Flight Safety Information - May 8, 2025 No. 092 In This Issue : Bell 407 - Fatal Accident (India) : Airbus A321-271NX - Engine Failure (Cuba) : The FAA has had equipment issues for decades, causing real-world problems. The DOT says it wants to fix it : Helicopter Pilot Reported He Could Only Turn Left Before Boca Raton Crash That Killed 3: NTSB : FAA suspends work of independent panel reviewing air traffic control : FAA to take immediate steps to address Newark airport fiasco : Down 8%: Airbus Delivered 56 New Aircraft In April : Global Aerospace's SM4 Aviation Safety Program on Raising the Bar for Operational Standards in Aviation Safety : Laurie Leshin stepping down as director of NASA’s Jet Propulsion Lab : China Airlines Announces Order for Boeing 777X Passenger and Freighter Models : Calendar of Events Bell 407 - Fatal Accident (India) Date: Thursday 8 May 2025 Time: c 09:00 LT Type: Bell 407 Owner/operator: AeroTrans Services Pvt Ltd Registration: VT-OXF MSN: 53829 Fatalities: Fatalities: 6 / Occupants: 7 Other fatalities: 0 Aircraft damage: Destroyed Category: Accident Location: Gangnani, Uttarakhand - India Phase: En route Nature: Passenger - Non-Scheduled/charter/Air Taxi Departure airport: Harshil helipad Destination airport: Gangotri Confidence Rating: Information is only available from news, social media or unofficial sources Narrative: A Bell 407 crashed in a wooded area and fell into a deep gorge of about 200-250 metres near Gangnani, Uttarakhand, India. Six of the seven occupants perished and the helicopter was destroyed. This helicopter was going to Gangotri temple. https://asn.flightsafety.org/wikibase/509626 Airbus A321-271NX - Engine Failure (Cuba) Date: Tuesday 6 May 2025 Time: 19:05 Type: Airbus A321-271NX Owner/operator: Viva Aerobus Registration: XA-VXR MSN: 11921 Engine model: P&W PW1133G-JM Fatalities: Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: Other fatalities: 0 Aircraft damage: None Category: Incident Location: Aeropuerto Internacional José Martí, de La Habana - Cuba Phase: En route Nature: Passenger Departure airport: Miami International Airport, FL (MIA/KMIA) Destination airport: Mérida-Rejon Airport (MID/MMMD) Confidence Rating: Information is only available from news, social media or unofficial sources Narrative: A Viva Aerobus Airbus A321neo, registration XA-VXR, operating the Miami-Mérida route (VIV755), had to be diverted to Havana due to an engine failure, according to sources at José Martí International Airport. The aircraft landed safely at José Martí International Airport at approximately 7:05 p.m. (local time). No injuries or other damage were reported. https://asn.flightsafety.org/wikibase/509273 The FAA has had equipment issues for decades, causing real-world problems. The DOT says it wants to fix it When radar and communications at a facility that manages planes preparing to land at Newark Liberty International Airport crashed this past week, it placed the deteriorating technology of the Federal Aviation Administration in the spotlight. Air traffic controllers in Philadelphia were guiding planes at Newark Airport around 1:30 p.m. on April 28 when their radios went silent and screens went black. The outage was the result of a failure of copper wiring that transmits information from a facility in New York to Newark Approach Control, a source tells CNN. And it’s not the first time in the last year controllers lost communication and radar with flights landing at the airport. It happened at least twice before. The system used to manage air traffic at Newark is “incredibly old,” Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said. The FAA announced Wednesday it would add three new, high-bandwidth, telecommunications connections and replace that copper wire with fiberoptic technology to bring data to the controllers. The Philadelphia Terminal Radar Approach Control will also have a temporary backup system deployed. Staffing will also be increased, the FAA added, and there is a “healthy pipeline” of training classes filled through next July. For years, the FAA’s technology has been under fire for its poor quality and problems. A handful of incidents have happened over the years, yet no recent administration has been able to fully make changes to the aging system. According to a report from the US Government Accountability Office, an assessment of the FAA’s 138 systems found 51 were unsustainable and 54 were potentially unsustainable. On Monday, the FAA released a statement, “We are working to ensure the current telecommunications equipment is more reliable in the New York area by establishing a more resilient and redundant configuration with the local exchange carriers. In addition, we are updating our automation system to improve resiliency.” The FAA also confirmed some controllers who worked on Newark arrivals and departures have taken time off to recover from the stress of the outages. Fast replacements are impossible due to the nature of the job and how specialized it is, but the FAA says it is currently training more controllers through a “supercharged” method. Years of tech issues There have been many high-profile issues with FAA technology over the years that have prompted safety concerns. In 2023, a system