Flight Safety Information - May 28, 2025 No. 106 In This Issue : Incident: TAP A21N over Atlantic on May 26th 2025, fumes on board : Boeing 737-85F (SF) (WL) - Depressurization (Latvia) : Boeing 777-222ER - Engine Failure/Rejected Takeoff (China) : Delta flight could not lower landing gear because of broken support piece, NTSB finds : United Airlines Had to Cancel Major Flight to Newark Airport : Frustrated Air Canada pilot slams air traffic controller shortage to passengers on flight : This country is fining impatient airplane passengers who stand up too early : Brazil's Azul to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, Valor reports : Aircraft leasing giant calls on Trump to expand zero-tariff plane pact : China’s next-gen turbine blade promises supercharged jet power, more longevity : Starship megarocket blows up over Indian Ocean in latest bumpy test : Nominations for ISASI - Jerry Lederer Award - Please submit before May 30 : ISASI 2025 - Denver : Calendar of Events Incident: TAP A21N over Atlantic on May 26th 2025, fumes on board A TAP Air Portugal Airbus A321-200N, registration CS-TXA performing flight TP-211 from Porto (Portugal) to Newark,NJ (USA), was enroute at FL340 over the Atlantic about 180nm east of St. John's,NL (Canada) when the crew decided to divert to St. John's reporting fumes on board. The aircraft landed safely on St. John's runway 10 about 45 minutes later, stopped briefly for an inspection by emergency services and taxied to the apron. While passengers disembarked fire fighters entered the aircraft with gas meters. No injuries are reported. The airline reported cabin air quality issues. The aircraft is still on the ground in St. John's about 13.5 hours after landing. https://avherald.com/h?article=528465c2&opt=0 Boeing 737-85F (SF) (WL) - Depressurization (Latvia) Date: Tuesday 27 May 2025 Time: 21:09 LT Type: Boeing 737-85F (SF) (WL) Owner/operator: Compass Air Cargo, opf Swiftair Registration: LZ-CXA MSN: 28826/238 Year of manufacture: 1999 Engine model: CFMI CFM56-7B Fatalities: Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: Other fatalities: 0 Aircraft damage: Unknown Category: Incident Location: near Liepaja - Latvia Phase: En route Nature: Cargo Departure airport: Riga International Airport (RIX/EVRA) Destination airport: København-Kastrup Airport (CPH/EKCH) Confidence Rating: Information is only available from news, social media or unofficial sources Narrative: Compass Air Cargo flight SWT5781 had just reached its cruising altitude of FL380 when the aircraft began to descend to FL100 most likely due to a depressurization. The aircraft briefly squawked 7700 but would continue to Copenhagen. https://asn.flightsafety.org/wikibase/514988 Boeing 777-222ER - Engine Failure/Rejected Takeoff (China) Boeing 777-222ER - Date: Monday 26 May 2025 Time: 17:46 Type: Boeing 777-222ER Owner/operator: United Airlines Registration: N793UA MSN: 26946/97 Year of manufacture: 1997 Engine model: P&W PW4090 Fatalities: Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: Other fatalities: 0 Aircraft damage: Minor Category: Incident Location: Beijing-Capital International Airport (PEK/ZBAA) - China Phase: Take off Nature: Passenger - Scheduled Departure airport: Beijing-Capital International Airport (PEK/ZBAA) Destination airport: San Francisco International Airport, CA (SFO/KSFO) Confidence Rating: Information is only available from news, social media or unofficial sources Narrative: United Airlines flight UA889, a Boeing 777-222ER, N793UA, suffered a right engine failure during an attempted taking off at the Beijing-Capital International Airport (PEK). The takeoff was aborted, with multiple tires deflating in the process. The aircraft became disabled at the end of the runway and all occupants deplaned via airstairs. https://asn.flightsafety.org/wikibase/515044 Delta flight could not lower landing gear because of broken support piece, NTSB finds A Delta Air Lines Boeing 717 landed on its belly after a crack in a part of the supports for the nose landing gear kept it from extending, according to a National Transportation Safety Board final report issued Tuesday. The flight was attempting to land at Charlotte Douglas International Airport on June 28, 2023, when a warning light came on as the pilots were trying to lower the landing gear. The jet circled the airport as they attempted to manually extend the gear, but without success. After multiple tries, the pilots declared an emergency and landed with the nose gear up, skidding to a stop with the front of the plane scraping the runway. The 99 passengers and five crew members were not injured during the landing and departed the aircraft on emergency slides. The NTSB found a metal fatigue crack along scratches in the “upper lock link,” one of the forged aluminum supports for the landing gear. “The appearance of the scratch features was consistent with tool marks such as from filing or