Flight Safety Information January 25, 2018 - No. 019 In This Issue Incident: Gulf A320 at Bahrain on Jan 24th 2018, slat problem on departure Incident: Norwegian B788 over Atlantic on Jan 24th 2018, captain incapacitated Accident: Expressjet E145 en route on Jan 23rd 2018, turbulence injures flight attendant Incident: Algerie A332 at Algiers on Jan 23rd 2018, bird strike Colombia bans SkyBus Cargo after unsafe takeoff from Rionegro/Medellín Airport Helicopter comes down hard on Fort Lauderdale street Q400 stick-shake in cruise traced to component fault Pegasus to write off Trabzon excursion 737 Indonesia's govt cracks down on pilot schools to boost air safety Air France stops identity checks on passengers boarding its flights Report: ADS-B is a Cyber Risk to US Military Aircraft NUAIR applies to participate in FAA program Etihad grounds 5 cargo planes, pilots asked to take unpaid leave How to Become a Firefighter Pilot General Dynamics Surges as Gulfstream G650 Jet Orders Jump New PC24 Private Jet Designed By Philippe Starck To Take Off This Summer Nasa could pull out of ISS after Trump administration hints at dropping funding by 2025 Cancel:...2018 ISASI Military Air Safety Workshop GRADUATE RESEARCH SURVEY - 1 GRADUATE RESEARCH SURVEY - 2 GRADUATE RESEARCH SURVEY - 3 ISASI Kapustin Memorial Scholarship Applications Due in April 2018 ACSF Symposium New HFACS workshops for 2018 Save the Date ISASI PNRC KICK-OFF EVENT FOR 2018 (Seattle) Call for Papers - ISASI 2018 Incident: Gulf A320 at Bahrain on Jan 24th 2018, slat problem on departure A Gulf Air Airbus A320-200, registration A9C-AM performing flight GF-19 from Bahrain (Bahrain) to Paris Charles de Gaulle (France), was in the initial climb out of Bahrain's runway 12L when the crew stopped the climb at 5000 feet due to the slats not retracting. The aircraft returned to Bahrain for a safe landing on runway 12L about 35 minutes after departure. A replacement A320-200 registration A9C-AN reached Paris with a delay of 2 hours. http://avherald.com/h?article=4b40c09a&opt=256 Back to Top Incident: Norwegian B788 over Atlantic on Jan 24th 2018, captain incapacitated A Norwegian Long Haul Boeing 787-800, registration LN-LNE performing flight DY-7042 (Dep Jan 23rd) from Fort Lauderdale,FL (USA) to Copenhagen (Denmark) with 266 people on board, was enroute over the Atlantic Ocean about 3 hours before reaching the Irish west coast, when the first officer declared PAN reporting a crew member had become incapacitated. The first officer, assisted by another pilot on board, diverted the aircraft to Shannon (Ireland) for a safe landing. The captain, who suffered multiple seizures, was taken to a hospital. The aircraft remained on the ground for about 4 hours, then continued and reached Copenhagen with a delay of 3.5 hours. The airline reported the captain fell ill and was replaced in Shannon. The flight resumed afterwards. http://avherald.com/h?article=4b40bfbc&opt=256 Back to Top Accident: Expressjet E145 en route on Jan 23rd 2018, turbulence injures flight attendant An Expressjet Embraer ERJ-145 on behalf of United, registration N13978 performing flight XE-4204/UA-4204 from Cleveland,OH to Washington National,DC (USA), was enroute at FL270 when the aircraft encountered turbulence causing a flight attendant to strike the head against the cabin ceiling. The aircraft continued to Washington for a safe landing. The FAA reported the flight attendant received unknown injuries when the aircraft encountered turbulence enroute. https://flightaware.com/live/flight/UAL4204/history/20180123/1400Z/KCLE/KDCA http://avherald.com/h?article=4b40b58e&opt=256 Back to Top Incident: Algerie A332 at Algiers on Jan 23rd 2018, bird strike An Air Algerie Airbus A330-200, registration 7T-VJZ performing flight AH-1002 from Algiers (Algeria) to Paris Charles de Gaulle (France), was departing Algiers when birds impacted the aircraft, felt by the captain. The crew received abnormal engine (CF6) indications during climb out, stopped the climb and returned to Algiers for a safe landing. The airline reported maintenance confirmed the aircraft needed maintenance. The passengers disembarked and embarked another aircraft, which delivered them to Paris. A replacement Airbus A330-200 registration 7T-VJX reached Paris with a delay of 3 hours. http://avherald.com/h?article=4b409782&opt=256 Back to Top Colombia bans SkyBus Cargo after unsafe takeoff from Rionegro/Medellín Airport Date: 21-JAN-2018 Time: Type: McDonnell Douglas DC-8-73CF Owner/operator: SkyBus Cargo Registration: OB-2059P C/n / msn: 45990/375 Fatalities: Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: Other fatalities: 0 Airplane damage: None Location: Rionegro/Medellín-José María Córdova Airport (MDE/SKRG) - Colombia Phase: Take off Nature: Cargo Departure airport: Rionegro/Medellín-José María Córdova Airport (MDE/SKRG) Destination airport: Miami Narrative: A SkyBus Cargo DC-8-73CF cargo plane experienced a very long takeoff roll at Rionegro/Medellín-José María Córdova Airport in Colombia. The aircraft became airborne just short of the end of runway 01 and climbed away safely. Takeoff Distance Available for runway 01 is 3700 meters, consisting of 3500 meters of paved runway and a 200 meter grass clearway. The final 2000 meters of the runway has a 0,78% upslope. Elevation of the runway end is 2141 meters. Terrain rises to an elevation of about 2170 meters within 1500 meters of the runway end. The Colombian authorities, Aerocivil, investigated the occurrence and decided to ban SkyBus Cargo from further flights into Colombia, starting January 24. In a statement, Aerocivil reported that the captain of the aircraft self-dispatched instead of using the services of Tampa Cargo, which was authorized to provide the dispatch services at Rionegro. VIDEO: https://twitter.com/AviationSafety/status/956253469991735301?