Flight Safety Information February 10, 2012 - No. 030 In This Issue FAA Pushes for Faster Fixes to Anticollision Systems on 9,000 Planes Eurocopter Spotlights Helicopter Leadership With Latest Products Airplane blows tire after landing The Air Medical Operators Association Commends Congress ARGUS PROS Global Auditing Airline pilots 'not equipped' to land plane Taser gun found on Virgin flight Airlines boost commitment to guaranteeing flight safety (Indonesia) FAA Pushes for Faster Fixes to Anticollision Systems on 9,000 Planes By ANDY PASZTOR (WSJ) Federal aviation regulators this week ordered airlines and business aircraft operators to accelerate fixes to collision-warning systems on roughly 9,000 planes, citing additional concerns that the devices could malfunction. The Federal Aviation Administration issued a final mandatory rule Tuesday giving U.S. airlines three years to install software changes to the devices, manufactured by a unit of L-3 Communications Holdings Inc., to ensure that they properly keep track of all nearby planes. In 2010 the FAA proposed requiring fixes to the devices within four years. That initial directive was prompted by reports of problems with the devices on a test flight through busy airspace over airports in New York, Chicago and Atlanta, including a single malfunction that lasted some 40 seconds. The devices are designed to warn pilots of impending midair collisions. Since the initial directive, the agency has identified another time the equipment malfunctioned, according to the FAA. The agency didn't provide details of the incident this week. But the FAA cited that second event as one of the reasons it called for a three-year compliance time, rejecting industry requests for a longer deadline and other changes to the final rule. The FAA rule comes amid heightened scrutiny of airborne near-misses across the U.S. Since 2010, the National Transportation Safety Board, which investigates aircraft incidents and accidents, has been collecting its own reports of cockpit collision-avoidance warnings. The safety board has looked at many dozens of such incidents. On Wednesday, an L-3 Communications spokeswoman said the company initially informed the government about the issue in 2009. She said the company voluntarily alerted airlines, cooperated with the FAA and has free software fixes available for customers. The company has told the FAA that the likelihood of a problem in actual operation is "low enough" that it doesn't warrant any agency action, according to FAA documents. "The safety, performance and integrity of our products is of utmost importance," the spokeswoman said in a prepared statement. When the FAA originally proposed the directive at the end of 2010, the agency said it covered devices installed on more than 7,000 U.S. airliners, about 1,800 business jets and fewer than 100 U.S. military aircraft. The widely used safety systems are intended to keep track of nearby aircraft on cockpit displays, and to issue various warnings and instructions to pilots if aircraft approach each other too closely or are on a collision course. The collision warnings are supposed to be virtually foolproof. Cockpit crews are trained to instantly comply with computer-generated instructions, which typically order pilots to take action by climbing or descending without first checking with air-traffic controllers. According to FAA documents, results of several flight tests, discussions with industry safety experts and other data collected by the agency indicate that the current risk "is unacceptable" and requires government action. Back to Top Eurocopter Spotlights Helicopter Leadership With Latest Products and Innovation at Heli-Expo 2012 Dallas, Texas | Eurocopter's 20th anniversary will be celebrated with a high-profile participation at next week's Heli-Expo 2012 exposition at Dallas, Texas, which is to include the unveiling of its latest evolved helicopter version and the highlighting of innovation that is key to the company's rotary-wing industry leadership. The latest evolution in Eurocopter's product line will be revealed at its exhibit stand (booth #1917) on Heli-Expo's opening day, February 12, during a ceremony led by President & CEO Lutz Bertling. Agreements with launch customers for this helicopter also will be announced. Innovation to be exhibited by Eurocopter at Heli-Expo ranges from an obstacle detection system and hybrid helicopter concept for improved flight safety to the latest in manufacturing techniques for lighter-weight structures and enhanced eco-efficiency. "Eurocopter has applied creativity and innovation during the past 20 years to expand and improve its helicopter family, and this will continue in the next two decades as we provide the best in performance, operating efficiency and cost effectiveness for our customers," said Bertling. "Additionally, Eurocopter is maintaining its commitment to evolve its product line every year, and 2012 is no exception as we unveil our latest family evolution at Heli-Expo." In addition to the evolved helicopter unveiling, Eurocopter's Heli-Expo exhibit stand at Dallas will include the new EC145 T2 version of its popular twin-engine EC145, which is being shown this year with the Helionix avionics suite