grinding operations,” the NTSB report said. “These scratch features likely acted as stress concentration areas for crack initiation.” A 2001 alert from the plane’s manufactures, Boeing and McDonnell Douglas, called for these parts to be inspected for tool marks or rough surfaces, and this “upper lock link” had been marked as inspected in 2009. After an overhaul of the landing gear, the part was put into a different plane in 2014 where it remained until the accident. The NTSB found that the maintenance facility did not comply with the service bulletin, which contributed to the accident. In total, the part had flown 41,257 times before it broke, the report concluded. As a result of the investigation into this accident, all Boeing 717 “lock links” were inspected and no additional cracks were found. https://www.yahoo.com/news/delta-flight-could-not-lower-214319737.html United Airlines Had to Cancel Major Flight to Newark Airport Newark's Liberty International Airport has been hit hard by delays and technical issues over the last few weeks, and a major transatlantic flight headed for the airport was recently canceled. The flight, which was set to leave from Edinburgh Airport in Scotland, was canceled due to a mechanical issue. The United Airlines flight was set to feature a Boeing 757 aircraft before being canceled. The plane returned to its gate and passengers were diverted to other flights out of the same airport. Passengers were sent to the next available flights to Newark, and United added that it was working to ensure as little disruption and delay as possible. After the mechanical issue was detected and passengers left the aircraft, United looked to assess and fix the issue with the plane. The airline did not reveal the exact issue that caused the cancellation, only noting that the safety of passengers was the number one priority. Hundreds of delays are recorded at the Newark airport every day, largely due to a shortage of air traffic controllers. The problem was made even worse by a busy Memorial Day travel weekend, likely the first of many this summer. Old equipment and runway renovations have also contributed to the delays at the airport, with travelers stuck waiting to leave for hours at a congested and understaffed airport and air traffic control space. Federal authorities have intervened at the airport, issuing restrictions that allow only 28 departures and 28 arrivals per hour. The staggered flight plan is expected to continue through mid-June, and could be extended for longer if it's seen as necessary. On Sunday, FlightAware says that planes were coming into the airport and leaving it at an average of 35 minutes late from their expected departure time. Many travelers have avoided the Newark airport over the last few weeks, and that plan could be an intelligent one during the summer. Whether it's taking the train, driving or simply just going to a different airport, Newark has a long way to go before it's up to par with other major international airports around the country. https://www.yahoo.com/news/united-airlines-had-cancel-major-192626791.html Frustrated Air Canada pilot slams air traffic controller shortage to passengers on flight Air Canada confirms schedules affected for 'several weeks,' as Nav Canada says more training efforts underway An Air Canada pilot vented his frustrations over air traffic controller shortages on a recent flight, telling passengers to write their MPs to address ongoing delays at the country's airports. The pilot on a Vancouver-Montreal flight on Saturday vented over the intercom, with a CBC reporter capturing a portion of his message announcing a 50-minute delay. In the message, he says that the air traffic controller sector — which is operated by private company Nav Canada — was understaffed, and sick calls had meant there was a holdup at the airport that day. "It's very annoying," the pilot told the passengers. "It's cost the company a lot of money. It costs business people a lot of money, and it would be great to have this addressed." Air Canada says it's been hit by unexpected delays at Vancouver International Airport in recent weeks. The airport confirms a shortage of air traffic controllers has caused delays and cancellations. As Jon Hernandez reports, a pilot expressed his frustrations to a plane full of passengers on Saturday. The pilot goes on to accuse Nav Canada of keeping the number of new trainees low in order to keep overtime numbers high and asks passengers to tell their representatives about it. "Please write your MP and let them know what's going on and how it's affecting your business or your leisure plans," he urged. Air Canada confirmed that Nav Canada 'restrictions' had affected airlines' schedules at YVR for several weeks. The frustration expressed by the pilot comes a little over a month after Nav Canada said that "resource constraints" had led to dozens of flights being cancelled or delayed. An