing tip actually hit one of the signs and caused minor damage to the left wing of the aircraft,” Turner said. Turner also said the plane had not slowed down the taxiing speed when it went off the runway. He stated the plane was still at landing speed. Mike Grace, a retired commercial pilot, told News Center 7 that in situations like this, “you have to be at an appropriate speed for the weight of the aircraft.” He said the landing conditions on the runway are given to help give pilots the right speed to land at. News Center 7 spoke with a passenger of Flight 3818 and he described the landing as “smooth.” “It was a pretty smooth landing, but the brakes really grabbed,” the passenger, who only went by John, said. John said as soon as the plane touched down, it “skidded sideways.” “Yeah, you don’t see the grass generally from the windows,” John said. “But yeah, we were fine. It was over before anybody said anything.” Right after the incident, Turner said Air Traffic Control sent the crash and rescue team from the airport’s fire department to the jet. He said the team is required by the FAA to respond in within three minutes and they met that requirement Wednesday night. >> ‘Lost a great leader;’ Air Force colonel who died in suspected drowning in West Virginia identified All passengers were bused from the plane to the terminal and no injuries were reported. News Center 7 reached out to both United Airlines and Air Wisconsin Thursday morning about the incident. A spokesperson for United Airlines referred us to Air Wisconsin, who’s response we’re still waiting on. In a statement to News Center 7, a spokesperson for the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) said the agency opened an investigation into the incident. “The excursion did not result in serious injuries or substantial damage to the airplane, so it didn’t meet the NTSB’s definition of an aircraft accident. The NTSB does occasionally investigate aviation incidents to determine if there are any safety issues that need to be addressed,” the spokesperson said. The NTSB will lead the investigation, with the assistance of the FAA. https://www.whio.com/news/local/plane-slid-off-runway-hit-sign-dayton-international-airport/EUZINOBPTREQXCRPEZHBQB4OAY/ GAMA Head Decries 'Broken' FAA General Aviation Manufacturers Association president and CEO Pete Bunce expressed skepticism that a “broken” FAA could adequately manage an increasing workload imposed by advanced air mobility. Speaking at the Vertical Aviation Safety Team Conference on Thursday, he noted that 40 percent of FAA regulators have less than three years’ job experience and many are still working from home due to the overhang from Covid restrictions. “If they can't work together and learn from each other by being in the same offices together, how are they ever going to regulate our industry properly?” Bunce asked. “Those of you that have tried to register aircraft out there, the registry is broken. It's taking nine months to a year to register an aircraft. That should be a push of a button, and there's no excuse for that. And it's because they're working from home and there's no accountability out there for the workforce.” Bunce called for the implementation of workplace, personnel, and procurement reforms at the agency that were passed in the 1990s but never implemented. “So we are going to really try to emphasize how broken things are and it's not because the FAA has poor leadership. I think we've got very good leadership in the FAA, but we have not given tools to the FAA leadership to be able to properly lead and manage the organization.” By way of example, Bunce said, “Recently I found out that they [the FAA] are having a hard time getting good people to take managerial positions because if they go and become managers, they will make less [money] than the people that they will manage because they're up against bonus and salary caps right now. That's a broken system when you can't get good people to lead. We've got to fix this as a country or aerospace is going to start falling behind. And make no doubt about it, there is a competition between Europe and the U.S. right now, especially in this area of advanced air mobility.” https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/business-aviation/2022-10-06/gama-head-decries-broken-faa EMBRAER SIGNS ROYAL JORDANIAN AIRLINES The Istanbul show is turning out to be newsy for Embraer. Following the Salam Air order, we now have this news. Royal Jordanian Airlines and Embraer have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to introduce two variants of Embraer’s advanced E2 jets to its fleet: the E190-E2 and E195-E2. In total, the airline intends to operate ten new Embraer jets to optimally serve short-haul routes within the region. Embraer’s next E2 win today is Royal Jordanian. Royal Jordanian has been operating Embraers E175s and E190s for the past fifteen years. Choosing the newest version of the same type of aircraft helps reduce the investment cost of pilot training and spare parts provisioning while also lowering crew scheduling and maintenance costs, the airline’s CEO Majali said. It is interesting that the airline is upsizing its E175s to E190-E2s. The E175-E2 was not ordered and isn’t available for now, as Embraer decided earlier to delay the certification until 2027. https://www.airlineratings.com/news/industry-news/embraer-deal-with-jordanian-airlines-two-embraer-jets/ Ethiopian Airlines to Take a Large Stake in Nigeria Air Nigeria Air is a new national airlines company. Ethiopian Airlines will own 49% of the equity in Nigeria Air, Nigeria’s federal government will