Flight Safety Information - April 17, 2024 No. 078 In This Issue : Incident: KLM Cityhopper E175 near Amsterdam on Apr 15th 2024, lightning strike : Incident: Qantas B789 over Pacific on Apr 14th 2024, electrical problem : Aircraft Cabin Air International Conference - 17 & 18 September - London : Boeing plane's mid-air blowout result of ignorance to safety: FAA panelist : Boeing whistleblower calls for 787 production to stop ahead of Senate hearing : Aviation regulator monitoring Middle East conflict ‘very closely’ : “Incredibly Dangerous”: Pilots Of Jazz Aviation Dash 8-400 Scolded For Switching To Wrong ATC Frequency In Toronto : FAA Clears Boom For XB-1 Supersonic Tests : United Airlines blames Boeing problems for $200m hit to earnings : Airlines May Get Rid of Reclining Economy Class Seats for Good, Expert Says — Here’s Why : This US airport remains the busiest in the world : China rallies aviation brainpower to get widebody C929 off the ground, amp up Airbus and Boeing competition : Lilium Begins Producing Battery Packs for Electric Jet : Ryanair Says Boeing Taking Steps to Accelerate Jet Deliveries : Airbus, Rolls-Royce Close to $20 Billion Turkish Airlines Parts Deal : PhD GRADUATE RESEARCH SURVEYS Survey # 1 Survey # 2 : CALENDAR OF EVENTS Incident: KLM Cityhopper E175 near Amsterdam on Apr 15th 2024, lightning strike A KLM Cityhopper Embraer ERJ-175, registration PH-EXJ performing flight KL-1057 from Amsterdam (Netherlands) to Norwich,EN (UK), was climbing out of Amsterdam when ATC queried the crew because of their low speed. The crew explained they had had a lightning strike and maintenance wanted them back at Amsterdam. The aircraft subsequently turned around and returned to Amsterdam for a safe landing on runway 27 about 50 minutes after departure. The aircraft is still on the ground in Amsterdam about 27 hours after landing back. https://avherald.com/h?article=5177de90&opt=0 Incident: Qantas B789 over Pacific on Apr 14th 2024, electrical problem A Qantas Boeing 787-9, registration VH-ZNH performing flight QF-76 (dep Apr 13th) from Vancouver,CA (Canada) to Sydney,NS (Australia), was enroute at FL330 over the Pacific Ocean about 1550nm southwest of Honolulu,HI (USA) when the crew decided to turn around and divert to Honolulu. The crew advised ATC they did have a minor technical problem, accepted an ILS approach to runway 04R at first but subsequently requested runway 08L due to winds, on final approach to Honolulu's runway 08L the crew advised tower, they would have their flaps fully down after landing due to a technical fault. The aircraft landed safely on runway 08L about 3:05 hours after turning around. A passenger reported the crew announced they had some electrical/generator issue. After being kept at the airport for about 9 hours the onward flight was cancelled. The aircraft is still on the ground in Honolulu about 48 hours after landing. https://avherald.com/h?article=5177dbcb&opt=0 Boeing plane's mid-air blowout result of ignorance to safety: FAA panelist The company is preparing a 90-day plan to overhaul its quality and safety practices in response to the panel's findings The mid-flight blowout that plunged Boeing Co. into a crisis of confidence was not a surprise, considering shortcomings in the company’s safety culture, an aerospace expert plans to tell lawmakers on Wednesday. Javier de Luis, an aerospace engineer and lecturer at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, plans to tell the Senate Commerce Committee that the planemaker’s pace and commitment to change falls short of what’s needed after two 737 Max crashes in 2018 and 2019 killed 346 people. He was among several experts convened by the US Federal Aviation Administration who authored a damning report on Boeing’s safety culture earlier this year. In written remarks prepared for the hearing, de Luis cited what he called “distressing” comments last month by Boeing Chief Financial Officer Brian West, who said that the company’s emphasizing aircraft production over quality needs to change and that company leadership “got it” after the Jan. 5 accident, in which a fuselage panel blew off an 737 Max 9 shortly after takeoff. US investigators have said the plane was apparently missing four key bolts meant to hold the piece in place. “I would have thought that they would have ‘gotten it’ five years ago,” de Luis said in the written remarks. He is the brother of Graziella de Luis, who was one of the passengers killed when a 737 Max flown by Ethiopian Airlines crashed in March 2019. A Boeing representative declined to comment. The company is preparing a 90-day plan to overhaul its quality and safety practices in response to the panel’s findings ahead of a May 28 deadline, according to the Senate Commerce Committee. The remarks preview how Boeing’s safety culture will come under public scrutiny on Wednesday as two separate Senate hearings pore over a whistleblower’s claims of poor assembly processes and shortcomings revealed in the expert panel’s extensive study commissioned by Congress. De Luis plans to testify at the hearing called by Senator Maria Cantwell to examine