Flight Safety Information - September 15, 2025 No. 184 In This Issue : Incident: Austral B788 near Jeddah on Sep 13th 2025, engine shut down in flight : Incident: LATAM Chile A320 at Bogota on Sep 14th 2025, rejected takeoff due to engine failure : Incident: Delta B763 near Salt Lake City on Sep 10th 2025, engine shut down in flight : Incident: Enter B738 at Krakow on Sep 14th 2025, runway excursion on landing : Incident: Indigo A320 at Lucknow on Sep 13th 2025, rejected takeoff due to engine trouble : Southwest Airlines Is Requiring Passengers to Remove This Common Item Starting September 25 : FAA seeks $3.1M in fines from Boeing over safety violations, midair panel blowout : Nigerian pilot tests positive for alcohol after plane veered off runway : 2 passengers injured after mid-air report of fire prompts emergency evacuation of United Airlines 737 in Japan : UAE ranks among world leaders in aviation safety with a near-perfect ICAO score : Vietnam Airlines, Vietjet Ban Use of Power Banks In-Flight Due to Safety Risks : China Eastern Airlines Will Launch Longest Direct Flight In The World Clocking In At A Bum Numbing 29 Hours : JAL Nonchalance About Pilots' Disregard for Safety is Frightening : Illinois Aviation Academy (IAA) Earns CAAV Approval to Train Pilots From Vietnam : Calendar of Event Incident: Austral B788 near Jeddah on Sep 13th 2025, engine shut down in flight An Air Austral Boeing 787-8, registration F-OLRB performing flight UU-973 from Nairobi (Kenya) to Paris Charles de Gaulle (France), was enroute at FL390 about 40nm southwest of Jeddah (Saudi Arabia) when the crew received a low oil pressure indication for one of the engines (Trent 1000), shut the engine down and diverted to Jeddah for a safe landing on runway 34R about one hour later. The airline reported a mechanical problem. A replacement Boeing 787-8 registration F-OLRC was dispatched to Nairobi, resumed the flight and is estimated to reach Paris with a delay of about 24 hours. The occurrence aircraft is still on the ground in Jeddah about 20 hours after landing. https://avherald.com/h?article=52ced59c&opt=0 Incident: LATAM Chile A320 at Bogota on Sep 14th 2025, rejected takeoff due to engine failure A LATAM Chile Airbus A320-200, registration CC-COE performing flight LA-4234 from Bogota to San Andres Island (Colombia), was accelerating the engines for takeoff from Bogota's runway 14R when the left hand engine (V2527) emitted a loud bang and streak of flames prompting the crew to reject takeoff at low speed. The aircraft returned to the apron. A replacement A320-200 registration CC-BAT reached San Andres Island with a delay of about 3:40 hours. The occurrence aircraft is still on the ground about 4.5 hours after the rejected takeoff. https://avherald.com/h?article=52ced32c&opt=0 Incident: Delta B763 near Salt Lake City on Sep 10th 2025, engine shut down in flight A Delta Airlines Boeing 767-300, registration N178DN performing flight DL-365 from New York JFK,NY to San Francisco,CA (USA), was enroute at FL360 about 90nm north of Salt Lake City,UT (USA) when the crew needed to shut the left hand engine (PW4060) down. The aircraft diverted to Salt Lake City for a safe landing on runway 16L about 35 minutes later. A passenger reported the crew announced one of their engines had failed and they needed to divert to Salt Lake City. The occurrence aircraft remained on the ground for about 35 hours, then positioned back to New York. https://avherald.com/h?article=52cec1c4&opt=0 Incident: Enter B738 at Krakow on Sep 14th 2025, runway excursion on landing An Enter Air Boeing 737-800, registration OM-FEX performing flight E4-7030 from Antalya (Turkey) to Krakow (Poland), landed on Krakow's runway 25 at 13:35L (11:35Z) and slowed through 50 knots over ground when the crew attempted to steer the aircraft onto the last exit but did not make the turn and overshot the end of the runway and came to a stop with nose gear and right main gear on soft ground, the left main gear on the last taxiway. The aircraft was disabled, the airport needed to be closed. https://avherald.com/h?article=52ceba41&opt=0 Incident: Indigo A320 at Lucknow on Sep 13th 2025, rejected takeoff due to engine trouble An Indigo Airbus A320-200, registration VT-IFI performing flight 6E-2111 from Lucknow to Delhi (India) with 151 people on board, was accelerating for takeoff from Lucknow's runway 27 when the crew rejected takeoff at low speed (around 30 knots over ground) due to the engines not stabilizing at the set target thrust. The aircraft returned to the apron. A replacement A320-200 registration VT-IKQ reached Delhi with a delay of about 1:45 hours. The occurrence aircraft returned to service about 19 hours after the rejected takeoff. https://avherald.com/h?article=52ceb3c3&opt=0 Southwest Airlines Is Requiring Passengers to Remove This Common Item Starting September 25 Southwest Airlines is tightening its rules for passengers