Flight Safety Information - December 14, 2023 No. 239 In This Issue : Incident: Piedmont E145 at Richlands on Dec 13th 2023, gear problem on departure : Incident: France A319 near Geneva on Dec 11th 2023, smoke on board : More than 100,000 NASA reports expected to be filed in 2023 : NTSB says a JetBlue captain took off quickly to avoid an incoming plane in Colorado last year : USAF Considering Overhaul, Doing Away With Major Commands : EASA Expands eVTOL Noise Standards, Limits : Japan Airlines First A350-1000 Departs Toulouse For Tokyo : SWISS International Airlines to Use Artificial Intelligence to Count Passengers With Special Cameras Installed at the Aircraft Door : Brussels Airlines puts its first-ever brand-new aircraft into commercial service : Japan, UK and Italy formally establish a joint body to develop a new advanced fighter jet : GRADUATE RESEARCH SURVEY : CALENDAR OF EVENTS Incident: Piedmont E145 at Richlands on Dec 13th 2023, gear problem on departure A Piedmont Airlines Embraer ERJ-145 on behalf of American Airlines, registration N637AE performing flight AA-5977 from Richlands,NC to Charlotte,NC (USA) with 53 people on board, was climbing out of Richlands' runway 05 when tower instead of handing the aircraft off to departure advised the crew, that it appeared the right hand main gear had not retracted. The crew confirmed they had a gear problem, levelled off at about 2500 feet and was vectored around the airport while the crew worked the checklists. The crew managed to received three greens again, tower advised that it appeared all gear was down, and the aircraft returned to Richlands for a safe landing on runway 05 about 35 minutes after departure. A replacement Embraer ERJ-145 registration N653AE reached Charlotte with a delay of about 5 hours. The occurrence aircraft remained on the ground in Richlands for about 5 hours, then positioned to Richmond,VA (USA) and is currently still on the ground in Richmond about 10.5 hours after landing there. https://avherald.com/h?article=51264993&opt=0 Incident: France A319 near Geneva on Dec 11th 2023, smoke on board An Air France Airbus A319-100, registration F-GRHK performing flight AF-1367 from Florence (Italy) to Paris Charles de Gaulle (France), was enroute at FL340 about 30nm east of Geneva (Switzerland) when the crew donned their oxygen masks, declared PAN PAN, reported fumes on board and requested an immediate descent to FL200 and radar vectors to Geneva. The crew subsequently indicated the source of the smoke was unclear, cabin crew was still trying to locate the source. The aircraft landed safely on Geneva's runway 22 about 20 minutes after leaving FL340. The aircraft remained on the ground in Geneva for about 7 hours, then continued the flight and reached Paris with a delay of about 7:15 hours. The aircraft subsequently remained on the ground in Paris for about 21.5 hours before returning to service. https://avherald.com/h?article=5125cab0&opt=0 More than 100,000 NASA reports expected to be filed in 2023 2023 has been “a banner year” for NASA’s Aviation Safety Reporting System (ASRS), according to officials. “ASRS’s business of collecting, analyzing, and disseminating all kinds of aviation safety data has approached pre-pandemic levels and continues to grow,” officials reported in a year-end round-up of the Callback newsletter. They report more than 100,000 reports — commonly referred to as NASA Reports — will be filed this year, a 52% increase over 2020 levels. “One benchmark of ASRS success is the number of alert notices that ASRS generates to provide critical safety information to responsible parties. At present pace, this number will approach 243 in 2023 and will best 2020’s yield by 52% as well,” officials noted. To learn more about the ASRS program, go to ASRS.arc.NASA.gov. https://generalaviationnews.com/2023/12/13/more-than-100000-nasa-reports-expected-to-be-filed-in-2023/ NTSB says a JetBlue captain took off quickly to avoid an incoming plane in Colorado last year Federal investigators are describing a close call between planes at a Colorado airport last year The National Transportation Safety Board said Wednesday, Dec. 13, 2023 that a JetBlue plane struck its tail on the ground because the captain took off quickly to avoid a plane that was preparing to land on the same runway. Federal investigators say the tail of a JetBlue plane struck a Colorado runway during takeoff last year when the captain quickly pointed the jet's nose upward to avoid a head-on crash with a plane preparing to land on the same runway. The National Transportation Safety Board said Wednesday that the JetBlue captain pointed the nose of his jet up quicker than normal “due to his surprise about encountering head on landing traffic.” The JetBlue captain and co-pilot said they never saw the other plane, but