Flight Safety Information June 20, 2017 - No. 123 Incident: Cathay Pacific B744 at Hong Kong on Jun 19th 2017, gear problem after departure Incident: British Airways B772 at Kuwait on Jun 16th 2017, engine shut down in flight Incident: Atlasjet B738 at Istanbul on Jun 18th 2017, lightning strike Phoenix flights cancelled because it's too hot for planes Here's a Free Study Guide for Passing the FAA's Commercial Drone Test FAA Boss Outlines Brexit Safety Concerns for UK Aviation Global demand for airline service lifts airplane forecast to new high EasyJet to deploy aircraft fault prediction tech Dubai's flying taxi to soar by year-end Airline industry facing a massive shortfall of pilots, survey says Sharp-nosed Japanese jetliner could be game changer for U.S. flyers Boeing planning on hypersonic jets for commercial flights Boeing launches new jet with flurry of orders GE Tells Boeing It Won't Join Three-Way Race on 797 Plane Engine NATS and CAAi sign international cooperation agreement BOWTIE RISK MANAGEMENT WORKSHOP...July 18 - 19, 2017 Position Available:...Operations Manager Flight Data Connect Magnetic space tug could target dead satellites Graduate Research Survey Request Incident: Cathay Pacific B744 at Hong Kong on Jun 19th 2017, gear problem after departure A Cathay Pacific Boeing 747-400 freighter, registration B-LIA performing freight flight CX-3290 from Hong Kong (China) to Anchorage,AK (USA), was climbing out of Hong Kong's runway 07L when the crew requested to stop the climb at 7000 feet reporting a gear problem and advised they would need to dump fuel and return to Hong Kong. The crew further advised they wanted to check whether there is any smoke from the right hand side, if not, they would start their fuel dump. The crew reported about 5 minutes later that they were now ready for a fuel dump, commenced fuel dump and returned to Hong Kong for a safe landing on runway 07L about 85 minutes after departure. The occurrence aircraft remained on the ground for about 18 hours, then departed again and is estimated to reach Anchorage with a delay of about 19 hours. http://avherald.com/h?article=4aa8ceee&opt=0 Back to Top Incident: British Airways B772 at Kuwait on Jun 16th 2017, engine shut down in flight A British Airways Boeing 777-200, registration G-VIIH performing flight BA156 from Kuwait (Kuwait) to London Heathrow,EN (UK), was climbing out of Kuwait when the crew stopped the climb at FL160 reporting an engine (GE90) failure. The crew shut the engine down and returned to Kuwait for a safe landing on runway 33R about 45 minutes after departure. Passengers reported the captain announced they had needed to shut one engine down. The occurrence aircraft is still on the ground in Kuwait about 87 hours after landing back. http://avherald.com/h?article=4aa8ccc1&opt=0 Back to Top Incident: Atlasjet B738 at Istanbul on Jun 18th 2017, lightning strike An Atlasjet Boeing 737-800, registration TC-SNT performing flight KK-9764 from Istanbul (Turkey) to Tbilisi (Georgia), was climbing out of Istanbul when the crew stopped the climb at FL180 following a lightning strike and decided to return to Istanbul for a safe landing on runway 35L about 50 minutes after departure. The occurrence aircraft received damage and remained on the ground for 10.5 hours before returning to service. http://avherald.com/h?article=4aa8cabf&opt=0 Back to Top Phoenix flights cancelled because it's too hot for planes A plane is silhouetted against the sky as it takes off from Heathrow Airport 19 December 2002 in London, England. Even for Arizona, the temperatures are high - hot enough to stop flights As temperatures climb in Phoenix, Arizona, more than 40 flights have been cancelled - because it is too hot for the planes to fly. The weather forecast for the US city suggests temperatures could reach 120F (49C) on Tuesday. That is higher than the operating temperature of some planes. American Airlines announced it was cancelling dozens of flights scheduled to take off from Sky Harbor airport during the hottest part of the day. The local Fox News affiliate in Phoenix said the cancellations mostly affected regional flights on the smaller Bombardier CRJ airliners, which have a maximum operating temperature of about 118F (48C). The all-time record for temperatures in Phoenix is just slightly higher, at 122F, which hit on 26 June 1990. The cancelled flights were scheduled to take off between 15:00 and 18:00 local time. Why can't planes fly? At higher temperatures, air has a lower density - it is thinner. That lower air density reduces how much lift is generated on an aircraft's wings - a core principle in aeronautics. That, in turn, means the aircraft's engines need to generate more thrust to get airborne. It's a well-known problem - a 2016 report from the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) even warned that higher temperatures caused by climate change could "have severe consequences for aircraft take-off performance, where high altitudes or short runways limit the payload or even the fuel-carrying capacity". Those problems are why many countries in the Middle East, and some high-altitude airports in South America, tend to schedule long flights for the evening or night, when it is cooler. Bigger aircraft like Boeing 747s and Airbus models have a slightly higher operating temperature, and have not been affected by the heat in Phoenix. An American Airlines statement provided to The Arizona Republic newspaper said those jets should be fine up to 126- 127F (53C) - just a little higher than what is expected. Those temperatures, however, are forecast for the aptly named Furnace Creek in Death Valley, in California, with some areas expecting new temperature records on Tuesday. The Death Valley National Parks Service has issued a warning to visitors to avoid hiking after 10am, and to "travel prepared to survive". http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-40339730 Back to Top Here's a Free Study Guide for Passing the FAA's Commercial Drone Test If you want to fly a drone for commercial purposes in the US, you first have to pass the FAA's Part 107 sUAS test. This free 1 hour 45 minute guide from Tony Northrup is a hugely useful resource for your studies. Flying for commercial purposes means things like shooting aerial photos for-profit, taking aerial stock footage, filming for a company or even taking footage of a wedding from the skies to mix in with your regular wedding photography. Even if you are not looking to get certified, this video will teach you invaluable knowledge to help you fly your drone safely and responsibly. You'll learn about weather, different flight spaces, how to deal with other pilots, and many more topics. The long video is broken down in to the following topics: 0:51 - Why you want the FAA Part 107 Drone Certification 1:17 - Overview of taking the test 3:07 - Why is none of this relevant to flying a drone 4:35 - Drone laws & numbers 14:2 - Airspace (Class A, B, C, D, etc.) 20:0 - Radio frequencies 23:0 - Pilot's alphabet/Aviation alphabet 26:3 - Airplane physics (center of gravity, lift, stalling, etc) 32:1 - Sectional charts (those airspace maps) 48:0 - Military Operations Areas (MOAs) 48:5 - Restricted Areas 49:0 - Military Training Routes (MTR/IR/VFR) 50:1 - Latitude & Longitude 55:5 - Airports 56:4 - Runway patterns 58:4 - Runway markings 1:04:08 - Documents 1:04:14 - User Manual 1:04:36 - Maintenance