Flight Safety Information November 12, 2019 - No. 233 In This Issue Boeing expects to resume delivering 737 Max jets to airlines in December Boeing details steps needed to get grounded Max jet flying Boeing says 737 MAX expected to resume flying in January Incident: Southwest B737 at Santa Ana on Nov 10th 2019, gear problem on departure Incident: American A321 near Las Vegas on Nov 10th 2019, strange odour on board Spirit Airlines Plane Makes Emergency Landing After Fumes Reported In Cockpit Incident: Malaysia A333 at Kuala Lumpur on Nov 9th 2019, gear problem on departure Incident: Caribbean B738 near Nassau on Nov 9th 2019, engine shut down in flight Incident: Global A320 near Johannesburg on Oct 18th 2019, engine oil leak Accident: Envoy E145 at Chicago on Nov 11th 2019, runway excursion on landing Southwest will speed up inspections of 38 used 737 airplanes after FAA concerns Safety officials probing records of work on Southwest jets TSB releases air-taxi safety report Are Aircraft Engines Hitting Their Technical Limits? Russians Explore Business Aviation Growth Possibilities IATA Determines Four Priorities For African Aviation Boeing to focus on safety, innovation and partnerships at 2019 Dubai Airshow Becker Avionics changes the way pilots monitor radio with 3D audio New Purdue Aviation program, flight simulator address future pilot shortage concerns Rare exhibit honoring Women Airforce Service Pilots featured at SA airport Banyan Only FBO at FXE with IS-BAH Stage I Accreditation ATLAS Space Operations Announces Partnership with Aevum, Inc CABIN CREW FATIGUE RESEARCH PROJECT BlazeTech Aircraft Fire Hazards, Protection and Investigation Course - May 26-28, 2020 in Woburn MA, USA Flight Data Solutions Applied International Aviation Meteorology" course - Nov 2019' Position Available: Audit Production Manager; Air Carrier Boeing expects to resume delivering 737 Max jets to airlines in December, before the jet carries passengers again Undelivered Boeing 737 Max planes in a Boeing property in Seattle in August. David Ryder/Getty Images • Boeing said on Monday that it expected to resume delivering 737 Max jets to airlines in December. • The deliveries would begin after the plane receives primary certification from the Federal Aviation Administration but before it is fully cleared to fly again, a new Wall Street Journal report said. • The plane maker said it completed a simulator test of the plane's redesigned software with the FAA, a crucial step toward certification. Boeing said on Monday that it expected to resume delivering 737 Max jets in December, before the plane is approved to fly passengers again. Boeing is working to get a fix to the troubled plane - as well as a pilot-training requirement - certified by the Federal Aviation Administration. The plane maker is looking to have pilots start delivering jets to airline customers after the plane's main certification is complete but before that training is finalized, The Wall Street Journal reported. Boeing has faced increasing pressure as it halted deliveries while production continued. Though in April it cut its production rate to 42 planes per month from 52, it has had difficulty finding places to store the completed but undeliverable planes. Resuming deliveries would also help Boeing weather mounting financial pressure. The company has sold only a handful of Max jets since Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 crashed in March, and it's concerned because of dwindling wide-body orders partly stemming from the Trump administration's trade war with China. Though Boeing has maintained since the summer that it would be able to get the Max flying again by the fourth quarter, American Airlines and Southwest Airlines recently pulled the plane from their schedules until early March. Despite several recent setbacks, including being required to resubmit documentation outlining changes to the Max's flight computer, Boeing last week cleared a step in the certification process following a series of successful simulator tests with the FAA, The Journal reported. However, even if the plane is certified by the end of the year, the pilot training isn't expected to be approved until several weeks later, following a public comment period, The Journal reported. Until the training is approved and implemented, airlines would not be allowed to use the planes to carry passengers. Even so, airlines are anxious to resume deliveries. Operators will need to service the stored planes and inspect jets before returning them to service. By beginning deliveries before the training is approved, Boeing and airlines would have some extra time to get the planes ready. Boeing's stock was trading about 5% higher on Monday afternoon following the announcement. Boeing has been preparing to aggressively deliver jets, recruiting recently retired aircraft technicians to help prepare stored planes for delivery flights, an initiative first reported by Business Insider. The 737 Max, the latest version of Boeing's best-selling plane, has been grounded since March after crashes in Indonesia and Ethiopia killed 346 people. Investigations into the two crashes suggest that an automated system called MCAS, or the Maneuvering Characteristics Augmentation System, erroneously engaged, forcing the planes' noses to point down, and that pilots were unable to regain control of the aircraft. The system could be activated by a single sensor reading. In both crashes, the sensors are thought to have failed, sending erroneous data to the flight computer and, without a redundant check in place, triggering the automated system. MCAS was designed to compensate for the 737 Max having larger engines than previous 737 generations. The larger engines could cause the plane's nose to tip upward, leading to a stall - in that situation, the system could automatically point the nose down to negate the effect of the engine size. https://www.businessinsider.com/boeing-737-max-deliveries-december-certification-2019-11 Back to Top Boeing details steps needed to get grounded Max jet flying FILE - In this April 10, 2019, file photo a Boeing 737 MAX 8 airplane being built for India-based Jet Airways, takes off on a test flight at Boeing Field in Seattle. Boeing hopes to resume deliveries of its 737 Max jet to airlines in December and win regulatory approval to restart commercial service with the plane in January. Boeing shares rose in midday trading Monday, Nov. 11. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren, File)(ASSOCIATED PRESS) and an area where Boeing failed when it introduced the plane in 2017. The timetable that the company laid out Monday would allow it to generate cash by delivering planes even before the Federal Aviation Administration approves new training material for pilots. Boeing said it has demonstrated changes to the plane during sessions with the FAA in a flight simulator. It still must show regulators those changes during one or more certification flights. Boeing's expectations around the timing of the Max's return have proven too optimistic many times before. Even after the FAA approves a training regimen, airlines will need time to retrain pilots, and they plan to conduct flights - likely with executives and reporters on board - to demonstrate to the public that the plane is safe. Two big U.S. customers - Southwest and American - say they don't expect the Max to carry passengers until early March - a year after the plane was grounded following crashes in Indonesia and Ethiopia killed 346 people. Boeing has continued to pump out about 42 Max jets a month at its factory in the Seattle area, but it has been burning through cash because it can't deliver those planes and get paid by the airlines. https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/business/nation/story/2019-11-11/boeing-details-steps-needed-to-get-grounded-max-jet-flying Back to Top Boeing says 737 MAX expected to resume flying in January These Southwest Airlines planes, seen on a tarmac in California, were among the Boeing 737 MAX aircraft grounded after two fatal crashes; Boeing now hopes the model will be cleared to fly in January 2020, while some airlines are aiming for March (AFP Photo/Mark RALSTON) New York (AFP) - Boeing on Monday said it expects the 737 MAX airplane, which was grounded after two crashes killed 346 people, to resume flying in January, delaying its return by one month. In a statement, the group said it still hopes to receive certification next month from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), allowing it to resume MAX