they veered to the right after takeoff to avoid traffic that was detected by the collision-avoidance system on their jet. The NTSB said flight data indicates that the planes were more than 2 miles (3.2 kilometers) apart when the JetBlue Airbus A320 because its climbing right turn away from the airport. The NTSB said poor communication by the crew of the other plane, a Beechcraft King Air 350, contributed to the Jan. 22, 2022, incident at Yampa Valley Regional Airport, about 25 miles west of Steamboat Springs, Colorado. The JetBlue crew cut short the planned flight to Florida and landed at Denver International Airport. No one was injured, but the NTSB classified the tail strike as an accident and said damage to the JetBlue plane was “substantial.” The NTSB's final report comes as investigators look into several other recent close calls between planes at U.S. airports. https://abcnews.go.com/Business/wireStory/ntsb-jetblue-captain-off-quickly-avoid-incoming-plane-105633577 USAF Considering Overhaul, Doing Away With Major Commands ORLANDO, Florida—The U.S. Air Force is considering a major overhaul to its structure and doing away with its major command model as part of a review led by service Secretary Frank Kendall focusing on the service’s ability to fight a major conflict after decades of lower-intensity fights. Lt. Gen. Michael Guetlein, commander of Space Systems Command, said during a Dec. 13 speech at the Space Force Association conference here that Kendall will make the change as part of the effort, which began this fall. “The Air Force is going to get rid of the major commands structure,” Guetlein said. “Think about how fundamental that is to the way we fight today and the way we’ve always thought about the Air Force. And we’re going to step away from what we know as the majcom structure. That’s going to be a huge change.” Following the speech, the Air Force clarified that the major command change is predecisional and only a potential option as part of Kendall’s overall review. In a follow-up briefing, Guetlein clarified his remarks and added that the plan is not “concrete.” “Right now, nothing is sacred,” he told reporters. “We’re looking at everything. But, I made it sound like decisions have been made. There have been no decisions made.” Kendall, in a September speech at the Air Force Association conference, said the Air and Space Forces need to change or “we’ll fail to prevent, or lose, a war.” The Air Staff, Space Force leadership and the secretary’s office are looking at five specific areas for the review: how the Air Force is organized, how equipment is provided to the overall force, how it recruits and retains personnel, how it can create and sustain readiness, and how support organizations function. “The Air Force and Space Force are incredibly capable, but we need to reoptimize the department for greater power projection and for great power competition,” Kendall says. “The war we need to be most ready for, if we want to optimize our readiness to deter or respond to the pacing challenge, is not the type of conflict we have been focused on for many years.” In a Dec. 2 interview with Aerospace DAILY, Kendall said he has set up a four-month “sprint” for this effort to identify major changes to be made. This will include about 10-20 significant changes, which will be rolled out in February and put in place over the next two years, in alignment with service chiefs. “I, for one reason or another, may not be in this job in another year-plus, but the chiefs are going to be here for quite a while,” Kendall says. “So this is going to be something that they’re 1,000% behind and we’ve talked about it every day basically.” The Air Force has nine major commands, though a total of 27 have been designated over the history of the service. https://aviationweek.com/defense-space/budget-policy-operations/usaf-considering-overhaul-doing-away-major-commands EASA Expands eVTOL Noise Standards, Limits • Noise is expected to play a critical role in the public acceptability of eVTOL urban air taxis. The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has published noise standards for electric vertical-takeoff-and-landing (eVTOL) aircraft, releasing the final version of its specification for multicopter aircraft and inviting public consultation on its draft specification for aircraft with tilting rotors. The Environmental Protection Technical Specifications (EPTS) for eVTOLs are based on existing international noise standards for conventional aircraft, adjusted to accommodate the characteristics of what EASA calls VTOL-capable aircraft (VCA). The documents establish procedures for measuring noise on approach, takeoff and in overflight, plus a hover noise assessment to help evaluate the impact of operations close to vertiports. The documents also set the