Flight Safety Information - December 7, 2022 No. 235 In This Issue : Incident: Condor A320 at Lanzarote on Dec 6th 2022, gear problem : Viking Air DHC-6-400 Twin Otter - Bird Strike/Damage (Nepal) : Pilot in Md. crash made wrong turns, flew too low, NTSB says : How ETOPS Changed The Future For The Boeing 767? : Woman caught carrying loaded gun boarding plane at Bradley airport, TSA says : Atlas Air Service Touts Increased Mx Capabilities : IBAC's Edwards Sets the Tone for MEBAA Show : China's aviation comeback stokes tensions over access to Russian airspace : Boeing and Ethiopian Airlines Partner to Transport Humanitarian Aid Aboard New 737 MAX jets : Aerodynamic technologies for mobility aircraft promise high return on investment : Nigeria, Saudi Arabia sign MoU on air safety : Jet Aviation Adds Heavy 777 Maintenance in Basel : The Last 747 Jumbo Jet Leaves Boeing's Everett Factory : U.S. lawmakers decline to add Boeing 737 MAX exemption in defense bill : Join SCSI for a free 30-minute course on Risk Management : Positions Available: Flight Operations Quality Assurance Analyst Incident: Condor A320 at Lanzarote on Dec 6th 2022, gear problem A Condor Airbus A320-200, registration D-AICA performing flight DE-1438 from Hamburg (Germany) to Lanzarote,CI (Spain), landed on Lanzarote/Arrecife's runway 03 but needed to stop on the runway due to a problem with the landing gear. The aircraft was towed to the apron. The aircraft was able to depart for the return flight about 3 hours after landing and reached Hamburg with a delay of 90 minutes. https://avherald.com/h?article=501ffbc3&opt=0 Viking Air DHC-6-400 Twin Otter - Bird Strike/Damage (Nepal) Date: 07-DEC-2022 Time: c. 12:30 Type: Viking Air DHC-6-400 Twin Otter Owner/operator: Tara Air Registration: 9N-AKL MSN: 921 Fatalities: Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 3 Other fatalities: 0 Aircraft damage: Minor Location: near Manelek, Humla - Nepal Phase: En route Nature: Cargo Departure airport: Nepalganj Airport (KEP/VNNG) Destination airport: Simikot Airport (IMK/VNST) Narrative: A Tara Air de Viking Air DHC-6 Twin Otter 400 sustained a bird strike (Eagle) near Manelek causing damage to the nose cone. The aircraft landed safely at Simikot Airport (IMK/VNST). The three POB were not injured. https://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/302309 Pilot in Md. crash made wrong turns, flew too low, NTSB says Patrick Merkle made a series of errors before hitting a transmission tower while trying to land in bad weather, according to a preliminary federal report Emergency crews extract one of two people after their small plane crashed last month into a transmission tower, knocking out power to the surrounding area. (Craig Hudson for The Washington Post) The pilot of a small plane that slammed into a Montgomery County power line tower last month was flying below minimum altitudes while approaching the Gaithersburg airport, according to a preliminary report by the National Transportation Safety Board. The report released late Monday does not draw conclusions about the cause of the crash but sheds new light on the minutes leading up to it, detailing pilot Patrick Merkle’s interactions with air traffic control and outlining flight-tracking data. The Nov. 27 crash launched a multi-hour rescue effort to deenergize the tower and haul Merkle and his passenger from the plane, which was lodged more than 100 feet up. Power outages rippled across the region and in the dark, curious residents gathered to watch a rescue that emergency crews have called a once-in-a-lifetime mission. Merkle said Tuesday he hadn’t seen the preliminary NTSB report and was due to issue his own accident report to investigators Wednesday. ‘Please hurry’: In 911 call, pilot in Md. plane crash cites visibility issues He was flying the return leg of a trip to an airport in White Plains, N.Y., bound for the Montgomery County Airpark. As Merkle approached, visibility was severely limited and a bad-weather warning known as a SIGMET was in place for the area, according to the NTSB report. As Merkle’s 45-year-old Mooney M20J got close, another plane called off an attempt to land at the small airport, according to the report. Merkle pressed on. But as an air traffic controller directed him to a waypoint about 13 miles from the runway, Merkle made a wrong turn, according to the NTSB. The controller provided more headings to Merkle, the report says; “however, the pilot made a series of left and right turns, near course reversals, or continued established headings as the controller repeatedly requested that the pilot turn to a different heading.” The controller spelled out the name of the waypoint, BEGKA, and Merkle said he had entered some information incorrectly and was making a fix, according to the report. Merkle reached that waypoint about 225 feet below the minimum altitude, and then dipped even lower below the minimum altitude for two subsequent waypoints, according to the report. “I got down a little lower than I should have,” Merkle told a 911 dispatcher after the crash. Jeff Guzzetti, a former NTSB and Federal Aviation Administration crash investigator, said that under the conditions, Merkle should have found somewhere else to land. “In that kind of weather at that altitude, you’re just playing with