Flight Safety Information - April 25, 2023 No. 079 In This Issue : Incident: Flydubai B738 at Kathmandu on Apr 24th 2023, bird strike on departure : Incident: Horizont B734 at Braunschweig on Apr 23rd 2023, rejected takeoff due to engine failure : TSA officers save pilot’s life at Richmond International Airport : Airlines are combating the pilot shortage by paying pilots more, making it easier to become one, and hiring from Australia : Pilots Hide Health Problems to Avoid Losing Certification, Survey Shows : FedEx to close pilot bases in Alaska, California and Germany : GAO issues safety recommendations for National Guard rotary training : How Are Aircraft Reactivated After Extensive Periods In Storage? : Spirit Airlines Receives 200th Airbus Aircraft : American woman arrested at Sydney airport after arriving with 24-carat, gold-plated handgun : Five Years Of Commercial Service: Who Flies The Embraer E-Jet E2 Family Today? : United Airlines flight to Israel turns back after passenger gets into a shouting match with crew Incident: Flydubai B738 at Kathmandu on Apr 24th 2023, bird strike on departure A Flydubai Boeing 737-800, registration A6-FED performing flight FZ-576 from Kathmandu (Nepal) to Dubai (United Arab Emirates) with 167 people on board, was climbing out of Kathmandu when the aircraft sustained a bird strike. While the crew was analyzing the situation, the aircraft levelled off at FL280, subsequently climbed to FL340 and continued the flight to Dubai currently being enroute. Ground observers posted videos claiming the aircraft was on fire (editorial note: possibly confusing landing lights with fire) and was refused permission to return to Kathmandu. Other observers claimed the aircraft suffered an engine (CFM56) fire. The airline reported the aircraft experienced a bird strike on departure from Kathmandu. After following the standard operating procedures the crew continued the flight to Dubai where the aircraft is estimated to arrive at 00:14L about one hour behind schedule following a departure of about 75 minutes past schedule. On Apr 25th 2023 a spokeswoman for Civil Aviation Authority Nepal (editorial note: unbelievably) said, that an engine caught fire on takeoff from Kathmandu, the fire had been brought under control, the flight was normal then and continued to Dubai. https://avherald.com/h?article=50840abb&opt=0 Incident: Horizont B734 at Braunschweig on Apr 23rd 2023, rejected takeoff due to engine failure An Air Horizont Boeing 737-400, registration 9H-MPW performing flight HAT-2771 from Braunschweig (Germany) to London Stansted,EN (UK), was accelerating for takeoff from Braunschweig's runway 26 when the crew rejected takeoff, vacated the runway and returned to the apron. Emergency services responded and inspected the aircraft. A ground observer reported the aircraft apparently suffered engine (CFM56) problems at about the midpoint of the runway (length 2300 meters/7500 feet) and rejected takeoff. The aircraft returned to the apron and was inspected by emergency services. Another ground observer reported the left hand engine emitted smoke and failed possibly as result of a bird strike, engine parts were subsequently found on the runway. The aircraft is still on the ground in Braunschweig about 21 hours after the rejected takeoff. https://avherald.com/h?article=5083fead&opt=0 TSA officers save pilot’s life at Richmond International Airport RICHMOND, Va. (WAVY) – Two TSA officers saved a pilot’s life at Richmond International Airport. According to a press release, TSA officer Nigel Allen and Lead TSA officer Trenard Collier were working when they saw an airplane pilot suddenly collapse. Both Allen and Collier ran to help the pilot, who was suffering from a cardiac arrest. After calling for assistance, Allen began performing first aid. First responders arrived and performed CPR, during which the pilot’s heart stopped beating, which meant the pilot would need a medical intervention. Allen ran to retrieve the automated external defibrillator. As first responders continued providing medical attention, both Allen and Collier cleared the area to give police and firefighters the room to attend to the pilot. “Officer Allen’s actions displayed conspicuous initiative, capability, and above and beyond service to the community he serves,” said TSA Federal Security Director Robin “Chuck” Burke. “His actions clearly contributed to saving the pilot’s life. The RIC Airport Police Department and stakeholders at RIC commended Officer Allen for his quick response in being the first to administer initial first aid.” TSA says the pilot is recovering and that their family has expressed deep appreciation for Allen’s help. https://www.wavy.com/news/virginia/richmond/tsa-officers-save-pilots-life-at-richmond-international-airport/ Airlines are combating the pilot shortage by paying pilots more, making it easier to become one, and hiring from Australia An ongoing pilot shortage has plagued US airlines since travel came roaring back post-pandemic. American Airlines says it is seeing shortfalls on the regional side, forcing it to cut flying to small markets. Carriers have used different strategies to attract pilots, like doubling pay and hiring from abroad. When the pandemic hit in March 2020, countries quickly closed their borders and travel came to a screeching halt. Carriers were forced to scale back operations, meaning tens of thousands of pilots were furloughed or offered early retirement. However, the COVID-19 vaccine allowed international restrictions to relax, and by summer 2021, travel came roaring back. But the damage was already done. Management consulting firm Oliver Wyman told CNBC in September 2022 that the industry is short about 8,000 pilots — a problem that led to last summer's travel chaos in which nearly one million flights flying within, into, or out of the US were delayed or canceled between May and September. The firm further said the number could reach 30,000 by 2025. To alleviate these pilot deficits, Senator Lindsay Graham (R-South Carolina) has reintroduced a bill that would increase the mandatory retirement age for pilots from 65 to 67. The senator argues some 5,000 pilots will be forced to retire in the next two years, further stressing the shortage. While some organizations — like the Regional Airline Association advocacy group — have praised the legalization, the Air Line Pilots Association has opposed it, Reuters reported. The union says increasing the retirement age could impact safety. Carriers like American Airlines have acknowledged the shortage, with CEO Robert Isom saying the company is having a "shortfall of pilots" on its regional side, including its wholly-owned subsidiaries PSA Airlines, Envoy Air, and Piedmont Airlines. "We didn't attract people into the business for a couple of years, and we're working our way through that as we have retirements that are coming out the other side," he said in a fourth-quarter earnings call. As airlines become more desperate for pilots, they have come up with different approaches to filling the cockpit. Hiring from abroad Low-cost carrier Breeze Airways is taking advantage of an E-3 work visa program that allows qualified Australian nationals to apply for employment with the airline. However, foreign pilots will have to cover the cost of travel and the visa before flying for Breeze. "It's an opportunity to give good, hardworking, well-qualified folks jobs who want to live in the US [and] want to be a pilot for a US airline," Christopher Owens, Breeze's vice president of flight operations, told Insider in January 2022. Increasing pilot pay Regional flying has been particularly impacted by the pilot shortage, forcing airlines to slash dozens of flights to small markets and even ground regional jets. In an effort to attract and retain talent, carriers have dramatically increased pilot wages. Crew members at American subsidiaries PSA, Envoy, and Piedmont had their salaries nearly doubled, while Delta recently agreed to a new contract increasing pilot pay by 34% over four years. Other regional carriers like Mesa Airlines, Republic Airways, and Delta's wholly-owned airline Endeavor Air have also gotten pay increases. Delta, however, has maintained that it is not experiencing a shortage at the mainline, with company CEO Ed Bastian telling CNBC in January that "we've got the staff we need." Lowering training requirements Regional carrier Republic recently asked the FAA to reduce the flight hour requirement for pilots graduating from its LIFT pilot training academy. Currently, pilots who want to fly for a regional airline need 1,500 hours but can have as low as 1,000 or 1,250 with an accredited college degree, according to the Federal Aviation Administration. But, Republic wanted a 750-hour requirement — a request the FAA denied in September, saying the company's flight academy "does not provide an equivalent level of safety as the regulation requiring 1,500 hours of flight experience before a pilot may work for an airline." https://news.yahoo.com/airlines-combating-pilot-shortage-paying-100000044.html Pilots Hide Health Problems to Avoid Losing Certification, Survey Shows — May see disincentives to be truthful about their health BOSTON -- Fear that revealing health problems to medical professionals may result in losing certification to fly impels many pilots to avoid healthcare encounters, a survey indicated. Two-thirds of military and paid civilian pilots reported having answered "yes" to at least