and the Stylence cabin interior. Helionix represents a significant advancement in avionics architecture and human- machine interface, with such features as LED (light-emitting diode) displays for high image quality and precision illustration of flight parameters, an innovative crew alerting concept with an on-demand vehicle monitoring system, a 4-axis dual-duplex automatic flight control system, and enhanced situational awareness with such integrated options as digital map, synthetic vision system and electronic flight bag. The Helionix avionics suite currently is being offered for the EC145 T2 and EC175. A new, advanced avionics solution for Eurocopter's light helicopters, which has been developed by the American Eurocopter subsidiary, will make its debut appearance at Heli- Expo 2012 as well. Eurocopter is exhibiting the EC175 helicopter at Heli-Expo as the company prepares for its 2012 delivery startup of this next-generation seven metric-ton rotary-wing aircraft, which is to incorporate significantly increased range and payload capacity. Also shown at Dallas will be the EC135 T2e evolved version of Eurocopter's twin-engine EC135 family, and the U.S. Army's UH-72A Lakota Light Utility Helicopter equipped with the Security and Support (S&S) Battalion mission equipment package for National Guard units. Examples of Eurocopter's ongoing innovation efforts exhibited at Heli-Expo include the Short Range Obstacle Detection System (SITA), which uses inexpensive automotive-type radar sensors to increase situational awareness, decrease pilot workload and improve flight safety during takeoff, landing and near-ground maneuvering. Another highlighted safety-related initiative is Eurocopter's use of a supplemental electric motor to increase maneuverability of a single-engine helicopter during an autorotation landing, which was demonstrated in 2011 with flight tests of an AS350. Also included on Eurocopter's exhibit stand is a high-efficiency landing gear concept conceived for increased helicopter maximum takeoff weight, increased product reliability, as well as reduced maintenance and recurrent costs. It brings together new shock absorber technology, new surface treatment and new technology seals. One of the advanced manufacturing techniques to be displayed at Heli-Expo is the friction stir welding solid-state joining technology for "rivet-free" assembly, allowing for more eco-efficient helicopters with lighter-weight structures and smoother surfaces. In addition, Eurocopter is showing the preform resin transfer molding (RTM) technology for environmentally-friendly rotor blade manufacturing and lower production costs. Eurocopter's strategy to become the support and service reference for customers is spotlighted at Heli-Expo with the display of its cost-effective EC135/EC145 avionics trainer, demonstrations of the company's Keycopter on-line customer services portal and briefings on the web-based e-IPC illustrated parts catalogue. To follow Eurocopter's daily announcements at this major helicopter industry gathering, visit its dedicated Heli-Expo 2012 mini website at: http://events.eurocopter.com/ http://www.defpro.com/news/details/32257/?SID=7abe95f10b0d503b6e5489a50c78cbb7 Back to Top Airplane blows tire after landing Fort Lauderdale, FL (WSVN) - Passengers on this plane had to hop a bus to the terminal today after landing at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport. A tire blew on the Can-Jet Airlines 737 as it was taxiing on the runway. The jet could not be moved without damaging the landing gear -- so the 188 people on board got off. No one on the flight from Montreal was injured. http://www.ksdk.com/news/article/302749/28/Airplane-blows-tire-after-landing Back to Top The Air Medical Operators Association Commends Congress for Passing Aviation Reauthorization Legislation Includes strong provisions to advance the safety of air medical transportation WASHINGTON, Feb. 9, 2012 -- /PRNewswire/ -- The Air Medical Operators Association (AMOA) commends Congress for passing aviation reauthorization legislation that includes strong provisions to advance the safety of air medical transportation. The "FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012" (H.R. 658) includes a series of provisions directing the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to further improve and update the regulation of our industry. The AMOA has supported inclusion of air medical safety provisions in this legislation since the creation of the association in early 2009. "This is a significant step forward in improving safety," said AMOA President Christopher Eastlee. "But, there is no stopping point in this effort. We work continually to advance the level of technology, training, and management oversight." The FAA is already working on regulations to address the priorities identified by Congress in H.R. 658. AMOA in January, 2011 submitted comments to the FAA in support of these proposed regulations. AMOA's members are also working continuously to invest in the technology and training to achieve the highest level of safety in patient transport. AMOA initiated numerous safety enhancements, far beyond rulemaking and ahead of any pressure to do so, including: ?Night Vision and Terrain