Flight Safety Information August 2, 2018 - No. 156 In This Issue Incident: Smartwings B738 at Pardubice on Aug 1st 2018, overran runway on landing Incident: British Airways A320 near London on Jul 30th 2018, hydraulic failure Accident: Canada Rouge B763 enroute on Jul 20th 2018, cart needs attention Incident: Cargolux B748 at Luxembourg on Jul 28th 2018, could not retract gear Boeing 737-800 evacuated at Barcelona Airport, Spain after smartphone battery overheated EVAS - Cockpit Smoke Protection Robinson R22 Accident (U.K.) Aircraft catches fire in Hyderabad airport, all passengers safe LIBIK Fire Suppression Kits for the Cabin and Flight Deck. Air passengers still slowing down emergency evacuations by grabbing carry-ons, says TSB ALPA Hosting 2018 Air Safety Forum How safe is flying? Here's what the statistics say Aeromexico crash: Stronger planes can mean fewer fatalities PATTY WAGSTAFF HEADLINES NTSB SAFETY FORUM. One overheated laptop battery in cargo hold could down airliner, study says FAA to Change Examiner Policies NAC to add 13 large aircraft American Aviator Act introduced to help veterans become commercial airline pilots WASP, WWII women pilots program, marks 75th anniversary Position: Assistant Manager, Safety Management Systems (Air Safety) POSITION: SAFETY ANALYST FLIGHT OPERATIONAL QUALITY ASSURANCE PHL Shares Complex Runway Extension Lessons Learned Upcoming Cranfield short courses 2018 DFW ISASI Chapter Dinner ISASI 2018 2018 CHC SAFETY & QUALITY SUMMIT October 2nd - 4th, 2018 PROVIDING ASSURANCE IN YOUR SYSTEMS GRADUATE RESEARCH SURVEY Incident: Smartwings B738 at Pardubice on Aug 1st 2018, overran runway on landing A Smartwings Boeing 737-800, registration N624XA performing flight QS-1903 from Heraklion (Greece) to Pardubice (Czech Republic) with 120 people on board, landed on Pardubice's runway 27 (length 2500m/8200 feet) at 18:12L (16:12Z) but overran the end of the runway and came to a stop about 20 meters/70 feet past the end of the runway with all gear on soft ground (no paved runway end safety area available). There were no injuries, the aircraft sustained minor if any damage. Related NOTAMs: M0415/18 - AD CLSD. 01 AUG 18:31 2018 UNTIL 02 AUG 10:00 2018 ESTIMATED. CREATED: 01 AUG 18:31 2018 M0414/18 - RWY 09/27 CLSD. 01 AUG 16:29 2018 UNTIL 02 AUG 10:00 2018 ESTIMATED. CREATED: 01 AUG 16:30 2018 Metars: LKPD 011800Z 05003KT 9999 FEW050CB SCT110 29/18 Q1017 NOSIG= LKPD 011700Z 05002KT 9999 FEW050CB SCT100 30/19 Q1017 NOSIG= LKPD 011600Z VRB02KT 9999 VCTS FEW040CB SCT080 28/20 Q1017 NOSIG= LKPD 011503Z 24003KT 9999 TS FEW046CB SCT120 29/19 Q1017 RMK BLU= LKPD 011500Z 23004KT 9999 FEW046CB SCT120 28/19 Q1017 RETS NOSIG= LKPD 011400Z 21005KT 9999 TS FEW042CB SCT050 28/19 Q1017 NOSIG= LKPD 011349Z 20005KT 9999 TS FEW041CB SCT048 28/19 Q1017 RMK BLU= LKPD 011340Z 18006KT 9999 VCTS FEW046CB SCT100 27/20 Q1017 RMK BLU= LKPD 011307Z 13010KT 9999 -TSRA FEW044CB SCT050 29/20 Q1017 RMK BLU= LKPD 011300Z 11013KT 9999 VCTS -SHRA FEW044CB SCT050 31/17 Q1017 NOSIG= The aircraft seen after landing: http://avherald.com/h?article=4bbd4422&opt=0 Back to Top Incident: British Airways A320 near London on Jul 30th 2018, hydraulic failure A British Airways Airbus A320-200, registration G-GATR performing flight BA-2552 from London Gatwick,EN (UK) to Heraklion (Greece), was enroute at FL350 about 25nm southwest of Frankfurt/Main (Germany) about 45 minutes into the flight when the crew decided to return to London Gatwick due to a hydraulic failure. The aircraft descended to FL340 for the return, entered a hold at FL150 to burn off fuel and landed safely on Gatwick's runway 26L with open gear doors about 4 hours after departure. The aircraft needed to be towed to the apron. The occurrence aircraft is still on the ground at Gatwick Airport 50 hours after landing back. http://avherald.com/h?article=4bbd31f7&opt=0 Back to Top Accident: Canada Rouge B763 enroute on Jul 20th 2018, cart needs attention An Air Canada Rouge Boeing 767-300, registration C-FJZK performing flight RV-1895 from Las Vegas,NV (USA) to Vancouver,BC (Canada) with 202 passengers and 8 crew, was enroute at FL380 step climbing to FL400 when a flight attendant received serious injuries due to an unattended service cart. The aircraft continued to destination for a safe landing about 100 minutes after the occurrence. The Canadian TSB reported: "During cruise flight approximately 140 nm South Southeast of Lovelock/Derby Field, NV (KLOL), a cabin crew member was seriously injured by an unattended cart, and became incapacited for the remainder of the flight." https://flightaware.com/live/flight/ROU1895/history/20180720/1810Z/KLAS/CYVR http://avherald.com/h?article=4bbd2f8e&opt=0 Back to Top Incident: Cargolux B748 at Luxembourg on Jul 28th 2018, could not retract gear A Cargolux Boeing 747-800, registration LX-VCG performing freight flight CV-794 from Luxembourg (Luxembourg) to Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia), was climbing out Luxembourg's runway 24 when the crew stopped the climb at FL140 after being unable to retract the landing gear. The aircraft entered a hold, dumped fuel and returned to Luxembourg for a safe landing on runway 24 about 100 minutes after departure. The aircraft remained on the ground for about 4 hours, then departed again and reached Kuala Lumpur with a delay of about 5.5 hours. http://avherald.com/h?article=4bbd2897&opt=0 Back to Top Boeing 737-800 evacuated at Barcelona Airport, Spain after smartphone battery overheated Date: 31-JUL-2018 Time: ca 17:30 Type: Boeing 737-8AS (WL) Owner/operator: Ryanair Registration: EI-FOG C/n / msn: 44711/5751 Fatalities: Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: Other fatalities: 0 Aircraft damage: None Location: Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN/LEBL) - Spain Phase: Standing Nature: Domestic Scheduled Passenger Departure airport: Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN/LEBL) Destination airport: Ibiza Airport (IBZ/LEIB) Narrative: A Ryanair Boeing 737-800, FR8841 to Ibiza, was evacuated at the gate at Barcelona Airport, Spain, after a lithium battery of an electronic device overheated and began emitting smoke. According to Ryanair the evacuation was "caused by a mobile phone catching fire as it was being charged by a battery pack". https://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/wiki.php?id=213924 Back to Top Back to Top Robinson R22 Accident (U.K.) Date: 01-AUG-2018 Time: 13:54 LT Type: Robinson R22 Owner/operator: Private Registration: C/n / msn: Fatalities: Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 2 Other fatalities: 0 Aircraft damage: Substantial Location: 18 miles from Becksford, Tewkesbury - United Kingdom Phase: En route Nature: Private Departure airport: Destination airport: Narrative: The helicopter crashed under unknown circumstances. Both occupants survived the crash and managed to get themselves out. Autority said; "The woman was treated for back and abdominal pain, given pain relief and transported to Worcester Royal Hospital by land ambulance. https://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/wiki.php?id=213928 Back to Top Aircraft catches fire in Hyderabad airport, all passengers safe A view of Rajiv Gandhi International Airport(RGIA), in Hyderabad. Over 150 passengers and crew of Jazeera flight (J9 608), from Kuwait to Hyderabad had a miraculous escape after the aircraft's right engine caught fire soon after landing at the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (RGIA), Shamshabad