deliveries to airline customers before the end of the year. "In parallel, we are working towards final validation of the updated training requirements, which must occur before the MAX returns to commercial service, and which we now expect to begin in January," Boeing said. It had previously planned for the model to resume flying in December. The new timetable was well received by the market, with Boeing shares increasing 4.7 percent by around 2:30 pm (1930 GMT) on the New York Stock Exchange. The 737 MAX planes have been grounded globally since mid-March, following the deadly Lion Air crash of October 2018 and the Ethiopian Airlines crash in March this year. The grounding has dragged on far beyond initial expectations as Boeing had to upgrade systems and faced questions from regulators and politicians over the plane. Southwest Airlines and American Airlines on Friday pushed back their timeframe again for resuming flights on the 737 MAX until early March. Southwest, the largest MAX customer at the time of the grounding with 34 of the aircraft, is currently doing without 175 flights per day out of a total of up to 4,000 while the planes are out of commission. Companies also need to take into account the time needed to train pilots and install modified software on the aircraft before they can re-enter regular service. Boeing said Monday it has completed the first of five milestones it must meet before returning the MAX to service: a multi-day simulator evaluation with the FAA to "ensure the overall software system performs its intended function." - Major crisis for Boeing - The group said it still needs to run a separate, multi-day simulator session with airline pilots to "assess human factors and crew workload under various test conditions," before FAA pilots conduct a certification flight of the final updated software. Boeing has notably changed the aircraft's Maneuvering Characteristics Augmentation System (MCAS), an anti-stall mechanism that pilots in both fatal crashes had struggled to control as the jets careered downwards. Boeing will then submit to the FAA all the necessary materials to support software certification. The final key step before the resumption of commercial flights is an evaluation by a multi-regulatory body to validate training requirements. After this, Boeing said, a report will be released for a public comment period, followed by final approval of the training. "At each step of this process Boeing has worked closely with the FAA and other regulators," the group said. The 737 MAX crisis is one of the most serious in Boeing's 103-year history, and has already cost the company tens of billions of dollars, triggering multiple investigations by US authorities and a cascade of complaints from victims' families. Driven by a 67 percent drop in commercial aircraft deliveries in the third quarter, Boeing's sales plunged 20.5 percent to $19.98 billion and its profits halved to $1.17 billion. And while Boeing hopes for a resumption of commercial 737 MAX flights in early 2020, uncertainty still looms. The European Union Aviation Safety Agency had estimated in early November that it did not expect a resumption of MAX flights in Europe before the first quarter of 2020 as it conducts its own test flights, assesses pilot training requirements and coordinates with EU member states. The FAA, which has come in for widespread criticism for entrusting certification of important systems of the aircraft to Boeing, has promised a thorough review before certification. Pilot training remains a contentious point, with Europe and Canada requiring training on flight simulators while American pilots will only have to go through faster computer-based training. https://www.yahoo.com/news/boeing-says-737-max-expected-resume-flying-january-212222793.html Back to Top Incident: Southwest B737 at Santa Ana on Nov 10th 2019, gear problem on departure A Southwest Airlines Boeing 737-700, registration N7744A performing flight WN-4095 from Santa Ana,CA to Dallas Love,TX (USA), was climbing out of Santa Ana when the crew reported they had a gear issue. The aircraft levelled off at 5000 feet and prepared for a return to Santa Ana, the crew subsequently decided to divert to Los Angeles,CA (USA) where the aircraft landed safely on runway 25L about 35 minutes after departure. A replacement Boeing 737-700 reached Dallas with a delay of about 3 hours. https://flightaware.com/live/flight/SWA4095/history/20191111/0045Z/KSNA/KDAL http://avherald.com/h?article=4cf22a49&opt=0 Back to Top Incident: American A321 near Las Vegas on Nov 10th 2019, strange odour on board An American Airlines Airbus A321-200, registration N934AA performing flight AA-1233 from Sacramento,CA to Dallas Ft. Worth,TX (USA), was enroute at FL310 about 100nm north of Las Vegas,NV (USA) when the crew decided to divert to Las Vegas reporting a stange odour in cockpit and cabin. The aircraft landed safely on Las Vegas' runway 25L about 20 minutes later. Paramedics met the aircraft, however, nobody needed transport to hospital. A replacement A321-200 registration N151AN reached Dallas with a delay of 3.5 hours. The occurrence aircraft returned to service about 24 hours after landing. https://flightaware.com/live/flight/AAL1233/history/20191110/1520Z/KSMF/KDFW http://avherald.com/h?article=4cf226ec&opt=0 Back to Top Spirit Airlines Plane Makes Emergency Landing After Fumes Reported In Cockpit SACRAMENTO (CBS13) - A Spirit Airlines plane landed safely at the Sacramento International Airport after the crew reported smelling fumes in the cockpit Monday night. An SMF airport spokesperson said the flight took off with crew only just before 10 p.m. but had to turn around for the smell of fumes. The plane was met by fire crews on the tarmac who cleared the plane. After further inspection, the spokesperson said there was smoke in the cockpit, noting the plane had maintenance issues earlier Monday. No passengers were on the plane during the incident. https://sacramento.cbslocal.com/2019/11/11/spirit-airlines-emergency-landing-fumes-smoke/ Back to Top Back to Top Incident: Malaysia A333 at Kuala Lumpur on Nov 9th 2019, gear problem on departure A Malaysia Airlines Airbus A330-300, registration 9M-MTL performing flight MH-360 from Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) to Beijing (China), was in the initial climb out of Kuala Lumpur's runway 32R when the crew stopped the climb at 6000 feet due to a problem with the landing gear. The aircraft burned off fuel and landed safely back on Kuala Lumpur's runway 32L about 2:45 hours after departure. A replacement A330-300 registration 9M-MTE reached Beijing with a delay of 6 hours. The occurrence aircraft returned to service after about 37 hours on the ground. http://avherald.com/h?article=4cf22398&opt=0 Back to Top Incident: Caribbean B738 near Nassau on Nov 9th 2019, engine shut down in flight A Caribbean Airlines Boeing 737-800, registration 9Y-BGI performing flight BW-526 from Georgetown (Guyana) to New York JFK,NY (USA) with 134 passengers and 7 crew, was enroute at FL380 about 330nm northnortheast of Nassau (Bahamas) when the crew needed to shut one of the engines (CFM56) down. The aircraft drifted down to FL200 and diverted to Nassau for a safe landing about 70 minutes later. The airline reported a mechanical issue with one of the engines prompted the diversion to Nassau. https://flightaware.com/live/flight/BWA526/history/20191109/2135Z/SYCJ/KJFK http://avherald.com/h?article=4cf21dac&opt=0 Back to Top Incident: Global A320 near Johannesburg on Oct 18th 2019, engine oil leak A Global Airways Airbus A320-200 on behalf of Mango, registration ZS-GAO performing flight JE-149 from Johannesburg to Cape Town (South Africa) with 174 passengers and 9 crew, was preparing for departure when the crew was advised the right hand integrated drive generator had been leaking oil the previous flight. The ground engineer checked the engine (V2500) drain and confirmed there were signs of an engine oil leak. The crew consulted with the minimum equipment list and determined that the flight could go ahead with the IDG disconnected. Crew and maintenance engineer agreed, that should an engine oil leak become apparent during engine start, the #2 IDG would be disconnected and the aircraft dispatched under minimum equipment list requirements. During engine start oil the maintenance engineer observed leaking oil, the crew received a ""#2 ENG IDG OIL LOW PRESS" indication. Before taxiing the oil quantity was noted at 17 quarts. The aircraft departed and had just levelled off at FL320, when