that provides pilots with pre-flight safety notices experienced an outage leading to thousands of cancellations and delays. The NOTAM, Notice to Airmen, is separate from the air traffic control system that keeps planes a safe distance from each other, but it’s another critical tool for air safety. The FAA conducted an operational risk assessment following the outage, ultimately determining the number of systems that were at risk. Of the 105 unsustainable and potentially unsustainable systems, 58 have critical operational impacts on the safety and efficiency of the national airspace, the GAO found. Other incidents have shown different vulnerabilities in the air traffic control system. In 2014, an FAA contract employee set a fire to sabotage the FAA Chicago En Route Center in Aurora, Illinois. The facility was not able to control air traffic for more than two weeks and thousands of flights were delayed or canceled, an FAA audit found. When firefighters arrived, they found him lying on the floor and slicing his throat with a knife, an FBI affidavit said. Katie Thomson, the former deputy administrator at the FAA during the Biden administration, said the FAA was planning to transition to new equipment last year after years of being reliant on legacy communication systems. “Think of traditional analog communication systems that are aging and, in many cases, very expensive to fix or not being fixed by the local telecom companies,” Thomson said. There’s a FAA Enterprise Network Services Program, also known as FENS, a contract that is supposed to acquire telecommunications services, information management services and other specialized services. The FAA awarded this 15-year contract on March 27, 2023. Verizon currently has a massive $2.4 billion contract to provide long sought-after upgrades to the communications system. Elon Musk took to X earlier this year to criticize Verizon’s efforts to upgrade the system, calling it “putting air traveler safety at serious risk,” and hinting his company, Starlink, should take over those efforts. Verizon spokesman Rich Young told CNN the contract is in “the process of being rolled out” and would include a new fiberoptic network, replacing the FAA system’s outdated copper lines. The FAA told CNN in a statement it is currently testing Starlink at “non-safety critical sites in Alaska to restore stable access to weather information for pilots and the FAA’s flight services stations.” There are 17 Starlink connections being tested by the FAA’s Telecommunications Infrastructure program, managed through a contract with L3 Harris, including two in Atlantic City, seven in Alaska and eight in Oklahoma, according to the FAA. At a press conference Monday, Sen. Chuck Schumer of New York called the technology “old.” “It was one of the things that happened at Newark is a copper wire burnt,” Schumer said. “Why are we using copper wire in 2025? Have they heard of fiber?” A move for Newark air traffic control While outdated technology is a talking point, some of the current problems at the Newark airport stem from a decision last summer to move approach controllers from a Long Island facility called N90 to Philadelphia. Then in August, according to an FAA statement, the FAA slowed flights into and out of Newark Airport because of radar feed and frequency issues. “The reason that the FAA moved the Newark airspace to Philadelphia was because of chronic problems at N90, meaning we were unable to recruit, retain, train air traffic controllers who wanted to stay at N90,” Thomson said. “There was notoriously bad morale.” Thomson said the FAA had even tried to give monetary incentives, but nothing had worked, resulting in significant delays and sometimes shutdowns in the Northeast corridor at those airports because of insufficient staffing. According to a published pay scale on the FAA website, an academy graduate in New York starts at $64,230 and certified controllers make a maximum of $225,700. In Philadelphia, academy graduates start at $60,058 and certified controllers make a maximum of $225,700. The main issue impacting controllers, Thomson believes, is the outdated technology. “You’re seeing an acceleration of the sort of decay in the older systems that is resulting in these glitchy radar screens that at Newark,” Thomson said. “They are most extreme at Newark, but they’re happening in other places across the system.” https://www.yahoo.com/news/faa-had-equipment-issues-decades-090050968.html Helicopter Pilot Reported He Could Only Turn Left Before Boca Raton Crash That Killed 3: NTSB Three people died in a small plane crash in Boca Raton, Fla. on Friday, April 11 The plane first drifted left, then made a 180-degree left turn, followed by a series of 360-degree left turns The three passengers killed were a 17-year-old girl, her father, and her grandfather Authorities have identified a new development surrounding the April 11 small plane crash in Boca Raton, Fla., that left three people dead. A preliminary report issued by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) reveals that one of the pilots on board reported a rudder problem and said the plane was only able to turn left before the aircraft crashed in a shocking blaze. The flight was the first after