Flight Safety Information March 2, 2018 - No. 045 In This Issue Incident: Delta A333 at Amsterdam on Mar 1st 2018, rejected takeoff on ATC instruction Incident: Norwegian B38M at Edinburgh on Feb 28th 2018, lightning strike Incident: UPS MD11 near Yangon on Feb 28th 2018, LiOn batteries cargo fire indication Boeing-787 passenger's phone battery (likely a lithium battery) caught fire on board EVAS - Cockpit Smoke Protection Incident: TUI B788 near Dublin on Mar 1st 2018, cracked windshield Incident: Tez RJ85 at Bishkek on Mar 1st 2018, uncontained engine failure Airbus A320 Bird Ingestion (India) Twin-engine airplane crashes in Ferris; pilot walks away Inspector General Says FAA Not Doing Enough to Stop Bogus Parts from Getting on Commercial Flights SmartLynx A320 damaged by bounce during flight training ERAU Offers Free Online Course ERAU - Aviation English for Flight Training Revealed: the growing role of women in the UAE's aviation sector Government studying whether to replace aging fleet of VIP aircraft (Canada) Helicopter Industry Faces Possible Pilot, Mechanic Shortage Chinese Engineers Model An Aircraft That Can Travel Seven Times The Speed of Sound F-104 Flight Training Launches at Florida's Kennedy Space Center ATR Flight Safety Conference 2018 CHC Safety & Quality Summit...October 2-4, 2018 RESEARCH SURVEY POSITION:...AIRCRAFT MAINTENANCE INSTRUCTOR Position: Manager, Maintenance School Support ESASI Regional Seminar -Jurmala/Riga, Latvia on 23-24 May 2018 New HFACS workshop - Daytona Beach, FL - April 16th & 17th, 2018 DTI Training Inspection Authorization Renewal S A F E T Y S E M I N A R Medallion Foundation - Providing Assurance In Your Systems Incident: Delta A333 at Amsterdam on Mar 1st 2018, rejected takeoff on ATC instruction A Delta Airlines Airbus A330-300, registration N814NW performing flight DL-259 from Amsterdam (Netherlands) to Boston,MA (USA), was cleared for takeoff from Amsterdam's runway 09 and was accelerating for takeoff. An Easyjet Airbus A319-100, registration G-EZIO performing flight U2-7976 from Rome Fiumicino (Italy) to Amsterdam (Netherlands), was on final approach to Amsterdam's runway 06 cleared to land on the runway, when the crew elected to go around from low height (about 100 feet AGL) due to the approach in gusting winds having become unstable. Due to the late go around tower needed to cancel the takeoff clearance of DL-259, the crew rejected takeoff at low speed and vacated the runway at the first high speed turn off about 1300 meters down the runway. The A319 landed safely on their second approach about 12 minutes later. The A333 positioned back the holding point runway 09, departed about 30 minutes after the rejected takeoff and reached Boston with a total delay of 100 minutes. Metars: EHAM 011255Z 08021KT 050V110 CAVOK M02/M13 Q1007 NOSIG= EHAM 011225Z 08022G34KT 040V110 CAVOK M02/M13 Q1007 NOSIG= EHAM 011155Z 07023KT CAVOK M03/M13 Q1007 NOSIG= EHAM 011125Z 08021KT 050V110 CAVOK M03/M13 Q1008 NOSIG= EHAM 011055Z 08024KT 050V110 CAVOK M03/M13 Q1008 NOSIG= EHAM 011025Z 08025G35KT 050V110 CAVOK M03/M13 Q1009 NOSIG= EHAM 010955Z 08022G34KT 040V110 CAVOK M04/M13 Q1009 NOSIG= EHAM 010925Z 09021G32KT 050V120 CAVOK M05/M13 Q1010 NOSIG= EHAM 010855Z 08023KT 050V110 CAVOK M05/M13 Q1010 NOSIG= EHAM 010825Z 08021KT 040V110 CAVOK M06/M13 Q1010 NOSIG= http://avherald.com/h?article=4b58956a&opt=256 Back to Top Incident: Norwegian B38M at Edinburgh on Feb 28th 2018, lightning strike A Norwegian Air International Boeing 737-8Max, registration EI-FYF performing flight D8-1608 from Edinburgh,SC (UK) to Windsor Locks,CT (USA), was in the initial climb out of Edinburgh's runway 06 when the aircraft received a lightning strike prompting the crew to stop the climb at 8000 feet and return to Edinburgh for a safe landing on runway 06 about 20 minutes after departure. The aircraft is still on the ground in Edinburgh about 26 hours after landing back. The airline reported the aircraft returned to Edinburgh after receiving a lightning strike. The passengers were offered hotel accomodation, rebooking of the flight or a refund of the ticket. Metars: EGPH 282050Z 07021KT 0800 R06/0450 +SN BKN003CB M04/M05 Q1025 R06/490295= EGPH 282020Z 08015G26KT 1000 SN FEW005CB SCT009 M03/M06 Q1025= EGPH 281950Z 09011KT 9999 3000NE VCSH FEW018CB BKN037 M03/M07 Q1025 RESN= EGPH 281920Z 10011KT 9999 FEW029TCU M03/M08 Q1025= EGPH 281850Z 09012KT 9999 FEW020TCU SCT027 M03/M06 Q1025= EGPH 281820Z 11010KT 1000 R06/1200 SN SCT003CB SCT014 BKN022 M04/M06 Q1026 RESN= EGPH 281750Z 12009KT 4500 VCSH SCT013TCU BKN019 BKN036 M03/M06 Q1025= EGPH 281720Z 11007KT 6000 VCSH FEW008CB SCT045 M04/M06 Q1025 RESN R06/450593= EGPH 281650Z 09012KT 1000 R06/1100 SN BKN004CB M04/M05 Q1026 R06/490493= EGPH 281620Z 09019KT 0350 R06/0375 SN BKN004CB BKN014 M04/M05 Q1026 RESN= http://avherald.com/h?article=4b589133&opt=256 Back to Top Incident: UPS MD11 near Yangon on Feb 28th 2018, LiOn batteries cargo fire indication A UPS United Parcel Service McDonnell Douglas MD-11, registration N293UP performing flight 5X-3 from Hong Kong (China) to Dubai (United Arab Emirates) with 3 crew and 175,500lbs of LiOn batteries as cargo, was enroute at FL320 about 160nm southwest of Yangon (Myanmar) when the crew reported a fire indication on board. The aircraft transponder stopped transmitting. The aircraft turned around, performed an emergency descent and landed safely in Yangon. Myanmar's Home Ministry reported the aircraft with 3 crew was carrying 175.5 tons (??) of Lithium Ion batteries when it diverted to Yangon due to a fire indication. However, no fire had occurred, emergency services did detect the smell of LiOn batteries however. The pilots were taken to a local hotel. A listener on frequency reported a MD-11, callsign not understood, performed an emergency descent and diverted to Yangon in a hurry. The occurrence aircraft is still on the ground in Yangon about 38 hours after landing. http://avherald.com/h?article=4b5883e1&opt=256 Back to Top Boeing-787 passenger's phone battery (likely a lithium battery) caught fire on board Date: 01-MAR-2018 Time: ca 07:00 LT Type: Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner Owner/operator: Air Canada Registration: C-FSBV C/n / msn: 37182/617 Fatalities: Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 266 Other fatalities: 0 Airplane damage: None Location: Toronto-Pearson International Airport, ON (YYZ/CYYZ) - Canada Phase: Standing Nature: Domestic Scheduled Passenger Departure airport: Toronto-Pearson International Airport, ON (YYZ/CYYZ) Destination airport: Vancouver International Airport, BC (YVR/CYVR) Narrative: Air Canada flight AC101 was delayed for departure from Toronto-Pearson International Airport, Canada when a passenger's phone battery (likely a lithium battery) caught fire on board. The fire was immediately extinguished by crews and there was no damage to the aircraft. The passenger was