the first officer, pilot flying, noticed the right hand engine oil quantity had dropped to 9 quarts. The captain immediately decided to return to Johannesburg, the crew kept the engine running. The aircraft landed safely back on Johannesburg's runway 03R and taxied to the apron about 80 minutes after departure. South Africa's CAA opened an investigation into the occurrence. http://avherald.com/h?article=4cf1fd0b&opt=0 Back to Top Accident: Envoy E145 at Chicago on Nov 11th 2019, runway excursion on landing An Envoy Embraer ERJ-145, registration N619AE performing flight AA-4125 from Greensboro,NC to Chicago O'Hare,IL (USA) with 38 passengers and 3 crew, landed on O'Hare's runway 10L at 07:40L (13:40Z), tower had reported medium braking action and 4000 feet RVR, when the aircraft skidded left off the runway, skidded sideways further yawing to the left and came to a stop with all gear as well as the right wing tip on soft ground about 5350 feet/1630 meters past the runway threshold, the right main gear had collapsed. A passenger commented: "I think we landed!". The aircraft was evacuated. The runway was closed. The airline reported the aircraft skidded off the runway due to icy conditions at Chicago O'Hare, all 38 passengers and 3 crew left the aircraft without injuries and have been taken to the terminal. Following the occurrence ATC changed to tell arriving aircraft that braking action was poor. The aircraft had gone around on short final to runway 10L about 25 minutes earlier after being instructed by tower to go around. American Eagle Flight Slides Off Runway At O'Hare http://avherald.com/h?article=4cf1eedf&opt=0 Back to Top Southwest will speed up inspections of 38 used 737 airplanes after FAA concerns WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Southwest Airlines Co (LUV.N) said Monday it will complete inspections on 38 737 airplanes it acquired from foreign air carriers by Jan. 31 that may not meet all U.S. aviation safety requirements. FILE PHOTO: A number of grounded Southwest Airlines Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft are shown parked at Victorville Airport in Victorville, California, U.S., March 26, 2019. REUTERS/Mike Blake The planes are part of 88 pre-owned Boeing (BA.N) 737 aircraft Southwest bought between 2013 and 2017 from 16 foreign carriers. The speedier checks come after inspections of 39 used planes turned up previously undisclosed repairs and incorrectly completed fixes. Southwest used multiple contractors to conduct the reviews of the planes' maintenance records when they bought the planes. "We have a plan in place to inspect the 47 remaining aircraft, nine of which are currently in heavy checks, no later than January 31, 2020 - five months earlier than the original FAA accepted completion date of July 1," Southwest said in a statement on Monday. Southwest said its inspections to date "did not stem from any suspected safety concerns with the aircraft." It added its "continuous assessment of the ongoing inspections has revealed nothing to warrant the expedited timeline" but will meet it nevertheless. In 2018, Southwest agreed to conduct a complete physical inspection on each of these pre-owned aircraft over a two-year period after a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) safety inspector in May 2018 discovered discrepancies in records for some of 88 aircraft. Since then, Southwest said it has completed the nose-to-tail inspection of 41 aircraft without any findings that suggested an "adverse impact on continued safe operation." An Oct. 24 memo from H. Clayton Foushee, director of the FAA Audit and Evaluation Office, made public on Monday said the Southwest inspections turned up at least 30 previously unknown repairs and 42 major repairs that were found "not to meet FAA airworthiness requirements." Some required "immediate corrective action to bring the aircraft back into compliance." The memo added "the data collected to date would indicate that a majority of" the planes to be inspected do not meet FAA airworthiness requirements. The U.S. Senate Commerce Committee noted on Monday that the 2018 discovery prompted a full records review by Southwest Airlines of all 88 aircraft that found 360 major repairs previously unknown to the airline because they were not disclosed in the contractors' initial review. Foushee's memo said Southwest grounded 34 planes in November 2018 for inspections. The committee said as a result some planes were grounded "for immediate maintenance to bring them into regulatory compliance as a result of these newly discovered prior major repairs." The FAA then sent an Oct. 29 letter to Southwest seeking additional information about the uninspected planes and questioned whether they suffered specific damage items. It also raised concerns about Southwest's "slow pace in completing the evaluation of aircraft." Senate Commerce Committee Chairman Roger Wicker said in an Oct. 30 letter to the FAA that its concerns about Southwest's used planes correspond "to concerns that have been brought to my attention by whistleblowers as part of my investigation into aviation safety." The committee said the FAA allowed Southwest to continue to operate these aircraft and as a result "Southwest Airlines appears to have operated aircraft in unknown airworthiness conditions for thousands of flights." The FAA said Monday that after receiving Southwest's response it determined the airline has "met the requirements for immediate inspection and risk assessments on these aircraft." The FAA added it "is requiring more frequent updates on the progress of completing all the requirements." https://www.reuters.com/article/us-southwest-faa/southwest-will-speed-up-inspections-of-38-used-737-airplanes-after-faa-concerns-idUSKBN1XL2EU Back to Top Safety officials probing records of work on Southwest jets FILE- In this Jan. 25, 2019, file photo a Southwest Airlines jet moves on the runway as a person eats at a terminal restaurant at LaGuardia Airport in New York. Federal regulators have threatened to ground dozens of Southwest Airlines jets if the airline can't confirm that the planes, which it bought used from foreign operators, meet all safety standards. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez, File) DALLAS (AP) - Southwest Airlines says it will speed up inspections of dozens of used planes it bought from foreign airlines after federal regulators threatened to ground the jets because they might not meet all safety standards. The Federal Aviation Administration said Monday that Southwest agreed to complete the inspections by Jan. 31, and that the agency will take more action if necessary. Southwest downplayed any risk to safety. The airline said repairs on some used Boeing 737 jets had been done but were not properly classified by previous owners. "Our actions did not stem from any suspected safety concerns with the aircraft but were an effort to reconcile and validate records and previous repairs," said a Southwest spokeswoman, Brandy King. However, the chairman of the House Transportation Committee said recently he was skeptical that all the planes yet to be inspected are airworthy. The issue involves 88 planes that Southwest has bought from more than a dozen foreign airlines since 2013. According to the Senate Commerce Committee, Southwest hired contractors to review maintenance records and then used authority delegated to it by the FAA to grant certificates that let it carry passengers on the planes. In May 2018, an FAA inspector discovered discrepancies in some of the records. That prompted a review by Southwest, which turned up 360 major repairs that the airline didn't know about - they were not mentioned by the contractors. Southwest grounded four planes in October 2018 because of major reinforcing repairs that didn't meet FAA standards, and briefly grounded 34 more the next month for more limited visual inspections, according to FAA's chief auditor. The FAA then gave Southwest two years - until July 1, 2020 - to inspect the planes and verify that all necessary maintenance and repairs had been done properly. On Oct. 29, the FAA manager responsible for overseeing Southwest said the airline had only evaluated 39 planes, a "slow pace." If Southwest was slow to evaluate the remaining planes, "the FAA may exercise remedies up to and including grounding the aircraft," the FAA manager, John Posey, said in a letter to Southwest's chief operating officer, Mike Van de Ven. Posey wrote that in reviewing the first 39 planes, Southwest found 30 undocumented repairs and 42 that did not