here, in the wee hours on Thursday. An airport official confirmed that engine caught fire due to technical problem minutes after it landed at the airport, while approaching the parking bay. The aircraft landed at 1.33 a.m. and at 1.36 a.m. the crew noticed fire. The RGIA fire tenders were rushed to douse off the flames and Air Traffic Control staff instructed the captain to turn off the engine. All the passengers have been safely evacuated, the official added. https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/telangana/aircraft-catches-fire-in-hyderabad-airport-all-passengers-safe/article24579284.ece Back to Top Back to Top Air passengers still slowing down emergency evacuations by grabbing carry-ons, says TSB Air Canada AC624 Firefighters at the fuselage of Air Canada AC624, which crashed at Halifax airport in 2015. A safety investigation found that passengers grabbing their personal belongings impeded the evacuation of the plane. (Andrew Vaughan/Canadian Press) Canada's air safety agency says passengers continue to slow down emergency aircraft evacuations by stopping to grab their personal belongings, despite the warnings it has issued since 2007 about the dangers. But Transport Canada is resisting a longstanding recommendation that flight safety briefings for passengers include mandatory warnings against collecting carry-on bags and electronic devices in the event of an emergency. The grab-and-go hazard was cited earlier this month by the Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) in its report on a Jan. 5, 2018 fire aboard a WestJet plane on the tarmac at Toronto's Pearson International Airport. "During the evacuation, the FAs [flight attendants] issued instructions ... telling the passengers to leave all their carry-on baggage behind," says the report. "Despite these instructions, numerous passengers brought carry-on baggage with them, which slowed down the evacuation process." The incident is at least the third in Canada since 2005 which led the agency to warn of the dangers of airline passengers collecting their possessions before moving toward the exits. In August, 2005, passengers on a jet that overshot the runway at Pearson grabbed their carry-ons, ignoring the flight attendants' contrary instructions. The same thing happened after an Air Canada crash at Halifax airport in March 2015, the agency said, calling the practice "widespread" around the globe. Since 2007, the Transportation Safety Board has pressed Transport Canada to require airlines to specifically warn passengers about the dangers of grab-and-go - in pre-flight safety briefings or pre-landing briefings, in safety cards or during emergencies themselves. Transport Canada has declined to do so. Instead, it has issued notices encouraging airlines to voluntarily alert passengers to the dangers. The TSB now officially lists its recommendation as "dormant" because of Transport Canada's reticence. Random survey The TSB's probe of the Jan. 5 incident at Pearson included a small, random survey which involved investigators silently observing actual safety briefings for regularly scheduled flights on several airlines, and listening for standard warnings against grabbing carry-ons during emergency evacuations. "None of the briefings on the observed flights provided this type of instruction to the passengers at any point before or during the flight," says the report. The international rule-of-thumb for emergency aircraft evacuations is that everyone - passengers, cabin crew and air crew - must be out of the plane within 90 seconds. After that point, the risks of toxic gas leaks and fire increase quickly. A TSB official said passengers who stop to collect personal belongings pose a threat to everyone. "You'd think one bag would only slow it two seconds, but it doesn't really. It's a cascading sort of effect," said Ewan Tasker. In April of this year, even before receiving the TSB report on the Jan. 5 incident, Transport Canada re-affirmed its policy that lets airlines decide whether to include the warning in their safety messages. "Building on previous successes and experience in influencing positive changes in airline/air carrier safety practices in airlines, to address this issue, the department will use a combination of education and awareness," says a plan approved by Transport Minister Marc Garneau on April 30. The department apparently wants to avoid being out of step with Australia, the United States and the European Union, where airlines are not compelled to provide the warning in safety briefings. Transport Canada spokesperson Daniel Savoie did not respond directly when asked why such warnings were not mandatory, saying only that the department recommends them. The department issued a safety alert on April 13, acknowledging that its previous reminders to airlines on the issue have "not been effective" and again encouraging them to find solutions. Transport Canada also plans a year-long "inspection campaign," starting in October, to see whether airlines are responding to the non-mandatory guidelines, says a briefing note obtained by CBC News under the Access to Information Act. The department will then "evaluate [the] results of [the] inspection campaign to determine if additional risk mitigation action is required." WestJet spokesperson Lauren Stewart said the airline "will be including the language around leaving carry-on baggage during an evacuation in our passenger safety briefings later this fall." Air Canada spokesperson Isabelle Arthur said such a warning is included already in a safety demo video passengers view before takeoff, described in pictures on a safety card in every seat pocket, and repeated by flight attendants during emergencies. Seconds lost A spokesman for unionized flight attendants in Canada said the problem has been made worse by the increasing number of expensive electronic devices now carried by passengers, and by new rules that are reducing the required number of flight attendants for each flight. "We are the last line of defence before you go down the [evacuation] slide," said Jordan Bray-Stone of CUPE, which represents some 10,000 cabin crew members at most of Canada's larger airlines. "Every time we have to tell someone [to abandon their carry-ons] in an evacuation, it eats up some precious seconds ... Ninety seconds is not a long time," he said from Montreal. "It's a very selfish mode that people go into, to get our little gizmos and bags out of the overhead bins." Bray-Stone said mandatory safety briefings referring to personal belongings can help - though he added that many people ignore such briefings altogether. More can be done, he said, including inserting such safety messages just before the start of in-flight entertainment segments - "at a time when they aren't expecting it." Transport Canada's Savoie said the department has "elected to use social media and other forums to emphasize to Canadians that carry-on baggage must not be taken in an emergency situation." https://ca.news.yahoo.com/air-passengers-still-slowing-down-150000844.html Back to Top ALPA Hosting 2018 Air Safety Forum The 64th ASF, a four-day event featuring sessions on cargo hold fire risks posed by lithium batteries in passengers' portable electronic devices, pilot wellness, and dealing with disruptive passengers, wraps up Aug. 2 in Washington, D.C. The Air Line Pilots Association, International (ALPA) is hosting its 64th Air Safety Forum this week in Washington, D.C. With the final two