the company’s safety culture. Published in February, the panel’s report faulted Boeing for ineffective procedures and a breakdown in communications between senior management and other members of staff. The Senate’s Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations will hear testimony later Wednesday from a Boeing quality engineer who has alleged the company’s 787 Dreamliner aircraft are at risk of weakening structurally over time, claims Boeing has denied. https://www.business-standard.com/world-news/boeing-plane-s-mid-air-blowout-result-of-ignorance-to-safety-faa-panelist-124041700064_1.html Boeing whistleblower calls for 787 production to stop ahead of Senate hearing The FAA is addressing an unsafe condition on the Boeing 787 In an interview with NBC News ahead of an important Senate hearing, Boeing whistleblower Sam Salehpour has called for production of the 787 Dreamliner to stop. Boeing engineer Salehpour has alleged that processes were carried out during the production of the 777 and 787 Dreamliner jets which put the safety of both aircraft types at risk. In the interview on NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt on April 18, 2024, Salehpour claimed that flaws in the 787 fuselage could cause the widebody jet to fall apart and “drop to the ground”. When questioned by the NBC host if he would currently let his own family travel on a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, Salehpour replied: “Right now, I would not”. Salehpour told NBC that production of the 787 should be halted while the alleged problems are addressed. In response to the interview, Boeing said: “These claims about the structural integrity of the 787 are inaccurate. The issues raised have been subject to rigorous engineering examination under FAA oversight.” Salehpour has alleged that small gaps at the fuselage joins on 787 aircraft could “cause a catastrophic failure,” due to excessive wear. In 2020, Dreamliner deliveries were put on hold to fix issues with small holes. After almost two years, the FAA eventually approved a solution to the problem. However, Salehpour claimed the “gaps in the 787 were not being properly measured,” and due to the mismeasurements, shims – pieces of material used to fill small gaps – were not always inserted. Salehpour also claimed that, in efforts to speed up 787 production, he witnessed “excessive stress on major airplane joints, and embedded drilling debris between key joints on more than 1,000 planes”. On April 16, 2024, Boeing defended the 787 Dreamliner and 777 following the whistleblower’s accusations. Steve Chisholm, Boeing’s Chief Engineer for mechanical and structural engineering, explained the stress tests for the 787 Dreamliner aircraft, which included testing the plane for 165,000 cycles – each cycle equivalent of a flight. ‘There were zero findings of fatigue in the composites’ “We did 165,000 cycles. There were zero findings of fatigue in the composites,” Chrisholm said during the media briefing. The company also claimed to have inspected 689 of the more than 1,100 787s in service worldwide and found no evidence of fatigue. Salehpour will testify at the Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations hearing on April 17, 2024, along with other witnesses. US Senator Richard Blumenthal, who chairs the committee, said: “Salehpour will talk about the fastening of parts of the 787 fuselage in a way that is potentially unsafe because those parts come apart with airline fatigue. That is the wear and tear of repeated use.” Blumenthal added: “He will also talk about retaliation against him when he complained to Boeing. As deeply troubling as the allegations are about the failure to put safety and quality above profits, the threat and acts of retaliation are equally troubling,” Boeing has previously declared that “retaliation is strictly prohibited” at the company. https://www.aerotime.aero/articles/boeing-whistlblower-sam-salehpour-dreamliner Aviation regulator monitoring Middle East conflict ‘very closely’ The UK’s aviation regulator said it is monitoring the conflict in the Middle East “very closely”. Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) chairman Sir Stephen Hillier told MPs it is working to ensure “we don’t put anybody at risk”. Many flights were diverted due to Iran’s missile and drone barrage aimed at Israel on Saturday night. EasyJet announced on Tuesday that it has extended its suspension of flights to and from Israel until at least late October. Asked by the Commons Transport Select Committee if he has concerns about flight safety in the region, Sir Stephen said: “The hard lessons of experience over recent years show the risks of flying in what are active combat areas. “The system in relation to what happened over the weekend in the region essentially worked as it should do. “Notams (Notices to Airmen) were issued to avoid the airspace. Aircraft were rerouted to avoid that airspace. “On occasions aircraft were diverted to different locations to avoid landing in those areas. “That caused clearly some disruption for passengers but, in the context of protecting passenger