conform to standards. He said FAA understood that Southwest had corrected those situations and all 39 planes met FAA airworthiness standards. Peter DeFazio, D-Ore., chairman of the House Transportation Committee, called those findings "alarming" and "troubling." He said that given the record of undocumented repairs on planes that were inspected, he doubted that all the planes yet to be inspected were in airworthy condition. He raised his objections in a letter to FAA Administrator Stephen Dickson. The FAA's chief auditor, Clayton Foushee, said Southwest admitted it had not even translated some maintenance records into English. He told Dickson it was "nonsensical" to claim that the planes held valid safety certificates, and he recommended grounding them for immediate inspections. Southwest agreed to inspect and validate repair records on the last 38 planes by Jan. 31, five months earlier than the original deadline. Some are currently undergoing detailed maintenance checkups. The FAA said it is requiring more frequent updates from Southwest on the progress of its work. The FAA's concern about the Southwest planes was first reported by The Wall Street Journal. The planes involved are an earlier model of the Boeing 737 than the 737 Max, which has been grounded since March after two deadly accidents. https://www.yahoo.com/news/safety-officials-probing-records-southwest-195312328.html Back to Top TSB releases air-taxi safety report Total number of accidents and fatalities involving Canadian-registered aircraft by operator type, 2000 to 2017. (Source: TSB) The Transportation Safety Board of Canada on November 7 published its safety issue investigation report called Raising the bar on safety: Reducing the risks associated with air-taxi operations in Canada. The report from the Transportation Safety Board (TSB) includes four new recommendations aimed at improving air-taxi safety. TSB states this a sector continues to have more accidents, causing more fatalities, than all other areas of commercial aviation in Canada combined. "We found that accidents in this sector of aviation boil down to two underlying factors: The acceptance of unsafe practices and the inadequate management of operational hazards," said Kathy Fox, chair of the TSB. "And although overall, commercial aviation in Canada has shown improved safety performance over the past 10 years, air-taxi operations remain at higher risk." Air-taxi operations in Canada involve aircraft (excluding jets) and helicopters that, by regulation, carry fewer than 10 passengers. TSB explains these aircraft provide a variety of services throughout Canada, often in remote environments with less infrastructure than is available at large airports, and where access to basic weather information and the latest technology may be limited. "It is this unique operating context - the diversity of both operations and environment - that exposes air-taxi companies to very different risks," said Fox. Glen Whitney, who served as TSB's investigator-in-charge of the report notes air-taxi operators must balance several competing pressures. "When one of or more of these pressures is not adequately managed, it doesn't always lead to an accident, but it almost always leads to a reduced safety margin," he said. To address this problem, the TSB recommends that operators, their clients, and Transport Canada (TC) work together to eliminate the acceptance of unsafe practices and to promote both proactive safety management and a positive safety culture. The TSB also recommends that TC close known safety gaps in the regulations, and require all commercial operators to collect data on hours flown and aircraft movements by type of operation, in order to measure whether risk mitigation measures are effective. https://www.wingsmagazine.com/tsb-releases-air-taxi-safety-report/ Back to Top Are Aircraft Engines Hitting Their Technical Limits? By Chris Bryant | Bloomberg The high-pressure turbine blades in a Trent 1000 passenger jet engine have to withstand temperatures far above the melting point of the nickel alloy from which they're made. It's a fiendish technical challenge for the engine's British manufacturer, Rolls-Royce Holdings Plc - comparable to trying to stop an ice cube melting inside a kitchen oven on full blast. The solution found by the company's engineers was to blow cool air through tiny holes in the blades. Unfortunately this clever approach has encountered some unexpected problems. Boeing 787 aircraft operated by British Airways, Norwegian Air Shuttle, Virgin Atlantic and others have been grounded in recent months for inspections and repairs because the Trent 1000 engine blades have been degrading faster than anticipated. It's the type of problem that's becoming common in the industry as the demands placed on engines become ever greater. The expense of dealing with these things is rising too. Last week, Rolls-Royce quantified the cost of fixing various Trent 1000 issues at 2.4 billion pounds ($3.1 billion), a cash outflow the debt-laden manufacturer can ill afford. Few inventions have done more to transform our life over the past century than jet engines. They've let people travel faster and further, and they're remarkably safe. Passenger fatalities like the one caused by a turbine failure on a Southwest Airlines flight last year are rare. Developed at enormous expense and using innovative new materials, the most recent "powerplants" (to use engines' industry name) are comparatively quiet and fuel efficient. Yet these innovations have taken the technology closer to its technical limits and reliability issues have crept in. "By pushing the envelope on thrust and efficiency, things have started to go wrong elsewhere in the system," says Nick Cunningham at Agency Partners. This is worrying because companies are under pressure to build even more efficient propulsion systems to curb carbon emissions. Rolls-Royce's problems appear the most serious - some 40 787s powered by its engines are parked - but this is an industry-wide issue. Forced to ground planes and adjust flight schedules, airlines have resorted to leasing replacement aircraft and have told engine manufacturers to pay compensation. In September Tim Clark, the boss of Emirates, said manufacturers are delivering aircraft that don't do what was promised. "Give us airframes and engines that work from day one. If you can't do it, don't produce them," he said. The laws of science aren't the only thing testing the engine makers. Airbus SE and Boeing Co. have brought several new passenger jets to market in quick succession and their powerplant suppliers have had to ramp up production rapidly. A lot of new demand is from emerging markets where dusty or polluted air can put additional strain on engines. Airbus production was thrown into chaos last year by engine glitches involving Pratt & Whitney's geared turbofan (GTF) for the A320neo, Airbus's top-selling jet. More recently the launch of Boeing's 777x wide-body aircraft was pushed to next year after the premature wearing out of a General Electric engine component. It's one thing for an engine to miss tough production targets, but quite another for engines to fail once they're in service. "Engine manufacturers have always had teething problems but in four decades I've never seen anything like the list of technical issues they're been having lately," says John Strickland, director of JLS Consulting. This month India threatened to ground scores of Airbus A230neo jets operated by domestic carrier Indigo unless the Pratt engines were replaced by the end of January. The warning followed several incidents of engines shutting down in-flight. In October Lufthansa AG subsidiary Swiss temporarily grounded its Airbus A220(1) fleet so the Pratt engines could be inspected after a spate of powerplant failures (the debris from one such incident was recovered from a French forest last week). Since then Canadian regulators ordered the same aircraft not to operate at full power above a specified altitude. About 70% of airlines and lessors surveyed by Citi Research said groundings caused by engine issues were a key concern. Some are looking to operate mixed fleets to lessen the risk of one engine type being grounded. While that's prudent, it's more expensive than using a single type of equipment. The risk for engine manufacturers is that reliability issues cost them market share. Earlier this year Air New Zealand switched an order for 787 jet engines to GE after problems with its Rolls-Royce kit. Indigo placed a $20 billion order with the GE/Safran engine