Flight Safety Information - August 17, 2023 No. 159   In This Issue : Incident: Atlas B744 near Leipzig on Aug 14th 2023, cracked windshield : Incident: Kalitta B744 over North Sea on Aug 13th 2023, loss of cabin pressure : Incident: Gulf B789 near Frankfurt on Aug 15th 2023, fuel leak : Jet aborts takeoff at Logan airport after a close call with another airliner : A passenger plane flew into Ukrainian airspace trying to avoid a storm, but made it through the warzone : Airlines for America recruits FAA director for chief sustainability post : Man suffers overdose on Southwest Airlines flight. Should the FAA require Narcan on airplanes? : Explained: The Importance Of Background Checks In Aviation Recruitment : White House inaction forces another FAA leadership change : Explained: The Importance Of Type Ratings For Commercial Pilots : American Airlines plans to add flights to China from DFW Incident: Atlas B744 near Leipzig on Aug 14th 2023, cracked windshield An Atlas Air Boeing 747-400 on behalf of Polar Air Cargo, registration N445MC performing flight PO-956 from Leipzig (Germany) to Tokyo Narita (Japan), was enroute at FL290 near Brno (Czech Republic) when the crew descended the aircraft to FL170 and initiated a return to Leipzig due to a cracked windshield. The aircraft dumped fuel and landed safely back in Leipzig about 90 minutes after departure. The aircraft remained on the ground for about 29 hours, then departed again for the flight. https://www.avherald.com/h?article=50d1b8a2&opt=0 Incident: Kalitta B744 over North Sea on Aug 13th 2023, loss of cabin pressure A Kalitta Boeing 747-400, registration N742CK performing flight K4-206 from Amsterdam (Netherlands) to New York JFK,NY (USA), was enroute at FL320 over the North Sea about 90nm north of Norwich,EN (UK) when the crew initiated an emergency descent to FL100 due to the loss of cabin pressure. The aircraft subsequently turned around and diverted to Leipzig (Germany) climbing to FL140 enroute, where the aircraft landed safely about 2.5 hours later. The aircraft remained on the ground in Leipzig for about 20 hours, then continued to New York. https://www.avherald.com/h?article=50d1b76a&opt=0 Incident: Gulf B789 near Frankfurt on Aug 15th 2023, fuel leak A Gulf Air Boeing 787-9, registration A9C-FD performing flight GF-2 from London Heathrow,EN (UK) to Bahrain (Bahrain), was enroute at FL350 almost overhead Frankfurt/Main Airport (Germany) when the crew decided to divert to Frankfurt. On final approach the crew advised tower they would be able to vacate the runway but there was a fuel leak, one of the engines was off. The aircraft landed safely on Frankfurt's runway 25C about 30 minutes after leaving FL350 and taxied to the apron. The aircraft is still on the ground in Frankfurt about 7.5 hours after landing. The airline stated the aircraft diverted due to a technical issue. They are working to take the passengers to Bahrain as quickly as possible. Passengers state that even after 7 hours they are left without any information and have been left without any food, some are dependent on medical supplies. No accomodation has been arranged, passengers including children have just been left stranded. https://www.avherald.com/h?article=50d131a3&opt=0 Jet aborts takeoff at Logan airport after a close call with another airliner A passenger jet had to abort its takeoff at Boston's Logan International Airport when another aircraft on the ground got too close to the runway, the Federal Aviation Administration said. Monday's incident was the latest in a series of dangerous episodes involving planes at Logan. In February, a charter jet took off without permission and crossed an intersecting runway in front of a plane preparing to land. In March, two aircraft made contact near the gate area. Nobody was hurt in this week's aborted takeoff, which frightened passengers and prompted an investigation by the FAA. An air traffic controller noticed the Spirit Airlines flight coming close to what's known as the runway hold line and cancelled the American Airlines takeoff clearance “out of an abundance of caution,” the FAA said in a statement. Cosmo Rowell, a passenger on the American flight to Chicago, said the plane was already roaring down the runway, pressing him back into his seat, when he felt a jolt and a sudden deceleration, creating a stir in the cabin. “You definitely felt anxiety in the air,” said Rowell, a nurse from Salem. “A couple of kids started crying.” Rowell travels regularly for work and although he has experienced an aborted landing before, he's never been involved in an aborted takeoff. “This is something I hope never to experience again,” he said. The American flight returned to the gate and took off about 90 minutes later, the airline said. The Spirit flight was arriving from Atlanta. While