Air Canada spokesperson confirmed in a statement that Nav Canada restrictions had affected airline schedules at Vancouver International Airport (YVR) for several weeks. A spokesperson for the company denied that trainees were being intentionally rejected as unsuitable to protect overtime, and said it is scaling up training operations in response to the shortage of air traffic controllers. An airline CEO and the pilots' union both say that the labour crunch is a nationwide challenge that requires a wholesale effort to solve. Small airlines affected Tim Perry, the president of the Air Line Pilots Association, says that if a passenger gets frustrated with delays, it's natural that pilots would too. He said that, however, delays were not the fault of individual air traffic controllers but rather a systemic issue. "If we need more people at work, let's direct our collective attention to doing that," he said. "We really need to look to the future, work collaboratively with all the stakeholders," Perry added. "That means government. That means labour representatives, and it means employers, to make sure that the entire system is staffed appropriately." Cancelled flights are announced on an arrivals/departures board at Toronto Pearson International Airport on July 3, 2023. The head of Canada's pilots' union said that an air traffic controller shortage was a systemic issue. (Alex Lupul/CBC) Teara Fraser, the CEO of Indigenous-owned airline Iskwew Air, operates short flights between YVR and Qualicum Beach on Vancouver Island. While the flights are very short — usually clocking in just under half an hour — Fraser says there have been delays every day on most flights, and the shortage of air traffic controllers wasn't "a new problem, but it's certainly worsening." Teara Fraser, the CEO of Iskwew Air, says the federal government has to step up and properly fund the country's airline sector. (Josh Neufeld/Iskwew Air) "We're getting delays of anywhere between 20 minutes and two hours," she told CBC News. "When you are operating a 20-25 minute flight, that's significant." Fraser urged the federal government to properly fund airports, airlines and service providers. Nav Canada cites training efforts In a statement, a Nav Canada spokesperson confirmed that "resource constraints" necessitated a temporary traffic management initiative on Saturday, which led to delays. The spokesperson said the company is in the process of significantly expanding its training capacity across the country to meet growing demand. "We currently have close to 500 students within our training programs today," they said. "By 2028, we expect the total number of students who will have entered [Nav Canada's] training program to be approximately 1,500." Dozens of Vancouver flights delayed or cancelled as Nav Canada warns of 'resource constraints' Shortage of air traffic controllers causing delays, cancellations in Canadian airports The spokesperson denied the Air Canada pilot's allegation that air traffic controller trainees were being intentionally rejected in order to protect overtime. "Prior to any decision being made to cease training for an individual, a multidisciplined panel evaluates opportunities to further support the candidate or to restream them to another program," the spokesperson said. "We leave no stone unturned in supporting a candidate's success." The spokesperson said that close to 40 licences for air traffic controllers had been issued in Vancouver over the last year, something they called a clear sign of progress. "Certain specialties in Vancouver present some of the most complex training environments in the country, due to the intricate airspace structure and high traffic volumes," they added. "That said, our significant investments and efforts in training and development are yielding tangible results." https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/air-canada-pilot-air-traffic-controller-shortage-1.7544484 This country is fining impatient airplane passengers who stand up too early It’s a topic of controversy when it comes to air travel: When your plane reaches its gate, when is the right time to stand up and begin the deplaning process? In Turkey, passengers who get out of their seat before the plane has stopped taxiing or crowd the aisle before it’s their row’s turn to deplane will now face fines, according to a circular approved by the Turkish Directorate General of Civil Aviation. Director General Kemal Yüksek instructed cabin crews for planes landing in Turkey to issue warnings that passengers who do not “respect the disembarkation priority of the passengers in front of or around you” will be reported to the authority and “an administrative fine will be imposed in accordance with the applicable legal regulations.” This includes unfastening seat belts, standing up, opening the overhead compartments or crowding the aisle while the plane is still taxiing to the gate, but