Flight Safety Information - May 3, 2023 No. 085 In This Issue : Incident: Hawaiian A332 at Kahului on Apr 30th 2023, smell of smoke : Incident: Nolinor B738 at Toronto on Apr 15th 2023, flaps failure : Incident: Jetblue BCS3 and American B38M at Charleston on Apr 30th 2023, loss of separation on runway : Biden eyes Mike Whitaker for FAA administrator : A United passenger is banned from future flights after witnesses say he punched a crew member and tried to jump out of the plane : U.S. will not extend deadline on critical 5G airplane retrofit : Allergies in the sky: Airlines are pressed to treat severe reactions : TSA officers intercept loaded firearm at Bradley International Airport : Japan Airlines To Increase Its Cargo Fleet For The First Time In 13 Years : What Are The World's Most Expensive Jet Engines? : India's Go First airline files for bankruptcy, blames Pratt & Whitney engines : AIRBUS - Position Available: Aviation Safety Officer Incident: Hawaiian A332 at Kahului on Apr 30th 2023, smell of smoke A Hawaiian Airlines Airbus A330-200, registration N390HA performing flight HA-34 from Kahului,HI to Los Angeles,CA (USA), was climbing out of Kahului's runway 02 when the crew stopped the climb at about 10,000 feet reporting a smell of smoke in the cabin. The aircraft returned to Kahului for a safe landing on runway 02 about 30 minutes after departure. The aircraft remained on the ground for about 5.5 hours, then departed again and reached Los Angeles with a delay of 6:15 hours. https://avherald.com/h?article=5089ac50&opt=0 Incident: Nolinor B738 at Toronto on Apr 15th 2023, flaps failure A Nolinor Aviation Boeing 737-800, registration C-FHNM performing flight N5-821 from Varavadero (Cuba) to Toronto,ON (Canada) with 166 people on board, was on approach to Toronto's runway 24L when the crew selected the gear down followed by a flaps extension to 15 degrees, however, no flags movement was indicated. The crew recycled the flaps lever, however, again no flaps movement was indicated. The crew initiated a go around, extended the flaps to 15 degrees using the alternate flaps extension and declared PAN PAN. The aircraft landed on runway 23 at a higher than normal landing speed. The Canadian TSB reported emergency services were on standby and inspected the aircraft for hot brakes and possible leaks. Maintenance subsequently found a malfunction of the Flap Slat Electronic Sensor (FSEU) was at fault. A BITE check revealed no further faults and the aircraft was returned to service. https://avherald.com/h?article=508971c4&opt=0 Incident: Jetblue BCS3 and American B38M at Charleston on Apr 30th 2023, loss of separation on runway A Jetblue Bombardier C-Series CS-300, registration N3118J performing flight B6-2468 from Charleston,SC to Boston,MA (USA), was cleared for takeoff from Charleston's runway 21 when another aircraft was on a 2nm final and commenced takeoff. An American Airlines Boeing 737-8 MAX, registration N335SN performing flight AA-2325 from Dallas Ft. Worth,TX to Charleston,SC (USA), was on short final approach to runway 21 descending through about 700 feet when the crew initiated a go around after realizing the Jetblue was still on the runway. The aircraft turned right onto a heading of 260 immediately and climbed to 3000 feet. The CS-300 climbed through the altitude of the Boeing, the horizontal separation reduced to about 0.4nm. The Boeing positioned for another approach to runway 21 and landed safely about 15 minutes after the go around, the CS-300 continued to Boston for a safe landing, too. https://avherald.com/h?article=50886b83&opt=0 Biden eyes Mike Whitaker for FAA administrator Michael Whitaker, chief commercial officer of Supernal, speaks to reporters in Coventry, U.K., on April 25. Mike Whitaker, a former Federal Aviation Administration official under President Obama, has emerged as a leading candidate to head the agency for President Biden, according to people familiar with the matter. Why it matters: Ensuring stable leadership at the agency responsible for aviation safety is especially important after a series of close calls and frustrations among the public about flight delays and cancellations. Biden's previous nominee Phil Washington, the CEO of Denver International Airport, was forced to withdraw his nomination amid Republican opposition last month. The position requires Senate confirmation. Whitaker, a lawyer by training, spent much of his career in the airline industry before joining the FAA under Obama, where he was responsible for modernizing the nation's air traffic control system as the deputy administrator and chief NextGen officer. A final decision hasn't been made, according to the people familiar with the matter. A White House official declined to comment. Driving the new: The acting head of the FAA, Billy Nolen, plans to leave this summer, after a new nominee is named. That timing will likely create a leadership gap, with Nolen out the door and Whitaker not yet confirmed. The current chief of staff, Katie Thomson, a former top attorney at the FAA and Department of Transportation — and onetime Amazon executive — is expected to serve as acting administrator, according