who are in wheelchairs and scooters that are powered by lithium batteries. They have to remove them before getting on flights. That decision comes after the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration issued a safety alert on lithium batteries on August 25. According to Reuters, the airline announced on September 12 that it will require passengers "to take out removable lithium batteries from powered wheelchairs and scooters before boarding, citing fire risks." The regulation goes into effect on September 25, Reuters reported. "Lithium batteries have become one of the most common sources of smoke and fire incidents on aircraft. While these events are rare, quick access and visibility are critical to keeping everyone onboard safe," Southwest wrote its employees in a note obtained by Reuters. "By taking proactive steps now, Southwest will be among the first U.S. carriers to adopt these higher standards." The safety alert from the FAA outlined the "risks associated with the carriage of lithium batteries in aircraft passenger compartments. In addition, it emphasizes the importance of identifying all potential hazards and implementing appropriate risk mitigation strategies to manage lithium battery thermal runaway events, which are self-sustaining, uncontrolled increases in pressure and temperature." The alert warned, "Lithium batteries (including power banks and portable chargers) can act as ignition sources and potentially start onboard fires. Lithium batteries stored in passenger overhead bins and or in carry-on baggage may be obscured, difficult to access, or not readily monitored by passengers or crewmembers." The alert suggested that airlines "advise passengers on what lithium batteries are, where they are found, how thermal runaway occurs, and the associated risks." According to CNN, lithium batteries are also found in "Cell phones, laptops, portable power banks, e-cigarettes, and hearing aids." The FAA counted "50 verified battery-related incidents through August," CNN reported. https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/southwest-airlines-requiring-passengers-remove-192434512.html FAA seeks $3.1M in fines from Boeing over safety violations, midair panel blowout Proposed penalty is for safety violations from September 2023 to February 2024. The Federal Aviation Administration is seeking $3.1 million in fines from Boeing over safety violations, including ones related to an Alaska Airlines jetliner losing a door plug panel on its fuselage in midflight. The proposed penalty is for safety violations that occurred from September 2023 through February 2024, the FAA said Friday. That period includes the January 2024 blowout of a paneled-over exit door — called a door plug —- on an Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 Max 9 shortly after it took off from Portland, Oregon. None of the 171 passengers or six crew members on the flight were seriously injured. Pilots landed the plane safely back at the airport. In June, the National Transportation Safety Board said its 17-month long investigation found that lapses in Boeing’s manufacturing and safety oversight, combined with ineffective inspections and audits by the FAA, led to the door plug blowout. The FAA said Friday that it identified hundreds of quality system violations at Boeing's 737 factory in Renton, Washington, and Boeing subcontractor Spirit AeroSystems' 737 factory in Wichita, Kansas. Among other violations, the regulator also found that a Boeing employee pressured a member of Boeing's ODA unit, which is tasked with performing certain inspections and certifications on the FAA's behalf, to sign off on a 737 Max airplane “so that Boeing could meet its delivery schedule, even though the ODA member determined the aircraft did not comply with applicable standards.” Arlington, Virginia-based Boeing has 30 days to respond to the FAA. In a statement Saturday, Boeing said it is reviewing the agency's proposed civil penalty, noting that the company put in place a safety and quality plan last year, under FAA oversight, that aims to enhance safety management and quality assurance in its airplane production. “We regret the January 2024 door-plug accident and continue to work on strengthening our safety culture and improving first-time quality and accountability across our operations," the company said. The Max version of Boeing’s bestselling 737 airplane has been the source of persistent troubles for the company since two of the jets crashed, one in Indonesia in 2018 and another in Ethiopia in 2019, killing a combined 346 people. The Justice Department reached a deal in May allowing Boeing to avoid criminal prosecution for allegedly misleading U.S. regulators about the Max before the two crashes. Boeing was also in the news in June when a 787 flown by Air India crashed shortly after takeoff and killed at least 270 people. Investigators have not determined what