Flight Safety Information - July 25, 2023 No. 142 In This Issue : Accident: Delta B763 at Milan and Rome on Jul 24th 2023, turbulence, hail strike : Incident: Eurowings Discover A320 at Santorini on Jul 23rd 2023, rejected takeoff : An American Airlines flight returned to New York City to offload a 'disruptive' passenger after he insulted a flight attendant : 'I want to go now': Passenger reportedly forces plane to return to gate over forgotten bag : Teen hospitalized after waiting on hot jet bridge at MSP : Three scientists, pilot found dead after helicopter crash in Alaska, officials say : FAA: 109 laser strikes on aircraft so far this year in New Mexico : Pakistan International Airlines Reportedly Passes EASA Safety Audit : Indian Regulator Approached By Lessors To Deregister 54 Go First Aircraft : Advanced aircraft tracking will come live from space : Jetstar Adding 140 Pilots As New Airbus A321neos Keep Coming : Boeing Launches $950,000 Pilot Training Scholarship Initiative : International Aviation Organizations Condemn Workplace Harassment and Violence Accident: Delta B763 at Milan and Rome on Jul 24th 2023, turbulence, hail strike A Delta Airlines Boeing 767-300, registration N189DN performing flight DL-185 from Milan Malpensa (Italy) to New York JFK,NY (USA), was climbing out of Malpensa's runway 35R when the aircraft encountered severe turbulence and hail prompting the crew to declare emergency reporting severe turbulence, hail and a cracked windshield. The crew stopped the climb at FL230 and diverted to Rome Fiumicino (Italy) where the aircraft landed on runway 16R without further incident about 65 minutes after departure. There were no injuries, the aircraft sustained substantial damage including punctures of the right hand wing, punctures of both engine spinners, damage to both engines' fan blades, punctured radome, and dents along the leading edges of the wings. A listener on frequency reported the crew reported they suffered severe turbulence, hail and a cracked windshield, the aircraft subsequently diverted to Fiumicino. https://avherald.com/h?article=50c2c44a&opt=0 Incident: Eurowings Discover A320 at Santorini on Jul 23rd 2023, rejected takeoff A Eurowings Discover Airbus A320-200, registration D-AIUS performing flight 4Y-1221 from Santorini (Greece) to Frankfurt/Main (Germany), was accelerating for takeoff when the crew rejected takeoff at low speed (about 20 knots over ground) after the aircraft veered sharply to the left. The crew managed to keep the aircraft within the runway edges and returned the aircraft onto the center line, then returned to the apron. The occurrence aircraft is still on the ground in Santorini about 21 hours after the rejected takeoff. https://avherald.com/h?article=50c29de9&opt=0 An American Airlines flight returned to New York City to offload a 'disruptive' passenger after he insulted a flight attendant An American Airlines flight returned to New York City after a passenger was said to be "disruptive." The passenger, Joel Ghansham, said he wasn't disruptive but that he had a disagreement with a flight attendant. Ghansham claimed the flight attendant refused to help him stow his bag despite his recent surgery. An American Airlines flight turned back to New York City after a disagreement ensued between a passenger and a flight attendant. The plane returned to John F. Kennedy International Airport two hours into its flight to Georgetown, Guyana on Tuesday, according to a report by local news outlet Stabroek News. American said the flight had to be diverted because of a "disruptive passenger" on board," per the report. Joel Ghansham, the passenger, denied that he was disruptive in an interview posted on YouTube. Ghansham explained in the interview that he recently underwent surgery and could not lift things. Ghansham said he then asked a flight attendant to help him stow his bag in the luggage compartment, but the attendant refused. "He was like, 'I don't do that, I don't get paid for that,'" Ghansham said, referring to the flight attendant's response to his request. Ghansham added that he was seated in business class. Ghansham said another flight attendant then apologized to him and helped him stow his bag. Around an hour into the flight, during meal service, the flight attendant who refused to help Ghansham with his bag asked if he wanted something to drink, and he responded: "No thank you, waiter." According to Ghansham's interview with local news outlet Demerara Waves, the flight attendant then told Ghansham he was not a waiter and that he "had the power to turn the plane." "You must be God so you do it," Ghamsham responded, per the interview. The pilot announced that the plane was turning back to New York City. Upon landing, Ghansham was offloaded at JFK airport, according to the interview. Ghansham denied that he and the flight attendant got into an argument. "There was not a disruption. I never got up. There was not an argument, there was not a confrontation, nobody touched each other. He was wearing a mask. He wasn't even loud. It was just his pride," Ghansham said in the interview. At JFK Airport, Ghansham was met by a police officer and a Transportation Security Administration agent who interviewed him and allowed him to leave the airport, per Demerara Waves. American Airlines and Ghansham did not immediately respond to a request for comment sent outside of regular business