days open to the public, it will wrap up Aug. 2. The event includes keynote talks by U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill., a Blackhawk helicopter pilot who was deployed to Iraq prior to being elected to Congress; Howard Elliott, administrator of the federal Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration; U.S. Sen. Bob Casey, D-Pa.; and Dan Elwell, acting administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration. Session topics include the current state of knowledge about cargo hold fire risks posed by lithium batteries in passengers' portable electronic devices, and how regulatory, policy, and operational steps are being taken to mitigate the hazards; medical issues affecting pilots, with speakers from the FAA, Transport Canada, and ALPA; Pilot Assistance, which is ALPA's holistic approach to pilot wellness; and dealing with disruptive passengers. An awards reception and banquet will take place Aug. 2, with ALPA presenting its Superior Airmanship, Safety, Security, Pilot Assistance, and Jumpseat Awards. https://ohsonline.com/articles/2018/08/02/alpa-hosting-2018-air-safety-forum.aspx?admgarea=news Back to Top How safe is flying? Here's what the statistics say A flight attendant gives a safety demonstration. It's estimated 70 per cent of plane passengers fear flying. Should they? An independent report into Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 released this week failed to determine the cause of the plane's disappearance. The 239 people on board are presumed dead and it remains one of the greatest tragedies and mysteries of the modern aviation era. It has also raised questions about the safety of flying. How safe is flying? Statistically speaking, flying on a commercial airliner is the safest form of transport there is, according to the US National Safety Council. There are a range of estimates out there, but based on its analysis of US Census data, it puts the odds of dying as a plane passenger at 1 in 205,552. That compares with odds of 1 in 4,050 for dying as a cyclist; 1 in 1,086 for drowning, and 1 in 102 for a car crash. That's because alongside technological improvements to aircraft over the decades, the whole system of international air travel is carefully regulated. Plane on fire Passengers evacuate from a plane on fire at Fort Lauderdale airport, Florida in 2015. AFP "The entire system is designed to make you safe," US aviation writer and author Christine Negroni told SBS News. "We know who is in every single plane around you, who is controlling the airspace around you, how the vehicle has been maintained. You don't have that in a car, train or bus." Are most accidents fatal? The deadliest plane crash in history happened in 1977 in Tenerife, the largest of Spain's Canary Islands. Two planes collided on the runway and 583 people were killed. The Canadian-based International Air Transport Association (IATA) represents 290 airlines (or 82 per cent of global air traffic). It says the five-year average from 2012 has been 75 accidents a year, (almost 11 of them with fatalities) per 37.3 million yearly flights. That's an average of 315 people dying a year in plane crashes over the past five years. But in 2017, there were only 19 deaths. Those statistics also reveal something that Ms Negroni said is little understood: even if you are unfortunate enough to be in an air accident, you are likely to survive it. "The number the US National Transport Safety Bureau gives out is that 95 per cent of all accidents have survivors, which is the opposite of what people say." Which airlines are the safest? Western Australia-based Aviation journalist Geoffrey Thomas has developed a seven-star rating system to rank the world's safest airlines on the website AirlineRatings.com. Australian travellers will be pleased to hear that Qantas and Virgin Australia are in the top 20 of 2018. Mr Thomas's rating system is based in part on the IATA Operational Safety Audit of airlines' management and control systems. Airlines that have passed the biannual IOSA audit automatically get three stars. "Safety has improved dramatically because of IOSA," Mr Thomas told SBS News. "Over four billion people fly every year, and the number of fatalities is minimal, tiny. If you're flying in the US or Europe or Australia, the chances of being involved in an accident on a commercial jet airliner are virtually zero." The rating also takes into account the legal and safety oversight systems of each country (things like air navigation and the quality of regulators); the EU banned list which blacklists dodgy airlines; and the airline's accident rate over the past decade (not including acts of terrorism or suicide). Jet hull losses (or an aviation accident that damages the aircraft beyond economical repair). SBS News "Aviation is shrouded in mystery," he said. "The magic of flight is also the mystery of flight. Lufthansa estimates 70 per cent of people who fly have some degree of fear of flying, 30 per cent of people have a serious fear or flying and they use safety as the first criteria when they make a booking." Some regions are safer than others too. IATA's statistics show that serious accidents are more common in Africa and the Commonwealth of Independent states (that's the former Soviet Republics). What causes plane crashes? Dr Ron Bartsch, the Sydney-based chair of aviation safety consultancy firm AV Law said 85 to 90 per cent of accidents these days are caused by human error. "Accidents are usually human factor related," he told SBS News. "It is 680-fold safer to fly in an aircraft now then what it was after World War II. Nearly all of those advances, up until round about the mid-90s, were due to technological development. The jet engine was more reliable, the development of radar, anti-collision systems, ground proximity warning systems, advanced simulator training. All those things have led to an incredible reduction in the number of accidents." In fact, it's more accurate to consider contributing factors rather than causes of crashes, said Ms Negroni. "No accident has just one cause. In the air safety world, we always say that an accident is the result of an unbroken chain of events. One break in that chain and the accident would not happen," she said. Could MH370 happen again? Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 disappeared in March 2014 on route from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing. The crew of the Boeing-777 last made contact with ground staff about 40 minutes after take-off, and the plane was tracked by military radar for another hour as it deviated westward from its planned route before vanishing. All 239 people on board are presumed dead, and tens of millions of dollars have been spent on unsuccessful searches. An independent Malaysian report into the flight was "unable to determine the real reason for the disappearance", but Chief Investigator Kok Soo Chon said: "We are not of the opinion it could be an event committed by the pilot." Many analysts, including Mr Thomas, believe pilot suicide is the most likely. "[With MH 370] we strongly suspect pilot suicide, which does happen from time to time. Absolutely horrifying, but as a percentage of the number of flights, about 13 cases in 50 years, it's almost not recordable," he said. "But no one really knows what happened." Ms Negroni says there are other possible explanations, which she detailed in her 2016 book Crash Detectives. These lines of inquiry include whether the plane suffered