safety and the safety of the operation, then clearly that was the priority. “It’s a situation that we must continue to monitor very closely both as the Civil Aviation Authority working extremely closely with the Department for Transport, who are essentially the lead in this area. We are providing support. “We make sure that communication channels are there so that airlines and operators are getting the information that they need, and that they are working closely with the Department for Transport as well. “We maintain close contact internationally through Eurocontrol within this region and more widely just to make sure that we are sharing information and making sure that we don’t put anybody at risk as a result of the serious operations going on there.” In July 2014, Malaysian Airlines flight MH17 was shot down by a missile launched from an area of Ukraine controlled by pro-Russia separatists, killing all 298 people on board. https://uk.news.yahoo.com/aviation-regulator-monitoring-middle-east-093500665.html “Incredibly Dangerous”: Pilots Of Jazz Aviation Dash 8-400 Scolded For Switching To Wrong ATC Frequency In Toronto SUMMARY • The Jazz Aviation pilot switched frequencies without tower approval, causing confusion for air traffic controllers at Toronto Pearson Airport. • The aircraft had been cleared to cross the departing runway, but the ground crew was unaware of the pilot's actions. • Incorrect frequency communication can lead to potential safety hazards. A Jazz Aviation pilot operating regional flight QK7738 recently from North BayJack Garland Airport (YYB) to Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ) faced multiple scoldings from numerous air traffic controllers after her flight touched down at Canada's busiest airport. The pilot appears to have switched the frequency without approval from the tower. The pilot, who appears to have switched to ground before receiving instruction, did so before crossing a departing runway (06L). As expected, this was a difficult move; however, when listening to the incident recording, the tower had cleared them to cross before the ground crew was aware. For those still confused, Air Canada AC7738 had been cleared by the airport tower to cross the departing runway, to which they would cross and await further instructions before switching their radio to ground control. However, the Jazz Air flight pilot switched to ground herself in this instance, but the ground was wrong. In this incident, ground control was confused about the Jazz flight comment and discovered what was going on through other controllers. Crossing the runway The biggest concern was the aircraft crossing the runway when it was clear ground control was unaware of the actions being performed. The quick actions of the surprised controller enabled them to switch the Jazz flight to the correct frequency to continue. With the pilot on the wrong frequency, they could be talking to the wrong person and observing a different section of the airport's operations. Simple Flying contacted Air Canada to comment on the incident; and they produced this statement: "Jazz is reviewing the occurrence internally and with Nav Canada, and in keeping with its Transport Canada-approved safety management system will thoroughly investigate the incident." Jazz Aviation More commonly known as Jazz Aviation, the airline is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Canadian holding company Chorus Aviation. The carrier, which has a contract to operate regional and charter services for the Canadian flag carrier on routes across Canada and the United States, operates from a range of hubs, including Calgary, Montreal, Toronto, Vancouver, Halifax, and Ottawa. As an affiliate of the Star Alliance, routes predominantly link smaller cities across the country to significant hubs. Its fleet of over 100 aircraft includes a mix of De Havilland Canada Dash 8-400 (39), Bombardier CRJ-200 (three), Bombardier CRJ-900 (35), and Embraer 175 (25) link over 80 destinations in its network. Its head office remains at Nova Scotia's busiest airport, Halifax Stanfield International (YHZ); it employs more than 4,700 people nationwide. Other aviation subsidiaries under the Chorus Aviation parent company include Chorus Aviation Capital (a lessor) and Voyageur Airways, based in North Bay, Ontario. Voyageur offers air charter and air ambulance services and provides charter aircraft to NATO and the United Nations for deployments in Afghanistan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Chad, the Ivory Coast, and Sudan. https://simpleflying.com/incredibly-dangerous-pilots-of-jazz-aviation-dash-8-400-scolded-for-switching-to-wrong-atc-frequency-in-toronto/ FAA Clears Boom For XB-1 Supersonic Tests In what the FAA has termed “a major federal action,” the U.S. aviation regulator has granted Boom permission to conduct supersonic overland tests of the company’s XB-1 demonstrator. The special flight authorization (SFA) is the first ever issued by the FAA for tests of a civil supersonic aircraft, as all non-military aircraft are currently prohibited from operating above Mach 1 over