to a person familiar with the matter. Between the lines: Whitaker became a pilot during his time at the FAA under Obama. After the FAA, he also worked for Hyundai's urban air mobility (UAM) division. The big picture: Airlines have already announced they are reducing scheduled summer flights in New York and Washington, D.C., due to a shortage of air traffic controllers. The FAA last week named an independent safety review team to address ways to boost air safety after a series of close-call incidents. Yes, but: Despite a half-dozen serious runway incidents in the first few months of the year, the FAA is recognized as a world leader when it comes to aviation safety. The U.S. has not had a major fatal passenger airline crash since February 2009. Zoom out: Managing traffic in the skies is becoming a lot harder, not just because more people are flying since the height of the pandemic. The FAA already manages about 45,000 flights per day — including commercial airlines, cargo carriers and private planes. The national airspace is getting more crowded and complex with the addition of hundreds of thousands of drones, plus the occasional rocket launch and, soon, air taxis. Zoom in: The FAA's five-year funding and authority are up for renewal by Congress in September. Aviation industry officials say the agency is in desperate need of increased funding to replace antiquated technology and hire more air traffic controllers. Go deeper: The FAA reauthorization bill could get bumpy in Congress over a push from a new lobbying coalition, including Delta Air Lines, to allow more long-haul flights in and out of Reagan National Airport. https://www.axios.com/2023/05/01/biden-faa-leading-candidate A United passenger is banned from future flights after witnesses say he punched a crew member and tried to jump out of the plane • Witnesses say a United Airlines passenger punched a crew member and tried to jump from the plane.ABC 7; United Airlines • A United Airlines flyer reportedly became violent after he was told to leave someone else's seat. • He then opened the emergency exit and attempted to jump from the plane, a witness told ABC 7. • The man has been banned from future flights, a United representative confirmed to Insider. A passenger has been banned from traveling with United Airlines after witnesses say he punched a crew member and tried to jump out of the plane during boarding. A United spokesperson confirmed the incident to Insider. "This customer's behavior was unacceptable," a representative told Insider in a statement. "He has been banned from future United flights and we are working with local law enforcement in their investigation." The incident happened around midnight on May 1, according to local news outlet ABC 7. The United Flight was preparing to take off from San Francisco International Airport on its way to Houston when passenger Naya Jimenez asked the man and his wife to move from her assigned seat. Things escalated, Jimenez said, after an employee stepped in. "They had to bring in a gate attendant to try to talk to both of them," Jimenez told the outlet. "Then, he began slurring his speech a little bit, like, 'Sir, why are you smiling at me?' That's the first thing he said." Video of the incident shows the man repeatedly swinging at the employee and other passengers as people attempted to restrain him. Then, according to Jimenez, he ran towards the emergency exit. "After he paused for a minute, he ran toward where the pilot was, where the emergency exit doors are, and attempted to open it," Jimenez told the ABC affiliate. "(He) successfully opened the emergency exit and was about to jump down." "The flight attendants just kicked in, and everybody pulled him back to safety," she continued. "On Sunday night, our team at San Francisco International Airport immediately contacted law enforcement officials after a customer became disruptive during boarding," a United Airlines representative told ABC 7 in a statement. "We're grateful to our team in San Francisco for their professionalism in this situation and for looking out for the safety of our customers and their fellow United employees." In a statement to Insider, a United representative repeated that the San Francisco team had contacted law enforcement after the altercation, though it wasn't immediately clear whether the passenger had been arrested. United is working with local law enforcement in an investigation, the spokesperson told Insider. It's the most recent example of a passenger being removed for unruly behavior. In late April, reality TV star Savannah Chrisley said she was "thrown off" a Southwest flight after refusing to check her bag. That same week, a United flight had to turn around three hours after it took off when a man reportedly sat in a crew seat and got "in a shouting match" with a flight attendant. https://www.yahoo.com/news/united-passenger-banned-future-flights-205346769.html U.S. will not extend deadline on critical 5G airplane retrofit WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The Biden administration does not plan to extend a July 1 deadline for airlines to upgrade airplane altimeters, the measuring instruments that are crucial for bad-weather landings, to address potential interference from 5G wireless technology, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said. Buttigieg in a call on Tuesday told airlines that the deadline will not be moved. He said airlines had made progress, but urged them to work aggressively to continue retrofitting airplanes, the Transportation Department said. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said last week it did not plan to extend the July 1 deadline before new rules take effect prohibiting certain landings in low-visibility conditions without upgraded altimeters. Tuesday was the first time in recent months Buttigieg has weighed in on the July 1 date after some airlines pressed hard for a deadline extension. The International Air Transport Association, which represents more than 100 carriers that fly to the United States, said on Tuesday, "Supply chain issues make it unlikely that all aircraft can be upgraded by the 1 July deadline, threatening operational disruptions during the peak northern summer travel season." Concerns that 5G service could interfere with airplane altimeters, which measure a plane's height above the ground, led to brief disruptions at some U.S. airports last year as international carriers canceled some flights. Last year, Verizon and AT&T voluntarily agreed to delay some C-Band 5G usage until July 1 as air carriers worked to retrofit airplane altimeters. IATA said Tuesday that "more is needed" and said many airlines will have to retrofit most of their aircraft twice in just five years. On March 31, four major U.S. wireless carriers agreed to some voluntary actions to address aviation safety concerns and allow full use of the C-Band wireless spectrum for 5G use. Acting FAA Administrator Billy Nolen said last week the FAA has "given airlines until July of this year to retrofit. Now upon we get to July 1st, if they haven't retrofitted, meaning they will not be able to take advantage of lower visibility approaches that may result in a divert." Nolen added that if airlines they have not retrofitted by next year "they will not be able to operate" in U.S. airspace. The agreement with Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile US and UScellular followed extensive discussions with the FAA, allowing carriers to increase power levels to get to full C-Band use by July 1. Separately, the FAA on Tuesday proposed seven airworthiness directives for many Boeing aircraft due to the potential for 5G C-band interference. The proposed directives impact 4,800 U.S. registered airplanes and 14,600 worldwide. They require revising aircraft flight manuals by June 30 to prohibit some landings and include specific operating procedures for calculating landing distances and certain approaches when in the presence of 5G C-band interference. Boeing said Tuesday that it "continues to work with suppliers, regulators, the airlines and telecom companies to ensure long-term stability and help mitigate operational restrictions where possible." https://www.yahoo.com/finance/news/u-not-extend-july-1-221417737.html Allergies in the sky: Airlines are pressed to treat severe reactions The FAA is considering updates to emergency kits to include EpiPens, pediatric doses of antihistamines and medicine to reverse opioid overdoses. Lindsey Ulin wasn't feeling great when she boarded her flight from Phoenix to Austin, Texas, in early March. Ulin, 28, had just spent four days on vacation, hiking and enjoying the warm weather in Scottsdale, Arizona, with her mother and sister. Just before boarding their flight home, they had lunch at a little French restaurant at the airport. Ulin had a burger, fries and a side of Brussels sprouts — all food she'd eaten before without issue. But nausea soon crept in. "I really thought it was just indigestion from eating lunch, and that it would get better on its own," Ulin said. The feeling did not go away once they were in the air. Hives popped up on her face and chest. She couldn't get enough air into her lungs. Panic followed. "We were still 30 minutes away from landing and my family was having to sit there and helplessly watch as I struggled to breathe," Ulin said. "Things were getting worse very quickly." As a resident physician in internal medicine at Brigham & Women's Hospital in Boston, Ulin recognized that she was experiencing a severe allergic reaction called anaphylaxis. The condition can be deadly unless the person is given an emergency injection of epinephrine. It works by increasing blood flow throughout the body and relaxing muscles that block airways. The injection device, usually placed on the thigh, administers the medicine automatically and is designed to be user-friendly, even for children who have never used one. They come with clear instructions for use, often with audio help, and can be used immediately. But there wasn't an epinephrine auto-injector on board during Ulin's flight. The airline didn't carry one. None of the passengers did, either. And Ulin had no idea what had caused her allergic reaction. "I accepted that I was probably going to die," she said. In-flight emergencies Medical emergencies