rare, Monday's episode in Boston is still a cause for concern, said Hassan Shahidi, the president and CEO of the Flight Safety Foundation, a nonprofit that provides safety guidance to the international aviation industry. “All these incidents really need to be understood to make sure they don't happen again,” he said. Both airlines released statements emphasizing that their top priority is passenger and crew safety. Sprit added that it would provide any necessary assistance to the FAA investigators. The FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board have investigated more than a half-dozen close calls at airports around the country this year. There has not been a fatal crash involving a U.S. airline since 2009. https://www.wbur.org/news/2023/08/16/canceled-takeoff-logan-airport A passenger plane flew into Ukrainian airspace trying to avoid a storm, but made it through the warzone • A Turkish passenger plane flew through Ukrainian airspace on July 25 for several hours. • Civilian airspace over Ukraine is closed because of the war there, and risky to enter. • The airline — a new Turkish company called BBN — said the pilots were avoiding a storm. A passenger plane flew through Ukraine's closed airspace last month after a storm diverted its path, the airline said. The plane, an Airbus A320-200 operated by Turkish company BBN Airlines, was flying from Oslo, Norway to Antalya, Turkey on July 25. It flew through southwestern Ukraine, passing the Zakarpattya and Chernivtsi regions, The New Voice of Ukraine reported. Ukraine closed its airspace when Russia launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022, forbidding civilian aircraft to enter. In an e-mail to Insider, a BBN spokesperson said that the aircraft flew over the country when the pilots changed course to avoid a storm. The area the plane flew has not seen heavy fighting, which has been concentrated hundreds of miles to the east. But flying in close airspace is still risky. Russian missiles have hit both regions before, and it's possible that Ukraine's air defense could react to an unexpected plane overhead. BBN is a new airline which began operating in 2023 and operates charter flights. Per its website, it has five planes. "We understand the concern that this incident causes and guarantee that we will actively take measures to prevent similar incidents," the spokesperson said. They did not elaborate on whether the pilots did this by accident or if there have been any repercussions as a result of their decision. The flight was chartered by Freebird Airlines but a spokesperson for the company did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment. Norwegian news outlet NRK posted screenshots of the flight route, which appears to show that the plane deviated from its route and into western Ukraine before proceeding to the airspace of Romania. It is unclear how many passengers were on the plane at the time, The New Voice of Ukraine reported. The model of A320 can carry some 180 people. A spokesperson for Ukraine's Ministry of Transport did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment. https://www.businessinsider.com/passenger-jet-flies-through-closed-ukraine-airspace-to-avoid-storm-2023-8 Airlines for America recruits FAA director for chief sustainability post Aviation trade association Airlines for America announced the appointment of Kevin Welsh as vice president of environment and chief sustainability officer. He brings years of private and public experience to the role, previously serving as executive director of the office of environment and energy at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). At the FAA, he led U.S. policymaking on aviation environmental issues including noise, emissions, and sustainable aviation fuels. He also previously served as director for climate and environment at the National Security Council during the Trump administration. Airlines for America members include Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Atlas Air, Delta Air Lines, FedEx, Hawaiian Airlines, JetBlue Airways, Southwest Airlines, United Airlines, and UPS. https://www.complianceweek.com/grc-appointments/airlines-for-america-recruits-faa-director-for-chief-sustainability-post/33430.article Man suffers overdose on Southwest Airlines flight. Should the FAA require Narcan on airplanes? Fellow passengers save man's life after he overdoses on a Baltimore to Palm Beach flight. Southwest Airlines passenger Drew Ashley was an hour into a flight and fast asleep when "out of nowhere," he heard his father calling his name. "Then I see him getting this young man into the aisle. He looked unresponsive, so I hopped over the two guys I was sitting next to, you know, and just went right to it," he said. For the next 45 minutes, Ashley, his father, and