fire to not follow the procedures to the letter,” Guzzetti said. The impact with the tower separated one of the propeller blades from the plane, according to the report. How a Maryland rescue team saved 2 from plane that crashed into power lines Firefighters teamed up with utility crews to stage the rescue, eventually using a utility truck to reach Merkle and his passenger, Janet Williams. Both were taken the hospital. Merkle was released the day after the crash. A hospital spokeswoman said Williams wasn’t a patient on Tuesday. The NTSB report notes that Merkle had described the sky as being like “pea soup” in media interviews after the crash, and that he questioned whether his altimeter was working correctly. The NTSB had the device tested, the report says, and found it was “well within the test allowable error at all ranges.” The plane had its most recent annual inspection on Feb. 1, and Merkle received an FAA medical certificate on Aug. 1, declaring he had 1,432 hours of flight experience. The aircraft was dislodged from the tower after Merkle and Williams were rescued, a job that required recovery crews to separate the airframe from the engine. The report describes the damage to the plane as “substantial.” A final NTSB report providing an official cause for the crash will probably not be available for months. https://www.washingtonpost.com/transportation/2022/12/06/ntsb-report-maryland-plane-crash/ How ETOPS Changed The Future For The Boeing 767? The Boeing 767 became a success story and paved the way for the forthcoming twin-engine aircraft. The Extended-range Twin-engine Operational Performance Standards (ETOPS) are rules for one-engine-inoperative flight conditions. It is also a certification that allows twin-engine aircraft to operate routes a certain distance away from the nearest airport available for an emergency landing. The early days In the early 1980s, three or four-engine aircraft primarily operated over-water long-range flights. At the time, the Airbus A300 was equipped with ETOPS-90 certification. Meanwhile, the Boeing 767 program facilitated the development of the ETOPS extension beyond the existing 60-minute limit. The Boeing 767, with its modern technology and intelligent systems, surpassed the safety and redundancy standards of prior aircraft. ETOPS certification The extended-range version of the Boeing 767, the 767-200ER, entered into commercial service in 1984. Boeing commenced a 7,500-mile (12,000 km) delivery flight of the 767-200ER from Washington Dulles (IAD) to Addis Ababa (ADD) in Ethiopia. Boeing had acquired a one-time concession from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to operate the direct flight. Later that year, the FAA equipped the 767-200ER with a 75-minute ETOPS regulation, just in time for Air Canada to take delivery of the jet. Since then, Boeing lobbied the FAA to extend the jet’s limit to 120 minutes to open new transatlantic routes. The FAA requirements The FAA required Boeing to provide a comprehensive trend monitoring system to gather in-flight data. The purpose of this requirement was to record the inflight reliability of critical systems. Moreover, the FAA also imposed a condition on Pratt & Whitney for the JT9D engines for inflight logging. The FAA required P&W to record a minimum of 250,000 consecutive flight hours for JT9D engines with a meager shutdown rate. In January 1985, the FAA increased the ETPOS limit to 120 minutes. On February 1st, Trans World Airlines (TWA) Flight 810 operated the first 120-minute ETOPS-certified transatlantic flight using a Boeing 767-200 between Boston and Paris. Following the successful ETOPS flight, TWA Airlines invested $2.6 million per aircraft to upgrade its 767 fleets for ETOPS-120. Not only did other airlines flying the 767s follow suit, but many new airlines also placed orders for the jet capable of flying much longer routes. Meanwhile, Boeing and Pratt & Whitney continued to record flight data of the aircraft and engines, respectively. Boeing’s target was to certify the 767 to fly from California to Hawaii. The successful shutdown and failure data over the following years allowed the FAA to increase the ETOPS limit on the Boeing 767 to 180 minutes in 1989. This decision connected the islands of Hawaii to the US mainland through a twin-engine flight. American Airlines flew the first ETOPS-180 flight using a 767 on the Dallas Fort Worth (DFW) - Honolulu (HNL) route. By keeping safe operations along with stringent engine shutdown rates over long flights, all variants of the 767 received the ETOPS-180 certification by 1993. Since then, Boeing has logged over 750 orders for the 767 family. The Boeing 767 program uplift In just a few years following the ETOPS-180 certification, many legacy carriers had acquired some variant of the Boeing 767. With the popularity of the jet, more than 50% of transatlantic flights were operated using the 767, as opposed to the traditional three or four-engine aircraft. The new 767s rolling out of the Boeing factory came equipped with ETOPS-180. Not only did the 767 program become a success story, but it also paved the way for the forthcoming Boeing 777 and Airbus A330 families of aircraft. https://simpleflying.com/how-etops-changed-the-future-for-the-boeing-767/ Woman caught carrying loaded gun