on flights are not uncommon. A 2013 study found that dozens of such events occur on commercial flights each day in the United States. Most are related to stomach aches, anxiety or a feeling that a person is about to pass out. Some emergencies, however, are life-threatening. Commercial airlines are required to carry a basic set of medical tools, including aspirin, a stethoscope and devices used to help with cardiopulmonary resuscitation, or CPR. The Federal Aviation Administration, however, does not require EpiPens, or epinephrine auto-injectors, on commercial flights, a lapse that frustrates allergists. “As someone who has frequently assisted in these emergency situations,” airlines should “absolutely” carry the auto-injectors, Dr. Purvi Parikh, an allergist and immunologist at NYU Langone Health in New York City, wrote in an email. The airline emergency kits do carry epinephrine, but in vials that only trained medical professionals may be able to use in the event of a heart-related issue, for example. There is a growing movement to add epinephrine auto-injectors to address allergies on commercial airlines. "I strongly advocate for this," said Dr. Tyler Barrett, an emergency medicine physician with Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, Tennessee. We need something "that is designed for rapid, easy administration by a layperson." Gasping for air In Ulin's anaphylaxis case, the flight attendant simply handed her a vial as Ulin was struggling to breathe. Ulin tried to break open the vial against the tray table in front of her, unsure of what to do next. A passenger walked up, identifying himself as a doctor who could administer the medicine with syringes he found in the airline's medical kit. "I knew in that moment that this was going to be OK," Ulin said. Ulin described her frightening allergic reaction in a series of tweets in late April. She has not been able to figure out what caused her allergic reaction. Still, she now carries multiple epinephrine auto-injectors at all times. The FAA's response The Aerospace Medical Association recently advised the FAA that airlines should routinely carry epinephrine auto-injectors and other allergy medicines in doses for both adults and children. The agency is also considering updating the kits to include automated blood pressure cuffs and Narcan, which reverses the effects of opioid overdoses. "The FAA is reviewing the emergency medical kit requirements," the agency said in a statement to NBC News. Travelers, even those who have never had allergies before, can avoid risk during flights by wiping down seats, armrests and tray tables upon boarding, Jenna Riemenschneider, senior director of advocacy and policy at the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, said. https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/movement-equip-airplanes-epipens-gaining-traction-rcna82392 TSA officers intercept loaded firearm at Bradley International Airport WINDSOR LOCKS, Conn. – Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers prevented a Connecticut resident from carrying a loaded firearm onto an airplane Monday, May 1, 2023 at Bradley International Airport (BDL). During Monday afternoon security screening, TSA officers detected a firearm in a passenger’s carry-on bag. TSA immediately notified Connecticut State Police (CSP). During their search, CSP discovered a loaded 9mm firearm with a chambered round, as well as 2 ammo clips with a total of 20 rounds. After questioning, CSP arrested the 40-year-old Connecticut woman on a state charge. “Our TSA officers once again are on top of ensuring firearms stay out aircraft cabins,” said William Csontos, TSA Federal Security Director for Connecticut. “Loaded firearms at TSA security checkpoints present an unacceptable safety and security risk to other passengers.” TSA officers have detected 19 firearms at New England security checkpoints in 2023; 6 at BOS, 3 each at BDL and PWM, 2 at BGR and 1 each at AUG, BTV, HVN, MHT, and PVD. In 2022, TSA officers detected a record 47 firearms at New England security checkpoints. TSA reserves the right to issue a civil penalty to travelers who have guns and gun parts with them at a checkpoint. A typical first offense for carrying a loaded gun into a checkpoint is $3,000 and can go as high as $15,000 depending on any mitigating circumstances. This applies to travelers with or without concealed gun carry permits because even though an individual may have a concealed carry permit, it does not allow for a firearm to be carried onto an airplane. The complete list of civil penalties is posted online. If a traveler with a gun is a member of TSA PreCheck®, that individual will lose their TSA PreCheck privileges. Passengers are permitted to travel with firearms in checked baggage if they are unloaded, packed separately from ammunition in a locked hardback case and declared at the airline check-in counter. TSA has details on how to properly travel with a firearm posted on its website. Travelers should also contact their airline as they may have additional requirements for traveling with firearms and