also standing up or proceeding into the aisle before the row’s turn to exit, the directive states. Yüksek noted in the circular that there has been a significant increase in reports of such behavior, which risks “passenger and baggage safety and security” and disregards “the satisfaction and exit priority” of other passengers. The notice does not say how much passengers will be fined, but Turkish broadcaster Halk TV reported that it could be about 2,603 Turkish lira, or $67. Impatient passengers can actually delay the process of deplaning. Under Federal Aviation Administration regulations, the cabin crew has to alert the pilot if a passenger stands up while the plane is still moving toward a gate. “It is a safety issue,” Jennifer “Jaki” Johnson, a flight attendant for a major carrier as well as the CEO and founder of Jetsetter Chic, told The Washington Post in 2019. Etiquette experts say that passengers should wait for the rows in front of them to exit before stepping into the aisle, with the exception of allowing passengers through who have tight connections. They note, however, that when it comes to standing and stretching your legs after the fasten seat belt sign is turned off, there’s no harm in doing so at your seat, as long as you stay out of the aisle and remain mindful of the passengers around you. The International Air Transport Association called disruptive passengers “a significant problem” in 2019, with one incident for every 1,053 flights reported in 2017. The United States had a spike in incidents in 2021, as travelers clashed with flight crews over mask mandates and other issues. Numbers have dropped in the years since, but the FAA logged nearly 900 reports of unruly behavior for the first nine months of 2024 — more than were reported in all of 2018. https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/this-country-is-fining-impatient-airplane-passengers-who-stand-up-too-early/ar-AA1Fzl7M Brazil's Azul to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, Valor reports May 27 (Reuters) - Brazilian airline Azul (AZUL.N), opens new tab is set to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in the United States as soon as Tuesday, newspaper Valor Economico reported, citing sources. The move would make the carrier the latest in a series of Latin American airlines to file for bankruptcy in the aftermath of the depression the industry suffered in the initial months of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Reuters Tariff Watch newsletter is your daily guide to the latest global trade and tariff news. Sign up here. Azul's move would follow in the footsteps of Aeromexico, Colombia-based Avianca and its two largest rivals, Gol and LATAM Airlines (LTM.SN), opens new tab, all of which succumbed to bankruptcy proceedings in recent years. Azul last year struck a deal with lessors to scrap $550 million in debt in exchange for an equity stake of around 20%, as well as one with bondholders to raise additional financing, but its balance sheet remained severely pressured. Azul's net debt soared 50% year-on-year by the end of the first quarter to 31.35 billion reais ($5.56 billion), with its leverage ratio hitting 5.2, up from 3.7 a year earlier. ($1 = 5.6377 reais) https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/brazils-azul-file-chapter-11-bankruptcy-protection-valor-reports-2025-05-28/ Aircraft leasing giant calls on Trump to expand zero-tariff plane pact PARIS/WASHINGTON, May 28 (Reuters) - The head of the world's largest aircraft leasing company has called on U.S. President Donald Trump to renegotiate and expand a duty-free trade agreement for the aircraft industry to include newcomers like China in a new lobbying twist to the trade war. The aerospace industry has for weeks been pushing for exemptions to tariffs introduced by Trump, or to any foreign retaliation, and wants a return to the status quo represented by a 1979 deal between some 30 nations to ban tariffs on jetliners. But Aengus Kelly, chief executive of AerCap (AER.N), opens new tab, said the current trade crisis also represented a chance to expand and improve the decades-old pact to ensure a level playing field under what he termed a "Trump trade accord" for aviation. "It would be a fantastic win for the president if he could enhance and significantly improve the 1979 aerospace treaty, which has only got (33) countries signed up to anything, while countries like India and China are not in it," Kelly said. The call for a Trump-led renegotiation marks a shift of emphasis by the aviation industry, which has so far focused mainly on restoring the existing tariff-free regime. Dublin-based AerCap is the world's largest aircraft owner. "If the president could convince other countries to join this zero-for-zero tariff agreement, that'll be an enormous win for high-tech manufacturing and engineering jobs in the United States," Kelly told Reuters in an interview. The