the plane's annual inspection, but the aircraft drifted immediately to the left upon takeoff. The plane then made a 180-degree left turn, followed by a series of 360-degree left turns, the report said. PEOPLE reached out to the NTSB, and a representative confirmed that there is no further information beyond the public report available at this time. A Cessna 310 plane carrying the three passengers left the Boca Raton Airport en route to the Tallahassee International Airport on Friday, April 11. The plane reported having mechanical issues before the accident. The plane took off about 10 a.m., then around 10:12 a.m., the Boca Raton fire and police dispatch received a call for a plane in trouble. Eight minutes later, the aircraft had a terrifying crash near I-95 and Glades Road. Then, just before 11 a.m., Boca Raton Fire Rescue announced that responding units were on the scene and warned of road closures. The three passengers died in the crash, the Boca Raton Police Department said in a statement. The victims were identified as Brooke Stark, 17, Stephen Stark, 54, and Robert Stark, 81. Stephen was Brooke's father and Robert was her grandfather, according to NBC 6. Pablo Tafur, 24, who was in a 2017 Toyota Prius when the car lost control amid the plane crash and collided into a tree, was hospitalized but sustained non-life-threatening injuries. “We are deeply saddened to confirm that a plane crash occurred earlier today within our community,” Boca Raton Mayor Scott Singer said in a statement, according to CNN. Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. “Our thoughts are with all those affected by this tragic event. We ask for patience and respect for the families involved as investigations continue.” https://people.com/helicopter-pilot-only-turn-left-boca-raton-crash-11714066 FAA suspends work of independent panel reviewing air traffic control A panel of experts, including the former chair of the NTSB and former head of NASA, had been asked to evaluate the FAA’s oversight of traffic control operations. Acting FAA administrator Chris Rocheleau, joins Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy on Thursday during a news conference about increasing the air traffic control workforce. The Federal Aviation Administration halted the work of an outside panel of experts scrutinizing its management of air traffic control, a previously unreported move made just weeks after a fatal airliner crash near Washington raised questions about the agency’s abilities to keep the skies safe. The panel had been tasked late last year by then-FAA Administrator Michael Whitaker to study ways to reduce conflicts of interest in the FAA’s oversight of air traffic control organization. The United States is unusual among modern Western countries in that the same agency that employs and manages air traffic controllers is also responsible for evaluating its own performance. Jeff Guzzetti, a former investigator for the FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board, said there have long been questions about the arrangement, and some experts have suggested a better alternative would be for an outside company or a separate office at the Transportation Department to conduct oversight. Guzzetti said the oversight office has a very small staff responsible for overseeing a massive operation. According to the FAA, there are more than 130 employees in the Air Traffic Safety Oversight Office; the Air Traffic Organization, which includes air traffic controllers, technicians and engineers, employs about 35,000 people. In the end, Guzzetti said: “It’s a small office that attempts to wield its power.” The Jan. 29 midair collision between an American Airlines regional jet and an Army helicopter that killed 67 people appeared to underscore the importance of such a review. The probe by the NTSB is ongoing, but among the questions investigators are exploring is the level of staffing at the control tower at Reagan National Airport the night of the calamity. In February, the independent panel’s work was put on hold, according to one individual with knowledge of the effort who spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to the media. Then a March 10 letter obtained by The Washington Post advised members to “stop all work immediately and to make no further commitments.” In a statement, the agency offered no explanation. It confirmed the panel’s work was “paused,” while adding it is possible the independent panel may be asked to resume its review or be tapped to do additional work. “The FAA has not disbanded or terminated the [safety review team],” it added. Sen. Maria Cantwell (Washington), the ranking Democrat on the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee, said delaying such safety work is a mistake, especially in light of the crash and two recent incidents in which passenger jets arriving at National Airport were told by air traffic control to abandon their landings because of helicopter traffic. “The abrupt shutdown of the work of the independent safety review team investigating FAA’s oversight of the Air Traffic Organization is senseless, especially as we’re still seeking answers about the tragic DCA collision that claimed 67 lives in January,” Cantwell said. “With