two other passengers who were nurses kept the man alive until the plane could make an emergency landing. TAMPA, Fla. — Southwest Airlines passenger Drew Ashley was an hour into a flight and fast asleep when "out of nowhere," he heard his father calling his name. "Then I see him getting this young man into the aisle. He looked unresponsive, so I hopped over the two guys I was sitting next to, you know, and just went right to it," he said. For the next 45 minutes, Ashley, his father, and two other passengers who were nurses kept the man alive until the plane could make an emergency landing. Josh Lazarus was on that same Baltimore to West Palm Beach flight on Friday, July 28. “I hear a ‘bang,’ and there is a man on top of another man, and he’s performing life-saving measures at my feet," Lazarus said. “I’m looking at the man, he’s — he’s blue.’" Ashley and Lazarus said the man was flying with a friend who told them he struggled with an opioid addiction and "had problems with relapsing." "Immediately, I knew he was overdosed. I’ve been in recovery for 18 years now," Lazarus told the I-Team. "And unfortunately, I’ve seen this happen, and people not make it." “The only thing I knew to do, I jumped up, and I ran from where I was at to the front of the cabin, and I asked, I said, 'Does anybody here have Narcan?'” Lazarus said. “I think it’s safe to say 70% of the people didn’t even know what I was talking about.” Narcan, the brand name for naloxone, can reverse an opioid overdose. Passengers weren't the only ones without Narcan. The life-saving medication also wasn't among the items in the plane's emergency medical kit. And the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) doesn't require it to be. "Divine intervention" What was on the flight, Ashley said, was a bag valve mask (BVM). A pocket mask attached to an oxygen bag they used to get oxygen into the 27-year-old man's lungs. “Every six seconds, I would count out, you know, one 1,000, two 1,000, three 1,000, etc. on the sixth, we could give a breath," Ashley said. The Ashleys knew what do to because this is what they do. Their company is called The Life Saviors. “We’re a CPR, AED, first aid certification company," Ashley said, and have contracts to teach life-saving measures to be used in an emergency. “I don’t know what you believe in, okay, but to me, this is divine intervention. It will change the way I look at things for the rest of my life," Lazarus said. "It's inspiring me to campaign for Narcan. The airports need Narcan. The planes need Narcan. People need to know what it is. People need to have it." Ashley said he felt the same way as Lazarus. "It had to be God’s work. The young man was sitting right next to my father. Like I said, I was the row right behind him." Ashley said the flight crew was "in shock" when the man overdosed. “They weren’t prepared at all to deal with the situation. And that’s what terrifies me the most," Lazarus said. The flight made an emergency landing in Orlando. “When they ripped the man out of the plane, they administered Narcan twice. Right there on the spot," Lazarus said of the first responders. Ashley has stayed in contact with the passenger who overdosed. And he's okay. “About 48 hours later, when he had called us, you know, to give thanks, and we were hearing his voice, and at that point, all of the emotion set in, like it brought tears to my and my father’s eyes," Ashley said. “Thankfully, we were there to resuscitate him, keep him alive, so he can get the help that he needs.” In a statement, Southwest wrote, "Out of respect for our Customers’ privacy, we do not comment on medical issues—except we can confirm that medical personnel met the flight at the gate and the Customer was transported to a local hospital. We commend those that assisted in flight." Yearly drug overdose deaths tops 100,000 Though it is unclear how many passengers have overdosed on a flight, the CDC reports in 2022, nearly 110,000 people died in the U.S. from a drug overdose. That's 300 people every day — enough people to fill every seat on two Southwest flights every day for a year. Ashley said before they flew home, his family picked up Narcan. “Just to have it with us, 'cause again, you just never know." Lazarus plans to get trained through Ashley's company. He said he plans to get CPR certified and vows he will be "carrying Narcan from now on." "This is what I’m going to do because I don’t know how else to make this right," he said. "We’re up in the air at 30-35,000 feet and don’t have many options" For more than five years, the Association of Flight Attendants (AFA) has sounded the alarm, urging the FAA to require that naloxone be included in its passenger airlines' emergency medical kits, saying passenger medical emergencies have and will continue to include opioid