sudden depressurisation and the pilot was affected by hypoxia (low oxygen) which would impair his skills and judgement (she argues the turns in the flight path show "clear evidence of illogical action"). Rather scarily a 2006 Australian Transportation Safety Bureau study catalogued 500 depressurisation events over the preceding 30 years, mostly in commercial jets. Ms Negroni also says the location of the galley above the electronics bay which in other planes has seen liquid leak onto the equipment beneath could have been a factor; such as happened in a Qantas flight between London and Bangkok in 2008 (the pilot managed to land that plane safely without electrical power). Airlines are required to be able to closely track their planes in flight, but Ms Negroni says Malaysia Airlines' own safety staff warned management seven months before MH370 disappeared that their systems could only track planes every half hour. Making sure airlines are compliant with tracking regulations is important to ensure such an event does not happen again, she said. Mr Thomas said changes to mandate frequent tracking are being rolled out globally. https://www.sbs.com.au/news/how-safe-is-flying-here-s-what-the-statistics-say Back to Top Aeromexico crash: Stronger planes can mean fewer fatalities Passengers in plane crashes like the Aeromexico accident - in which no one died - have better chances of survival due to better aircraft construction and safety standards, experts say. People are now less likely to be trapped by collapsed seats and floors, especially if the plane comes to rest more or less level and the accident occurs on flat ground and at lower speeds, as happened with Tuesday's crash in northern Mexico. Survival rates are higher than ever in part because "airplanes are stronger than ever," said Adrian Young, an air-safety investigator from the Netherlands-based consultancy To70. Other improvements in recent decades include wider use of materials that burn more slowly and without giving off toxic fumes, and smarter airport layouts that eliminate obstacles near runways. In the end, though, "Good fortune is crucial in any accident," Young said Wednesday. Authorities in Mexico said there were no fatalities among the 97 passengers and four crew members aboard the Embraer 190 jet that crashed moments after takeoff in Durango, sending plumes of black and gray smoke into the sky. Rescuers took 49 people to hospitals; most of them had minor injuries. On average, about 56 percent of passengers survive airline accidents in which at least one person is killed. Takeoff accidents occur on or near the runway, so obstacles on the ground - runway lights, fences, ditches and embankments - can lead to more extensive damage to the plane and increase the risk of an immediate fire, said Harro Ranter, CEO of Aviation Safety Network, which compiles a database on accidents. "Luckily the area around the runway at Durango was relatively flat and covered with some bushes and no hazardous obstacles or ditches," Ranter said. "This likely caused all on board to survive (or) else it could have ended up a whole lot worse." There have been other serious accidents in which everyone on board survived despite major damage - even destruction - of the plane. In 2016, everyone escaped after an engine explosion during takeoff caused a fire that severely damaged an American Airlines plane at Chicago's O'Hare Airport. In 2013, a Lion Air jet missed the runway, crashed in water and broke in two near Bali, Indonesia, yet all 108 people on board got out alive. And in a famous event from 2009 that inspired a movie, US Airways pilots Chesley Sullenberger and Jeffrey Skiles safely landed their US Airways jet on the Hudson River after the plane's engines were knocked out by striking a flock of geese during takeoff from New York's LaGuardia Airport. The improved odds of surviving a crash are partly due to advances in technology. Aircraft engineers have reinforced areas that proved to be weak in previous crashes. Seats are stronger to withstand violent impact. Seat materials and carpets are treated with fire-retardant chemicals to give passengers more precious time to escape before fires spread. Fire-suppression systems in cargo holds are now mandatory. Many of those improvements involved learning from investigations into past disasters. That has led to fewer airline accidents and fewer fatal crashes. Many safety experts regard 2017 as the safest year yet. The Aviation Safety Network counted just 10 fatal accidents involving commercial aircraft last year, causing 44 deaths. There were nearly 600 deaths a year on average over the previous 10 years, according to the group. "You have less aircraft that are running into mountaintops" because of systems that warn pilots if they are close to the ground, said Mark Millam with the U.S.-based Flight Safety Foundation. "This is coming from things that were witnessed in other accidents. It is decades of effort." Passengers can give themselves a better chance by following a few simple steps: - Wear shoes instead of flip-flops or sandals that can easily fall off, leaving bare feet exposed to fire or debris. - Put children under 2 in a child seat even though U.S. rules don't require it. Lap children can become projectiles during a crash. - Listen to the crew's safety demonstration before takeoff and memorize the locations of the nearest exits, including those to the rear. Count the number of seat rows to those exits in case smoke and darkness make it hard to see. - Stay buckled in; this will also protect against injury during turbulence. - Follow flight attendants' instructions, especially if they warn to brace for impact. That's what Alberto Herrera did when he felt the Aeromexico plane start to shudder during takeoff Tuesday. "I just started, out of instinct, bracing for impact as the plane started jolting and slamming into the ground," Herrera told NBC. "It's just a blessing that I'm here to kind of tell the story." - Finally, leave carry-on luggage behind during an evacuation. After the American Airlines accident in Chicago, investigators said bag-toting passengers contributed to a confused, disorderly evacuation that could have turned deadly. "You may be in a portion of the aircraft that is not yet on fire, and you think you have time," said Sara Nelson, president of the Association of Flight Attendants, "but conditions can change in seconds. That aircraft can burn very quickly." https://pilotonline.com/business/article_ffb58d3f-7261-5393-89e4-d9a70d39e34d.html Back to Top PATTY WAGSTAFF HEADLINES NTSB SAFETY FORUM AEROBATIC GREAT DELIVERS AIRVENTURE 'SAFETY ROAD SHOW' KEYNOTE Aerobatic great Patty Wagstaff delivered the keynote at the National Transportation Safety Board's traveling "Safety Road Show" during a stop at EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, July 24. Wagstaff was joined by general aviation safety panelists who discussed the causes of loss-of-control aircraft accidents and potential solutions to the vexing problem. Six-time U.S. aerobatic champion Patty Wagstaff participates in a general aviation safety road show on preventing in-flight loss of control during EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, July 24, 2018. Photo by David Tulis. She joined NTSB safety investigators, an FAA analyst, and other GA experts who advocated for awareness through additional training and modern technology, including further adoption of angle of attack indictors (AOA), which have become more affordable