control 5% equity, while a consortium of Nigerian investors (MRS Oil Nigeria Plc, Skyway Aviation Handling Company Plc, and other investors) will have 46%. Nigeria Air is the nation’s proposed national carrier which was unveiled at the Farnborough Air Show in England on July 18, 2018. Nigeria’s defunct carrier, Nigeria Airways, collapsed due to corruption and poor management. Ethiopian Airlines, formerly Ethiopian Air Lines, is the flag carrier of Ethiopia, and is wholly owned by the country’s government. https://www.swfinstitute.org/news/94354/ethiopian-airlines-to-take-a-large-stake-in-nigeria-air Cathay Needs Another 1,000 Flight Attendants as It Seeks to Restock Ranks Just over 1,000 people have signed up for Cathay Pacific Airways Ltd.’s flight attendant recruiting drive, around half of the 2,000 targeted by the end of 2023, underscoring the labor challenges the airline faces as it seeks to to fully restore flights in and out of the Asian financial hub. Cathay said it was satisfied with the expressions of interest so far, which started last month and continued on Friday at a hotel in Kowloon. “Given the whole industry has been in lockdown mode for the last two-and-a-half years, receiving over 1,000 applications I think is actually very good,” Cathay spokesman Andy Wong said. “As industry sentiments change and travel sentiment changes, we’ll be able to attract more people.” Replenishing the airline’s ranks of flight attendants and pilots is a delicate matter for Cathay, an airline which, with no domestic market to rely upon, suffered tremendously during Covid. Employee numbers plunged about 40% to 16,200 as of June from the end of 2019 due to Covid-related redundancies, retirements and resignations, many of which were spurred by the city’s harsh approach to handling the pandemic. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-10-07/cathay-needs-another-1-000-flight-attendants-as-it-seeks-to-restock-ranks Why Hong Kong Is Giving Away Half A Million Free Flight Tickets The airline tickets have a combined value of HK$2 billion ($255 million). Before the pandemic hit, approximately 56 million tourists per annum visited Hong Kong. Hong Kong International Airport was also one of the world's busiest airports, handling more than 71 million passengers across 420,000 air traffic movements annually. Now that the country is gradually reopening, the government is taking significant steps to win back tourists, including giving away 500,000 airline tickets. Two years in the making Though it seems a relatively shocking initiative by the Airport Authority Hong Kong, these tickets had already been bought from the airlines two years ago when the pandemic initially hit Hong Kong. The airport authority previously planned for the airline tickets to be one effective measure aimed at boosting back tourism but never got to set the plan in motion due to the severity of the pandemic and border closures worldwide. A spokesperson for the Airport Authority Hong Kong said: "Back in 2020, Airport Authority Hong Kong purchased around 500,000 air tickets in advance from the territory's home-based airlines as part of a relief package to support the aviation industry. The purpose was to inject liquidity into the airlines up front, while the tickets will be given away to global visitors and Hong Kong residents in the market recovery campaign." With a combined value of approximately HK$2 billion ($255 million), the airline tickets came from several local carriers such as Cathay Pacific, Hong Kong Airlines, and HK Express. But even with the tickets within its possession now and with the majority of Hong Kong's strict regulations relaxed, the airport authority cannot roll out the giveaway and distribute the tickets for several reasons. Hong Kong only received less than 190,000 inbound passengers this year.! Roadblocks in the way Firstly, one notable carrier from where the tickets were bought includes the now-defunct Cathay Dragon. Arguably, the airport authority could swap the unusable tickets for more Cathay Pacific tickets, albeit it might seem unfair to the other carriers. And since the pandemic, new airlines, such as low-cost carrier Greater Bay Airlines, have established their presence, so the airport authority might have to reshuffle the 500,000 airline tickets. Then comes the second issue of how Hong Kong must fully lift all restrictions on inbound passengers. Even then, the authority predicts that it would still take at least two to three quarters before tourists even anticipate visiting Hong Kong, given how the Asian city had been so closed off from the world. Perhaps even giving away half a million airline tickets won't be enough, and it would have to be paired with additional advertising and promotions, all of which add more costs. The Hong Kong Tourism Board estimates that more than HK$100 million ($12.74 million) will be needed for separate efforts to attract worldwide visitors to Hong Kong. Possible problems in the market Hong Kong's Tourism Board would handle the advertising campaigns, which stated that the first phase of the global advertising campaign would focus on Asia and other short-haul markets. The prospects of this phase are relatively bright, except that China is one of Hong Kong's most critical short-haul markets, meaning the number of inbound visitors will still be significantly impacted. And until the mainland reopens, the tourism board will postpone large-scale promotions directed at China. Since the short-haul markets are impacted due to China, it seems more plausible that Hong Kong could rely on international markets. Unfortunately, even the global