White House said it was in regular contact with industry groups about trade policy. "The only special interest guiding President Trump’s decision-making, however, is the best interest of the American people,” spokesperson Kush Desai said. A coalition of aerospace companies was expected to meet officials at the Commerce Department later on Wednesday. The Agreement on Trade in Civil Aircraft came into force in 1980 and eliminated tariffs on aircraft and parts. It is one of a handful of side deals that survived from an earlier round of trade talks when the World Trade Organization was formed in 1995. Current members include the United States and European Union - home to Boeing (BA.N), opens new tab and Airbus (AIR.PA), opens new tab - while China, India and several other fast-growing aerospace nations, such as South Korea and Turkey only have observer status. Brazil is in the process of becoming a full member, but Mexico - with its growing supply chain - is not a signatory. The AIA aerospace association has said the 1979 pact supports a $75 billion trade surplus for the U.S. aerospace sector, which includes manufacturing giants like GE Aerospace (GE.N), opens new tab and RTX (RTX.N), opens new tab. Analysts say a renegotiation would not be simple, however. Trump has shown a preference for bilateral deals over broad alliances from trade to security and a new aircraft pact would include nations already embroiled in a larger jigsaw of trade disputes, making it harder to isolate specific issues. Washington did however grant a carve-out to jet engines in a recent trade deal with Britain, benefiting Rolls-Royce (RR.L), opens new tab. The call for an expanded pact comes as China is increasing production of a home-grown competitor to Boeing and Airbus (AIR.PA), opens new tab, the C919, though it has yet to win Western approvals. Boeing deliveries to China were effectively frozen after the two largest economies imposed triple-digit tariffs on each other last month, before agreeing a pause in trade tensions. Trump also briefly floated heavier tariffs on the European Union, which has placed Boeing on a list of possible reprisals. Kelly said the U.S. would gradually cede aerospace manufacturing in any prolonged trade war. "With very high tariffs, if they're retaliatory, then of course we're going to see the rest of the world move over time towards Airbus," he said, though "It won't happen overnight". https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/aircraft-leasing-giant-calls-trump-expand-zero-tariff-plane-pact-2025-05-28/ China’s next-gen turbine blade promises supercharged jet power, more longevity Thermotolerant jet engine blade is designed for more thrust and fuel efficiency, strengthening China’s aviation self-reliance The WS-10 Taihang engine, which is used by Chinese fighter jets, is displayed at the Zhuhai air show in 2018. A patent for advanced turbine blade manufacturing was issued in late April. Photo: SCMP / Dickson Lee A recently granted patent in China’s aeronautics industry has signalled a significant leap in the development of a critical component for jet engines – a next-generation self-cooling turbine blade that could provide critical advantages for both the country’s military and civilian aircraft. The patent outlined a new method for producing alloy turbine blades capable of withstanding temperatures up to 15 per cent higher than existing versions. The improved heat resistance was expected to deliver greater engine thrust, better fuel efficiency, and longer service life. The Beijing Institute of Aeronautical Materials under Aero Engine Corporation of China (AECC) received the patent for advanced turbine blade manufacturing in late April. AECC has led Chinese research on military engines for fighter jets such as the J-10CE, the same ones used by Pakistan’s military – which Beijing recently confirmed shot down Indian jets – as well as civilian plane engines like the CJ1000A and CJ2000. The latest innovation helped to cement its leadership in high-performance propulsion technologies. According to the China National Intellectual Property Administration, the patent, which was first filed in October, was co-developed by AECC and Handan Xinxing Special Steel Pipes Company in northern China’s Hebei province. Chinese plane designed to travel twice as fast as Concorde completes test flight High-temperature alloy turbine blades are a critical component in modern jet engines, directly influencing thrust output, fuel efficiency and reliability. Conventional turbine blades tend to degrade from prolonged exposure to extreme heat, restricting overall engine performance. The newly patented method aims to overcome this limitation by improving the thermal tolerance of the blades. “This method embeds a copper-magnesium-steel composite structure inside the blade using thermo-mechanical processing techniques,” the patent stated. “This enables the blade to maintain