Schedule 1:05:29 - Sectional Charts 1:06:06 - Chart Supplement 1:06:47 - NOTAM (Notices to Airmen) 1:07:53 - METAR (Meteorological Aviation Report) 1:08:12 - TAF (Terminal Aerodrome Forecast) 1:08:15 - Reading a METAR report 1:16:33 - Reading a TAF report 1:23:17 - Weather 1:28:47 - Team & Crew Management 1:29:00 - Visual Observer (VO) 1:29:28 - Remote Pilot in Command (Remote PIC) 1:30:20 - Crew Resource Management (CRM) also at 1:37:06 1:30:52 - Risk (Hyperventilating, Alcohol, Hangovers 1:33:29 - Scanning the Sky 1:34:23 - Personality Traits (Macho, Impulsivity, Invulnerability, Resignation, Anti-authority) 1:37:06 - Crew Resource Management (CRM) 1:39:00 - Testing Tips Northrup has also put together a text companion to the study guide video, which you can find here. If you are interested in learning how to fly a specific drone, Northrup has a playlist of drone-specific videos at this link. We hope this great study guide will help you pass your certification, or just learn more about flying and how the airspace works. https://petapixel.com/2017/06/19/heres-free-study-guide-passing-faas-commercial-drone-test/ Back to Top FAA Boss Outlines Brexit Safety Concerns for UK Aviation Skift Take Does the UK have the resources to set up an aviation safety framework on its own or will it seek to stay in the European Aviation Safety Agency? The former would be unwise and the latter is seemingly at odds with the desire of Leave campaigners. Along with the other European Union member states, the UK is currently part of the European Aviation Safety Agency. Based in Cologne, Germany, this EU body is responsible for all aspects of civil aviation safety - and an unlikely source underlined its importance. Speaking at the UK's Aviation Club last week, U.S. Federal Aviation Administration's chief Michael Huerta explained the seriousness of the UK's situation with regards to aviation safety. Huerta pointed out that currently the UK benefits from the being part of EASA and that when it leaves the EU it will need to be replaced or there would be the very real possibility of an "interruption of service." To put it another way if the UK doesn't sort something out there will be big problems. The Skift Daily newsletter puts you ahead of everyone about the future of travel, subscribe. "With very limited exceptions the United Kingdom's aviation products are currently certified by the European safety agency or EASA and service providers such as maintenance repair and overhaul facilities are certified using EU regulation and EASA procedure," said Huerta. "If the UK does not maintain an associated or working arrangement with EASA upon leaving the EU, the UK will quickly need to re-establish competencies in specific areas especially around certification of new aviation products. And additionally, the U.S.-UK bilateral aviation safety agreement has been largely dormant for a number of years. Well it needs to be updated and put in place to be enforced upon the UK's exit from the EU. Now this is manageable but it will take time and it will depend on clarity around the UKs relationship with EASA going forward." When the UK leaves the European Union it will be forced to replace thousands of regulations with some of its own. Aviation is one of the areas where the EU plays a crucial role for the UK and if airports aren't going to grind to a halt on March 30, 2019 , the UK needs to either re-establish its own regulatory framework or apply to retain certain memberships. The two-year Brexit timeframe doesn't give the country's negotiators a lot of time. The EU's market liberalization revolutionized the industry and helped bring down prices across the continent. Airlines want to see continued access to the European Common Aviation Area (ECAA) and also want clarity on topics such as ownership. Both of these have generated plenty of headlines but there is also the complex issue of aviation safety to consider. As Huerta said, there are couple of ways the UK could handle aviation safety regulation after Brexit. One avenue would be to rejoin as a non-EU member state, like Norway, but in effect this would be the worst of both worlds with the UK forced to comply with all regulation but without voting rights. It would also mean being subject to European law, which was one of the reasons given for leaving the EU. Failing this, the UK could decide to go it alone. It would be possible to do this but it would take plenty of time and money, and as Andrew Haines, the chief executive of the UK's Civil Aviation Authority said in a speech in December, 2016, there are other reasons to be fearful of this approach. "Let's just imagine the UK was to withdraw from EASA altogether and adopt our own framework - although I'm yet to meet anyone of substance that supports that approach. It is, of course, theoretically possible and let's just suppose we established the best aviation safety regimes in the world, It would mean a major increase in UK regulatory regime, potentially represent a major barrier to track increased costs and yet we would also risk becoming a backwater in terms of wider impact," he said. Negotiations between the UK and EU started on Monday and would need to be concluded by the end of March 2019. Aviation safety will no doubt crop up at some point and will just be one of the issues that needs to be ironed out if the industry is going to enjoy a seamless Brexit. https://skift.com/2017/06/20/faa-boss-outlines-brexit-safety-concerns-for-uk-aviation/ Back to Top Global demand for airline service lifts airplane forecast to new high An Boeing 737Max 9 aircraft performs a flying display on the opening day of the 52nd International Paris Air Show at Le Bourget, on June 19, 2017 in Le Bourget, France. The world wants to fly, or at least a growing number of people around the world do and that's lifting forecasts for new planes, especially narrow-body models, to an all-time high. "The market is especially hungry for single-aisle airplanes as more people start traveling by air," said Randy Tinseth, vice president of Marketing at Boeing Commercial Airplanes. Boeing's new forecast predicts the world will need 41,039 new airplanes over the next 20 years. That is 3.6 percent increase over the company's forecast from last year. The value of the orders is calculated at $6.1 trillion. What's driving the greater demand? A huge factor the rise in middle-income travelers in developing markets like China and India. "There are more people, especially in Asia, who now have the means and the desire to fly," said John Plueger, president and CEO of Air Lease Corporation, which leases hundreds of airplanes to airlines around the world. "That growing middle class means airlines will need more planes." China remains the largest new market Single-aisle planes like Boeing's 737 and the Airbus A320 are in demand because they have the efficiency and versatility that allow airlines to fly the planes profitably on a growing number of routes. By comparison, larger, twin- aisle planes require more passengers to keep them full and the number of routes that can sustain that demand is more limited. Not surprisingly, China remains the largest market for new airplanes. Over the next twenty years, Boeing expects Asia, including the China market to need more than 16,000 new airplanes, or 39 percent to the global demand. Boeing said the single-aisle segment will be, fueled by low-cost carriers and emerging markets. It