treated with minor burns. https://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/wiki.php?id=206906 Back to Top Back to Top Incident: TUI B788 near Dublin on Mar 1st 2018, cracked windshield A TUI Airways Boeing 787-800, registration G-TUIA performing flight BY-174 from Manchester,EN (UK) to Cancun (Mexico), was enroute at FL290 about 10nm north of Dublin (Ireland) when the crew reported a cracked windshield and subsequently decided to divert to London Gatwick,EN (UK). The aircraft initially maintained FL290, then descended to FL120 over 25 minutes and entered a hold. The aircraft landed safely at Gatwick about 90 minutes after departure from Manchester and about 60 minutes after leaving FL290. The airline confirmed the aircraft diverted to Gatwick due to a damaged windscreen. http://avherald.com/h?article=4b58654c&opt=256 Back to Top Incident: Tez RJ85 at Bishkek on Mar 1st 2018, uncontained engine failure A Tez Jet Avro RJ-85, registration EX-27005 performing flight TEZ-107 from Bishkek to Batken (Kyrgyzstan) with 96 people on board, was climbing through about FL200 when the outboard left engine (LF507, #1) suffered an uncontained failure. The crew shut the engine down and returned to Bishkek for a safe landing on runway 08 about 35 minutes after departure. The left hand engines seen after landing (Photo: AKIPress): http://avherald.com/h?article=4b585d2d&opt=256 Back to Top Airbus A320 Bird Ingestion (India) Date: 01-MAR-2018 Time: ca 18:40 LT Type: Airbus A320-232 (WL) Owner/operator: IndiGo Registration: VT-IFV C/n / msn: 5829 Fatalities: Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: Other fatalities: 0 Airplane damage: Unknown Location: Mumbai-Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport (BOM/VABB) - India Phase: Initial climb Nature: Domestic Scheduled Passenger Departure airport: Mumbai-Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport (BOM/VABB) Destination airport: Kolkata-Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport (CCU/VECC) Narrative: IndiGo flight 6E395, an Airbus A320, returned to land at Mumbai-Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport in India after suffering engine issues on departure. The aircraft took off from runway 27 at 18:39 hours (13:09 UTC). It circled back and performed a safe landing back on runway 27 at 18:58. Initially, local media reported that the engine issues were a result of bird ingestion. The Times of India reported that IndiGo said that the flight had to return to Mumbai "due to a technical glitch (oil chip in one engine) in the aircraft". At the same time, there were strong vibrations and compressor stalls in engine no. 1. Vibration, compressor surge and stall and chip captions are all symptoms associated with engine bird ingestion. https://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/wiki.php?id=206908 Back to Top Twin-engine airplane crashes in Ferris; pilot walks away A pilot safely executed an emergency landing in a muddy field after losing power somewhere over Ferris Thursday afternoon. The crash, which he walked away from, occurred at about 11 a.m. near the 100 block of Cochise Drive. A Federal Aviation Administration statement says the pilot of the Beechcraft B-60 was alone and suffered minor injuries in the crash. FAA spokesman Lynn Lunsford said the pilot reported both engines lost power on a flight from Addison Airport to Mexia. Resident Karina Montelongo heard the sound of the crash while she was inside her home adjacent to the crash site. "I heard a sound similar to when a garbage truck moves the containers except the difference is that it was louder. It kind of shook a little bit, enough to where it woke up the little one," Montelongo said. "We went out and looked and saw the plane out there nearly in our backyard. The good thing is that he was OK and nobody was hurt." Montelongo stated she noticed first responders having a difficult time getting emergency vehicles to the crash site due to its muddy conditions. She then allowed emergency personnel to use the family's four-wheelers. The crash took place in a field near the 100 block of Cochise Drive on Thursday On scene, the nose of the Beechcraft B-60 appeared to have been torn off and the left engine could be seen in several large pieces. According to the Global Air website, the Beechcraft B-60 Duke is a twin-engine fixed-wing aircraft with retractable tricycle landing gear and a pressurized cabin. The plane has a range of 790-850 nautical miles with a service ceiling of 30,000 feet. The FAA website states that the plane - first manufactured in 1982 - had a current certification through June 30, 2019, stated an Associated Press report. It shows the owner of the plane as Mike and Mayo Partners LP out of Dallas. The crash remains under investigation by the FAA. http://www.waxahachietx.com/news/20180301/twin-engine-airplane-crashes-in-ferris-pilot-walks- away Back to Top Inspector General Says FAA Not Doing Enough to Stop Bogus Parts from Getting on Commercial Flights The Department of Transportation's Inspector General says the "FAA's oversight of industry actions to remove unapproved parts (from the nation's aviation system) is ineffective," and the agency "cannot be assured that unapproved parts ... no longer pose a threat to safety" for the traveling public. That OIG report has prompted ranking member of the U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, Rep. Peter DeFazio, (D-Oregon), to vow to crack down on unapproved airplane parts that he says pose a safety risk to the flying public. The inspector general's report echoes a series of stories by NBC Bay Area's Investigative Unit that first aired in 2016. The Investigative Unit's reporting found thousands of unapproved parts made their way onto and into the systems of commercial aircrafts. NBC Bay Area also found aviation suppliers and manufacturers who continued to sell unapproved parts even after receiving FAA sanctions. California Company Continued to Sell Bogus Aircraft Parts Despite FAA Cease-and-Desist Order "We really need to pay a lot more attention to this. How parts are manufactured and tracked throughout their life and ultimately destroyed at the end so they can't be snuck back into the part stream," DeFazio told NBC Bay Area. Concerned about the FAA's oversight or lack thereof, DeFazio was the one who asked the Inspector General's Office to audit the FAA's suspected unapproved parts program. "I don't understand what's going on at the FAA. I asked for that report to see if we have made progress in the last 20 years, and it appears that very little has been made," DeFazio said. "One critical component that isn't up to manufacturer's standards could take down a plane mid-air." The audit criticized the FAA for a lack of recordkeeping, management control, and inaccuracies in tracking unapproved parts. For these reasons, FAA cannot be assured that unapproved parts have been removed