News

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    Taxi and Ground Movement

    NOTICE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
    FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION N JO
    Air Traffic Organization Policy
    Effective Date:
    June 30, 2010
    Cancellation Date:
    March 10, 2011
    SUBJ: Taxi and Ground Movement Operations
    1. Purpose of This Notice. This notice amends Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)Order JO 7110.65, Air Traffic Control, Paragraph 3-7-2, Taxi and Ground Movement Operations, by deleting the phraseology and procedure of issuing “taxi to” when authorizing an aircraft to taxi to an assigned takeoff runway, thus allowing an aircraft to cross all runways/taxiways which the taxi route intersects except the assigned runway.

    2. Audience. This notice applies to the Terminal Services organization and all associated air traffic control facilities.

    3. Where Can I Find This Notice? This notice is available on the MYFAA employee Web site at https://employees.faa.gov/tools_resources/orders_notices/ and on the air traffic publications Web site at http://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/publications.

    4. Explanation of Policy Change. This change establishes the requirement that an explicit runway crossing clearance be issued for each runway (active/inactive or closed) crossing and requires an aircraft/vehicle to have crossed the previous runway before another runway crossing clearance may be issued. At airports where the taxi route between runway centerlines is less than 1,000 feet apart, multiple runway crossings may be issued after receiving approval by the Terminal Services Director of Operations.

    5. Procedures. Change FAA Order JO 7110.65, paragraph 3-7-2, to read as follows:
    3-7-2. TAXI AND GROUND MOVEMENT OPERATIONS Issue the route for the aircraft/vehicle to follow on the movement area in concise and easy to understand terms. The taxi clearance must include the specific route to follow. When a taxi clearance to a runway is issued to an aircraft, confirm the aircraft has the correct runway assignment.
    NOTE-
    1. A pilot’s read back of taxi instructions with the runway assignment can be considered confirmation of runway assignment.
    2. Movement of aircraft/vehicles on nonmovement areas is the responsibility of the pilot, the aircraft operator, or the airport management.
    a. When authorizing an aircraft/vehicle to proceed on the movement area, or to any point other than assigned takeoff runway, specify the route/taxi instructions. If it is the intent to hold the aircraft/vehicle short
    of any given point along the taxi route, issue the route and then state the holding instructions.
    NOTE-
    1. The absence of holding instructions authorizes an aircraft/vehicle to cross all taxiways that intersect the taxi route.
    2. Movement of aircraft/vehicles on nonmovement areas is the responsibility of the pilot, the aircraft operator, or the
    airport management.
    Phraseology, no change.
    06/30/10 N JO 7110.528
    2
    EXAMPLE-
    “Cross Runway Two Eight Left, hold short of Runway Two Eight Right.”
    “Taxi/continue taxiing/proceed to the hangar.”
    “Taxi/continue taxiing/proceed straight ahead then via ramp to the hangar.”
    “Taxi/continue taxiing/proceed on Taxiway Charlie, hold short of Runway Two Seven.”
    or
    “Taxi/continue taxing/proceed on Charlie, hold short of Runway Two Seven.”
    b. When authorizing an aircraft to taxi to an assigned takeoff runway, state the departure runway
    followed by the specific taxi route. Issue hold short restrictions when an aircraft will be required to hold short
    of a runway or other points along the taxi route.
    PHRASEOLOGY-
    “Runway (number) taxi via (route as necessary).”
    or
    “Runway (number) taxi via (route as necessary)(hold short instructions as necessary).”
    EXAMPLE-
    “Runway Three Six Left, taxi via taxiway Alpha, hold short of taxiway Charlie.”
    or
    “Runway Three Six Left, taxi via Alpha, hold short of Charlie.”
    or
    “Runway Three Six Left, taxi via taxiway Alpha, hold short of Runway Two Seven Right.”
    or
    “Runway Three Six Left, taxi via Charlie, cross Runway Two Seven Left, hold short of Runway Two Seven Right.”
    or
    “Runway Three Six Left, taxi via Alpha, Charlie, cross Runway One Zero.”
    c. Aircraft/vehicles must receive a runway crossing clearance for each runway that their taxi route
    crosses. An aircraft/vehicle must have crossed a previous runway before another runway crossing clearance
    may be issued.
    NOTEA
    runway crossing clearance is required to cross or operate on any active/inactive or closed runway.
    EXAMPLE-
    “Cross Runway One Six Left, hold short of Runway One Six Right.”
    06/30/10 N JO 7110.528
    3
    d. When an aircraft/vehicle is instructed to “follow” traffic and requires a runway crossing, issue a
    runway crossing clearance in addition to the follow instructions and/or hold short instructions, as applicable.
    EXAMPLE-
    “Follow (traffic), cross Runway Two Seven Right.”
    or
    “Follow (traffic), cross Runway Two Seven Right, hold short Runway Two Seven Left.”
    e. At those airports where the taxi distance between runway centerlines is less than 1,000 feet, multiple
    runway crossings may be issued with a single clearance. The air traffic manager must submit a request to the
    appropriate Terminal Services Director of Operations for approval before authorizing multiple runway
    crossings.
    REFERENCEFAAO
    JO 7210.3, Para 10-3-10 MULTIPLE RUNWAY CROSSINGS
    Renumber subparagraphs d thru f as f thru h.
    6. Distribution. This notice is distributed to the following Air Traffic Organization (ATO) service
    units: Terminal, En Route and Oceanic, and System Operations Services; the ATO Office of Safety;
    Office of the Service Center; the Air Traffic Safety Oversight Service; the William J. Hughes Technical
    Center; and the Mike Monroney Aeronautical Center.
    7. Background. The FAA Runway Safety Call to Action Committee issued several recommendations
    to address improving runway safety across the NAS. In response to the Committee’s recommendations,
    the ATO convened a Safety Risk Management Panel to evaluate the safety of the Committee
    recommendations. These are two of the recommended changes from the Call to Action Committee.
    Changes will also be made to the AIM and AIP. Title14 Code of Federal Regulations, Part 91.129(i),
    will be changed after the completion of the rulemaking period.