boarding plane at Bradley airport, TSA says State troopers arrested a woman after a loaded gun was detected in her fanny pack at a Bradley International Airport security checkpoint on the afternoon of Nov. 30, according to TSA officials. WINDSOR LOCKS — A woman carrying a fanny pack containing a loaded gun attempted to board a plane at Bradley International Airport last week, according to the Transportation Security Administration. TSA officials said they discovered the weapon, a .9 mm firearm holding a chambered round, during a security screening on Nov. 30. Staff notified the Connecticut State Police, who arrested the woman on a state charge of circumventing security. Officials did not release the woman's identity. “Our TSA officers once again prove why they are vital to airport security,” said William Csontos, the TSA’s federal security director for Connecticut. “Passengers who are traveling with firearms need to ensure they declare them with the airline and that they are properly packed in their checked baggage.” The incident is the fifth of its kind reported at Bradley and the 40th at a New England airport in 2022, according to officials. Boston's Logan International Airport has the most with 26 firearm incidents. Rhode Island's T.F. Green International Airport and Maine’s Bangor International Airport each have seen three incidents. https://www.ctinsider.com/news/article/Bradley-airport-Windsor-Locks-gun-security-check-17636411.php Atlas Air Service Touts Increased Mx Capabilities AAL, formerly Altenrhein Aviation, was acquired by Atlas Air Service in Germany at the beginning of the year. Germany-based Atlas Air Service Group comes to the 2022 MEBAA Show as a bigger company with increased capabilities following its January acquisition of AAL (Booth 750), formerly Altenrhein Aviation, a business aviation maintenance company based in Switzerland. The acquisition of 100 percent of the shares of AAL expanded the companies’ AOG services and improved spare parts availability, as well as access to test equipment and more tools. With the AAL acquisition, Atlas Group companies employ 280 people and operate from five locations, which includes Augsburg Air Service, also in Germany. Combined, the companies provide aircraft management/charter, sales, maintenance, avionics, and non-destructive testing. On the maintenance side, AAL, Atlas, and Augsburg also have capabilities in sheet metal repair, full interior refurbishment, and paint. The three group companies have various service center authorizations from Embraer, Cessna Citation, Beechcraft, Hawker, Honeywell, Cirrus, Piper, Gulfstream, Daher, Pilatus, and Williams International. In addition to operating as FAA and EASA repair stations, the companies hold maintenance approvals from regulators in Bermuda, Canada, Cayman Islands, Guernsey, India, Isle of Man, Nigeria, Russia, San Marino, and the UK. AAL managing director Natascha Rode told AIN that AAL specializes in heavy maintenance on the Gulfstream G150, G200, and G280 and Embraer jets, aircraft for which it is an authorized service center (ASC). “As an Embraer ASC, we have regular customers coming from Africa for major inspections,” she said. "Over the years, AAL technicians have performed numerous 8C, 12C, and 16C inspections. It is not unusual that customers from the Middle East and Asia would ferry their aircraft to Switzerland for such complex maintenance.” More recently, AAL has seen an increase in pre-purchase inspections. “It is common knowledge that the aircraft's value is higher if the last major inspection was performed in an authorized service center,” Rode said. She further noted that AAL, Atlas, and Augsburg are accustomed to working with clients from a variety of cultures. “Our employees understand different cultures and by extending our hospitality, we guarantee our customers an ‘at-home’ feeling.” https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/business-aviation/2022-12-07/atlas-air-service-touts-increased-mx-capabilities IBAC's Edwards Sets the Tone for MEBAA Show International Business Aviation Council director general Kurt Edwards International Business Aviation Council director general Kurt Edwards welcomed attendees to the MEBAA Show on Tuesday, expressing enthusiasm about the return of the three-day event after a four-year, Covid-induced hiatus and stressing that it was time for “setting the record straight.” “It is so exciting to be back here after four years and I'm really glad to see this turnout. I'm glad to see the number of exhibitors here,” Edwards said kicking off the series of panel sessions MEBAA is hosting on the show floor. The show is providing a forum for the industry to discuss challenges, opportunities business models, financing, regulations, and a range of other pressing issues, he said. Edwards said one such key issue is sustainability, adding, “[The industry has] been getting a lot of [negative] press in this area recently” and it's an issue “we are going to face one way or another.” Industry needs to change the prevailing perception because it “has been striving for sustainability for years. We all want to be more fuel efficient. We all want to use less fuel. We all want to burn less fuel. We've been doing that now for decades. Our industry is very innovative.” He pointed to