from the system and no longer pose a threat to safety.DOT OIG CHINESE PARTS ON AMERICAN PLANES Officials at the Inspector General's Office aren't the only ones raising safety concerns about unapproved parts ending up in commercial airplane systems. Industry whistleblower Charles Shi, who worked for an aviation parts supplier for Boeing aircraft, believes the problem of unapproved parts is worse than the FAA acknowledges. Shi worked as a quality control inspector based in China, overseeing parts made for Boeing aircraft. During his inspections, Shi says he found that parts outsourced to another third party Chinese supplier were made with inferior materials that were not "baked" long enough to harden appropriately during production. "You need to bake the parts to get the hydrogen out of the parts. So the parts can still be solid with integrity. Otherwise the hydrogen goes into the parts that can make the parts thin and brittle so the parts can fail," Shi told NBC Bay Area. The parts in question are components in a Boeing 777's spoiler system, which allows an airplane to take off and land safely. Shi took his safety concerns to the FAA. According to documents from an FAA whistleblower investigation, officials confirmed that hundreds of parts used on Boeing 777's were manufactured in violation of FAA standards and that documents were "fabricated" by a third party Chinese supplier to conceal the violation. Even so, the FAA still allowed Boeing to install the parts "as is." Those parts remain on Boeing aircraft to this day. On March 14, 2016 Charles Shi filed a whistleblower complaint with the FAA alleging substandard materials and processes were used by a Chinese manufacturer to produce parts intended for Boeing aircraft. A spokesperson for Shi's former employer, Moog Inc., said the parts in question were tested and determined to meet specifications. "There have been no reported issues with these parts. The FAA investigated and determined all necessary corrective actions had been taken," the spokesman said. A spokesperson for Boeing said the company also found no issues with the parts in question, stating: "The safety of the flying public is Boeing's primary concern, and any allegation related to safety is thoroughly investigated. In late 2016, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration investigated allegations related to suppliers to Moog. Boeing cooperated fully. The FAA investigations, as well as Boeing and Moog, found no evidence of a safety risk related to these allegations. Any claim otherwise is false." SUSPECTED UNAPPROVED PARTS "A lot of our airlines have outsourced their heavy maintenance to overseas where, you know, one criminal could put in a part that's going to cause a critical failure in that plane. One terrorist could put in a part that intentionally is going to fail," DeFazio said. FAA records analyzed by the Investigative Unit revealed incidents like these happen more often than the public is aware. Investigation reports and unapproved part notifications found more than 2,800 individual airplanes that had unapproved parts discovered on them since 2011, including on U.S. commercial air carriers. Former Acting FAA Administrator Joseph Del Balzo believes the agency could do more to root out bogus parts from the industry. "I don't think anybody really knows how serious the issue really is," Del Balzo told NBC Bay Area. Through his firm, JDA Aviation Technology Solutions, Del Balzo helps train inspectors how to identify bogus parts. "The FAA certainly doesn't have the resources to go out and get the data. ... I don't think anybody knows how serious the issue really is." FAA ENFORCEMENT FAA Acting Administrator Daniel K. Elwell told the Investigative Unit his agency is reviewing the inspector general's recommendations while also touting his agency's safety track record. "There has not been a commercial passenger fatality in the U.S. in nine years. It's an amazing safety record that is borne from a collaborative approach to safety," Elwell said. FAA Acting Administrator Daniel K. Elwell As a former commercial pilot, Elwell said he does not believe unapproved parts pose a safety risk to the flying public. "I've been flying for longer than I care to admit and was recently checked out again. So if I had a concern about it, I wouldn't be flying," Elwell told NBC Bay Area. Meanwhile, DeFazio said he is working to strengthen regulations that would allow investigators to more easily identify legitimate aviation parts. "I want to see every part indelibly marked at the manufacturer, tracked throughout its lifespan and disposed of properly at the end of its lifespan." If you have a tip for the Investigative Unit, give us a call at 1-888-996-8477, or you can reach us via email at TheUnit@nbcbayarea.com https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/FAAs-Inspector-General-Says-Agency-Not-Doing-Enough- to-Stop-Bogus-Parts-from-Getting-on-Commercial-Flights-475352673.html Back to Top SmartLynx A320 damaged by bounce during flight training Estonian investigators are probing a landing incident involving an Airbus A320 during a training flight at Tallinn. The SmartLynx Estonia aircraft (ES-SAN) had seven people on board and, on 28 February, was conducting approach and landing exercises. But 5h into the programme, at 17:04, the aircraft carried out an approach to runway 08 but failed to gain altitude and impacted the runway, says Estonian safety investigation authority OJK. It became airborne and turned left, conducting an emergency landing on the opposite-direction runway. The jet suffered an excursion and damage to its undercarriage during the event, says OJK. SmartLynx says the flight experienced "technical difficulties" during the landing. It says the aircraft was manufactured in 2000 and had logged just over 45,000h. Its seven occupants comprised two pilots, four trainees and an inspector from the Estonian civil aviation administration. All were safely evacuated but two crew members were briefly hospitalised, although they did not suffer serious injuries. Engineers replaced the damaged wheels of the aircraft and it was towed to the ramp at 07:40 today. Tallinn airport's operator - which had imposed short-runway restrictions after the event - says it was able to restore full-length runway operations by 08:00. SmartLynx says it is co-operating with the inquiry and adds: "All our aircraft are checked regularly according to the strictest procedures and we want to emphasise that the safety of our passengers and crew is our highest priority." https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/smartlynx-a320-damaged-by-bounce-during-flight- train-446353/ Back to Top ERAU Offers Free Online Course Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University is offering a free, two-week online class focusing on aircraft maintenance, running from Feb. 26 to March 11. The course, which is open