estimates 29,530 new airplanes will be needed in this segment, an increase of almost 5 percent over last year. In the study, Boeing claimed the demand for very large airplanes going forward will be in the cargo market and that passenger-focused airlines will shift to smaller size wide-body planes. This claim drew scorn from Airbus COO for Aviation Customers at Airbus, John Leahy, who said this was more a reflection of the poor revenue Boeing was generating from its largest jetliner. "The 747-8 isn't selling, so they would say that. Traffic is doubling every 15 years. Their explanation is that we have to have more flights. "Are we going to accommodate twice the traffic in Dubai, London or Paris within 15 years with more flights? You just can't do it," Leahy said at an Airbus press event. Orders continue for big two The race for new orders between the big two jet makers continued Tuesday. Airbus announced a deal with Latin American low cost carrier Viva Air for 50 more A320 aircraft. The leasing company CDB Aviation also signed up for a further 45 of the A320 family. Meanwhile Boeing built on its busy first day announcing another 126 orders for variants of its 737 MAX series. Buyers included Ryanair and Blue Air. The US firm also announced a deal to sell four 787-8 Dreamliners to Azerbaijan Airlines. http://www.cnbc.com/2017/06/20/global-demand-for-airline-service-lifts-airplane-forecast-to-new-high.html Back to Top EasyJet to deploy aircraft fault prediction tech EasyJet to deploy aircraft fault prediction tech A new system that helps to predict aircraft faults before they occur to prevent delays and cancellations is to be deployed by easyJet. The UK budget carrier and Airbus have been working for two years to identify the airline's top 100 technical issues. This has resulted in a bespoke predictive maintenance platform for the airline. The Skywise programme can help to predict technical issues by allowing engineers to intervene early and replace parts during routine maintenance before the component causes any issues thereby preventing delays. EasyJet has been trialing the platform on 85 aircraft in its fleet since October. Three specific technical issues were focussed on which has resulted in removing 14 components before an issue could have occurred. This has meant more than 2,000 passenger journeys have operated on schedule that would otherwise have been disrupted - potentially incurring overnight delays, according to the airline. Airbus unveiled the Skywise aviation data platform at the Paris Air Show. The manufacturer aims to make it the single platform of reference used by airlines to improve their operational performance, business results and to support their own digital transformation. EasyJet chief executive, Carolyn McCall, said: "Over two years our engineers and IT team have been working very closely with Airbus to build the capability to capture the data created by the aircraft systems to try and help minimise and prevent delays. "Through this work we have managed to identify the most frequent 100 aircraft faults that cause disruption to our passengers and have been working out how to use the data to detect these faults as they develop. "Punctuality is important to our customers and so we want to do all possible to minimise disruption from technical events. Prognosis systems like the Airbus Skywise platform can really transform the way that we maintain our aircraft. "The data obtained enables us to predict potential issues before they arise and start troubleshooting before the aircraft even lands which could help move us closer to our goal of eliminating technical delays." Airbus chief executive Tom Enders added: "We are really pleased to have collaborated closely with easyJet over the past two years. EasyJet is well known for its innovative approach and our joint predictive maintenance trial has shown very tangible results which will help to further optimise the reliability of easyJet's fleet. "I look forward to our continued partnership and the results the new Skywise platform is set to deliver." EasyJet operates Europe's largest and the world's fourth largest Airbus single-aisle fleet - currently comprising 272 aircraft - and has a further 157 on order. Royal Mail chief executive, Moya Greene, is to become a non-executive director of easyJet from September 1. In other changes, François Rubichon will be stepping down as non-executive director on July 22 following completion of three years on the board and Keith Hamill will retire as a non-executive Director on July 31 after more than eight years. The airline's chairman John Barton said: "I am delighted that Moya will be joining the Board. Her logistics and transport background, strategic awareness and FTSE100 CEO experience will further strengthen the diverse mix of expertise and experience on the board." http://www.travelweekly.co.uk/articles/281604/easyjet-to-deploy-aircraft-fault-prediction-tech Back to Top Dubai's flying taxi to soar by year-end * It can cruise at a speed of 50kmph with the maximum airspeed set at 100kmph. * The flying taxi, measuring about two metres in height and seven-metres in width, is electric-powered, run by nine independent quick-change and plug-in battery systems. The trial operation of a two-passenger autonomous air taxi (AAT) or flying taxi in Dubai "will begin gradually in the fourth quarter of 2017", the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) said on Monday. "The RTA has extended the test run of its manned AAT to meet all operational requirements of safety and security for these type of vehicles," a statement from the RTA said. "The trial operation of this (flying) taxi will begin gradually in the fourth quarter of 2017." The RTA also announced signing of an agreement with the German Volocopter Company, a specialist in the manufacturing of autonomous aerial vehicles, to launch the first vehicle capable of carrying two passengers. The flying taxi, measuring about two metres in height and seven-metres in width, is electric-powered, run by nine independent quick-change and plug-in battery systems. It can cruise at a speed of 50kmph with the maximum airspeed set at 100kmph. The maximum flight time is approximately 30 minutes; while battery charging will take 40 minutes. It also has 18 rotors to ensure safe cruising and landing of the taxi in case of any rotor failure and it is fitted with a full aircraft emergency parachute. It also boasts of luxurious interiors and leather seating for two persons. Mattar Al Tayer, RTA director-general and chairman of the board of executive directors, said: "The test run of the first AAT capable of carrying two passengers is in implementation of the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to transform Dubai into the smartest city worldwide. It also comes as part of RTA's efforts to provide autonomous transportation by conducting the required technological tests of those vehicles under the climatic conditions of Dubai. "The move also echoes Dubai's Smart Autonomous Mobility Strategy that seeks to transform a quarter of the total mobility journeys in Dubai into autonomous transport by 2030," he added. According to Al Tayer, the aerial taxi has autopilot or autonomous flying capability thus enabling the movement of people without human intervention or a need for flight licence holder. "During the trial period, all aspects relating to the operation as well as security