Flight Safety Information - October 27, 2022 No.208 In This Issue : Accident: Iberia A20N at Dusseldorf on Oct 24th 2022, tail strike : Incident: Link SF34 at Sydney on Oct 24th 2022, too low of final ILS approach : Incident: Canada B738 at Montreal on Oct 4th 2022, rejected takeoff due to open door indication : Boeing 737-8GP (WL) - Engine Shutdown (Indonesia) : Southwest Airlines Is Considering Hiring Foreign Pilots : Aviation safety investigators call on operators to inspect popular Alaska bush plane after crash in Washington : IATA Safety Conference -- Keynote Address : Volaris expects Mexico will regain its Category 1 aviation safety rating by the second half of 2023 : Saudia Agrees To Buy 100 Lilium Jets for Proposed eVTOL Network : Boeing CEO 'confident' 737 MAX 7, 10 will get certified -CNBC interview : Air Canada orders 15 more A220s for a total of 60 aircraft : Alaska Airlines make biggest Boeing aircraft purchase in its history : Another Problematic Launch Expected as China Seeks to Complete Its Space Station : Position Available: Manager, Voluntary Safety Reporting Program (NJUS) : Position Available: FOQA Specialist (NJUS) : Research Study: Professional Pilot Occupational Risk(s) Survey : GRADUATE RESEARCH SURVEY Accident: Iberia A20N at Dusseldorf on Oct 24th 2022, tail strike An Iberia Airbus A320-200N, registration EC-NDN performing flight IB-3140 from Madrid,SP (Spain) to Dusseldorf (Germany), was on final approach to Dusseldorf's runway 23R when the crew rejected landing and performed the missed approach procedure at 11:13L (09:13Z). The aircraft climbed to 4000 feet, positioned for another approach to runway 23R and landed at 11:27L (09:27Z). A post flight inspection revealed the aircraft had suffered a tail strike and received substantial damage. The aircraft is still on the ground in Dusseldorf about 54 hours after landing. The return flight IB-3141 was cancelled. The passengers for the return flight were rebooked onto flight IB-3133 and reached Madrid with a delay of about 9.5 hours. https://avherald.com/h?article=50023695&opt=0 Incident: Link SF34 at Sydney on Oct 24th 2022, too low of final ILS approach A Link Airways Saab 340B on behalf of Virgin Australia, registration VH-VEQ performing flight VA-669 from Canberra,AC to Sydney,NS (Australia), was on final ILS approach to Sydney's runway 34L about 2.5nm before touchdown at 19:50L (08:50Z) when air traffic control issued a low glideslope warning to the crew. The crew reported they were indicating on glideslope but initiated a go around and positioned for another approach to runway 34L. The aircraft continued for a safe landing on runway 34L at 20:18L (09:18Z). Australia's TSB rated the occurrence a serious incident regarding avionics/flight instruments and opened an investigation. https://avherald.com/h?article=5002257b&opt=0 Incident: Canada B738 at Montreal on Oct 4th 2022, rejected takeoff due to open door indication An Air Canada Boeing 737-800, registration C-GEPG performing flight AC-775 from Montreal,QC (Canada) to Los Angeles,CA (USA) with 131 passengers and 6 crew, was accelerating for takeoff from Montreal's runway 06L when the crew rejected takeoff at high speed (about 112 knots over ground) due to an open door indication. The aircraft slowed safely. The Canadian TSB reported, while the aircraft taxied off the runway, the open door indication extinguished. The aircraft remained on the ground for about 2 hours, then departed and reached Los Angeles with a delay of about 2 hours. https://avherald.com/h?article=500280ea&opt=0 Boeing 737-8GP (WL) - Engine Shutdown (Indonesia) Date: 26-OCT-2022 Time: 17:17 LT Type: Boeing 737-8GP (WL) Owner/operator: Lion Air Registration: PK-LKK MSN: 38725/4238 Fatalities: Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 175 Other fatalities: 0 Aircraft damage: Unknown Location: W of Jakarta-Soekarno-Hatta International Airport (CGK/WIII) - Indonesia Phase: Initial climb Nature: Passenger - Scheduled Departure airport: Jakarta-Soekarno-Hatta International Airport (CGK/WIII) Destination airport: Palembang-Mahmud Badaruddin II Airport (PLM/WIPP) Confidence Rating: Information is only available from news, social media or unofficial sources Narrative: Lion Air flight JT330, a Boeing 737-800, suffered engine problems after takeoff from Jakarta-Soekarno-Hatta International Airport (CGK). Lion Air stated that the flight crew reported a loss of engine performance at 3000 feet after takeoff. The flight stopped the climb and returned to CGK, where it landed safely 30 minutes after departure. Unconfirmed reports suggest flames were visible from the no.1 engine exhaust. https://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/300213 Southwest Airlines Is Considering Hiring Foreign Pilots US airline Southwest Airlines is considering hiring foreign pilots, causing a strong union response. Southwest Airlines could seek US federal government clearance to hire foreign nationals to fly its aircraft. The clearance would give an H-1B visa holder the ability to be a pilot at Southwest Airlines. What Southwest Airlines intends At this point in time it seems as though Southwest Airlines is simply assessing its option. The airline told Simple Flying that it is not planning a large campaign to employ foreign employees. Instead, it appears that the airline is looking to hire a single pilot already working for another airline within the United States in a one-off circumstance. When Southwest Airlines was asked for comment, a spokesperson told Simple Flying, The referenced action does