hours. https://www.yahoo.com/news/american-airlines-flight-returned-york-052458114.html 'I want to go now': Passenger reportedly forces plane to return to gate over forgotten bag A passenger on budget airline Thai Smile Airways was caught on video forcing the plane to return to the airport gate minutes from takeoff because he had forgotten a bag at the terminal. In the footage, the passenger is seen arguing with a flight attendant in the aisle. The Bangkok-bound Airbus A320 was taxiing for takeoff from Chiang Mai International Airport. Thai Smile Airways did not immediately respond to USA TODAY’s request for comment. According to the New Zealand-based publication Stuff, the flight crew told the man they could remove him from the plane now or he could wait until they landed at Bangkok. “Do you want to go? Or do you want to wait until Bangkok?” a flight attendant said in the video. The man insisted he wanted to get off the plane, saying, “Yes, yes, I want to go now. Ask the captain.” “For everyone’s safety, we have to return to our gate to disembark… (a passenger). This could take us around five to ten minutes,” the pilot said over the intercom in the video. Airport security can be seen escorting the man and his two friends off the plane. The passenger allegedly had money and other valuables in the bag he left behind. The flight landed safely at Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Bankok after a short delay. https://www.yahoo.com/news/want-now-passenger-reportedly-forces-211932854.html Teen hospitalized after waiting on hot jet bridge at MSP A 17-year-old passed out on a jet bridge at the Minneapolis-St. Paul Airport, and her parents are blaming the extreme heat as the cause. MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) - A North Carolina teen was hospitalized Sunday after her father says they waited on a non-air-conditioned jet bridge for more than fifteen minutes in extreme heat. Brian Harrison said the family was boarding the plane at Minneapolis-St. Paul Airport when his 17-year-old daughter started to show signs of heat exposure. Harrison said the jet bridge was not air conditioned and American Airlines staff did not warn passengers before they entered. "Being from the south, I know about heat," said Harrison. "It was over 100 degrees in that jetway." Harrison said they were almost on the plane when the teen started to lose color and become weak. By the time she got into the air-conditioned aircraft, she passed out and had to be taken to the hospital by emergency responders. "No one was looking out for the passengers," said Harrison. "They were just loading them on like cattle trying to get them on so they could get on to their next route." Aviation attorney Mark K. Schwartz has litigated several jet bridge injury cases and says this is the first he’s ever heard of a heat-related injury. He says while the incident is unfortunate, he does not believe the airline is liable. "I think this is more of a customer service dispute than a legal claim," said Schwartz. Schwartz calls airport jet bridges "a gray area" when it comes to regulations and responsibility. He says there are no laws limiting how long passengers can be left waiting on the walkway or rules about climate control. "I’ve never heard of a claim related to that before," he said. "On airplanes – yes. Stuck on an airplane with no air conditioning, yes. But nothing like that ever on a jet bridge." In a statement, American Airlines said, "We strive to provide a positive experience to everyone who travels with us. A member of our team has reached out to the customer to learn more about what occurred." A spokesperson with Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport said they do not have any information to suggest a recent trend of heat-related medical calls at the airport. The Metropolitan Airport Commission owns most of the jet bridges at MSP and says the majority are air-conditioned. https://www.fox9.com/news/teen-hospitalized-after-waiting-on-hot-jet-bridge-at-msp Three scientists, pilot found dead after helicopter crash in Alaska, officials say Search and rescue divers recovered the bodies of three scientists and a helicopter pilot Sunday from the wreckage of their aircraft, which went down in a lake last week in Alaska's North Slope. The crash is being investigated by the National Transportation Safety Board. The passengers killed in the crash were identified by the North Slope Police Department as Ronald Daanen, 51, and Justin Germann, 27, both from Fairbanks; Tori Moore, 26, of South Bend, Indiana; and pilot Bernard “Tony” Higdon, 48, of North Pole, Alaska. A Facebook post from the Alaska Department of Natural Resources said Daanen, Germann and Moore were with the Division of Geological and Geophysical Surveys and were doing field survey work outside Utqiagvik. “The Department is beginning the process of grieving for our colleagues, supporting our team through this challenging time, and working with partner agencies to learn everything we can about this incident,” the post said. According to the Associated Press, the helicopter, owned by Maritime Helicopters, crashed Thursday while transporting the Alaska Department of Natural resources staff while they conducted fieldwork in the area. The wreckage was found near the small town of Wainwright, which is about 50 miles south of Utqiagvik, according to the Associated Press. In a statement released on it website, Maritime Helicopters praised