joint venture rather buy from Pratt (Pratt claimed the decision was price-related). The problems haven't affected all new technologies. Rolls-Royce's XWB powerplant for the Airbus A350 has proven reliable so far. The core gearing innovation underpinning Pratt's GTF also appears to work as planned; a relief because it cost about $10 billion to develop. There's more at stake, though, than airline flight schedules and manufacturers' pride and profitability. As with the car industry, the aerospace sector is gearing up for an epochal effort to curb carbon emissions. Aviation accounts for 2%-3% of greenhouse gas emissions but the sheer volume of plane deliveries in coming years will counteract engine efficiency gains. Aviation's share could rise to between 10% and 25% by 2050, a Roland Berger study found. Unlike carmakers, the airlines lack viable technological alternatives. Biofuels have potential but fully electric large commercial aircraft are probably decades away Engine manufactures are working on still more efficient jet engine designs. Rolls-Royce claims its Ultrafan technology will deliver a 25% improvement in fuel burn compared to the first generation of Trents. Bringing these innovations to market quickly is essential from a planetary perspective but rushing development could prove counterproductive. "My sense is that public opinion in Europe at least is moving quicker than the technology," says Rob Stallard at Vertical Research Partners. Cunningham is even less optimistic. "Gas turbines are running out of road at just the point where the political impetus is toward greater decarbonization," he says. "Jet engines are unlikely to get a lot better from here." (1) The plane was developed by Bombardier Inc and was known as the C-Series before Airbus acquired a majority stake. https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/energy/are-aircraft-engines-hitting-their-technical-limits/2019/11/12/202723fe-0528-11ea-9118-25d6bd37dfb1_story.html Back to Top Russians Explore Business Aviation Growth Possibilities Pavel Kolobkov, Russia's minister of sport and tourism and one of the main proponents of the development of business aviation in Russia. The Russian market for business aviation is on the verge of big changes, according to recent statements from leading Russian experts in the field and senior officials of the Russian Ministry of Sport and Tourism. These will be driven mainly by shifting preferences of local customers towards economy and functionality, they say. Mikhail Titov is a vice president of the Russian United National Association of Business Aviation (ONADA)-a public association, which unites leading operators in the field of business aviation. He said recently that the market is becoming more civilized, while local customers are becoming more pragmatic. He sees these trends reflected by the ever-growing interest of local customers in small- and medium-size business jets. Titov said that was generally uncommon for Russians in the past, and he views it as a clear sign of rapidly-changing customer preferences. Pavel Kolobkov, Russia's Minister of Sport and Tourism, commented that many potential Russian customers in recent years have started paying more attention to "the technical component of an aircraft, the level of its fuel consumption and crew aboard," instead of the brand and various frills. The ongoing change in customer preferences has also contributed to growth in demand for domestic jets. One of them is Sukhoi SuperJet VIP, an aircraft built by Russia's Sukhoi corporation. Growing interest from potential customers has already forced Sukhoi to consider an increase in production. In the meantime, analysts told AIN they have also noticed growing interest from local customers in chartering jets, instead of purchasing. According to these analysts, the cost of charter varies (by type of the aircraft and destination) from $9,000 to $10,000 per flight hour for the bigger jets and most popular destinations, to $2,000 to $3,000 per flight hour for smaller models. In the meantime, according to Titov, despite the improved economic situation in Russia, the current market remains unstable. Analysts at ONADA predict growth in registrations of business jets owned by Russians and operated under domestic jurisdiction. That will also be part of a bigger trend for wealthy Russians returning their capital and fortunes to Russia, amid fears of new personal sanctions from the West. https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/business-aviation/2019-11-11/russians-explore-business-aviation-growth-possibilities Back to Top IATA Determines Four Priorities For African Aviation The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has asked authorities in Africa to focus on priorities going forward. Moreover, the group says that these points will help economic and social growth within the continent. Ethiopian Airlines is one of Africa's largest carriers. Photo: Boeing What are the priorities? According to a press release from the organization, IATA hopes to reach the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDG). The four priorities that it has listed are listed as follows. • Safety • Cost-competitiveness • Opening the continent to travel and trade • Gender diversity IATA's director general and CEO, Alexandre de Juniac, spoke about these factors at the 51st Annual General Assembly of the African Airline Association (AFRAA) in Mauritius. He said that that the region has the capacity to develop a rich aviation industry while demand grows over the next period. "Across the African continent, the promise and potential of aviation is rich. Already it supports USD 55.8 billion in economic activity and 6.2 million jobs. And, as demand more than doubles over the next two decades, the critical role that aviation plays in Africa's economic and social development will grow in equal proportion," he said. "With the right tax and regulatory framework, the opportunities aviation creates to improve people's lives are tremendous." EgyptAir 787 EgyptAir is another important player in the continent. Photo: EgyptAir Safety In regards to safety, the IATA has broken down the improvements needed into three points. It wants more states to implement the IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) into their safety models. At the moment, Mozambique, Rwanda, Togo, and Zimbabwe apply the use of this. Furthermore, IATA wants smaller airlines to become certified under the IATA Standard Safety Assessment (ISSA). Finally, it wants more African nations to introduce ICAO standards and recommended practices in their regulations. Cost-competitiveness In a bid to improve cost-competitiveness, the group has called on states to follow ICAO standards and recommend practices for taxes and fees. It also wants hidden costs to be disclosed, and eliminate taxes or cross-subsidies on international jet fuel. Along with this, there are calls for authorities to follow treaty obligations. It also wants to ensure the efficient repatriation of carrier income at reasonable exchange rates. Currently, funds are blocked in 19 countries in the region. Opening the continent to travel and trade By opening up the doors of the land, IATA hopes that this will give airlines the freedom to do business and citizens the freedom to explore their continent. In addition, it hopes that the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) will boost intra-Africa trade with the dropping of duties and non-tariff barriers. Also, it has listed the African Union (AU) Free Movement Protocol as aw way to reduce strict visa restrictions that countries within the continent impose on each other. The institution has also called for the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM) project to open up connectivity. Air Mauritus A350 Alexandre de Juniac shared the points during the 1st Annual General Assembly of the African Airline Association in Mauritius. Photo: Airbus Gender diversity IATA has called for the aviation market to improve its gender diversity and has also asked carriers to support the 25by2025 campaign. This is a recently launched voluntary program for operators to pledge commitment to increase female roles at senior levels. Ultimately, it wants a 25 percent increase in female participation by 2025. Altogether, the group feels that women are under-represented in technical professions and at higher-level management within airline companies. Therefore, it hopes that Africa can be a leader within this field. Important changes According to IATA, Africa will see an extra 