innovations specific to business aviation, as well as efforts such as commitments to net-zero carbon emissions, and noted that the International Civil Aviation Organization largely adopted a roadmap led by industry. https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/business-aviation/2022-12-07/ibacs-edwards-sets-tone-mebaa-show China's aviation comeback stokes tensions over access to Russian airspace GENEVA/PARIS – China’s return to the skies as it eases COVID-19 restrictions is ramping up concerns about congestion and possible trade tensions as far away as Europe, as carriers seek to restore lucrative services without some of them being able to fly over Russia. Western airlines have not had access to Russia’s East-West air corridors since Moscow’s February invasion of Ukraine triggered Western sanctions and retaliatory bans by Russia. But Chinese cargo carriers kept flying and passengers may follow. “I don’t see there’s any appetite for removing sanctions while the war continues,” said Willie Walsh, director general of the International Air Transport Association. But that could have unforeseen effects as China returns to the international air passenger market. “That clearly will have a big impact on traffic flows between Europe and Asia. I think it will also start raising questions from European carriers as to whether it’s fair that some carriers can travel to Europe through Russian airspace and others can’t,” he said on the sidelines of an airlines briefing. “I expect that to become more of an issue of discussion in 2023,” he added. Walsh’s comments shed light on emerging concerns over the knock-on effect of the closure of Russian airspace to 36 Western countries, whose impact has until now been dampened by a slump in travel demand to China. Chinese authorities have begun revising the country’s draconian “zero-COVID” policies, and may announce further steps on Wednesday. The potential impact is far-reaching because one flight between Europe and Asia usually generates three throughout the air traffic network as passengers take connecting flights to and from major hubs, according to Brussels-based Eurocontrol. The warning comes weeks after the head of the pan-European air traffic agency warned of a sleeping trade issue masked by the temporary absence of China from international travel. Presenting a chart of westerly traffic flows to aviation executives in October, Eurocontrol Director General Eamonn Brennan pointed to Chinese cargo carriers flying across Russian airspace to serve major freight hubs like Liege in Belgium. With the door to Russia closed, European-based airlines cannot do that; they have to fly over southern Europe, adding three or more hours to journey times. “At the moment, it’s below the radar. But when you add passengers and China opens up, hopefully by Q1 of next year, then you will see the stream become very intense,” Brennan said. “And then you will see the carriers that are competing with the Chinese carriers, particularly long-haul, shouting about this … but at the moment, the Chinese carriers have a huge advantage over the European ones.” Airlines are worried that the deepening conflict in Ukraine could leave that situation frozen for some time. “The (carriers) flying between Europe and China have seen significant increases in flight times and distance whereas Chinese carriers flying into Europe have not seen it. The debate needs to be at what point can we move back to a more normal operating environment,” Walsh said on Tuesday. Some Gulf and Indian carriers also continue to fly across Russia, whose airspace is the shortest route for many flights between parts of Asia and Europe or the United States. Added to the trade fallout is a pressing practical problem. Flights between Europe and Asia-Pacific are 24% down compared with the same period of 2019, according to last week’s data from Eurocontrol. But the closure of Russian airspace has meant a far higher proportion of flights having to cross southeast European skies overflowing with a sharp recovery in regional tourism. There are fears the resulting congestion could get worse as European tourism peaks again next summer. “We are operating 90% of our 2019 schedule with 80% of our airspace. So the bucket has got smaller and the water is a little bit bigger,” Brennan told the Eurocontrol October forum. “The problem is that the long-haul guys are now in our short-haul airspace (and) what should be going up and over Russia is now going towards Turkey.” https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2022/12/07/asia-pacific/china-aviation-return-russia-airspace/ Boeing and Ethiopian Airlines Partner to Transport Humanitarian Aid Aboard New 737 MAX jets - Global Ethiopian Diaspora Action Group, Noble Humanitarian Missions, and Ethiopian Institute of Resilience and Climate Change provided medical supplies - Open Hearts Big Dreams provided books to improve literacy rates in country - The humanitarian supplies were carried to Ethiopia aboard three 737 MAX jets SEATTLE, Dec. 7, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Boeing [NYSE: BA] and Ethiopian Airlines have again partnered to bring humanitarian aid to those in need – this time using the airline's three recently delivered 737-8 airplanes to transport more than 12,000 pounds of supplies