Higdon while extending condolences to his family. "We all knew Tony as the consummate professional and a skilled pilot. He will be greatly missed," part of the statement read. Maritime Helicopters also said they would continue to work closely with the NTSB in their investigation. https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2023/07/24/alaska-helicopter-crash-north-slope/70454950007/ FAA: 109 laser strikes on aircraft so far this year in New Mexico NEW MEXICO (KRQE) – A total of 109 incidents where lasers have been pointed at planes in New Mexico have taken place so far this year, according to data from the Federal Aviation Administration. KRQE News 13 compared the data from 2019 to this point in 2023 and found that the state could surpass its highest amount of laser incidents in the past four years if crime continues at the current rate. Lasers pointed at aircraft in New Mexico by year: 2019: 42 2020: 98 2021: 191 2022: 151 2023: 109 Total: 591 FAA data showed Albuquerque has led the state each year in the number of incidents where lasers have been pointed at an aircraft. The city is also home to the Albuquerque International Sunport, the largest commercial airport in New Mexico. Laser incidents aren’t limited to just commercial airlines, KAFB, the Albuquerque Police Department and the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office have also had lasers pointed at their aircraft. In 2021, the FAA saw laser strikes top all previous records. The FAA received 9,723 reports from pilots, a 41 percent increase over 2020. That year, New Mexico was no exception with 191 strikes compared to 98 in 2020, a nearly 95 percent increase. Laser strikes in 2022 decreased on both a local and national level according to the FAA but still remained higher than the previous years. The FAA found that New Mexico had the seventh most laser incidents in the country per capita, according to Kirtland Air Force Base officials in 2022. Pointing a laser at an aircraft is a federal crime that can result in fines of up to $11,000 per violation and up to $30,800 for multiple laser incidents. Many high-powered lasers can completely incapacitate pilots who are trying to fly safely to their destinations and may be carrying hundreds of passengers, according to the FAA. A total of 278 pilots have reported an injury from a laser strike to the FAA since 2010. The FAA said the increase in the number of reported laser strikes is due to a number of factors including the following: • The availability of inexpensive laser devices • The abundance of lasers for sale in stores and online • The number of lasers being given as gifts • Stronger power levels that enable lasers to hit aircraft at higher altitudes • Green lasers, which are more visible to the human eye than red lasers The FAA encourages people to report laser incidents, whether they are pilots, air traffic controllers or members of the public. More details on reporting a laser strike can be found on the FAA’s website here. https://www.krqe.com/news/new-mexico/faa-109-laser-strikes-on-aircraft-so-far-this-year-in-new-mexico/ Pakistan International Airlines Reportedly Passes EASA Safety Audit The news takes PIA one step closer to rebuilding its long-haul route network. SUMMARY • Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has reportedly passed an initial audit by EASA, bringing it closer to resuming flights to the UK after the fake pilot license scandal. • If PIA passes the UK's CAA audit in September, it may pave the way for the carrier to operate flights to the US and Canada once more. • The UK market is important for PIA as it makes up 37% of its revenue, and resuming flights to Europe would be welcome news for the struggling airline. • Close Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has reportedly passed an initial audit by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), bringing the carrier one step closer to resuming flights to the UK. The UK's Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) is now scheduled to conduct a physical audit of the Pakistani flag carrier in September. Large parts of PIA's international route network were suspended in June 2020, on the back of Pakistan's fake pilot license scandal, which saw 262 of the country's pilots suspended, including 141 from PIA. If the airline passes the CAA's audit in September, the final barrier to PIA operating flights to the UK will have been removed, and it may also pave the way to the airline flying to the US and Canada once more. While there has been no official word from the airline about the timescales of any resumption, it is likely to happen quickly, given the importance of the UK market to PIA. Last week, Pakistan's Federal Aviation Minister, Khawaja Saad Rafique, told officials that PIA was likely to resume flights to the UK in the next three months, saying, "God willing, the PIA flights will resume at least to the UK in three months, and, later, flights to Europe and America will resume." A significant source of revenue With its large Pakistani diaspora, Europe, and in particular the UK, is a key source of income for PIA, making up 37% of the airline's revenue, according to a PIA spokesperson. This opportunity to tap into this market once again will, therefore, no doubt be welcome news to the airline, which has been struggling financially of late. In the past, the airline has flown to several UK airports, including London