199 million passengers by 2037, for a total market of 334 million passengers. By focusing on the priorities listed in the press release, the continent can hold a major presence in the future of aviation. The African market is currently changing because of new business segments opening up within the continent. This has attracted the attention of other operators across the globe. Additionally, its ever-growing tourism industry will also require the correct measures to be put in place. https://simpleflying.com/iata-african-aviation-priorities/ Back to Top Boeing to focus on safety, innovation and partnerships at 2019 Dubai Airshow • Interactive exhibit highlights how Boeing and partners are building the future together • Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner on flying display; Etihad 787-9, Emirates 777-300ER and Boeing PAV on static display • Defence static displays include F-15, KC-46, H-47 and V-22 Boeing will showcase its broad portfolio of commercial and defence products, services and technologies at the 2019 Dubai Airshow, which runs November 17-21 at Dubai World Central. The company's presence and activities at the show will focus on safety, innovation and industry partnerships in the growing Middle East market. At Boeing's exhibit, visitors can immerse themselves in a 360-degree theatre and learn more about the company's capabilities throughout the product life cycle. An interactive display will highlight Boeing's latest family of aircraft and services, as well as the company's vision for the future of mobility. A seating mock-up and virtual reality experience will offer visitors a closer look at the 777X. The exhibit will be located near the main entrance of the exhibit hall (1110). On the airfield, a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner will demonstrate the breakthrough capabilities and innovations that have made it a favourite of both operators and customers. This unique 787 sports a full-body decal celebrating the Employees Community Fund of Boeing, the company's employee-managed charitable fund. An Etihad 787-9, Emirates 777-300ER and a Boeing Passenger Air Vehicle (PAV) will be on static display. The U.S. Department of Defense also will display several Boeing platforms at the show, including an F-15E fighter, an MV-22 tiltrotor and a KC-46A tanker. The UAE will showcase a CH-47F Chinook helicopter. Boeing's market outlook values the Middle East commercial aeroplane and services market at more than $1.5 trillion over the next 20 years. Boeing also anticipates 40% of defence and space opportunities in the next decade will originate outside the U.S., with strong platform and services growth opportunities in the Middle East. Company leaders will discuss these market opportunities and other topics at a series of media briefings during the show. Media attending the show should check the daily briefing schedule at the Boeing Chalet, located on the flight line directly outside the rear of the exhibition hall (A21-24). https://www.aviation24.be/air-shows/dubai-air-show/boeing-to-focus-on-safety-innovation-and-partnerships-at-2019-dubai-airshow/ Back to Top Becker Avionics changes the way pilots monitor radio with 3D audio Becker Avionics has brought a new intercom system to the market that makes it easier for pilots to listen to multiple radios at once using 3D audio. The system, AMU6500, is parallel to the company's DVCS6100 intercom system with 3D audio incorporated. Becker Avionics had the AMU6500 (top box), as well as its DVCS6100 system (below top box), on display at this year's Air Medical Transport Conference in Atlanta, Georgia, allowing showgoers to experience the 3D audio capability. Mike Reyno Photo The AMU6500, which is compatible on both fixed- and rotary-wing aircraft, can operate four radios per unit; up to three AMUs can be installed in an aircraft, allowing for pilots to operate up to 12 transceivers and 12 receivers. When 3D audio is activated on the system, pilots can have multiple radios on, yet still be able to focus on one radio frequency at a time. "The advantage of 3D audio is you can have multiple radios running and your brain will split them," said Lee Benson, senior consultant for Becker Avionics. "If you want to listen to the left radio, you listen to the left radio and the right radio goes away, and vice versa." The 3D audio feature relies mainly on the human brain's ability listen to a particular conversation in one direction, and tune out all other sounds coming from other directions. For example, on an air medical flight, the patient's headset can be set to 12 o'clock, allowing the flight nurse sitting in front of them to listen to them more attentively. Then, if hospital calls come through at the same time, those radio frequencies will sound as though they are coming from a different direction. The flight nurse can then choose which radio they would like to focus on. "I used to be the chief pilot for LA County Fire," said Benson. "You'd have two or three radios running at the same time, and you'd be turning volumes up and down and shutting them off. You're just constantly working, trying to keep up with the communications. With the AMU, you just leave all the volumes where they're at." David Oglesbee of Becker said the 3D audio system takes about 30 minutes to get used to, "and you have it 100 percent figured out." The box will have the future capability to split between the pilot and copilot, allowing each one to listen to their own radio frequencies from one unit. The box was also designed to be tactile for pilots when in use, so they can feel the clicks of the knobs as they turn them, or the buttons as they push them. This is to ensure pilots "don't accidentally hit buttons while flying 100 knots," Oglesbee said. The company believes the AMU6500 will be most beneficial for operators that need the capabilities of an intercom system, but don't have the budget for a more expensive unit. The system will also benefit law enforcement operators and private operators of light-to-medium aircraft like the Bell 505, Oglesbee said. The AMU6500 has been in development for roughly six years, and many agencies have now procured or are in the process of procuring the system. The system is night vision goggle compatible out of the box, and Bluetooth compatible. "Bluetooth is important because a lot of agencies are now carrying Bluetooth-enabled headsets," said Benson. "So, if a police officer has his own special frequency, he can tie into the [AMU] system." Oglesbee said the AMU6500 is priced for the market; the company wanted to keep the price of the system competitive while still offering the capabilities that operators need. Becker Avionics had the AMU6500, as well as its DVCS6100 system, on display at this year's Air Medical Transport Conference in Atlanta, Georgia, allowing showgoers to experience the 3D audio capability. https://www.verticalmag.com/news/becker-avionics-changes-the-way-pilots-monitor-radio-with-3d-audio/ Back to Top New Purdue Aviation program, flight simulator address future pilot shortage concerns Peter Lavieri, a senior professional flight student at Purdue, checks controls before heading down the runway in the Hawker 900XP flight simulator. It is the latest technology added to the Holleman-Niswonger Simulator Center at Purdue University Airport. (Purdue University photo/Brian Powell) Hectic annual holiday travel illustrates need for more pilots WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - The approaching holiday travel season brings concerns of what a pilot shortage could mean for the annual overflowing flight schedules. That shortage could soon could be alleviated. Purdue (University) Polytechnic Institute has introduced a Degree in 3 program. It is intended to get more flight students properly trained and in the air a year sooner. The move is expected to save participating students $20,000 to $30,000 in tuition and living expenses. flight simulator Professional flight students from Purdue Polytechnic check their controls as they fly over a fake landscape in the aviation school's newest flight simulator. (Purdue University photo/Brian Powell) Also aiding the aviation program is new simulator technology. "There is a global shortage of pilots, and we are part of the solution," said Manoj Patankar, the Raisbeck Engineering Professor of Aviation Technology and head of the School of Aviation and Transportation Technology (SATT). Purdue Polytechnic's SATT is in the first year of its new Degree in 3 initiative. The initiative started this past summer, allowing