and safety of the autonomous aerial taxi will be verified and checked. The official operation hinges on the readiness of companies and the availability of legislations necessary for operating autonomous aerial vehicles," Al Tayer underlined. He added that the RTA is working with the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority to develop the legislative and operational guidelines, define specifications and standards applicable to operators in the emirate such that these legislations will be ready before the date set for the commercial and official operation of the autonomous air vehicles. "It is noteworthy that the operational and legislative structures will be the first of their kind worldwide. In coordination with its strategic partners, the RTA will specify the air routes of journeys, take-off and landing points of these taxis as well as the logistics needed to ensure safe and smooth mobility of passengers. The RTA will forge additional partnerships with other manufacturers of autonomous air vehicles after ensuring their fulfilment of specifications and standards of air safety approved in Dubai," Al Tayer enumerated. A delegation from the RTA recently visited several autonomous air vehicle manufacturers, and German Volocopter company was selected for its compliance with the international safety and security standards, and passing the rigorous standards of the German Aviation Authority. http://www.khaleejtimes.com/nation/dubai/dubais-flying-taxi-to-soar-by-year-end Back to Top Airline industry facing a massive shortfall of pilots, survey says Flight training specialists are warning that within ten years the global airline industry faces a massive shortfall of pilots. In a study released at the Paris Air Show Tuesday, Canadian firm CAE said the world will need 255,000 new airline pilots by 2027 to offset both the effect of retirement and industry growth. By 2027, CAE expects the global commercial fleet to grow by 12,000 aircraft to roughly 37,000 aircraft, meaning a total of 440,000 active pilots will be needed. There are currently 290,000 active pilots. "Asia-Pacific will see the strongest growth in pilot demand as the region's fleet of in-service aircraft is projected to significantly increase in size. The Americas will experience the most pilot retirements. "Airlines and their training partners will need to produce an average of 70 new type-rated pilots per day globally to match the record-high aircraft delivery rate and account for pilot attrition," the report read. Aside from 255,000 new first officers, CAE said 180,000 first officers will need to be promoted to captain, over half of which will be to replace retiring captains. The report claims that North America has a high percentage of older pilots as recruitment activity in the 1980s and 1990s tailed off when network carriers merged and consolidated. CAE noted that U.S. regional airlines already face pilot supply issues after the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) introduced stiffer regulations requiring up to 1,500 total flight hours to become a professional airline pilot. In pictures: The stars of the 2017 International Paris Air Show The situation in the Asia-Pacific region appears to be even more extreme. The CAE report claimed around 85,000 airline pilots are active in that area but that figure will need to more than double as countries such as China and India require much more aircraft to support rapid economic growth. http://www.cnbc.com/2017/06/20/this-is-your-captain-retiring--world-faces-pilot-shortage.html Back to Top Sharp-nosed Japanese jetliner could be game changer for U.S. flyers Japan's first commercial plane since 1962 Japan's first commercial airliner in more than 50 years has arrived on the international stage. Mitsubishi Aircraft Corp. is showing off its new jet -- known as the MRJ -- at the Paris Air Show this week. The 92- passenger plane promises to reshape regional flying in the U.S. and upend a market long dominated by Canada's Bombardier (BDRAF) and Embraer (ERJ) of Brazil. But the MRJ is less of a revolution than an evolution of a familiar package: two engines, two wings, and a slightly roomier cabin than its competition. It does have one unmistakable feature, though -- a sharply aerodynamic nose that resembles some of Japan's famous bullet trains. Here's Mitsubishi's pitch to airlines: This plane will save you money by using 20% less fuel thanks to its all-new aerodynamic design and a pair of advanced engines. Those features can help open new short routes that aren't profitable with an older generation aircraft today. The MRJ's new Pratt & Whitney engines also mean less noise and lower emissions, allowing it to fly in and out of tightly restricted airports. The MRJ with its eye-catching nose on display at the Paris Air Show. Test flights over the U.S. The Japanese jet won't be carrying regular passengers until 2020. But for the next few years, the MRJ fleet will be flying over the U.S. There's not enough open sky in Japan to test the new airliner, so Mitsubishi has set up shop in eastern Washington state to put its current fleet of four test aircraft through their paces. While it's built in Nagoya, Japan, the MRJ is a global collaboration. Half of the jet's parts are made by U.S. manufacturers. Its avionics come from Rockwell Collins (COL), for example, and its engines from Pratt & Whitney. That means the plane is supporting manufacturing and engineering jobs in both countries. Japan's All Nippon Airways will be the first to fly the MRJ. But about 80% of the plane's more than 400 orders and commitments come from U.S. regional airlines that fly for Delta (DAL), American (AAL) and United (UAL). Mitsubishi joins the big leagues The huge Japanese conglomerate behind the MRJ, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHVYF), has been making complex parts for plane makers like Boeing for decades. In the 2000s, it decided it wanted to go further. Mitsubishi set out to prove it could design and build an entire aircraft itself, weaving all the different pieces of a design together -- a skill few nations have developed. "We're setting the foundation of a new industry in Japan," said Alex Bellamy, the 37-year-old head of MRJ's program office who joined Mitsubishi from Bombardier last year. The MRJ was originally supposed to start flying passengers in 2013, but didn't get airborne until 2015. And in 2016, Mitsubishi discovered its own inexperience was causing major headaches. Cascading problems It needed to rearrange something as apparently simple as a cabinet of electronics equipment. But one small change would cause another, cascading across the jet. It would eventually force Mitsubishi to redesign miles and miles of the jet's wiring. Two more years would be required to sort everything out, pushing its passenger debut to 2020. "This was a big wake up call to the program," Bellamy said in a recent interview. "When you stumble across something as complicated as this that has such a major program impact, it would negligent of us not to stop and think." So Mitsubishi pressed pause and went out in search of young and ambitious experts like Bellamy who had worked on recent new aircraft programs in the U.S., Europe and Canada. They re-checked every part of the plane. Thirteen of its program leaders now hail from 10 different countries. And many top engineers and managers are under 40. Mitsubishi believes