not indicate a larger effort by Southwest to recruit foreign Pilots, or Employees in any other workgroup. The airline shared details of an effort to evaluate the possibility of a work visa related to an employment application submitted by a non-resident Pilot that is currently flying for a U.S. regional airline. Stay informed: Sign up for our daily and weekly aviation news digests. Requirements for US airlines to hire foreign nationals For US airlines to hire foreign nationals, the US airline must certify on ETA Forms 9035 & 9035E that the hiring will not displace American workers. Furthermore, the US airline must certify that sufficient efforts were made to recruit and retain American workers. If Southwest Airlines were to prove that it could not hire such a worker within the country, it would follow that it may have a broader issue hiring pilots. In recent months there has been much reporting of a pilot shortage within the United States. Commenting on the pilot shortage in May 2022, United Airlines CEO, Scott Kirby, remarked, “The pilot shortage for the industry is real, and most airlines are simply not going to be able to realize their capacity plans because there simply aren’t enough pilots, at least not for the next five-plus years." - Scott Kirby, CEO, United Airlines Breeze Airways was open to hiring Australian nationals earlier this year, according to PilotCareerCenter.com. Their entry requirements included 1,500 hours total flight time with at least 750 hours flying a turbine-powered aircraft such as a turboprop or small jet. SWAPA: “Who is the conscience of Southwest Airlines?” Nonetheless, the pilot’s union has thoughts. Last weekend, the Board of Directors of the 9,800-member Southwest Airlines Pilots Association (SWAPA) representing Southwest pilots issued an e-mail statement of concern. In SWAPA’s e-mail, they considered the intention as a threat to member jobs. The email said, “SWAPA, as an organization that promotes U.S. labor, was NEVER consulted in this decision. How did management, with what was likely hundreds of man hours spent planning and discussing this, fail to consider the impact on its public image, the economic and political cost, and the reaction of SWAPA and of U.S. labor as a whole? More concerns from SWAPA Speaking about the plan to Simple Flying, SWAPA President Casey Murray remarked, “At the end of the day, whether this is one or 300, if it's one, you are still providing a non-US citizen with a job over a US citizen, and I said one or 300 or 3000, whatever the number is, one is too many.” Murray did make clear that at SWAPA, “We are all for legal immigration, and we are all for the process to becoming a US citizen. But this is not that.” What Southwest is doing to recruit pilots Nonetheless, in the recent past, Murray has acknowledged the pilot shortage. In a June 28, 2022, interview with National Public Radio, he said, There aren't enough people entering for the demands throughout the end of the decade, and that's going to be a challenge. In the short term, you know, it takes 60 to 90 days to interview, hire and put a pilot through [airline-specific] training. So the airlines have to be very proactive, and they're really - you know, everybody's competing for the same shrinking pool. Murray pointed out Destination 225°, a Southwest Airlines pilot pipeline program that “Trains and empowers future pilots on how to fly The Southwest Way.” The program requires applicants “Be authorized to work in the U.S. on a full-time basis without the need for company sponsorship of an employment-based visa now or in the future.” https://simpleflying.com/southwest-airlines-considering-foreign-pilots/ Aviation safety investigators call on operators to inspect popular Alaska bush plane after crash in Washington by Eric Stone | Oct 26, 2022 Aviation safety investigators are calling on operators of a popular Alaska bush plane to take them out of service until they can be inspected after a DeHavilland Otter crashed in Washington state last month. The National Transportation Safety Board says a key component appears to have failed before the crash. DeHavilland DHC-3 Otters are a staple of Alaska aviation. They’re prized for their ability to take off and land in short distances and frequently serve as island-hopping floatplanes and backcountry bush planes. But after an Otter nosedived into Puget Sound in September, killing all 10 people aboard, the National Transportation Safety Board is calling on air carriers to take a close look at a part called the horizontal stabilizer actuator, also known as the trim jack. It’s part of the pitch trim control system, which adjusts the horizontal portion of the plane’s tail. Investigators said in an update issued Monday that based on the wreckage of last month’s crash, the actuator appears to have come unscrewed before the plane crashed into the water. The NTSB said that could have caused the pilot to lose control of the plane. “NTSB is concerned another aircraft could crash as a result of something similar if immediate action is not taken to inspect the actuator to ensure that the lock ring is in place and properly engaged to prevent unthreading of the clamp nut. The focus at this time is to ensure that the operators are aware of the issue and what needs to be done to prevent a similar accident,” NTSB spokesperson Jennifer Gabris said in a statement. NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy told the Seattle Times that she recommended all Otters be grounded until they’re inspected. (The NTSB declined an interview