select professional flight students to start their degree program en route to completing the traditional four-year program in three years. The program comes at a good time as worries continue about at shortage of pilots in the aviation industry. Pilot numbers have dropped almost 30 percent during the last 30 years because fewer new pilots are entering the industry, according to numbers from the Federal Aviation Administration. In addition to getting students into the job market sooner, partnerships between Purdue and the airline industry also allow students to earn specific technical proficiency for Airbus, Boeing and others before they even graduate. Hawker 900 Sitting on a two-foot concrete pad, the Hawker 900XP is the largest and latest addition to the array of flight simulators in the School of Aviation and Transportation Technology. (Purdue University photo/Brian Powell) "Purdue is certainly leading the pack in terms of being able to graduate students who are job-ready, allowing them to enter the job market sooner," Patankar said. Trained professional pilots are a particularly important commodity for the airline industry during the holiday season. Winter holiday flight totals have jumped substantially in the last six years, increasing from 205,727 flights in 2012 to 443,096 flights in 2018. The U.S. Department of Transportation considers the winter holiday a 21-day period beginning on Dec. 14 and ending Jan. 3. Purdue's Hawker 900XP full-flight simulator began operation in September. The in-flight simulator, using the latest technology, is bolstering SATT's work to put new pilots in the skies. The simulator is qualified at the highest level by the FAA, helping students earn qualifications as a pilot or second-in-command. The opportunity to utilize summertime flying offers other advantages to professional flight students, according to Brian Dillman, associate professor in aviation and transportation technology. "The three-year program leverages better flying weather during Indiana's summers and improves our aircraft utilization - a win-win solution for all," he said. Students can find more information about the professional flight Degree in 3 program online at polytechnic.purdue.edu/degrees/professional-flight-degree-3-program. https://www.purdue.edu/newsroom/releases/2019/Q4/new-purdue-aviation-program,-flight-simulator-address-future-pilot-shortage-concerns.html Back to Top Rare exhibit honoring Women Airforce Service Pilots featured at SA airport Women Airforce Service Pilots, or WASPs, could be called the original "Fly Girls." They were the under-recognized pilots who were based out of Sweetwater, Texas, and carried a heavy load for the U.S. Air Force's bomber units in Europe during World War II. The highly coveted WASP jobs were only given to about 1,800 women, but 25,000 people from all over the United States had applied. "They were teachers. They were dancers. They were secretaries. They were nurses, and they were moms. They came from all over, but they had to pay their own way and even pay the $500 to be trained as pilots," said Dr. Yvonne Katz, president of the San Antonio Women's Chamber Foundation, which worked to bring a rarely seen exhibit featuring the WASPs to the San Antonio International Airport. The collection of memorabilia and photographs in the exhibit came from the Avengers Field, where the WASPs trained and worked during the war years. The field in Sweetwater, located in West Texas, currently stands as a museum. Katz said despite having no rank or recognition as members of the U.S. Air Force, the women of WASP did a man's job. "They not only ferried the planes over for the male pilots to use in bombing missions, but they also flew kites off the back of their planes for the guys to learn how to shoot at a plane," Katz said. In other words, the women were shot at to train the male pilots how to aim at a flying target. When all of the male pilots were out on a bombing mission, and a new one appeared, the WASPs back at the home base would be ordered into the air. Some died in combat that way. "(The WASPs) knew how to fly. They knew how to bomb. They knew how to shoot, so some of them did missions. Some of the 38 who died during this program died in combat," Katz said. Others would die flying damaged planes back from battle or while test flying newly repaired planes before they were flown back over the ocean. Some noted that ejecting from the cockpit was a chancy proposition since most parachute harnesses were built to hold much bigger men. The women knew it was better to take a chance and try to fly a malfunctioning plane to a landing rather than jump out. The bravery and confidence of WASPs were celebrated this weekend by the Women's Chamber of Commerce Constellation of Stars Gala, with one former pilot and two former Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service, or WAVES, being honored. WAVES, like the Women's Army Corps, was another World War II-era women's service unit where women signed on to work in what was traditionally a man's military job. Among those honored were former WAVE and Mayor Emeritus Lila Cockrell, who died earlier this year. Cockrell's friend, Rosemary Kowalski, accepted the award. Recognition for the contribution of women to the military in World War II was slow coming. WASPs who died in combat or crash-landed during the war years were not given a military funeral with a flag-draped coffin. Instead, they were buried as civilians. It was not until the 1970s that pressure on the Pentagon resulted in honors and medals being bestowed upon the women who had opened the door to allowing women in the military. They are now considered military veterans. The WASPs museum exhibit at San Antonio International Airport will remain on display in the TSA check-in areas of Terminal A and B until the end of the year. https://www.ksat.com/features/2019/11/12/rare-exhibit-honoring-women-airforce-service-pilots-featured-at-sa-airport/ Back to Top Banyan Only FBO at FXE with IS-BAH Stage I Accreditation Banyan Air Service based at Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport has earned the International Standard for Business Aircraft Handling (IS-BAH) Stage I accreditation. NOVEMBER 11, 2019 Don Campion and the Banyan's IS-BAH team proudly announce their stage 1 accreditation. Dennis Porebski, Carlos Robins, Eddie Osborne, Kenny Gibson, Don Campion, Jon Tonko, Eric Veal, Ryan Bartman, and Alex Casanova. Missing from the photo is Louis Homsher. Banyan Air Service based at Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport has earned the International Standard for Business Aircraft Handling (IS-BAH) Stage I accreditation. IS-BAH developed by the International Standard for Business Aircraft Handlers and the National Air Transportation Association (NATA), is a set of global industry best practices for business aviation ground handlers that features at its core a safety management system (SMS). "We are proud to be the first FBO at Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport to earn this accreditation," says Kenny Gibson, Banyan's training manager. "Safety is very important to us at Banyan and the IS-BAH accreditation demonstrates our commitment to providing industry best practices to our customers. We are very proud to have earned this accreditation." IS-BAH accreditation involved a complete audit of Banyan's FBO processes and procedures for safety. Gibson led the effort in this process with the help of seven other teammates; Ryan Bartman, Alex Casanova, Dennis Porebski, Eddie Osborne, Carlos Robins, Eric Veal, and Louis Homsher. Banyan previously had a safety committee and documented procedures but needed to add more detail to meet the IS-BAH requirements. Gibson wrote a new line service manual and delegated each of the team members a section of the process to cross reference the audit findings with the manual to ensure accuracy. Jon Tonko, Banyan's director of customer support said, "Kenny and his team have been working on this project for the past 18 months; reworking our manual, standard operating procedures and implementing best practices which was then audited over the course of 3 days. I am so proud of the team for all the extra effort while still serving our guests on a daily basis." Banyan Air Service is an award-winning full-service fixed base operation (FBO), with more than 1 million square feet of hangar and office space within an 85 acre aviation complex. Banyan's FBO provides fueling and ground support and is consistently ranked as the #1 South Florida FBO by aviation professionals. Banyan is celebrating 40 years in business and is looking forward to expanding to the north side of Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport and to Opa Locka (OPF) airport in Miami. In addition, Banyan provides aircraft sales, heavy maintenance and interior modifications, turbine engine service, structural repairs, avionics installations and services, and aircraft part sales. Banyan's aircraft sales department is the Southeast Sales and Service center for the HondaJet. When visiting Banyan be sure to check out the world's largest pilot shop, Banyan Pilot Shop and dine with a view of the ramp at delicious Jet Runway Café. For more information, visit www.banyanair.com. https://www.aviationpros.com/fbos-tenants/press-release/21113935/banyan-air-service-banyan-only-fbo-at-fxe-with-isbah-stage-i-accreditation Back to Top ATLAS Space Operations Announces Partnership with Aevum, Inc. and Contribution to ASLON-45 Space Lift TRAVERSE CITY, Mich.