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Press Release – FAA Proposes $455,175 Civil Penalty Against Corporate Air

For Immediate Release

October 12, 2010

SEATTLE – The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is proposing a $455,175 civil penalty against Corporate Air of Billings, Mont., for allegedly operating a Beech 1900C airliner when it was not in compliance with Federal Aviation Regulations.

“Our aviation safety rules are designed to protect the flying public,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. “We expect airlines to comply with these rules and will take enforcement action when they do not.”

The FAA alleges Corporate Air failed to maintain the aircraft under the company’s general maintenance manual, which includes the Pratt & Whitney Canada maintenance manual for the aircraft’s turboprop engines.

Specifically, the FAA alleges that Corporate Air operated the aircraft on at least 80 flights in spite of continued evidence of excessive oil consumption by the right engine. The FAA-approved aircraft and engine manuals call for post-flight inspection and repair of an engine experiencing excessive oil consumption. Corporate Air did not correct the oil consumption problem despite repeated inspections in which oil had to be added.

Corporate Air operates charter and air taxi service under Part 135 of the Federal Aviation Regulations.

“The safety of the passengers and crew must be the top priority for any operator,” said FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt. “All operators must comply with maintenance requirements.”

Corporate Air has 30 days from the receipt of the FAA’s enforcement letter to respond to the agency.

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    Two Boeing 787 Dreamliners to Return to Seattle; Laredo Investigation Continues

    Nov. 16, 2010 /PRNewswire/ — While the investigation into the incident onboard 787 Dreamliner ZA002 continues, Boeing has established a plan to fly two other aircraft, ZA001 and ZA005, back to Seattle from Rapid City, S.D., and Victorville, Calif. The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration has reviewed and approved the plans.

    ZA001 was undergoing refueling in South Dakota when the incident on ZA002 occurred and the company decided to forgo additional flights. ZA005 was on remote deployment for testing in California.

    The flights follow a series of inspections on the airplanes’ aft electronics bays. No testing will be performed on the flights.

    The team investigating the incident in Laredo has developed a detailed understanding of the ZA002 incident, though more work remains to complete the investigation. In addition to the information already released about the incident, data show that:

    • The total duration of the incident was less than 90 seconds.
    • The fire lasted less than 30 seconds.
    • The airplane concluded the event in a configuration that could have been sustained for the time required to return to an airport suitable for landing from any point in a typical 787 mission profile.  

    The team in Texas has completed inspection of ZA002 and has begun to prepare to install a new power panel and new insulation material. The team also is repairing minor structural damage that occurred during the event. This damage will be addressed with standard repair techniques in the airplane structural repair manual. The team is currently evaluating the timeline for completion of the repair work.

    The incident on ZA002 demonstrated many aspects of the safety and redundancy in the 787 design, which ensure that if events such as these occur, the airplane can continue safe flight and landing.

    No decision has been reached on when flight testing of the 787 will resume. Before that decision can be made, we must complete the investigation and assess whether any design changes are necessary. Until that time, Boeing cannot comment on the potential impact of this incident on the overall program schedule.

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    NASA SELECTS HIGH-PERFORMING INTERNS AS AGENCY AMBASSADORS

    WASHINGTON — NASA has selected 101 of its high-performing interns and
    fellows for the agency’s Student Ambassador Program. The students
    will represent NASA at a variety of education and outreach events at
    schools and universities to help inspire future students interested
    in science, engineering, mathematics and technology, or STEM,
    opportunities.

    The new ambassadors represent 31 states and 64 different universities.
    This third group of student ambassadors, known as Cohort III, joins
    189 other student ambassadors selected in 2009 and 2010. NASA
    managers and mentors nominated the ambassadors from hundreds of
    current interns and fellows who have participated in various NASA
    Education projects.

    “The ambassadors have demonstrated their ability to motivate students
    to enter the STEM workforce,” said Leland Melvin, associate
    administrator for education at NASA Headquarters in Washington. “They
    play an important role in our effort to develop the next generation
    of explorers, because they can engage fellow students in a meaningful
    peer-to-peer dialogue. That’s something that more traditional
    approaches cannot accomplish.”

    The new student ambassadors will join a virtual web-based community,
    which allows them to interact with NASA staff and other ambassadors
    to share information and make professional connections. Through the
    website, the ambassadors also will have access to the latest NASA
    news, cutting-edge research and career resources.