ammunition. https://www.tsa.gov/news/press/releases/2023/05/02/tsa-officers-intercept-loaded-firearm-bradley-international-airport Japan Airlines To Increase Its Cargo Fleet For The First Time In 13 Years The freighter aircraft joining its fleet will be fully operated by the airline. Japan Airlines (JAL) announced on Tuesday that it will fly its own planes to support its cargo operations. The airline said that three Boeing 767-300ER Freighters will begin operations by the end of the fiscal year 2023. This is the first time in longer than a decade that JAL will operate its own dedicated cargo aircraft. The freighters are joining the airline as part of a new business model, according to the carrier. Future cargo growth JAL said it has been consistently efficient in securing revenues in the air cargo business through its flexibility in its operation. Since 2010, the airline has been using space on passenger flights and has been chartering freighters from other airlines. Air cargo demand can fluctuate widely, but with JAL's anticipation for future growth and a new business model, the carrier decided to introduce the three cargo jets. “With the introduction of the Freighter, a new business model will be established to ensure stable and growing demand. In addition, we will strengthen our air transportation capabilities to meet the logistics needs arising from the “2024 issue” and contribute to solving social issues based on logistics.” The airline said the "2024 issue" is related to the shortage of truck drivers in Japan due to changes in labor regulations that will be implemented next year. Consistent demand As JAL plans to grow its cargo operations, the airline will focus on building alliances with logistics companies and will operate routes that guarantee stable demand. The carrier said it hopes to capture e-commerce, whether domestic or international, parcel delivery, and other high-growth cargo practices. "We will tie up with logistics partners to reliably meet increasing demand in the international e-commerce industry," JAL Chief Financial Officer Yuji Saito said to Bloomberg. As a result of next year's expected driver shortage, JAL also plans to continue utilizing domestic passenger flights to contribute to the growing demand for air cargo. The airline said it hopes to ensure that domestic flights will play a significant role in growing its cargo operation, with added cargo being loaded into space on passenger flights. The carrier also expects business risks caused by demand fluctuations and market conditions to be limited with the additional support from the dedicated cargo 767s. "Maximizing the cargo loading revenue" In addition, JAL hopes its new business model and new freighters will enhance the ratio of aircraft utilization through a hybrid operation of flying domestic and international flights. "From fiscal 2023, we will begin operating international flights mainly to East Asia, and in the future operate domestic flights to improve aircraft utilization while maximizing the cargo loading ratio," the airline explained. "Furthermore, we will respond to customers' needs by flexibly offering charter and non-scheduled flights." The news of the incoming 767 freighters comes as JAL also reported on Tuesday that passenger demand for international and domestic flights has steadily recovered over the past year. As a result, the carrier's revenue grew by more than 100%, with operating earnings increasing by more than 40%. https://simpleflying.com/japan-airlines-increase-cargo-fleet-first-time-13-years/ What Are The World's Most Expensive Jet Engines? Military engines are some of the costliest due to their extraordinary operational requirements. A Boeing 737 MAX with the Leap engine.Photo: Wirestock Creators / Shutterstock Modern jet engines are engineering marvels that require novel materials and extreme machining precision. Unlike engines that power land-based systems or vehicles, jet engines must withstand harsh environmental conditions during operation. In addition to the aerodynamic loads during flight, varying climates take their toll on the engines. Extraordinary mission requirements make jet engines complex and expensive. This article captures some of the most costly jet engines on the market. Engine costs are based on list prices, while a customer's actual price is generally different and negotiated on a case-by-case basis. Military engines Military engines are some of the most expensive jet engines on the market. Designed for high-speed combat missions, these engines comprise technologically-advanced materials and systems. The Pratt & Whitney F135 engine that powers the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning aircraft costs anywhere between $45 million and $65 million. In June 2022, Pratt & Whitney received a Naval Air Systems Command contract of up to $8 billion to power more than 150 F-35 fighter aircraft. To ensure the aircraft’s vertical takeoff and landing capabilities, these engines provide 28,000 lbf (125 kN) of thrust, or 43,000 lbf (191 kN) thrust with its afterburner. These engines also have specialized hovering capabilities which require additional thrust. Widebody commercial engines Large turbofan engines that power some