multiple concerning aviation incidents in recent months across our air traffic system, we need more rigorous safety oversight, not less.” Cantwell called on Chris Rocheleau, the agency’s interim administrator, to allow the review team to resume its work. In recent days, thousands of flights in and out of Newark Liberty International Airport have been canceled or delayed in part because of staffing shortages and communications outages that affected the equipment used by air traffic controllers to manage flights. The FAA said in a statement Monday that some controllers took time off after dealing with “multiple recent outages.” A runway at the airport also has been closed for construction. The issues prompted United Airlines to cancel 35 round-trip flights out of Newark, one of the carrier’s biggest hubs. Former FAA administrator Michael Huerta, chair of the expert panel, said Whitaker asked the group to take an in-depth look at what steps could be taken to ensure that proper safeguards were in place to prevent conflicts of interest and ensure there is proper oversight of air traffic control operations. But in the end, Huerta said, it was a matter of resources: The agency needed to support ongoing investigations of recent incidents by the NTSB and other entities, so the review team’s work was put on hold. Another member of the expert panel, David Grizzle, former chief operating officer and head of air traffic control at the FAA, said that he was not given a reason for the pause but that he was not surprised, given the new administration’s focus on spending cuts. Still, he said, he hoped the officials would reconsider. In addition to Huerta and Grizzle, other members of the review team include former NASA administrator Charles Bolden Jr.; Tim Canoll, a former pilot who served as president of the Air Line Pilots Association, International; Patricia Gilbert, executive vice president of Americas for the International Federation of Air Traffic Controllers’ Associations; and former NTSB chair Robert Sumwalt. The independent team had previously examined the causes of an alarming uptick of serious near-miss incidents in early 2023. Its report released in November 2023 found that an increasing reliance on overtime to make up for the shortage of qualified air traffic controllers and outdated technology was eroding the safety of the system. The panel called for an overhaul of FAA systems and of how the agency recruits and trains air traffic controllers. Several of the group’s recommendations, including those related to air traffic controllers and runway safety, were included in the 2024 bill to fund the FAA. https://www.washingtonpost.com/transportation/2025/05/06/faa-halts-review-of-atc-oversight/ FAA to take immediate steps to address Newark airport fiasco Telecom failure resulted in ‘most dangerous situation you could have’ and hundreds of delays The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said on Wednesday that it was taking immediate steps to address ongoing problems that have disrupted hundreds of flights at Newark Liberty international airport, one of the US’s busiest hubs, which serves New York City and the surrounding region. The FAA said it was increasing air traffic controller staffing, adding three new high-bandwidth telecommunications connections and deploying a temporary backup system to the Philadelphia Terminal Radar Approach Control, which is handling Newark traffic during the switch to a more reliable fiber-optic network. It also said it had capped the maximum arrival rate at Newark for the “foreseeable future” and may temporarily lower it further to ensure safety based on staffing, weather or equipment issues. At the same time, Scott Kirby, chief executive of United Airlines, has told employees that flights in and out of Newark “are absolutely safe” despite revelations of a recent tower communications outage than left air traffic controllers unable to communicate with or see incoming planes. Kirby told employees by email that pilots follow procedures “to re-establish communication if controllers lose radio contact to navigate the airplane safely”. The outage last week meant air traffic controllers guiding planes bound for New Jersey’s largest airport lost radar and radio communication for 90 seconds. Following the incident, multiple employees were placed on trauma leave, according to reports. An air traffic controller, who was on duty that day, 28 April, told CNN that the outage “was the most dangerous situation you could have”. The dropout in communications was blamed on the Philadelphia air traffic control facility where a single unsheathed copper wire shorted out equipment. CNN’s transport correspondent, Peter Muntean, also reported on X that Newark air traffic controllers “lost the ability to communicate” with a FedEx flight in November. He said an approach controller told him “it was by the grace of God” that there wasn’t a midair collision. On Monday, the airport saw the cancellation of at least 140 flights as well as the delay of hundreds of others, with travelers facing four-hour delays on average. Bloomberg reported that some travelers were avoiding the Newark airport. Newark is a major hub for United’s international departures and a