Heathrow (LHR), Manchester (MAN), Birmingham (BHX), and Leeds Bradford (LBA), from its hubs at Islamabad International Airport (ISB), Jinnah International Airport (KHI) in Karachi, and Allama Iqbal International Airport (LHE) in Lahore. Filling the gap in the market Following the suspension of PIA's direct flights to the UK, the gap in the market has been filled by both British Airways and Virgin Atlantic. However, both carriers have recently cut back their services, leaving only one direct flight between the two countries - British Airways' three-weekly flight from London Heathrow to Islamabad, which is operated by the Boeing 787. Virgin Atlantic also operated a short-lived service from Manchester to Islamabad. Meanwhile, the likes of Emirates, Qatar Airways, and Turkish Airlines, continue to offer a wide variety of one-stop options from up to eight UK departure points. PIA operates a sizeable widebody fleet of 12 Boeing 777 aircraft. The latest data from ch-aviation.com shows that the airline's long-haul fleet is currently made up of six 777-200ERs, two 777-200LRs, and four 777-300ERs. The aircraft carry between 310 and 393 passengers, depending on the configuration. https://simpleflying.com/pakistan-international-airlines-passes-easa-safety-audit/ Indian Regulator Approached By Lessors To Deregister 54 Go First Aircraft Go First has a fleet of 54 airplanes, all of which are wanted back by their lessors. SUMMARY • Go First's lessors have applied for deregistration of their aircraft. They are unhappy with limitations placed upon them following the bankruptcy proceedings. • The Indian aviation regulator has received applications from lessors to deregister Go First's entire fleet of 54 aircraft. • Go First will reportedly need to sign fresh lease agreements for 30-35 aircraft, as many lessors terminated agreements before the airline's insolvency. • Close Even as Go First attempts to restart operations, its aircraft lessors are skeptical of the future and have applied for deregistration of their aircraft. The airline is trying to retain as many aircraft and even employees to be in a position to fly again. While the bankruptcy proceedings have given it some breathing space, the lessors aren’t too happy with the limitations placed on them. Aircraft deregistration request India’s Ministry of Civil Aviation informed the Council of States that the Indian aviation regulator, the DGCA, has been approached by Go First lessors to deregister its entire fleet of 54 aircraft. The ministry stated, “DGCA has received applications from lessors for deregistration of a total number of 54 aircraft leased to Go First. Processing of the applications by DGCA is subject to the outcome of the cases before National Company Law Tribunal, Delhi and the Honorable High Court of Delhi.” Under Irrevocable Deregistration and Export Request Authorisations (IDERA), the DGCA should ideally deregister aircraft within five days for cases such as the default of lease rentals. So far, five Go First aircraft have been reportedly deregistered. The insolvency plea by Go First has granted the carrier a moratorium on aircraft, something that its lessors are not happy about. Authorities and courts are presently dealing with the matter even as Go First is busy planning its flight resumption plans. New leases Meanwhile, a report by Mint highlights that Go First will have to sign fresh lease agreements for around 30-35 airplanes as lessors for these aircraft terminated the agreement before it filed for insolvency. The report quotes a source as saying, “While the airline is making active efforts to relaunch flight operations, it will need to re-enter into fresh lease agreements or get the termination revoked by the lessors in case it wants to operate these 30-35 aircraft whose lease agreements were terminated around the time the airline filed for insolvency.” Indeed, it is important that Go First gets the lessors on board to sign fresh lease agreements, as without that, it won’t be able to fly those aircraft. It is also necessary to even secure insurances, which can be tricky without a lease contract in place. Tussle The road to flight resumption for Go First is still littered with hurdles. Among them are the ongoing issues with its lessors, who have now approached higher authorities to listen to their concerns, which are primarily related to the condition of their aircraft and pending payments. There have been several appeals filed with Indian courts related to issues with Go First’s bankruptcy. Lessors whose planes are stuck with the airline are particularly unhappy and have asked to be allowed to at least inspect the aircraft, if not repossess them. This was even challenged by Go First but promptly rejected, with the court allowing the carrier’s lessors to carry out inspections regularly. Hopefully, Go First will be able to convince all stakeholders and get them on board for a successful business restart. https://simpleflying.com/go-first-54-aircraft-deregistration/ Advanced aircraft tracking will come live from space Satellites will soon be used to keep an independent eye on airborne planes, under a deal agreed between ESA and Spire Global, a company that provides space-based data, analytics and space services. Spire will design an advanced civilian aviation surveillance system that uses a constellation of satellites to monitor flights globally in real time, as well as building an in-orbit technology