of the largest airliners, including Boeing 777, Airbus A350, and Airbus A380, are expensive due to their sheer sizes. The largest commercial engine in the world, the General Electric GE9X (yet to be put to service with the Boeing 777X), comes at a list price of $42 million. The GE90, which powers the Boeing 777 aircraft, has a list price of $30 million. And a single Rolls-Royce Trent XWB powering the Airbus A350 costs approximately $25 million at list price. Narrowbody commercial engines Medium-sized turbofan engines, such as the Pratt & Whitney PW1100 and CFM International LEAP, are equally complex. However, such engines are much smaller in size and hence cost less. A CFM LEAP 1-B engine that powers the Boeing 737 MAX family costs $15 million. Similarly, the list price of the PW1100G engine that powers the Airbus A320neo is approximately $12 million. What makes the engines so expensive? The cost of modern jet engines is based on their complex design, high-precision engineering, and comprehensive testing. Critical components of an engine are made of lightweight composites, which increase fuel efficiency. With operating temperatures reaching 2,700 degrees F (1,500 degrees C), expensive temperature-resistant superalloys are used in jet engines. To put things into perspective, a ton of carbon steel costs approximately $500, whereas a specialized nickel-chromium-based superalloy can cost nearly $50,000 per ton. Precise tolerances and tight machining make the design time-intensive, further increasing engine costs. Jet engines must undergo comprehensive testing to comply with safety regulations. Whether ground or flight tests on a testbed (test aircraft), jet engines must be certified for all environmental and operating conditions. A typical turbofan engine may require up to 10,000 engine flight cycles during certification testing. https://simpleflying.com/most-expensive-jet-engines/ India's Go First airline files for bankruptcy, blames Pratt & Whitney engines BENGALURU, May 2 (Reuters) - Cash-strapped Indian airline Go First filed for bankruptcy on Tuesday, blaming "faulty" Pratt & Whitney engines for the grounding of about half its fleet. The move marks the first major airline collapse in India since Jet Airways filed for bankruptcy in 2019, and underscores the fierce competition in a sector dominated by IndiGo and the recent merger of Air India and Vistara under the Tata conglomerate. Go First's total debt to financial creditors was 65.21 billion rupees as of April 28, it said in a bankruptcy filing with the National Company Law Tribunal. The company had not defaulted on any of those dues as of April 30, but had defaulted on payments to operational creditors, including 12.02 billion rupees to vendors and 26.60 billion rupees to aircraft lessors, it said in the filing. In a statement, Go First said its filing followed a refusal by Pratt & Whitney, the exclusive engine supplier for the airline's Airbus A320neo aircraft fleet, to comply with an arbitration order to release spare leased engines that would have allowed the airline to return to full operations. Grounded aircraft "due to Pratt & Whitney's faulty engines" ballooned from 7% of its fleet in December 2019 to 50% in December 2022, the airline said, costing it 108 billion rupees ($1.32 billion) in lost revenues and additional expenses. Pratt & Whitney said in a statement to Reuters that it was "committed to the success of our airline customers, and we continue to prioritize delivery schedules for all customers." "P&W is complying with the March 2023 arbitration ruling related to Go First. As this is now a matter of litigation, we will not comment further," it added. In February, the boss of Raytheon Technologies, which owns Pratt & Whitney, acknowledged that its GTF engines had had reliability issues. Pratt & Whitney has also been quoted in Indian media as saying it was affected by industry-wide supply chain pressures and that it expects those to ease later this year, which would support increased output of new and overhauled engines. Analysts have said bigger rival IndiGo has been able to withstand the impact better, thanks to its larger fleet and a deeper pocket. Go First, owned by the Wadia Group and formerly known as GoAir, said on its website that it had cancelled flights scheduled for May 3 to May 5 due to "operational reasons". "The government of India has been assisting the airline in every possible manner," India's Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia said in a statement. "The issue has also been taken up with the stakeholders involved." The collapse could boost rival airlines as the industry tries to meet a surge in post-pandemic air travel. "The sudden disruption in operations is likely to benefit other players and increase airfares due to supply constraint," wrote Jinesh Joshi, a research analyst with Prabhudas Lilladher. SURPRISE MOVE The move took Go First's lenders by surprise, two bankers aware of the matter told Reuters. The lenders met Go First's management a few weeks ago, but no intimation was given, one of the bankers said. Lenders will meet soon to assess the situation and decide on a future course of