29 AUG 2008 _____________________________________ *Itek 737's recorders badly damaged: investigators *Zoom ceases flying after re-financing effort fails *EgyptAir orders two more 777-300ERs *BRS Chalks Up 214th Parachute Save *Jet makes emergency landing at Sky Harbor *East African Airlines Undergoing Tests to Enhance Safety *Book Available: JEPPESEN - a Biography of Captain Jeppesen By Richard Jeppesen ************************************** Itek 737's recorders badly damaged: investigators Russian investigators examining the flight recorders from the Itek Air Boeing 737-200 which crashed in Kyrgyzstan have found that both devices were badly damaged in the accident. The 737 crashed on 24 August while attempting to return to the Kyrgyz capital, Bishkek, a few minutes after departing for Tehran. An intense fire consumed the aircraft. Russia's Interstate Aviation Committee (MAK) is attempting to retrieve information from the flight-data and cockpit-voice recorders. But it states: "During the dismantling of the recorders' protective casing, the tape-recording mechanisms were found to have significant damage. "Work is being carried out on the damaged media to read the data." MAK has not drawn any conclusions about the accident but says investigators are continuing to assess information from radar data and other sources. Twenty-five of the 90 occupants of the jet survived the accident. Source: Air Transport Intelligence news *************** Zoom ceases flying after re-financing effort fails Transatlantic operator Zoom Airlines has suspended operations with immediate effect, after failing to secure a re-financing package. "All flights have been cancelled and passengers are being advised to seek bookings with alternative airlines," says Zoom in a statement. Customers who have future travel plans involving a Zoom flight for which reservations and payment have been made are being advised to contact their credit or debit card company to apply for a refund. Zoom's divisions in Canada and the UK operated Boeing 767 and 757 aircraft on routes primarily connecting points in Canada and the USA with cities in the UK, France and Italy. The company employs 450 staff in Canada and 260 staff in the UK. "We deeply regret the fact that we have been forced to suspend all Zoom operations. It is a tragic day for our passengers and more than 600 staff," says Zoom founders Hugh and John Boyle. "We are desperately sorry for the inconvenience and disappointment that this will cause passengers and those who have booked flights. Earlier today, Zoom initiated creditor-protection proceedings and said it was in discussions with undisclosed parties to secure investment. But those efforts failed. "We have done everything we can to support the airline and left no stone unturned to secure a re-financing package that would have kept our aircraft flying. Even late today we believed we had secured a new investment package to ensure future operations but the actions of creditors meant we could not continue flying," says Hugh and John Boyle. "Having been unable to complete the investment package the directors of Zoom had no option but to instigate administration proceedings." Source: Air Transport Intelligence news ************* EgyptAir orders two more 777-300ERs EgyptAir has placed an order for two 777-300ER aircraft as part of the airline's twin-aisle fleet upgrade for its long-haul service. The order, which is worth $529 million at current list prices, was previously attributed to an unidentified customer on Boeing's orders & deliveries website. ATI sister publication CAO understands that the new aircraft are in addition to the leased aircraft fleet that is scheduled to be delivered from 2010 onwards. EgyptAir is scheduled to receive its first 777-300ER on lease from GE Commercial Aviation Services (GECAS) in January 2010 and take three more throughout the year. A source says two leased additional aircraft will join the fleet in 2011. The carrier already operates five 777-200ER aircraft. EgyptAir chairman, Capt. Tawfik Assy says: "The notable fuel efficiency of Boeing's 777, combined with the airplane's extensive range and large cargo capacity, is something EgyptAir values highly in this competitive environment." Source: Air Transport Intelligence news ************** BRS Chalks Up 214th Parachute Save Pilot Pulls 'Chute After Losing Control In Severe Weather Without wading too deep into the controversy among many pilots about equipping aircraft with emergency parachutes, let's just say there's one pilot in Germany who was very happy to have one onboard when he felt there were no other options. And he joins 213 others. Ballistic Recovery Systems, manufacturer of whole-aircraft emergency parachute systems, announced Thursday it was notified of an aircraft accident in Germany on Monday, August 25, where its parachute recovery system saved the life of its pilot. The pilot of an FK14 Polaris light aircraft reportedly lost aerodynamic control of his aircraft upon encountering severe weather near the city of Cologne, Germany. Realizing he was in a deteriorating situation, he elected to deploy his installed BRS emergency parachute system. The pilot subsequently landed in a grove of trees and walked away with only a sight scratch to his face. The incident