market might prove challenging for the Asian city, as even though some foreign airlines have shown interest and resumed flight services, most have not. Although the main problem is because of the country's regulations, other reasons, such as the closure of Russian airspace and unprofitability, exist for airlines such as Virgin Atlantic, which has entirely ceased all flights to Hong Kong. The question then remains whether other airlines might follow suit with the British carrier. If not, what would the demand for Hong Kong be like even if all restrictions are lifted and more international carriers resume flights? The tourism board also understands that the global market will depend on whether foreign airlines wish to resume and further want or have the justifiable means to increase flights to Hong Kong. The tourism board further acknowledges that other countries, which have reopened much earlier, would have been busy boosting their tourism numbers, meaning that Hong Kong would face even more demanding challenges in attracting global visitors. Bottom line According to the airport authority, not all the free airline tickets will be for inbound tourists, as some will be given to outbound passengers, while others will be distributed via third-party travel agents. Considering how Hong Kong is close to removing all pandemic-related restrictions, the tourism board expects to launch the advertising campaigns for the initiative in early 2023. Even with the foreseen turbulence of attracting visitors back to the city, it's pretty hard for anyone to resist a free airline ticket, so perhaps the odds might be in Hong Kong's favor. And while it might not get the city's tourism numbers anywhere close to pre-pandemic levels, it is still quite a jumpstart for its recovery. https://simpleflying.com/hong-kong-free-flight-ticket-giveaway/ Jamaica elected to governing council of International Civil Aviation Organization Jamaica has secured a seat on the governing council of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), following elections at the 41st assembly in Montreal, Canada. The country will serve a three-year term. Jamaica has been a member state since 1963, and last served on the council over the period 1977 to 1986. Jamaica's election to Part III of the council is strategically important for the country, the region, other Small Island Developing States, as well as Least Developed States, across the globe, according to a statement from the Transport and Mining Ministry on the elections that took place on Tuesday. Part III ensures the geographic representation of member states. "The election is important, given the council's preeminent role in providing direction to the work of ICAO, as the international aviation oversight body, while assuming responsibility for standards adoption and other ICAO governance responsibilities," it added. Portfolio Minister Audley Shaw, who led the Jamaica's delegation for the first time, expressed high praises to the team in Canada, the Jamaica Civil Aviation Authority (JCAA), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Transport and Mining for this milestone achievement. Referring to it as “a pivotal one for the nation and region”, the Shaw indicated that “Jamaica's election to the council will ensure a platform for more uniform and inclusive participation in aviation deliberations and development, across all regions. "This will be achieved through greater and more strategic representation of our special needs and circumstances, as well as the infusion of unique, dynamic, and novel perspectives that can regenerate, further stabilize, and assist the growth of the aviation sector," the minister said. "Jamaica's representation will seek to ensure better data-sharing, enhanced and more collaborative approaches to aviation safety, more technical resource sharing, greater collaboration for air navigation efficiency and growth, while simultaneously and systematically deploying and entrenching climate change initiatives”, said Minister Shaw. Jamaica's delegation to the 41st Assembly also included Dr Janine Dawkins, chief technical director at the Ministry of Transport & Mining, and other personnel from the ministry and the JCAA. The country's participation in the 41st ICAO Assembly is also presenting opportunities for Jamaica to host and engage in high-level meetings that have included the ICAO Secretary General and counterpart aviation delegations. On Tuesday, Jamaica signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Chile, as the country continues to establish bi- and multilateral agreements and environments that increase connectivity and investment for our region and world. https://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/news/20221005/jamaica-elected-governing-council-international-civil-aviation-organization SA pilots are flying off to America after local airlines went bust • Airlines in the United States don't have enough pilots to handle the post-pandemic travel rebound. • South Africa's in a different position, with the recent closure of some domestic airlines putting pilots out of work. • This combination has put more South African pilots in America's skies, in a trend that doesn't seem to be slowing down. South African pilots are finding new opportunities in the United States, where a severe shortage has airlines canvassing for imported talent. The global aviation industry is still reeling from the Covid-19 pandemic, which halted international, grounded entire fleets, and led airlines to downsize their staffing requirements. Around 400,000 airline workers had been fired, furloughed, or told