caused that crash, but so far they have not found any flaws with the model, which has a strong safety record. https://abcnews.go.com/Business/wireStory/faa-seeks-31-million-fines-boeing-safety-violations-125542366 Nigerian pilot tests positive for alcohol after plane veered off runway A pilot and co-pilot have tested positive for alcohol after the plane they were operating veered off the runway when landing in Nigeria. The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) screened the pair after the accident in July, at the Port Harcourt International Airport. In addition, a crew member tested positive for cannabis. All 103 people on board the Boeing 737 at the time of the incident were unharmed. Air Peace, the company that operated the flight, said the 64-year-old pilot has been sacked for failing to adhere to safety regulations, while the co-pilot has since returned to his role. In a statement, Air Peace said the co-pilot was acquitted by the national regulator, the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), following preliminary investigations and a clean bill of health. Tests carried out by the NSIB found the pilot and co-pilot had tested positive for Ethyl Glucuronide (EtG), which indicates recent alcohol consumption. A cabin crew member also tested positive for (THC), the psychoactive component in cannabis. In a statement, Air Peace said it had not received any toxicology test results from the NSIB. "We are yet to receive any official communication from the NSIB on such findings over a month after the incident and after the testing of the crew for alcohol which took place in less than an hour of the incident," Air Peace said. The pilot had a total flying time of over 18,000 hours, while the co-pilot, aged 28, had almost 1,200 hours. The NSIB says its investigations are still in progress. For now, it has recommended improved training and the reinforcement of internal procedures. Although there have been no plane crashes in Nigeria for several years, there have been cases of aircraft overshooting the runway and tyres bursting during landing. Earlier this month, aviation authorities launched a new flight data centre aimed at improving aircraft safety but stakeholders say further protective measures and improved technology need to be deployed in the sector. https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c4gq7dkx6zko 2 passengers injured after mid-air report of fire prompts emergency evacuation of United Airlines 737 in Japan A United Airlines Boeing 737-800 flying from Tokyo to Cebu in the Philippines made an emergency landing Friday after an “indication of potential fire in the cargo hold,” the airline said in a statement. United Flight 32 was about an hour into the four-hour flight, flying at 34,000 feet over the Pacific Ocean, when it diverted to the northwest, according to FlightRadar 24. The plane landed about 30 minutes later at Kansai International Airport in Osaka, Japan. The 135 passengers evacuated down the plane’s emergency slides and were bussed to the terminal. Two passengers were taken to the hospital with minor injuries from the evacuation. “Upon initial inspection by maintenance there is no indication a fire occurred,” the airline said. United operates a hub in Tokyo to other destinations in Asia, including Guam, Mongolia, Saipan, Taiwan and the Philippines. United Flight 32 was a continuation of a flight from Los Angeles, operated on a different, smaller aircraft. Fires aboard commercial aircraft are very rare but can be incredibly deadly. In the United States, 20% of all fatalities onboard aircraft between 1891 and 1990 were caused by fires, according to the Federal Aviation Administration. Boeing advises finding an immediate place to land if there is “smoke, fumes or fire” on a plane. “Crews should anticipate diversion as soon as an SFF event occurs and should be reminded in the checklist to consider a diversion,” William McKenzie, Boeing’s flight crew procedures manager wrote in a Boeing publication for airlines in 2009. Speed is of the essence in any potential fire situation. “Without any intervention, a fire may become uncontrollable within 10 minutes; meaning that, if efficient actions are not taken early enough, the situation may escalate in few minutes,” Airbus wrote in published flight operations recommendations in 2019. https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/2-passengers-injured-mid-air-192750395.html Boeing ‘Clearly Behind’ On 777-9 Certification, Ortberg Says Boeing’s 777-9 certification program is falling behind, CEO Kelly Ortberg said, suggesting the issues could be significant enough to warrant a formal change to its current first-delivery timeline. “We still don’t have authorization from the FAA for a good portion of the certification program,” Ortberg said at the Morgan Stanley Laguna conference Sept. 11. “So, we’re working through that right now with the FAA, but