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=http%3A%2F%2Faviation- safety.net%2Fwikibase%2Fwiki.php%3Fid%3D205025 http://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/wiki.php?id=205025 Back to Top Helicopter comes down hard on Fort Lauderdale street As if South Florida traffic weren't already a hassle, a small helicopter made an emergency landing on a downtown Fort Lauderdale street during rush hour Wednesday afternoon. Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue Department tweeted that the helicopter took a "hard landing" but that no one was hurt - not its two passengers nor anyone on the ground. But the landing just after 5 p.m. has affected traffic downtown at 350 SE Second Ave. Video from Sky 10 showed the small chopper is a Schweizer 296C-1. The helicopter is registered to Helocraft Holdings Co. in Pembroke Pines, according to the station. http://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/broward/article196478524.html Back to Top Q400 stick-shake in cruise traced to component fault Canadian investigators believe a failed vane heater led to an apparently-false stick-shaker incident on a Bombardier Q400 during cruise. The Jazz aircraft had been operating between Toronto and Timmins, Ontario, on 14 January. Transportation Safety Board of Canada says the aircraft (C-FPON) was cruising at 22,000ft at an airspeed of 190kt when the autopilot disconnected and the control column "started shaking fore and aft". It says airspeed was reduced to 160kt and the controls returned to normal. The crew declared an emergency and diverted to Sudbury, where the aircraft landed without further incident. Maintenance personnel found no faults with the flight controls but an inspection of the stall-warning system determined that a stall vane heater had failed. Specialists suspected that the failure had led to a false stick-shaker alert. Engineers disabled the system and found no further faults during a test flight, and the aircraft was returned to service with a minimum equipment list amendment. www.flightglobal.com Back to Top Pegasus to write off Trabzon excursion 737 Turkish carrier Pegasus Airlines is to write off the Boeing 737-800 involved in a runway excursion at Trabzon airport on 13 January. According to a report given by Boeing and CFM International to the relevant insurance company, the aircraft (TC-CPF) will be scrapped. It suffered substantial damage after departing the runway during landing and tipping over a cliff slope, losing one of its engines in the process. All 162 passengers and six crew members survived the accident. The aircraft was delivered new to Pegasus in 2012. www.flightglobal.com Back to Top Indonesia's govt cracks down on pilot schools to boost air safety Soekarno-Hatta airport in Jakarta. JAKARTA - Indonesia's government is cracking down on poor-quality flying schools as part of efforts to address the lack of competency among newly graduated pilots - a crucial factor in boosting the country's air safety record, The Jakarta Post reported. The Transportation Ministry said it has found eight schools - out of 18 currently in business - that cannot meet the basic requirements of operation as outlined in a newly passed ministerial decree. These requirements included the ownership of at least five aircraft, including one multi-engine aircraft for student training. Of these, it has closed down two schools, while giving time for the rest to comply with the new rules until Feb 8. Failure to do so will result in similar closures. "I urge the schools to merge so that their aircraft fleets can be combined and they can also provide better education and yield better output," Transportation Minister Budi Karya Sumadi said on Wednesday (Jan 24). Poor skills, coupled with lower demand for pilots in recent years, has left about 600 pilots unemployed, according to an estimate. To cope with the current problem, the ministry has held courses for 330 unemployed pilots who lack basic aviation knowledge, such as aviation law, flight performance and navigation. Budi also requested airlines to offer a number of these pilots internship programs to increase their chances of employment. He also warned that because of concerns over the quality of the graduates, it would be harder to establish new pilot schools. Indonesia, one of the world's fastest-expanding commercial aviation markets, has been struggling to improve its safety record despite achieving a better position in the latest International Civil Aviation Organisation assessment on the implementation of safety regulations. The European Union banned all Indonesia-based carriers from flying in the bloc's airspace in 2007 following a series of accidents. So far, it has only lifted the prohibition on specific airlines. Airlines in Indonesia say they, too, have encountered problems finding qualified pilots. Daniel Putut, the managing director of Indonesia's largest low-cost carrier Lion Air, recalled that when his firm sought 150 pilots in December, only two candidates were qualified and passed all the tests. "We encourage future pilots to be well-prepared," he said. Fellow low-cost airline