certification limits for noise at each of the measurement points. Noise is required to be measured using reference procedures for takeoff, overflight, approach and hover. The procedures are essentially the same for both classes of eVTOL, with the exception that requirements for aircraft with tilting rotors also take into consideration nacelle angle. For eVTOLs with tilting rotors, EASA proposes measuring takeoff and approach noise with the nacelle angle corresponding to the best rate of climb speed. Overflight noise measurement is divided into VTOL/conversion and airplane modes. For VTOL/conversion mode, nacelles are maintained at the lowest angle certified for zero airspeed. For airplane mode, nacelle angle is near 0 deg. While most eVTOL developers say their aircraft are significantly quieter than helicopters, EASA has not adjusted the noise limits downward for VCA. Maximum noise limits are set for aircraft with a maximum takeoff weight of 80,000 kg (176,000 lb.) and reduce logarithmically to a weight of 788 kg, then stay constant. Typical weights for eVTOL air taxis now under development are 3,175 kg or less. For both eVTOL classes, noise limits are 86-106 EPNdB for takeoff, 84-104 EPNdB for overflight and 89-109 EPNdB for approach. There is no maximum noise level for hover. For comparison, a typical light twin-turbine helicopter such as the Airbus EC135 has a takeoff noise level of 88.6 EPNdB versus a limit of 94.5, 84 EPNdB for overflight (vs. 93.5) and 92.7 EPNdB for approach (vs. 95.5). This is louder than for a single-turbine fixed-wing aircraft such as the Daher TBM 900, which has takeoff noise level of 79.6 EPNdB versus a limit of 85. In NASA tests, the flyover noise generated by Joby Aviation’s 2,200-kg-class S4 tiltprop was measured as 45.2dBA at 500 m (1,640 ft.) altitude. A direct comparison is not possible, as dBA measures loudness while ENPdB measures annoyance by adjusting the sound level to account for human response, but the results indicate eVTOLs are significantly quieter. https://aviationweek.com/aerospace/advanced-air-mobility/easa-expands-evtol-noise-standards-limits Japan Airlines First A350-1000 Departs Toulouse For Tokyo • Japan Airlines' first Airbus A350-1000 has departed for Tokyo, with the aircraft set to enter service in early 2024. SUMMARY • Japan Airlines' first Airbus A350-1000, registered as JA01WJ, is on its way to Tokyo Haneda. • The A350-1000 will initially fly between Haneda and New York JFK, with plans for daily flights between JFK and Haneda once another A350-1000 is delivered. • Japan Airlines is replacing its Boeing 777-300ER fleet with A350-1000s to enhance customer satisfaction and work towards a sustainable future. • Japan Airlines' first Airbus A350-1000, registered as JA01WJ, departed Toulouse Blagnac Airport (TLS) for Tokyo Haneda International Airport (HND) moments ago. The aircraft will enter into service in early 2024, flying internationally from Japan to destinations across the Pacific Ocean. First A350-1000 The carrier’s first Airbus A350-1000 has joined its fleet of 16 A350-900s, the first of which was delivered in June 2019, according to ch-aviation data. The aircraft, which is now flying towards HND following its departure from TLS, will enter service in late January 2024, when it is scheduled to fly between HND and New York John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK). You can track its flight JL8102 to Japan on Flightradar24. According to the site, the aircraft was set to leave Toulouse at 12:50 local time. However, it ultimately took to the skies over southern France 55 minutes late at 13:45. Nonetheless, the departure was worth the wait, with the crew performing several wing waves. The airline chose to host a delivery event for the new type, bringing together media, members of Airbus staff and Japan Airlines employees to celebrate the induction of its flagship aircraft. Taking place at the Airbus delivery center in Toulouse, the event saw executives of Airbus, JAL and Rolls-Royce taking to the stage to share their thoughts on the delivery. Speaking at the delivery event, Benoit de Saint-Exupery, the Executive Vice President of Contracts at Airbus, remarked that he was delighted to see this aircraft here at Toulouse, which will soon become the flagship aircraft of Japan Airlines international services starting in January 2024. “At Airbus, we are so very proud to see the state-of-the-art A350-1000 carry the Japan Airlines […] logo,” de Saint-Exupery added, highlighting that the carrier has also designed a “unique” cabin, “which will immerse your passengers in the elegance of Japanese aesthetic and provide a sense of serene atmosphere that encapsulates the beauty of your fantastic country.” Meanwhile, Helen Wilson, the Senior Vice President of Sales and Customer Business at Civil