their jobs were in jeopardy within the first year of the pandemic, according to Bloomberg. By the end of 2021, passenger airlines in the US had shed another 10,000 employees. Since most travel restrictions were lifted earlier this year, flights are filling up again, at a rapid rate which has caught many airlines off-guard. Airlines, especially in the US, have struggled to fill the gap left by mass retrenchments made during the height of the pandemic. Major US airlines have cancelled thousands of flights this year because of staff shortages. These shortages were looming even before the pandemic, with an ageing workforce facing mandatory retirement and fewer pilots passing through the military. Covid-19 just exacerbated the crisis, with airlines, desperate to cut overheads, offering attractive early retirement and buyout packages. South Africa's aviation sector has also been pummelled by the pandemic. The country's flag carrier, South African Airways (SAA), re-emerged from its business rescue process and the worst of the pandemic as a much leaner carrier. The number of pilots at SAA was cut by more than 80% by the time it resurfaced, and the carrier's future remains uncertain. Other local carriers couldn't survive the pandemic. Low-cost airline Mango hasn't flown in more than a year, with serious questions around whether it will ever return to the sky. SA Express, which has been grounded since the onset of the pandemic, was placed in final liquidation in September. The biggest blow to the industry came with Comair's collapse. The operator of Kulula.com and local British Airways flights, already facing financial difficulty prior to the pandemic, was placed in provisional liquidation in June, cutting 40% of South Africa's domestic seat capacity. The closure of South Africa's domestic carriers has led to out-of-work pilots, who are looking to re-enter the industry, but with remaining carriers, although steadily increasing capacity, unable to absorb all the unemployed. That's caused many to look overseas, particularly to the US, where pilots are in high demand. "There are many exceptional pilots in South Africa right now who are looking beyond our borders to find employment," said Stefano Migliore, managing partner of the South African office of multinational law firm Harvey Law Group (HLG), which is actively assisting pilots in getting jobs abroad through the US National Interest Waiver (NIW) programme. The NIW visa, based on merit and designed to find pilots who meet exceptional ability criteria, grants access to an unconditional green card with permanent residency status for 10 years, which includes dependents. It also has flexible education requirements, so pilots who don't have degrees or diplomas can still be eligible. In the past 12 months alone, HLG has signed 33 South African pilots under processing for work in the US. Obtaining an NIW visa is a 12 to 18 months process that requires careful application, noted HLG. "Pilots often don't recognise the aspects of their professional history and training that would be considered above average by the US Citizenship and Immigration Services. We do," said Migliore, adding that HLG-led applications have much shorter approval times, between four to five months. "We know the process very well and how to interpret the US requirements to create a winning application." This exodus of South African pilots was highlighted by transport minister Fikile Mbalula in 2021, before the collapse of Comair left many more unemployed and looking for work. "In our case, we have seen many of our well-trained and experienced aviators being lured away from South Africa to jobs and opportunities in countries that are offering much better remuneration," said Mbalula. "The aftermath of the Covid-19 outbreak will only serve to intensify the competition for limited scarce and critical skills. It is critical, therefore, to plan ahead for such a reality, as this may compromise our country's sterling record in relation to upholding civil aviation safety and security." https://www.businessinsider.co.za/south-african-pilots-find-work-in-the-united-states-2022-10 WWII Glider Pilots celebrating 50th annual reunion in Lubbock LUBBOCK, Texas – The National WWII Glider Pilots Committee kicked off their 50th annual reunion to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Silent Wings Museum. From Thursday through Saturday night, those registered and in attendance will be seeing presentations, having dinner, going on tours, and just enjoying each other’s company. “The reason we’re here is to honor the past glider pilots that never made it back or have passed on since then. And there’s very few left,” Gary Stripling said. Stripling is the chair of the organization, and at the end of this year’s reunion, two very special honors will be given. 