Citilink said it also struggled to find competent pilots to match its requirements. Currently, most candidates cannot pass written tests, its president director Juliandra Nurtjahjo said. "A number of them have also failed (flight) simulator tests as they require a lot of practice," he said, adding that despite such high a failure rate, the airline would not lower standards as it prioritised aviation safety. The CEO of privately run Perkasa Flying School, Septo Sudiro, said he understood the government's concerns, and has tried to address them by applying higher prerequisites for pilot schools to cope with airlines' demands. He said the fall in demand for pilots - from 600 in 2015 to only 300 in 2017 -was a result of the lower number of aircraft coming in to the country. "I think demand will pick up again in 2018 and 2019," Septo said. But aviation expert Gerry Soejatman said there was no easy answer to the pilot-education issue. "Why are all the problems blamed on the schools? The standards are set by the government. If there is a gap between the standards and what airlines demand, it's hardly their fault," he said. http://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/indonesias-govt-cracks-down-on-pilot-schools-to-boost-safety Back to Top Air France stops identity checks on passengers boarding its flights Air France has stopped carrying out a final identity check to make sure that the same name is present on passengers' passports and their boarding passes, raising concerns over flight safety from unions and local authorities. The measure, which was taken on January 22nd, affects flights within France and the EU's Schengen zone and will also be applied to Air France's budget airlines Hop! and Transavia. And while many are surprised by the change in procedure, the airline has defended itself, saying that since France's state of emergency was lifted in November last year (it has since been replaced by a tough anti-terrorism law) it is not obliged to carry out the check. "The procedure to verify that the name mentioned on the passenger's boarding pass corresponds to that of the passenger's identity card has been obsolete since November 1st," a spokesperson for the airline told Le Figaro. "It was a measure that we had temporarily put back in place in 2016. Now that the state of emergency has been lifted, we have returned to what we were doing before." And the company's Director of Air Security Gilles Leclair has also come out in defense of the move, arguing that this final check before people board the plane does not constitute a security check. "The people who come to the boarding gate are supposed to be secure, since they have been screened and undergone the usual checks, including an X-ray of their carry-on bags and sometimes a check for traces of explosives," he told Europe 1. "If the people arriving to board the plane are not in possession of the correct identity, they do not constitute a safety problem when they board the plane." Despite this, it might take a bit more convincing for others to get on board, with the President of Air France's pilots union SPAF, Grégoire Aplincourt, expressing concern over the move. "With this measure, you could have a passenger on the plane who is attempting to commit a malicious act. Fortunately, baggage is screened, but overall, you could have a passenger who has had someone else buy his ticket for the wrong reasons." The Mayor of Nice Christian Estrosi also came out against the change in the boarding process, calling it "unacceptable" and asking for the measure to "re-established at all the companies." https://www.thelocal.fr/20180124/air-france-stops-identity-checks-on-passengers-boarding-its-flights Back to Top Report: ADS-B is a Cyber Risk to US Military Aircraft ADS-B airspace. Photo courtesy of the FAA U.S. Defense Department officials have yet to address known cybersecurity risks associated with a military aircraft tracking tool and have only two years before the system must be fully integrated, according to a Government Accountability Office (GAO) report published Jan. 18. The ADS-B Out tracking tool, part of an FAA program to provide transparency on military aircraft, falls short of fully protecting operational information from adversaries and remains vulnerable to electronic warfare and cyberattacks, according to the report. Since 2008, the Defense Department and the FAA "have identified a variety of risks related to ADS-B Out technology that could adversely affect DOD security and missions," the GAO wrote in its report. "However, they have not approved any solutions to address these risks." Defense has until 2020 to equip its aircraft with ADS-B Out in an effort to upgrade its radar systems and provide increased transparency. The program is part of the FAA NextGen initiative to modernize radar-driven, ground-based air transportation systems to satellite-driven space-based systems. The U.S. Senate tasked GAO with assessing Defense's plan to address known vulnerabilities with ADS-B Out, which provides real- time information on an aircraft's location, velocity and airframe dimensions. Concern has been raised about the satellite-based ADS-B Out technology's potential to pose operational risk if adversaries are able to expose the positions of military aircraft. "DOD and FAA have drafted a memorandum of agreement that focuses on equipping aircraft with ADS-B Out but does not address specific security risks," the report said. "Unless DOD and FAA focus on these risks and