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    IATA Seals Strategic Partnership with Ukraine – Cooperation and Reforms Needed

    Kiev – The International Air Transport Association (IATA) formalized a strategic partnership with the Ministry of Transport of Ukraine and the State Aviation Administration of Ukraine with the signing of a Memorandum of Intention (MoI).

    The MoI was signed in Kiev by IATA Director General and CEO Giovanni Bisignani, and UkraineTransport Deputy Minister and Chairman of the State Aviation Administration Anatolii Kolisnyk. The MoI outlines seven specific areas of cooperation: safety, security, technology, airport infrastructure, air navigation, ground handling and training. While in Kiev, Bisignani also met with the CEOs of Ukraine International Airlines and Aerosvit Airlines.

    “An effective air transport sector is a critical element of a nation’s competitiveness. IATA’s global standards and technical expertise can contribute significantly to the development of safe, efficient and environmentally responsible aviation in Ukraine. This MoI gives us a strong framework to contribute to building an even more competitive Ukraine air transport sector, with the benefits being spread across the economy,” said Bisignani.

    Specific points addressed in Bisignani’s dialogue with Transport Minister Kostiantyn Efymenko and Deputy Minister Kolisnyk included:

    Improving safety: Ukraine has made progress to improve safety but many challenges remain. The country has been a Category 2 state for five years under the US Federal Aviation Administration International Safety Assessment Program. “The safety record has improved but more needs to be done. We must accelerate the work to bring safety oversight in line with the standards of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). The IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) is already delivering significant benefits by improving safety. Both Aerosvit and Ukrainian International Airlines are on the IOSA registry. I look forward to exploring further ways to expand the use of all IATA’s auditing programs in Ukraine, including making IOSA a national requirement,” said Bisignani.
    Simplifying the Business: IATA’s Simplifying the Business program aims to improve service levels and reduce costs. “Ukraine International has led the implementation of new technologies for passenger handling in the country. Aerosvit has stepped up its work and is on track to reach the 100% bar-coded boarding pass year-end deadline,” said Bisignani.
    Infrastructure charges: Ukraine’s airport and air traffic control rates remain high and are not cost based. “Ukraine’s system is one of the most expensive in Europe and remains one of the least productive. This undermines the competitiveness of Ukraine. We need immediate reform. It is time to begin a new ere of consultation and transparency in line with ICAO guidelines. The government can no longer treat aviation—including air traffic management—as a cash cow,” Bisignani said.
    “Ukraine’s economy is growing again, which will lead to an improved aviation market. Our agreement and today’s meeting opens the door to even broader cooperation between Ukraine and IATA. It is our hope that the government can quickly address the challenges of safety and infrastructure. IATA brings global standards and expertise that will help ensure that aviation in Ukraine continues to develop and improve its competitiveness,” said Bisignani.

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    NTSB Safety Recommendations

    National Transportation Safety Board
    Washington, DC 20594

    The National Transportation Safety Board recommends that The
    Air Care Alliance:

    Require voluntary pilot organizations to verify pilot
    currency before every flight. (A-10-102)

    Require that voluntary pilot organizations inform
    passengers, at the time of inquiry about a flight, that the
    charitable medical flight would not be conducted under the
    same standards that apply to a commercial flight (such as
    under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 121 or Part 135).
    (A-10-103)

    In conjunction with your affiliate organizations and other
    charitable medical transport organizations, develop,
    disseminate, and require all voluntary pilot organizations
    to implement written safety guidance, best practices, and
    training material for volunteer pilots who operate
    charitable patient transport flights under 14 Code of
    Federal Regulations Part 91. The information should address,
    at a minimum, aeronautical decision-making; proper preflight
    planning; pilot qualification, training, and currency; and
    self-induced pressure. (A-10-104)

  • FedEx’s Bronczek is New IATA Chairman

    KLM’s Hartman to Follow in 2011

    The International Air Transport Association (IATA) announced that FedEx Express President and CEO David Bronczek started a one-year term as the Chairman of the IATA Board of Governors. Bronczek succeeds Tony Tyler, CEO of Cathay Pacific Airways, who served as Chairman from June 2009.