primary gateway for domestic flights, but a shortage of airport workers, dated technology and runway repairs has complicated efforts to restore smooth flight services. United said it had historically flown 440 flights daily out of Newark, but after cutting flights earlier this spring due to the runway construction and the latest cuts, it is now down to 293 after it announced the cancellation of 35 domestic routes out of the airport on Monday. But problems at Newark are not only affecting United. More than 580 flights were cancelled or delayed on Monday, and 624 flights on Sunday, according to FlightAware. More than 520 were affected on Tuesday. On Wednesday, Newark led the nation in cancellations with 41 canceled departures and 43 canceled arrivals, according to the flight tracking service. “This particular air traffic control facility has been chronically understaffed for years and without these controllers, it’s now clear – and the FAA tells us – that Newark airport cannot handle the number of planes that are scheduled to operate there in the weeks and months ahead,” Kirby wrote. Kirby said it was “disappointing” to make further cuts to an already reduced schedule at Newark, but the airline’s leadership “feels like there is no other choice in order to protect our customers”. The FAA says it plans to hire 2,000 new controllers this year, offering bonuses and a 30% pay rise to boost enrollment. Later this week, the US transportation secretary, Sean Duffy, plans to release a schedule for upgrading the US’s ageing air traffic control systems – a plan that was accelerated after a midair collision near Washington DC in January that killed 67. The CEOs of the five largest US airlines are expected to support Duffy’s proposal to Congress and will speak at his announcement event on Thursday, according to Reuters. Also expected to attend are some relatives of the 67 people killed in the collision. Duffy has said flying remains the safest way to travel because of existing precautions, but Newark’s problems underscore the need for upgrades. “We are on it. We are going to fix it. We are going to build a brand-new system for all of you and your families and the American people,” the transportation secretary said on Wednesday. Duffy added: “We’ve slowed down the traffic. Safety is our mission. We love efficiency, but safety is critical for us. And so, if we feel like there’s issues in the airspace, we’ll slow it down. We’re looking at bringing in all of the airlines that serve Newark and having all of them with all of us have a conversation about how do we manage the flights out of Newark.” On Monday, the Senate’s top Democrat called for an investigation into the crisis before similar things happened at other airports in the US. Chuck Schumer, who is from New York, said: “The chaos at Newark very well could be a harbinger if issues like these aren’t fixed, and if the FAA can’t get real solutions off the ground.” https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/may/07/faa-newark-airport-communications-blackout-delays Down 8%: Airbus Delivered 56 New Aircraft In April Airbus has had a somewhat slower year in 2025 when it comes to aircraft deliveries. The European aircraft manufacturer pushed out 56 planes from its factories in April, fewer than it did in the same time period last year, and its overall deliveries this year so far are also slightly less than the corresponding period last year. The company revealed its first quarter results not too long ago and noted that some challenges with the supply chain remain, but that it was hopeful of delivering around 820 airplanes by the end of this year. 56 New Aircraft In April Airbus has revealed its latest aircraft delivery figures for the month of April. The plane maker delivered 56 planes to customers worldwide, 8% fewer than in April 2024. Last month’s tally brings the company's total aircraft deliveries until the end of April to 192 aircraft, 5% less than during the same time period last year. Unsurprisingly, a breakdown of the figures reveals that the bulk of these deliveries were the narrowbody A320neo family of airplanes, with the A321neo coming out on top with 27 deliveries to customers ranging from IndiGo and China Southern Airlines to Wizz Air and Pegasus Airlines. Airbus also delivered 15 A320neo planes to various customers and one A319neo to China Southern Airlines. In the widebody category, it delivered an Airbus A330-900 each to Kuwait Airways and Malaysia Airlines. The company also pushed out four A350s, comprising one A350-1000 for Etihad Airways and three A350-900s for Starlux Airlines, Turkish Airlines, and Delta Air Lines. Overall, a total of 56 deliveries in April went to 33 customers all across the world. Challenges With Supply Chain A321XLR in assembly linePhoto: Airbus The global supply chain has still not recovered fully, affecting the growth plans of airlines and airplane manufacturers alike. The slight slump in Airbus's aircraft deliveries can be attributed to persisting gaps in the supply chain, particularly delays in receiving engines. Reuters points out that Airbus said that this situation will likely get worse in the present quarter before it gets better in the summer period. However, airlines around