it's getting back on track now, but there are still big tests to go that could reveal issues. And despite all the MRJ's struggles, its rivals aren't being complacent. "It's a new competitor," Embraer CEO Paulo Cesar de Souza e Silva said in an interview Monday. "We take them very seriously." http://money.cnn.com/2017/06/20/news/companies/mitsubishi-regional-jet-paris-debut/index.html Back to Top Boeing planning on hypersonic jets for commercial flights, though the Concorde's memory lingers * Hypersonic jets could be used in commercial flight in the next decade or two, Boeing CEO Dennis Muilenburg says. * The jets fly up to 3,800 mph, potentially shaving the flight time from New York to Shanghai down to two hours. * It sounds like pure fantasy. Boeing sees the day coming when you board a plane in New York and land two hours later in Shanghai, China. "I think in the next decade or two you're going to see them become a reality," said Boeing Chairman and CEO Dennis Muilenburg. Boeing expects hypersonic jets, flying at up to Mach 5, or 3,800 mph, could serve a small but important market of travelers willing to pay a premium to reach far-flung destinations in a fraction of the time it usually takes. For example, a commercial flight from New York to Shanghai currently takes about 15 hours. On paper it sounds great. In reality, the costs of operating a hypersonic commercial airplane means it may never get off the ground. "It's hard for me to see, at least in the next 15-20 years, that it's going to be so cost competitive that it's going to compel the airlines to take a stab at it," said John Plueger, president and CEO of AirLease Corp. ALC leases hundreds of commercial airplanes to dozens of airlines around the world. As Plueger points out, airlines are looking almost exclusively for efficiency and turning a profit on their airplanes and the industry has a long memory of the Concorde. The inability to turn a profit on supersonic flights between the U.S. and Europe is what ultimately killed the Concorde. British Airways and Air France flew the Concorde for more than 30 years and never made money shuttling a limited number of passengers across the Atlantic in roughly 3½ hours. The Concorde made its last flight in 2003. Despite the skepticism of supersonic and hypersonic planes being commercially viable, there is a resurgence in interest in ultra-fast airliners. Colorado-based Boom Technology is meeting with prospective partners and clients at the Paris Air Show. Boom is developing a 55-seat supersonic jet it hopes to sell to airlines and have in service by early next decade. As for Boeing's hypersonic plane, Muilenburg admited the company still has to prove there are enough people around who are willing to pay for an ultra-fast flight to the other half of the world. "Still work to do on closing the business case to make sense for our customers," said Muilenburg. "But we see future innovations where you could connect around the world in about two hours." http://www.cnbc.com/2017/06/19/boeing-planning-hypersonic-commercial-flights-within-a-decade.html Back to Top Boeing launches new jet with flurry of orders Boeing (BA.N) unveiled a new version of its bestselling 737 aircraft on Monday, injecting life into a faltering civil aviation market as French President Emmanuel Macron flew in to open the world's biggest air show in Paris. After years of booming orders driven by increased air travel and more fuel-efficient planes, passenger jet manufacturers are bracing for a slowdown in demand while they focus on meeting tight delivery schedules and ambitious production targets. In a sign of their more modest expectations, some companies have cut back on staffing and catering at this year's Paris show and made less space available for the media. But Boeing generated a burst of activity on the opening day by launching the 737 MAX 10 to plug a gap in its portfolio at the top end of the market for single-aisle jets, following runaway sales of the rival Airbus (AIR.PA) A321neo. The U.S. planemaker said it had more than 240 orders and commitments from at least 10 customers for the new 737, which can carry up to 230 people in a single-class configuration. "Many airports are running out of capacity and for those airports this is a perfect aircraft," said Ajay Singh, the chairman of low-cost Indian airline SpiceJet (SPJT.BO), as his company signed a provisional deal to buy 40 MAX 10s. However, Airbus immediately hit back with an order for 100 of its popular A320neo planes from leasing company GECAS, as well as a deal for 12 A321neos with Air Lease Corporation. Airbus sales chief John Leahy brushed off the latest Boeing challenge, saying that much of the interest in the MAX 10 was from existing Boeing customers switching orders from other models. "We think the 737 MAX 10 is a competitor to the (MAX) 9 and that's why a lot of people are converting," he said. Twenty of SpiceJet's provisional order for 40 MAX 10s were conversions from an existing order for other 737 models. GECAS also converted an existing 737 order for 20 planes to the new model and Europe's largest tour operator TUI Group (TUIGn.DE) did likewise for 18 aircraft. Boeing did announce provisional new orders for 90 MAX 10s including 50 from Indonesia's Lion Air. It also won a boost from leasing giant AerCap (AER.N) for its 787 Dreamliner long-range jet, which sits in a category for which demand has been fragile over the past year. Industry sources said that Airbus would soon announce an order for 10 of its A350-900 wide-body jets from Ethiopian Airways, while it also looked set to clinch a $5 billion deal with low-cost carrier Viva Air Peru. Providing reassurance for planemakers, Qatar Airways said it was sticking with plans to increase its fleet and routes despite a diplomatic rift with four Arab nations that have closed their airspace to the company. "We have had a lot of cancellations, especially to the four countries that did this illegal blockade, but we have found new markets and this is our growth strategy," Chief Executive Akbar al Baker told Reuters. F-35 DEBUT While demand for passenger jets may be ebbing, there are signs that interest in military aircraft is picking up after years in the doldrums because of government budget cuts and weak economic growth. That would be the biggest deal yet for the stealth warplane, which is making its Paris debut this week. President Macron flew into the show aboard an Airbus A400M military transporter in his first official engagement since winning a parliamentary majority in elections on Sunday. His arrival was followed by a flypast by the world's largest passenger plane, the Airbus A380, with France's aerobatic team. The ceremony lent high-level support to two ambitious European aerospace projects tarnished by difficulties: the A400M because of chronic cost overruns and delays and the A380 because of weak sales that threaten its future. Airbus said on Sunday that it was working on an A380 upgrade -- dubbed A380plus -- with fuel-saving wingtips, confirming plans reported by Reuters in March. Airbus chief Fabrice Bregier said on Monday that the company was in talks with several potential customers for the upgraded plane. But it would only be put into production if it received "a large order", he said, without elaborating. Four-engined, double-decker superjumbos such as the A380 and Boeing's 747 were once viewed as the future of air travel between international hubs, but interest has waned as airlines have preferred cheaper, more nimble aircraft. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-airshow-paris-idUSKBN19A0WH Back to Top GE Tells Boeing It Won't Join Three-Way Race on 797 Plane Engine David Joyce, vice chairman at General Electric and president and chief executive officer at GE Aviation, discusses the promotion of John Flannery to CEO, their new LEAP engines, the supply chain and the opportunities in defense. He speaks on 'Bloomberg Markets: European Open' from the Paris Air Show. (Source: Bloomberg) General Electric Co., the world's biggest jet-engine maker, said it's not prepared to enter a three-way race for turbine production on Boeing Co.'s planned mid-sized plane because a fragmented market wouldn't justify the investment needed. Should Boeing opt for more than two suppliers,"we're out," David Joyce, head of GE's aero-engines arm, said at the Paris Air Show, adding that his company still carries "scars" from being one of three engine providers on the Airbus SE A330 two decades ago. While GE and U.S. rival Pratt & Whitney are working on engines for the proposed Boeing model, Rolls-Royce Holdings Plc is also targeting the program as a way into the higher-volume market for smaller aircraft after focusing on wide- body types since 2011. Boeing's plane, also dubbed the 797, could enter service in 2025 and is likely to require engines with 40,000 to 50,000 pounds of thrust. "What happens is, all three of us spend a lot of money to design a brand-new engine and then all of a sudden you're splitting the market," Joyce said. "You look at the returns on that and, unless you find a bunch more applications for that engine immediately, you end up in a world where it just doesn't work." Boeing is exploring "three very interesting technical proposals" concerning the propulsion system for its next all-new jetliner, Kevin McAllister, the head of its commercial airplanes division, said at the aviation expo. GE's CFM International joint venture with France's Safran SA secured exclusivity for its Leap engine on Boeing's upgraded 737 Max range of planes in 2011. CFM also supplies the model to Airbus's A320neo family in competition with Pratt's geared turbofan, or GTF. GE is the sole supplier on the Boeing twin-aisle 777X, and Rolls has the same position on the A330neo. 'No Cheaper' "Think of the difference between whether you're sole or not," Joyce said. "In terms of how you make the business case and return on investment, it's no cheaper to build the engine if there's two of you than if there's one -- but the return on it is a hell of a lot different." GE has already gone through three rounds of submissions on the new Boeing plane, he said. Rolls-Royce Chief Executive Officer Warren East said in May that his company is "pursuing" a position on the mid- market Boeing, which is envisaged as a replacement for the planemaker's defunct 757 model and the aging 767. The proposed engine will involve a so-called Advance core due to be built by 2020, and the UltraFan design featuring a new "power gearbox." While the U.K. firm has grabbed a major slice of the lucrative long-haul engine sector with its Trent turbines and is a supplier to regional and corporate planes, short-haul jets represent the backbone of the airline industry, with sales dwarfing those for bigger models. But Rolls also acknowledges the risks of overcrowding. "Three engines in the past have not proven very successful for the industry," Eric Schulz, head of civil engines at the British manufacturer, said in an interview with Bloomberg TV. "Is it two, is it one, nobody knows really, all options are open. Boeing will have to decide." Chicago-based Boeing will provide an update on the mid-market plane on Tuesday. The model will seat about 250 passengers and have a range of 5,000 nautical miles, CEO Dennis Muilenburg told Bloomberg TV in an interview at the air show Monday. It could be "potentially twin-aisle," though "all options" remain under consideration, he said. Divisional chief McAllister declined to elaborate on the likely engine architecture of the plane, saying that "it's still very early in the game." It's not yet clear whether London-based Rolls-Royce will pursue the 797 with a partner, though it could do so if the business conditions are right, East has said. Rolls previously had a 33 percent stake in the International Aero Engines AG partnership with Pratt, before exiting after the U.S. company pressed for future models to be based around its GTF development. The manufacturers later pursued a new accord before abandoning the plan in 2013 amid antitrust concerns. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-06-19/ge-tells-boeing-it-won-t-share-797-engines-with-two-arch- rivals Back to Top NATS and CAAi sign international cooperation agreement London Gatwick, UK. 19 June 2017 - NATS Services Limited, the commercial business within the UK's leading provider of air traffic control services, and CAA International (CAAi), the consultancy arm of the UK Civil Aviation Authority (UK CAA), signed a landmark agreement to cooperate and partner on future international consultancy projects, in an effort to raise global aviation safety standards. Signed by Andy Head, Business Development Director for NATS and Maria Rueda, Managing Director for CAAi, the agreement supports future collaboration on overseas capacity building programmes. Combining NATS' expertise in airspace design, management and air traffic services and CAAi's regulatory oversight capability, both parties intend to unite on aviation projects where they can complement one another and provide states with the best possible solution to regulatory compliance. At the same time, the agreement stipulates strict rules of engagement to mitigate any conflict of interest arising from the cooperation. Maria Rueda, Managing Director of CAAi, said: "We are delighted to have signed this agreement with NATS and we look forward to working together. Increasingly, the overseas aviation regulators we work with require regulatory expertise in safety and security oversight, as well as air traffic services. By collaborating on these projects, both parties are equipped to make the biggest positive impact to the global aviation community for the interest of passengers and operators flying to these locations and beyond". Andy Head, Business Development Director of NATS said, "Aviation is growing rapidly throughout the world and this is placing greater and greater demand on limited airspace and airport resources. Working with the CAAi in this way allows us to offer a compelling proposition to aid aviation companies around the world achieve their objectives around capacity and safety, drawing on the experience of managing some of the world's busiest airspace and airports in the UK and integrating with Europe". This partnership builds on an existing working relationship. In 2013, NATS and CAAi joined forces to work with Qatar on a major airspace redesign project. Most recently, both parties jointly supported the Airport Authority of Hong Kong with noise modelling to support environmental impact improvements. NATS and CAAi will be able to offer overseas clients a combination of technical advisory services, ranging from airspace design, capacity planning and compliance frameworks to business planning, safety and security oversight and environmental reporting. For