request for this story.) In a statement, NTSB spokesperson Gabris said the full board would need to vote to issue a formal recommendation to ground the fleet. The NTSB is an investigative agency without regulatory power and doesn’t have the authority to order operators to stop flying the aircraft. That rests with the Federal Aviation Administration, which said in a statement that the aircraft’s Canadian manufacturer, Viking Air Limited, is working on a service bulletin. The agency has not yet mandated Otters be grounded. “The FAA will take appropriate action based on the manufacturer’s service bulletin and any associated actions from the Canadian authorities,” the agency said in a statement from its public affairs office. Some Alaska air carriers are have responded to the call to inspect their planes. Ketchikan-based Taquan Air’s maintenance director said in a statement that the company inspected their Otters immediately after the Puget Sound crash as a precaution. “All inspection guidance since provided by the FAA has also been completed, and we will continue to follow all safety direction identified by the NTSB and/or directed by the FAA,” Taquan Air General Manager Clark Miller said. The president of Wings Airways in Juneau, said in a statement that the company planned to examine their five Otters’ actuators as part of a wide-ranging inspection before returning them to service next spring. The company offers seasonal flightseeing and air taxi service. “We’re following the work of the NTSB and FAA in analyzing this tragic accident and will comply with whatever recommendations come from that,” Wings Airways President Arne Johnson said. There have been at least 22 accidents in Alaska involving Otters since 2000, according to the NTSB’s database. Most recently, four people were seriously injured when an Otter crashed into trees as it approached a landing in Glacier Bay National Preserve in May. Other high-profile accidents involving Otters include the 2019 midair collision above George Inlet near Ketchikan that left six dead. And in 2010, former Sen. Ted Stevens was among five people who died when an Otter crashed near Dillingham. At least 34 Otters are registered in Alaska, according to an FAA database. https://www.krbd.org/2022/10/26/aviation-safety-investigators-call-on-operators-to-inspect-popular-alaska-bush-plane-after-crash-in-washington/ IATA Safety Conference -- Keynote Address Tuesday, October 25, 2022 Acting FAA Administrator Billy Nolen (April 1, 2022 – present) Thank you, Mark [Searle]. Good afternoon, everyone. It’s good to be back in UAE. I was last here in 2016 for the Global Aerospace Summit. This region continues to be one of the world’s fastest-growing regions for air travel. Dubai recently unveiled a tribute to the spirit of innovation – the Museum of the Future. I had a chance to see it this morning, and saw stunning displays of what the world might be like 50 years from now – if we see current concepts, technologies, and human skill sets develop further. But here’s the thing: The future is happening now. Today. What we once thought only possible in movies and cartoons is coming true. And while we are excited about the future, it must be one that shares the high-standard of safety that has come to define aviation today. That’s the challenge of our time: To usher in the next era of aviation safely. And the traveling public will expect that high standard of safety – whether they fly to and from Dubai, Mumbai, Miami or anywhere else. And we must achieve all of this while building a more sustainable aviation system, and one that can withstand the shocks of pandemics, or new threats, like cyberattacks. Let me start by discussing ways to ensure safety. We’ve seen the benefits of Safety Management Systems in driving down safety risk for commercial aviation. Now, the FAA is working on a proposed rule to require charter, commuter and air tour operators, and aircraft manufacturers, to implement SMS. SMS has given us significant insight into operations and the ability to spot looming risks. It has also given us mountains of data that hold the keys for us to move from a preventive safety system to a predictive safety system. That is our next goal: to become predictive. We’re evolving toward using advanced analytics, machine learning and artificial intelligence to yield quality, consistent streams of safety data. Through these tools, we will more effectively mine the safety data to connect the dots and share risk information with industry stakeholders and international partners. We are seeing U.S. safety models – like the U.S. Commercial Aviation Safety Team and the Aviation Sharing Information and Analysis System – being implemented around the world. This will enable greater international collaboration through the sharing of safety risk information. We can take the next step by collectively harmonizing our safety analytics and metrics … and working to build a shared risk portfolio. And while SMS and data analysis are essential programs to have in place, it’s important to stress that a mature safety culture is what makes these programs successful. We want to see a Just Culture and a Learning Culture of safety throughout the world – where aviation professionals can openly report unintentional mistakes and safety concerns without fear of punishment. In a mature safety culture like this, aviation professionals feel empowered to speak up openly and honestly, and are supported for doing that by the entire organization. This kind of open, supportive culture is essential to address