20 NOV 2008 _______________________________________ *U.S. FAA downgrades Israel's aviation safety ranking *New runways open at 3 of nation's busiest airports *Air hostess helped land passenger jet *Fast Air surrenders AOC during Transport Canada investigation *FAA issues emergency AD on Boeing 737 fuel pump wiring *Police inquiry: Officials blamed for Brazil crash *Indonesian Airline Signs MoU For 20 ATR 72-500s *Daytona airport wins FAA safety award *17 Asia-Pacific airlines discussing aviation safety in Bali of Indonesia *Former FAA Chief Jane Garvey Next Transportation Secretary? **************************************** U.S. FAA downgrades Israel's aviation safety ranking The U.S Federal Aviation Administration is expected to announce the lowering of Israel's aviation security ranking following an inspection on Wednesday that uncovered severe security shortcomings in the Israel Civil Aviation Authority. As a result the image of Israeli airlines in the United States and in Europe may be harmed, as well as their profitability. As a consequence of the announcement, Israeli airlines' flights to the United States will be limited, meaning there will be no additional flights to the U.S and no option for other aircrafts to be added. Moreover, supervision on air traffic and the activity of Israeli airlines in the U.S will be increased. Israel's aviation security will receive a ranking which some 10-20 other countries have been given, most of which are third world countries. The Lapidot public committee, headed by former Israel Air Force Commander Amos Lapidot, was appointed to investigate the state of security in the Israel Civil Aviation Authority over a year ago. When the committee issued its findings it stated that the aviation safety in Israel is in a "catastrophic state." Although Transportation Minister Shaul Mofaz embraced the committee's findings, several months later Lapidot criticized the ministry's handling of the matter, warning that Israel faces an aerial disaster. http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1038947.html ************** New runways open at 3 of nation's busiest airports New airport runways open Thursday in Seattle, Chicago and Washington Officials say new runways will make airports safer, more efficient Howver, aviation experts caution airport infrastructure still lags behind demand WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Brand new runways are opening at three major airports Thursday, giving the aviation community something to cheer about in a year of dismal economic and travel news. Washington Dulles International Airport's new runway opens Thursday ahead of the busy holiday travel season. Washington Dulles International Airport will get a fourth runway, its first runway addition since the airport opened in 1962. Chicago's O'Hare International Airport's new runway is part of a massive, multi-billion dollar modernization program. Previously, six of the airport's seven runways intersected. When the entire project is completed in 2014, the airport will have eight runways in parallel configurations considered safer and more efficient. Seattle-Tacoma International Airport's new runway is being especially welcomed because of the region's notoriously wet climate. The airport's third runway will allow planes to take off and land two abreast during inclement weather. The current runways are too close to allow simultaneous operations in foul weather. Airport officials claim the new runway will cut delays in half. Transportation Secretary Mary Peters said travelers will benefit from coast to coast. See runways at the three airports "It is going to make a difference," Peters said. "It is going to allow us to conduct more operations, meaning more takeoffs and landings per hour at these airports and will help move passengers efficiently through. "That, we hope, will give travelers a good experience this holiday season," she said. President Bush, this week, touted the arrival of the three new runways, noting that 14 new runways will have opened during his administration. However, aviation experts warn airport infrastructure still lags behind demand, and that real estate realities in the New York area, perceived to be the epicenter of aviation delays, mean that new runways are least likely to be built where they are most needed. Watch what Web sites offer best travel deals » "It would really be nice if we had even one new runway" at each of the nation's most congested airports, namely LaGuardia, Newark and JFK," aviation consultant Darryl Jenkins said. "It would do an enormous amount to relieve congestion throughout the entire nation." Jenkins said new runways in New York are pipe dreams because of land constraints and local opposition. "Local opposition wins. There's no opposition that is as tough to beat down as local opposition," he said. Chicago O'Hare's International Airport, which has purchased more than 500 single-family homes to make room for expansion, remains in court battles with several property owners. Aviation experts argue the experience at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport in Georgia demonstrate that new runways are invaluable to airlines and travelers. A new runway that opened there in 2006 has increased operations by 25 to 30 flights an hour, shaved minutes off average flight delays and saved airlines $10 million a week in fuel costs, airport officials said. Air traffic controllers are generally happy with the added concrete they will lord over. "There's no greater supporter