land in the U.S. The authorization follows the first flight of the XB-1 at Mojave Air and Space Port in California on March 22, and opens the way for the expansion of the flight envelope over coming months. The SFA permits supersonic XB-1 test flights to be conducted in the restricted airspace R-2508 Complex and specifically in the Black Mountain Supersonic Corridor and in a portion of the High-Altitude Supersonic Corridor within the R-2515 airspace around Edwards AFB. The SFA also allows Boom’s civil registered Northrop T-38/F-5 chase aircraft to accompany the XB-1 at supersonic speeds. The FAA authorization covers expected supersonic flight profiles up to 30,000 ft. and is limited to a total of 20 paired flights of the XB-1 and chase aircraft between now and April 2025. Boom says that, following the FAA action, the XB-1 test team “will systematically expand the flight envelope to confirm its performance and handling qualities through and beyond Mach 1. This includes in-flight checks of all systems, as well as multiple test points demonstrating safe margin to flutter boundaries. There are a total of 10-20 flights planned before reaching supersonic speeds.” The initial supersonic test flight will be flown by Boom test pilot Tristan “Geppetto” Brandenberg. Speaking earlier to Aviation Week, Brandenberg says, “the plan is three supersonic flights. We will do Mach 1.1, 1.2, and 1.3. The reason for that is each one of those points takes so much gas and airspace that you only have time to do one of them, so we will be on condition for several minutes, we’ll get a flying qualities and handling qualities block, and be out of airspace or out of gas and have to come back home.” Boom’s chief test pilot Bill “Doc” Shoemaker, who conducted a flying qualities assessment during the XB-1’s initial 12-min. flight, is scheduled to fly the second test mission. This will “take it up to 16 deg. AOA (angle-of-attack) and will also evaluate the sideslip which will expand the envelope in order to give us a little bit more margin on a nominal landing. It will also be the first time the ‘dampers’—or stability augmentation system—is used,” Shoemaker adds. The landing gear will also be retracted and extended for the first time on the second flight. Brandenburg is scheduled to fly the third mission which will evaluate the XB-1 flutter excitation system. Flutter is a self-excited instability which can occur because of interactions between aerodynamic and inertial forces. https://aviationweek.com/air-transport/safety-ops-regulation/faa-clears-boom-xb-1-supersonic-tests United Airlines blames Boeing problems for $200m hit to earnings Carrier says three-week grounding of 737 Max 9 planes after Alaska Airlines blowout cost it profit United Airlines has blamed a $200m (£161m) hit to its earnings in the first three months of the year on the mid-flight blowout that forced it to ground many of its Boeing planes. The US carrier said the three-week grounding of 737 Max 9 jets after a cabin panel blew out on a flight operated by rival Alaska Airlines at the start of January contributed to a $124m loss in the three months to the end of March. United, which had to cancel hundreds of flights, said it would have reported a quarterly profit without the disruption. In January, US regulators ordered the temporary grounding of 171 Boeing 737 Max 9s after the Alaska Airlines flight was forced to make an emergency landing because a mid-cabin door plug blew out at 16,000ft. An initial investigation by the safety watchdog found the panel appeared to have been missing four bolts. United Airlines had to ground 79 Max 9 aircraft during the three-week period, the most by any carrier. Alaska Airlines, which has the second most Max 9 planes, revealed this month that it received $160m in compensation because of the grounding of flights. On Tuesday, a whistleblower claimed Boeing’s 787 Dreamliners were at risk of premature failure and called for them to be grounded worldwide. Sam Salehpour, who has worked at Boeing as an engineer for more than a decade, alleged the plane maker took shortcuts to reduce production bottlenecks while constructing the 787. The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating Salehpour’s claims. Boeing responded by saying it was fully confident the 787 Dreamliner was safe, adding that criticisms of the structural integrity of the planes were inaccurate. United Airlines also said on Tuesday that restrictions put in place by the FAA to limit Boeing’s production capacity meant it would receive only 66 aircraft this year, down 25% on expectations. The carrier’s chief executive, Scott Kirby, said: “We’ve adjusted our fleet plan to better reflect the reality of what the manufacturers are able to deliver.” The aircraft delivery delays have caused United to pause pilot hiring and offer voluntary unpaid leave to its pilots. Despite the Boeing disruption, the carrier reported robust demand for domestic and transatlantic flights, along with a pickup in corporate travel spending. https://www.theguardian.com/business/2024/apr/17/united-airlines-blames-boeing-problems-for-hit-to-earnings