demonstrator for the system. The system, called “Eurialo”, will determine the exact position of a plane by geolocating its radio frequency signals. This will provide an independent assessment of the plane’s location to complement today’s surveillance systems, which often rely on self-reported positions of aircraft derived from the Global Navigation Satellite System. The project will not only provide reliable and resilient surveillance to complete the European communication, navigation and surveillance infrastructure, but also align with the European air traffic management master plan, which describes the need for resilient, space-based infrastructure to support safe, sustainable and efficient air travel. The Eurialo system is expected to provide the most advanced and reliable system for civilian aircraft surveillance, with the ability to track a plane in real time anywhere in the world from take-off to landing. Spire will develop the mission and preliminary system design for an operational satellite constellation, and then design, deploy and operate a demonstrator mission that proves the performance of the service and critical technologies. The company will lead a consortium that includes the European Satellite Services Provider, which delivers communication, navigation and surveillance services for aviation. The Spire Global and ESA teams behind the agreement Peter Platzer, Chief Executive Officer at Spire Global, said: “Space-based aircraft tracking and geolocation is the future of air traffic management to ensure safe, secure and sustainable air travel at a global scale. We are honoured to be selected by ESA to lead the development of this first-of-its-kind aviation surveillance system demonstrator, leveraging our more than 500 years of flight heritage operating satellites in space and expertise in radio frequency technology. Javier Benedicto, acting director of Connectivity and Secure Communications at ESA, said: “ESA has a long track record of supporting companies that use satellites to improve aviation safety, security and sustainability, ensuring European autonomy and improving the lives of European citizens by creating jobs and prosperity. We are proud to partner with Spire Global with its strong heritage to develop a best-in-class satellite system design to demonstrate a system that will revolutionise air traffic management and surveillance for safer skies.” The Eurialo project is mainly funded by the German Space Agency, DLR. Spire, through its newly established German subsidiary, plans to open an office in Munich that will expand the company’s global presence to nine offices in six countries. https://www.esa.int/Applications/Connectivity_and_Secure_Communications/Advanced_aircraft_tracking_will_come_live_from_space Jetstar Adding 140 Pilots As New Airbus A321neos Keep Coming With its operations back under control and new aircraft arriving Jetstar is adding more than 100 new pilots this year to meet growing demand. With a new Airbus A321LR joining its fleet nearly every month, it's no wonder that Australian low-cost carrier Jetstar needs to find more pilots. Last month the airline called for 700 new cabin crew members, and today it announced it's adding 140 new pilots to cope with its rapid network expansion. New aircraft and new routes mean more pilots Earlier this year, Qantas Group, the parent company of Jetstar, said it would be adding around 8,500 new operational roles over the next decade. That influx of new talent will include 1,600 pilots, 4,500 cabin crew, 800 engineers, and 1,600 other operational staff for positions at both Qantas and Jetstar. Today, Jetstar said the new pilots are needed to support the airline's growth, including flying on new routes such as Sydney to Rarotonga, Brisbane to Seoul, and Melbourne to Fiji. Jetstar Chief Pilot and Head of Flight Operations Jeremy Schmidt said that as Jetstar approaches 20 years it's an exciting time to be joining the airline and it's fantastic to see so many new team members coming onboard this year. "With our ninth state-of-the-art A321neo LR about to arrive and nine more of the aircraft expected before the end of 2024, we need more pilots to support our growing fleet and network. The new NEOs have allowed us to increase the number of services we put on existing routes including between Brisbane, Adelaide and Bali and also allow us to redeploy our Boeing 787 fleet onto exciting new routes like Brisbane to Seoul." According to Planespotters.net, Jetstar has a fleet of 79 aircraft, comprising Airbus single-aisle and Boeing widebody aircraft. The low-fare carrier has 53 Airbus A320-200s, six A321-200s, and nine A321LRs. For its long-haul routes, Jetstar operates a fleet of 11 Boeing 787-8 Dreamliners, which are configured in a two-class layout of 335 seats, with 21 in premium economy and 314 in economy, while the A321LRs have 233 economy seats. Keeping it in the family Among the 140 new pilots joining Jetstar is Patrick Schwarz, one of the first cadets to join the airline directly from the Qantas Group Pilot Academy. This is a new pathway for cadet pilots looking to join Jetstar, and many more will likely follow over the coming years. Speaking of following a pathway, Patrick Schwarz is now a flying colleague of his father, Captain Phil Schwarz, who has flown with Jetstar for nearly 20 years. His role is Boeing Training and Checking Captain, and speaking about his son, he said: "Pat and