approve one or more solutions in a timely manner, they may not have time to plan and execute actions that may be needed before Jan. 1, 2020 - when all aircraft are required to be equipped with ADS-B Out technology." Defense has only fully implemented two of the eight initiatives included in the NextGen program from 2007 and has yet to finalize a mitigation plan for addressing cyber risks with ADS-B Out, according to the report. One of the initiatives Defense has yet to address is devising a cohesive plan for integrating defense-wide components needed to properly secure ADS-B across all military aircraft. "As a result of DOD not fully implementing the 2007 NextGen memorandum, DOD components have lacked direction and cohesion while trying to address FAA's requirement to equip military aircraft," GAO said. GAO recommends Defense and the FAA approve at least one solution for the time being to solve known ADS-B security risks. http://www.aviationtoday.com/2018/01/24/report-ads-b-cyber-risk-u-s-military-aircraft/ Back to Top NUAIR applies to participate in FAA program ROME - Northeast UAS Airspace Integration Research Alliance (NUAIR) has applied to participate in the Federal Aviation Administration's UAS Integration Pilot Program, according to Sen. Charles Schumer's office. "NUAIR and their outstanding team has put Central New York and the Mohawk Valley on the map as a leader in UAS research and testing - and being designated by the FAA to participate in the prestigious UAS Integration Pilot Program will launch the region's efforts to the next level," Schumer said in a statement. "The Pilot Program helps the federal government accelerate safe, efficient UAS integration into our national airspace, and there is no better application to help achieve that mission than NUAIR. This designation would be a win-win for the both region and our nation: as routine activities are transformed by UAS technology NUAIR and its partners are uniquely positioned to provide the FAA with actionable information to improve the safety of our skies . In turn, the region can continue to attract top talent and unlock new economic opportunities as they remain at the center of this emerging industry." The program allows for state, local and tribal governments to partner with private sector entities to help move forward the integration of unmanned aerial systems into the national airspace. It also allows for work on more advanced operations with drones, such as beyond visual line-of-sight or over people, according to the United States Department of Transportation's website about the program. Since roughly 2013, NUAIR has been one of the six UAS test sites in the country, which allows researchers to do work on advancing technology in the drone industry. NUAIR already is working on flying drones beyond a visual line of site, which would be further advanced by the designation from the FAA, Schumer said. "The IPP will enable New York State to build off of the existing and longest-funded UAS Traffic Management program in the United States and enable Central New York and the Mohawk Valley continue to grow it's emerging UAS industry," Schumer said in his letter to Daniel Elwell, acting administrator for the FAA. "As technologies and safety cases are validated in the corridor, the partners will then leverage these successes into other designated geographic focus areas in New York and Massachusetts as approved by the FAA." http://www.uticaod.com/news/20180124/nuair-applies-to-participate-in-faa-program Back to Top Etihad grounds 5 cargo planes, pilots asked to take unpaid leave A cargo aircraft operated by Etihad Airways is seen from a control tower as it sits in a parking bay at Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGI) in New Delhi on July 18, 2016. Etihad confirmed to Reuters it has grounded its Airbus freighter fleet. Etihad Airways has grounded its five Airbus freighters, and is asking its pilots to take unpaid leave as it continues to rethink its strategy, the airline and sources told Reuters on Wednesday. The state-owned Gulf carrier has been reviewing its business since 2016 after billions of dollars spent buying stakes in other airlines failed to deliver substantial returns. This contributed to a $1.87bn loss in 2016, its first loss since 2010. Etihad confirmed to Reuters it has grounded its Airbus freighter fleet, five A330 Freighters, and that it had opted to operate an all- Boeing 777 Freighter fleet. It declined to comment on whether it had offered pilots unpaid leave. "This freighter is the right aircraft for our long-term requirements," Peter Baumgartner, the chief executive of Etihad's airline operations, said in an e-mail to Reuters. Etihad operates five Boeing 777 Freighters. The Abu Dhabi-based airline is considering selling or leasing the Airbus freighters, one of the sources said. Etihad's cargo operation slowed in 2016 to report flat growth of 596,000 tonnes handled. Etihad is encouraging pilots to take unpaid leave for periods as short as one week or as long as 18 months as it reviews its fleet requirements with the intention of retiring some aircraft, according to three sources. Pilots are being asked to take leave on a voluntary basis, one of the sources said. Etihad employed 2,225 pilots for a fleet of 122 jets as of February 2017, according to the most recent data on its website. Etihad has made few comments on its strategy review in which hundreds of positions have been removed and several routes cut since it was