Airlines May Get Rid of Reclining Economy Class Seats for Good, Expert Says — Here’s Why “Losing the ability to recline can be a blessing in disguise,” aviation and travel expert William McGee told 'Condé Nast Traveler' Stock image of a passenger reclining seat on plane . PHOTO: GETTY The controversial debate of reclining your seat on the plane may soon come to an end thanks to airline companies wanting to cut back on costs. With airlines like Southwest debuting a more streamlined seat design for 2025, it’s only a matter of time before reclining seats disappear completely, aviation and travel expert William McGee told Condé Nast Traveler during an interview published on Monday, April 15. “This trend has been occurring for several years now, and I think it will continue. Lighter seats are what the airlines want, because with the cost of jet fuel they are always looking to reduce weight onboard,” McGee, a senior fellow for aviation and travel at the American Economic Liberties Project, said. He adds that lighter, non-reclining seats require fewer mechanical parts, and thus airline companies also save money when it comes to maintenance. Larry David Addresses Whether or Not It's Okay to Recline Your Seat on a Plane — and His Answer Sparks Debate Certain airlines like Delta, United, American and Southwest have already been cutting back on the number of inches a seat can recline, according to the outlet. Economy seats used to recline back four inches and now the standard is two inches. Pre-reclined seats are also becoming a trend. In 2019, Spirit Airlines introduced its new cabin interior that featured seats that “pre-recline on every row,” the company said in a press release at the time. The seats are designed at a slight angle to “allow for a wider range of healthy postures and movements,” and “offer an additional two inches of usable legroom compared to industry-standard flatback seats,” per the release. 'Unethical' or Brilliant? This Viral Plane 'Hack' Punishes Passengers Who Recline Their Seat McGee pointed out that airlines have been cutting back on other luxuries in the last two decades, from free seat selection to included in-flight meals. “Consumers have been losing much more than seat recline in economy class,” he said. “It's just that in this case, losing the ability to recline can be a blessing in disguise for others, because tighter seats have made reclining unfair to fellow passengers.” Airline Passenger Who Allegedly Got Away with Reclining Seat During Takeoff Ignites Etiquette Debate reclined seats on airplane Not only would airlines be spending less on maintenance and extra jet fuel costs with non-reclining seats, but they would also avoid the arguments that tend to arise among passengers whenever someone reclines. A viral video shared on X in November 2023 is an example of the controversial etiquette debate in action. In the clip, a passenger claims the person sitting behind her pushed against her seat “the whole trip” because she reclined. "I'm allowed to put my seat back," she repeatedly said in the video. Earlier in April, another airline passenger got called out on Reddit for reclining his seat during takeoff even though it’s against Federal Aviation Administration policy. The Reddit user wrote, "We were in active taxiing and readying for take off. The [flight attendant] already told him to bring his seat up and he did, briefly, then immediately reclined again when she left the immediate area. EVERYONE knows you’re not supposed to recline during takeoff and landing.” Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. PEOPLE got to the bottom of the divisive topic during an exclusive interview with travel expert Nicole Campoy Jackson in September 2023. “I'm not in the no-reclining school of thought, but I think we can recline with courtesy and understanding that we're all in tight quarters,” Jackson told PEOPLE. “After you've taken off, take a glance at the person behind you before you recline. If their laptop is out or they have a drink on the table, now is not a great time to recline and it certainly wouldn't be okay to do so without giving them a head's up. During mealtimes, definitely bring your seat back up if you have reclined it.” https://people.com/airlines-may-get-rid-reclining-economy-class-seats-for-good-expert-says-8634570 This US airport remains the busiest in the world Airports Council International World released the list of 2023’s busiest airports on Monday. The top spots this year show how international travel has continued to rebound since the pandemic dip. “Global air travel in 2023 was chiefly fuelled by the international segment, propelled by several factors. Among these were the anticipated benefits from China’s reopening and a growing inclination towards travel despite macroeconomic conditions,” Luis Felipe de Oliveira, ACI World’s director general, said in a statement. “The rankings highlight the crucial role these transportation hubs play in global connectivity, commerce, and economic development. Airports continue to demonstrate their resilience and adaptability amidst the challenges posed by the ever-evolving