    Bronczek takes on the IATA Chairman duties as the air transport industry rebuilds in the aftermath of the global financial crisis. “IATA has a crucial role to play. Along with improving safety and effectively managing the industry’s settlement systems, IATA must play a role in laying the foundation for sustainable profitability. We must further reduce costs and improve efficiencies. And we need to continue to lead the industry on climate change. I look forward to supporting the immediate challenge of getting a globally inclusive solution for aviation on climate change at COP-16 and to helping Giovanni define longer-term goals. These are my priorities,” said Bronczek.

    A 34-year veteran of the cargo and air transport industry, Bronczek has been FedEx Express CEO since 2000. FedEx is the world’s largest express transportation company and Bronczek also serves on the strategic management committee for FedEx Corp. “I will also bring a cargo perspective to my duties as chairman. I will place a special emphasis on IATA’s two flagship cargo programs of Cargo 2000 and Simplifying the Business. We must improve quality through the Cargo 2000 program and focus our efforts on achieving the cost savings that IATA e-freight can deliver to the cargo value chain as part of Simplifying the Business,” said Bronczek.

    Giovanni Bisignani, IATA’s Director General and CEO said, “First, we must thank Tony Tyler for a job well done. His leadership over the past year helped us navigate through one of the most challenging years in aviation history. On top of dealing with the financial crises, under Tony’s leadership IATA was also able to achieve an industry-wide consensus on concrete targets on climate change. And Tony played an instrumental role in developing our industry’s united strategy and targets on climate change. I look forward to working closely with David in the coming year to meet our growing challenges with continued strong industry leadership as we approach COP-16,” said Bisignani.

    IATA also announced that the Board of Governors agreed to appoint Peter Hartman, CEO of KLM, to serve as Chairman following Bronczek’s term. The announcements were made as the 66th IATA Annual General Meeting and World Air Transport Summit concluded in Berlin today. The 600 industry leaders gathered for the event discussed the industry’s most important issues, with executive briefing sessions on the environment and ways to manage through the crisis.

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    Air India Rejected Takeoff, IX-212 Nosedives, ETC…


    Pictured: An Air India Airbus A320-231
    Click to view full size photo at Airliners.net
    Contact photographer Avinash – iPilot777

    What: Air India Airbus A320-200 en route from Muscat Oman to Kozhikode
    Where: Muscat
    When: May 20th 2010
    Who: 132 passengers
    Why: One of the engine’s Exhaust Gas Temperatures rose too high according to indicators, prompting pilots to reject takeoff. Some of the tires popped, but the flight made a safe stop on the runway. The incident predated the Air India crash at Mangalore.

    Another incident
    Four days after the Mangalore crash, Air India flight flight IX-212 hit an air pocket (or perhaps this could be termed clear air turbulence) while on “auto pilot” while the pilot was apparently in the VC. The flight dived five thousand feet while over Mumbai (reported to be as much as 15,000 feet). 112 passengers and 6 crew members landed safely.

  • Aviation Leaders Gather in Berlin

    Berlin – The International Air Transport Association (IATA) announced that Berlin will be world’s aviation capital as the city prepares to host 600 industry leaders for the 66th IATA Annual General Meeting and World Air Transport Summit from 6-8 June 2010.

    The official program starts at 0900 CET on 7 June with the State of the Industry address by Giovanni Bisignani, IATA’s Director General and CEO. “We are meeting as the industry continues its recovery from the global financial meltdown and turbulent decade of cycles and shocks that resulted in accumulated losses of nearly $50 billion. A strong traffic growth trend prior to the setback of the Icelandic volcano is improving the industry’s bottom line prospects. It is finally time for some cautious optimism,” said Bisignani.

    Among the highlights of the AGM will be the release of a new industry outlook as part of the Director General’s State of the Industry address. The discussions of top industry leaders will also focus on:

    The industry’s strategy on climate change in the aftermath of the Copenhagen talks and in preparation for COP-16 in Mexico
    Structuring the industry for profitability with consolidation and commercial freedoms
    Finding an effective and harmonized approach to security.
    Finding a better way for governments and industry to work together with a common vision
    Confirmed speakers include:

    CEO Forum: Nader Dahabi, Senator and former Prime Minister of Jordan; Praful Patel, Minister of State for Civil Aviation, India; Felipe Morandé Lavín, Minister of Transport and Telecommunications, Chile; David Bonderman, Founding Partner of TPG Capital; Calin Rovinescu, President and CEO of Air Canada; Peter Hartman, President and CEO of KLM; and Tengku Dato’ Azmil Zahruddin, Managing Director and CEO of Malaysia Airlines.

    Climate Change Leadership: Hussein Dabbas, President and CEO of Royal Jordanian; Christoph Franz, Member of the Executive Board Lufthansa AG, CEO of Lufthansa German Airlines; Alan Joyce, CEO and Managing Director of Qantas; Guy Hachey, President and CEO of Bombardier Aerospace; David Hess, President of Pratt and Whitney; and John Plaza, President and CEO of Imperium Renewables, will discuss the road to COP-16 in Mexico and beyond.