one of four survey questions addressing reluctance to seek formal medical advice about health problems, according to William R. Hoffman, MD, a U.S. Air Force employee based at Brooke Army Medical Center in Fort Sam Houston, Texas. In a poster presented here at the American Academy of Neurologyopens in a new tab or window annual meeting, Hoffman noted that both civilian and military pilots can be grounded if they have certain medical symptoms or diagnoses. Such actions "can have negative occupational, social, and financial repercussions." Consequently, pilots may see disincentives to be truthful about their health if there is a chance that their employers or government or military officials will find out. In a previous survey of pilots led by Hoffmanopens in a new tab or window, more than three-quarters said they "felt worried about seeking medical care due to concern for their career or hobby." The new survey elaborated on the question by asking about specific aspects of reluctance. Respondents were asked to agree or disagree with statements including: Sought informal medical advice for fear of certificate loss Flew despite experiencing a new symptom (physical or psychological) that warranted evaluation Did not disclose prescription medication use Misrepresented or withheld information on a written healthcare questionnaire for fear of certificate loss Respondents included 2,383 nonprofessional civilian pilots, 1,097 paid civilian pilots, and 261 military pilots. The web-based survey was advertised via social media channels often used by pilots and was also distributed to U.S. Air Force medical clinics. Just over half of the unpaid civilian pilots denied ever hiding any of the four types of information. But that was true for only 33.6% of the paid civilian pilots and 32.2% of the military pilots. Fortunately, among all respondents, only 6.8% said they had not disclosed prescription drug use as required, and just 16.8% acknowledged that they had kept new symptoms secret. But 45.7% acknowledged seeking informal advice in place of seeing a professional, and 26.8% said they had withheld or overtly misrepresented information on written forms. A few (2.2%) admitted to all four types of avoidance. Women were somewhat more likely to have avoided disclosure in at least one way (62.0% of all female respondents vs 55.4% of men; P not reported). Lack of openness was also more common in younger pilots, especially those ages 25 to 40 (69.1% vs 40.7% in those older than 60). In addition, union membership and active-duty military status were associated with high rates of avoidance (70.1% and 75.8%, respectively, vs 51.8% among non-unionized civilian and military reservist pilots). Hoffman suggested that neurologists recognize the potential for pilots to be shy about revealing their true health condition. "This might be mitigated through developing rapport with the pilot, asking questions about concerns related to their flying status, and clear communication about documentation and clinic course." Additionally, he recommended, "it is good technique to order only the necessary tests for all patients, to include pilots to avoid false positives." Importantly, however, medical professionals cannot promise to keep these discussions and findings to themselves. Hoffman noted that, if a professional has concerns about a pilot's health, it should be communicated to the official charged with evaluating that pilot's fitness to fly. https://www.medpagetoday.com/meetingcoverage/aan/104161 FedEx to close pilot bases in Alaska, California and Germany Downsizing flight operations is big piece of parcel carrier’s strategy to improve efficiency, profitability FedEx is relocating some pilot groups, including for the Boeing 757 in Europe, to other bases in an effort to save money. FedEx will shut down pilot bases in Alaska, California and Germany as part of the company’s aggressive campaign to eliminate billions in structural costs by fiscal year 2027 by streamlining operations and networks, FreightWaves has learned. Pilots domiciled in Anchorage, Los Angeles and Cologne Bonn Airport in Germany who fly two older aircraft types will gradually transition to other bases in the FedEx (NYSE: FDX) network, the company said in an email statement. The Cologne hub hosts crews for medium-size Boeing 757 freighters, while Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport and Los Angeles International Airport are home ports for McDonnell Douglas MD-11 pilots. “As the global business environment continues to evolve, FedEx has made the decision to relocate its pilots and close its 757 crew base in Cologne, Germany (GHN) and its MD-11 crew bases in Anchorage, Alaska (ANG) and Los Angeles, California (LAX). The decision only