we were clearly behind our plan in getting the certification done.” Boeing’s notional timeline has both FAA approval and first deliveries coming in 2026. Ortberg did not change this, but said senior leadership are evaluating the issue to determine potential ramifications. “I’ve asked [CFO] Jay Malave ... to spend some time as we come through this quarter, really looking at this schedule slip and understanding what the implications are and our go-forward plan,” he said. Ortberg emphasized that the latest delays are not linked to technical issues. “Both the airplane and the [GE Aerospace GE9X] engine are really performing quite well,” he said. He alluded to an increasingly deliberate FAA approach to aircraft approval as the major obstacle. “We can go fly, but we can’t actually get the certification credit until we get” type inspection authorization (TIA)—formal FAA testing clearance—for the required tests, Ortberg said. The FAA broke the 777-9 TIA into phases, which give Boeing approval to conduct required tests in specific batches. Before approving each TIA phase and allowing its pilots on the aircraft, the FAA must be convinced that the design conforms to the applicable regulations. Phased TIAs are not new. What has changed is the FAA’s level of scrutiny. Some of the new process is linked to requirements, such as new limits in delegating certification work to industry, in 2020 legislation that reformed FAA certification. It also reflects the post-737 MAX crisis environment in which the agency is simply asking more, and sometimes more complex, questions before allowing applicants to progress to a certification program’s next step. The changes came with Boeing in the midst of its 777-9 certification program as well as efforts to earn approval for the last two 737 MAX variants, the 737-7 and 737-10. All three programs have been hit with multiple delays—some technical, and some linked to new certification protocol—and are years behind as a result. The 737s are currently on track for 2026 approvals, provided that a required redesign of the engine anti-ice system earns FAA approval. “At the last earnings call [in July], we slipped the completion of the certification from the end of the year into next year,” Ortberg said. “The good news is we’ve made really good progress on the design of the engine anti-ice since that time. I feel pretty good that we’re nailing that design.” “We’re in the process right now of working with the FAA on the certification of that design, what tasks need to be done,” he added. “We’re still planning on getting that cert done next year, getting aircraft delivered next year.” Going forward, Ortberg sees room for improvement without compromising safety. “The certification process [is] way too slow,” Ortberg said. “We’ve got to work with the FAA in swinging the pendulum back and making that a process that’ll work. I can’t imagine that we can do a new airplane without having that process refined.” https://aviationweek.com/air-transport/aircraft-propulsion/boeing-clearly-behind-777-9-certification-ortberg-says UAE ranks among world leaders in aviation safety with a near-perfect ICAO score The UAE has secured one of the highest scores globally in ICAO’s safety audit, reflecting its rigorous oversight and adoption of advanced technologies The UAE has been recognised as one of the world’s safest aviation hubs after achieving a score of 98.86% in the International Civil Aviation Organisation’s (ICAO) Universal Safety Oversight Audit Programme. The results, revealed in a new report by the UAE General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), place the country among the highest performers globally. Strong investment in innovation According to the GCAA, the achievement reflects a combination of robust regulatory oversight, investment in human capital, and the adoption of advanced technologies, all of which are aligned with international best practices. The findings were published in A Closer Look: Civil Aviation in the UAE, a new series of analytical reports examining the sector’s milestones, challenges, and future opportunities. The latest edition, Building One of the World’s Safest Skies, details how the UAE has developed one of the most advanced and trusted safety systems globally. National plan to strengthen safety culture At the core of this progress is the UAE’s National Aviation Safety Plan (2023–2026), implemented under the State Safety Programme and aligned with ICAO’s Global Safety Plan. The framework focuses on reducing operational risks, reinforcing oversight, and cultivating a strong safety culture. In 2024 alone, the GCAA carried out more than 900 safety oversight activities, including inspections, licensing, airspace reviews, and infrastructure assessments. AI-powered oversight system In line with the UAE’s “We the UAE 2031” vision, the GCAA has also introduced an AI-driven, risk-based oversight system. Featuring