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EU Banned List updated: Official Press Release

Commission updates the list of airlines banned from the European airspace
The European Commission has adopted the thirteenth update of the Community’s list of airlines banned in the European Union to include all air carriers of two additional countries: Sudan and the Philippines, on the basis of safety assessments by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). With this update, restrictions placed on Air Koryo from the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea and TAAG from Angola are partially lifted under certain conditions, while the operations of Iran Air will be restricted.

Commission Vice-President Siim Kallas, responsible for Transport, said: “Safety comes first. We are ready to support countries that need to build up technical and administrative capacity to guarantee the necessary standards in civil aviation. But we cannot accept that airlines fly into the EU if they do not fully comply with international safety standards.”

With this update, the Air Koryo licensed in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, subject to an operating ban since March 2006, is allowed to resume operations into the EU with two aircraft which are fitted with the necessary equipment to comply with mandatory international standards and following appropriate oversight by its authority. The rest of its fleet remains barred from operating into the EU.

The Commission recognises the improvements in the operations of TAAG Angola Airlines by allowing the air carrier to operate under certain strict conditions with specific aircraft to all destinations in the EU, not only to Lisbon.

The civil aviation authority of Angola is urged to intensify its oversight in relation to all carriers and continue the recertification of the other Angolan air carriers which remain banned from operating into the EU.

The Commission imposes an operating ban on all operations of Sudanese air carriers, due to a poor safety performance of the civil aviation authority of Sudan resulting from persistent non-compliance with international standards in the area of oversight.

The Commission acknowledges the recent efforts launched by the competent authorities to reform the civil aviation system in the Philippines and steps taken to address safety deficiencies reported by the FAA and ICAO and measures taken by two carriers – Philippines Airlines and Cebu Airlines – to ensure safety of operations. It is ready to support the Philippines to overcome serious safety deficiencies.

In view of the significant safety concerns identified by ICAO in relation to the authorities, the Commission with the unanimous support of the Air Safety Committee is forced to follow the principle of precaution and impose an operating ban on all air carriers licensed in the Philippines. The Commission is ready to support the Philippine authorities and conduct a visit to the country.

Following an examination of the safety of Iran Air’s operations into the EU through ramp checks of its aircraft in the Community, evidence of serious incidents and accidents suffered by the carrier and insufficient oversight from the authority over the past year, the Air Safety Committee concluded unanimously that the operations of Iran Air to the EU should be restricted. The carrier will only be allowed to use certain aircraft for flights to Europe. The Commission will visit Iran over the next months to verify the oversight of the Iranian civil aviation organisation and the safety situation of Iran Air.

The results of a recent visit by the European Aviation Safety Agency to Albania indicate that the competent authority needs to strengthen its capabilities to ensure the oversight of the air carriers it licences. The authorities have been urged by the Commission to take prompt action to address these issues. The Commission will closely monitor the situation.

The Commission follows closely the performance of Egyptian air carriers. A visit to Egypt to verify the oversight functions of the civil aviation authority and the performance of certain air carriers showed that this authority is carrying out its responsibilities correctly. The Commission will continue to cooperate closely with this authority to ensure that proposed improvements can be implemented.

Today, the Community’s list has three carriers whose operations are fully banned in the European Union – Ariana Afghan Airlines from Afghanistan, Siem reap Airways International from Cambodia and Silverback Cargo Freighters from Rwanda.

All carriers from 17 countries – 278 companies in total – are banned: Angola, Benin, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Djibouti, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, (with the exception of three carriers which operate under restrictions and conditions), Indonesia, Kazakhstan (with the exception of one carrier which operates under restrictions and conditions), the Kyrgyz Republic, Liberia, Philippines, Republic of Congo, Sierra Leone, Sao Tome and Principe, Sudan, Swaziland and Zambia. 10 air carriers are allowed to operate under restrictions and conditions – Air Koryo from the Democratic People Republic of Korea, TAAG Angola Airlines, Air Astana from Kazakhstan, Iran Air from Iran Gabon Airlines, Afrijet and SN2AG from Gabon, Air Bangladesh, Air Service Comores and Ukrainian Mediterranean Airlines from Ukraine.