to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. "Ethiopian Airlines has a long history of collaborating with Boeing on humanitarian flights," said Mesfin Tasew, Group CEO of Ethiopian Airlines. "This is our 43rd humanitarian delivery with Boeing, and we are proud to partner with their team to once again bring this support home to Addis Ababa." The humanitarian delivery flights departed Boeing's Everett and Seattle Delivery Centers on Nov. 24, Nov. 26 and Dec. 4 and contained medical supplies, books and school supplies for those in need. Global Ethiopian Diaspora Action Group (GEDAG) provided surgical gloves, which will be distributed by the Ethiopian Ministry of Health's Pharmaceutical Supply Agency. Noble Humanitarian Missions (NHM) provided surgical gloves. Mekedonia, an Ethiopian non-governmental organization working to shelter people experiencing homelessness, will lead local distribution efforts for the NHM donated supplies. Open Hearts Big Dreams (OHBD), a Washington state-based nonprofit organization that works to increase literacy in Ethiopia, donated books and art supplies, which will be distributed by Project Mercy, an Ethiopian charitable organization serving women, children and families. Ethiopian Institute of Resilience and Climate Change provided clothing, gloves and bandages, which will be distributed by its Ethiopian nonprofit partner, Wollo Bete Amhara. "The Humanitarian Flight Program has helped thousands of people in need gain access to critical care items and humanitarian aid over the past 30 years," said Cheri Carter, vice president of Boeing Global Engagement at Boeing. "These flights are the latest in a long legacy of service by Ethiopian Airlines for the Ethiopian people, and we are grateful for their continued partnership." Boeing's Humanitarian Delivery Flight Program was launched in 1992 as a collaboration between the company and its customers to help transport humanitarian aid supplies on newly delivered airplanes with otherwise empty cargo holds. To date, there have been more than 200 humanitarian delivery flights. More than 1.7 million pounds of critical supplies have been delivered since the program's inception. About Boeing As a leading global aerospace company, Boeing develops, manufactures and services commercial airplanes, defense products and space systems for customers in more than 150 countries. As a top U.S. exporter, the company leverages the talents of a global supplier base to advance economic opportunity, sustainability and community impact. Boeing's diverse team is committed to innovating for the future, leading with sustainability, and cultivating a culture based on the company's core values of safety, quality and integrity. Join our team and find your purpose at boeing.com/careers. About Ethiopian Airlines Ethiopian Airlines (Ethiopian) is the fastest growing Airline in Africa. In its seventy-five-plus years of operation, Ethiopian has become one of the continent's leading carriers, unrivaled in efficiency and operational success. Ethiopian commands the lion's share of the Pan African passenger and cargo network, operating the youngest and most modern fleet to more than 130 international passenger and cargo destinations across five continents. Ethiopian's fleet includes ultra-modern aircraft such as Boeing 787-8, Boeing 787-9, Airbus A350, Boeing 777-300ER, Boeing 777-200LR, Boeing 777-200, Boeing 737-800, Boeing 737-8, Freighter, Bombardier Dash 8-400 double cabin with an average fleet age of seven years. For additional information, please visit www.ethiopianairlines.com. Contact Media@Boeing.com SOURCE Boeing https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/boeing-and-ethiopian-airlines-partner-to-transport-humanitarian-aid-aboard-new-737-max-jets-301696444.html Photo Courtesy: US Air Force Aerodynamic technologies for mobility aircraft promise high return on investment WASHINGTON (AFNS) -- As part of its effort to increase readiness and capability, the Air Force is working to introduce aerodynamic technologies on mobility aircraft to improve airflow, reduce maintenance issues, increase payload capability, and decrease fuel demand. Air Mobility Command, the Air Force Research Laboratory, and Air Force Operational Energy have partnered with commercial vendors to research, design, test, and certify a number of these innovations into the mobility fleet, including the KC-135 Stratotanker, C-17 Globemaster III, and C-130 Hercules. Each initiative is at various phases of development and transition, gaining momentum with the influx of funding from the Fiscal Year 2022 Presidential Budget. “Optimization programs like these just make sense for the Air Force,” said Deputy Assistant Secretary of Air Force Operational Energy Roberto Guerrero. “My office has been working to advance initiatives that not only make us smarter about how we consume fuel, but also help to prevent maintenance issues, increase engine performance and improve mission planning.” Globemaster III at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash. As part of its effort to increase readiness and capability, the Air Force is working to introduce aerodynamic technologies on mobility aircraft to improve airflow, reduce maintenance issues, increase payload capability, and decrease fuel demand. After