marks the 214th documented life saved by the patented BRS parachute system. "Once again, I am extremely proud of the BRS team whose concerted efforts made such a difference to this pilot and his family," said BRS CEO Larry Williams. "We are indeed privileged to work for a company that has designed, manufactured, and sold such a product which has saved so many lives through the years!" Since 1981, BRS has delivered more than 29,000 parachute systems to aircraft owners worldwide, including over 3,500 systems on FAA-certificated aircraft such as the Cirrus Design SR20 and SR22 manufactured in Duluth, MN. A BRS chute will also come standard on Cirrus' upcoming SRS light-sport aircraft... which, as ANN has reported, is derived from the Fk14 Polaris. FMI: www.brsparachutes.com aero-news.net *************** Jet makes emergency landing at Sky Harbor An Alaska Airlines jet safely made an emergency landing Wednesday night at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport after a warning indicated a potential fire. Investigators say there were no signs indicating an actual fire. The pilots on flight 639 responded to a flashing light, indicating a possible fire in the auxiliary power unit of the Boeing 737, Federal Aviation Administration spokesman Ian Gregor said. The flight from Phoenix to Seattle returned safely to Sky Harbor at 7:18 p.m., and the 141 passengers were put on another flight that landed in Seattle shortly before midnight, Alaska Airlines spokesman Paul McElroy said. Five crew members were also on board. The total flight delay was about two hours. The FAA was still investigating the matter on Thursday. http://www.azcentral.com/community/phoenix/articles/2008/08/28/20080828abrk-alaskaflight.html ****************** East African Airlines Undergoing Tests to Enhance Safety Text of report by John Oyuke entitled "EAC airlines undergo aviation tests" published by Kenyan privately-owned daily newspaper The Standard website on 28 August East Africa Community (EAC) airlines are undergoing major aviation tests to enhance safety. Regional aviation safety body, Civil Aviation Safety and Security Oversight Agency (Cassoa) is undertaking a re-certification exercise for the airlines to ensure a safe aviation industry. Executive Director Mtesigwa Maugo said airlines that do not meet the standards by the agency would not be certified. He however said the agency, working through its experts and local civil aviation authorities, would help such carriers achieve required standards. The exercise, which was to be conducted in five phases, commenced on 19 August and scheduled for conclusion this week. The first phase involved pre-application, where the airline operators were to meet with Cassoa for a briefing on the exercise. The next four stages were the formal application (by operators), evaluation of documents (by Cassoa), demonstration (physical assessment of operators' systems and equipment) and the eventual approval for operation. Representatives from the region's major carriers met with Cassoa officials and the agency's appointed aviation experts in Tanzania last week and this week. Kenya Airways and East African Safari Express were some of the major players in Arusha for the meetings. Tanzanian carriers were to follow on Thursday [21 August] and Friday last week before Uganda air operators complete the phase this week. The re-certification exercise follows the end of a one-year grace period provided to the carriers to adjust to new regional aviation requirements, put in place after EAC member states harmonized air safety regulations. Rwanda and Burundi carriers, the two countries that joined EAC last year, are yet to be included in this arrangement. Cassoa was set up in April last year to help partner states implement recommended standards and ensure a safe and secure aviation industry. During its third board meeting held on 31 January, this year, in Arusha, Cassoa board approved several activities to improve the safety and security of civil aviation industry in East Africa. Source: BBC Monitoring Africa ***************** Book Available: JEPPESEN - a Biography of Captain Jeppesen By Richard Jeppesen This is a behind the scenes, up close and personal story of my Dad, Elrey Borge Jeppesen, who quit high school and barnstormed his way to fame. Not many of the early Air Mail pilots lived, their wrecks are still scattered all over America. Their fellow pilots learned from the mistakes. From Jenny’s to Jets and on into space, the era of aviation my Dad flew in. There were no Universities flight then. There were no aircraft construction standards. No regulations, no rules, and no airports either. Nobody knew how much turbulence an airplane could withstand and stay together. Nobody knew whether a plane could do a loop or a spin without the wings coming off. It was trial and error and to error was to die. These pioneers, risked their lives so that those that followed could learn from their mistakes. It was a deadly business. This is a story of a man that created the Jeppesen Airway Manual. He was the one that first designed enroute procedures, let down procedures, approach procedures, missed approach procedures. This is the man that gave his fellow pilots a survival manual. www.rfjeppesenbooks.com *************