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    Pet Airways Announces Expansion of Flight Operations to Orlando

    DELRAY BEACH, Fla., Feb. 10, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — Pet Airways Inc. (OTCQB: PAWS), the world’s only airline designed specifically for safe and comfortable pet travel, announced today that it is expanding to Orlando, Florida. Orlando becomes the tenth city serviced by Pet Airways.

    Dan Wiesel, Chairman and CEO of Pet Airways said, “based on unprecedented customer demand, we have decided to accelerate our expansion plans and will be opening operations in Orlando. Orlando is one of the fastest growing population areas in the U.S. and it is only natural that we provide service to such a large and growing population. In addition to size of the population, approximately 50 million visitors come to Orlando each year.”

    The Orlando facility will be the first of a new style of pet lounge and will offer enhanced services, such as grooming and ground transportation. Pet Airways will be adding the Orlando flight service for the summer vacation period and will announce specific details regarding the Orlando location shortly.

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    Regarding Boeings New Generation Take on Old (Persistent?) Problems. Maybe. Maybe not.

    George’s Point of View

    The 787: Dreamliner test flight suffered from extensive smoke, fire and structural damage originating in the P100′ electrical panel, a key component that distributes power from the left generator to power vital systems

    The 777: United electrical panel set the nearby insulation blankets on fire. This was initially reported as smoke. Thus no reason for the FAA to go there. And the full narrative said only “electrical fire” but did not elucidate beyond “electrical fire” to explain the electrical panel set the nearby insulation blankets on fire.

    The AAIB conclusions 4,5, and 6, were:

    • “The RGCB and Right Bus Tie Breaker (RBTB) suffered from severe internal arcing and short circuits which generated temperatures in excess of 1,000°C, and resulted in uncontained failures. The RGCB was probably the first to fail.”
    • “ Molten copper and silver droplets from the failed contactors dropped down through the open base of the P200 panel and ignited the insulation blankets below.”
    • “The insulation blanket fire spread underneath a floor panel to the opposite P205 power panel, causing heat and fire damage to structure, cooling ducts and wiring.”

    The three requirements for a fire: oxygen, ignition source and fuel.

    From 2000 to 2008, over 22 ADs are directed at insulation blankets that burn. Before that, from 1988 to 2010, 8 FAA Tech Center reports and 2 FAA Safety Conference Papers are directed at electrical induced fires or the insulation blankets that give fuel to the fire.

    When was the latest AD ?
    2008-23-09. REMOVE PET (AN-26). Boeing Model 727-200s, 737-200s, 737-300s, and 737-400, 747s, 757s, 767s Series Airplanes.from the fuselage. Such insulation blankets could ignite and propagate a fire that is the result of electrical arcing or sparking.
    DATES; Issued Oct 24, 2008 -effective Dec 15, 2008 – Comply by     2014. If you read the AD, you can note that the compliance date is actually set beyond the affected planes anticipated passenger service-life. Compliance is put off until the planes will likely be converted from passenger to cargo.

    2002 FAA ASTRAC Conference Conclusions

    • In-flight Fires In Hidden Areas are a risk to aviation safety.
    • Most hidden fires are caused by electrical problems.
    • Non-compliance with Safety Regulations have been uncovered.
    • Fire Safety Problems and Improvements are in various stages of correction and study.
    • It is impossible to predict the relative risk of serious fires occurring in Hidden Areas or Locations.