long-term functionality under extreme high-temperature conditions.” According to the researchers, the improvements could enhance engine efficiency, extend operational lifespans, and allow for more aggressive flight profiles in combat scenarios. “Compared to traditional methods that require developing entirely new alloy systems, this technique builds upon existing high-temperature materials – significantly reducing research time and cost,” the patent filing read. The key innovation combined electric pulse-assisted low-temperature deformation with heat-assisted high-temperature deformation to create a multi-metal composite. The process began by cutting grooves into two high-temperature alloy plates and adding magnesium foil and copper rods to create a steel-copper composite. This assembly was then heated and electrically charged in a vacuum chamber, causing the magnesium to melt and bond with the copper and steel. This also refined the metal structure for added strength. Next, the plates were heated and rolled until they fully fused, forming a stable copper-magnesium-steel composite. This structure was placed in a stainless steel shell, filled with alloy powder, sealed in a vacuum, and forged into shape. After machining, the result was a high-performance turbine blade with self-cooling capabilities. “The composite leverages the heat resistance of steel and the thermal conductivity of copper – making it suitable for future applications in both aircraft and rocket engine combustion chambers,” the researchers said. Beyond the specific application, the blade’s design could be integrated with broader advancements in engine systems, such as improved combustion chambers and cooling technologies. Together, such innovations could accelerate China’s push toward next-generation aviation engines, and signal the country’s ambitions to push the limits of home-grown jet engine technology. China has made significant progress toward achieving self-reliance in engine development. The J-10C fighter, which drew international attention during the recent India-Pakistan conflict, is powered by the domestically produced WS-10B Taihang turbofan engine. The skirmish, which saw Chinese-built engines tested in actual combat between the two nuclear-armed neighbours, underscored the strategic importance of reliable, high-performance military aviation, as well as China’s growing aerospace capabilities. Meanwhile, the fifth-generation J-20 stealth fighter is now equipped with the more powerful WS-15 engine, which delivers 18.5 tonnes of thrust. This enables the J-20 to cruise supersonically at around Mach 1.8 and reach top speeds above Mach 2.2. The coming carrier-based stealth fighter J-35 was expected to feature twin WS-19 engines, although progress on that project remained classified. https://www.scmp.com/news/china/science/article/3312013/chinas-next-gen-turbine-blade-promises-supercharged-jet-power-more-longevity Starship megarocket blows up over Indian Ocean in latest bumpy test SpaceX's prototype Starship exploded over the Indian Ocean on Tuesday, capping another bumpy test flight for the rocket central to billionaire Elon Musk's dream of colonizing Mars. The biggest and most powerful launch vehicle ever built lifted off around 6:36 pm (2336 GMT) from the company's Starbase facility, near a southern Texas village that earlier this month voted to become a city -- also named Starbase. Excitement ran high among SpaceX engineers and spectators alike, after the last two outings ended with the upper stage disintegrating in fiery cascades over the Caribbean. But signs of trouble emerged quickly: the first-stage Super Heavy booster blew up instead of executing its planned splashdown in the Gulf of Mexico. A live feed then showed the upper-stage spaceship failing to open its doors to deploy a payload of Starlink satellite "simulators." Though the ship flew farther than on its two previous attempts, it sprang leaks and began spinning out of control as it coasted through space. Mission teams vented fuel to reduce the force of the expected explosion, and onboard cameras cut out roughly 45 minutes into what was meant to be a 66-minute flight -- falling short of its target splashdown zone off Australia's west coast. "Starship experienced a rapid unscheduled disassembly," SpaceX posted on X -- a familiar euphemism for fiery failure -- while stressing it would learn from the setback. Musk, meanwhile, vowed to pick up the pace: "Launch cadence for the next 3 flights will be faster — approximately one every 3 to 4 weeks," he said. He did not say, however, whether he still planned to deliver a live stream about Mars that SpaceX had been promoting. Standing 403 feet (123 meters) tall, the black-and-white behemoth is designed to eventually be fully reusable and launch at low cost, carrying Musk's hopes of making humanity a multi-planetary species. NASA is also counting on a variant of Starship to serve as