overdoses. AFA represents flight attendants at 19 airlines across the country. “The opioid epidemic is rampant across the U.S., and just because you’re up in the air doesn’t mean we’re not going to experience the same issues we see in our society on the ground," AFA spokesperson Taylor Garland told the I-Team. She added, “We always want to make sure that we have all the tools available to save or help a person’s life when we’re up in the air at 30-35,000 feet and don’t have many options to call for help. And so having drugs like naloxone or Narcan on board would help us in the interim before we can get to the ground and hopefully get that person more help with professionals — EMT or hospitals.” When asked what she thinks the delay is about, Garland said, "The federal government has a list of rulemakings, obviously, this comes at a cost to the airlines." "The need for naloxone on airplanes couldn’t be clearer" In Washington, D.C. a bill is making its way through Congress that would require naloxone to be carried on all airplanes. Maryland Congressman David Trone introduced legislation directing the FAA to require opioid overdose medication on all airplanes. Trone's nephew died of an overdose in 2016. In a statement to the I-Team, Trone wrote, “The need for naloxone on airplanes couldn’t be clearer. Last year, we lost nearly 110,000 Americans to drug overdoses – many of whom unknowingly ingested counterfeit pills laced with fentanyl and didn’t have the lifesaving tools nearby to prevent tragedy." The I-Team asked Florida Senator Rick Scott if he will support the bill in the Senate. “It makes sense to me. I’ve been very involved in trying to make sure that all of our law enforcement have Narcan, but the truth is, almost everybody that might be around drugs needs to do it," Scott said. "Just a small bit of fentanyl can kill you. And so Narcan is saving lives." The FAA could have done more on its own but hasn't. A spokesperson for the agency said it's reviewing the emergency medical kit requirements and has recommended, but not required, including naloxone, saying that would require a rulemaking process it calls "time-consuming" at 18+ months. The FAA issued its recommendation to include naloxone on board more than three and a half years ago. The result — some airlines carry it. Many don't. Like Southwest. In a statement, a spokesperson for the airline wrote: "We comply with all required medical equipment onboard, and our Flight Crews are trained to assess significant medical events. Our Crews also ask for the assistance of medical consultants on the ground and qualified medical personnel onboard to assist with medical emergencies on the aircraft." Meanwhile, United told the I-Team that Narcan is stocked on its flights. Delta also confirmed Narcan is included in all of its medical kits. "Flight attendants receive training for administration and instructions for administration are included in manuals all flight attendants have access to while working flights. They may also ask for assistance from medical professionals on a flight, of course," a Delta spokesperson said. The AFA told the I-Team Frontier and Hawaiian Airlines carry naloxone as well. The I-Team plans to track the legislation making its way through Congress. If you would like to contact your U.S. senator or representative, we've included that information. You can also contact the FAA. Florida has a website where you can find free naloxone providers and search by county. https://www.abcactionnews.com/news/local-news/i-team-investigates/man-suffers-overdose-on-southwest-airlines-flight-should-the-faa-require-narcan-on-airplanes Explained: The Importance Of Background Checks In Aviation Recruitment Government-mandated background checks are a part of life for a wide range of people and positions within the aviation industry. Safety and security are critical in the aviation industry. In addition to high standards for aircraft certifications, pilot and mechanic training, and operational efficiencies, comprehensive background checks are required for a wide array of individuals involved in aviation-related activities. From pilots to flight attendants, mechanics to airport personnel, this screening process serves as a cornerstone in cultivating a reliable and secure aviation workforce. Preserving safety through background checks The aviation background check is more than just a procedural step; it is a linchpin in risk mitigation and a barrier against individuals with dubious pasts who could compromise the sanctity of air travel. The primary goal is to unearth potential threats, criminal affiliations, or any patterns that could potentially jeopardize aviation safety. Rigorous background checks are not merely part of employer-mandated onboarding processes; they are required by aviation authorities