    Without being too critical or belaboring the obvious, I do have to say that the 2002 conclusions are overly obvious and simplistic. These same points will probably be as true in 2002 and 2011 as in 3011. Point by point? Consider this:

    • In-flight fires are a risk to safety, whether they’re hidden or not. Certainly if one doesn’t know where they are, they have more time to be destructive before they are found. And as for being predictable-there probably is a random statistical probability that can come pretty close; but translating theory back to real life situations perfectly only happens on tv.
    • Electrical problems are certainly a broad umbrella-one might even say the current problems with rogue batteries to be a form of electrical problem.
    • Non compliance regarding safety is hardly an issue when a plane is in the testing phase; in fact, that is when the manufacturer is are troubleshooting to get rid of potential safety issues. The 777 electrical panel issue may or may not have a common cause; and if it does have a common cause, then, isn’t that splendid for Boeing? The detective job (i.e. finding the cause) is half of the problem already solved. What luck! But in real life, are the causes that easy to find? And in practice, how many times are non-compliance with Safety Regulations due to poor operator maintenance versus to unsafe parts?
    • Fire Safety Improvements are an ongoing process. It’s the nature of the beast.

    So here is the problem as it should possibly be stated:

    -We need compliance now because people are on these planes now, not at some random future date. Pushing back solutions puts more people are at risk. We need feasible compliance that doesn’t put good companies out of business but still maintains the highest possible safety standards NOT the lowest possible cost. Putting off compliance over a combustible insulation blanket until 2014? Really? How is this safe?

    -The lowest common denominator should not be lowest possible cost-to-the- industry. It should be the highest possible safety for the passenger. These things are not always mutually exclusive.

    -If the root problem is less than ideal materials used across many manufacturer and model applications, then quit pussyfooting around.
    If the boy is going to cry wolf, let it be for a real wolf. If the wolf is real, then act. If inadequate materials, composites, etc are the problem, then don’t point the finger and do nothing. Questionable materials have no place in an industry that lives under guidelines advocating and promoting safety over all.

    Like Yoda said, “Do or do not. There is no try.”

    Raise the standards.

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  • Flight 447: Press release N° 2

    Paris, 01 June 2009 – 13:10 local time
    Press release N° 2
    Versão brasileira abaixo

    Air France regrets to confirm the disappearance of flight AF 447 flying from Rio de Janeiro to Paris-Charles de Gaulle, scheduled to arrive at 11:10am local time today, as announced to the press by Air France CEO, Pierre-Henri Gourgeon.

    The Airbus A330-200, registration F-GZCP, left Rio on 31 May at 7:03pm local time (12:03am in Paris).

    The aircraft hit a zone of stormy weather with strong turbulence at 2am this morning (universal time), i.e. 4am in Paris. An automatic message was received from the aircraft at 2:14am (4 :14am in Paris) indicating a failure in the electric circuit a long way from the coast.

    The Brazilian, African, Spanish and French air traffic control centres all tried to make contact with flight AF 447 but to no avail. The French military air traffic control centre tried to detect the aircraft but did not succeed.

    216 passengers were on board: 126 men, 82 women, 7 children and one infant.

    There were 12 flight crew members: 3 pilots and 9 flight attendants.

    The flight captain had a record of 11,000 flight hours and had already flown 1,700 hours on Airbus A330/A340s.

    Of the two first officers, one had flown 3,000 flight hours (800 of which on the Airbus A330/A340) and the other 6,600 (2,600 on the Airbus A330/A340).

    The aircraft was powered by General Electric CF6-80E engines.

    The aircraft had totalled 18,870 flight hours and went into service on 18 April 2005.
    Its last maintenance check in the hangar took place on 16 April 2009.

    Air France fully shares the anxiety and distress of the families concerned. The families are being taken care of in a specially reserved area of Paris-Charles de Gaulle Terminal 2.

    A toll-free number has been opened at 0800 800 812 for calls from France,
    and + 33 1 57 02 10 55 for calls from outside France.
    NB: We ask journalists not to call this number, which is reserved for families and close relatives.

    Português
    A Air France lamenta informar o desaparecimento do voo AF 447 que efetuava a ligação entre Rio de Janeiro e Paris-Charles de Gaulle, chegada prevista às 11h10 (hora local), acaba de anunciar o Diretor Geral da Air France, Pierre-Henri Gourgeon.

    A aeronave, do tipo Airbus A330-200, matrícula F-GZCP, deixou o Rio dia 31 de maio às 19h03 (hora local).