affects the base of the crews operating these flights and will not impact our current service,” FedEx said. “Our operations in these markets continue to play an important role in the global FedEx network and the flexibility of this network enables us to make adjustments that best meet the needs of our customers throughout the world. As with any base closure, the process is a gradual one and this relocation will occur without any disruption to our operations. FedEx Express positions pilots across the U.S., Europe and Asia to increase efficiency. Living in the same city where flights originate allows pilots to have the longest layovers and makes scheduling easier in contrast to living in remote locations and having to commute to the base for the next duty cycle. FedEx also has pilot bases at its global hub in Memphis, Tennessee, as well as regional hubs in Indianapolis; Oakland, California; and Guangzhou, China. The airline closed its Hong Kong pilot base in late 2021 because draconian COVID quarantine requirements for pilots returning from overseas trips significantly hampered its ability to operate efficiently. Most pilots were relocated to Oakland. The base closures are part of a multilayered cost initiative since last fall to right-size operations with the downturn in international and e-commerce shipping volumes as well as make long-term transformational changes. A restructuring, announced earlier this month, will see FedEx combine separate air, ground and parcel businesses under one roof to improve network efficiency. The efforts, launched after FedEx’s operating income significantly underperformed, are expected to generate $6 billion in permanent cost reductions. A major focus is efficiently deploying crews, aircraft and commercial linehaul. FedEx plans to save $700 million per year in its air network by rerouting nonpriority shipments to ground transport and third-party carriers, deemphasizing its hub system in favor of more direct routes and consolidating other functions. The company is also accelerating the retirement of its MD-11 fleet by two years. FedEx operated 58 of the older, tri-engine jets and 119 Boeing 757-200s as of March 1. FedEx officials have said they will reduce flight hours by more than 10% this quarter compared to last year and over the long term invest less in future aircraft as more flying is outsourced. FreightWaves first reported in late March that FedEx planned to close its heavy maintenance facility at LAX next year and move those functions to its large regional hub in Indianapolis. The closure of the pilot bases raises uncertainty for FedEx pilots as they try to close out a contract deal after two years of talks. Earlier this month pilots began voting on whether to give union leaders a mandate to call a strike if federal mediation and other steps fail to break the impasse. “In the final stages of contract negotiations, senior FedEx executives have introduced career-altering changes for the dedicated pilot — a corporate-wide restructure with a new emphasis on outsourcing, pilot base closures, forced pilot downgrades (which equates to a pay reduction) and a push toward moving Express freight on slower modes of transport, essentially cannibalizing the FedEx Express flight network,” the Air Line Pilots Association said in statement last week marking FedEx’s 50th anniversary. https://www.freightwaves.com/news/fedex-to-close-pilot-bases-in-alaska-california-and-germany GAO issues safety recommendations for National Guard rotary training The US Government Accountability Office (GAO) pointed to a lack of time for safety officers to conduct safety briefings, among other issues. The US Government Accountability Office (GAO) has made a series of safety recommendations to the US military’s National Guard rotary aviation units, following analysis of a accident data that details 298 incidents for non-combat flights between FY2012 and FY2021. The US National Guard force is comprised of US Army and US Air Force component, both of which operate rotary aviation platforms to conduct domestic and overseas missions. Most of the 298 accidents recorded over the reporting period was as a result of human error, according to the GAO in its report, published on 12 April. One of the issues identified was that safety officers “have limited time” to focus on safety issues such as leading safety-orientated briefings, as a result of other required duties, leading to a recommendation that the National Guard components “reassess” their safety officer workload. Approximately 45 of the 298 reported helicopter accidents during non-combat flight operations between FY2021 and FY2021 were considered serious incidents in that they involved death or permanent disability of personnel, extensive