the world are bullish about the increase in demand for air travel in the coming years and continue to place orders for new planes. Airbus received a total of 11 new aircraft orders in April—one for an A321neo for an undisclosed customer, and 10 for the A350-1000 for China Airlines. Total net orders for Airbus by the end of April stood at 215 aircraft. Tariff threats from the US are also a concern for Airbus, with Guillaume Faury, Airbus's Chief Executive Officer, stating last month that Airbus maintains the guidance, which excludes tariffs. All of this has added a layer of complexity in terms of implementing the business strategies for this year. Faury added that Airbus is closely monitoring and assessing the situation, but it is too early to quantify the impact currently. Target Of 820 Deliveries In 2025 Family Days 2024_EVE-2840-09-Family Days 2024-010okPhoto: Airbus Airbus recently published its Q1 results for 2025, which were better than anticipated. With the delivery of 136 aircraft in the first quarter, Airbus saw a consolidated revenue of €13.5 billion ($15.24 billion), an increase of 6% year-on-year. Airbus noted that revenues generated by the company’s commercial aircraft activities increased 4% to €9.5 billion ($10.73 billion), mainly reflecting a more favorable foreign exchange environment, which was partially offset by the lower number of deliveries. Airbus Helicopters’ revenues increased by 10% to €1.6 billion ($1.81 billion), while revenues at Airbus Defence and Space increased 11% year-on-year to €2.7 billion ($3.05 billion), driven by higher volumes across its business lines. The plane maker highlighted that in 2025, it aims to achieve around 820 commercial aircraft deliveries, EBIT Adjusted of around €7.0 billion ($7.90 billion), and Free Cash Flow before Customer Financing of around €4.5 billion ($5.08 billion). It also said that the “anticipated impact of the integration of certain Spirit AeroSystems work packages on the Company’s guidance remains in line with previous estimates.” https://simpleflying.com/down-8-percent-airbus-deliveries-april-2025/ Global Aerospace's SM4 Aviation Safety Program on Raising the Bar for Operational Standards in Aviation Safety Are You Committed to Excellence or Minimum Standards? When was the last time an aviation colleague asked you (or you asked yourself), “Is this good enough?” And what does “good enough” really mean? In my opinion, the very question constitutes an attitude of mediocrity. The real question for true aviation professionals should be: “Is good enough ever really good enough in any business or private aviation pursuit?” So many times, we use the descriptive phrases “world-class,” “best-in-class” and “excellence.” But do we really mean them, or are they simply “ear candy” because they sound good? In the realm of professional aviation, each of us carries a mantle of tremendous responsibility for the other souls with whom we share the airspace, our families and colleagues, our companies and employers and, of course, ourselves. The consequences of a serious misstep in our profession can have a finality that renders meaningless the statement, “I will do better next time.” Given those stakes, to what level of performance should we aspire? Perfection? No, by definition, perfection is simply unreachable. Defining Aviation Excellence One of the highlights of this concept of excellence is that it can be applied to each and every one of our roles in aviation—as maintenance technicians, flight crew members, schedulers and dispatchers, business office specialists and leaders. Excellence vs. Minimums The unfortunate reality is that aviation operational standards have been put forth as minimum standards. As you already know, this terminology is in standard usage for everything from FBO leases with the local airport authority to pilot type ratings for today’s most sophisticated business jets. The acceptance of the “minimum standards” concept has helped perpetuate a culture of minimum performance that seeps into virtually every aspect of aviation. And when you consider the deadly consequences of a misstep, don’t you find it ironic that “minimum” and “standards” are used together in the context of “performance” and “safety”? Here is a true story. Recently, I was at one of our industry’s leading training facilities. There were about a dozen full-motion simulators booked around the clock. The classrooms were fully outfitted with the latest interactive learning tools. And there was a top-notch resource library staffed by a pair of professional librarians, eager to help with any conceivable research request. Over lunch, the question from one of my classmates to the instructor went something like this: “I’m supposed to be here for five days, but do you think I can skip the LOFT and be out of here in four days? And, if we could double up a day, can we check all of the boxes (61.58 check) in three days? What’s the minimum that I really have to do?” For those who’ve completed a few years of recurrent training, I’m sure that conversation sounds pretty familiar. But when the instructor started probing to gauge the student’s true level of understanding (systems, performance, etc.), the student got resistant and asked, “What’s the