more information, please contact: stuart.coates@caainternational.com Image: NATS and CAAi sign international cooperation agreement. (Left to right) Matthew Margesson; CAAi Head of International Development. Maria Rueda; CAAi Managing Director. Andy Head; NATS Business Development Director. Sean Jones; NATS Head of Commercial Strategy. Notes to Editor: CAA International (CAAi) is a globally recognised aviation consultancy and is part of the UK CAA. CAAi offers advisory services, professional training and aviation examination services to help clients deliver and promote best practice in aviation safety, security, economic regulation and consumer protection, helping to create a flying world fit for the 21st Century. CAAi's expert advice is sought wherever technical knowledge, legal probity and commercial judgement are critical. Drawing on the experience and know-how of technical professionals - current regulators and project management specialists, CAAi delivers tailored solutions shaped to meet the needs of all sectors of the Aviation Industry. NATS is a leading air traffic management and solutions company, established in the UK in 1962 and now operating in countries around the world. NATS handled 2.3 million flights in 2015, covering the UK and eastern North Atlantic from its centres at Swanwick, Hampshire and Prestwick, Ayrshire. NATS also provides air traffic services at 14 UK airports; at Gibraltar Airport and, in a joint venture with Ferrovial, at a number of airport towers in Spain. Building on its reputation for operational excellence and innovation, NATS offers aerodrome, data, engineering, capacity, efficiency and environmental performance solutions to customers worldwide, including airports, airlines air traffic service providers and Governments. For more information visit the NATS website at www.nats.aero Back to Top BOWTIE RISK MANAGEMENT WORKSHOP July 18 - 19, 2017 American Airlines Training & Conference Center 4501 Highway 360 South, MD 929, Fort Worth, TX 76155 This hands-on workshop will introduce a high-level view at ways your organization can enhance safety and efficiency immediately. It will then quickly move to provide the foundation to build risk models and culminate with experience creating and managing your own risk models. The workshop will introduce event reconstruction analysis using the IncidentXP software tool and incorporating the learnings into your BowTie risk models. DAY 1 - MACRO VIEW OF METHODOLOGY & CONSTRUCTING BOWTIES: Begins with benefits of BowTie Risk Methodology including the foundational concepts behind the methodology and methods to quantify safety/risk data to create measurable tracking systems. Hands-on training will enable participants to gain full experience in designing and creating BowTie models including an introduction to BTXP software. DAY 2 - FUNCTIONAL RISK MANAGEMENT: INCIDENT ANALYSIS AND BOWTIE SOFTWARE: The seminar continues the training on the industry-leading tool - BTXP software, with more advanced capabilities. This course is not intended for "IT software experts," rather, the focus is on the safety/risk management professional responsible to execute the organization's safety/risk management requirements. Training will include incident analysis and review of the functionality of IncidentXP software. The program covers: * How BowTie techniques work and why they are effective * Quantitative methods to assess safety performance * Identification of hazards, threats, consequences and barrier management * Constructing a BowTie within your own industry utilizing your own subject matter experts * Basic overview of BTXP software - a demo in simplicity supporting your risk management efforts * Incident analysis & IncidentXP functionality and relationship to BT models Cost: $975.00 per person includes course materials, 30-day trial licenses of BowTieXP software, lunches and breaks. A 5% additional credit card fee will be applied. For more information: terry.eisenbart@thealoftgroup.com 505.306.5326 The Aloft Group, LLC, is a U.S. firm based near Washington D.C., We are a consulting team whose principals and expert associates offer extensive experience in general risk management using BowTie methodology, airport and airline operational risk management, airport and airline field safety services, and safety performance management. For more information: www.thealoftgroup.com. Back to Top Position Available: Operations Manager Flight Data Connect Description Reporting to the Head of Global Aviation Data Management (GADM), the incumbent will manage Flight Data Connect (FDC), a commercial flight data analysis service developed by IATA for airlines to outsource their analysis activity. The incumbant will lead a small team dealing with the flight data analysis for customer airlines and providing a full FOQA/FDM service including in depth analysis and the construction of detailed flight animations. The incumbant will also develop and maintain excellent relationships with key stakeholders, suppliers and customers. Responsibilities * Accountable for the discovery of parameters that exceed agreed criteria and for communicating them to customer airlines; * Delivery of a flight data monitoring service that achieves compliance for customer airlines with ICAO FDM regulations and objectives including identification and validation of parameter 'events'; * Protecting the confidentiality of the data in the custody of FDC; * Oversee, and perform as necessary, day to day flight data analysis duties including event validation and data processing using the software tools provided by Flight Data Services (FDS); * Provide in depth analysis for any significant event(s) identified or notified by the airline, detailed flight animations and the creation of monthly trend reports, with identified trends for customer airlines; * Liaise between the customer airlines and FDS to ensure the delivery of the highest standards of customer service, system management, updates, costs and data analysis; * Develop tools and enhancements for data analysis in coordination with FDS, on behalf of customers; * Promote the IATA Flight Data Connect product at every opportunity; * Work closely with the IATA commercial team to recruit additional airline customers; * Represent IATA at international industry meetings and conferences; * Support the development of business plans; * Manage projects to ensure timely delivery of customer services and commercial products; * Manage the departmental budget, invoices, interim budget forecasts and annual budget submission. * Experience of managing customers and suppliers is an advantage; * Support the implementation of Quality Assurance Procedures; * Additional tasks as assigned by Head Global Aviation Data Management. Note: Providing FDM support for customer airlines, may include phone calls outside office hours and during weekends. Qualifications and Skills * University graduate; * Minimum of 5 years of experience in FOQA/FDM management; * Strong interpersonal skills and rapport builder; * Strong analytical and problem solving skills; * Understanding of airline flying operations, pilot's license and operational experience is an asset; * Ability to work toward tight deadlines; * Highly organized and able to work on multiple tasks simultaneously; * Excellent PC skills particularly with MS Office programs, SharePoint and business intelligence tools, with a sound knowledge of computer