of runways than controllers," said Doug Church, spokesman for the National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA). "It's reason to shout and celebrate from the rooftops." However, the new Dulles airport runway may not be of much benefit at the start. Controller Chris Sutherland, the NATCA representative for the Potomac Consolidated Terminal Radar Approach Control (TRACON), explained that because only one taxiway has been completed, planes that land heading north must roll to a stop, turn around and taxi more than a mile and a half to the taxiway, costing the airlines both time and money. "Bottom line, the users are going to fight us tooth and nail if we try to land them on that runway out there," Sutherland said. The airport also does not have the technology necessary to use all three parallel runways in inclement weather, he said. "We're actually creating delays with additional new concrete and that's kind of going against why we built it in the first place," Sutherland said. An airport official and Department of Transportation officials said Washington-Dulles International Airport must open the new runway before it can close the center runway and complete work on the remaining taxiways. Work is scheduled for the spring. Jenkins jokingly said new runways inevitably come on line precisely when they are not needed, but he said airline delays are here to stay. "There's every reason to believe that until we're all comfortably dead, we will all enjoy delays in air traffic," Jenkins said. http://www.cnn.com/2008/TRAVEL/11/20/new.runways/index.html *************** Air hostess helped land passenger jet after co-pilot had 'breakdown' over the Atlantic An air hostess helped land a jet carrying 146 passengers after the co-pilot had an apparent mental breakdown over the Atlantic Ocean, investigators revealed today. The UK-bound plane made an emergency diversion to Shannon Airport, in Ireland, last January after the Air Canada flight officer began a ‘rambling and disjointed’ conversation, said an official report. Another attendant suffered wrist injuries as the crew forcibly removed the co-pilot from the cockpit controls and restrained him in a seat in the cabin. Mid-air drama: The air hostess helped out after the plane's captain asked if anyone could fly The captain of the Boeing 767 from Toronto to Heathrow asked staff to seek out any trained pilots onboard. One of the female cabin crew came forward saying she had a commercial pilot’s licence and was asked to take over in the co-pilot’s seat. The captain praised the attendant to investigators for helping him safely land the plane at Shannon, where the ill flight officer was removed and admitted to the acute psychiatric unit of Ennis Regional Hospital for 11 days. He was later flown home to Canada by an air ambulance for further care, according to the investigation. The official report into the incident by the Irish Air Accident Investigation Unit (AAIU) did not explicitly refer to the co-pilot’s medical condition. But it recorded the views of two doctors onboard that he was in a ‘confused and disorientated state’. The captain also reported that his colleague became uncharacteristically ‘belligerent and unco-operative’ and was ‘effectively incapacitated’. One passenger at the time reported seeing the distraught co-pilot yelling for God as he was being restrained. The AAIU praised the actions of both the captain and crew in diverting to the nearest airport and removing the co-pilot from the controls. ‘For his own well-being and the safety of the aircraft, the most appropriate course of action was to stand him down from duty and seek medical attention which was available on board,’ said the report. ‘The commander (captain) realising he was faced with a difficult and serious situation used tact and understanding and kept control of the situation at all times. ‘The situation was dealt with in a professional manner... As such, the commander and flight attendants should be commended for their professionalism in the handling of this event.’ There were no safety recommendations from the investigation. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/worldnews/article-1087523/Air-hostess-helped -land-passenger-jet-pilot-breakdown-Atlantic.html *************** Fast Air surrenders AOC during Transport Canada investigation Winnipeg-based Fast Air voluntarily surrendered its air operator certificate. Although Transport Canada had already been conducting an investigation into the airline before the surrender -- and still is -- Fast Air has not been charged with violating any regulations. (Winnipeg Sun) (aviation-safety.net) ************** FAA issues emergency AD on Boeing 737 fuel pump wiring The FAA issued an emergency Airworthiness Directive (AD) to certain owners and operators of Boeing 737-600,-700,-700C,-800, and -900 series airplanes. Information indicates that, when the flightcrew manually turns off the center wing tank (CWT) pump switches, that action turns off the right-hand pump, but re-energizes the left-hand pump due to incorrect wiring. The low-pressure lights turn off, incorrectly indicating to the flightcrew that power to both pumps has been removed. The failure condition results in continual running of the left-hand fuel pump without indication to the flightcrew, which could lead to localized overheating of parts inside the fuel pump, and which could produce an ignition source inside the fuel tank. The FAA requires the operators of aircraft effected to carry out a wiring test as specified in