launched. http://www.gulf-times.com/story/579320/Etihad-grounds-5-cargo-planes-pilots-asked-to-take Back to Top How to Become a Firefighter Pilot * Growing demand makes aerial flame suppression a new hot zone for pilots. NPS Wildfire Ops Helicopter pilots often perform bucket drops to assist in fire suppression, as in this National Park Service operation in the Grand Canyon. National Park Service No figures on their ranks or the number of jobs exist, but demand for firefighter pilots is increasing, industry experts say. "There are opportunities, but it's not very well-organized," says Dean Talley, an air tanker captain and board member of the Associated Aerial Firefighters. In fact, operators "are having a lot of trouble filling positions," with retirements creating vacancies and brisk airline hiring draining the applicant pool, the former Coast Guard and ag pilot says. Federal agencies employ some firefighter pilots, but most work under seasonal contracts for companies the agencies hire for fire protection. The U.S. Forest Service, the largest federal contractor of aerial firefighting services, also has 52 full-time pilots, according to an agency spokesperson. The Bureau of Indian Affairs, Bureau of Land Management and National Park Service also contract aerial firefighting services, as do individual states and agencies within states. Both fixed- and rotor-wing aircraft are used. Fixed-wing platforms range from single-engine air tankers (SEATs) often adapted from crop-dusters, such as the Thrush 510 and Air Tractor 802 Fire Boss, to larger tankers (more than 3,000-gallon capacity), including jet transports repurposed for dropping massive firefighting loads. However, rotorcraft from a host of municipal agencies actually dominate the aerial fleet, though firefighting is typically just one of these helicopters' multipurpose roles. Global Super Tanker Global SuperTanker Services employs four pilots to operate its 747, the world's largest air tanker. Some pilots, rather than fire bombing, fly the King Airs or OV-10 Broncos that often serve as the observation platform for the forward air controller who directs the fire attack. Pilot backgrounds are diverse, including military, bush and airline flying, but tailwheel and low-level flying experience - the latter over terrain - are typical requisites. "It does require a natural ability at flying the airplane," says Cliff Hale, chief pilot and vice president of flight operations at Global SuperTanker Services. "There's no automation that's going to help you, so if you're the type of pilot who relies heavily on automation, it's probably not the place for you." Hale's company owns and operates Global Supertanker, a 747 converted in 2016 into the world's largest fire bomber, with a 19,000-plus-gallon capacity. To prepare for a platform like this, "Experience in underpowered, small airplanes is actually preferred," says Hale. "That's where you really learn this stuff." With no standard training program for the profession, one career path into the hot zone is serving as a pilot in an observation aircraft, then transitioning into a SEAT or the right seat of a larger tanker. The average annual salary range for a Forest Service pilot is $73,600 to $113,800. Thrush Aircraft The State of Georgia Forestry Commission recently purchased two Thrush 510G aircraft like these for fire suppression. Contract SEAT pilots have traditionally been paid by flight time, "so income is much more fluid" but can be "in the hundreds of thousands" of dollars in a busy season, says Talley. However, the SEAT fleet has been evolving to a fee-per-season contract, with "minor incentives for extra hours," providing more stable earnings. Captains on a large air tanker might earn from $100,000 in the first season to $360,000 for a senior captain, with the seasonal hiring arrangement an attraction for many firefighters. "A lot of these pilots like their winters off," says Hale. But with demand for such services in the Southern Hemisphere growing, and the extended fire season in North America, it's becoming a full-time job. "California just had its largest fire ever, and it was in the month of December," notes Hale, whose company has four pilots. "The industry is moving toward full-time [employment], with schedules of time on and off on a year-round basis." More information on firefighter pilot careers is available here. https://www.flyingmag.com/how-to-become-firefighter-pilot Back to Top General Dynamics Surges as Gulfstream G650 Jet Orders Jump * Elite business plane posts second-best sales tally since debut General Dynamics Corp. surged after orders of its Gulfstream G650 rose to the second-highest level since sales of the longest-range business jet began about a decade ago. Demand for Gulfstream's planes, including a new aircraft that begins delivery this year, will get an added boost from U.S. corporate tax cuts, Chief Executive Officer Phebe Novakovic said Wednesday. The aerospace unit of General Dynamics began delivering the G650, which carries a price tag of $67.4 million, in late 2012 after introducing the design in 2008. "So we had a nice increase in large cabin orders led by the 650 and the 650ER," Novakovic said on a conference call with analysts to discuss fourth-quarter earnings. "As we speak, there are over 280 of these aircraft in service with many early customers returning to buy another." The extra cash that companies will get from the U.S. tax overhaul is helping to push customer sentiment for purchasing