Aerospace at Rolls-Royce, said that she was honored to be at the event, highlighting the A350-900 delivery event to Japan Airlines, which was “the happiest delivery event I have ever attended.” According to Wilson, the airline and Rolls-Royce have continued to work together closely together, helping the engine maker with its “maturity sampling program for the engines, which on their very unique domestic operations […] are behaving impeccably.” Lastly, Jun Yamanaka, the Vice President of Engineering and Quality Assurance in Europe at Japan Airlines, said that on behalf of the airline, he would like to express “sincere appreciation to all those who have supported us from the beginning to today.” Yamanaka continued, stating that it was a long journey to get to this point since the development of the international version of the A350 started in 2019. Along the way, the stakeholders involved in the process faced numerous issues, including the pandemic and subsequent supply chain issues. Still, the Japan Airlines executive thanked all the suppliers and Rolls-Royce, who “worked tirelessly to ensure the aircraft meets our quality standards even under these difficult circumstances.” First Look: Inside Japan Airlines’ Airbus A350-1000 That’s Packed With New & Unique Features Join us for a sneak peek into JAL’s first A350-1000 and all the interesting details that have gone into the cabin design. Where Japan Airlines will fly the A350-1000 Nevertheless, Japan Airlines has said it is scheduled to receive another A350-1000 by the end of its fiscal year on March 31, 2024. This will enable the carrier to launch daily flights with the type between JFK and HND. The third Airbus A350-1000, which has no specified delivery date, will be utilized on flights from HND to Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW). The aviation analytics company Cirium’s data showed that currently, the airline only flies between HND and DFW with the Boeing 777-300ER aircraft, with services between NRT and DFW ending in January 2023. Japan Airlines has said that the Airbus A350-1000s will replace its fleet of Boeing 777-300ERs, noting that this switch is being done to “enhance customer satisfaction and to strive towards a sustainable future.” In total, the Japanese airline has ordered 13 aircraft of the type. The tickets for flights to JFK are already on sale. https://simpleflying.com/japan-airlines-a350-1000-toulouse-tokyo/ SWISS International Airlines to Use Artificial Intelligence to Count Passengers With Special Cameras Installed at the Aircraft Door SWISS International Airlines is to install a new digital boarding system on its aircraft, which will uses artificial intelligence to conduct a passenger count and make sure no stowaways have managed to sneak onboard. The Zurich-based carrier has decided to adopt the system after a successful three-month trial conducted earlier this year. During the trial, the airline wanted to make sure that the AI model could work in various light conditions and detect a parent carrying an infant in their arms. Unlike some airlines that rely on automated passenger reconciliation via boarding pass scanners, cabin crew at the Swiss flag carrier are still required to conduct a manual headcount of passengers using an old-fashioned ‘clicker’. The new system makes that process obsolete, and SWISS says it expects the boarding process to be a lot quicker as a result. Developed by Berlin-based tech startup Vion AI, the new passenger count system works with a camera installed at the boarding door, which monitors people coming and going from the plane. A prototype of the system was only developed earlier this year, but during the trial conducted by SWISS, the airline found that it conducted passenger boarding counts reliably under a wide range of conditions. Further work is, however, required to develop and refine the system and the airline doesn’t expect to start installing the system across its fleet until later in 2024. Initially, the short-haul fleet will have the system fitted from the third quarter of 2024, while work to install the cameras on long-haul aircraft will begin in the final three months of 2024. Also read... Doha Becomes Iberia's Only Destination in the Middle East and Asia in Deal With Qatar Airways In the meantime, some aircraft will have the system installed as part of the ongoing development of the AI software but crew members will still be required to conduct manual passenger counts. Addressing privacy concerns, SWISS says all data will be processed in full compliance with the strict European and Swiss data protection rules. “In adopting this AI-based solution for counting our passengers during boarding, we’re taking another major step forward into the digital future,” commented Oliver Buchhofer, SWISS’s Head of Operations. “The use of