1st Lieutenant Fred Lunde, who is 100, and Major Frank T. Brandon who is 102, will both receive the Order Of William Orange Lanyard. They’ll receive that award Saturday evening at the museum. Lunde explained, “The glider pilots were not recognized at the start. And today, they are. And I think it’s a great honor to receive this award.” He said the honor is given to all glider pilots that participated in the liberation of Holland. After high school, Lt. Lunde spent then years of war in combat. He served in World War II and the Korean War. He finished serving, and a several career changes late, he ended up working as a chief accountant in Livonia, Michigan. He has called it home ever since, but he traveled to West Texas this week to take part in the celebration and receive his honor. Mary Roemer, the chair of the reunion, said “We plan on having it every year going forward. The 51st, 52nd, God willing, even more. So that’s why we’re here because Lubbock also was a location where 6,000 glider pilots trained.” Multiple cadets who are also instructor pilots from the 94th training squadron are in attendance this year, and they continue to show that the future is bright for these glider pilots. Stripling added, “these are powerful, powerful, compelling stories. And each one that’s presented this weekend by mostly children or grandchildren of a glider pilot; they’re tear jerkers I mean, they’re really powerful.” https://www.everythinglubbock.com/news/local-news/wwii-glider-pilots-celebrating-50th-annual-reunion-in-lubbock/ Jet Fuel Shortage Leads To Flight Cancellations For US Airlines Bound For Cape Town The delayed arrival of jet fuel to Cape Town International Airport is causing disruption for some US Airlines. Earlier this month, United Airlines canceled an outbound and return flight to and from the South African hub. Days before departure, passengers booked on the affected flights received the following message: “Your flight was canceled because we were unable to fuel your plane,” the airline said. United added the flight’s status may change and said it was working to re-accommodate its customers. What’s causing the jet fuel crisis? Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) announced in a statement that Cape Town International Airport is experiencing delays due to slowed delivery times of jet fuel from its supplier. As a result, the airport is having to ration fuel supply to airlines; some domestic airlines were rationed 50% of the fuel they normally fill up in Cape Town. ACSA also requested that airlines refuel at other airports. “Cape Town International continues to engage airlines and fuel suppliers to ensure a reduction in the uplift of fuel while maintaining operational continuity. This has ensured that flight disruptions are minimized, and to date, [only] one airline has had to cancel their international flight,” says ACSA spokesperson Gopolang Peme. “We would like to urge international travelers to arrive at least four hours prior to departure as this will assist in their facilitation.” Rough seas are the cause of the fuel shortage. Thus, Mother Nature is to blame for the significant delays in the delivery of oil to Cape Town’s port. Rajesh Dana, port manager of the Cape Town Port told News 24 Business, “As the port, we are on high alert and tracking the vessel to ensure all resources are ready to receive it when it arrives. The vessel will be receiving berthing priority and we do not foresee any challenges servicing the vessel when it arrives.” What happens next? The tanker in question eventually made its way to Cape Town’s port. However, whether future flights will be impacted has yet to be confirmed. As it stands, the airport confirmed fuel reserves for up to four days. ACSA says it will continue to work with airlines to limit the impact on flight operations. This includes reducing passenger loads. ACSA is also encouraging passengers bound for Cape Town to monitor updates around the issue. https://travelnoire.com/jet-fuel-shortage-leads-to-flight-cancellations-for-us-airlines-bound-for-cape-town GRADUATE RESEARCH SURVEY Dear Pilots and Flight Attendants, Did you know that the difference between a 14-hour flight time and an 18-hour flight time is 28%, which means 28% more exposure by occupants to the cabin environment and other aircraft influences. Keeping this in mind, I am working on a new research study that aims to review current Health & Safety International and National Regulations and best practices for operating Ultra-Long-Range Routes (ULR). ULR operations refer to "An operation involving any sector between a specific city pair (A-B-A) in which the planned flight time exceeds 16 hours, taking into account mean wind conditions and seasonal changes. The scope of this study is to identify different health-related factors affecting Aircrew (Pilots & Flight Attendants) who operate these routes. Based on this review, a gap analysis will be conducted, and recommendations will be presented to mitigate health and safety-related impact factors on Aircrew. As a part of this study, a survey is designed for Aircrew (Pilots and Flight Attendants) who operate on ULR flights. This survey aims to learn about their experience and the different health and safety impact factors that Aircrew experience while operating these routes. Aircrew sought to participate in this study needs to meet the following criteria: - Employed (in the last 24 months) by an air carrier operating scheduled ULR flights (>16hrs); - Qualified as an aircrew member to operate ULR flights. During this study, you will be asked to complete a brief online survey about your opinions concerning health-related issues while operating ULR routes. You will answer several questions about different health-related factors and how it affects your lifestyle, including any prominent experiences you have encountered. The completion of the survey will take approximately 15-20 minutes. If you meet the criteria and are interested in helping, sign up for the study by clicking the link - https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/SV2D9KT You can also sign up by scanning the QR code below. Please let me know if you have any questions I can answer. Thank you for your participation Kind Regards, Aditya Rathi ISASI Robertson Fellow M.S. Safety Science '22 (Aviation Safety) Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, Prescott rathia@my.erau.edu | (928)-632-2707 Curt Lewis