to the public, will be taught by ERAU faculty as well as experts from the aviation industry. "Our students will get a real- world look at the industry, from multiple perspectives," said Bettina Mrusek, lead faculty member for the course. "We are not only focused on the maintenance technician, but also on those supervising and leading them." Coursework will be available for students to watch lectures and work on assignments on their own timetable, the university says, with lots of peer-to-peer interaction outside of the online classroom. Registration is open now. "As the industry changes and adapts to new environments, we have to educate ourselves on how to successfully navigate those challenges, to make the most out of potential opportunities," said Mrusek. ERAU also offers a free online course, "Introduction to Aviation," with nine lessons that cover the basics of aerodynamics, airspace, weather and more. Students can enroll anytime and work at their own pace. https://www.avweb.com/avwebflash/news/ERAU-Offers-Free-Online-Course-230303-1.html Back to Top ERAU - Aviation English for Flight Training June 4 - 29, 2018, 30 hours/week ERAU Miami Campus Website: http://proed.embry-riddle.com/courses/aviation-english-for-flight-training/ Course Overview (from the website): Designed for students who do not speak English as their native language, the Aviation English for Flight Training Program is a great way to prepare for the high communicative demands of flight training, including communication with Air Traffic Control during flight operations, with flight instructors both on the ground and in the flight deck, and with instructors and peers in the ground school classroom. With an experienced language teacher, students study foundational topics related to flying, such as aircraft systems, aerodynamics, airport operations, aviation weather, ATIS broadcasts, and more. Students engage with interesting aviation content for two reasons: to build their aviation knowledge and to develop their language proficiency. This four-week, 120-hour intensive English course utilizes authentic flight training materials to focus on the six ICAO language skills: Interaction, Comprehension, Vocabulary, Structure, Pronunciation, and Fluency. https://proed.erau.edu/courses/aviation-english-for-flight-training/ Back to Top Revealed: the growing role of women in the UAE's aviation sector How the UAE is bucking Middle East by employing more women as pilots, engineers and air traffic controllers The UAE is bucking a regional trend by employing more women in its aviation industry, a senior official has said. Compared to other countries in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, the UAE has more women pilots, captains, aircraft engineers, mechanics, aircraft maintenance and air traffic controllers, state news agency WAM reported. Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, chairman of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority and chief executive of Emirates Group, said: "Women have played a key role in the success and development of the aviation industry in the UAE. "With the region experiencing high passenger growth, and with more airlines, aircraft and flights in service, as well as more routes being served than ever before, there has never been a better time for women to build a successful career in the aviation industry than now." Thirteen of the 15 countries with the lowest rates of women participating in their labour force are in the MENA region, WAM said. Emirates currently employs nearly 27,000 women, making up 42 percent of the group's workforce, including women pilots who include the youngest Emirati female pilot operating the world's biggest aircraft, A380. Over 60 of more than 4,000 pilots employed by Emirates are females. Etihad Airways employs over 2,850 Emirati women covering various roles, including 50 female pilots and also the first Emirati woman registered as a specialist in aviation medicine. Over 50 percent of the airline's 13,000 strong workforce are women and the airline is keen to narrow the gender gap further. Two years ago, the UAE also became the first country in the world to launch an all-woman operated airline services company. The figures come ahead of the third Women in Aviation General Assembly which will be held on May 9 on the sidelines of The Airport Show. Jameela Al Muheiri, the first-ever woman Minister of State for Public Education and speaker at the event said: "The UAE has been a leader in women empowerment and providing employment opportunities for women, especially in aviation, a key driver of socio-economic growth. "Civil Aviation has long been a male-dominated arena, but women now have a significant presence. To flourish and thrive, the aviation industry needs to have women on board everywhere." Mervat Sultan, one of the first Arab women to obtain a flight dispatcher's licence and a co-founder and the president of the Middle East chapter of Women in Aviation International, added: "Most roles in aviation are still dominated by men around the world. We are focusing on spreading awareness about aviation as a career of choice in the region and also helping aviation companies that are keen on hiring women." Estimates from the International Society of Women Airline Pilots show that women pilots account for only three percent of the total 130,000 pilots in the world. It has been reported that only 12 out of the 248 airlines operating worldwide are currently led by women. The Saudi Air Navigation Services Company has also set in motion the process to employ women as air traffic controllers for the first time. The national carrier, Saudia, is also looking into sending Saudi women on scholarships abroad to become pilots. http://www.arabianbusiness.com/transport/391278-revealed-the-growing-role-of-women-in-the- uaes-aviation-sector Back to Top Government studying whether to replace aging fleet of VIP aircraft (Canada) Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau walks across a snow covered tarmac towards his plane as he departs Ottawa for Davos, Switzerland for the annual World Economic Forum on Monday, January 22, 2018. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Paul Chiasson OTTAWA -- Canada's "flying Taj Mahal" is getting long in the tooth and may be in line for replacement. The 31-year-old plane, used to transport the prime minister and the Governor General around the world, almost made Justin Trudeau late to see the real Taj Mahal last month after a mechanical issue during a refuelling stop in Rome delayed his flight to India. It was the latest in a string of mechanical problems plaguing the plane, including a flap issue in October 2016 that required the aircraft to return to Ottawa a half an hour after taking off. Trudeau was en route to Belgium to sign the Canada Europe free trade deal. The mechanical problem in Rome involved a damaged sensor that had already been repaired at least once. The refuelling stop lasted almost three hours instead of the usual 90 minutes. The VIP aircraft, an Airbus 310-300, is one of five planes in the Royal Canadian Air Force's fleet of CC-150 Polaris military transport planes that were originally bought by Wardair for commercial flight use in 1987 and then purchased by the air force in 1992. Four of the planes are used as military transports and two are capable of refuelling CF-18 fighter jets in flight. The fifth is used for VIP flights, including bringing the Queen to and from Canada when necessary. A senior government official said the government is studying whether it's time to replace the aging fleet. "Are the planes getting old? Yes," she said. "Are we taking a look at renewing the fleet? Yes." Renewal reviews are a normal process for all military equipment and looking at this fleet is not related to any particular incident with any of the planes. A plan outlining the timeline and process for the Polaris CC-150s is set out in a 2016 Department of National Defence work plan, which says it will cost between $500 million and $1.5 billion to replace the fleet. An analysis of the options is to be completed this year and the new planes delivered between 2026 and 2036. A decision can't be made on the Polaris replacements until Canada has made a choice on its new fighter jets, since the mid-air refuelling planes would have to be compatible with the new fighter jets. In 2013, reports showed the fleet of five CC-150s had an estimated retirement date of 2026. Byrne Furlong, press secretary to Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan, said the government is continuing to extend the life of the CC-150s by balancing their use. "Our government is committed to providing the Royal Canadian Air Force with the critical equipment it needs to be fully operational, now and in the future," she said. The VIP plane -- known officially as Can Force One -- was saddled with the Taj Mahal nickname by former Liberal leader Jean Chretien when, as Opposition leader in 1992, he objected to the cost of buying and turning the Airbus into a flying office for the prime minister. The $56-million price tag at the time included about $3 million to install a private compartment with a dining room, entertainment area, fold-out beds and a shower. After he was elected prime minister, Chretien never flew on the plane. Attempts to sell it were unsuccessful and eventually the interior was downgraded to a smaller, less lavish VIP cabin that is still in use today. It has a bed, and small sitting room and limited communications capacity. The power supply for government staff and journalists travelling along comes in the form of extension cords and power bars strung all along the cabin floor. There is no Wi-Fi and the prime minister's communication inflight is spotty and expensive. The plane itself is far less fuel-efficient than more modern alternatives and its flying range is limited, sometimes requiring multiple refuelling stops. The planes undergo heavy maintenance every six years. The last time was in 2013, when the ashtrays were finally removed from the seats, and it got a new coat of paint. That latter decision was heavily criticized when then-prime minister Stephen Harper's office made specific requests about colour and design that many said were similar to the Conservative party colours. The United States is in the midst of renewing its Air Force One fleet. President Donald Trump this week said the government had signed a deal with Boeing worth $3.9 billion for two new 747s. https://www.ctvnews.ca/politics/government-studying-whether-to-replace-aging-fleet-of-vip- aircraft-1.3825301 Back to Top Helicopter Industry Faces Possible Pilot, Mechanic Shortage HeliExpo18 Allison McKay pilot shortage Helicopter Foundation International VP Allison McKay. Photo by Mark Bennett The mood at Heli-Expo this year is expansive, which continues the trend of recent shows. New aircraft models have arrived, or will shortly, and sales appear brisk. Some markets are contracting but others expanding and, of course, more gadgets and equipment and avionics. All this excitement, all these improvements, however, are heading for some tough times - not because companies can't develop and manufacture the goods, but because the industry is facing a growing shortage of trained and experienced pilots and maintainers. And the solutions are not in place to reverse the trend. Researchers at the University of North Dakota teamed with Helicopter Foundation International and Helicopter Association International to examine available data and conduct their own surveys to examine the issue. Their results paint a picture of growing demand with trailing supply. Elizabeth Bjerke, an associate dean and professor at UND, one of the authors of the study, stressed that the data they used is more of a snapshot, from which they extrapolated their predictions, rather than a more detailed examination that would incorporate forecasts across the many industries, markets and sociopolitical forces that could affect the future. Still, based on what they learned of the recent past and the current state of affairs, they say the future is in trouble. Their predictions span the next 18 years and show a slight improvement in the deficit of available helicopter pilots in the U.S. in the next three years, though supply is still falling short of demand by more than 350 per annum. The trend out to 2036 worsens, though, with the cumulative deficit increasing to a total of 7,649 pilots at the end of the forecast period. The recent trend of pilot supply and demand has been stable, if in deficit, with an approximately equal number of pilots entering the field as have been retiring, but the ratio is expected to worsen over the next 12 years. Exacerbating the problem is commercial fixed-wing aviation, which has been seeing a resurgence of profitability. Regional airlines are actually reaching into the ranks of rotary-wing aviators and enticing them out. In the past year alone, more than 500 helicopter pilots transitioned to the regionals by, at least in part, paying for their training to fill their own ranks. Based on their survey, with 76% of respondents coming from North America, operators are having a tougher time finding and retaining qualified pilots, with 54% of operators reporting hiring pilots with less experience than in previous years and 65% reporting losing pilots to other operators, presumably for better pay or other benefits after having increased their skills and flight hours with their now-former employer. And not only do 64% of operators foresee difficulty in hiring qualified pilots, 54% believe these difficulties will probably affect their ability to grow their operations. The supply of mechanics is also expected to lag, with numbers that far outpace those of pilots. By 2036 the authors of the study project a shortage