artificial intelligence will help make the boarding process faster and more efficient,” Buchhofer continued. “This in turn will reduce waiting times and give our guests a pleasanter travel experience. The new digital count will ease the workload on our cabin crews, too.” https://www.paddleyourownkanoo.com/2023/12/14/swiss-international-airlines-to-use-artificial-intelligence-to-count-passengers-with-special-cameras-installed-at-the-aircraft-door/ Brussels Airlines puts its first-ever brand-new aircraft into commercial service Brussels Airlines Brussels Airlines’ first Airbus A320neo has entered commercial service with the carrier. While not particularly remarkable in itself, the event marks the first time the company has had a brand-new factory-fresh aircraft flying its services in its 17-year history. Although delivered to the airline from the Airbus plant in Toulouse, France, on November 1, 2023, the newest member of Brussels Airlines’ fleet entered service on December 12, 2023, operating flight SN2905 from Brussels (BRU) to Vienna (VIE). Departing Brussels at 14:52, the aircraft landed in Vienna just one hour and 10 minutes later at 16:02. The aircraft has since performed multiple sectors visiting various other European cities from its Brussels base including Oslo (OSL), Barcelona (BCN), and Frankfurt (FRA). Airbus All passengers on board the inaugural flight received a small gift as a souvenir to mark the occasion in the form of suikerbonen/dragées, which are special chocolates that are traditionally distributed to celebrate a birth in Belgium. Passengers also received a commemorative birthday card marking the A320neo’s entry into service. The aircraft, registered OO-SBA, spent the month of November 2023 in the hands of Brussels Airlines’ maintenance department at Brussels Airport undergoing various entry-into-service cabin modifications and final checks before its first commercial service. The aircraft seats up to 180 passengers in a single-class layout. The introduction of the Airbus A320neo into its fleet represents an important part of Brussels Airlines’ sustainability strategy. The type produces up to 20% less CO2 emissions, uses up to 30% less fuel per seat, and boasts up to 50% less noise than older aircraft in its class. The quieter cabin also enhances the passenger experience on board, which also offers a flexible lighting system to match the time of day and 40% larger overhead bins for luggage. “We are happy to get the first brand-new aircraft directly from Airbus in Toulouse, to be followed by 4 more by the end of next year,” said Dorothea von Boxberg, CEO of Brussels Airlines. The airline is in the process of modernizing its short-haul fleet with the arrival of the A320neo. The type is due to replace the airline’s aging A319 fleet of which it currently operates 15 of the type. The average age of these aircraft is almost 19 years old with many having previously served with Brussels Airlines predecessor, SN Brussels Airlines, before its merger with Virgin Express in 2005. As an all-Airbus airline, the company also operates a fleet of 18 A320ceos plus nine A330-300s for long-haul services. Brussels Airlines has ambitious fleet renewal plans going forward, with four more A320neos scheduled to join the fleet in the coming months. https://www.aerotime.aero/articles/brussels-airlines-new-a320neo-enters-service Japan, UK and Italy formally establish a joint body to develop a new advanced fighter jet TOKYO (AP) — The defense ministers of Japan, Britain and Italy signed an agreement on Thursday to establish a joint organization to develop a new advanced jet fighter, as the countries push to strengthen their cooperation in the face of growing threats from China, Russia and North Korea. The three countries had agreed last year to merge earlier individual plans — for Japan’s Mitsubishi F-X to succeed the retiring F-2s developed with the United States and Britain’s Tempest – to produce the new combat aircraft for deployment in 2035. Japan, which is rapidly building up its military, hopes to have a greater capability to counter China’s rising assertiveness while welcoming Britain’s bigger presence in the Indo-Pacific region. Defense Minister Minoru Kihara said at a joint news conference with his British and Italian counterparts, Grant Shapps and Guido Crosett, that co-developing a high-performance fighter aircraft is “indispensable to securing air superiority and enabling effective deterrence” at a time that Japan faces an increasingly severe security environment. Kihara said no individual nation can defend itself today, adding that securing the technology and funding to develop an advanced fighter jet involves large risks. He said the joint trilateral Global Combat Air Program is a “historic program” enabling the countries to work together to create