action, they said. "I am a little stunned to hear of them file for bankruptcy," said Mark Martin, CEO at aviation consulting firm Martin Consulting LLC. "I still feel that this might not be the end of Go First. This must be a vehicle and a means for somebody new to take over." Go First's problems, which forced it to delay its planned $440 million IPO in 2021, led to an erosion in its market share to 6.9% in March from 8.4% in January, latest data from the Indian aviation regulator showed. The Wadia Group had been reported to be in talks to either sell its majority stake or completely exit its shareholding. Wadia Group did not respond to an email seeking comment. Go First said the groundings had driven some lessors to "repossess aircraft, draw down letters of credit and notify further withdrawal of aircraft." Employees were caught unaware as they heard about the halt in daily operations first from local media, according to three pilots who did not want to be named. They have been receiving their salaries with a delay for the past few months, the pilots added. "We understand that this news is likely to be distressing, and we remain committed to offer our support to all of you during this difficult time," Go First later said in a email to employees. ($1 = 81.7420 Indian rupees) https://www.yahoo.com/finance/news/rpt-7-indias-first-airline-024746293.html Position Available: Aviation Safety Officer Airbus is an international pioneer in the aerospace industry. We are a leader in designing, manufacturing and delivering aerospace products, services and solutions to customers on a global scale. We aim for a better-connected, safer and more prosperous world. A commercial aircraft manufacturer, with Space and Defense as well as Helicopters Divisions, Airbus is the largest aeronautics and space company in Europe and a worldwide leader. Airbus has built on its strong European heritage to become truly international - with roughly 180 locations and 12,000 direct suppliers globally. The company has aircraft and helicopter final assembly lines across Asia, Europe and the Americas, and has achieved a more than six fold order book increase since 2000. Position Summary: The Aviation Safety Officer (ASO) is a full time position within the Airbus Helicopters North America (AHNA) Aviation Safety. The ASO shall assists in the management of all aspects of the aviation safety function for the Grand Prairie Facility. The ASO is primarily responsible for managing internal aviation safety and ensuring compliance with applicable aviation safety regulations and policies. The ASO shall coordinate closely with the Senior Director, Safety Programs, Flight Safety Officers (FSO's), and other Airbus departments to identify, investigate and manage aviation safety hazards; coordinate and carry out actions to manage or mitigate risk; and provide support of AHNA's Safety Management System (SMS). Primary Responsibilities: 1. Internal Flight Safety: 50% · Serve as the Grand Prairie facilities focal point for aviation safety matters and safety promotion activities · Monitor aviation production, maintenance, and flight operations to identify hazards. · Maintain an internal aviation safety incident reporting system, manage investigation of internal aviation incidents, and initiate corrective action(s) as necessary. · Engage in continuous feedback and communication for all safety report submitters · Monitor and evaluate the results of corrective actions; ensure that the feedback loop and control measures are in place and working efficiently. · Maintain the facilities flight line safety program to include providing training and administering access control of the flight line. · Participate in Flight Test development pre-Type Inspection Authorization meetings and Safety Review Boards to identify and mitigate flight risks. · Represent Aviation Safety at operational departmental meetings to raise awareness to safety hazards, initiatives, and other safety information. 2. Company SMS: 40% · Assist the Manager, Safety Management System with the development and implementation of AHNA's Safety Management System (SMS) for the Grand Prairie facility. · Organize and facilitate the Safety Action Group (SAG) for the Grand Prairie facility and where necessary escalate risk to the Safety Review Board (SRB) · Responsible for the development and management of facilities Emergency Response Plan (ERP) for aircraft accidents. · Facilitate Safety Risk Management activities with other stakeholder to identifying, assessing, analyzing, and mitigating aviation safety risks · Ensures accurate and timely delivery of required safety reports, including monthly and quarterly summary reports, as well as ad hoc queries. Provides weekly/monthly management reports on safety goals and objectives as required. · Oversee the development, delivery and maintenance of SMS training to ensure employees possess the competencies appropriate with their role in aviation safety. 