a business jet to the highest level in four years, said Sheila Kahyaoglu, at analyst at Jefferies. Sales of new jets are set for an extra nudge because the inventory of used aircraft for sale is falling, she said. "The commentary on the call behind Gulfstream and the order outlook was pretty robust and that's one thing driving the enthusiasm," Kahyaoglu said. General Dynamics rose 5.7 percent to $219.27 at the close in New York, the biggest one-day gain since April 2013. Bombardier Competitor The company, which also makes Abrams tanks and nuclear submarines, is playing catch-up to other defense stocks, Kahyaoglu said. General Dynamics' price-to-earnings ratio is in line with the Standard & Poor's 500 Index, while a basket of five other defense stocks trade at a 20 percent premium, she said. The G650, the private-jet industry's largest business aircraft, will face a direct competitor for the first time with the debut of Bombardier Inc.'s Global 7000 later this year. The Global 7000 is even bigger and matches the G650's speed at just below the sound barrier, although the G650's extended-range version still flies farther. New aircraft models often spur sales, and Gulfstream's G500 is scheduled to enter service this year. Deliveries of the G600 are set to begin next year. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-01-24/general-dynamics-surges-after-jump-in-gulfstream-g650-jet-orders Back to Top New PC24 Private Jet Designed By Philippe Starck To Take Off This Summer Jenny Southan , CONTRIBUTOR Pilatus PC24 private jet The Pilatus PC24 is the world's first "super versatile jet" and will take to the skies this June when Jetfly, which exclusively commissioned Philippe Starck to design its livery and interiors, takes delivery of two of the elite aircraft, making it the European launch customer. According to Jetfly, a private aviation carrier based in Luxembourg that focuses on fractional ownership, the PC24 is "set to revolutionize the aviation marketplace" thanks to the "versatility of a turboprop, the cabin size of a medium-light jet, and the performance of a light jet." Manufacturer Pilatus says: "It's a plane that simply doesn't fit into any of the existing business jet categories. That's why we had to create a new one: the super versatile jet category." What this means is that unlike equivalent jets of its size, the Swiss-made PC24 has been engineered to go "off-road" with the capability to land on fields of grass or snowy mountainsides. What's more, it only needs runways as short as 850 meters, as opposed to 1,000 meters for other jets in its class. Pilatus says: "Its outstanding short-field performance - even on unpaved runways - opens up an incredible level of mobility." With a maximum range of 2,035km and a top speed of 440 knots, the PC24 can land at small air bases and ski resorts that might otherwise be inaccessible, in less time. Pilatus says that there are about 10,650 airports around the world that have shorter tarmac runways of just 945 meters; while there are an additional 1,050 airports that become available when you only need 856 meters of asphalt strip. However, with the PC24, you can land at an additional 20,000 airports with grass or gravel surfaces. Another unique selling point is the stylish Philippe Starck-designed livery (inspired the gold band around a cigar), which is only available on Jetfly, as well as the luxurious, spacious interior, which can seat eight passengers on soft, cream leather seats. Tables fold out from beneath the windows to create space to work or place meals. There are cubbies for iPads and bottles. The cabin also has a flat bottom floor so that you can clip in extra seats, store skis, bikes or golf clubs. It also provides maximum headroom. At the back is a cargo door so your luggage can easily be stowed. Jetfly Pilatus PC24 private jet Powered by a pair of Williams International FJ44-4A turbofan engines, the PC24 has a unique "Quiet Power Mode" that means noise from electrical systems such as air conditioning and heating are reduced. Emissions and fuel consumption are also minimized. At the moment, there are only three PC24s in existence around the world, and very few people will be able to afford to buy one outright. Through Jetfly, however, wealthy members of the public can have the chance of owning a percentage of a PC24, which allows them a certain number of flying hours per year. In 2019, Jetfly will add two more to its fleet, taking the total up to four. If you want a piece of the PC24, 70 hours a year (the share being one eighth) will cost you $1.37 million, plus a monthly management fee of €12,500. If you want to own 50% (280 hours of flying a year), it will cost $5.48 million plus a monthly management fee of €50,000. Jetfly has 70 full-time pilots and offers guaranteed availability (it currently has a fleet of 24 PC12s), any time of day or night, to its 165 ultra-high net-worth co-owners. https://www.forbes.com/sites/jennysouthan/2018/01/23/new-pc24-private-jet-designed-by-philippe-starck-to-take-off-this- summer/#77c1b19f654e Back to Top Nasa could pull out of ISS after Trump administration hints at dropping funding by 2025 A draft of a recent budget proposal hints at dropping the ISS funding before the service lifetime end of the space station. This picture of the International Space Station was photographed from the space shuttle Atlantis as the orbiting complex NASA The International Space Station (ISS) might lose support and funding from the US by 2025 if