of 40,613 certificated aviation mechanics in the U.S. alone. Indeed, 67% of operators in the survey report increased difficulty in hiring qualified personnel, 60% have had to hire those with less experience and 54% expect these difficulties to interfere with their ability to grow those operations. Without minimizing the challenges, though, the report also looked at possible avenues to address the problems facing the industry. Helicopter Foundation International VP Allison McKay observed that this study "affords us the luxury, now, of knowing what the problem is. The airlines have known it longer than we have, and they have been able to create programs to address the shortage." They suggest the efforts start with outreach, exposing younger generations to the values and opportunities of rotary-wing aviation, which means reaching them where they congregate - and that means social media: YouTube, Instagram, Snapchat, etc. Further that with videos, stills and virtual reality. Then, once you have their attention and interest, there must be more support from organizations and institutions in the form of scholarships for both pilots and mechanics. This is especially so for helicopter pilots, whose training costs are double those than their fixed-wing counterparts. Once in the industry, an approach taken by fixed-wing operators is known as a defined career path, with integrated training and then operational opportunities to develop skills and build flight hours toward long-term employment in the field. Military helicopter pilots are also seen as, possibly, an untapped resource that could be encouraged to take advantage of their skills and help fill the gap, though challenges might exist with lack of currency and training for commercial, rather than military, operations. The U.S.'s GI Bill may be just one avenue to making this course a reality. The authors make particular note, though, that as this report is just a snapshot, the issues and numbers need to be monitored with data collected and analyzed in an ongoing manner, so progress can be measured and new or revised programs developed. http://www.rotorandwing.com/2018/03/01/helicopter-industry-faces-possible-pilot-mechanic- shortage/#.Wpk1eWrwaUk Back to Top Chinese Engineers Model An Aircraft That Can Travel Seven Times The Speed of Sound It's only February, and already 2018 has been marked by serious progress toward real-life versions of futuristic transportation. The SpaceX Falcon Heavy Rocket - which could soon transport Mars colonists into space - launched successfully, driverless cars are being tested on the roads, and construction of Hyperloop tubes is well underway in Dubai. Now, add to that list an innovative aircraft design that, if built into a full-size prototype, could travel the 11,000 kilometers (6,800 miles) between Beijing to New York in just two hours. According to a paper in Physics, Mechanics & Astronomy, a model of a hypersonic plane engineered at the Chinese Academy of Sciences successfully reached speeds of Mach 7 (9,000 kilometers per hour/ 5,600 miles per hour) during wind tunnel testing. To achieve the title of hypersonic, a craft must travel at Mach 5 (five times faster than the speed of sound) or above. Currently, the fastest aircraft that can take off and land on its own is the SR-71 Blackbird, flying at Mach 3.2. The challenge in creating hypersonic vehicles lies in striking a balance between a high lift-to-drag ratio and a high inner volume - essentially, the plane must have extremely aerodynamic wings and flaps that produce upwards lift without also producing too much friction in the surrounding air, while at the same time it must have enough room inside for equipment, engines, and personnel. The configuration of the I Plane model (left), compared with a previous model (right). The total length, wingspan, and height of the model are 500, 300, and 131 mm, respectively. Cai et al./Physics, Mechanics & Astronomy, 2018 As a reflection of how much this dilemma has stumped engineers, today's high-speed jets are limited to waif-like designs that carry a pilot or two, surveillance technology, plus maybe a few missiles. Amazingly, the Chinese hypersonic plane scaled to the same size as a Boeing 737 can theoretically carry one-quarter the number of passengers (50 people), while cruising up to 10 times faster. Dubbed the I Plane due to its resemblance to a capital "I", the Chinese team's model features a set of secondary, joined wings mounted on the rear that lay parallel to the stingray-like primary wings. Their study apparently demonstrates that this unique configuration provides high lift while redirecting the flight-destabilizing shock waves that occur when a craft travels faster than the speed of sound. Of course, realized versions of the I Plane could also be put to use for military purposes. Popular Science speculates that although the model came out of the Key Laboratory of High Temperature Gas Dynamics at the Chinese Academy of Sciences, it was likely developed using technology overlapping that of the People's Liberation Army Rocket Force's recently unveiled "DF-17", a hypersonic missile system with a range of 1,800 to 2,500 kilometers (1,120 to 1,550 miles). In the paper, however, the authors stick to pointing out the I Plane's promise for peaceful, tourism- related applications. http://www.iflscience.com/technology/chinese-engineers-model-an-aircraft-that-can-travel-seven- times-the-speed-of-sound/ Back to Top F-104 Flight Training Launches at Florida's Kennedy Space Center Flight training is now available in the F-104 Starfighter. The new civilian flight training program for licensed pilots is offered exclusively by commercial space marketing company Infinity Space, Inc. Ground school and in-flight instruction is provided by Starfighters, Inc., operators of the largest privately-owned fleet of F-104 aircraft. PRESS RELEASE - American businessman John Rost has become the first to complete a new FAA approved F-104 flight training program at NASA's Kennedy Space Center. The adventurer, pilot and CEO of Fiesta Insurance completed four training flights in the Mach 2+ Lockheed F-104 Starfighter, the same supersonic plane used to prepare Mercury, Gemini and Apollo astronauts for space travel. His ground school and flight training was completed at NASA's Shuttle Landing Facility (SLF), providing an opportunity to use the same runway the Space Shuttle returned to after coming back from its space missions. Rost completed his multi-day training program with Starfighters Aerospace, a privately-owned company that maintains a fleet of F-104 Starfighters approved for use in flight training and scientific testing. Starfighters Aerospace is authorized by the FAA to offer civilian space flight training from NASA's Kennedy Shuttle Landing Facility. "Wow...nothing can compare to the four training flights I've completed thus far with Starfighters at Kennedy Space