3. Accident Investigation: 10% · Participate and provide technical expertise regarding accidents investigations as requested by AHNA's Senior Director, Safety Programs and/or Manager of Accident Investigation. Additional Responsibilities: · Other duties as assigned. Qualified Experience / Skills / Training: Education: Required: · Bachelor's Degree in aviation, safety or a related field; or equivalent experience Preferred: · Master's Degree preferred Experience: Required: · Minimum of seven (7) years' experience in flight operations and/or aviation safety. Preferred: · Experience as a fleet operator and/or certified instructor. · Accident investigation experience. Licensure/Certifications: Required: · Formally trained in SMS and accident investigation Preferred: · FAA commercial/instrument pilot or equivalent with rotorcraft-helicopter rating and/or A&P certificate strongly preferred. Knowledge, Skills, Demonstrated Capabilities: · Broad knowledge of aviation safety programs, technical publications, aircraft systems, helicopter aerodynamic principles, FAA operational and safety management regulations, and other fields relating to conduct of flight programs. Communication Skills (Spoken, Written, Influencing, Proficiency in Other Languages): · English proficiency required. · Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in written form required. · Ability to establish and maintain positive relationships with governmental and civilian representatives and customers. Technical Systems Proficiency: · Proficiency in GSuite and Smartsheet · Technical working knowledge of Flight Data Monitoring systems with associated software. · Technical knowledge of Helicopter Usage and Monitoring Systems (HUMS). Travel Required: · 30% Domestic and International. Citizenship: · US Person under ITAR definition (U.S. Citizen, green card holder or person covered under our existing ITAR license) Clearance: · None Decision Making, Complexity: · Responsible for assisting to develop internal processes and protocols. · Responsible for ensuring compliance with applicable safety procedures, rules, and regulations. Organizational information: Direct Reports : · Exempt : 0 · Non-exempt : 0 Job Dimensions, Contributions to Success: · Integral in maintaining a safe aviation organization and compliance with applicable safety procedures, rules, and regulations. Nature of Contacts: · Involved Communication on a daily Basis with internal and external parties Physical Requirements: · Onsite: 70% · Vision: able to see and read computer screen and other electronic equipment with screens, able to read documents, reports and engineering drawings on daily basis. · Hearing: able to hear to participate in conversations in person and via teleconference or phone and to hear sounds on production floor including safety warnings or alarms on a daily basis. · Speaking: able to speak in conversations and meetings, deliver information and participate in communications on a daily basis. · Equipment Operation (personal computer, telephone, copies, fax machine, and related office equipment and using electronic identification card to enter building floors and internal doors): able to operate most office and personal electronic equipment and some basic tools. Daily · Carrying: able to carry documents, tools, drawings, electronic equipment up to 30lbs/14kgs several times a week. · Lifting: able to lift documents, tools, drawings, electronic equipment up to 30lbs/14kgs several times a week. · Pushing / Pulling: able to push and pull small office furniture, aircraft systems and equipment several times a week. · Sitting: able to sit for long periods of time in meetings, working on computer several times a week. · Squatting / Kneeling: able to squat or kneel to retrieve or replace items stored on low shelving. · Standing: able to stand for discussions in offices or on production floor several times a week. · Travel: able to travel independently and at short notice. · Walking (include routine walking such as to a shared printer to retrieve documents): able to walk through office and production areas including uneven surfaces several times a week. · Personal Protective Equipment required: Required PPE includes, but is not limited to, Safety Shoes, Safety Glasses, Hearing Protection, Respirators/Masks, and/or Protective Gloves as required by site and/or customer site · Equal Opportunity: All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, disability, veteran status, age, marital status, pregnancy, genetic information, or other legally protected status As a leader in our field, Airbus Helicopters, Inc. provides relocation assistance for qualified positions and a comprehensive compensation and benefits package. As a matter of policy, Airbus Helicopters, Inc. does not sponsor visas for US positions unless specified. Only applicants with current work authorization will be considered. Airbus Helicopters, Inc. does not offer tenured or guaranteed employment. Employment with Airbus is at will, meaning either the company or the employee can terminate the employment relationship at any time, with or without cause, with or without notice. NOTE: Airbus Helicopters, Inc. reserves the right to revise or change job duties and responsibilities as the need arises. This position description does not constitute a written or implied contract of employment. APPLY HERE Curt Lewis