the Donald Trump-led administration has its way. A recent draft of a budget proposal, independently reviewed by the Verge, has found that the move to end support for the ISS will be part of the draft when it appears for an official budget request on 12 February. The draft may change before its presentation but according to the Verge report, sources familiar with the matter have confirmed that the directive to end funding will be part of the final proposal. While it is true that budget related proposals from the administration will first have to go through Congress for approval after thorough scrutiny, just the announcement of such an intent to withdraw support for the only science lab outside the planet could have a ripple effect, notes the report. It could be construed by the international space community as the US not being interested in the programme any more. Many other partners also need to decide whether or not they want to continue to work with Nasa and the ISS after 2024. As of now, the US government spends about $3bn (£2.1bn) to $4bn a year on the ISS, representing a total investment of over $87bn in the project that has spanned over 20 years now. It is, as the report notes, a major hub of activity and research with regards to conducting experiments in microgravity as well as studying about the human body and genetic research in outer space, in weightlessness. The last budget approval and extenesion came from the Obama administration where the budget was extended by 10 years in 2014, all the way to 2024. Congress has reportedly openly debated on what to do about the ISS once the money runs out, but they are yet to come up with a concrete plan. The report mentions that the ISS' end of operational lifetime is set to happen in 2028, and commercial space companies and researchers would like Nasa to continue funding it till then. In that time Nasa will have to figure out a way to transition to a fully commercial hub in orbit or turn to the commercial sector full time to maintain a hub in space to continue its research. The report also mentioned that commercial companies might not be able to prepare for such a mission within 2024. The Nasa Transition Authorization Act that President Trump signed in 2017 has reportedly asked the space agency to find a way to move away from majority Nasa funding for the ISS missions. The report was due to be placed with Congress by December last year, but it is not clear as to whether it was submitted or not. Only late last year, Trump directed Nasa to get to the Moon and abandon the Mars plans. The report also mentions that Congress has been trying to get out of the ISS for sometime so that more funding can be directed toward the deep space missions like the Space Launch System and a new capsule as well as the replacement for the Shuttle. The Deep Space Gateway and a space station near the Moon was also envisioned, but it is not clear as to when work will begin on them. http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/nasa-could-pull-out-iss-after-trump-administration-hints-dropping-funding-by-2025-1656574 Back to Top Cancel: 2018 ISASI Military Air Safety Workshop Due to unforeseen circumstances, the 2018 ISASI Military Air Safety Workshop has been cancelled. Please check the ISASI website for information on future Military Air Safety related events. www.isasi.org Back to Top GRADUATE RESEARCH SURVEY - 1 Ph.D. Research Survey Request - Win a $100 Amazon Gift Card Research Title: General Aviation Pilot Acceptance and Adoption of Electronic Flight Bag Technology Researcher: Troy Techau If you are you a pilot and have flown in general aviation (14 CFR § 91) in the past year, you can fill out a survey and get a chance to win a $100 Amazon gift card. I'm Troy Techau, a Ph.D. Candidate at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, and the title of my research is General Aviation Pilot Acceptance and Adoption of Electronic Flight Bag Technology. Why do some general aviation pilots choose to use electronic flight bags (EFBs), and others choose not to use EFBs during their flight operations? I'm interested in the opinions of pilots that use EFBs as well as those pilots that do not use EFBs. As an incentive for completing the survey, you'll have the option of entering a drawing to win a $100 Amazon gift card. The survey is anonymous, and should take at most 15-20 minutes. Please visit https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/efb4 to get started! Questions? Contact me at techaut@my.erau.edu, or Dr. Steven Hampton at hamptons@erau.edu. Back to Top GRADUATE RESEARCH SURVEY - 2 Attention pilots, I am currently a human factors graduate student at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University conducting a study into the effects of voice gender on pilot perceptual processes as part of my thesis research. The study is aimed at further investigating how speaker voice gender can affect an individual's perception while task saturated, specifically how different air traffic controller voice genders can affect the time it takes a pilot to perceive their instructions. All potential participants should hold no more than a private pilot certificate, be non-professional pilots, have no prior military flight experience, and be at least 18 years of age. This study requires a 30-minute in-person data collection trial to be conducted at the San Carlos Airport (SQL) in San Carlos, CA, located in the San Francisco Bay Area. For more information, please visit