several years of research and testing, microvanes for the C-17 are in the process of airworthiness certification at the AFRL and the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center. Microvanes are small 3D-printed structures that attach to the aft-end of the fuselage. The fin-like shape helps redirect airflow in this higher drag area, streamlining the aerodynamics and reducing overall fuel demand by approximately 1%. When installed across the C-17 fleet, including Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve aircraft, the Air Force estimates the microvanes will pay for themselves in fuel savings in seven months, and save over $10 million per year. The Air Force is evaluating vertical wiper blades on the KC-135 as another airstream drag reduction project that will improve fuel economy, range, and capacity. Across the KC-135 fleet, windshield wiper blades have been placed horizontally for over 60 years; however, aerodynamic ground testing confirmed that adjusting the wipers to sit vertically will optimize the aircraft by about 1%, a potential fuel savings of over $7 million across the fleet. Now, the wipers will progress to airworthiness flight testing where they will be installed on several aircraft. The KC-135 has also been undergoing testing for a replacement engine fan duct panel that can better withstand corrosion and water contamination. The current KC-135 fan ducts have aluminum panels which are susceptible to corrosion and degradation when exposed to water and debris over an extended period of time. The current repair to this corrosion inhibits airflow to the engine, reducing performance and increasing fuel use by an estimated $5.5 million each year. Additionally, aircraft are often out of operation for over two days while the maintenance crews work to fix this recurring issue that affects a majority of the KC-135 fleet. The replacement panel is made of a composite material that is impervious to similar degradation and corrosion. This one-time fix will eliminate frequent inspections and panel repairs. Flight evaluations start this December and run through February. Once certified, the team hopes to replace the panel across the entire KC-135 fleet. These initiatives are just a select few that are farthest along in their development. However, the Air Force is working with the commercial industry and defense partners on several other optimization initiatives including other drag reduction efforts, engine sustainment and propulsion improvements for legacy aircraft, mission planning software upgrades, process optimization, transformational aircraft body designs, and more. As part of the Air Force’s effort to ‘Accelerate Change,’ these programs aim to increase readiness and capability, and address a ‘Logistics Under Attack’ scenario. At the same time, they support the Department of Defense’s climate mitigation goals as part of President Biden’s executive order: Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad, as well as the newly released Department of the Air Force Climate Action Plan. https://www.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/3237257/aerodynamic-technologies-for-mobility-aircraft-promise-high-return-on-investment/ Nigeria, Saudi Arabia sign MoU on air safety The air accident investigation bodies of Nigeria and Saudi Arabi have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to share knowledge and improve air safety in both countries’ airspaces. The Memorandum of Understanding was signed in Abuja on Monday at the sideline of the ongoing 14th International Civil Aviation Organisation Air Services Negotiation event, (ICAN 2022). Speaking to the media shortly after signing the agreement, the Director-General, Accident Investigation Bureau of Saudi Arabia, Abdulelah Felimban said the intention is to promote safety and prevention of the reoccurrence air of accidents. He said, “We came to meet our counterpart in Nigeria, the Accident Investigation Bureau of Nigeria to open the channels of communication, cooperation, sharing experiences, learning from each other and benefiting from the capabilities that each of us has,” he said He said the purpose of investigation is to ensure and promote sir safety. “Our business is to collect data, evidences, analyse them and put forward recommendations to make our skies safer.” Also commenting, the Commissioner/Chief Executive Officer Accident Investigation Bureau Nigeria, Akin Olateru, said there was one aviation in the world, noting that the rule of the game was cooperation. He said, “There is no one country that is an island. We need to work together as a team to enhance safety. “Saudi Arabia will help us in the area of human capital development, we can engage ideas and its all about improving safety for the flying public.” https://punchng.com/nigeria-saudi-arabia-sign-mou-on-air-safety/ Jet Aviation Adds Heavy 777 Maintenance in Basel Jet Aviation Basel is an authorized maintenance facility for Airbus Corporate Jets, Boeing Business Jets, Embraer Executive Jets, and Gulfstream Aerospace. Jet Aviation’s Basel, Switzerland has received approval for heavy maintenance on the Boeing 777, extending its work scope for the widebody jet. The new approval also includes 15-year checks. Jet Aviation (Stand 450) has purchased the specialized tools