hardware. Programming experience an asset; * Operational knowledge and experience in the safety management functions of an airline or similar organization; * Excellent problem solving, organizational and time management skills and the ability to work autonomously; * Knowledge of ICAO and IATA IOSA standards; * Effective oral and written communication skills in English including report writing and presentation skills, with knowledge of an additional language being an asset; * Leadership experience in a culturally diverse environment and proficiency to motivate and encourage people in a positive manner is an asset; Candidates must possess and exhibit the following core IATA values: Be people and team oriented, focused on results, embrace innovation and change, and demonstrate leadership and personal integrity. At the heart of IATA are our Values and Behaviors. We all have different personalities, styles and areas of expertise, but you'll recognize us by the consistent way we act and behave in line with our Values and Behaviors. We are looking for people who bring them to life in everything they do - they are: * Act with integrity and uphold our standards * Think strategically in support of the global big picture * Partner and manage to create high performing teams * Putting people first by acting with a simple human touch Here at IATA we are proud of being a Diverse & Inclusive Organization - we have people from all over the world working in our offices, and we extend this to our recruiting practices. We are a meritocratic organization and an equal opportunity employer. APPLY HERE Back to Top Magnetic space tug could target dead satellites Derelict satellites could in future be grappled and removed from key orbits around Earth with a space tug using magnetic forces. This same magnetic attraction or repulsion is also being considered as a safe method for multiple satellites to maintain close formations in space. Such satellite swarms are being considered for future astronomy or Earth-observing missions - if their relative positions can stay stable they could act as a single giant telescope. To combat space debris, interest is growing in plucking entire satellites from space. The biggest challenge is to grapple and secure such uncontrolled, rapidly tumbling objects, typically of several tonnes. Multiple techniques are being investigated, including robotic arms, nets and harpoons. Now researcher Emilien Fabacher of the Institut Supérieur de l'Aéronautique et de l'Espace, part of the University of Toulouse in France, has added another method to the list: magnetic grappling. "With a satellite you want to deorbit, it's much better if you can stay at a safe distance, without needing to come into direct contact and risking damage to both chaser and target satellites," explains Emilien. Magnetic space tug could target dead satellites Darwin's formation-flying flotilla of six telescopes and communication satellites would have looked at light from space to analyse the atmospheres of Earth-like planets. "So the idea I'm investigating is to apply magnetic forces either to attract or repel the target satellite, to shift its orbit or deorbit it entirely." Such target satellites would not need to be specially equipped in advance. Instead, such a tug would influence target satellites using their 'magnetorquers': reliable electromagnets already carried to adjust orientation using Earth's magnetic field. "These are standard issue aboard many low-orbiting satellites," adds Emilien. The strong magnetic field required by the chaser satellite would be generated using superconducting wires cooled to cryogenic temperatures. Similarly satellites could also keep multiple satellites flying in precise formation, comments Finn Ankersen, an ESA expert in rendezvous and docking, formation flight. Derelict satellites could in future be grappled and removed from key orbits around Earth with a space tug using magnetic forces. "This kind of contactless magnetic influence would work from about 10-15 m out, offering positioning precision within10 cm with attitude precision 1-2º." For his PhD research, Emilien has been researching how the resulting guidance, navigation and control techniques would work in practice, combining a rendezvous simulator with magnetic interaction models, while also taking account of the ever-changing state of Earth's own magnetosphere. His research has been supported through ESA's Networking/Partnering Initiative, which supports work carried out by universities and research institutes on advanced technologies with potential space applications. Emilien also visited ESA's technical centre in the Netherlands, to consult with Agency experts. Emilien recalls that the concept originally came out of discussion with ESA experts, and he was lucky enough to be in the right place at the right time to explore its feasibility: "The first surprise was that it was indeed possible, theoretically - initially we couldn't be sure, but it turns out that the physics works fine." https://phys.org/news/2017-06-magnetic-space-dead-satellites.html#jCp Back to Top Graduate Research Survey Request Dear Participants, I am writing to you in connection with my final thesis that is part of a masters degree Air Transport Management at City University London (School of Engineering and Mathematical Studies). The topic of the thesis is "Flight Crew Engagement". I am asking pilots to take part in a survey (10 minutes only). The general definition of engagement taken into account for this study evolves around the state of mind we have in our jobs as pilots; in other words, the amount of energy we feel we can put into, how dedicated we are to it and finally how much capacity we have to absorb and take into account all the different facets and frustrations of our day to day job. The way a company deals with staff in general (company DNA) and the pilot population in particular, influences (positive and negative) this engagement level and thus our daily lives and the company performance. The main aim of the study is to define engagement in the context of our job as pilots. The key results of this definition should clearly specify what drives pilots to be engaged. Where I understand that FRMS has to focus on sleep and work patterns; the energy that we as pilots can bring to the job, does not just depend on how much we sleep but also very much on our state of mind. Finally, the airline industry has been sub-marginal for the last 25 years and will remain so for the coming decades. The airlines that can ultimately survive will be the ones that can pull all of the business levers, instead of only one, such as only cost side improvements, only government subsidies or only cheap fuel. Flight Crew Engagement is something I am exploring in this thesis, which I hope will be of benefit to us all and give airlines another tool to holistically optimise the business model. For this study I am soliciting your help: validating assumptions and conclusions are an integral part of an academic study. This validation is done by means of a survey, determining exactly what the perceptions and engagement levels are of Pilots. This survey is completely anonymous (has been approved by the ethics commission of City University London) and confidential. Following is the link. https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/pilotsengagementS Best regards, Hendrik van Griethuysen Curt Lewis