www.bit.ly/2FKfORA, or email Tucker Lambert at lambert5@my.erau.edu Thank you, again. Your help is greatly appreciated. Kind regards, Tucker Lambert (650) 200-8426 Back to Top GRADUATE RESEARCH SURVEY - 3 I am a student with City University in London doing my MSc in Air Transport Management and conducting a survey for academic research on the Importance of Pilot Mental Health and Peer Support Group and would be grateful if you could complete the survey below: https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/B3HGHVV Thank you in advance! Bilal Farid Back to Top ISASI Kapustin Memorial Scholarship Applications Due in April Applications for the 2018 ISASI Rudolph Kapustin Memorial Scholarship must be submitted on or before April 15, 2018, says ISASI Secretary Chad Balentine, who serves as Scholarship Committee Chairman. Balentine noted that this worthy program is designed to encourage and assist college-level students interested in the field of aviation safety and aircraft occurrence investigation. ISASI funds the Rudolf Kapustin Memorial Scholarship through donations and will provide an annual allocation of funds for the scholarship if funds are available. Applicants must be enrolled as full time students in an ISASI recognized education program, which includes courses in aircraft engineering and/or operations, aviation psychology, aviation safety and/or aircraft occurrence investigation, etc. Applicants must have major or minor subjects that focus on aviation safety/investigation. A student who has received the annual ISASI Rudolf Kapustin Memorial Scholarship will not be eligible to apply for it again. Students who wish to apply should go to http://isasi.org/Documents/Forms/ISASI%20Rudolf%20Kapustin%20Memorial%20Scholarship%20Form%20Jan%2010%202018%200923.pdf for guidelines and the application form. Chad Balentine ISASI International Secretary Kapustin Scholarship Selection Committee Chairman email: chad.balentine@isasi.org Phone: 703.689.4225 Back to Top Back to Top Back to Top ISASI PNRC KICK-OFF EVENT FOR 2018 (Seattle) To All PNRC Members: First, allow me to introduce myself, John Purvis, as the newly acting President of PNRC. I was asked to take over the reins as President, when Anna Bernhardt took a position with IATA in Montreal. The other Officers remain in place. Invitation to Attend Museum of Flight Event Following are details of an excellent opportunity to be a part of what should be an interesting panel discussion, "Safety by Design", at the Museum of Flight on Saturday, 10 February at 1:00 p.m. This event will coincide with the opening of the new J. Kenneth Higgins Aviation Safety Exhibit at the Museum. PNRC members who plan to attend will gather in the Museum's Wings Cafe at 11:30 a.m. on February 10th for lunch, social time and discussing possible PNRC program plans for 2018. Your PNRC Officers are looking for your feedback on what you might like to see by way of future efforts to expand our programs and membership. If you're able to attend Some of you may be members of the Museum of Flight - but for those who are not, the normal Museum admission fee for the February 10th event directly supports the valuable work of that great organization. The fee will allow attendance at the panel discussion, along with the other interesting events that day. But the most important event is, of course, the opening of the Museum's newest exhibit, the J. Kenneth Higgins Aviation Safety Exhibit, highlighting aviation safety and the "Safety by Design" panel discussion featuring some of the world's experts in the field. Note the panelists listed below. Following the panel, attendees will be offered small group tours of the safety kiosk and associated exhibits by a team of Museum docents. Remember . . . . Your admission allows you to visit the entire Museum that day. The Museum's new Aviation Pavilion is now open to showcase the collection's larger airplanes, such as Concorde, B-29, B-17, Boeing 247, the #3 787, the #1 727, 737 and 747, etc. Details from the Museum's website: The Museum will kick off the opening of its newest exhibit highlighting aviation safety with a panel discussion featuring some of the world's experts in the field. The new J. Kenneth Higgins Aviation Safety Exhibit is unique, laying out the many complex issues that have made commercial aviation by far the safest mode of transportation in the world. And it explains the many components of aviation safety by associating them with aircraft already on exhibit within the Museum. The panelists: * Accident investigation: John Purvis, Boeing Chief Investigator (ret) and Museum Trustee * Airspace and Operations: Captain Steve Fulton, airspace expert and Museum Trustee * Regulatory functions: Captain Thomas Imrich, FAA & Boeing test pilot (ret) * Flight Deck: Peter Morton, Boeing Flight Deck designer (ret) and Museum Trustee * Exhibit design: Cody Othoudt, Museum Exhibits principal for the Safety Exhibit o Moderator: Captain Steve Taylor, President Boeing Business Jets (ret) and Museum Trustee Following the panel, attendees will be offered small group tours of the safety kiosk and associated exhibits by a team of Museum docents. We look forward to seeing you on Saturday, February 10th! Don't forget . . . lunch at the Wings Cafe at 11:30 a.m., with the "Safety By Design" panel discussion at 1:00 p.m. If you have any questions, please let us know. John Purvis President - ISASI Pacific Northwest Regional Chapter 206-244-5958 jwpurvis@earthlink.net Curt Lewis