and more commonplace on GA aircraft in recent years. The agency noted that most GA accidents occurred during landing, but far fewer of them resulted in fatalities. Research from 2008 to 2014 showed that "nearly 48 percent of fatal fixed-wing GA accidents in the United States resulted from pilots losing control of their aircraft in flight" and accounted for 1,194 fatalities." The group also noted that "more general aviation pilots and passengers die from accidents involving loss of control than any other single cause." NTSB studies revealed that maneuvering, and take off and climb out, are "statistically, the deadliest phases of flight for LOC accidents," although loss of control-or LOC-can occur "in all phases of flight." Attendees participate in a general aviation safety road show on preventing in-flight loss of control during EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, July 24, 2018. Photo by David Tulis. Wagstaff, a six-time U.S. Aerobatic Team member advocated upset training along with "unlearning" of bad habits. She cited unnecessarily aggressive rudder movements when in low and slow flight, and a natural instinct to pull back on yoke or stick, as topics to address, especially during landing operations. AOPA Air Safety Institute Executive Director and panelist Richard McSpadden said it was important to consider the complexities of LOC accidents when pursuing ways to eliminate them. "We realize that the LOC category is very broad, so we must look deeper at the event or action preceding loss of control to truly understand the underlying causes and elements, and to yield specific solutions and positive results." University of North Dakota aviation educator Jim Higgins participates in a general aviation NTSB safety road show on preventing in-flight loss of control during EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, July 24, 2018. Photo by David Tulis. Recent policy advances are allowing technologies used in experimental aircraft to be more readily and easily available to certified aircraft. The FAA has worked with industry to allow more wide-spread use of these technologies to further reduce LOC incidents, added McSpadden. EAA advocacy and safety vice president Sean Elliott agreed that more affordable AOA devices and their availability to GA pilots were valuable keys to improving flight safety. The EAA Founder's Innovation Prize judges decided that pilot awareness of critical AOA warranted continued study. Judges awarded a $25,000 innovation prize to a team headed by Mike Vaccaro, a retired U.S. Air Force pilot and a Van's Aircraft RV-4 owner, for a low-coast aural AOA warning system. In addition to Wagstaff, McSpadden, and Elliott, the "Safety Road Show" panelists included a who's who of safety experts: NTSB Chairman Robert Sumwalt, NTSB board member Earl Weener, NTSB regional operations deputy director Tim LeBaron, NTSB medical officer Nicholas Webster, NTSB investigators Pam Sullivan and Mike Folkerts, FAA accident investigator Corey Stephens, University of North Dakota aviation program chair Jim Higgins. An NTSB Safety Road Show presentation on preventing in-flight loss of control included aerobatic champion Patty Wagstaff and AOPA Air Safety Institute director Richard McSpadden, center, during EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, July 24, 2018. Photo by David Tulis. David Tulis David Tulis Associate Editor Web/ePilot AOPA Associate Editor Web/ePilot David Tulis joined AOPA in 2015 and is a seaplane-rated private pilot who enjoys vintage aircraft, aerobatic flying, and photography. https://www.aopa.org/news-and-media/all-news/2018/july/31/patty-wagstaff-headlines-ntsb-safety-forum Back to Top One overheated laptop battery in cargo hold could down airliner, study says The research highlights the growing risks of lithium batteries, which are increasingly used to power everything from mobile phones to gaming devices. By Alan Levin A single personal electronic device that overheats and catches fire in checked luggage on an airliner can overpower the aircraft's fire-suppression system, potentially creating a fire that could rage uncontrolled, according to new government research. Regulators had thought that single lithium-battery fires would be knocked down by the flame-retardant gas required in passenger airliner cargo holds. But tests conducted by the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration found the suppression systems can't extinguish a battery fire that combines with other highly flammable material, such as the gas in an aerosol can or cosmetics commonly carried by travelers. "That could then cause an issue that would compromise the aircraft," said Duane Pfund, international program coordinator at the U.S. Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, speaking Wednesday at an aviation safety forum in Washington, D.C. The administration regulates hazardous materials on airliners along with the FAA. The research highlights the growing risks of lithium batteries, which are increasingly used to power everything from mobile phones to gaming devices. Bulk shipments of rechargeable lithium batteries have been banned on passenger planes. The findings last year by the FAA prompted the government to advocate that the United Nations International Civil Aviation Organization call for a ban on electronic devices larger than a mobile phone in checked bags. That effort fell short, Pfund said. "One way or another, we have to deal with these hazards," said Scott Schwartz, director of the Air Line Pilots Association's hazardous goods program.The association, the largest pilots union in North America, is holding its annual safety conference. It hasn't taken a formal position on whether there should be a ban on lithium batteries in checked bags and some fear that many passengers would simply ignore it. At the very least, the union is seeking greater education campaigns so travelers are less likely to place spare batteries and electronics in their checked bags. While fires in carry-on items create their own hazards on flights, experience has shown that they can be extinguished with water. Crew can't reach bags in cargo areas during flight, so must rely on a plane's fire-suppression systems. The U.S. Homeland Security Department in June 2017 funneled more such electronics into cargo holds out of fears that electronics as small as a tablet computer could be used to hide terrorist bombs. The agency stopped short of a threatened ban on taking the devices into airline cabins but required additional screening of electronics. The FAA hasn't imposed any new restrictions on what passengers may pack in checked bags. Last year, in a notice to airlines, it said they should conduct a safety study to determine what more they should do to limit the risks of battery fires in cargo areas. The FAA tests found that the anti-fire halon gas installed in airline cargo areas wouldn't extinguish a lithium-battery fire, but it would prevent the blaze from spreading to adjacent material such as cardboard or clothing. However, aerosol cans exploded in tests even after being bathed in the halon gas, the FAA found. "There is the potential for the resulting event to exceed the capabilities of the airplane to cope with it," the FAA said in a notice to airlines last year. https://www.seattletimes.com/business/one-overheated-laptop-battery-in-cargo-hold-could-down-airliner-study-says/ Back to Top FAA to Change Examiner Policies The FAA is working to address delays in pilot practical