the crew lander for Artemis 3, the mission to return Americans to the Moon. Ahead of the launch, dozens of space fans gathered at Isla Blanca Park on nearby South Padre Island, hoping to catch a glimpse of history. Several small tourist boats also dotted the lagoon, while a live feed showed Musk sitting at ground control in Starbase, wearing an "Occupy Mars" T-shirt. Australian Piers Dawson, 50, told AFP he's "obsessed" with the rocket and built his family vacation around the launch -- his first trip to the United States, with his wife and teenage son whom he took out of school to be there. "I know in science there's never a failure, you learn everything from every single test so that was still super exciting to see," said Joshua Wingate, a 33-year-old tech entrepreneur from Austin, after the launch. - 'Fail fast, learn fast' - Starship has now completed nine integrated test flights atop its Super Heavy booster. SpaceX is betting that its "fail fast, learn fast" ethos, which helped it dominate commercial spaceflight, will once again pay off. One bright spot: the company has now caught the Super Heavy booster in the launch tower's giant robotic arms three times — a daring engineering feat it sees as key to rapid reusability and slashing costs. This ninth flight marked the first time SpaceX reused a Super Heavy booster, though it opted not to attempt a catch -- instead pushing the envelope with a steeper descent angle and one engine intentionally disabled. The FAA recently approved an increase in Starship launches from five to 25 annually, stating the expanded schedule wouldn't harm the environment -- a decision that overruled objections from conservation groups concerned about impacts to sea turtles and shorebirds. https://www.yahoo.com/news/spacex-set-next-starship-launch-213858747.html Nominations for ISASI - Jerry Lederer Award - Please submit before May 30 Please consider nominating someone who you know is deserving of the Jerry Lederer Award: any member of ISASI may submit a nomination. The nominee is not required to be an ISASI member and may be an individual, a group of individuals, or an organization. The nomination can be for a single event, a series of events, or a lifetime of achievement. Nomination statements should emphasize an original and remarkable contribution and personal effort beyond normal duty requirements. To nominate, a letter no more than a single page, is written outlining the individual’s achievements; such traits as persistence, standing among peers, manner and techniques of operating, and achievements are considered. The nomination letter is to be e-mailed to both the ISASI office (ann.schull@isasi.org ) and to the Awards Committee Chair (Dave King - kingdfk@aol.com). Nominations must be received by May 30th. www.isasi.org Previous Winners: • 2024 - Robert L. Sumwalt III • 2023 - Wing Commander Syed Naseem Ahmed (Retired) • 2022 – Barbara Dunn • 2021 – Howard Keith Hagy • 2020 – Ralph M. Sorrells, Jr. • 2019 – Capt. Akrivos Tsolakis • 2018 - Capt. Mohammed Aziz • 2017 - Mr. Chan Wing Keong • 2016 - Eugene "Toby" Carroll • 2015 - Ladislav Mika (Ladi) • 2014 - David King • 2013 – Frank S. Del Gandio and Myron P. “Pappy” Papadakis • 2012 - Dr. Curt Lewis • 2011 - Paul-Louis Arslanian • 2010 - Michael Poole • 2009 - Capt. Richard B. Stone • 2009 - Australian Transport Safety Bureau • 2008 - Don Bateman • 2007 - Tom McCarthy • 2006 - Richard H. Wood • 2005 - John D. Rawson • 2004 - Ron Chippindale • 2003 - Caj Frostell • 2002 - Ronald L. Schleede • 2001 - John Purvis and The Transportation Safety Board of Canada • 2000 - Nora Marshal • 1999 - Capt. James McIntyre • 1998 - A. Frank Taylor • 1997 - Gus Economy • 1996 - Burt Chesterfield • 1995 - Dr. John K. Lauber • 1994 - U.K. Aircraft Accidents Investigation Branch • 1993 - Capt. Victor Hewes • 1992 - Paul R. Powers • 1991 - Eddie J. Trimble • 1990 - Olof Fritsch • 1989 - Aage A. Roed • 1988 - H. Vincent LaChapelle • 1987 - Dr. Carol A. Roberts • 1986 - Geoffrey C. Wilkinson • 1985 - Dr. John Kenyon Mason • 1984 - George B. Parker • 1983 - C.O. Miller • 1982 - H. Prater Hogue • 1981 - Dr. S. Harry Robertson • 1980 - John Gilbert Boulding • 1979 - Gerard M. Bruggink • 1978 - Allen R. McMahan • 1977 - Samuel M. Phillips "Soaring To New Heights: A World of Innovation" ISASI 2025 September 29, 2025 – October 3, 2025 Renaissance Denver Hotel & Conference Center 3801 Quebec Street Denver, CO 80207 USA CALENDAR OF EVENTS · 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. . Asia Pacific Aviation Safety Seminar 2025; 10-11 September 2025; Manila, Philippines · ISASI ANNUAL SEMINAR 2025'September 29, 2025 – October 3, 2025, DENVER, COLORADO . Air Medical Transport Conference (AMTC™) - 2025 – October 27-29th (Omaha, Nebraska) . 29th annual Bombardier Safety Standdown, November 11-13, 2025; Wichita, Kansas · CHC Safety & Quality Summit, 11th – 13th November 2025, Vancouver, BC Canada Curt Lewis