worldwide and are thus intertwined with the recruitment process for many positions. Everyone from pilots to top-level executives are subject to government-required background checks in the aviation industry. Key elements While specifics of aviation background checks vary across countries, regulatory authorities, and roles within the industry, certain core elements run throughout all of them. Identity verification ensures that an applicant's information aligns with their true identity. Criminal history checks uncover past legal entanglements and may reveal patterns that could disqualify a person from specific roles. Employment and education verification substantiates claims made by candidates about their qualifications and helps ensure an applicant is qualified for the type of work they intend to perform. Some background checks even include a financial history check, essential for positions involving sensitive information or financial responsibilities. In specific cases, security clearances from governmental agencies may be necessary for more extensive background investigations. Navigating the Aviation Background Check Process Executing aviation background checks involves regulatory authorities like the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) in the United States, as well as individual employers tasked with hiring and screening their workforce. The process begins with completing an application and providing written consent by individuals undergoing checks. This authorization empowers prospective employers or regulatory authorities to initiate the screening process. Information gathering ensues, involving the collection of personal details, employment history, educational credentials, and other vital data. Subsequently, the collected data undergoes rigorous verification, including contacting past employers, educational institutions, and even law enforcement agencies. Fingerprinting might also be utilized to ensure accurate identification and comprehensive criminal record searches. With verified data in hand, a review and assessment phase follows. This evaluation considers factors such as criminal history, validation of employment and education, financial stability, and other pertinent aspects. Based on the comprehensive assessment, a verdict is reached regarding the individual's suitability for the aviation role the candidate seeks. Successful candidates receive the green light to operate within the industry. In instances mandating security clearances, the final decision rests with the relevant government agency. Crucially, background checks aren't confined to a one-time event. In some jurisdictions, aviation professionals remain subject to ongoing monitoring and periodic re-screening, reinforcing the commitment to sustained eligibility and adherence to stringent safety and security benchmarks. Some background checks are also required before ever applying for any job, as some are often necessary to become a licensed pilot in the first place. https://simpleflying.com/aviation-background-checks-recruitment-guide/ White House inaction forces another FAA leadership change Acting Administrator Polly Trottenberg is prevented by law from leading the FAA for more than 210 days — a clock that expires in October. The FAA’s current leader, acting Administrator Polly Trottenberg, will have to step down on Oct. 25 because of provisions of the law that governs presidential nominees. The Federal Aviation Administration is poised to get its third acting chief in a year and a half — prolonging the uncertainty at the top of the air safety agency as the Biden administration struggles to name a permanent leader. The FAA’s current leader, acting Administrator Polly Trottenberg, will have to step down on Oct. 25 because of provisions of the law that governs presidential nominees. The FAA confirmed Trottenberg’s looming departure in an internal email first reviewed by POLITICO. Trottenberg wrote in a email to FAA employees “my time at the FAA will come to a close on October 25th. At that time, if there is no confirmed administrator, Katie [Thomson] will become the Acting Administrator. I will transition back to serving as deputy Transportation secretary.” The turnover comes amid a spate of flight delays, air traffic controller staffing shortages and aviation near-misses that have alarmed lawmakers as air travel resurges from its doldrums during the pandemic. Unless the Biden administration and the Senate move at lightning speed to nominate and confirm a new candidate by October, the agency’s next temporary leader will be Thomson, an attorney with a long career handling transportation issues, including at the FAA and Department of Transportation. Thomson currently serves as deputy administrator. Trottenberg said in the email that Thomson’s previous experience