    A aeronave atravessou uma zona de tempestade com fortes turbulências às 2 horas da manhã (horário TU) – 23 horas horário do Brasil. Uma mensagem automática foi recebida às 2h14 da manhã (horário TU = 23h14 horário do Brasil) indicando uma pane do circuito elétrico numa zona afastada da costa.

    O conjunto dos controles aéreos civis brasileiro, africano, espanhol e francês tentaram em vão estabelecer contato com o voo AF 447. O controle aéreo militar francês tentou detectar o avião, sem sucesso.

    216 passageiros estão a bordo : 126 homens, 82 mulheres, 7 crianças e um bebê.

    A tripulação é composta por 12 pessoas : 3 tripulantes técnicos e 9 comissários.

    O comandante tem 11 mil horas de voo e já tinha efetuado 1700 horas no Airbus A330/A340.

    Os dois co-pilotos possuem: um 3000 horas de voo, sendo 800 horas em Airbus A330/A340 e o outro 6600, sendo 2 600 em Airbus A330/A340.

    A aeronave é equipada de motores General Electric CF6-80E.

    O avião tem um total de 18 870 heures de voo e começou a operar em 18 de abril de 2005.

    A última visita de manutenção em hangar foi feita em 16 de abril de 2009.

    A Air France divide a emoção e a inquietação das famílias envolvidas. Os familiares serão recebidos num local especialmente reservado no aeroporto de Paris Charles de Gaulle 2 assim como no do Galeão.

    Um toll free está disponível :
    0800 881 2020 para o Brasil
    0800 800 812 para a França,
    e + 33 1 57 02 10 55 para outros países
    NB : Solicitamos aos jornalistas que NÃO liguem para este número, reservado às famílias

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    PR: FAA Taps ITT Corp. and GE’s Naverus to Develop NextGen

    WASHINGTON – The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is awarding a contract to ITT Exelis and GE’s Naverus to help accelerate the development of satellite-based procedures that will allow aircraft to fly more directly to their destinations.

    “NextGen will help deliver an environmentally friendly, more efficient traveling experience for the flying public,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood.

    Under the $2.77 million contract, ITT Exelis, the prime contractor, and GE’s Naverus, the sub-contractor, will develop Required Navigation Performance (RNP) approach procedures into five airports: Ted Stevens Anchorage International, James M. Cox Dayton International, Charles B. Wheeler Downtown Airport (Kansas City), General Mitchell International (Milwaukee) and Syracuse Hancock International. ITT Exelis and GE’s Naverus will be responsible for designing, implementing and maintaining a total of 10 procedures – two for each airport. The FAA will closely monitor the work to make sure all safety and environmental steps are conducted properly. This effort will supplement the FAA’s work to develop RNP procedures for airports across the country. The FAA has developed 305 RNP procedures.

    “If you imagine highways in the sky, then these are high-speed off ramps,” said Acting FAA Administrator Michael Huerta. “Aircraft using RNP approaches make a more direct and efficient approach into the airport, also decreasing fuel burn.”

    The FAA awarded the contract to ITT Exelis and GE’s Naverus through a competitive process under the System Engineering 2020 contract, a portfolio of work designed to help the agency roll out NextGen. Fiscal year 2012 appropriations included funding for a contractor to develop and deliver NextGen procedures, and the FAA reauthorization bill called for the agency to demonstrate the ability of a contractor to design, implement and maintain these procedures.

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    Saudi Arabian Airlines to Join SkyTeam

    Alliance expands reach to the Middle East

    Jan 10, 2011

    JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia, Jan. 10, 2011 — Saudi Arabian Airlines, the flag carrier of Saudi Arabia, today signed an agreement to join SkyTeam in 2012. The airline will be SkyTeam’s first member from the Middle East, adding 35 new destinations to the alliance network.

    Saudi Arabian Airlines complements the SkyTeam network by offering customers access to destinations across the Middle East not currently served by SkyTeam members. Through Saudi Arabia’s major hubs of Riyadh, Jeddah and Dammam, travelers can connect to new destinations on the Arabian Peninsula, the Indian subcontinent and Northern Africa. Examples are Alexandria, Aden, Colombo and Islamabad.