hospitalization, property damages of $500,000 or more, or a helicopter destroyed. The GAO attributed these accidents, which fluctuated over time, mainly to human errors such as not following training standards, overconfidence, poor communication, and lack of awareness, following analysis of data from the US Department of Defense. In addition, while the Army and Air National Guard have established flying hour goals, pulots did not fly enough on average to meet them due to lack of aircrew availability, maintenance issues, and simulator access, the GAO stated. The Army and Air National guard had “taken steps” to mitigate these challenges, the GAO said, such as conducting formal studies, but these had “not fully addressed the identified challenges”. Further, the GAO said that the effectiveness of Army and Air National Guard risk reduction processes used during training did not continuously evaluate and update unit level risk management worksheets to incorporate relevant safety information such as accident data and unit culture surveys. “By evaluating these worksheets on a routine and recurring basis, Army and Air National Guard helicopter units will ensure those units have cyclical feedback and evaluation of this key risk management process to help ensure risk management procedures are effective,” the GAO stated in its report. The US National Guard operates a range of aviation platforms, including the UH-72 from Airbus, and the ubiquitous UH-60 Black Horse, among others. https://www.airforce-technology.com/news/us-gao-safety-recommendations-national-guard-rotary-training/ How Are Aircraft Reactivated After Extensive Periods In Storage? It takes around 100 working hours to return a widebody jet to service after long-term storage. A line of stored airliners at Goodyear, ArizonaPhoto: Alan Wilson via Flickr. Have you ever wondered what is involved in getting aircraft that have been sitting unused for months and sometimes even years airworthy again after an extended storage period? Storage facilities must begin intensive recovery and maintenance programs before signing off on a Certificate of Release to Service (CRS). During the COVID-19 pandemic and the massive downturn in travel, airlines worldwide sent their aircraft to storage facilities. Because operators will seek areas of low humidity, places like Arizona, Southern California, Spain, the Middle East, and the Australian outback are common destinations for long-term aircraft storage. With dry conditions, the aircraft has less chance of surface erosion which is especially important for protecting engine blades. Aircraft must be maintained while in long-term storage It is not a question of just leaving the plane alone until it is ready to return to service, as aircraft in storage still need maintenance to keep them in decent condition. This was especially true during the pandemic, as nobody knew how long the aircraft would be in storage. When a plane arrives at the facility, depending on its size, it can take as long as two weeks to prepare it for long-term storage. A facility must first ensure the aircraft is moored correctly and secured to prevent it from being damaged by high winds. All oils are removed from the plane and replaced with preservative liquids, while any openings and sensors are covered. Also, because most of these locations are in hot sunny areas, covers are put on the wheels to protect the rubber from the effects of the sun. The aircraft's interior is also protected with plastic sheeting and desiccants to absorb any water in the air. Aircraft manufacturer guidelines help operators return a plane to service Preparing a stored aircraft to return to service is a painstaking task that requires reversing everything done to prepare it for long-term storage. When an aircraft is ready to be returned to service, the storage facility follows aircraft manufacturers' maintenance guidelines. First, they remove all the protective covers and tape that kept the plane dry and stopped it from becoming a home for insects and animals. This is especially crucial concerning the pitot-static system to determine an aircraft's airspeed and altitude. If an insect or insects were to find a way to get through the cover and into the tubing, it could result in erroneous data being sent to the crew. Storage facilities flush the system to ensure the pitot-static system is free of insects or any other debris before signing off on its readiness. It takes around 100 working hours to return a widebody to service The time to prepare a plane for service depends on the aircraft size. A widebody plane like an Airbus A380 takes around 100 man-hours, while a narrowbody Boeing 737 takes approximately 40. All the aircraft's hydraulics must be refilled with