pilot mental health. Our pilots and all aviation professionals should ask for help the moment they begin to experience emotional or mental health challenges. They should start treating the underlying problems before they become worse. And we must provide increased support to aviation professionals who ask for help. There should be no stigma, or fears, about coming forward about experiencing mental health challenges. Period. We must also be proactive and transparent when it comes to mitigating cyber risk in aviation. Cyber threats don’t respect borders on a map and they are continuously in flux. The FAA values its participation in ICAO’s work to support aviation cyber resilience, and we’re working with international stakeholders to design the International Aviation Trust Framework. This effort seeks to provide confidence in the integrity of aviation-related digital information and its secure exchange across the global aviation ecosystem. In all of the areas I’ve discussed, the FAA is eager to expand our safety collaboration and continue sharing best practices with the airlines and other aviation stakeholders. In fact, we’re developing an ICAO course on aviation system safety … and the UAE General Civil Aviation Authority has collaborated closely with us on SMS best practices for the course. We value this partnership and look to build on it. This kind of collaboration is essential, because this industry is changing rapidly. And nowhere is that more present than air taxis and eVTOLS. We expect to certify the first of these aircraft around the 2024 timeframe, provided safety allows. And we’re looking at how we might align our certification processes and standards globally for AAM aircraft. With the kind of growth and innovation we continue to see, and the retirements hastened by the pandemic experience, this industry needs new people, including those with new skill sets. Government and industry should continue to work together, and find more creative ways to help build the future workforce, and help them develop the advanced skill sets they’ll need to match the advancements of the industry. We’re going to need the best people not just to help us make aviation safer, more efficient, or more innovative, but also to make it more sustainable. Earlier this month, at the ICAO’s 41st Assembly, States adopted a long term, global aspirational goal to achieve net zero emissions for international flight operations by 2050. This outcome is a tremendous success, and a credit to both the Member States who adopted the goal, and industry who supported it. And now we all need to work together to achieve it. The Museum of the Future has many exciting ideas, but that’s what they are at the moment. Just ideas. Unless, we do the work to make global aviation safer, more secure, sustainable, and resilient, and also recruit a diverse and highly skilled next generation workforce. This conference is an opportunity to make progress in these areas. Thank you, and I look forward to working with all of you. https://www.faa.gov/speeches/iata-safety-conference-keynote-address Volaris expects Mexico will regain its Category 1 aviation safety rating by the second half of 2023 Volaris airlines is planning its budget on the expectation that Mexico will regain its Category 1 aviation safety rating by the second half of 2023, the Mexican airline’s finance chief said on Tuesday. “We are budgeting for the second half of next year, and we are closely monitoring that,” Volaris Chief Financial Officer Jaime Pou said in an investor call. Mexico President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said at a regular news conference Tuesday that authorities from his country will travel to the United States this weekend to discuss regaining the rating. In May 2021, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) downgraded Mexico’s aviation safety rating, an action barring Mexican carriers from adding new U.S. flights and limits the ability of airlines to carry out marketing agreements with one another. Over the objections of the Mexican government, the FAA downgraded Mexico – one of the most common international destinations for U.S. air travelers – from a level called Category 1, which signifies compliance with international standards, to Category 2, the lowest level. “Things are really advancing,” Lopez Obrador said, explaining that the head of the transportation ministry, the deputy minister and the head of the aviation authority would make the trip to Washington. An FAA spokesman said Tuesday the agency continues “to provide assistance to Mexico’s civil aviation authority.” About 90% of countries rated achieved Category 1 and meet international air safety standards. Volaris Chief Executive Enrique Beltranena said Mexican authorities were “working on required changes to the aviation regulations (and) mechanisms for financing the expenses that they need to spend for getting the category back.” https://mexicodailypost.com/2022/10/26/volaris-expects-mexico-will-regain-its-category-1-aviation-safety-rating-by-the-second-half-of-2023/ Saudia Agrees To Buy 100 Lilium Jets for Proposed eVTOL Network • Lilium and the Saudi Arabian airline will focus on the premium market before scaling up. Lilium N.V., the German eVTOL developer, said it entered an agreement with Saudia, the national airline of Saudi Arabia, under which the airline will purchase 100 Lilium Jet aircraft as part of a plan to build an eVTOL network across Saudi Arabia. Lilium said its zero-emission aircraft will provide “sustainable and time-saving