real-time risk dashboards, automated audit prioritisation, and operator self-assessment portals, the system enhances regulatory efficiency without requiring a larger workforce. The authority has further advanced safety initiatives with tools such as the Voluntary Reporting System (VORSY) to encourage proactive hazard reporting, and a communicable disease control protocol developed with the Ministry of Health and Prevention, recognised by both ICAO and the World Health Organisation. International leadership role Beyond domestic oversight, the UAE continues to assert global leadership in aviation safety. The country has hosted several high-profile events, including ICAO’s Conference on Aviation and Alternative Fuels (CAAF/3) in 2023 and the ICAO RASG-MID meetings in 2024. Upcoming events include the ICAO Global Implementation Support Symposium 2025 and the Global Sustainable Aviation Market (GSAM) 2025. The GCAA stressed that aviation safety in the UAE is regarded not simply as a regulatory requirement but as a core principle underpinning the industry. The authority stated, “Safety is the foundation of the sector’s operations, protecting lives, ensuring continuity of air travel, and building passenger trust.” https://www.aviationbusinessme.com/news/uae-ranks-among-world-leaders-in-aviation-safety-with-a-near-perfect-icao-score Vietnam Airlines, Vietjet Ban Use of Power Banks In-Flight Due to Safety Risks Vietnam Airlines and Vietjet Air have jointly announced a ban on the use of power banks during flights, citing growing safety concerns over lithium battery-related incidents in aviation. Under the new policy, passengers are no longer permitted to use portable chargers to power or recharge their devices while onboard. Passengers are now required to remove power banks from their carry-on luggage prior to boarding and keep them in a visible location throughout the flight. While these devices may still be brought onboard in limited quantities, their use during the flight, including charging them via the aircraft’s USB ports. is strictly prohibited. The move follows increasing global scrutiny of lithium-ion and lithium-polymer batteries, which are widely used in power banks due to their high energy density. However, these batteries are also highly sensitive to heat, impact, and rapid changes in air pressure. Such sensitivity raises the risk of battery malfunctions, including short circuits, overheating, and in severe cases, fire or explosion. These dangers are significantly heightened when batteries are stored in the aircraft’s cargo hold, where temperature and pressure can fluctuate dramatically and where strong vibrations are more common. Compounding the risk is the fact that checked baggage is less closely monitored during flight, meaning any incident involving a power bank in the cargo area may go undetected until it becomes critical. As a result, both airlines continue to enforce a strict ban on transporting power banks in checked luggage. Under current aviation safety regulations, passengers are allowed to carry a limited number of batteries in their hand luggage. Devices with a capacity of up to 100 watt-hours, which typically translates to around 20,000 milliamp-hours at 5 volts, are allowed in quantities of up to ten per passenger. For larger power banks, with capacities between 100 and 160 watt-hours (or approximately 20,000 to 32,000 milliamp-hours), the limit is two per person. Any power bank that exceeds 160 watt-hours or 32,000 milliamp-hours is not permitted on board under any circumstances. Both Vietnam Airlines and Vietjet urge passengers to verify the specifications of their devices before traveling and to adhere strictly to all safety guidelines. The new regulations aim to minimize in-flight risks and ensure the continued safety of passengers, crew, and aircraft. https://laotiantimes.com/2025/09/15/vietnam-airlines-vietjet-ban-use-of-power-banks-in-flight-due-to-safety-risks/ China Eastern Airlines Will Launch Longest Direct Flight In The World Clocking In At A Bum Numbing 29 Hours China Eastern Airlines will smash the record for the world’s longest direct flight with plans to launch a new service between Shanghai and Buenos Aires in December, covering more than 10,600 nautical miles and clocking in at a bum-numbing 29 hours for the return flight. Although the flight will make a stopover in Auckland on this mammoth journey, passengers traveling between Shanghai and Buenos Aires are expected to remain on board the aircraft for the entire time. China Eastern has already put the flights on sale with plans to operate the service on a Boeing 777-300. One-way flights start at an eye-watering US$1,718 for a standard Economy Class seat, while Business Class fares are being sold from $6,435. The new flight will easily surpass previous records, although it’s important to understand the distinction between a direct flight and a non-stop flight. In