    Government and Industry Partnership: Pierre-Henri Gourgeon, CEO of Air France-KLM and CEO, Air France; Paul Griffiths, CEO of Dubai Airports; Joachim Hunold, CEO of Air Berlin and Emirsyah Satar, President and CEO of Garuda Indonesia will discuss a new relationship between government and industry. They will be joined by Harold Demuren and Gen. Jose Huepe Perez, Directors General of Civil Aviation of Nigeria and Chile, respectively.

    The event is being hosted by Lufthansa. Wolfgang Mayrhuber, Chairman of the Executive Board and CEO Deutsche Lufthansa’s AG, is a member of the IATA Board of Governors. Germany has hosted two previous AGMs—Hamburg in 1985 and Munich in 1968. “We are pleased to be meeting in Berlin, a city that is a great symbol of change and resilience,” said Bisignani.

  • FAA Proposes Civil Penalties Against Airlines, Shippers

    Washington Headquarters Press Release

    For Immediate Release
    June 4, 2010

    FAA Proposes Civil Penalties Against Airlines, Shippers

    The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has proposed to assess civil penalties ranging from $50,000 to $150,000 against two airlines and three shippers for alleged violations of Federal Aviation Regulations or U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Hazardous Materials Regulations. The proposed penalties include:

    • $150,000 against Lion Mentari Airlines of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, for allegedly shipping a chemical oxygen generator inside an unmarked metal case from Kuala Lumpur to Dallas. DOT classifies chemical oxygen generators as a hazardous material, and they may not be shipped on passenger-carrying aircraft.
    • $53,000 against Stewart & Stevenson, LLC, of Houston, for allegedly shipping a box containing eight gallons of touch-up paint to FedEx Corp. for transportation by air when the package was not properly identified as containing hazardous materials and was not accompanied by the appropriate documentation. DOT classifies flammable materials as hazardous. The case has been settled
    • $121,000 against Trans States Airlines, Bridgeton, MO, for allegedly operating four flights from Norfolk, VA to Miami on September 2, Oct. 6, 18 and 20, 2008, that flew more than 50 nautical miles from the nearest U.S. shoreline. The FAA alleges the aircraft used did not carry required equipment for extended overwater operations, including life preservers, life rafts with a locator light for each occupant, a pyrotechnic signaling device for each life raft, an emergency locator transmitter, and survival kit attached to each raft.
    • $70,000 against Shanghai Fountainhead Electronics Co., Ltd., of Shanghai, for allegedly violating DOT hazardous materials regulations by offering 12 boxes of lithium-ion phosphate rechargeable batteries for shipment by air to the U.S. aboard a passenger-carrying aircraft, which is prohibited. The case has been settled
    • $50,000 against SOSGlobal Express of New Bern, NC, for violating DOT hazardous materials regulations by allegedly offering 15 boxes of lithium-ion batteries for shipment by air aboard a passenger-carrying aircraft, which is prohibited.

    The companies have 30 days from the date the civil penalty letter is received to respond to the agency.

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    IATA Blasts Europe’s Handling of the Volcanic Ash Crisis

    Geneva – The International Air Transport Association (IATA) called on European governments and air navigation service providers to urgently develop more precise procedures to identify ash contaminated air space and allow more flights. The call came in the wake of 1,000 flight cancellations on Monday (17 May) as a result of the continued volcanic eruptions in Iceland.

    “This problem is not going away any time soon. The current European-wide system to decide on airspace closures is not working. We welcome the operational refinements made by the Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre (VAAC) in their theoretical model but we are still basically relying on one-dimensional information to make decisions on a four-dimensional problem. The result is the unnecessary closure of airspace. Safety is always our number one priority. But we must make decisions based on facts, not on uncorroborated theoretical models,” said Giovanni Bisignani, IATA’s Director General and CEO.

    Bisignani noted some successful exceptions which provide examples to follow. “France has been able to safely keep its airspace open by enhancing the VAAC data with operational expertise to more precisely determine safe fly zones. Today, the UK Civil Aviation, working with the UK NATS (the air navigation service provider), announced another step forward by working with airlines and manufacturers to more accurately define tolerance levels while taking into account special operational procedures. Both are examples for other European governments to follow,” said Bisignani.

    Bisignani called for (1) more robust data collection and analysis (2) a change in the decision making process and (3) urgency in addressing the issues.

    Data Collection and Analysis
    “Numbers show that the current system is flawed. Over 200,000 flights have operated in European airspace identified by the VAAC as having the potential presence of ash. Not one aircraft has reported significant ash presence and this is verified by post-flight aircraft and engine inspections. We must back the theory with facts gathered by aircraft to test ash concentration. France and the UK are showing that this is possible. If European civil aviation does not have the resources, it should look to borrow the test aircraft from other countries or military sources,” said Bisignani.

    Changing the Decision-making Process
    “We have lost confidence in the ability of Europe’s governments to make effective and consistent decisions. Using the same data, different countries have come to different conclusions on opening or closing airspace,” said Bisignani.

    “Ultimately the industry needs a decision-making process for ash clouds similar to the one used for all other operational disruptions. Every day airlines make decisions whether to fly or not to fly in various weather conditions. Airlines collate the information available and make informed decisions placing safety first and with full access to all the latest weather reporting. Why should volcanic ash be any different?” said Bisignani.