Awareness: AMOA members are committed to implementing appropriate terrain and obstacle awareness technologies. These technologies include Helicopter Terrain Awareness Warning Systems (HTAWS), Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) and Night Vision or Night Vision Imaging Systems (NVIS). AMOA members have achieved nearly 100% implementation of night vision technology. ?Safety Management System: Like the airlines, AMOA members work with the FAA in their voluntary program to ensure safety through enhanced management and communications strategies. Proven to enhance safety in a number of industries, AMOA members are committed to SMS and currently have the highest participation ratio in the FAA's voluntary program. ?Operational Control: AMOA member companies are also implementing operational control systems to improve flight safety. These systems ensure oversight and communication while tracking aircraft in a satellite based system. We want to thank Congress for approving this important legislation. In particular AMOA and its members commend the work and leadership of Senate Commerce Committee Chairman Jay Rockefeller and Ranking Member Kay Bailey Hutchison, Senate Aviation Subcommittee Chair Maria Cantwell and Ranking Member John Thune, House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman John Mica and Ranking Member Nick Rahall and House Aviation Subcommittee Chairman Tom Petri and Ranking Member Jerry Costello. www.airmedicaloperators.com SOURCE Air Medical Operators Association Back to Top Back to Top Airline pilots 'not equipped' to land plane AirAsia X pilots flew so low into Gold Coast airport on two occasions that the safety margin from ground and other aircraft could no longer be assured, air investigators have found. The pilots disregarded the safe minimum altitudes for no apparent reason, investigators from the Australian Transport Safety Bureau said. The low flying meant the airliners strayed into non-controlled airspace used by other planes. Advertisement: Story continues below That the similar errors occurred on different flights with different air crew little more than three weeks apart highlighted systemic gaps in the airline's pilot training, the bureau found. The flight incidents occurred in rain, cloud and low visibility, and involved multiple attempts to land. The bureau found the pilots were probably not adequately equipped to handle non- standard landing approaches "other than autopilot managed mode". In the first incident, on May 4, 2010, on approach to Gold Coast airport for their second attempt at landing, the pilots in their Airbus A330 with 258 passengers on board, sank below the safe minimum distance above the ground. At 20 kilometres from the airport the plane was already at the minimum allowable level, but 900 feet lower than recommended. At the lowest, the pilots flew 200 feet below the official minimum of 1500 feet - and were alerted by air traffic controllers to their low flying, but did not regain altitude - before ultimately abandoning the landing at 750 feet above the ground. The pilots abandoned a third landing attempt, and finally diverted to land at Brisbane instead. The descent "was conducted without apparent regard for the published segment minimum safe altitudes", investigators said, "... with the effect that separation from terrain (ie, the ground, obstacles) and other aircraft operating in non-controlled airspace was no longer assured". Investigators said it was "not clear" why the pilots flew too low, but unfamiliarity may have been a factor, investigators said. On the second flight carrying 260 passengers, on May 29, the pilots, about 19 kilometres from the same airport, began to fly under the recommended altitudes. For four kilometres, the aircraft sank as much as 700 feet lower than the safe minimum altitudes, down to 1500 feet, before aborting the landing at 750 feet. "It was apparent that the flight crews were not monitoring the ... [descent profile]...to ensure compliance with ... minimum safe altitudes," investigators said. The similar breaches on both flights "indicated there may be systemic factor(s)" in the airline's training. In response, the AirAsia X revisited its pilot and instructor training, putting all pilots through Gold Coast-specific simulator sessions, issuing revised charts and recommending a maximum of two missed landing attempts before diverting to another airport. Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/travel/travel-incidents/airline-pilots-not-equipped- to-land-plane-20120210-1sf4y.html#ixzz1lzHph1rZ Back to Top Taser gun found on Virgin flight at Melbourne Airport (Australia) A SECURITY breach forced Australian Federal Police to confiscate a taser gun which was hidden in a cabin bag on an Adelaide-bound Virgin flight at Melbourne Airport. The tarmac drama occurred as flight crew on DJ 229 closed overhead compartments in preparation for takeoff and discovered a taser gun which had fallen out of a cabin bag. One passenger, Labor MP Leon Bignell, recalled the drama which began at 2.15pm Melbourne time. ''Two police came on to the flight, went straight to the overhead bin, grabbed a bag and said 'whose bag is this' and a passenger answered 'mine' and they took him off