landscape of global travel. ACI World remains dedicated to advocating for airports worldwide throughout pivotal stages of policy formulation and to advancing the pursuit of airport excellence.” Here were the top 10 airports by passenger volume in 2023: • Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), maintaining the top spot with 104,635,151 passengers • Dubai International Airport (DXB), up from number 5 with 86,994,365 passengers • Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW), down from number 2 with 81,755,538 passengers • London’s Heathrow Airport (LHR), up from number 8 with 79,183,364 passengers • Tokyo’s Haneda Airport (HND), up from number 16 with 78,719,302 passengers • Denver International Airport (DEN), down from number 3 with 77,837,917 passengers • Istanbul Airport (IST), maintaining its spot with 76,027,321 passengers • Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), down from number 6 with 75,050,875 passengers • Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD), down from number 4 with 73,894,226 passengers • New Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL), down from number 9 with 72,214,841 passengers Travelers who want to check out some of the popular destinations these airports serve may be able to take advantage of airline stopover programs to do it. Even if a carrier’s home airport isn’t their final destination, many carriers allow travelers to add extended layovers in those cities. https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/airline-news/2024/04/15/busiest-airport-rankings-2023/73332517007/ China rallies aviation brainpower to get widebody C929 off the ground, amp up Airbus and Boeing competition • Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China held a conference ahead of a week-long seminar to seek progress with its home-grown C929 widebody passenger jet • C929 is due to rival the Airbus A350 and Boeing 787 models for long-haul routes, but analysts expect a ‘minimal impact’ outside China China’s state-owned aircraft manufacturer this week rallied 280 “experts and scholars” from various industries to seek breakthroughs in building its C929 widebody long-haul passenger jet amid intensifying competition with Airbus and Boeing. The Shanghai-based Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (Comac) said through its official WeChat social media account on Wednesday that it had kicked off a conference with talent from 21 universities and seven civil aviation companies, among other organisations, on Monday amid efforts to build its largest civilian aircraft. Experts in aerodynamics, airframe structures, electrical mechanical systems and propulsion systems would also meet for a week-long seminar, Comac said in the post that had been removed by the end of Wednesday, although the contents were still being circulated on state media. At the end of March, Comac marketing director Zhang Xiaoguang said that the C929 had entered “a crucial stage” of its development process. You really need to have a pickup from the Chinese outbound travel market to get that demand Eric Lin, UBS Chinese fuselage manufacturer Huarui Aerospace Manufacturing, which was selected in 2021 to build the body of the C929, said in February that the first middle section would be delivered by September 2027. The C929 would have around 280-400 seats, and a range of 12,000km (7,456 miles), according to Comac. But the C929, due to rival the Airbus A350 and Boeing 787 models, would require a stronger domestic outbound travel market and approvals from overseas aviation regulators to progress, said Eric Lin, head of greater China research with UBS in Hong Kong. “The [narrowbody] C919 is now going into mass production, but the C929 is another story as a bigger aircraft for longer hauls,” Lin said, with planes of a similar size to the C929 intended for longer international routes. “You really need to have a pickup from the Chinese outbound travel market to get that demand.” Comac – whose narrowbody C919 began flying commercially last year on domestic routes – has indicated that the C929 would be largely home-grown, but Lin added that it is also not clear how the manufacturer would source the parts for the aircraft. Analysts said the C919 is set to compete with the Airbus A320 and Boeing 737 families of aircraft because it is intended for mid-range flights. The C919 still depends on foreign components, including for its engine produced by a joint venture between GE Aerospace of the US and France’s Safran Aircraft Engines. But the Shanghai-based Aero Engine Corporation of China is developing the CJ-1000 high-bypass turbofan jet engine. That falls in line with China’s wider goal of technological self-sufficiency in the wake of trade and technological tensions with the West. Why it took China’s home-grown C919 plane 15 years to start flying passengers Developer Comac, which was established in 2008, also makes the smaller ARJ21 regional aircraft. “As our country’s first independently developed intercontinental passenger aircraft, the C929 is of great significance for improving the quality of domestic commercial