    In the US, which has a lot of experience with volcanic activity, the government identifies a no-fly zone where ash concentration is the highest. For all other areas, it is the responsibility of the airline to decide to fly or not based on the various data sources available. “The US has well-established, safe and effective procedures for tracking the hazards of volcanic ash. In recent years, the industry had no recorded safety incidents from volcanic activity in US airspace. Europe has a lot to learn,” said Bisignani.

    Urgency
    “Volcanic ash is a new challenge for European aviation. We can understand that systems need to be developed to cope. But what is absolutely inexcusable is the failure of Europe’s governments to act urgently and collectively to provide real leadership in a crisis. We have vast amounts of data from over 200,000 safe flights ready for analysis to support an urgent review of the current processes. The UK is finally moving in the right direction. But what about the other affected European governments? The next transport ministers meeting is scheduled for June 24. What kind of leadership waits more than a month to make crisis decisions? European businesses are dependant on air travel and passengers certainly cannot wait that long for initiatives like the UK’s to be implemented continent-wide,” said Bisignani.

    To enhance the industry’s long-term ability to address volcanic ash issues, Bisignani is traveling to Montreal for urgent meetings with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). “IATA and ICAO have been working intensely on this issue since the crisis first struck in April. IATA is strongly supporting the ICAO task force which is reviewing ash tolerance thresholds with states, operators, manufacturers and the scientific community. The responsibility of manufacturers is critical in providing performance information to back decisions,” said Bisignani.

    Tomorrow Bisignani will meet Roberto Kobeh-Gonzales, President of the ICAO Council and Raymond Benjamin, ICAO Secretary-General. “It is important that we act urgently and globally to better deal with this crisis and to lay a solid foundation for better decision making in future eruptions. Even as Europe stumbles with its fragmented approach, IATA is working with the global community through ICAO and by tapping into the experience of leading regulators like the US FAA to facilitate harmonized solutions,” said Bisignani.

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    Pinnacle Raises Security Bar. Maybe

    The passenger’s luggage tripped security in Tulsa, and so Pinnacle security detained it. However, the passenger who owned the luggage was free to travel to his destination.

    However, this is what is unclear to me:

    The bag flunked, and stayed in Tulsa. The passenger, however flew to Memphis, although his luggage was arrested (explosives detection.) Shouldn’t they have taken him off the flight with his luggage?

    So after he arrived in Memphis, law enforcement interviewed him, and he passed. But they’ll be shipping his luggage to him later. Does something seem strange here?

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    New FAA System Improves Air Safety at Juneau

    For Immediate Release
    May 4, 2010

    New FAA System Improves Air Safety at Juneau

    ANCHORAGE – A new surveillance technology called the Wide-Area Multilateration System (WAM) is now allowing air traffic controllers to track aircraft along the difficult approach to Juneau – a mountainous area where radar coverage isn’t possible.

    “This technology will allow more aircraft to fly into Juneau and it will give air traffic controllers the tools they need to safely and efficiently handle these flights,” said FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt.

    Air traffic controllers can now see aircraft approaching Juneau, something that wasn’t possible before WAM because of the rugged terrain surrounding the city. The mountains make radar coverage impossible since radar signals cannot pass through solid objects. Without radar coverage, controllers had to separate aircraft approaching Juneau by large distances in order to provide the appropriate safety margins. Air traffic controllers are now able to safely decrease the separation between them to five nautical miles.

    WAM is comprised of a network of small sensors deployed around Juneau. The sensors send out signals that are received and sent back by aircraft transponders. No other aircraft equipment is required. The system triangulates the returning signals to determine the precise location of each aircraft. Controllers are able to see those aircraft on their screens as if they were radar targets.

    WAM is being used in the near term while the agency rolls out Automatic Dependent Surveillance – Broadcast (ADS-B), the satellite-based surveillance system that will be deployed nationwide in 2013. WAM will then serve as a backup to ADS-B in the event of a GPS outage and provide an additional source of traffic broadcast to properly equipped aircraft. A WAM system is also operating in Colorado.

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    India Punishes Drunk Pilots

    of India said publicly that “39 cases” (of pilots drinking alcohol) “have been reported to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) from January 2009 to December 2009 . . . where pilots or co-pilots were found to have consumed alcohol during pre-flight breath-analyzer test.”

    Those involved have been disciplined for breaking India’s “no alcohol 12 hours before flying” rule. Individuals not passing breathalizer testing are grounded for a month.

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    Helicopter Lawsuit Filed, $16 Million

    The family of flight paramedic Mickey Lippy is suing the FAA for negligent acts leading up to the crash on September 28, 2008, when Maryland State Police Trooper 2 (Eurocopter AS 365N1 Dauphin, N92MD) disappeared from radar and crashed. TFC Mickey Lippy, was one of the five people aboard. The others were Pilot Stephen Bunker, EMT Tonya Mallard (Waldorf Volunteer Fire Department), and two patients on board, one of whom survived.

    According to the suit, the FAA visibility data was hours out of date, and ATC was unresponsive and inattentive.

    The case seeks 15 million for mental anguish, emotional pain and suffering, loss of companionship and loss of parental care and a separate case is pending for $1 million on behalf of Lippy’s pain and suffering.