and invested in training for the heavy maintenance tasks on the 777, in response to market demand for the new capability. The Basel facility holds maintenance approval for more than 50 aircraft types and provides completions services for the 777, as well as all narrow- and widebody airframes. With six hangars that total more than 36,700 sq m and 13,500 sq m of workshops, Jet Aviation Basel is an authorized maintenance facility for Airbus Corporate Jets, Boeing Business Jets, Embraer Executive Jets, and Gulfstream Aerospace. “Maintenance is one of our core businesses in EMEA,” said Jeremie Caillet, Jet Aviation's senior v-p regional operations EMEA, “and this scope extension is a further example of our continued commitment to meet the evolving requirements of customers across our network.” To continue serving its EMEA customers, Jet Aviation also announced an expansion of its maintenance, interiors, non-destructive testing (NDT), line maintenance, and on-site support capabilities at its Dubai International Airport facility. This includes adding modular tail-docking equipment for heavy structural repairs, as well as new avionics modification and upgrade services and high-speed satcom installations. The NDT services include eddy current and ultrasonic and expanded on-site borescope inspection. “Over the past year we have seen more requests for larger cabin refurbishment, structural repair projects, avionic modifications, and upgrades at our fixed-wing maintenance site in Dubai and have adapted and expanded our capabilities to match,” said Hardy Bütschi, Jet Aviation's v-p regional operations Middle East and general manager Dubai. https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/business-aviation/2022-12-07/jet-aviation-adds-heavy-777-maintenance-basel The Last 747 Jumbo Jet Leaves Boeing's Everett Factory 54 years after the first 747 was produced, the 1,574th and last leaves Boeing's Everett, Washington widebody factory for flight testing. Boeing announced that the final 747 "Jumbo Jet" airplane has left its widebody factory in Everett, Washington and with it brought an end to 54 years of production. Boeing started producing the 747 in 1967 after Pan Am requested a jet two-and-a-half times the size of the 707 to reduce its seat cost. Joe Sutter then went on to design the 747, which became the first twin-aisle airliner (and the first to be dubbed a "Jumbo Jet"). In total, Boeing produced 1,574 of the aircraft and many of us have flown on one over the decades. "For more than half a century, tens of thousands of dedicated Boeing employees have designed and built this magnificent airplane that has truly changed the world. We are proud that this plane will continue to fly across the globe for years to come," said Kim Smith(Opens in a new window), Boeing Vice President and general manager, 747 and 767 Programs. The final 747 to roll off the production line is also the largest model. The 747-8 counts as the longest commercial aircraft in service (250.2 feet/76.2 meters) and the last one is capable of carrying 133.1 tonnes of payload. Boeing points out that's the equivalent of 10,699 solid-gold bars or 19 million golf balls. The honor of receiving the final 747 goes to aircraft leasing company Atlas Air, which has an existing fleet of 737, 747, 767, and 777 aircraft so it should know how to take good care of this latest addition. They will take delivery of the last new 747-8 in early 2023 after Boeing has finished flight testing the aircraft. https://www.pcmag.com/news/the-last-747-jumbo-jet-leaves-boeings-everett-factory U.S. lawmakers decline to add Boeing 737 MAX exemption in defense bill WASHINGTON (Reuters) -U.S. lawmakers late on Tuesday declined to add an extension to an annual defense bill of a looming deadline that would impose a new safety standard for modern cockpit alerts for two new versions of Boeing's best-selling 737 MAX aircraft. The U.S. planemaker has been lobbying for months to convince lawmakers to waive the deadline that affects its MAX 7 and MAX 10 airplanes and was imposed by Congress in 2020 after two fatal 737 MAX crashes killed 346 people in Indonesia and Ethiopia. There is an slim chance the defense bill could be changed before final passage and Boeing is still attempting to convince lawmakers to attach the proposal to a bill that could be considered to fund U.S. government operations but sources briefed on the matter say the issue may slip into 2023. That would be a significant setback for Boeing, which did not immediately comment but has argued previously it is better to have a common alerting system for all versions of the 737 MAX. The requirements for modern cockpit alerts were adopted by Congress as part of certification reform passed after two fatal 737 MAX crashes in 2018 and 2019 that led to the plane's 20-month grounding. After Dec. 27, all planes must have modern cockpit alerting systems to be certified by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), which could jeopardize the MAX 7 and 10 future or mean significant delays for the new aircrafts' deployment. Boeing has won about 1,000 orders for the MAX 7 and MAX 10 and previously warned that without an extension of the deadline it could be forced to cancel the two versions. Last month, acting FAA Administrator Billy Nolen said he