aviation speak, a direct flight means that a plane might need to make a stopover in a third country, but the plane and flight number remain the same. Passengers might be allowed to stretch their legs in the terminal, but their luggage remains on board, and they aren’t required to clear immigration checks in their layover destination. In contrast, a non-stop flight flies, as the name suggests, non-stop to its final destination without any stopovers. These flights are, of course, limited by the range of the aircraft operating the flight. At present, the longest non-stop flight in the world is operated by Singapore Airlines between Singapore and New York JFK. At 9,537 nautical miles and a flight time of nearly 19 hours, Singapore Airlines uses specially configured ultra-long range Airbus A350 aircraft for this flight that only have Business and Premium Economy seats. Until December, the current longest direct flight in the world is operated by Air China, which is between Beijing and Sao Paulo with a short stopover in Madrid and which clocks in at 9,494 nautical miles. That is closely followed by a route between London and Sydney, served by both British Airways and Qantas, which comes in at 9,274 nautical miles with a stopover in Singapore. As you can see, the new China Eastern flight between Shanghai and Buenos Aires easily smashes those records at 10,600 nautical miles. The outbound flight is expected to take around 25 hours and 30 minutes to complete, but due to headwinds, the return flight is currently scheduled at a shockingly long 29 hours. The route is part of efforts to improve diplomatic relations between China and South America, although demand is expected to be limited. China Eastern only plans to operate this flight twice per week, with the outbound flight departing every Monday and Thursday, and the return flight departing Buenos Aires every Tuesday and Friday. https://www.paddleyourownkanoo.com/2025/09/14/china-eastern-airlines-will-launch-longest-direct-flight-in-the-world-clocking-in-at-a-bum-numbing-29-hours/ JAL Nonchalance About Pilots' Disregard for Safety is Frightening How do you treat your job responsibilities? Aircraft accidents cause enormous damage that directly affects the lives of passengers and crew members. Shouldn't an airplane pilot understand this best of all? Japan Airlines (JAL), the airline involved in a recent scandal, has been entirely too nonchalant in its handling of the fallout. On August 27, the day before he was to captain a flight from Hawaii, a JAL pilot drank three 568 milliliter bottles of beer in his hotel room. Then, the next day, he complained of feeling unwell. Although a substitute pilot was eventually found, a total of three flights were delayed for up to 18 hours. His behavior disrupted approximately 630 passengers. As recently as April 2024, a JAL flight to Haneda International Airport was cancelled after a pilot in the United States was warned by local police for causing a commotion while drinking. Then, in December, blood tests of the captain and co-pilot of a flight from Melbourne to Narita International Airport showed blood alcohol levels above the company-set limit. That caused a three-hour delay in the departure of their flight. Moreover, it was revealed that the pilots had colluded to cover up the affair. JAL's Half-hearted Reaction JAL has since banned all alcohol consumption by pilots at their destinations. The company has compiled a list of employees who have been found to drink excessively. It has also reported to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism the measures it has taken to prevent recurrence of past problems, such as strict supervision of its employees. Nevertheless, the captain of the recent Hawaii flight was listed as an "employee who should be monitored." In fact, he had been advised to limit his drinking in his most recent performance review interview before the incident. That was because voluntary alcohol level tests taken at his hotel on around 60 separate occasions repeatedly detected alcohol in his system. And, on more than one occasion, he even tampered with the detection devices to falsify the test dates. Since May, the captain in question was found to have drunk alcohol on around 10 occasions while at a destination. It is difficult to understand why JAL has repeatedly overlooked this pilot's misconduct and continued to allow him to fly. It is not only bewildering, it is also frightening. August 12 marked the 40th anniversary of the Japan Airlines Flight 123 jumbo jet crash, which killed 520 passengers and crew. Families and other affected parties gathered on that date for a memorial service at the Memorial Garden in Ueno Village, Gunma Prefecture. The garden is near the actual crash site on Osutaka Ridge. After the ceremony, JAL president Mitsuko Tottori said: "We will bear firmly in mind that safety is our top priority. That is not just because it has