    SkyTeam members will have access to new potential customers from the region as Saudi Arabian Airlines offers direct flights to Europe, Asia, Africa and the United States. Customers can transfer to SkyTeam partner flights via hubs such as Paris, Rome, Nairobi and New York-JFK. SkyTeam partner China Southern also offers regular connections to Asia from Jeddah.

    Turnaround program to improve the product offering

    Saudi Arabian Airlines is focused on its four-year turnaround program to be completed by 2013. Key elements of this plan include modernization of its infrastructure, restructuring of its domestic and international network and implementing its fleet modernization plan through the purchase of the most advanced aircraft.

    Director General of Saudi Arabian Airlines, Eng. Khalid Al-Molhem, said joining SkyTeam will add value to the carrier’s services: “The SkyTeam network provides our customers with excellent connections to most parts of the world. Through the exchange of services and knowledge between all member airlines, Saudi Arabian Airlines can achieve qualitative improvements, made available to our customers. These include airport services, ground services and First Class and Business Class passenger lounges.”

    Leo van Wijk, Chairman of SkyTeam, said: “Saudi Arabian Airlines is a significant player in the Middle East and covers a considerable part of the Arabian Peninsula and the Indian subcontinent. Its membership in SkyTeam will enable us to compete more efficiently within the region.”

    Marie-Joseph Male, Managing Director of SkyTeam, added: “Announcing our first new member in 2011 clearly illustrates the continuing global expansion that we accelerated last year. In 2010, China Eastern and its daughter company Shanghai Airlines, China Airlines, Garuda Indonesia and Aerolineas Argentinas all confirmed their future membership in SkyTeam. Adding Saudi Arabian Airlines will definitely complement our network offer to our customers.”

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    AvStar Aviation Group, Inc. Announces Chief Pilot Appointment

    HOUSTON, Jan. 6, 2011
    — AvStar Aviation Group, Inc. today announced that its wholly owned subsidiary, Twin Air Calypso Limited, Inc., appointed Arthur Stevenson to the position of Chief Pilot.

    Arthur Stevenson is an Airline Transport Pilot having flown over 142 different types of aircraft while accumulating over 11,000 flight hours. Arthur’s experience includes more than 11 years as point of contact with the FAA in the development and continuing operations of Part 135 Air Carriers. Positions previously held by Arthur include Line Pilot, Chief Pilot, Company Instructor, Company Check Airman, and Director of Operations with air carriers operating aircraft up to 19 passenger seats. Arthur also developed the “Operations”, “Maintenance”, “Training” and “First Responders” manuals for the Monroe County Florida Sheriff’s EMS helicopter operation based in the Florida Keys.

    “I am pleased to have someone with Art’s credentials join Twin Air Calypso Limited, Inc. His experience with larger aircraft and commuter operations will make our transition into these areas quicker and more efficient. We will be able to develop the required manuals and procedures ‘in-house’ thereby making their implementation easier and more cost effective,” said Clayton Gamber, CEO of AvStar Aviation Group, Inc.

    In December 2010 AvStar announced a Letter of Intent (see http://www.prweb.com/releases/2010/12/prweb4920324.htm for the full announcement) had been signed to purchase 35% of Aircraft Charters, LLC. Aircraft Charters, LLC is the owner of the aircraft currently leased to and operated by AvStar’s wholly owned subsidiary Twin Air Calypso Limited, Inc. The purchase is expected to close in January of 2011.

    “The purchase of Aircraft Charters, LLC will improve the balance sheet of AvStar while the addition of Art will improve the Income Statement. With Art’s experience we will be able to expedite the transition to the ‘Commuter’ operator designation as given by the FAA. With the ‘Commuter’ designation Twin Air Calypso Limited, Inc. will gain worldwide exposure through the airline industry’s established marketing services available only to ‘Commuter’ operators,” said Clayton Gamber, CEO of AvStar Aviation Group, Inc.

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