Center. As a pilot, I thought it would be impossible to top the supersonic MiG-29 flight I experienced in Russia , but being able to follow in the footsteps of the Apollo Astronauts and train in the F-104 at a NASA facility is definitely the pinnacle of my flying life...I felt like Neil Armstrong," said Rost. The adventurer hopes to be one of the first civilians to fly to space. He has already conquered the Seven Summits, becoming the 35th American and 92nd individual in the world to climb the world's highest mountains. "We are pleased that John not only enjoyed his flight training in the F-104, but also learned a great deal about flying high-performance fighter aircraft and the unique physical demands of a high- altitude flight," said Infinity Space Co-Founder, Gregory Claxton. "We're proud to be partnering with Starfighters Aerospace to further commercial space efforts and bring new business to NASA's Shuttle Landing Facility." F-104 Flight Training follows a comprehensive syllabus for the purpose of type-specific training in the F-104 and is authorized by a Letter of Deviation Authority (LODA) issued to Starfighters by the FAA in September of 2017. The amount of time it takes to complete the training will vary by pilot, but is anticipated to range from three to ten days. Rost's F-104 training program started with ground school and a detailed flight safety briefing, complete with ejection seat and parachute training. He then completed four of the seven training flights required to qualify for an F-104 type rating. As part of his approved training, he experienced a high-speed vertical climb designed to simulate the high sustained g-forces of a rocket launch, and a shuttle-style approach and landing over the SLF's three-mile runway. He also performed a parabolic maneuver that produced a space-like sensation of weightlessness. "We believe the F-104 flight training program should be available to all future civilian space flight participants, but the training is currently only approved by the FAA for licensed pilots with current flight medicals," said Claxton. "Infinity Space and Starfighters Aerospace are working with government officials and hope to soon see regulations updated to allow all future space flight participants to train in "space support vehicles" like the F-104." "Updating the current regulations to allow all future space flight participants to complete this valuable training is at the top of our agenda", said Rick Svetkoff, CEO of Starfighters Aerospace. "Together with Infinity Space, we hope to further the commercialization of space support activities at Kennedy Space Center, and in the United States, which is something the space community has been waiting for far too long." Licensed pilots interested in completing F-104 flight training can apply by contacting Infinity Space at 321-282-4466 or by visiting www.flyastarfighter.com. The F-104 with its unmistakable silhouette returning from the training mission. About Infinity Space Infinity Space is a world leading Commercial Air and Space Industries consulting, advisory and marketing firm. Based in Florida it was founded by Rebecca Zgorski, a former Washington, DC space analyst who is also one the co-creators of Embry Riddle Aeronautical University's ("ERAU") Commercial Space Operations Degree Program ("CSO"), the first of its kind in the world and Gregory Claxton, a 20 year commercial space veteran who previously headed two commercial space company's business development departments. Infinity Space delivers expert work in research, education, marketing, advisory and consulting to clients around the globe in support of the Commercial Air and Space Industry. Learn more at www.infinityspace.us About Starfighters Starfighters was founded in 1995 by President and Chief Pilot Rick Svetkoff. The company operates a fleet of Lockheed F-104 Starfighters, a supersonic fighter aircraft that had a 50-year operational history with 15 countries including the U.S. and Canada. Starfighters operates the world's only fleet of flight-ready F-104 supersonic aircraft. Based at NASA's Kennedy Space Center and operating under authorization from the Federal Aviation Administration, these aircraft are available to government and commercial customers for a variety of missions. http://warbirdsnews.com/warbirds-news/%EF%BB%BFf-104-flight-training-launches-at-floridas- kennedy-space-center.html Back to Top Back to Top 2018 CHC Safety & Quality Summit October 2-4, 2018 Gaylord Texan Resort Hotel & Convention Center, Grapevine, TX "Building Safety At Every Level: Does this start at the top or with front line employees?" www.chcsafetyqualitysummit.com Back to Top RESEARCH SURVEY Dear Participants, You are being asked to participate in a research study of your opinions of criminalization in aviation accidents. This study is expected to take approximately 10 minutes of your time. In order to participate, you must be at least 18 years old and a certified pilot. Participation in this study is voluntary, and you may choose to opt out of the study at any time. If you choose to opt out, your data will be immediately destroyed. We appreciate your consideration and time to complete our study. Please click on or copy and paste the URL below: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdJKwrq6VG_2gRwoXEs7PLRIBBVQ48- d9k75CDD_Yyh6wlk0g/viewform?usp=sf_link For more information, please contact: Dr. Scott R. Winter winte25e@erau.edu We appreciate your interest and participation! Back to Top POSITION: AIRCRAFT MAINTENANCE INSTRUCTOR What does an Aircraft Maintenance Instructor do for Allegiant? The Maintenance Training Instructor is qualified through training and experience on the equipment, systems, policies and procedures taught. They are responsible to the Manager of Maintenance Training for instructing Maintenance Department personnel in maintenance policies and procedures to properly maintain Allegiant Air's aircraft. What are some of the daily duties of an Aircraft Maintenance Instructor? * Develop and provide classes of instruction on aircraft systems * Develop syllabi and provide instruction on Allegiant Air's maintenance policies and procedures to company and contract maintenance personnel * Help maintain training records for company maintenance and contract maintenance personnel * Develop classes on trouble shooting systems identified by CASP as needing better trouble shooting techniques * Develop and provide recurrent training classes for Maintenance and Quality personnel * Develop and provide structured OJT programs for Maintenance and Quality * Provide technical assistance to other departments as directed by the Manager of Maintenance Training * In his absence, the Maintenance Training Instructor's duties will be assumed by the Manager of Maintenance Training or his Designee * Perform other duties as assigned by the Manager of Maintenance Training * Effective communication skills, both