Flight Safety Information - May 22, 2024 No. 102 In This Issue : Accident: Condor B753 at Frankfurt on May 20th 2024, sudden stop during taxi : Incident: India Express B38M near Tiruchirappalli on May 18th 2024, loss of cabin pressure : Incident: Easyjet Switzerland A320 at Basel on May 18th 2024, bird strike : Incident: Lufthansa A359 over Romania on May 18th 2024, hydraulic problems : ‘All hell broke loose’: Passengers on Singapore Airlines flight describe nightmare at 37,000 feet : US NTSB investigators will assist with inquiry into deadly Singapore Airlines turbulence event : This Diverted Plane Shows Exactly Why You Shouldn't Retrieve a Lost Electronic While Flying : Aviation safety and operations in the spotlight in Ghana : Shrinking Airplane Seats? Now The FAA Is In The Hot Seat After Years Of Passenger Complaints : FAA Corrects United: Restrictions Still In Place : FAA tackling N.Y. air traffic controller shortage. Here's how it's getting more eyes on the skies. : Air Austral adopts flydocs platform to digitise aircraft records : 60,000 jobs: New pilots needed to fly 'air taxis' : Scottsdale Based Private Jet Service Receives FAA Approval for International Charter Operations : Call for Nominations For 2024 Laura Taber Barbour Air Safety Award : CALENDAR OF EVENTS : TODAY'S PHOTO Accident: Condor B753 at Frankfurt on May 20th 2024, sudden stop during taxi A Condor Boeing 757-300, registration D-ABOB performing flight DE-1504 from Frankfurt/Main (Germany) to Palma Mallorca,SP (Spain), was cleared for and was taxiing for departure from runway 18 on taxiway N near intersection with taxiway N8 (in front of the main terminals, about 1.4nm before reaching the runway) when the crew needed to stop the aircraft suddenly due to a ground vehicle. The crew managed to stop in time to avoid a collision, however, a flight attendant lost balance and received injuries. The aircraft returned to the stand where paramedics took care of the injured cabin crew, who was subsequently taken to a hospital. The aircraft was able to depart 2:45 hours later and reached Palma Mallorca with a delay of 2:45 hours. https://avherald.com/h?article=518ee8fc&opt=0 Incident: India Express B38M near Tiruchirappalli on May 18th 2024, loss of cabin pressure An Air India Express Boeing 737-8 MAX, registration VT-BXA performing flight IX-934 from Thiruvananthapuram to Bangalore (India) with 137 people on board, was climbing through about FL326 when the crew initiated an emergency descent to FL100 due to the loss of cabin pressure, the passenger oxygen masks were released. The aircraft diverted to Tiruchirappalli for a safe landing on runway 27 about 35 minutes after stopping the climb. A passenger reported the aircraft suffered the loss of cabin pressure, the passenger oxygen masks were released. The airline reported a technical issue. A replacement Boeing 737-800 registration VT-AYD reached Bangalore with a delay of about 8.5 hours. The occurrence aircraft is still on the ground about 58 hours after landing. https://avherald.com/h?article=518decca&opt=0 Incident: Easyjet Switzerland A320 at Basel on May 18th 2024, bird strike An Easyjet Switzerland Airbus A320-200, registration HB-JXK performing flight U2-1069 from Basel (Switzerland) to Bordeaux (France), was climbing out of Basel's runway 15 when the crew stopped the climb at 4000 feet due to a bird strike into the right hand engine (CFM56). The aircraft returned to Basel for a safe landing on runway 15 about 12 minutes after departure. A passenger reported: "shortly after liftoff (5 seconds) severe vibrations were felt in the cabin." The captain subsequently announced they had received a bird strike, the #2 engine was shut down. After the engine was shut down, the vibrations ceased. After landing they were told a number of fan blades had been damaged/fractured. The aircraft returned to service about 44 hours after landing back. https://avherald.com/h?article=518dd056&opt=0 Incident: Lufthansa A359 over Romania on May 18th 2024, hydraulic problems A Lufthansa Airbus A350-900, registration D-AIXC performing flight LH-742 from Munich (Germany) to Osaka (Japan), was enroute at FL370 over Romania near Bucharest (Romania) when the crew decided to return to Munich due to hydraulic problems. The aircraft descended to FL360 and landed safely back on Munich's runway 26L with open gear doors about 3:10 hours after departure. The aircraft vacated the runway and stopped clear of the runway. The aircraft was subsequently towed to the apron. The aircraft is still on the ground about 49 hours after landing. https://avherald.com/h?article=518dce36&opt=0 ‘All hell broke loose’: Passengers on Singapore Airlines flight describe nightmare at 37,000 feet Passengers on a Singapore Airlines flight hit by severe turbulence on Tuesday described a sudden, dramatic drop as “all hell broke loose” on board the Boeing airliner carrying 229 passengers and crew. Flight SQ321 was cruising at 37,000 feet from London to Singapore when flight tracking data shows the plane rapidly plunged before climbing several hundred feet, then repeated the dip and ascent, for about 90 seconds. At first, “the flight was perfectly normal,” said passenger