the AD. (FAA) Emergency AD 2008-24-51; (aviation-safety.net) *************** Police inquiry: Officials blamed for Brazil crash The Brazilian Policia Civil charged 10 people for their role in the accident of a TAM Airbus A320 at Sao Paulo, which killed 199 people last year. Those criminally charged include the former head of the national aviation authority (ANAC) as well as officials at TAM and at the airport authority Infraero. They are all accused of violating national aviation security and could face prison terms of up to 6 years. (Reuters) (aviation-safety.net) **************** Indonesian Airline Signs MoU For 20 ATR 72-500s Lion Air Places Firm Orders For 10 Aircraft, Another 10 On Option Over the past three years, as fuel prices steadily climbed towards the stratosphere, French planemaker ATR has seen a resurgence in orders for its line of regional airliners. And while the price of oil has since fallen dramatically, few expect that trend to continue. This week, ATR announced a Memorandum of Understanding from Indonesia's Lion Air, comprising 10 firm orders for its ATR 72-500 and options for 10 additional aircraft. The deal, announced during the Indodefence Air show in Jakarta, is valued at more than US $380 million, including options. The aircraft will be the first new ATR 72-500s to fly the Indonesia's skies. The 72-seat planes will be operated by Lion Air's subsidiary Wings Air, and will be equipped with higher-power rated PW127M engines. Deliveries are expected to start in 2009. "These aircraft are for our subsidiary Wings Air and the reason we want these aircraft is for our feeder service to support our Boeing 737-900ER operations," said Rusdi Kirana, Lion Air CEO. "With our brand new fleet of ATR 72-500s, we will be able to develop a strong low-cost network, feeding Lion Air's major hubs." Added ATR CEO Stéphane Mayer, "Today's deal with Lion Air is also very important for us in order to increase our presence in the expanding Indonesian market and continue the growth of our large fleet in South East Asia, which has become a real booming market in the last three years." Including the 10 firm orders under the Lion Air MoU, ATR has sold 968 aircraft since the beginning of the program -- 419 ATR 42s and 549 ATR 72s. It has delivered 799 aircraft to date. FMI: www.atraircraft.com, www.lionair.co.id aero-news.net ************** Daytona airport wins FAA safety award Daytona Beach International Airport has announced that the Federal Aviation Administration has awarded it its safety mark of distinction award for the staff’s dedication and effort to improve airport safety. The airport was recognized in particular for its programs such as the graphic Notam system and wildlife hazard management. The graphic Notam system is a notification system for airfield tenants, which details the extent of closures or restrictions to an airfield. The wildlife hazard system includes wildlife assessment, wildlife habitat management and addresses risks to air navigation and ground control. The award covers the FAA’s southern region, which includes 10 states and 101 qualifying airports. Since 2004, only 12 airports in the region have received the award. http://www.bizjournals.com/orlando/stories/2008/11/17/daily25.html *************** 17 Asia-Pacific airlines discussing aviation safety in Bali of Indonesia JAKARTA, Nov. 20 (Xinhua) -- The Association of Asia Pacific Airlines (AAPA) is holding Asia Pacific Aviation Safety Seminar 2008 (APASS 2008) at Jimbaran, Bali of Indonesia, from Nov. 20 to 21, to discuss latest developments in aviation safety, the Antara news agency reported on Thursday. Some 150 participants from 17 airlines in Asian and Pacific countries and regions are taking part in the seminar hosted by Garuda Indonesia, said Emirsyah Satar, the Indonesian state-owned carrier Garuda President Director. The discussions are expected to improve the airline industries, especially in terms of aviation safety. The two-day seminar titled" Asia Pacific Aviation Safety" also attracted aircraft manufacturers, suppliers, aviation safety experts and academicians. "The seminar is important because it will discuss the most crucial aspect of aviation, namely safety," said Satar. The outcome of the seminar will be helpful for the government to develop and improve the safety aspect of aviation in Indonesia, said Satar. **************** Former FAA Chief Jane Garvey Next Transportation Secretary? Jane Garvey, who served as FAA administrator from 1997 to 2002, will accept a position on the transition team for President-elect Barack Obama, it was announced on Wednesday. She will leave her current post as a board member for Bombardier, where she has served for about a year. "I would like to thank Jane Garvey for her sound advice and guidance during her tenure," said Bombardier Chairman Laurent Beaudoin. "We wish her great success." Garvey will take charge of reviewing transportation agencies' decisions and policies for the Obama transition team, according to the Montreal Gazette. She is also widely considered to be a top candidate for Secretary of Transportation in the new administration, which takes office in January. When she was appointed by President Bill Clinton, Garvey was the first woman to head the FAA and the first to serve a five-year term. Garvey, 63, lives in Maine. Before joining the FAA, she was acting administrator of the Federal Highway Administration. http://www.avweb.com/avwebflash/news/FormerFAAChiefJaneGarveyToJoinObamaAdmi nistration_199236-1.html **************