aircraft and promoting the development of the commercial aircraft industry,” Comac chairman He Dongfeng said in the WeChat post. “Comac welcomes even more cooperation partners to enjoy joint wins from the opportunities and the future of large aircraft.” Airbus and Boeing, though, are unlikely to be affected by the C929 because they have a “whole suite of long-haul aircraft options for their customers”, said John Grant, a senior analyst with British aviation intelligence firm OAG. He forecast a “minimal impact” outside China. https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3259340/china-rallies-aviation-brainpower-get-widebody-c929-ground-amp-airbus-and-boeing-competition Lilium Begins Producing Battery Packs for Electric Jet Each electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) Lilium Jet will include 10 battery packs, which provide range and redundancy. Lilium Begins Producing Battery Packs for Electric Jet At Lilium’s purpose-built battery factory in Munich, the company begins manufacturing battery packs for its flagship Lilium Jet. [Courtesy: Lilium] German manufacturer Lilium, which is developing what it says will be the first electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) jet for regional travel, is continuing to ramp up manufacturing. Following the start of aircraft production in December, the company on Tuesday began building the aviation-grade battery packs that will power its flagship Lilium Jet: a seven-seat eVTOL designed for regional air mobility (RAM) services. Each Jet will be fitted with 10 independent battery packs, intended to boost range. The packs are also redundant, allowing the aircraft to fly and land safely if one fails. According to Lilium, production follows extensive testing all the way down to the individual battery cell. The first battery packs off the assembly line at the manufacturer’s purpose-built battery factory, just outside its headquarters in Munich, will be used to perform verification testing ahead of the Lilium Jet’s first piloted flight. That milestone is being targeted for late 2024. “The start of production of the battery packs is a proud moment for Lilium,” said Yves Yemsi, chief operating officer of Lilium. “Battery technology is central to the goal of delivering sustainable regional air mobility, including overcoming the challenges of developing and industrializing a battery pack that will meet the stringent safety standards of aircraft certification.” Lilium’s battery packs are composed of lithium-ion cells with silicon-dominant anodes. The company claims these enable greater energy, power, and fast-charging capabilities than graphite anode cells, which are much more common in batteries today. However, many automakers, including Porsche, Mercedes-Benz, and General Motors, are eyeing transitions to silicon anodes, which are believed to provide a higher energy density than graphite. The packs are designed to meet European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) safety standards around shock resistance, heat resistance, containment, and redundancy. According to Lilium, it has secured intellectual property rights for the technology. The German manufacturer says its batteries are designed to support a higher power and energy density for regional—rather than urban—air mobility operations, with the implication being that they are more powerful than those of competitors focused on urban air mobility (UAM). RAM and UAM are subsets of advanced air mobility (AAM). RAM seeks to connect cities within a region, while UAM focuses more on intracity operations. The Lilium Jet is expected to cruise at 162 knots on regional trips spanning 25 to 125 sm (22 to 109 nm). Each Jet’s 10 battery packs will power electric jet engines produced by Honeywell and Japan’s Denso. Propulsion comes in the form of 36 electric ducted fans embedded in the aircraft’s fixed wings. The unique configuration sacrifices hover efficiency for improved cruise efficiency and lower noise. Lilium began building its flagship aircraft in December with the delivery of seven fuselages to its manufacturing facility, ramping up production in February with the installation of a serial production line for the Jet’s propulsion systems. These components and others will be assembled into seven aircraft, which the company intends to use for piloted flight testing and, later, for-credit evaluations with EASA. It hopes to achieve type certification in 2025 ahead of a planned commercial launch in 2026. In February, Lilium designated Orlando International Airport (KMCO) as the hub for its U.S. operations in Florida. https://www.flyingmag.com/lilium-begins-producing-battery-packs-for-electric-jet/ Ryanair Says Boeing Taking Steps to Accelerate Jet Deliveries Ryanair Holdings Plc said Boeing Co. has taken steps to accelerate delivery of some 737 Max jets this summer, potentially alleviating the bottleneck created from a slower pace of output. The Irish budget airline might receive an additional two or three planes before the end of June, Chief Executive Officer Michael O’Leary said on Wednesday at a press conference in