Andrew Davies, who was traveling to New Zealand for business. He described the flight as “quite smooth … I don’t remember any turbulence at all.” Many passengers were having breakfast at the time of the incident. Then, about nine or 10 hours into the roughly 13-hour flight, he was watching a movie when he saw the seat belt sign light up – so he put his seat belt on. “Thank goodness I did because within moments of doing that, all hell broke loose,” he told CNN. “The plane just felt like it dropped. It probably only lasted a few seconds, but I remember vividly seeing shoes and iPads and iPhones and cushions and blankets and cutlery and plates and cups flying through the air and crashing to the ceiling. The gentleman next to me had a cup of coffee, which went straight all over me and up to the ceiling,” Davies said. Images from the plane afterward show the cabin in disarray, with papers, cups and water pitchers scattered on the floor, and ceiling panels and piping hanging loose. Davies was sitting toward the front of the plane and witnessed some of the injuries sustained by dozens of passengers – including Geoff Kitchen, a 73-year-old Briton who died on the flight. “That gentleman was sitting right behind me,” he said. “Lots of people needed some help but we tended to this gentleman, and I helped carry him, get him out of the seat, and we laid him on the floor so that some medical professions could administer CPR.” Kitchen was given CPR for about 20 minutes, said Davies. Meanwhile, he said, “there was so much screaming,” and people’s injuries were evident; when he turned around, he saw one passenger with “a big gash in her head and blood pouring down her face,” and another elderly passenger in “severe shock.” Another passenger, 28-year-old student Dzafran Azmir, told Reuters that the aircraft had begun “tilting up” and shaking. “Very suddenly there was a very dramatic drop so everyone seated and not wearing a seatbelt was launched immediately into the ceiling,” he told Reuters. “Some people hit their heads on the baggage cabins overhead and dented it, they hit the places where lights and masks are and broke straight through it.” Azmir added that the whole thing was “really, really quick – which is why I think nobody could really respond to it.” People didn’t have time to react, he said – there were passengers in the plane bathrooms and air crew still standing when the turbulence hit. The plane was diverted to Bangkok after the incident. Of the 211 passengers and 18 crew on board the original flight, 143 were transported via a relief flight to Singapore, where they landed early Wednesday morning, according to Singapore Airlines CEO Goh Choon Phong in a video message released on Facebook. The remaining 79 passengers and 6 crew members are still in Bangkok, including those receiving medical care, and their family members. Those injured included citizens from Australia, Malaysia, the United Kingdom, New Zealand, Spain, the United States and Ireland, according to the hospital where they were treated. Kittipong Kittikachorn, the general manager of the Bangkok airport, said on Tuesday that preliminary investigations suggest Kitchen had suffered from a heart condition, and that the autopsy process is ongoing. Several passengers had broken arms, but the majority of injuries were cuts and bruises, he added. Goh, the CEO, extended his condolences to Kitchen’s family and loved ones, saying the airline was “deeply saddened by this incident” and was “very sorry for the traumatic experience” that passengers endured. The airline is cooperating with authorities on the investigation, he added. Singapore’s Ministry of Transport is investigating the incident, saying Tuesday it was in touch with its Thai counterparts and would be sending investigators to Bangkok. The US National Transportation Safety Board is also sending personnel to Singapore to help the investigation, including a representative of the board and four technical advisors. https://www.yahoo.com/news/hell-broke-loose-passengers-singapore-030742834.html US NTSB investigators will assist with inquiry into deadly Singapore Airlines turbulence event The US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is sending representatives to assist Singapore’s investigation into the 21 May turbulence event that killed one passenger aboard a Singapore Airlines Boeing 777. The NTSB, which has long called for measures to address risks posed by turbulence, says its assistance aligns with ICAO-set investigation guidelines, which call for involvement by representatives from the state where an aircraft was manufactured. Singapore Airlines’ 777-300ER with registration 9V-SWM, the twin jet involved in the turbulence event The US accident investigatory agency “is sending an accredited representative and four technical advisers to support the Singapore” investigation into the events involving Singapore Airlines Flight 321, the NTSB tweeted on 21 May. The Singapore Transport Safety Investigation Bureau is leading the inquiry. One passenger died when the 777-300ER encountered what Singapore Airlines called “sudden extreme turbulence”. The incident occurred over Myanmar at 37,000ft during a flight