been 40 years, but also for 50 and 100 years to come." She also addressed the problem of JAL pilots who drink too much. "We will only regain the public's trust when the recurrence prevention results become apparent," she declared. However, what is the use of talking about 50 or 100 years when JAL broke its promise concerning safety in the very same month? This was not an incident 50 or 100 years in the future. JAL itself has forfeited the trust of its customers. Transport Minister Hiromasa Nakano has commented, "I have to say that safety awareness is not thoroughly instilled in each and every employee [at JAL]." For JAL to regain the public's trust, all employees must resurrect the resolve they showed in the aftermath of the Osutaka tragedy. https://japan-forward.com/jal-nonchalance-about-pilots-disregard-for-safety-is-frightening/ Illinois Aviation Academy (IAA) Earns CAAV Approval to Train Pilots From Vietnam WEST CHICAGO, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Illinois Aviation Academy (IAA), a Spartan Education Group (SEG) flight school located outside Chicago, at DuPage County Airport (KDPA), is proud to announce that it has been officially approved by the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam (CAAV) to train Vietnamese pilots under internationally recognized standards. For a flight school, earning CAAV approval signifies credibility, international compliance, and the ability to support Vietnam’s growing demand for professional pilots. Illinois Aviation Academy is now officially approved to train Vietnamese pilots under internationally recognized standards. For a flight school, earning CAAV approval signifies the ability to support Vietnam’s growing demand for professional pilots. With this approval, IAA welcomes Vietnamese students and provides flight training that aligns with both FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) and CAAV requirements. “From the first day of training, we provide students with personalized support from experienced instructors. They gain experience flying in a wide range of weather conditions and navigate complex airspace from well-equipped airports,” said Robert Werderich, Executive Vice President of Illinois Aviation Academy. Graduates, having completed this training, then convert their licenses and qualifications for use in Vietnam. IAA’s CAAV-approved pilot training offers Vietnamese students a complete pathway, beginning with the fundamentals of aviation. Why IAA? For over 30 years, Illinois Aviation Academy has been known for its student-focused flight training, guiding pilots from Private Pilot certification through Certified Flight Instructor, with additional advanced ratings and ground school. With a 30,000-square-foot facility, a fleet of 30+ aircraft, and a simulator-equipped satellite base at DeKalb Airport, IAA provides training resources and one-on-one student support. Students from Vietnam who are ready to pursue pilot training can learn more about IAA and begin the enrollment process at www.illinoisaviation.com/vietnam. About Spartan Education Group Spartan Education Group, LLC (SEG), headquartered in Chicago, IL, operates McAir Aviation flight school in Broomfield, CO and Illinois Aviation Academy in West Chicago, IL. Separately, SEG acquired Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology in 2012. Spartan College, established in 1928, has trained over 100,000 pilots and aviation technicians at its four campuses located in the following areas: Tulsa, OK, Los Angeles, and Riverside, CA, and Denver, CO. https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250914524148/en/Illinois-Aviation-Academy-IAA-Earns-CAAV-Approval-to-Train-Pilots-From-Vietnam CALENDAR OF EVENTS · ISASI ANNUAL SEMINAR 2025'September 29, 2025 – October 3, 2025, DENVER, COLORADO . 2025 NBAA Single-Pilot Safety Standdown; Monday, Oct. 13 | 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.; Las Vegas, NV . 2025 NBAA National Safety Forum, Tuesday, Oct. 14 – Wednesday, Oct. 15; Las Vegas, NV . Air Medical Transport Conference (AMTC™) - 2025 – October 27-29th (Omaha, Nebraska) . 78TH ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL AVIATION SAFETY SUMMIT (IASS) - Lisbon, November 4–6 . 29th annual Bombardier Safety Standdown, November 11-13, 2025; Wichita, Kansas · CHC Safety & Quality Summit, 11th – 13th November 2025, Vancouver, BC Canada . 2026 ACSF Safety Symposium; April 7-9, 2026; ERAU Daytona Beach, FL . 2026 NBAA Maintenance Conference; May 5-7, 2026; New Orleans, LA . BASS 2026 - 71st Business Aviation Safety Summit - May 5-6, 2026 | Provo, Utah . The African Aviation Safety & Operations Summit - May 19-20 | Johannesburg, South Africa . Safeskies Australia - Australia’s renowned Aviation Safety Conference - Canberra Australia 20 and 21 May 2026 . 2026 NBAA Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (NBAA-BACE) Oct. 20-22, 2026 | Las Vegas, NV Curt Lewis