I have shared a passion for aviation since he was a young boy and I've been looking forward to his first flight for a long time. He's worked really hard to get to this point and I can't wait to fly with him one day when we're on the same fleet." Patrick Schwarz said his dad had helped him through every step of the way, adding: "It has been a challenging but rewarding few years of training and I feel really well prepared for my first flight. I've always dreamed of following in my dad's footsteps and finally achieving that milestone is going to be really emotional, not just for me but for Dad too - I am counting down the days to my first flight." With its full fleet of aircraft back in service and the supply chain issues that bedeviled it under control, Jetstar has made a remarkable turnaround over this year. In September last year, Jetstar had, at one point, six of its eleven 787s out of service following a bad run of lightning and bird strikes, global parts shortages, and maintenance issues, including damage after encountering runway debris. However, the official government statistics last month showed Jetstar had on-time arrivals of 67%, on-time departures of 66%, and flight cancelations of 3.7%. While there is still plenty of room for improvement, each metric was within touching distance of the all-airline June performance of 69%, 70%, and 3.6%, respectively. https://simpleflying.com/jetstar-adding-140-pilots-new-airbus-a321neos/ Boeing Launches $950,000 Pilot Training Scholarship Initiative The money will be used to increase pilot training opportunities and fund twenty-five scholarships for historically underrepresented communities. SUMMARY • Boeing is donating $950,000 to fund pilot training programs aimed at growing and diversifying talent to meet the demand for pilots. • Fly Compton, a nonprofit in LA, will receive $450,000 to offer more flight training classes and introduce minority youth to aviation careers. • Five aviation organizations, including the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association and Sisters of the Skies, will receive $500,000 to provide scholarships and training for aspiring pilots from underrepresented and disadvantaged communities. • Close American aircraft manufacturer Boeing is donating almost one million dollars to help fund pilot training programs as the industry continues to face significant shortages. Today, Boeing announced it is investing $950,000 in scholarships for pilot training to grow and diversify the talent required to meet continued significant long-term demand for commercial airplane pilots. Where is the money going? The contributions are split between two major areas. The most significant individual investment is to Fly Compton. Boeing is donating $450,000 to the Los Angeles-based nonprofit, which aims to introduce minority youth to career opportunities in the aerospace industry. Fly Compton announced this investment would directly increase the number of flight training classes offered to students in LA's Compton community and introduce young people to career topics related to designing, building, and maintaining airplanes and drones. Training to become a pilot remains prohibitively expensive for many who dream of taking to the skies. The intensive training often costs close to $100,000. Even candidates with a private pilot's license face costs of over $70,000 in the United States. Demetrius Harris, Fly Compton's President, and Executive Director, commented on how the new funds will open doors for potential aviators: "We are grateful for the tremendous support from our partners at Boeing. They continue to demonstrate an unwavering commitment to breaking down barriers for minority youth within the aviation industry. At Fly Compton, we know that lack of exposure, access to resources and the high cost of flight training prevents underrepresented populations from exploring careers in aviation. We focus on eliminating these barriers to entry, and this funding package from Boeing helps us continue this important work." Boeing leaders present a check to Fly Compton. Funds will go toward flight training classes offered to underserved students in LA’s Compton community. Photo: Fly Compton Demand for newly qualified aviation personnel remains strong in the present and long term. Boeing, which will release its latest Pilot and Technician Outlook tomorrow, projects 602,000 new pilots will be needed to fly and maintain the global commercial fleet over the next 20 years. Who else is benefiting? In addition to the Fly Compton initiative, Boeing is donating half a million dollars to fund 25 scholarships for developing future pilots. The $500,000 will be split between five aviation organizations firmly committed to providing training and services to traditional applicants and those facing various barriers to entering the field. The recipients of this round of funding include: • Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association • Latino Pilots Association • Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals • Sisters of the Skies • Women in Aviation International Boeing's Executive Vice President of Government Operations, Ziad Ojakli, specifically mentioned how the five organizations selected are helping the next generation of pilots realize their full potential while also showing communities that are historically underrepresented in the industry that a future in aviation is possible by