travel” whether used for point-to-point trips or making connections to Saudia’s hubs for business-class passengers. The company said the Lilium Jet’s cabin can be configured in a number of ways to suit “the needs of the premium market.” By focusing on the high end, the company said, it aims to establish a foothold for eVTOLs in the transportation market among well-heeled early adopters. Saudia said it plans to help Lilium obtain all the necessary regulatory approvals, including those needed for certification of its aircraft in Saudi Arabia. The airline currently operates within a network of more than 100 domestic and international destinations and has deep market knowledge that Lilium said will complement its aircraft technology. “We are thrilled to work with innovative partners for whom sustainability is a priority. This partnership with Saudia, our first in the Middle East, is an exciting development for Lilium. We look forward to working with Saudia to deploy an eVTOL network across Saudi Arabia,” said Alexander Asseily, vice chairman of Lilium. Lilium did not respond to requests for comment regarding international criticism of Saudi Arabia’s alleged human rights abuses. Capt. Ibrahim S. Koshy, Saudia CEO, said, “Saudia, building on its commitment to be an industry-leading airline committed to sustainability, consider our eVTOL network project with Lilium to be an undertaking of great significance for the Kingdom’s aviation industry and will contribute effectively to spurring sustainable tourism in Saudi using zero-emission aviation.” The proposed deal is subject to a feasibility assessment and additional agreements and conditions. https://www.flyingmag.com/saudia-agrees-to-buy-100-lilium-jets-for-proposed-evtol-network/ Boeing CEO 'confident' 737 MAX 7, 10 will get certified -CNBC interview WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Boeing Chief Executive Dave Calhoun on Wednesday said he is confident the planemaker will get an extension from the U.S. Congress of a key deadline to get the MAX 7 and MAX 10 certified. Calhoun told CNBC he is confident "we will get an extension and that they will be certified as safe airplanes." Boeing faces a late December deadline for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to certify the MAX 7 and MAX 10 under existing rules. After that date, all planes must have modern cockpit alerting systems to be certified by the FAA, which would mean significant delays for the new MAX aircrafts' deployment unless Congress grants a waiver to extend the deadline. Boeing said in a quarterly filing Wednesday it expects the 737 MAX 7 to be certified this year or in 2023 and the MAX 10 to begin FAA certification flight testing in 2022 or 2023 and enter service in 2023 or 2024. Earlier this month, Republican Senator Roger Wicker unsuccessfully sought to attach an extension of the MAX deadline to September 2024 to a defense bill. The requirements were adopted by Congress as part of certification reform passed after two fatal 737 MAX crashes killed 346 people and led to the bestselling plane's 20-month grounding. The FAA in an Oct. 12 letter said some key documents Boeing submitted in the agency's ongoing review of the MAX 7 are incomplete, while Boeing previously told the FAA it does not anticipate winning approval for the MAX 10 before next summer. Calhoun warned in July could be forced to cancel the 737 Max 10 over potential regulatory issues. Boeing's filing said Wednesday that if the deadline was not extended and it did not win certification it might choose to discontinue the two planes. Boeing has won a string of orders for the two variants of the MAX as it makes the case for an extension. On Wednesday Alaska Airlines exercised options to order an additional 42 MAX 10 planes. Last week, United Airlines Chief Executive Scott Kirby also backed the extension, saying it makes sense to have a common 737 alerting system. "It's a right safety outcome," Kirby told CNBC. "Changing the cockpit is a bad safety outcome." United in 2017 ordered 100 MAX 10s. Without an extension United would convert some orders to MAX 8 and 9s, Kirby said, "and we're going to buy more Airbus 321 airplanes," which would impact Boeing's U.S. workers. Calhoun said he did not "want to forecast dire outcomes but Scott's pretty right about what he sees." Pilots are split, with the union representing Southwest Airlines pilots in support and the union representing American Airlines pilots opposed. Families of some MAX crash victims are also opposed. https://www.yahoo.com/finance/news/boeing-ceo-confident-737-max-140058150.html Air Canada orders 15 more A220s for a total of 60 aircraft “The A220 has become an important component in the modernization of Air Canada’s fleet and a key part of our narrowbody fleet, thanks to its performance and passenger comfort. Our customers truly enjoy the benefits of the A220, from its quieter cabin, larger overhead bins and comfortable seating. The A220 is the perfect aircraft for our North American network thanks to its economics, and its fuel efficiency also supports Air Canada’s commitment to reduce emissions on the way to its goal of net zero emissions from all global operations by 2050,” said Mark Galardo, Senior Vice President, Network Planning and Revenue Management at Air Canada. “We are honored that Air Canada is coming back for more A220s. This demonstrates the value the aircraft is bringing and we are proud to provide our customer with a high level of flexibility, great economics and a real passenger-appeal,” said Christian