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    Fact Sheet – Regulating and Licensing Commercial Space Transportation Activities

    Background

    The FAA is responsible for regulating and licensing U.S. private companies and individuals involved in commercial space transportation. To date, the FAA Office of Commercial Space Transportation has licensed over 200 successful launches.

    Licensing Requirements

    • An FAA license is required for any launch or reentry, or the operation of any launch or reentry site, as carried out by U.S. citizens anywhere in the world, or by any individual or entity within the United States.
    • An FAA license is not required for space activities the government carries out for the government, such as most NASA or Department of Defense launches.
    • Once the FAA determines a license application package is complete, the FAA has 180 days to complete an evaluation and issue or deny a license.
    • The FAA evaluation includes a review of: public safety issues; the activity’s environmental impact; any payload to be flown; any national security or foreign policy concerns, and whether or not the commercial space operator is appropriately insured.

    Experimental Permits

    • To help facilitate in the eventual licensing process, the FAA can issue experimental permits, rather than licenses, for the launch or reentry of reusable suborbital rockets.
    • Experimental permits are issued for research and development; demonstrating compliance with requirements leading to licensing; or crew training prior to obtaining a license.
    • No person may operate a reusable suborbital rocket under a permit for carrying any property or human being for compensation or hire.

    Oversight

    • When an FAA licensed space activity is scheduled, FAA safety inspectors will attend even if it takes place outside the United States.
    • The FAA has the authority to suspend or revoke any license or issue fines when a commercial space operator is not in compliance with statutory or regulatory requirements.
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    OIG: FAA Fulfilled AARA

    ACTION: FAA Fulfilled Most ARRA Requirements in Awarding Airport Grants Federal Aviation Administration Report Number AV-2011-053
    From: JeffreyB.Guzzetti Assistant Inspector General
    for Aviation and Special Program Audits

    February 17, 2011
    JA-10
    Memorandum
    On February 17, 2009, the President signed into law the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA),1 designating $1.1 billion for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to invest in Airport Improvement Program (AIP) projects. These funds were intended for airport projects that could achieve several key goals, including investing in transportation infrastructure to provide long-term economic benefits, create jobs, and promote economic recovery. ARRA established tight timeframes for distributing and expending funds and emphasized preference for projects that could be completed in 2 years.

    In August 2009, we issued an advisory to the Office of the Secretary outlining our concerns with FAA’s process for awarding ARRA grants.2 We questioned the economic merit of some lower scoring projects and highlighted several ARRA recipients with grant management problems identified in prior single audit reports.3 Based on these preliminary findings, we initiated this audit to determine the extent to which FAA’s process for awarding ARRA grants complied with ARRA requirements and other associated guidance.4 We conducted this audit from September 2009 through December 2010 in accordance with government

    American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, Pub. L. No. 111–5 (2009). OIG Advisory Number AA-2009-003, “FAA’s Process for Awarding ARRA Airport Improvement Program Grants,” August 6, 2009. OIG reports are available on our website: www.oig.dot.gov. Single audit is a mechanism relied upon by Executive Branch agencies to oversee financial compliance and grant 4 assurances. For the purpose of this report, we define “requirements” as a collective term to refer to ARRA statutory requirements, Presidential direction, and Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and FAA guidance related to ARRA implementation.

    Read the entire PDF here

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    NTSB Holding Family Assistance Symposium

    NTSB Holding Family Assistance Symposium
    Panel discussions during the March 28-29 event will help the transportation industry, the media, and investigative agencies learn how families are helped after accidents around the world.

    The National Transportation Safety Board will hold a two-day conference March 28-29 for family members, transportation accident investigation agencies, transportation industry representatives, government agencies, and the media to discuss family assistance after transportation accidents in an international context. The event coincides with the 15th anniversary of the Aviation Disaster Family Assistance Act and the 10th anniversary of ICAO Circular 285 and will give those who attend the chance to learn firsthand from those involved worldwide in family assistance, according to NTSB.

    Day one features four panel discussions and will be webcast. Day two includes training by the NTSB Transportation Disaster Assistance staff, who will give an overview of the NTSB model for family assistance operations.

    The tentative agenda shows the panel discussions will be:

    Family Members: Perspectives from those affected by accidents, a discussion of their needs, and how those needs are met through family assistance programs.
    Transportation industry, vendors, and non-governmental organizations: Responsibilities of the industry, their vendors, and non-governmental organizations.