oils, the plane's electrical systems reconnected, and the engines turned on to ensure everything works correctly. Adding pressure to the task is that airlines often give little notice when asking for their aircraft to be ready to return to service. The job can also be compounded when several airlines want their plan's back at the same time. https://simpleflying.com/how-are-stored-aircraft-reactivated/ Spirit Airlines Receives 200th Airbus Aircraft Ultra-low-cost-carrier Spirit Airlines (NK) recently welcomed its 200th Airbus A320neo to the fleet. The delivery marks the first of 26 expected to join the carrier this year. The airline is fizzing with the latest delivery, with passengers expected to enjoy a quieter, more fuel-efficient journey, including the airline's upgraded wider seats. The latest arrival, registration N973NK was assembled at Airbus' plant in Mobile, Alabama, alongside the 14 aircraft already delivered last year. Once the aircraft was off the production line, it received a few final tweaks at the airline's maintenance facility in Detroit, Michigan. An all-Airbus fleet Spirit transitioned to an all-Airbus fleet in 2006, with the average age of most aircraft for the airline being under seven years, placing the airline as one of the youngest and most fuel-efficient in the United States. The airline reiterated: 'The investments in new A320neo family aircraft with enhanced aerodynamics and the latest-generation jet engines are paying off with significant reductions in fuel burn, fewer emissions, and lower noise levels.' C. Jeffrey Knittel, President and CEO of Airbus Americas, Inc, shared his views on Spirit's latest delivery: "The 200th aircraft delivery from Airbus to Spirit Airlines is not only a major milestone, but also reflects the trust they have in our products that provide the best passenger experience their customers demand combined with the cost and environmentally efficient operations the airline needs, Spirit has one of the youngest and most fuel-efficient fleets in the US thanks to the benefits offered by our A320 Family of aircraft." Spirit Airlines President and CEO Ted Christie also weighed in on the airline's latest arrival and released this statement. "Our new, fuel-efficient aircraft allow us to deliver on our promise to give our Guests both an affordable and great experience, "Spirit's Pilots truly enjoy flying our modern aircraft fleet, and we'd like to thank Airbus for their long-term partnership. I'd also like to recognize all our Spirit Family Members and business partners who prepare our planes for service and keep them in tip-top shape, with safety as their top priority." An enhanced experience with Spirit As previously reported by Simple Flying, the airline's latest deliveries will feature an upgraded interior onboard. Manufacturers have developed the hotly anticipated wider seats produced at reduced weight, optimizing fuel efficiency. These also include new, comfortable features expected to enhance passengers' overall experience. Several years ago, Spirit announced its new interior with more space at each seat, larger tray tables, and pre-recline on every row. Based on customer feedback, Spirit has continued to modify its cabins. For the champagne taste but on a beer budget traveler, the airline's Big Front Seats are now larger and include an extended pre-recline. Not only are the latest seats expected to wow travelers, but with the airline recently introducing high-speed WiFi on select A320 and A321s, travelers can now surf Simple Flying in the sky. https://simpleflying.com/spirit-airlines-receives-200-airbus-aircraft/?newsletter_popup=1 FAA key leader to step down in summer 2023, leaving a vacancy The acting administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Billy Nolen announced his decision to step down from his current position after a year of service. Billy Nolen, who has been in charge of the US aviation regulator on an interim basis since April 1, 2022, plans to resign sometime “this summer,” when the authority nominates a new administrator, the FAA’s top aviation safety official wrote in a letter to regulator’s employees seen by Politico on April 21, 2023. “I have given everything to this agency, and now it’s time to do the same for my family, who have sacrificed so much and supported me during my time at the FAA,” Nolen explained. Nolen took the role of FAA acting administrator after the former head Steve Dickson left the agency at the end of March 2022. The recent announcement has sparked discussions over the uncertainty of the FAA‘s future because the authority has already operated without a Senate-confirmed permanent chief for almost a year. On January 3, 2023, US President Biden nominated dozens of candidates to key