from London Heathrow to Singapore. The pilots declared a medical emergency and diverted to Bangkok, where they landed the jet at 14:45 local time on 21 May. The carrier confirmed the single fatality. Another 18 people were hospitalised and a dozen more received treatment at medical centres. The jet was carrying 211 passengers and 18 crew members. https://www.flightglobal.com/safety/us-ntsb-investigators-will-assist-with-inquiry-into-deadly-singapore-airlines-turbulence-event/158389.article This Diverted Plane Shows Exactly Why You Shouldn't Retrieve a Lost Electronic While Flying A recent United Airlines flight recently diverted after a passenger's laptop got stuck “in an inaccessible location.” A transatlantic United Airlines plane headed to the United States was diverted over the weekend after a laptop got stuck on board. Flight UA12 was headed from Zurich to Chicago on Sunday when the laptop got stuck “in an inaccessible location,” United confirmed to Travel + Leisure. The flight, operated on a Boeing 767 aircraft, was diverted to Shannon, Ireland, over the “potential safety risk.” The aircraft took off at 9:46 a.m. local time and flew across the British Isles and out over the Atlantic Ocean before making a u-turn and heading back to Ireland, landing about five hours later, according to flight tracker FlightAware. It was not immediately clear where on the aircraft the laptop got stuck. United told T+L the airline provided hotel accommodations for the 157 passengers on the flight and arranged for a new aircraft to take them to Chicago on Monday. Any item with a lithium battery — including cell phones, laptops, tablets, or smart watches — can be a potential fire hazard, according to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) as the batteries are capable of overheating and ultimately catching fire. Moving a seat to try to access a stuck device could damage the battery and cause a potential fire. Which is why if an item does get stuck, the FAA recommends notifying the flight crew. “Flight crews are trained to recognize and respond to lithium battery fires in the cabin,” according to the FAA. “Passengers should notify flight crew immediately if their lithium battery or device is overheating, expanding, smoking or burning.” These lithium batteries must also be carried in carry-on luggage. In fact, airlines banned these types of batteries in smart luggage years ago. Overall, there have been more than 500 verified incidents involving lithium batteries and smoke, fire, or extreme heat from March 2006 to April 2024, according to the FAA. This year alone, there have been 22. https://www.yahoo.com/news/diverted-plane-shows-exactly-why-154359627.html Aviation safety and operations in the spotlight in Ghana Regional experts and workgroup members have gathered in Ghana with the goal of collaborating across the region to enhance safety. The theme of this year’s workshop is “Recommitting Ourselves to Safety in Operations” As Thabani Myeza, CANSO Africa Regional Director, said: “The topic of safety is a paramount theme in our industry and that is why we think it is crucial to meet regularly to identify new ways to move forward in this field. Recently CANSO has made significant strides in delivering on regional programmes to accelerate the introduction of free route airspace and a peer review scheme for safety. Furthermore, CANSO is working closely with key regional stakeholders such as ICAO, AFRAA, and IATA to deliver on joint initiatives. These new approaches will require new ways of working and more commitment from members.” Thabani added: “Some of our main objectives this week are learning from recent successes of collaboration and finding ways to enhance and replicate them. As well as focusing on their implementation and meaningful contribution towards regional programmes.” On his part, Ing. Charles Kraikue, Director General of the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) indicated his excitement about the hosting of this important meeting in Accra, Ghana. Adding: "I believe aviation safety is the bedrock of the industry that directly and indirectly supports the employment and livelihood of not less than 65 million people globally. It is the reason that the GCAA has over the years championed the importance of safety among African States and gone further to include Safety and Security in its brand communication.’’ Ing Kraikue further stated: "It's important for us, as experts, to strive to come up with a common goal during these four days that will propel us to strengthen our roles in ensuring that aviation safety remains paramount in the industry.’’ https://www.airtrafficmanagement.net/article/aviation-safety-and-operations-spotlight-ghana Shrinking Airplane Seats? Now The FAA Is In The Hot Seat After Years Of Passenger Complaints Can the 90-second evacuation rule still apply to packed airplanes today? The US Congress wants the standards reevaluated. SUMMARY • Aircraft seats in many airlines have become smaller over the years. • A US senator has questioned if the FAA's evacuation standards match the realities of aircraft cabins today. • In some airlines, the economy seat width is as small as 16 inches. • While air connectivity has certainly improved today compared to decades ago, the same can’t be said about passenger comfort in economy class of many airlines. Cheaper airfares have brought air travel within the reach of most, but in many cases, the trade-off has been, among other things, the size of the seats. It may seem as though the airlines have been given free rein to dictate seat size, but there are laws that regulate their proportions to ensure safe evacuation within a specified period of time. But the US Congress isn’t quite convinced that the carriers are playing by the rules. Push for re-testing evacuation standards If you’ve entered an aircraft lately and wondered why the seats look precariously thin and narrow, with barely any room to move your legs, you’re not alone. As aircraft configurations evolve, many economy cabins are getting increasingly crowded, prompting a senator to question the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) about its current standards for safe evacuation during emergencies. If an aircraft must be evacuated, it must ideally be done in 90 seconds. But last year, US Senator Tammy Duckworth questioned the FAA’s testing of this standard, given how aircraft cabins have changed over the years. In an interview, she said that the testing was not realistic at all, given that all the participants were able-bodied individuals, with no one above the age of 60 or under 18. It definitely did not mimic a real-world flight, which can also carry people with disabilities and toddlers. Given these facts, the then-FAA administrator even acknowledged that the results were “useful, but not necessarily definitive.” What do the passengers think? In 2022, the FAA asked people to give their thoughts on seat size on commercial aircraft today. More than 26,000 people responded, and while the FAA did not ask for comments about how the dimensions of passenger seats might relate to their comfort or convenience, many chose to focus on that. One of the passengers, Amy Schenkel, highlighted how her tall family of four has inseams between 34 and 38 inches. They found that as airlines reduced the pitch, their legs fell asleep quickly from being forced into unnatural positions. This would be a concern if they suddenly found themselves in a situation where they needed to evacuate the plane immediately. Many also said how tricky it can be to stand up if the front seat is reclined. This issue wasn’t restricted to tall people. Many responders said that they must use the seat back for leverage while trying to reach the aisle. Shrinking seats Aircraft seats have been shrinking over the decades. Some seats are as little as 16 inches wide, while seat pitch has gone down from 35 inches back in the day to an average of 31 inches and, in some cases, 28 inches. The general public also seems skeptical of any upgrades made to aircraft cabins. While small seats could be expected in budget carriers, passengers are increasingly disillusioned with some full-service airlines as well. For instance, when British Airways recently added a LinkedIn post on its new short-haul seats in the first next-generation A321neo aircraft, the reactions from readers were rather lukewarm. While cramped seats will likely stay in modern jetliners, it seems that regulatory authorities will have to reevaluate their evacuation standards. https://simpleflying.com/shrinking-airline-seats-causes-faa-scrutiny-passenger-complaints/ FAA Corrects United: Restrictions Still In Place The FAA says it has not lifted any operational restrictions on United Airlines, contradicting a memo from senior officials at the airline that the regulator is allowing it to “begin the process of restarting our certification activities.” The FAA froze airline operations in March, keeping it from adding any aircraft or routes until a safety review was completed. The review followed a spate of maintenance and operational incidents involving United flights, including an aircraft going off the side of a taxiway into mud, a wheel falling off an aircraft and a piece of wing box fairing ripping off in flight. “The FAA has not approved any expansion of United Airlines‘ routes or fleet,” the agency said in a statement. “The Certificate Holder Evaluation Program that the FAA is conducting for United is ongoing and safety will determine the timeline for completing it.” The airline did not offer an explanation for jumping the gun. https://www.avweb.com/aviation-news/faa-corrects-united-restrictions-still-in-place/ FAA tackling N.Y. air traffic controller shortage. Here's how it's getting more eyes on the skies. NEW YORK -- The summer travel season is expected to be the busiest ever, but it may be hampered by New York's major air traffic controller shortage. Right now, nearly all FAA air traffic controllers must train at the Oklahoma City academy, no matter where they're from or where they'll work. However, only so many people can be trained there at once, so a new FAA initiative will soon allow colleges that already focus on aviation, like Vaughn College in Queens, to train hires on campus. The Queens school is helping increase the numbers of eyes watching our skies. How the FAA initiative works