verbal and written * Other duties as assigned What are the minimum requirements to be an Aircraft Maintenance Instructor? * Must pass a five (5) year background check and pre-employment drug screen * Must have authorization to work in the U.S. as defined in the Immigrations Act of 1986 * FAA Airframe & Powerplant Certificate (A&P) What other skills, knowledge, and qualifications are needed to be an Aircraft Maintenance Instructor? * ISD (Instructional Systems Design). ATA 104, Training Material Formatting, Training Material Development Software, i.e., Microsoft Suite - PowerPoint/Word/Excel/Access/Visio/Project/Adobe eLearning Suite - Acrobat Pro/Photoshop/Captivate/Soundbooth/Flash/Dreamweaver * Ten (10) Years Airline, Aircraft Maintenance Technician and five (5) years Aircraft Maintenance Technical Training Instructor and 5 years Aircraft Maintenance Technical Training Material Developer Work Environment for an Aircraft Maintenance Instructor * Must be able to lift 50 lbs. Ability to wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) (High Visibility clothing, Ear protection, safety glasses) when required * Office Environment with up to 50% travel Physical Demands: * Ability to wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) (High Visibility clothing, Ear protection, safety glasses) when required * Ability to work 12 hour shifts with rotating regular days off and with the understanding that shift work can be changed from days to nights and vice versa with reasonable advance notice APPLY HERE Allegiant is an equal opportunity employer and will not unlawfully discriminate against qualified applicants or Team Members with respect to any terms or conditions of employment based on race, color, national origin, ancestry, gender, sexual orientation, age, religion, creed, marital status, military service status, union/non-union activity, citizenship status, or other characteristic protected by state or federal law or local ordinance. This includes compliance with all federal, state and local laws providing for nondiscrimination on the basis of disability in all aspects of the employment process and the requirement to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities in accordance with those laws. Back to Top Department of Aerospace - Manager, Maintenance School Support Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) is seeking qualified applicants to fill a Maintenance School Support Manager position. Responsibilities include maintaining 14 CFR Part 147 maintenance school aircraft, engines, and training aids essential to the Maintenance Management degree; providing facilities management essential to the operation of the Miller Lanier Airway Science building (AWS) located at the Murfreesboro Municipal Airport; coordinating AWS repairs with campus; and maintaining simulation training devices. All applicants must possess two (2) years of aircraft maintenance experience requiring an FAA A&P certificate. Experience includes general aviation maintenance, flight school maintenance, corporate, or Part 121 airline maintenance. One (1) year of maintenance personnel management experience preferred, in addition to required experience. Bachelor's degree and FAA A&P certificate are required. Inspection Authorization (IA) and 30 hour OSHA Outreach Training Program for General Industry are preferred. Must be eligible to work in the U.S. Application review will begin on March 21st and will continue until the position is filled. Proof of U.S. citizenship OR eligibility for U.S. employment will be required prior to employment (Immigration Control Act of 1986). Clery Act crime statistics for MTSU available at http://police.mtsu.edu/crime_statistics.htm or by contacting MTSU Public Safety at 615-898-2424. MTSU, a culturally diverse university, is an equal opportunity, affirmative action educational institution and employer. Women, ethnic minorities, and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply. To apply, go to https://mtsujobs.mtsu.edu Back to Top ESASI Regional Seminar - Jurmala/Riga, Latvia on 23-24 May 2018 We are pleased to announce that the 9th ESASI Regional Seminar will take place at the Baltic Beach Hotel in Jurmala/Riga, Latvia on 23-24 May 2018. In addition, the meeting of the military investigator group is scheduled to take place on the afternoon of 22nd May 2018. The aim of the seminar is to keep the European air safety investigation community, abreast of current developments and evolving best practice in aircraft safety investigation. As in previous years, the seminar will include presentations on case studies, the European environment, challenges of modern air safety investigations and human factors in aircraft accidents and incidents. Register now for ESASI 2018, as a special early bird price is available before 31st March 2018. Cost of registration is €150 per delegate, which includes the event dinner at the Baltic Beach Hotel on 23rd May 2018. Companions are welcome to attend the dinner at a cost of €50. For further information please go to - https://www.esasi.eu/ Back to Top HFACS, Inc. offers professional development training on our innovative HFACS/HFIX methodologies. Our intensive, two-day workshops teaches updated cutting-edge techniques to help your organization identify the causes of errors and develop preventative measures to lower your risk and improve performance. How to register: To register visit hfacs.comor call 800-320-0833 or email info@hfacs.com Attendees of the workshop will learn how to: * Integrate human factors and system safety concepts into the root cause analysis (RCA) process * Utilize the Human Factors Analysis & Classification System (HFACS®) to identify systemic causes of human error during accidents, incidents, and/or near misses. * Integrate HFACS into traditional RCA tools like the fishbone diagram, fault trees, and link analysis using HFACS * Implement the Human Factors Intervention matriX (HFIX®) to develop innovative corrective action programs Develop a human error database and tracking system for monitoring and evaluating performance improvement efforts All attendees of the workshop will receive: * HFACS Textbook * HFACS-RCA Handbook (including HFACS Interview Guide & HFACS/HFIX Checklists) * Complimentary Associate HFACS Professional (AHP) Certification * Opportunity to join the largest Listserv catering to human factors accident investigation and error management Already attended a 2-day workshop? Don't miss out on our special offers! * Our workshops have been updated to feature the newest information * If you have already attended our 2-day HFACS course, don't miss out on the opportunity to attend another workshop as a "refresher" for a discounted rate of $200 * Or bring a full-paying customer with you and receive free refresher course registration For any additional questions and information, contact info@hfacs.com or call 800-320-0833 Curt Lewis