Scherer, Airbus Chief Commercial Officer and Head of International. “With already over 30 aircraft in service with the airline, the A220 has established itself as an efficient route-opener, as well as mainline workhorse, strengthening the carriers’ continental network while delivering on Air Canada’s ambitious decarbonization targets. We thank Air Canada for their continued trust in Airbus.” Air Canada operates a fleet of over 125 Airbus aircraft, including 78 A320 Family aircraft, 16 A330 Family aircraft and 31 A220-300 aircraft. Air Canada also has a direct order for 10 A321 XLRs. The airline took delivery of its first Airbus A220-300 in December 2019, and was the first airline to operate this model in North America. Born from a clean-sheet design, the A220 is the only aircraft purpose-built for the 100-150 seat market, bringing together innovative design features, state-of-the-art aerodynamics and Pratt & Whitney’s latest-generation GTF™ engines. Offering 25 percent lower fuel burn and CO2 emissions per seat compared to previous generation aircraft, in addition to around 50 percent lower NOx emissions than industry standards, the A220 is the most eco-efficient aircraft in its category. With 20 percent more overhead stowage space per passenger, the widest seats and the largest windows in its class, the A220 also provides unmatched comfort to travelers. To date, over 220 A220s have been delivered to 16 airlines operating on four continents and connecting more than 70 million people across the globe. The fleet is currently flying on over 800 routes and 325 destinations worldwide, making it the proven choice for airlines to efficiently connect passengers on regional and long-distance routes. As of the end of September 2022, more than 25 customers had ordered over 770 A220 aircraft - confirming its strong position in the small single-aisle market. https://www.airbus.com/en/newsroom/press-releases/2022-10-air-canada-orders-15-more-a220s-for-a-total-of-60-aircraft Alaska Airlines make biggest Boeing aircraft purchase in its history Alaska Airlines said it will purchase 52 737 MAX planes between 2024 and 2027. SEATTLE — Alaska Airlines announced Wednesday it is purchasing over 50 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft, marking the airline's biggest-ever purchase of Boeing planes in its history. Alaska Airlines said it will purchase 52 737 MAX planes between 2024 and 2027. This will grow the airline's fleet of 737 MAX planes from 94 to 146. The airline also secured rights for 105 more planes through 2030. This is the largest commitment for future aircraft in the company's 90-year history, Alaska Airlines said in a release. "This investment secures aircraft to optimize our growth through the next decade, which we know will be a formidable competitive advantage,” said Alaska Airlines CEO Ben Minicucci. “We’re proud of the strong financial foundation that uniquely positions Alaska to make this commitment to our future, and of the fantastic partnership we share with our hometown aircraft manufacturer at Boeing.” Alaska Airlines said it expects another 43 737 MAX planes between now and the end of 2023. The airline estimated a new 737 MAX plane will be delivered about every 10 days. These new additions will be added to the fleet of 35 aircraft that consists solely of Boeing planes. Alaska Airlines said its fleet is "one of the most efficient, environmentally friendly, and profitable fleets in the industry." This future commitment comes as Boeing reported a $3.3 billion loss for the third quarter Wednesday, as revenue fell short of expectations and took huge losses for fixed-cost government programs including new Air Force One presidential jets. The company blamed higher manufacturing and supply-chain costs for driving the losses in government programs. CEO David Calhoun said Boeing remains in a "challenging environment" and has “more work ahead to drive stability." Revenue in Boeing's normally consistent defense and space business tumbled by 20% and it took $2.8 billion in charges on a military refueling tanker, Air Force One, a NASA program to build a spacecraft that can ferry astronauts to the International Space Station and other programs. “We're not embarrassed by those," Calhoun said on a call with analysts. "They are what they are." https://www.king5.com/article/money/business/alaska-airlines-boeing-aircraft-purchase-history/281-e4208ab4-6f15-4c4f-941e-946a708334c7 Another Problematic Launch Expected as China Seeks to Complete Its Space Station China rolled out its Long March 5B rocket on Tuesday in anticipation of its upcoming liftoff to place the third and final piece of the Tiangong space station in orbit. It’s all very exciting, but an out-of-control core module will likely result, as was the case on three previous occasions. The heavy-lift rocket was transported to the pad on Tuesday, carrying a 23-ton lab module named Mengtian (which translates to “dreaming of heavens”). It took about three hours for the Long March 5B to make the nearly 2 mile (3 kilometer) journey at the Wenchang Spacecraft Launch Site, according to China National Space Administration (CNSA). At the pad, the rocket will undergo final checks and fueling in preparation for its launch. The space agency has not confirmed the exact date for launch, but previous statements suggest the rocket will take off on Monday, October 31, according to Space.com. Mengtian will join its sister modules Wentian and Tianhe to form the T-shaped structure of China’s three-module space station named Tiangong (meaning “heavenly