minimum that I need to know?” What Is Excellence, Really? If we truly think of ourselves as aviation professionals, what level of performance comes along with earning that title? I argue that it is defined by excellence. That means having a profound understanding of all the relevant subjects in your area of focus. It also means understanding all of the whys—not just the hows. And finally, it means being able to mentor, teach and communicate your invaluable understanding and experiences to those individuals who are in the developmental years of their careers. I believe each of us in an aviation organization should be a leader. It is up to us to set the standards of aviation excellence and mastery, first for ourselves and then to influence the adoption of those standards throughout each functional area in our respective organizations. It’s not easy. Without a doubt, the performance bar to reach “excellence” is ever higher. As we learn more and perform at higher levels, the horizon of possibility and performance will always stretch out in front of us—just a little out of reach. But as we learn more, we understand more. And as we understand more, we become more valuable to our organizations. When that happens on a consistent basis, business aviation can create more quantifiable value for our host organizations. When we attain that level of excellent performance, the sustainability of the business aviation function is within reach. But the quest for excellence and mastery must continue all the same. Good Enough? Now, back to that opening question: “Is just ‘good enough’ ever really ‘good enough’?” Well, one thing is for certain: “Good enough” definitely isn’t excellence! And, if it isn’t excellence we’re aiming for, can we rightfully refer to ourselves as “aviation professionals”? After all, excellence is the cornerstone of aviation professionalism. About Global Aerospace SM4 Aviation Safety Program The Global Aerospace SM4 Safety Program has revolutionized the way insurance specialists help their clients achieve higher levels of operational safety. SM4 was built on the concept of integrating four critical safety components: planning, prevention, response and recovery. Its mission is to help organizations manage risk, enrich training efforts, strengthen safety culture and improve safety management systems. https://sm4.global-aero.com/ Global Aerospace SM4 Aviation Safety Program Media Contact Suzanne Keneally Vice President, Group Head of Communications +1 973-490-8588 https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2025/05/07/3076422/0/en/Global-Aerospace-s-SM4-Aviation-Safety-Program-on-Raising-the-Bar-for-Operational-Standards-in-Aviation-Safety.html Laurie Leshin stepping down as director of NASA’s Jet Propulsion Lab NASA's main center for planetary exploration will soon come under new leadership. Laurie Leshin announced today (May 7) that she'll step down from her role as director of NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in Southern California in June, after more than three years in charge. She'll be replaced by David Gallagher, JPL's current associate director for strategic integration. In an email to JPL employees, which was obtained by Space.com, Leshin said she intends to focus on re-launching her research program at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech), which manages JPL for NASA, and also on her family, which is still experiencing the impacts of the Eaton fire. "This event is still deeply impacting my daily life, as I know it is for so many of you," she wrote to JPL staff. Leshin will continue her role as a Caltech faculty member — specifically, Bren Professor of Geochemistry and Planetary Science, according to a JPL statement that was released today. Leshin has seen JPL through a number of high-profile successes during her time in the director's chair. "I am proud of the many things JPL has accomplished over the past three years," Leshin said in the JPL statement. The EMIT, SWOT, Psyche, PREFIRE, Europa Clipper and SPHEREx missions all launched during her tenure, and NISAR, which she also helped oversee, is scheduled to launch next month. “In addition to the long list of missions that have launched or moved toward launch during that time, we saved Voyager more than once and flew into history on Mars with Ingenuity. We have made more amazing scientific discoveries than I can name, including finding potential ancient Martian biomarkers with Perseverance," she added. "And we’ve driven the forefront of technology on Earth and in space. I know those achievements will continue under Dave’s capable leadership." Gallagher has been at JPL for 36 years and has held numerous positions at the NASA lab. He has served as manager for JPL’s Advanced Optical Systems Program Office, for example, as well as deputy director for Astronomy, Physics and Space Technology. "Laurie has made a significant impact on energizing and focusing the lab, guiding it back on track after the Covid-19 pandemic. I wish her great success in this next chapter of her career, and I look forward to a very smooth transition at the lab," Gallagher said in the JPL statement. Leshin described Gallagher as "the right leader at the right time for the Lab" in her