national security, judicial, and administrative posts, including the position to lead the FAA. At the time, President nominated Phil Washington, the current CEO of Denver International Airport (DEN). But in March 2023, the nominee exited from a nomination campaign for the role of permanent FAA administrator due to Republican criticism and lack of support in the Senate Commerce Committee. After Washington withdrew, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg reportedly asked Nolen to stay in the post longer, but the administrator refused the offer arguing that he was not interested in the role on a permanent basis. Chapman Freeborn In Article Second Spring 2023 Federal Aviation Administration FAA Biden’s nominee to head FAA exits campaign amid criticism Before becoming the FAA acting chief, Nolen served as the agency’s Associate Administrator for Aviation Safety (AVS), which is responsible for aircraft certification, production approval, and continued airworthiness as well as certification of pilots, mechanics, and other specialists in safety-related positions. He joined FAA from his role as Vice President of Safety, Security, and Quality at Canada-based air carrier WestJet. https://www.aerotime.aero/articles/faa-key-leader-to-step-down-in-summer-2023-leaving-a-vacancy American woman arrested at Sydney airport after arriving with 24-carat, gold-plated handgun Border officials in Australia arrested an American in Sydney after she arrived on a flight from Los Angeles with a 24-carat, gold-plated handgun packed in her luggage. The 28-year-old woman, whose name was not released, was taken into custody on Sunday. She did not have a permit to import or possess a firearm in Australia, the Australian Border Force (ABF) said in a statement. It is illegal to “intentionally” import firearms without approval in Australia, a country with strict gun laws. Violators face up to 10 years in prison. Commander Justin Bathurst commended the agency officers for repeatedly targeting and stopping "illegal, and highly dangerous, goods from crossing Australia's border." “The ABF is Australia's first and most important line of defense. ABF officers are committed to protecting our community by working with law enforcement partners to prevent items like unregistered firearms getting through at the border," he said. US border policy to expire next month:Trump-era border policy set to expire in May. New rules may be no easier on border crossers Australia Border Force officers arrested a a 28-year-old American in Sydney after she arrive on flight from Los Angeles with 24-carat gold-plated handgun packed in her luggage on April 24, 2023. Released on bond The woman appeared in a Sydney court on Monday and was released after posting bond. She remains subject to visa cancellation and removal from Australia, pending the outcome of her court case, the release states. https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/airline-news/2023/04/25/american-arrested-sydney-airport-gold-gun/11733497002/ Five Years Of Commercial Service: Who Flies The Embraer E-Jet E2 Family Today? On April 24th, 2018, the Embraer E-Jet E2 family aircraft entered commercial service with Widerøe. Despite its relatively recent entry into the commercial aviation market, the Brazilian-made Embraer E-Jet E2 aircraft family has steadily gained popularity in the large regional market. While it launched at the Paris Air Show in 2013, this aircraft family has seen commercial use for just five years. Embraer's E-Jet E2 aircraft family is the manufacturer's latest generation of jets, designed to cater to medium-range operations. It consists of three aircraft models, namely the E175-E2, E190-E2, and the larger E195-E2 variant. The E190-E2 was the first aircraft launched in the Embraer E2 family. Following its maiden flight on May 23, 2016, the aircraft was certified on February 28, 2018, and entered service with its launch customer, the Norwegian regional airline Widerøe, just shy of two months after. According to ch-aviation, there are currently nine operators with active Embraer E2 family aircraft. Let's further explore the carriers and numbers behind these planes. Azul Linhas Aéreas Brasileiras Hailing from the same nation, regional and domestic Brazilian airline Azul stands out among the few airlines with a significant amount of Embraer E2 family aircraft in their fleet. According to ch-aviation.com, the airline operates an active fleet of 15 Embraer E195-E2 jets, also known as Embraer ERJ190-400. Helvetic Airways Helvetic Airways, a regional airline based in Switzerland, currently operates 11 Embraer E2 family jets. Among them, seven are the smaller variant E190-E2 (also known as the ERJ190-300), while the other four are the larger