as FAA’s chief of staff, chief counsel and Transportation Department’s general counsel “are huge assets for the agency.” The White House did not respond to a request for comment on when the president will name a nominee to take the job permanently. Trottenberg said in the email “the White House is closing in on naming a nominee soon.” The White House has insisted that the administration has a deep bench of competent professionals who can run the agency until a permanent administrator is found, but lawmakers and the industry have grown increasingly wary of the 16-month vacancy at the top of the agency. But when it comes to choosing a leader who would be responsible for ensuring safety in the nation’s skies for a five year term, the administration has faced repeated setbacks since the FAA’s last permanent chief, Trump-era Steve Dickson, announced his retirement in February of 2022. Biden tapped long-time transit chief Phil Washington for the post in July 2022, only to withdraw him in March after lawmakers of both parties raised concerns about his lack of aviation experience. Meanwhile, two interim administrators have led the agency. Billy Nolen, an expert on aviation safety and former pilot, became acting administrator after Dickson left, and was floated for the permanent job by Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas). But Nolen was never nominated by the White House and left for air taxi venture Archer Aviation in June. The White House then named Trottenberg, the deputy secretary of Transportation, who has a long resume mostly involving transit issues. The White House acknowledged that Trottenberg was a placeholder while it continued the search for a permanent administrator. Leadership at the agency has taken on fresh urgency because of questions about the upswing in near-misses earlier this year, which prompted Nolen to convene a safety summit in March. The most recent incident occurred Aug. 11 in San Diego, when a business jet overflew a Southwest Airlines plane by just 100 feet, according to NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy. Controllers had cleared both planes to use the same runway, the FAA said. Former FAA Deputy Administrator and former United Airlines executive Mike Whitaker is considered the White House’s likely nominee for the position, according to lawmakers, aviation lobbyists and media reports. However, the administration has not announced a nominee or said when it expects Biden to make a decision. Even if Biden were to nominate a choice in the coming weeks, the Senate would not be able to act on it until it returns from the August recess after Labor Day. Having a nominee vetted and through the Senate confirmation process before Trottenberg is forced out in October would be an aggressive timetable — by way of comparison, Washington’s nomination lingered for eight months and over two different Congresses before he finally withdrew. Trottenberg, who also serves as Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigeg’s No. 2, is prevented by law from leading the FAA for more than 210 days — a clock that expires in October. The 210 day clock started on March 30, when Washington’s second nomination was withdrawn (the White House was forced to renominate Washington at the start of the new Congress in January). That means Trottenberg’s last day — assuming a nominee isn’t confirmed beforehand — will be on October 25th. https://www.politico.com/news/2023/08/16/white-house-inaction-forces-another-faa-leadership-change-00111444 Explained: The Importance Of Type Ratings For Commercial Pilots Examining the legal credentials required to fly airliners. SUMMARY • Type ratings are crucial credentials for pilots to operate aircraft that require additional training. • Type rating training consists of ground instruction and practical training in flight simulators. • Type ratings can apply to multiple aircraft variants, allowing pilots with a specific type rating to operate various models within the same aircraft family. Modern society has designed remarkably safe modalities of transportation. Every industry with large vehicles operated for commercial use has government-managed programs for companies to certify their primary operators. Truck drivers need commercial certificates, boat operators need skipper's licenses, and pilots need type ratings. A pilot's type rating is one of the essential items, and passing a type rating check ride is a high point for any pilot. Let's talk about type ratings. Type rating background A type rating is an augmenting credential added to a pilot's license that allows them to operate an aircraft that requires additional training. US regulations require that pilots who fly turbojets and almost every aircraft with a certified takeoff weight above 12,500 pounds hold a type rating