Rome. While that still leaves the airline far short of its original plan, the development shows Boeing is making efforts to accommodate one of its most important customers. Stephanie Pope, who replaced Stan Deal last month as head of Boeing’s commercial aircraft business, is “committed” to speeding up late deliveries, O’Leary said. Boeing was forced to slow production following the near-catastrophic accident in early January involving a 737 Max 9 jet operated by Alaska Airlines. Ryanair expects only 40 out of 57 Max planes to be delivered this summer, forcing the airline to cut its annual passenger forecast and flight frequencies across its network. Ryanair expects to take most of the deliveries from July through to October, in time for the 2025 peak summer season. “I am more optimistic with the new management,” the CEO said. “There is someone in Seattle that you can call.” https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-04-17/ryanair-says-boeing-taking-steps-to-accelerate-jet-deliveries?embedded-checkout=true Airbus, Rolls-Royce Close to $20 Billion Turkish Airlines Parts Deal (Bloomberg) -- Turkish Airlines is set to sign an agreement with Rolls-Royce Holdings Plc and Airbus SE for the domestic production of aircraft components valued at as much as $20 billion, part of its mega plane purchase announced last year. A deal could be announced at a ceremony in Istanbul later this month, according to Turkish officials familiar with the matter. The Turkish state is the largest shareholder in the airline. Turkey’s flagship carrier firmed up the purchase of 230 aircraft from Airbus in December, with options for more as the airline looks to scale up its Istanbul hub and take on regional rivals such as Emirates and Qatar Airways. As part of the order, Turkey pushed for local production of airplane parts, the people said. The agreement for domestic production of airplane parts is a key component in Turkey’s goal to develop its civilian and military aviation industry and is part of the 2023 Airbus order that’s valued at about $70 billion. Turkish companies including state-run TUSAS Engine Industries Inc., or TEI, will likely be part of the manufacturing program, said the officials, who asked not to be identified as the discussions are confidential. A spokesman for Turkish Airlines confirmed the date for a signing ceremony, without elaborating. An Airbus spokesman declined to comment. Rolls-Royce couldn’t immediately be reached for comment. Shares of Airbus and Rolls-Royce climbed as much as 1.6% and 2.8%, respectively, after the news, before trading 1.2% and 2.1% higher as of 12:53 p.m. in London. Turkey has long been engaged in talks with foreign companies including Rolls-Royce to acquire engine technology for its domestic tank and warplane projects. The jet-engine maker, whose chief executive holds Turkish and British citizenships, already has a joint venture with industrial conglomerate Kale Group in Turkey. The government in Ankara has been pushing to make domestic production a part of its foreign purchases, including in defense equipment and passenger airplanes. https://www.yahoo.com/finance/news/airbus-rolls-royce-close-20-101944028.html PhD GRADUATE RESEARCH SURVEY My name is Michail Karyotakis. I am a Research student at Cranfield University in the UK. Currently, I am working on my Research project, which is focused on Developing a Dynamic Safety Management Framework for Advanced Air Mobility Operations. The following Questionnaires serve the main purpose of data collection since data on the Research field is limited. The surveys are not affiliated with any airline, training organisation, or any other. Participation in the surveys is voluntary and anonymous (if desired by the participant). Each survey will take about 10 minutes to be completed. Thank you in advance for your time and patience. Your participation is highly appreciated. Please click the link below to enter the survey: https://cranfielduniversity.eu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_1M8LnQdhnjnu0Jg (1) https://cranfielduniversity.eu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_dmoQJRGyrp9PUEK (2) Student email: michail.k.karyotakis@cranfield.ac.uk CALENDAR OF EVENTS • Blazetech - Aircraft Fire Hazards, Protection, and Investigation Course June 4 - 7, 2024 • (APTSC) Asia and Pacific Turboprop Safety Conference - June 26 - 27, 2024 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia • Airborne Public Safety Association, Inc. (APSCON 2024) - July 29 - August 3; Houston TX • Asia Pacific Airline Training Symposium - APATS 2024, 0-11 September, 2024, Singapore • Aircraft Cabin Air International Conference - 17 & 18 September - London • 2024 Ground Handling Safety Symposium (GHSS) - September 17-18, 2024 - Fort Worth, TX • 2024 ISASI - Lisbon, Portugal - September 30 to October 4, 2024 • International Congress of Aerospace Medicine ICAM 2024 in Lisbon, Portugal, 3 - 5 October 2024 • Aviation Health Conference back on Monday 7th and Tuesday 8th October 2024 • 2024 NBAA Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition - Oct. 22-24 (Vegas) Curt Lewis