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--ATLAS Space Operations, Inc., a leading innovator in ground communications for the space industry, and Aevum, Inc., a principal provider of launch and space logistics services, today publicly announced their partnership and collaboration on The Agile Small Launch Operational Normalizer (ASLON)-45 space lift mission. "This partnership will push the envelope of capabilities that are available to the space community. Beyond the ASLON-45 mission, ATLAS and Aevum are looking forward to conducting many successful launches and continuing to empower global access to space." The partnership expands on the existing collaboration between ATLAS and Aevum with the $4.9 million ASLON-45 mission, which provides orbital launch services to the Department of Defense (DOD) Space Test Program and other government agencies. By facilitating experimental satellites in low-Earth orbit, ATLAS and Aevum will help the DOD improve their real-time threat warnings. "We're ecstatic to announce our long-term relationship with Aevum," said Sean McDaniel, CEO and co-founder of ATLAS. "This partnership will push the envelope of capabilities that are available to the space community. Beyond the ASLON-45 mission, ATLAS and Aevum are looking forward to conducting many successful launches and continuing to empower global access to space." ATLAS' Freedom™ Ground Network currently has 31 operational and planned antennas placed strategically around the world. This extensive ground communications network perfectly complements Aevum's scalable launch service, which allows their unmanned, autonomous lift vehicles to launch from virtually any runway in the world and not be limited to range. This combination of services gives the partners and their customers global accessibility to space operations. A unique advantage of the partnership will be the seamless transition in implementing ATLAS' global communications capabilities. Because Aevum already uses ATLAS for telemetry, tracking, and command, launch support to post-launch support will be a simple transition for customers. Furthermore, the partnership will allow Aevum to lower the cost of launches for small satellite missions. "By choosing to horizontally integrate with ATLAS, we're shifting the risk away from technology and capital to execution - which involves a lot of trust," said Jay Skylus, founder and CEO of Aevum. "Vertical integration may reduce execution risk but often heightens cost and technology development risks. Our choice to integrate with ATLAS for ground communications provides our customers with more benefits and robust services." Aevum will now have access to ATLAS' extensive ground station network, enabling the service to conduct launches all over the globe. ATLAS and Aevum's scalable partnership will allow each company to continue to produce cutting-edge capabilities for the space community and better serve their customers. About ATLAS Space Operations ATLAS Space Operations, Inc., based in Traverse City, Michigan, empowers global access to space through FreedomTM, a simple solution for processing and analyzing data from space, through a global antenna network, powered by a revolutionary cloud-based software. ATLAS's forward-thinking communications solutions are transforming the space industry by making ground communications simple, affordable and scalable than ever before. For more information on ATLAS Space Operations, please visit https://www.atlasground.com/. About Aevum Space Logistics Aevum, Inc. provides comprehensive space logistics services, including launch, to enable commercial and government customers to deploy small payloads in low Earth orbit. Aevum's reusable, fully-autonomous launch system drastically reduces launch costs, provides high mission flexibility, and enables rapid launch capabilities in as low as 180 minutes - from anywhere in the world. https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20191111005566/en/ATLAS-Space-Operations-Announces-Partnership-Aevum-Contribution Back to Top CABIN CREW FATIGUE RESEARCH PROJECT Fatigue is a pervasive issue that affects all airline cabin crew. Fatigue may impede cabin crews' ability to consistently and effectively manage passengers from safety, security and service perspectives. As part of our undergraduate research project at Swinburne University of Technology (Melbourne, Australia), we are conducting a survey of international cabin crew primarily engaged in long-haul (LH) and ultra long-haul (ULH) flight operations. This survey asks cabin crew for their views on various issues associated with work-related fatigue and stress. We also seek your views on the availability and effectiveness of various fatigue countermeasures. If you are working as LH or ULH cabin crew, you are invited to participate in this study. You will be asked to complete an online questionnaire, which also includes a consent form. The study takes approximately 20 minutes to complete. To access the study, please go to the following website: https://swinuw.au1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_8qBLCKgmpWlraxT Participants who complete the study will be eligible to enter a draw to win the latest iPad (6th Generation). This research project is being supervised by Peter Renshaw at the Department of Aviation, Swinburne University of Technology. If you have any questions, please contact Peter at prenshaw@swin.edu.au Back to Top Aircraft Fire Hazards, Protection and Investigation Course presented by N. Albert Moussa, PhD, PE May 26 to 28, 2020 BlazeTech Corporation 29 B Montvale Ave, Woburn MA 01801 USA. Dear Colleague, While commercial air transport is very safe, the advent of new technologies poses fire safety challenges that will be treated in this course. This offering draws upon Dr. Moussa's work in this area since 1971 as well as related courses that BlazeTech has been teaching since 1998. Lectures will include an update on Li and Li-ion battery fires, flammability of carbon fiber and glass fiber composites, emerging aviation fluids, engine fires, fuel tank fire/explosion, fire extinguishment methods, protection methods, aircraft accident investigation, and fire/explosion pattern recognition. Recent requirements and accidents are continuously added to the course. For each type of fire, this course will provide a cohesive integrated presentation of fundamentals, small- and large-scale testing, computer modeling, standards and specifications, and real accident investigation - as outlined in the course brochure. This integrated approach will enable you to address safety issues related to current and new systems and circumstances, and to investigate one of a kind fire and explosion accidents. The course will benefit professionals who are responsible for commercial aircraft, helicopters and unmanned aerial vehicles including design, equipment selection, test, operation, maintenance, safety management system, hazard/risk assessment, and accident investigation. View Brochure for course content and registration form (also embedded below). View Testmonials of previous attendees and their Companies. View some of the technical references discussed in this course. We also offer this course at the client site as well as customized courses on fire and explosion in other areas. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us. Albert Moussa, Ph.D., P.E. BlazeTech Corporation 29B Montvale Ave. Woburn, MA 01801-7021 781-759-0700 x200 781-759-0703 fax www.blazetech.com firecourse@blazetech.com LinkedIn Back to Top Contact: info@scaledanalytics.com Curt Lewis