  • Polish Crash update

    So far, Polish authorities have questioned 70 witnesses of the April 10 Tupolev 154 crash that killed 96 including Polish President Lech Kaczynski and his wife. The black box so far provides no clues, but they are anticipating the possible causes to be technical failure, human error on the part of the crew, ground crew, or third parties.

    Sunday 10:30 a.m. Sunday at St. Maximillan Kolbe Church Poles will be holding a memorial for the crash victims. The Polish American Congress says people can sign a condolence book before the service, and it will be sent to the people of Poland.

  • Automatic Dependent Surveillance Broadcast

    ADS-B is the Next Generation Air Transportation System technology is an intelligent system which equips planes with GPS, or, as the company says, is redefining the paradigm of communications and navigation and surveillance in Air Traffic Management. ADS-B accuracy is not degraded by range, atmospheric condition, or altitude. Currently the system is running in Philadelphia. UPS is equipped for ADS-B services, and is largely based in Philadelphia. ADS-B Technologies, LLC is based in Anchorage, Alaska. The FAA has floated a deadline that airlines and private aircraft install ADS-B avionics by 2020 but by 2013, it is expected to be available countrywide.

    FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt is quoted as saying “This new technology is a tremendous leap forward in transforming the current ATC system.”

    Houston, TX, Louisville, KY, and Juneau, AK. are also being equipped with ADS-B.

    Read More…

  • Poland Providing Aid

    Interior Ministry spokeswoman Malgorzata Woznia announced that “87 families (of survivors) have so far gotten 40,000 zlotys ($13,800; euro10,000) each.”

    Ninety-six people, including Poland’s president Lech Kaczynski and his wife leading a delegation of high Polish representatives died on the state flight on the Polish Air Force Tupolev TU-154M. The flight struck trees while attempting to land in dense fog.

    On Apr 11th, the flight data recorders were taken to a special lab, opened in the presence of Russian and Polish investigators. Tapes were found but out of the tape mechanism as result of the impact. On Apr 19th, it was reported that the audio contains noise and need additional processing.

    Read More

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    Volcanic Ash Disrupts Aviation Traffic

    Volcanic ash ingested in an engine can cause an engine to shut down; plus the visibility problems are obvious.

    Eruption of the Icelandic volcano Eyjafjoll sent an ash plume into the sky threatening aviation safety.

    Curtailed: Amsterdam, Brussels; various locations in Norway, Sweden and Finland; German airports north of Frankfurt/Main.

    Airports are shutting down due to the threat: Belfast, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen, Birmingham, Manchester,Heathrow, Gatwick, Luton, Stansted;


    View Volcanic Ash Map in a larger map

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    Flight 447 Lawsuits filed

    A Reuters release announces that the relatives of passengers killed in an Air France crash off Brazil have filed nearly two dozen wrongful death lawsuits against Airbus, alleging that aircraft maker’s A330 crashed because of flaws in the plane and its U.S.-made components.

    The search for the black boxes is supposed to be continuing now that investigators have decided on the likeliest location where they may be found. The plane originally went down 680 miles off the coast of Brazil, but in the past ten months since the tragedy, water currents dispersing the wreckage will have made the search more difficult.

    An Airbus Americas spokesman has said they “will be moving to have (the lawsuit) dismissed.”

    Lawyers from the Miami-based firm Podhurst Orseck has not yet responded to Airbus statements.

  • British Airways Strike

    At their busiest time of the year, a three day British Airways walkout has forced BA to cancel thousands of flights. The strike is protesting a pay freeze in 2010, a switch to part-time work for 3,000 staff and a reduction in cabin crew sizes from 15 to 14. Picket lines are forming in London; and British Airways is apparently not interested in negotiating with the union. If an agreement is not reached, a four-day walkout is planned to begin March 27.

    On the British Airways site, an announcement is posted, “Unite, the trade union that represents the majority of British Airways (BA) cabin crew, has announced its intention to take strike action from 20 to 22 March and 27 to 30 March 2010” and a list of cancellations is published.

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    DOT Confirmation

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
    DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION SUBSTANTIATES WHISTLEBLOWER’S SAFETY CONCERNS ABOUT UNITED AIRLINES5 EMERGENCY DOOR BATTERIES AND OVERHEAD BINS

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Press Release: The U.S. Office of Special Counsel (OSC)transmitted to the President and Congress the Department of Transportation’s (DOT) response towhistleblower allegations that Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) employees compromised thesafety of the flying public by failing in their oversight and regulatory responsibilities.

    The whistleblower, Cheryl Henderson, Aviation Safety Inspector, DOT, FAA, United AirlinesCertificate Management Office, Daly City, California, specifically disclosed concerns about the lackof proper FAA oversight of United Airlines’ compliance with an Airworthiness Directive (AD)concerning emergency door batteries on United’s Boeing 777s and the improper self-disclosure ofdefective overhead bins on its Boeing 767s.

    The August 2009 report from Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood to OSC found that two FAAsenior supervisory inspectors had improperly permitted United Airlines to self-disclosenoncompliance with an AD about the installation of overhead bins in violation of FAA’s VoluntaryDisclosure Reporting Program (VDRP). The AD had been issued to prevent the failure of tie rods tothe center overhead stowage bin modules, which could result in a collapse of the bins and,consequently, injuries to passengers and crew.