test scheduling reported by flight training providers across the country, according to the Flight School Association of North America (FSANA). A group led by FSANA met with senior FAA staff in Oklahoma City to discuss solutions to the testing delays last week. After the meeting, FSANA says it is confident that the policy and process changes discussed "will have immediate and future positive effects on airman practical test scheduling shortages." Reports gathered by the organization point to delays stemming from a decrease in the number of Designated Pilot Examiners (DPEs) in recent years and a lack of examiner availability in some locations. To address this, FSANA says changes to be implemented include removing geographic boundaries for DPEs, switching CFI practical test scheduling from Flight Standards District Offices (FSDOs) to DPEs authorized to give CFI exams, and replacing the National Examiner Board with a new National Appointment Process. The changes also call for the development of a safety assurance system and FAA reviews of all delegation programs with some of these policy and process shifts scheduled to go into effect as early as September 2018. Furthermore, FSANA says that the FAA will be rolling out a new Designee Management System to be completed by April 2019 and will begin work on a FAR Part 183 rewrite. Part 183 covers "the requirements for designating private persons to act as representatives of the Administrator in examining, inspecting, and testing persons and aircraft for the purpose of issuing airman, operating, and aircraft certificates." FSANA has been gathering reports and working with the FAA, flight training providers, and other industry partners on improving practical test scheduling delays for the last two years. https://www.avweb.com/avwebflash/news/FAA-to-Change-Examiner-Policies-231319-1.html Back to Top NAC to add 13 large aircraft Nepal Airlines Corporation, Airbus, aircraft, Tribhuvan International Airport, Kathmandu, Toulouse, France The second wide-body Airbus aircraft (A330-200) of Nepal Airlines Corporation being welcomed at Tribhuvan International Airport, in Kathmandu, on Thursday, July 26, 2018. Photo: RSS Nepal Airlines Corporation (NAC) is planning to buy 13 more large planes within the next five years. The NAC executive committee has decided to expand the international fleet of the national flag carrier by acquiring five more wide-body aircraft and eight narrow-body planes. "On Tuesday, the NAC's executive committee approved a five-year plan to expand the national carrier's presence in the international arena. We are planning to acquire large planes so that NAC can cater to the growing demand from the international sector, which is currently being catered to by foreign airlines," said Sugat Ratna Kansakar, managing director of NAC. "The decision of the executive committee will soon be forwarded to NAC's board for final approval," he added. Based on the current market price, purchasing the 13 large aircraft is expected to cost around Rs 70 billion. "We also plan to request the government to inject more money, so that NAC's paid-up capital is raised to Rs 20 billion from Rs 160 million at present," Kansakar stated. Earlier the NAC board had decided to add two narrow-body planes to conduct its international flights, two 72-seater ATR model planes for trunk routes and six Twin Otter planes for remote routes. The NAC has initiated the process to buy these 10 planes by 2019. In domestic sector, NAC plans to expand its fleet to 20 by next five years. The five-year plan includes purchasing four more 72-seater ATR planes for trunk routes. At present NAC is conducting its domestic flights with six China-made and two Canadian Twin Otter planes. "The national flag carrier could play an effective role in further boosting Nepal's tourism sector by offering flights at competitive prices," he added. Recently, NAC bought two 274-seater A330-200 wide-body aircraft from Europe-based Airbus company. At present, NAC is providing its services to international passengers through one Boeing 757, two Airbus 320-200 narrow-body and one new wide-body aircraft. Currently, NAC offers flights to New Delhi, Bangalore, Mumbai, Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok, Hong Kong, Doha and Dubai. NAC plans to add more destinations to its international schedule in the near future. https://thehimalayantimes.com/business/nac-to-add-13-large-aircraft/ Back to Top American Aviator Act introduced to help veterans become commercial airline pilots WAUSAU, Wis. (WSAW) --- On Wednesday, Democratic Sen. Tammy Baldwin and Republican North Dakota Sen. John Hoeven introduced the American Aviator Act. This bipartisan legislation supports veterans who want the education and training to become commercial airline pilots. "Fox Valley Technical College indicates that they have at the ready a program that could help veterans who have served our country who are interested in employment in commercial aviation, to get that training. And right now, they haven't been able to give the veterans the support they need in that training in order to make it work," said Sen. Baldwin. The bill would authorize grant money through the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to support flight training programs for veterans who are not military pilots. It would allow them to become commercial pilots and certified flight instructors. "It's a great opportunity that expands upon programs that exist right now to help fill a shortage. We have a lot of commercial airline pilots who are retiring, or of retirement age, and we need a pipeline. We ought to include veterans and give them that opportunity in that pipeline," said Sen. Baldwin. Local veterans say they support this idea, as it's a great way to help vets re-acclimate to civilian life. "There really isn't a real good transition period to take them away from the shock of active combat especially. But even in some of the more easy going jobs, there's still a transition to get back to civilian life," said John Willman, a local Navy veteran. "Those people that have that specialized training to step in where is a need now, for commercialized pilots, I think it's a fantastic program. They may not have made the transition, because of the expense of getting trained and getting certified." The proposed legislation has already garnered support in Wisconsin from Fox Valley Technical College, Appleton Airport and Air Wisconsin. "Air Wisconsin recognizes, like the whole industry does, that soon there will be a shortage of commercial airline pilots, and so they want to get ahead of the curve. And they certainly want to offer those opportunities to our nation's veterans who are interested in an opportunity in aviation," said Sen. Baldwin. "I'm grateful for anything, that can help the veterans and their families," said Willman. Faye Malarkey Black, President with the Regional Airline Association, sent the following statement: "We strongly support the American Aviator Act. A growing, global pilot shortage is reaching crisis levels and some U.S. communities have already lost air service as a result. The pilot career is rewarding and more lucrative than ever yet the barriers to entry are incredibly high - keeping many Americans without access to private wealth out of the career. Initiatives like this, that address multiple critical needs like support for veterans and building tomorrow's pilot workforce, are smart solutions with broad benefits and we applaud Senators