place”). China’s space agency will use the Mengtian lab to conduct various microgravity experiments related to fluid physics, combustion science, and space technology, according to China’s state-run Xinhua. Unlike Tianhe, Mengtian does not include living quarters for astronauts. Tiangong is China’s answer to the International Space Station and is scheduled to be fully constructed by the end of the year. The first module of the space station, Tianhe, launched to orbit in April 2021, while Wentian followed more than a year later in July 2022. In June, China sent a crew of three astronauts to the space station where they’ve spent the past several months overseeing the docking of the two modules, in addition to setting them up and running tests. The crew is expected to return to Earth in December, after which point the Shenzhou-15 crew will take over. Similar to previous launches of China’s Long March 5B , the core stage is expected to perform an uncontrolled reentry through Earth’s atmosphere upon its return. Astronomer Jonathan McDowell from the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics is “95% certain we will be in exactly the same situation again,” he told Gizmodo in an email. The Long March 5B is notorious for jeopardizing populated areas as it falls back to Earth in a haphazard state. Previous incidents have taken place in 2020 and 2021 in which debris from the 100-foot-long (30-meter) core stage crashed along the western coast of Africa and the Indian Ocean. This past August, debris from the Long March 5B fell across regions in northern Borneo. Mercifully, no one has been hurt, but that doesn’t mean it can’t happen. China is making huge inroads in space, but its space agency continues to be reckless when it comes to its rockets. Rockets are often built with mechanisms to control their reentry to isolated areas, or slow them down as they make their way back to Earth. If China plans on sending more of its heavy-lift rockets to orbit, it needs to start better equipping them for the ride back. https://www.yahoo.com/news/another-problematic-launch-expected-china-204000968.html Job Title: Manager, Voluntary Safety Reporting Program (NJUS) Purpose of Position The Manager, Voluntary Safety Reporting Program position assists the Director, Aviation Safety in the execution of the comprehensive NetJets Safety Program. This includes the responsibility for management and operation of the Pilot, Flight Attendant, and Dispatch Aviation Safety Action Programs (ASAP) and related safety department functions. Tasks and Responsibilities · Evaluate, analyze and process safety reports submitted to any of the NJA administered Aviation Safety Action Programs (ASAP) including but not limited to: · Investigating the issues raised in each safety report. · Make recommendations to management regarding changes to policy, procedures and practices to enhance safety. · Collection and analysis of policy, maintenance records, and fatigue assessments to determine if safety enhancements are available or warranted. · Provide opinion and interpretation of collected materials to the ASAP ERC. · Act and speak on behalf of NJA as the ASAP Event Review Committee (ERC) representative on a rotating basis. · Administer corrective actions in response to ASAP ERC findings. · Plan for and manage all voluntary safety reporting program requirements for the Pilot, Flight Attendant, and Dispatch groups in line with FAA and Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) requirements. · Participate or lead investigations of the facts related to reports submitted through ASAP. · Research and analyze trend data in the NetJets Safety Program and other industry data. · Track ASAP related safety recommendations and corrective actions to ensure that follow-up actions have been taken that are effective. Determine if the actions have been effective and if not, make recommendations for additional changes or corrective action. · Manage the production of ASAP communications. · Acts as an information conduit to bring safety of flight issues to the attention of management and to deliver safety information to NJA employees. · Note: It is not possible to list all required job duties on this form. There may be other important duties assigned, depending on the position. For a full list of essential job functions, please refer to the essential functions worksheet for that position. Education Bachelor's in Aviation Management or Business Management Certifications and Licenses Years of Experience 2-4 years of experience Core Competencies Adaptability Collaboration Curiosity Service-Oriented Strives For Positive Results Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Other (KSAOs) · FAA Commercial Instrument or Dispatcher license preferred · Must be able to work independently and use independent discretion and judgment. · Exposure to responding to irregular events as well as identifying, evaluating and writing risk assessments for said events. · Experience with safety analysis, trending and risk assessment. · Experience or training in Aviation Safety Action Program (ASAP). · Ability to use sound judgment in analyzing reports, assessing risks and making recommendations. · Must possess a demonstrated high degree of personal and professional integrity with the ability to maintain confidentiality. · Detail oriented characteristics with an ability to prioritize multiple objectives in a dynamic environment with constantly shifting priorities. · Strong verbal and written communication with the ability to write effective reports, business