message to employees. Near the end of that message, she said that "leading JPL has been the honor of a lifetime." https://www.space.com/space-exploration/laurie-leshin-stepping-down-as-director-of-nasas-jet-propulsion-lab China Airlines Announces Order for Boeing 777X Passenger and Freighter Models - First 777X customer in Taiwan orders up to 23 of the widebody jets - Longtime operator of 777 and 747-400, China Airlines will leverage 777X efficiency and capacity to launch long-haul routes TAIPEI, May 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Boeing [NYSE: BA] and China Airlines (CAL) today announced the carrier as the newest 777X customer with an order for 10 777-9 passenger and four 777-8 Freighter airplanes. The first carrier in Taiwan to order the fuel-efficient 777X, China Airlines will leverage the widebody jet's added capacity and range on long-haul routes to North America and Europe. Boeing rendering of a 777-9 and 777-8F in China Airlines livery Boeing rendering of a 777-9 and 777-8F in China Airlines livery In addition to the firm order, which booked in March 2025 and was posted as unidentified on Boeing's orders and deliveries website, the airline has options to purchase five 777-9s and four 777-8 Freighters. With this order, China Airlines joins an exclusive group of global airlines that have ordered the passenger and freighter variants of the 777X family. "As a long-time operator of the 777-300ER and 777 Freighter, we are excited to welcome Boeing's newest 777X family into our world-class fleet," said Kao Shing-Hwang, chairman of China Airlines. "The advanced technology and features of the 777-9 will provide our customers with the best-in-class flying experience, while the 777-8 Freighter's range and fuel-efficiency will enable us to maintain a leadership position in air cargo. This is a significant investment toward our future, and we will rely on the new 777X family to help realize our long-term sustainability goals." The world's largest twin-engine jet, the 777-9 will offer 20% lower fuel use and emissions than the airplanes it replaces, as well as the lowest operating cost per seat of any airplane as it connects far-flung destinations with a range of 7,295 nautical miles (13,510 km). The 777-9 will allow China Airlines to maximize capacity with 426 passengers in a typical two-class configuration while offering exceptional comfort with a more spacious cabin environment. "The 777X will enable us to deliver an enhanced travel experience and greater reliability for our customers," added Chen Han-Ming, president of China Airlines. Given the interoperability of the 777X with its current Boeing twin-engine freighters, China Airlines plans to renew its fleet with the new 777-8 Freighter, which offers 747-sized payload capability along with a 30% improvement in fuel efficiency and emissions and up to a 60% smaller noise footprint. "As we welcome China Airlines to the 777X customer family, we are pleased to build on our nearly 60-year partnership that traces back to the 707 and 727," said Brad McMullen, Boeing senior vice president of Commercial Sales and Marketing. "We value China Airlines' continued confidence and look forward to delivering the new 777Xs adorned with the beautiful plum blossom livery in the coming years." Customers around the world have now ordered more than 520 777X airplanes sustaining thousands of jobs at Boeing's Everett, Wash., site and across the supply chain. "Operating the 777-9 and 777-8 Freighter will allow China Airlines to add capacity and position the airline for further growth going forward," said Dan Schull, Boeing vice president of Commercial Sales, Northeast Asia. "In addition to these new 777X jets, China Airlines has 787 Dreamliners on order that will further strengthen its world-class fleet for many years to come." A leading global aerospace company and top U.S. exporter, Boeing develops, manufactures and services commercial airplanes, defense products and space systems for customers in more than 150 countries. Our U.S. and global workforce and supplier base drive innovation, economic opportunity, sustainability and community impact. Boeing is committed to fostering a culture based on our core values of safety, quality and integrity. Boeing Media Relations media@boeing.com SOURCE Boeing https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/china-airlines-announces-order-for-boeing-777x-passenger-and-freighter-models-302449758.html CALENDAR OF EVENTS · Sixth Edition of International Accident Investigation Forum, 21 to 23 May 2025, Singapore · Flight Safety Foundation - Aviation Safety Forum June 5-6, 2025 - Brussels . 2025 EASA-FAA International Aviation Safety Conference, 10 Jun 2025 to 12 Jun 2025, Cologne, Germany · The 9th Shanghai International Aerospace Technology and Equipment Exposition 2025; June 11 to 13, 2025 . South Texas Business Aviation Association June 20th at the Galaxy FBO at Conroe Airport, Texas. . Airborne Public Safety Association -APSCON / APSCON Unmanned 2025 in Phoenix, AZ | July 14-18, 2025 . 3rd annual Asia Pacific Summit for Aviation Safety (AP-SAS), July 15-17, 2025, Singapore, organized by Flight Safety Foundation and CAAS. . 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