Baldwin and Hoeven for taking action." http://www.wsaw.com/content/news/American-Aviator-Act-introduced-to-help-veterans-become-commercial-airline-pilots-489824491.html Back to Top WASP, WWII women pilots program, marks 75th anniversary Aug. 5 will be the 75th anniversary of the establishment of the WASP program during World War II. The Women Airforce Service Pilots program was officially declared active under the auspices of the U.S. Army Air Forces Aug. 5, 1943. In fact, women pilots had been flying noncombat missions for the government since at least the year before, if not earlier. In 1941, two of America's most famous female pilots, Jacqueline Cochran and Nancy Harkess Love, had submitted proposals to the U.S. Army Air Forces under the command of General Henry "Hap" Arnold to create an all-female noncombat flying unit to ferry aircraft and materials to and from factories and military bases, to tow aerial targets for gunnery training and for other duties as needed. By the fall of 1942, their proposal had led to the formation of the Women's Flying Training Detachment and the Women's Auxiliary Ferrying Squadron. The WASP was created in the summer of 1943 by merging those two existing programs. A reported 25,000 women applied to become WASP pilots but only 1,830 were accepted, and 1,074 graduated. The WASP was opposed by many male pilots and, after a congressional bill to make the program an official part of the military failed in 1944, the program was disbanded in December of that year. Not until 1977 was WASP service recognized by the U.S. government as active military service, with its attendant benefits. At least two WASP pilots had connections to Western North Carolina. WASP Dorothy "Dot" Post Hoover (1917-2015) trained at Biltmore College as a pilot before entering national service as a flier. After leaving the WASP, she worked as an Asheville court reporter until her retirement. WASP Dorothy Swain Lewis (1915-2013) was born and raised in Asheville. In addition to her service in the WASP, she was also an accomplished artist and teacher. Her art is featured in the book "How High She Flies," including a number of pieces dedicated to her fellow pilots. June Braun Bent was a WASP pilot during World War II. June's daughter Betsy Bent is a long-time Asheville resident. (Photo: Courtesy of Betsy Bent) Though WASP June Braun Bent was not a native of North Carolina, her daughter Betsy Bent lives in the area and continues to honor the memory of the WASPs by sharing her mother's story with local groups. https://www.citizen-times.com/story/news/local/2018/08/01/wasp-wwii-women-pilots-program-marks-75th-anniversary/870081002/ Back to Top Assistant Manager, Safety Management Systems (Air Safety) Main purpose of the Job: Support the Manager, Safety Management Systems with the development, implementation and maintenance of the Safety Management Systems (SMS) in flight and cabin operations. Directly responsible to: • Manager, Safety Management System (MSMS) Directly responsible for: • Supervisor, Safety Management Systems (Air Safety) • Officer, Safety Management Systems (Air Safety) Main Areas of Responsibility: • Responsible for routine review and processing of safety reports submitted to Quality, Safety & Security Department. • Responsible for conducting investigations (in conjunction with the FOQA specialist) into accidents, incidents and/or irregularities affecting the safety of operations. Conduct investigation interviews and debriefing accordingly to include the use of FOQA data. Produce investigation reports and make recommendations to prevent recurrence. • Support the MSMS in managing the day-to-day activities of the Safety Management Systems in flight and cabin operations. • Assist MSMS in the maintenance and development of the electronic safety reporting system. • Support the MSMS in maintaining the currency and relevance of the Safety Management System Manual by proposing and drafting amendments. • Conduct inspections / surveys / assessment / analysis as and when directed by the MSMS and produce reports to ascertain operational safety is achieved. • Communicate and interface with appropriate departments to track the safety actions arising from investigations / Safety Action Group (SAG) / routine safety assessments and ensure they are implemented in a timely and appropriate manner. • Responsible for production and dissemination of safety promotion material through company intranet, notice board, newsletter and any other suitable media. • Assist the MSMS in conducting SMS related trainings and briefings to company employees. • Participate in IOSA program as and when directed by the MSMS. • Participate in various safety meetings and provide administrative support as required. • Assist in performing safety risk assessment and change management as required. Qualifications / Requirements: • Minimum 5 years relevant working experience in the airline industry, preferably in flight or cabin operations. • Aviation safety investigation qualification or equivalent experience. • Comprehensive knowledge and experience with Safety Management System. • Bachelor's degree required, preferably in a technical, aviation or engineering discipline. • Flying experience desirable. • Strong analytical capabilities. • Well-developed interpersonal and communication skills. • Proven command of spoken and written English. Knowledge in Chinese (Cantonese and Putonghua) is an added advantage. • Good computer literacy. APPLY HERE Back to Top POSITION: SAFETY ANALYST FLIGHT OPERATIONAL QUALITY ASSURANCE POSITION PURPOSE Processes day-to-day raw data using Flight Operational Quality Assurance (FOQA) and program Ground Data Replay Analysis System (GDRAS) and routine data analysis. Creates weekly and monthly deliverables in addition to working with Gatekeepers and other members of FOQA and FOQA Management Team (FMT). ESSENTIAL DUTIES 1. Supports the FOQA Program Manager with daily administration of the FOQA efforts to ensure analysis of flight data for improved flight safety. 2. Oversees data collection process of aircraft fleet in conjunction with Maintenance and Engineering. 3. Performs data analysis, root cause analysis and determine corrective actions of digital flight data to determine adverse events, trends in flight and maintenance operations. 4. Coordinates, develops, verifies and validates aircraft specific event definitions. 5. Prepares flight operations trending analysis charts and reports. 6. Compiles and presents FOQA data summaries for use by senior management, regulators, pilots and union officials. 7. Performs specialized studies and fulfills special data requests. 8. Creates safety and FOQA department publications. 9. Prepares reports, presentations, and statistical data required to keep the FOQA community informed of the status and programs of the FOQA information. 10. Reviews corrective action responses to inspections and internal evaluations findings for adequacy. 11. Maintains FOQA database, write database queries, program new FOQA events, and manage documentation supporting these functions. 