correspondence and procedure manuals. · Technical computer expertise and proficient knowledge in commercial off-the-shelf applications, such as Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint). · Must be effective working both individually as well as in a team environment with the ability to interact in a tactful manner. · Able to read and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures and governmental regulations with a detailed knowledge of applicable Federal Aviation Regulations. · Demonstrated ability to interact with people at varying levels of authority. Demonstrated public speaking and presentation skills with the ability to effectively present on both the individual level and to large audiences, including NJA employees, industry professionals and federal agencies. https://careers.netjets.com/job/Columbus-Manager%2C-Voluntary-Safety-Reporting-Program-%28NJUS%29-OH-43219/946328600/ Mallory Sweigart- Recruiter, Senior- Tel: 614-849-7376 - msweigart@netjets.com APPLY HERE Job Title: FOQA Specialist (NJUS) Purpose of Position The FOQA Specialist processes day-to-day Flight Operational Quality Assurance (FOQA) data using the Ground Data Replay Analysis System (GDRAS) and performs routine data analysis. The FOQA Specialist creates weekly and monthly deliverables in addition to working with Gatekeepers and other members of Safety and FOQA Management Team (FMT). Tasks and Responsibilities · Supports the FOQA Program Manager with daily administration of the FOQA efforts to ensure analysis of flight data for improved flight safety including validation of FOQA events, identification of events for Gatekeeper contacts and identification of events for Maintenance reporting. · Performs data analysis, root cause analysis and determines corrective actions of digital flight data to determine adverse events, trends in flight and maintenance operations. Coordinates and validates aircraft specific event definitions. Maintains and identifies new FOQA events, and manages documentation supporting these functions. · Prepares flight operations trending analysis charts and reports. Compiles and presents FOQA data summaries to enhance training, maintenance, flight operations. Performs specialized studies and fulfills special data requests. Assists in the creation of safety and FOQA department publications. Prepares reports, presentations, and statistical data required to identify trends for safety enhancement. · Oversees data collection process of aircraft fleet in conjunction with Maintenance. Education Bachelor's in Aviation or Engineering Certifications and Licenses Years of Experience 0-2 years of experience Core Competencies Adaptability Collaboration Curiosity Service-Oriented Strives for Positive Results Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Other (KSAOs) · Basic computer programming and statistical methods experience · Strong work ethic, ability to work in a fast-paced environment and a positive attitude toward teamwork · Previous experience maintaining and enhancing corporate safety standards and safe operation practices · Extensive working knowledge of Microsoft Office Programs, including spreadsheet and database applications · Travel up to 10% of the time, including overnight stays · FAA Commercial Pilot License or higher preferred · Prior experience with Austin Digital or equivalent GDRAS platforms preferred · Knowledge of aircraft flight data recorders preferred · Previous work experience, preferably in 14 CFR Part 121 or 135 air carrier operations; quality control, maintenance, operations, safety or a combination of these areas. https://careers.netjets.com/job/Columbus-FOQA-Specialist-%28NJUS%29-OH-43219/891750500/ Mallory Sweigart- Recruiter, Senior- Tel: 614-849-7376 - msweigart@netjets.com APPLY HERE Research Study: Professional Pilot Occupational Risk(s) Survey My name is August Parker, and I am a Doctor of Occupational Therapy Student at the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences. I am inviting employed professional pilots to participate in this study by completing an internet survey for a project entitled, “An Occupational Perspective: Therapeutic Interventions to Facilitate Job Performance in Aviators and Astronauts”. The purpose of this study is to assess professional pilots experience with risk(s) in musculoskeletal functioning, mental health, and overall well-being for flight performance. This is a one-time, voluntary survey that is anticipated to take no more than 10 minutes to complete. If you agree, your identity as a participant will remain anonymous during and after the study. This survey is not affiliated with any aviation-related organizations or facilities. I would be grateful if you could forward this message to other pilots in your workforce. If you have any questions, please contact me, August Parker by email at a.parker@usa.edu. For more information and access to the survey, please access the link provided below: https://sway.office.com/ksURu4OaOEAXm7mC?ref=Link THIS PROJECT HAS BEEN REVIEWED BY THE UNIVERSITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE FOR HEALTH SCIENCES INSTITUTIONAL REVIEW BOARD FOR THE PROTECTION OF HUMAN SUBJECTS. IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS, PLEASE CONTACT THE INSTITUTIONAL IRB CHAIR, DR. LORI KUPCZYNSKI, EMAIL: LKUPCZYNSKI@USA.EDU, PHONE: 904-330-1559 Thank you for your participation! August Parker, OTDS a.parker@usa.edu The University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences 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