E195-E2 variant. According to ch-aviation.com data, Helvetic Airways' Embraer E190-E2 jets can accommodate up to 114 passengers, while the Embraer E195-E2s can seat up to a maximum of 146 passengers. Porter Airlines In 2021, Porter Airlines, a Canadian carrier, placed an order for 30 Embraer E195-E2 aircraft, with the option to purchase an additional 50, collectively valued at the list price of $5.82 billion. Currently, the airline boasts a fleet of eight active Embraer E195-E2 jets. KLM Cityhopper Another excellent choice for those seeking to travel on the highly-regarded Embraer E2 family would be to fly with KLM Cityhopper, the regional subsidiary of KLM Royal Dutch Airlines. The carrier presently has seven Embraer E195-E2 jets in operation. Notably, the first Embraer E195-E2 added to the KLM Cityhopper was delivered to Amsterdam Schiphol Airport (AMS), the Netherlands, on February 25, 2021, and quickly began service on March 1, 2021, flying a route to Warsaw, Poland. Binter Canarias The flag carrier of the Canary Islands Spanish autonomous community, Binter Canarias, currently has a fleet of five actively flying Embraer E190-E2 jets. Air Astana Kazakhstan-based Air Astana operates an active fleet of four Embraer E2 jets. In 2018, the airline welcomed brand new E190-E2 jets to its fleet to replace its aging original E190 jets. Air Peace Air Peace, an airline based in Nigeria, currently operates an active fleet of four Embraer E195-E2 aircraft. In 2021, the airline officially inaugurated its first Embraer E195-E2, becoming the first African operator of the type. Widerøe While Widerøe is considered a launch customer of Embraer E2 family aircraft, the airline only has two Embraer E190-E2 jets currently in active service. The third is currently undergoing maintenance and is due to return to service shortly. Plonair Australia The list of airlines actively operating the Embraer E2 family aircraft ends with Plonair Australia as the only carrier flying a single Embraer E190-E2 jet at the time of writing. https://simpleflying.com/embraer-e2-family-2023-operators/ United Airlines flight to Israel turns back after passenger gets into a shouting match with crew A United Airlines flight bound for Israel landed back in Newark after a passenger got into a shouting match with crew members. The “disruptive passenger” was on Flight 90, which departed from Newark Liberty International Airport on Sunday morning. But the plane made a U-turn about three hours into the 10-hour trip, the airline confirmed. An eyewitness told the Israeli media outlet Ynet that the unidentified man wanted to use the bathroom and chose to wait in a seat assigned to crew members only. When a flight attendant chastised him, the man got into a shouting match with the employee, who threatened to turn the plane around. The man appeared not to believe the warning, the witness said. Video from a fellow passenger shows the moment the unidentified man, wearing a black turtleneck, was escorted out of the plane. A follow-up video shows the man talking about the incident with a group of people back at the Newark airport. The passenger was escorted out the plane. United described him as a "disruptive passenger." Passengers noticed that the flight had been canceled when their on-screen map showed the U-turn. United Airlines confirmed that the flight was halted over the man’s unruly behavior and that he was removed by law enforcement. The airline did not immediately respond to The Post’s additional request for information on the incident. The disruption ultimately canceled the flight on Sunday, leaving passengers stuck in New Jersey waiting for the rescheduled flight. Among the frustrated passengers aboard the flight was Jeff Hunt, who was among the many to notice something was wrong when the in-flight progress map showed that the plane was turning back to America. The man was seen talking about his case at the Newark Liberty International Airport. United Airlines rescheduled the flight to Tel Aviv later on Sunday. Hunt tweeted about the experience, noting that it was part of a long series of mishaps keeping him from Israel on Sunday. “Trying to make it to Tel Aviv. First flight from DC canceled due to weather,” he wrote. “No worries. Took 3hr train to Newark. Flight delayed 2.5hrs due to weather. 4hrs into flight, unruly passenger requires return to Newark. “Thanks, bro,” he wrote about the disruptive passenger. A similar incident occurred last year aboard a United flight from Newark to Tel Aviv, when the plane turned around mid-flight after two passengers assigned themselves business class seats and refused to leave. https://nypost.com/2023/04/24/flight-to-israel-turns-back-after-passenger-gets-into-a-shouting-match-with-crew/ Curt Lewis