Kyle Ratkowski was working on a simulator, but is getting ready to do the real thing. The Federal Aviation Administration just hired the 2023 Vaughn graduate, and he'll soon start the agency's three-month air traffic controller training program in Oklahoma City. "Just doing the training here in New York would be much easier and less stressful," Ratkowski said. Like all controllers, they'll still have to complete additional training at the facility they're assigned to work at after their time at Vaughn. "Same exact curriculum. We handed over the curriculum that we use at the academy. We gave it to the colleges," the FAA's Chris Wilbanks said. "It absolutely should speed up things," Vaughn College instructor Steve Fanno said. Fanno is a retired controller. "I think it's just gonna open the door faster for a lot of new prospective students who eventually become employees," Fanno said. Fanno worked at the Tri-State's facility for controllers, known as the N90 TRACON (short for Terminal Radar Approach Control), on Long Island, guiding approaching and departing planes. It is now staffed at about 58%. CBS New York filed a public records request with the FAA and learned, in the last five years, 17 new hires assigned to that facility either failed, transferred to another facility, or left for another reason before they even completed their additional training. That's more than double Atlanta's TRACON, where eight left and quadruple Southern California, where four trainees left. Fanno said he hopes the plan can draw more FAA applicants who want to stay in New York for good. "It's a very difficult facility to work in," Fanno said. "Probably the most complicated, or one of the most complicated airspaces in the country. And dense and highly populated. A lot of airports close together, so you know that plays a factor in that," Wilbanks added. N90 TRACON making progress but needs more applicants There is hope. Thanks to new hires, N90 has more controllers currently in training than any other TRACON. N90 is also one of the top three TRACONs for the total number of controllers who completed training in the last five years. But it will have to keep getting more applicants -- and applicants who can finish training -- to meet its staffing needs. "You're gonna have more and more delays, and more and more restrictions on airports, like we have in New York airports now." Fanno said, when asked what will happen if the FAA cannot address the shortage. "The agency is looking at various different things that we can do to increase that success and be successful up in the N90 area," Wilbanks said. The FAA hasn't said yet which schools will be in the new training program, but Wilbanks told CBS New York Investigates that Vaughn will be one of them. Unfortunately for Ratkowski, the initiative likely won't be off the ground in time for his training. The agency opened the application process for schools that want to join the program, known as the Enhanced Air Traffic-Collegiate Training Initiative, in April, and it has not released a date for when it will launch. "I could imagine it'd be much easier. I can't explain to you the number of people who I'll say I'm going to Oklahoma City and the say, 'Oh, Oklahoma, that sounds really far,'" Ratkowski said. Adding to the complications is an FAA plan to move 17 controllers from that Long Island facility to Philadelphia. They'd still cover Newark's airspace and the FAA says the move will actually help staffing overall, but the controllers are fighting the plan, as are several New York lawmakers, including Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer. There have been a number of near-collisions over the past years. That's one reason training is so important, and the FAA also recently announced new rules requiring more rest between shifts for controllers, who are often overworked but play a crucial safety role. https://www.cbsnews.com/newyork/news/faa-initiative-on-new-york-air-traffic-controller-shortage/ Air Austral adopts flydocs platform to digitise aircraft records Flydocs has signed a five-year deal with Air Austral to digitise the records management process across its fleet of eight aircraft. The agreement brings together solutions from flydocs to create value out of aircraft maintenance data for Air Austral in the form of digital records management ensuring smooth integration with their maintenance and engineering systems. André Fischer, chief executive officer at flydocs said: "We are pleased to partner with Air Austral as this collaboration broadens our global footprint in the Réunion Island and further enhances our presence in the global market. With our core records management platform, we will enable Air Austral’s digital transformation journey to provide them with a unified experience. Our unique digital-led solution will provide Air Austral with a seamless experience on our records management platform. It is a privilege to be chosen as their customer partner of choice in the aviation industry, as it exhibits the value digitally driven aircraft transitions can create in aircraft maintenance.” Vincent Guerin, technical director at Air Austral added: “Focussing on the future, we are always