12. Coordinates with other airlines FOQA departments, governmental and academic institutions regarding FOQA. 13. Performs others duties as assigned. REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability necessary to perform this job. EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE • Bachelor's degree in aviation, flight technology, engineering, or related area or a combination of education and experience. • FAA Commercial Pilot License. • Previous work experience, preferably in 14CFR Part 121 air carrier operations; quality control, maintenance, operations, safety or a combination of these areas. • Previous experience maintaining and enhancing corporate safety standards and safe operation practices. • Understands turbine-aircraft systems and knowledge regarding Part 121 operations. • Extensive working knowledge of Microsoft Office Programs, including spreadsheet and database applications. • Strong work ethic, ability to work in a fast-paced environment and a positive attitude toward teamwork. PREFERRED EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE • At least 3 years related experience. • Additional certifications: Dispatch, Airframe and Powerplant and/or ATP license. • Basic computer programming and statistical methods experience preferred. • Prior experience with Sagem AGS or equivalent GDRAS platforms is preferred. LANGUAGE SKILLS Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations. Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and the general public. REASONING/PROBLEM SOLVING ABILITY Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables. Proven project management and analytical skills. Ability to handle numerous projects at one time and meet deadlines. Self-motivated and able to work with minimal supervision in support of the Safety Department. DECISION MAKING Makes day to day decisions used to support strategic direction. Decisions often require some thought and are somewhat structured. Decisions tend to be short term and usually moderate cost. PHYSICAL DEMANDS The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an associate to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Able to move about the work environment. Frequently required to stand, walk, sit, talk and hear. WORK ENVIRONMENT The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an associate encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Typically not exposed to extreme environmental conditions. TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS Travel up to 10% of the time, including overnight stays. APPLY HERE Company Overview: At Republic Airline, our mission is to provide a safe, clean and reliable flying experience. We believe this is best accomplished by focusing on our vision, "With the BEST people, products, and performance, we will be America's Regional Airline of choice." Republic Airline is a regional airline headquartered in Indianapolis, operating fixed-fee flights for American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and United Airlines. The Company's fleet consists of nearly 190 Embraer 170/175s, offering approximately 950 flights daily to 100 cities in the U.S., Canada, the Caribbean and Central America. Our crew bases include Chicago, IL (ORD), Columbus, OH (CMH), Indianapolis, IN (IND), Kansas City, MO (MCI), Miami, FL (MIA), Newark, NJ (EWR), New York, NY (LGA), Philadelphia, PA (PHL), Pittsburgh, PA (PIT) and Washington, D.C. (DCA). We have 10 maintenance bases: Charlotte, NC (CLT), Chicago, IL (ORD), Columbus, OH (CMH), Indianapolis, IN (IND), Louisville, KY (SDF), Newark, NJ (EWR), New York, NY (LGA), Philadelphia, PA (PHL), Pittsburgh, PA (PIT) and Washington, D.C. (DCA). With more than 5,500 talented aviation professionals, Republic Airline is a great place to get your career off the runway! For more information, please visit our website at www.rjet.com. Back to Top Learn From Real Life Experience Attendees of the 25th Annual AAAE/FAA Airfield Safety, Sign Systems and Maintenance Management Workshop will take home lessons learned and best practices that can be applied at their airports from PHL's complex runway extension project, including: • The difficulties and unforeseen circumstances encountered and how they were overcome. • The complex phasing schedule and interdependent contracts spread over a few years. • Impact to maintenance and operations personnel daily job duties. • Signage, markings, and lighting changes along with required NOTAMs, and airfield charting requirements. See the updated agenda and register to attend today! Back to Top Upcoming Cranfield short courses The Cranfield Safety and Accident Investigation Centre (CSAIC) is helping to improve safety and shape the future of the transport industry. We offer an extensive range of continuing professional development (CPD) short courses in accident investigation, safety management, human factors and airworthiness. Our upcoming short courses for 18/19 include: • Fundamentals of Accident Investigation: 10 - 28 Sep 2018 • Practical Reliability: 15 - 19 Oct 2018 • Human Performance and Error: 22 - 26 Oct 2018 • Accident Investigation for Aviation Management: 05 - 16 Nov 2018 • Crisis Management and Business Continuity: 12 - 16 Nov 2018 • Aviation Medicine: 19 - 23 Nov 2018 Have you heard about our new blog? At the start of this year, we launched our Safety and Accident Investigation blog, providing information, insights and thought leadership from the CSAIC team. Read the Safety and Accident Investigation blog Please take a look and subscribe, to ensure you're the first to receive our latest content. We'd love to hear your feedback too. Contact us on: E: shortcourse@cranfield.ac.uk T: +44 (0)1234 754189 ACM122 Back to Top Back to Top ISASI 2018 Intercontinental Hotel, Festival City, Dubai. 30 October to 1 November, 2018 "The Future of Aircraft Accident Investigation" ISASI is pleased to announce that the preliminary Technical Program for ISASI 2018 is now posted. It is, of course, subject to change between now and the end of October. All up to date information, including registration forms for the seminar and a reservation link for the hotel can be found at http://isasiannualseminar.com/ We look forward to seeing all of you in Dubai. Back to Top Back to Top Back to Top GRADUATE RESEARCH SURVEY Dear pilots, My name is Michail Karyotakis, F-16 Fighter Pilot and postgraduate student 'Air Safety Management' at City University of London. Currently, I am working on my research project, which is the final part of my studies at City to gain a Master of Science (MSc) degree. My research project, entitled 'Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) in the 21st century. On attaining safer UAS flights based on current and future challenges and considerations.', aims to determine how UAS flights can become safe enough, so manned and unmanned air operations could be conducted simultaneously without compromising the safe performance of the entire aviation industry. To support my project research with data I have created a web survey for pilots, and via this way, I kindly ask your help by participating in the survey. The survey is not affiliated with any airline, training organisation, or any other. Participation in the survey is voluntary and anonymous (if desired by the participant). The survey will take about 12 minutes of your time to complete and is open for participation until 13 August 2018. Also, I would be very grateful if you could forward this message to other pilots in your contact list or spread the word in the airline or air force you are working for. Please click the link below to enter the survey: SURVEY WEB LINK: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/LC6RXZN Thank you in advance for your time and patience. Your participation is highly appreciated. Kind regards, Michail Karyotakis • Mobile phone number: +30 6983514058 • Student email: michail.karyotakis@city.ac.uk Curt Lewis