    The investigation also found that the then-FAA Principal Avionics Inspector for United Airlines inDaly City, California, failed to adequately address the expiration of emergency door batteries andthe reliability of battery restoration equipment. DOT substantiated that the battery restorationequipment was not properly calibrated and, therefore, inadequate for measuring accurately thequality of the batteries. The investigation found that while United Airlines eventually replaced allthe emergency door batteries in question, FAA improperly delayed by 18 months a decision aboutUnited Airlines’ use of non-calibrated equipment. In addition to addressing the safety concernsidentified in the investigation, FAA also proposed suspensions for the senior managers for theirmismanagement and failure of oversight.

    OSC determined that the agency’s report contains all the information required by statute and thefindings appear reasonable.

  • No Kamakaze at LAX

    When Skye E. Turner (Is this his REAL name?? how ironic), a 23 year old with an expired student license, had a fight with his girlfriend, he went to Coast Flight Training and Management, in Montgomery Field in San Diego County, and took a Cirrus SR22. He intended to fly it into the ocean; but he thought better of it (Good thinking Skye!) and asked for permission to land at LAX. He came in to fast on his first pass, but made a second pass and landed safely at 2:30 a.m., where he was taken into custody. Since then, he’s undergone some psychological evaluation and has been arrested for theft of a plane.

    I hate to be obvious about conclusions, but suicide is never the way. Neither is theft. It compounds the problem. At least Turner landed safely.

  • |

    Pilot Fires House, Crashes Plane, IRS Suicide Protest

    What: Joseph Andrew Stack’s (owner) Piper PA-28-236 Dakota en route from Georgetown Municipal Airport
    Where: Northwest Austin, Echelon building
    When: Feb 18, 2010
    Who: Joseph Andrew Stack
    Why: The pilot apparently set his house on fire prior to crashing his plane into the Echelon Building that houses the Internal Revenue Service in Northwest Austin. Stack left a suicide note.

    IRS employees in their offices described the crash “as if a bomb went off” “black and gray smoke billowing” and “windows blown out.”


    See PDF of the 6 page suicide letter here


  • 1st European Air Ambulance Meeting at AERO 2010 in Friedrichshafen

    REPATRIATION FOR PATIENTS

    Friedrichshafen, Germany – Help often comes from the air! International aviation ambulance services are the main topic on the agenda of the 1st European Air Ambulance Meeting held in conjunction with AERO 2010. The international trade magazine 4RESCUE, which focuses on the topic of air rescue, is offering the global show for general aviation (April 8-11, 2010) in Friedrichshafen on Lake Constance a platform for exchanging information among organizations and specialists in the area of air rescue, including manufacturers and designers of all the medical equipment on board the aircraft and insurance companies. Ambulance aircraft are generally business aviation flights that have been modified for transporting patients.

    “AERO Friedrichshafen is the leading European trade show for general aviation and thus the ideal platform for a European air ambulance conference,” says AERO Project Manager Thomas Grunewald. Many companies that already take part in AERO as exhibitors could also become major players and partners in the air ambulance sector, according to Grunewald. Moreover, the trade show venue in the tri-border area of Austria, Switzerland and Germany enjoys a strategic location at the heart of Europe.
    In the health care sector, transporting patients back to their home countries is called repatriation. This is a service that is offered by companies, organizations, tour operators, rescue service companies, airlines and insurance providers. In most cases this concerns travelers who, for health reasons, are not able to continue their journey. As the worldwide tourist industry continues to expand, this service has rapidly gained importance and exhibited exponential growth over the past few years. Tour operators traditionally offer their customers a combination of individual insurance packages. The risk involved is generally transferred to insurance companies. Some of these firms have specialized in offering insurance packages for worldwide patient repatriations.

    Details on the Air Ambulance Meeting and AERO 2010 are available at www.aero-expo.com.

  • | |

    Klutzy Inspector Breaks Plane

    In Khartoum , a South African Inspector inspecting South African-registered aircraft noticed a Gulfstream II aircraft not under his jurisdiction, and after he boarded, damaged the door when trying to close it.

    The vehicle that sustained damage was Thabo Mbeki’s charter plane. Mbeki is a South African politician who served two terms as president of South Africa. The incident is under investigation and while the inspector is awash in paperwork due to the expense of the damage, but the rumors of his arrest are an exaggeration, as he was just doing his job.

  • The Singapore Airshow 2010


    The Singapore Airshow 2010, a 6-day event, taking place from 2 to 7 February, has reps from 60 countries. Ongoing now until Feb 7, the event’s website is located here:

    http://www.singaporeairshow.com/

    “Public Day” tickets are available online. Flying displays are scheduled on the 6th and 7th, at 11:30am – 1:00pm and 3:00pm – 3:30pm.

    The Airshow is being held at the Changi Exhibition Centre.