removing some of the social and financial barriers to entry. Another critical factor in helping future pilots is the mentorship and guidance that aviation organizations like these provide for early career professionals. Stephanie Grant, Sisters of the Skies board member and development director and a United Airlines first officer, noted how few Black women pilots there are in the country and her hopes that the scholarships will help encourage more women to take to the skies: "Sisters of the Skies is an organization of professional black female pilots committed to improving scholarship opportunities, mentorship, professional development, and outreach. Being able to support our members through scholarships like this helps offset the high cost of flight school and ultimately see these women become professional pilots. "With less than 200 Black female commercial airline pilots nationwide, we remain focused on increasing this number through the pillars of our mission." Boeing, a corporate powerhouse and significant employer in the US, has invested over $8.5 million to bring pilot training programs to underrepresented populations in communities across the United States since 2019. https://simpleflying.com/boeing-pilot-training-scholarship-initiative/?newsletter_popup=1 International Aviation Organizations Condemn Workplace Harassment and Violence MONTREAL--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The International Federation of Air Line Pilots’ Associations (IFALPA), the International Federation of Air Traffic Controllers’ Associations (IFATCA), and the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF), are united in their condemnation of all forms of workplace harassment and violence. Workplace harassment happens in all sectors, all global regions, and in all industries. However, in a world shifting rapidly towards total condemnation of workplace harassment, aviation often lags behind other industries. “A positive atmosphere, open interaction, and a functional work community elevates the wellbeing of employees.” It is impossible to address workplace harassment, particularly sexual and gender-based harassment, in the aviation industry without an examination and understanding of its severe gender imbalance. Women make up fewer than 5% of airline pilots, 3% of aircraft maintenance engineers and technicians, and only about 20% of air traffic controllers worldwide. This lack of diversity continues to support an environment of exclusion. If we are to maximize the potential of aviation professionals worldwide, we must all unite to counteract this imbalance. The culture of aviation must accelerate to the level of other industries if we are to attract and retain the skilled workforce required to address the staffing shortages – for pilots, ATC, cabin crew, and ground crew. We call on the entire aviation industry to establish practices in alignment with the International Labour Organization’s Convention No.190- on the elimination of violence and harassment at work. We call on States to ratify both the ILO C190, as well as the ICAO Montreal Protocol 2014 to prevent violence from unruly passengers. Further, we urge the international aviation community to actively support ICAO’s Gender Equality Programme promoting the participation of women in the global aviation, and to follow ICAO as it “Reaffirms its commitment to enhancing gender equality and the advancement of women’s development by supporting UN Sustainable Development Goal 5: Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls including by aiming to achieve an aspirational goal of 50-50 (women-men) by 2030 at all professional and higher levels of employment in the global aviation sector…” IFALPA, IFATCA, and the ITF are united in condemning all forms of workplace harassment in the aviation industry. We encourage every employer to establish and maintain a safe working environment, free from harassment and intimidation. “A positive atmosphere, open interaction, and a functional work community elevates the wellbeing of employees.” Note to Editors: About ITF - The International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) is a democratic, affiliate-led federation of unions recognised as the world’s leading transport authority. We fight passionately to improve working lives, connecting trade unions from 154 countries to secure rights, equality and justice for their members. We are the voice for 18.5 million transport workers who move the world. About IFALPA - The International Federation of Air Line Pilots’ Associations represents more than 100,000 pilots in nearly 100 countries. The mission of IFALPA is to promote the highest level of aviation safety worldwide and to be the global advocate of the piloting profession, providing representation, services, and support to both our members and the aviation industry. About IFATCA - The International Federation of Air Traffic Controllers' Associations (IFATCA) represents more than 130 associations around the world. As the professional voice of Air Traffic controllers, we enjoy a worldwide reputation amongst all partners in Air Traffic Management with representation in many areas, including ICAO and Eurocontrol. Promoting safety and efficiency in international air navigation is paramount to us. https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230725876817/en/International-Aviation-Organizations-Condemn-Workplace-Harassment-and-Violence Curt Lewis