and that process was repeated three times with three other passengers,'' he said. Mr Bignell said passengers had only been told by Virgin the plane was delayed for an ''administrative error'', not a security breach. He said the incident had caused a delay of 90 minutes by the time passengers were allowed to leave Adelaide airport. ''There are a few questions here like how someone could get a taser through security which is unbelievable,'' he said. ''There is also a question about why the passengers were security screened again only on arrival at Adelaide, so we were allowed to fly from Melbourne to Adelaide without checking if there were any other weapons on board.'' Virgin Australia said the decision not to re-screen all passengers in Melbourne had been made by the AFP. An AFP spokeswoman said the man who had taken the taser on to the flight had not yet been arrested or charged and the investigation was ongoing, but the incident had not put the flight in danger. It is not known how security failed to locate the the taser gun when the hand luggage was screened at Melbourne airport. Virgin Airlines manager of corporate communications Colin Lippiatt said the incident showed that on-flight procedures carried out by the cabin crew had worked well. ''I can confirm cabin crew located the prohibited items in the overhead locker in a pre- flight check prior to takeoff and notified police,'' he said. ''Police confiscated the item and then allowed the flight to take off and the AFP have confirmed the aircraft and travelling public were not at danger.'' A separate 12.30pm Qantas flight Adelaide to Perth turned back because the aircraft's storm warning system was not functioning, and was due to attempt the journey again late tonight. http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/more-news/taser-gun-found-on-virgin-flight-at- melbourne-airport/story-fn7x8me2-1226268156783 Back to Top Airlines boost commitment to guaranteeing flight safety (Indonesia) On the heels of the arrests of pilots using crystal methamphetamine, airlines operating in Indonesia boosted their commitment to preventing air crews from consuming drugs and alcohol for the sake of flight safety. National flag carrier Garuda Indonesia said it applied lower working hour requirements than those stipulated in governmental regulations to keep its pilots fit and healthy. "The official regulation states a maximum of nine hours of work per day for pilots. We apply a maximum of eight hours of work per day," said Garuda spokesman Pujobroto. He added that the airline also provided 12-hour rest intervals for pilots before they flew, which was longer than the regulated nine-hour period. He said that the airline had carried out regular random drug and alcohol checks on its pilots and crews for the last seven years. "We randomly check all crew members, including ground crew, on a regular basis. [The checks] could be in Jakarta or in Denpasar, either before departing or after landing," Pujobroto said, adding that the airline had never found its pilots or crews using drugs or alcohol during the checks. The checks were also in accordance with international regulations demanded by countries serviced by Garuda. Meanwhile, private airline Sriwijaya Air's corporate communications senior manager, Agus Soedjono, said the airline had limited air crew work hours to guarantee the physical condition of its crews. The airline would also conduct random checks on all of its crew members in addition to six-monthly health checks. "Should we find crews using drugs, we will impose the maximum sanction of dismissal on them. We will never compromise [flight] safety," he said. Agus said that the airline would cooperate with relevant agencies to conduct the checks, adding that the company would not raise ticket prices to cover extra costs. Separately, low-cost carrier Air Asia Indonesia's communications manager Audrey Progastama said that the airline would discharge crew who were caught using drugs. Audrey said that the airline had been consistently conducting random urine and health tests on its employees. "We are consistent in doing that," Audrey said. A Lion Air pilot, Syaiful Salam, 44, was arrested over the weekend in his hotel room in Surabaya, East Java, with 0.04 grams of crystal meth in his possession. He allegedly tested positive to the drug in a urine test. The Transportation Ministry has revoked Syaiful's pilot's license. In cooperation with the ministry, the National Narcotics Agency (BNN) carried out impromptu urine tests on 102 Lion Air crew at the Soekarno-Hatta International Airport on Wednesday evening. The results indicated that none had consumed illegal substances. Such tests are to be regularly conducted by the ministry, the BNN and airline operators at all airports across the country. "We will continue to conduct random urine tests on the crew of all airlines operating in the country," BNN spokesman Dwiyanto Soemirat said. He added that the test results would be reported to the ministry's air transportation director general and the airlines. http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2012/02/10/airlines-boost-commitment- guaranteeing-flight-safety.html Curt Lewis, P.E., CSP, FRAeS CURT LEWIS & ASSOCIATES, LLC