  • |

    FAA: Helicopter Air Worthiness Directive


    DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
    Federal Aviation Administration
    14 CFR Part 39
    AD 2010-02-51

    Agusta Model A109A, A109A II, A109C, and A109K2 helicopters

    Regulatory Information
    This Emergency Airworthiness Directive (AD) is prompted by a mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) AD issued by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the European Community. The MCAI states that 2 of the 3 installed main rotor scissor fitting assembly fixing bolts (fixing bolts) on a Model A109K2 helicopter had cracked in flight. Investigation by the manufacturer revealed that the crack was caused by inadequate instructions for installing the bolts. Improper installation of the main rotor scissor fitting assembly, if not detected and corrected, could result in a crack in a fixing bolt, failure of the fixing bolt, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

    We have reviewed Agusta Alert Bollettino Tecnico (ABT) No. 109K-53 for Model A109K2 helicopters and ABT No. 109-131 for Model A109A, A109A II, and A109C helicopters, both dated December 18, 2009. The ABTs specify a one-time inspection to verify the correct installation of the main rotor scissor fitting assembly, part number (P/N) 109-0110-67 or P/N 109-0101-58, to determine if 2 washers are installed under the head of each fixing bolt. If 2 washers are not installed under the head of each fixing bolt, the ABTs specify replacing each fixing bolt with an airworthy fixing bolt, P/N 109-0101-78-5, and installing 2 washers under the head of each fixing bolt.

    EASA has issued AD No. 2009-0274-E, dated December 18, 2009, to correct an unsafe condition for the specified Agusta model helicopters. EASA advises that failure of a fixing bolt could lead to loss of control of the helicopter.

    These helicopter models have been approved by the aviation authority of Italy and are approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant to our bilateral agreement with Italy, EASA, their technical agent, has notified us of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI AD.
    We are issuing this AD because we evaluated all information provided by EASA and determined the unsafe condition exists and is likely to exist or develop on other helicopters of these same type designs. Therefore, this AD requires, within 5 hours time-in-service (TIS), inspecting the main rotor scissor fitting assembly to determine if there are 2 washers installed under the head of each fixing bolt. If there are 2 washers installed under the head of each fixing bolt, no further action is required. If there are not 2 washers installed under the head of each fixing bolt, this AD requires, within 25 hours TIS after complying with paragraph (a) of this AD, replacing each fixing bolt and installing 2 washers under the head of each fixing bolt.

    This AD differs from the MCAI AD in that we refer to “flight hours” as “hours TIS”. Also, we do not allow an optional date for replacing the fixing bolts.

    This rule is issued under 49 U.S.C. Section 44701 pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, and is effective immediately upon receipt of this emergency AD.

    2010-02-51 AGUSTA S.p.A: Directorate Identifier 2010-SW-05-AD.

    Applicability: Model A109A, A109A II, A109C, and A109K2 helicopters, certificated in any category.

    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless previously accomplished.

    To prevent a crack in a main rotor scissor fitting assembly fixing bolt (fixing bolt), failure of a fixing bolt, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter, do the following:

    (a) Within 5 hours time-in-service (TIS), inspect the main rotor scissor fitting assembly, part number (P/N) 109-0110-67 and P/N 109-0110-58, to determine if there are 2 washers installed under the head of each fixing bolt, P/N 109-0101-78-5, as depicted in Figure 1 of Agusta Alert Bollettino Tecnico (ABT) No. 109K-53 for Model A109K2 helicopters, and ABT No. 109-131 for Model A109A, A109A II, and A109C helicopters, both dated December 18, 2009, as applicable.

    (1) If there are 2 washers installed under the head of each fixing bolt, no further action is required.

    (2) If there are not 2 washers installed under the head of each fixing bolt, within 25 hours TIS after complying with paragraph (a) of this AD, replace each fixing bolt, P/N 109-0101-78-5, and install 2 washers under the head of each fixing bolt as depicted in Figures 1 and 2 of the applicable ABT, by following the Compliance Instructions, Part II, paragraphs 1. through 3.5., of the applicable ABT.

    (b) To request a different method of compliance or a different compliance time for this AD, follow the procedures in 14 CFR 39.19. Contact the Manager, Safety Management Group, ATTN: DOT/FAA Southwest Region, Sharon Miles, ASW-111, Aviation Safety Engineer, Rotorcraft Directorate, Regulations and Policy Group, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth, Texas 76137, telephone (817) 222-5122, fax (817) 222-5961, for information about previously approved alternative methods of compliance.

    (c) Joint Aircraft System/Component (JASC) Code 6220: Main Rotor Head.

    (d) Copies of the applicable service information may be obtained from Agusta, Via Giovanni Agusta, 520 21017 Cascina Costa di Samarate (VA), Italy, telephone 39 0331-229111, fax 39 0331-229605/222595, or at http://customersupport.agusta.com/technical_advice.php.

    (e) Emergency AD 2010-02-51, issued January 13, 2010, becomes effective upon receipt.

    Note: The subject of this AD is addressed in European Aviation Safety Agency AD No. 2009-0274-E, dated December 18, 2009.

    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: DOT/FAA Southwest Region, Sharon Miles, ASW-111, Aviation Safety Engineer, Rotorcraft Directorate, Regulations and Policy Group, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth, Texas 76137, telephone (817) 222-5122, fax (817) 222-5961.