a new fighter jet while reducing risks. Shapps said the joint project will develop cutting-edge technology as well as “a new era of prosperity” involving thousands of people working on the project. “It will strengthen our collective security,” he said. “The risks and problems from Europe to Indo-Pacific are clear for all to see.” Under the plan, a joint body called the GCAP International Government Organization will manage the private sector joint venture — which includes Japan’s Mitsubishi Heavy, Britain’s BAE Systems PLC and Italy’s Leonardo — to oversee the aircraft’s development. The organization, which will be staffed by several hundred people from the three countries, is tasked with distributing work in different areas, such as the engine and avionics. The organization will be headquartered in Britain and headed by a Japanese official, and the joint venture will be led by an Italian representative, Kihara said. The top posts will rotate every few years, Japanese defense officials said. The project, however, hinges on Japan easing its postwar ban on exporting jointly developed lethal weapons to third countries. It said before Thursday’s signing it was working to do so, but the process has been delayed. Shapps said he expected Japan would approve the changes as soon as possible. “We are working within the three of us. It needs updating. Otherwise, who will be able to take the project forward at all?” he said. “We couldn’t live with this program without updating those principles of yours. So, clearly that time is coming now.” Japan is moving ahead despite delayed approval at home in easing its current policy that bans the export of lethal weapons to a third country. The restriction under Japan’s postwar pacifist Constitution does not allow the country to sell a jointly developed fighter jet and possibly complicates the project, since Britain and Italy hope to be able to sell the new aircraft. A Japanese government panel has been discussing the easing of military sales and has agreed to relax restrictions on the transfer of licensed technology and equipment. But it recently postponed a decision on easing the policy for the joint fighter jet until early next year. Japanese defense officials refused to discuss how the situation would affect the joint project. The project is the first time that Japan will participate in a multinational organization to jointly develop new military equipment. To counter growing threats from China, North Korea and Russia, Japan has been expanding its defense partnerships with countries in Europe, Southeast Asia and the Indo-Pacific, including Australia and the Philippines. https://apnews.com/article/japan-uk-italy-fighter-jet-signing-military-52b2f50ba62e0b6580c3fbc78108fd66 GRADUATE RESEARCH SURVEY I am a professional pilot with 16 years of experience, flying the B777 for a major Middle Eastern airline. Concurrently, I'm pursuing an MSc in Air Transport Management at City University, London. My journey in aviation has been defined by a commitment to excellence and a passion for continually exploring new horizons within the industry. My research: I am conducting research for my MSc final project titled "Policy Drivers for Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) Adoption: Case Study India." The research aims to explore the policy mechanisms required for SAF adoption/deployment in the Indian aviation industry. Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) is an eco-friendly alternative aviation fuel derived from sustainable sources, proven to reduce carbon emissions by up to 80 percent over its lifecycle. However, these fuels cost 2-4 times more than conventional jet fuels. This survey investigates the public perceptions and attitudes towards SAF and its potential implications for air travel. Valuable insights gained from this study will advance the understanding of public attitudes and perceptions of SAF adoption in the aviation industry. The perspectives shared will contribute to developing effective policy mechanisms for SAF deployment, assisting policymakers in aligning the aviation industry with sustainable practices. This is an anonymous survey targeted at air travelers and is designed to be completed in about 10 to 12 minutes. Link to the survey: https://cityunilondon.eu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_5cGRH3H5CPfX1HM Kind regards, Deepak Nalla CALENDAR OF EVENTS • SINGAPORE AIRSHOW 2024 - February 20 - 25 • HAI Heli-Expo 2024 - February 26 - 29 - Anaheim, CA • 2024 Women in Aviation International Conference - March 21-23 (Orlando) • 2024 ACSF Safety Symposium – Air Charter Safety Foundation - April 1-3, 2024 • 2024 ISASI - Lisbon, Portugal - September 30 to October 4, 2024 • 2024 NBAA Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition - Oct. 22-24 (Vegas) Curt Lewis