for the aircraft. The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) has specified crew licensing requirements since the Convention of International Civil Aviation in 1944. For the last 80 years, it has been ICAO's stipulation to participating countries that type ratings be held for aircraft requiring two or more crew, as well as when the governing authority deems it necessary. Theoretical training Whether obtained in the US, Europe, or elsewhere, a type rating is usually completed in two stages: A ground school segment and a practical segment. Type rating ground instruction is meant to introduce pilots to the unique systems of the aircraft, such as hydraulics, electrics, pneumatic, fuel management, etc. Many planes share similarities, especially when built by the same manufacturer. Still, each aircraft requiring a type rating is unique enough in its operation and limitations to warrant additional study of its systems. Ground school might also include hands-on cockpit procedure training in full-scale flight deck mock-ups to facilitate the crewed environment. Practical training Practical training is almost exclusively completed in flight simulators. Known industry-wide as an FFS, a full flight simulator used for type rating qualifications and recurrent training needs approval from the aviation governing body. The idea underlying FFS programs is to provide the highest level of training efficiently. Simulators are effective because they use "control loading" programs that accurately represent aircraft feel during flight maneuvers. An FFS sits on a six-axis hydraulic actuation system which accurately depicts the sensations of being in flight. This, combined with the full-scale flight deck mock-up, allows training in these devices to mirror the aircraft. The benefits of simulators Type ratings require training in normal and abnormal procedures, emergency procedures, and upset recovery training (UPRT). This "extended envelope" training could theoretically be done in real aircraft. Still, regulators and operators alike would bristle at the risks associated with intentionally stalling and inverting airliners for training. Flight simulators have opened up a world of activity in which every conceivable maneuver can be practiced, paused, debriefed, and replayed without any risk and without burning fuel. Simulators require regular maintenance, but this doesn't even come close to the costs of maintaining an actual plane. The evolution of the FFS has made type rating courses better, safer, and more efficient. Multiple types A single type rating can extend to multiple aircraft variants. For example, pilots with an "A-330" type rating can fly the Airbus 330-200, -300, and -900 series. Similar ratings exist for Boeing 737s, the Airbus A320 family, Dreamliners, Embraer 170s and 190s, A350s, and practically every airliner with multiple variants. Additionally, some aircraft built by the same manufacturer are similar enough that only "differences training" needs to be completed to obtain an additional type rating. Examples include the Boeing 757 and 767 and the A330 and A340. Earning a type rating is one of the highest achievements for an aviator. It represents hundreds (or thousands) of hours of experience and the successful completion of a rigorous course. Type ratings represent the highest pilot proficiency and operational ability level and ensure competency. Much of the public trust in pilots is tacitly placed in type rating training and the annual renewal of it. If you want the complete list of FAA-type ratings, follow this link. https://simpleflying.com/commercial-pilots-type-ratings-importance-guide/ American Airlines plans to add flights to China from DFW The flights from Fort Worth-based American from DFW to Shanghai start in January. American Airlines Group Inc. plans to expand flying to Shanghai early next year, joining rivals in taking advantage of a US-China agreement to increase the number of flights allowed between the nations. American will offer daily service between DFW International Airport and Shanghai Pudong International starting in January, up from four weekly flights currently, the carrier told Bloomberg News Wednesday in an emailed statement. The additional flights will appear for sale on American’s schedule starting this weekend. The decision follows similar announcements by Delta Air Lines Inc. and United Airlines Holdings Inc. after government officials agreed to double the number of weekly flights between the US and China. Delta said Wednesday it aimed to offer 10 weekly flights later this year and expand further in 2024, while United revealed plans last week to increase flying in October and November. https://www.dallasnews.com/business/airlines/2023/08/16/american-airlines-plans-to-add-flights-to-china-from-dfw/ Curt Lewis