believes the agency cannot continue any MAX certification work after the deadline without congressional action. Many lawmakers support the measure as do some pilots unions. Senate Commerce Committee chair Maria Cantwell last week drafted a proposal that would grant exceptions for the two MAX variants if they include safety enhancements "such as enhanced angle of attack (AOA) and a means to shut off stall warnings and overspeed alerts, for all MAX aircraft" according to the summary document reviewed by Reuters. Families of some MAX crash victims are opposed as is C.B. "Sully" Sullenberger, who rose to fame in 2009 as a commercial pilot who safely landed an Airbus A320 on New York's Hudson River after hitting a flock of geese. Nadia Milleron, whose daughter Samya Rose Stumo died in the 2019 Ethiopian Airlines crash, praised lawmakers for not including the extension in the defense. "It does not belong in a must-pass bill," Milleron said. "It is something serious -- it is public safety." https://www.yahoo.com/finance/news/u-lawmakers-decline-add-boeing-023241856.html Flight Operations Quality Assurance Analyst Indianapolis, IN US ID JR-003892 Category Flight Operations Quality Assurance Analyst Schedule Full time POSITION PURPOSE Processes day-to-day raw data using Flight Operational Quality Assurance (FOQA) and program Ground Data Replay Analysis System (GDRAS). Creates weekly and monthly deliverables in addition to working with Gatekeepers and other members of FOQA and FOQA Management Team (FMT). ESSENTIAL DUTIES To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. • Supports the FOQA Program Manager with daily administration of the FOQA efforts to ensure analysis of flight data for improved flight safety. • Oversees data collection process of aircraft fleet in conjunction with Maintenance and Engineering. • Performs data analysis, root cause analysis, and determines corrective actions of digital flight data to determine adverse events for trends in flight and maintenance operations. • Coordinates, develops, verifies and validates aircraft specific event definitions. • Prepares flight operations trending analysis charts and reports. • Compiles and presents FOQA data summaries for use by senior management, regulators, pilots, and union officials. • Performs specialized studies and fulfills special data requests. • Creates safety and FOQA department publications. • Prepares reports, presentations, and statistical data required to keep the FOQA community informed. • Reviews corrective action responses to inspections and internal evaluations findings for adequacy. • Maintains FOQA database, write database queries, program new FOQA events, and manages documentation supporting these functions. • Communicates with other airlines FOQA departments, governmental and academic institutions regarding FOQA. • Performs other duties as assigned. REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability necessary to perform this job. EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE. • Bachelor’s degree in aviation, flight technology, engineering, or related area or a combination of education and experience. • Holds Commercial Pilot Certificate • Basic understanding of aircraft systems and/or Part 121 aviation operations. • Previous work experience in quality control, maintenance, operations, safety or a combination of these areas (preferably in 14CFR Part 121 air carrier operations). • Previous experience maintaining and enhancing corporate safety standards and safe operation practices. • Extensive working knowledge of Microsoft Office Programs, including spreadsheet and database applications. • Strong work ethic, ability to work in a fast-paced environment and a positive attitude toward teamwork. PREFERRED EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE • At least 3 years related experience. • Additional certifications: Dispatch, Airframe and Powerplant and/or ATP license. • Basic computer programming and statistical methods experience preferred. • Prior experience with Sagem AGS or equivalent GDRAS platforms is preferred. LANGUAGE SKILLS Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations. Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and the general public. REASONING/PROBLEM SOLVING ABILITY Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables. Proven project management and analytical skills. Ability to handle numerous projects at one time and meet deadlines. Self-motivated and able to work with minimal supervision in support of the Safety Department. DECISION MAKING Makes day to day decisions used to support strategic direction. Decisions often require some thought and are somewhat structured. Decisions tend to be short term and usually moderate cost. PHYSICAL DEMANDS The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an associate to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Able to move about the work environment. Frequently required to stand, walk, sit, talk and hear. WORK ENVIRONMENT The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an associate encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Typically not exposed to extreme environmental conditions. TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS Travel up to 10% of the time, including overnight stays. Curt Lewis