    Government transportation accident investigation agencies: How investigative agencies provide information about accident investigations and their role in family assistance.

    Media: How the media report on family members following accidents and how family assistance has affected such reporting.

    The event will take place at the NTSB Conference Center, 429 L’Enfant Plaza SW, Washington, DC 20594. Registration is free and is being conducted separately for each day. Visit this page to register and for links to transportation family assistance resources.

    Tentative Agenda

    Perspectives from Family Members, Industry, Government, and Media

    Welcome and Introductions: The Honorable Deborah A.P. Hersman
    Commemoration of the 15th Anniversary of the Aviation Disaster Family Assistance Act
    Four high-level panel discussions designed to share best practices and lessons learned in the provision of family assistance in transportation accidents internationally.
    Family Members: Perspectives from those impacted by accidents, a discussion of their needs, and ways in which those needs are met through family assistance programs.
    Transportation industry, vendors, and non-governmental organizations: Perspectives on the responsibilities of the industry, their vendors, and non-governmental organizations in providing assistance.
    Government transportation accident investigation agencies: How investigative agencies provide information about the accident investigation and their role in family assistance.
    Media: How the media reports on family members following accidents and how family assistance has impacted such reporting.
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    The NTSB Family Assistance Model: An Introduction

    NTSB family assistance legislation overview; information flow and timelines; family assistance operations; conducting effective family briefings; personal effects best practices; victim identification concerns; site visits, memorials, anniversaries.

    SEE AGENDA

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    Boeing Receives US Air Force Contract to Build Next-Generation Refueling Tanker

    ST. LOUIS, Feb. 24, 2011 — The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] has received a contract from the U.S. Air Force to build the next-generation aerial refueling tanker aircraft that will replace 179 of the service’s 400 KC-135 tankers.
    The contract calls for Boeing to design, develop, manufacture and deliver 18 initial combat-ready tankers by 2017.
    “We’re honored to be given the opportunity to build the Air Force’s next tanker and provide a vital capability to the men and women of our armed forces,” said Jim McNerney, Boeing chairman, president and CEO. “Our team is ready now to apply our 60 years of tanker experience to develop and build an airplane that will serve the nation for decades to come.”

    In selecting the Boeing NewGen Tanker after a lengthy and rigorous proposal process, the Air Force has chosen an American-built, multi-mission tanker that is based on the proven Boeing 767 commercial airplane and meets all requirements at the lowest risk for the warfighter and the best value for taxpayers. The Boeing proposal was created by an integrated “One Boeing” team from various sites across the company, including employees from the Commercial Airplanes; Defense, Space & Security; and Engineering, Operations & Technology organizations.
    “This contract award would not have been possible without the hundreds of Boeing employees across the entire company, and the thousands of our industry teammates, who remained laser-focused on our commitment to offer a solution that is first in capability and best in value,” said Dennis Muilenburg, president and CEO of Boeing Defense, Space & Security. “This award is also a tribute to the Air Force and Defense Department officials who worked so tirelessly to make this procurement process fair, ultimately resulting in the selection of the right plane for the mission. We look forward to working with our Air Force customer to deliver this much needed capability to the servicemen and women we are honored to serve.”

    The KC-46A tankers will be built using a low-risk approach to manufacturing by a trained and experienced U.S. work force at existing Boeing facilities. The KC-46A tanker also will fuel the economy as it supports approximately 50,000 total U.S. jobs with Boeing and more than 800 suppliers in more than 40 states.

    “Boeing has always been committed to the integrity of the competitive process, and the men and women across our Boeing commercial and defense teams and our entire supplier network are ready to extend that commitment to delivering these tankers on time and on budget,” said Jim Albaugh, president and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes.

    Based on the proven Boeing 767 commercial airplane, the KC-46A Tanker is a widebody, multi-mission aircraft updated with the latest and most advanced technology and capable of meeting or exceeding the Air Force’s needs for transport of fuel, cargo, passengers and patients. It includes state-of-the-art systems to meet the demanding mission requirements of the future, including a digital flight deck featuring Boeing 787 Dreamliner electronic displays and a flight control design philosophy that places aircrews in command rather than allowing computer software to limit combat maneuverability. The NewGen Tanker also features an advanced KC-10 boom with an expanded refueling envelope, increased fuel offload rate and fly-by-wire control system.

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