looking for all the innovative ways to modernise ourselves, to offer our customers more choice, comfort, and the best possible travel experience. We recently renewed our medium-haul fleet, and we are excited to embark on this journey with flydocs, the global leader in digital records management and thus benefit from their expertise. We are convinced that this partnership will allow us to improve our operational efficiency.” https://www.timesaerospace.aero/news/technology/air-austral-adopts-flydocs-platform-to-digitise-aircraft-records 60,000 jobs: New pilots needed to fly 'air taxis' Forecast on air taxi pilots compounded by demand for more commercial pilots Air taxis, or the so-called "urban air mobility" (UAM) vehicles, could need up to 60,000 pilots to fly them by 2028, according to a projection by McKinsey & Co. This is despite the fact that air taxis are, by design, meant to fly autonomously. The projected pilot demand timeline is just four years away from now (May 2024). This figure represents about 17 percent of the total number of commercial pilots in 2018. In a recent article, the US consulting firm highlighted the challenges of hiring and training tens of thousands of pilots for air taxis – small, electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft that offer on-demand passenger services. Piloted 'autonomous' aircraft? While many eVTOL developers plan to transition to fully autonomous aircraft eventually, the McKinsey research argues that pilots are essential for UAM’s “near-term” success. VTOL aircraft There are quite a few competitors in the global VTOL aircraft market. This is driven by cutting-edge developments in battery technology, AI and machine learning to boost the quality, safety and efficiency of products, as well as legislation. Image Credit: LinkedIn “That could take a decade or more because of technology issues, regulatory concerns, and the need to gain public acceptance,” the consulting firm stated. “Until autonomous flight of hundreds or thousands of vehicles above cities across the globe becomes a reality, the industry must recruit, train, and deploy thousands of pilots — an important but much less visible challenge than other issues associated with UAM.” Development US-based air taxi maker Joby Aviation, following years of development, is on track to launch electric air taxi in 2025 – with further service expansion planned in the UAE, Korea and Japan. As soon as 2025, we plan to offer an air taxi service for residents and visitors of Dubai through our exclusive right to operate in the Emirate. pic.twitter.com/hK1lS3z5y9 — Joby Aviation (@jobyaviation) April 23, 2024 On May 13, Joby announced the completion of their pre-production prototype flight test campaign, which completed more than 1,500 flights and over 33,000 miles of eVTOL flight over the past four years. These two aircraft were the company’s second generation of full-scale prototype aircraft. Earlier, on April 30, Joby Aviation started work on a planned expansion of their Marina factory that will more than double our manufacturing capacity, targeting 25 aircraft per year. The company has completed the third stage of the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certification process on February 27. Joby is being billed as an “affordable” electric air taxi that will cut travel time from Manhattan to JFK in 7 minutes compared to around 50-75 minutes by car for $200 – similar to an Uber Black car service. Besides Joby, other potential players in the incepient air taxi industry include Lilium, Archer Aviation, eHang and Wisk. The US, Germany, the UK, China, Japan, Brazil, the UAE and Saudi Arabia are leading the way in embracing air taxi technology. eVTOL: Numerous companies, backed by billions of dollars in investments, are making huge strides in the development of the next-generation electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. Startups such as Joby, Lilium, EHang, Beta and established planemakers like Boeing, and Airbus are at the forefront of developing eVTOL vehicles. They are in various stages of testing and certification, regulatory and safety approvals, which would then create an entirely new industry. Vertiports In February, an agreement signed by Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) and Dubai Civil Aviation Authority (DCAA), the British Skyports Infrastructure and Joby Aviation, calls for the operation of an air taxi service in the emirate by 2026. Dubai seeks to be the first city in the world with a fully-developed network of “vertiports” – one each at the Dubai International Airport, Dubai Downtown, Dubai Marina, and the Palm Jumeirah. The plan is to whisk air taxis passengers from Dubai International Airport to Palm Jumeirah in a 10-minute flight, reducing it from a 45-minute commute. There are dozens more e-VTOL companies seeking to hit the market first. 585,000 demand for new pilots between 2022 and 2041, as per Airbus estimates. Spike in demand for pilots While the COVID-19 crisis deferred the need for new pilots by a few years, European planemaker Airbus projected that the industry will require 585,000 new pilots between 2022 and 2041. Its US competitor Boeing suggests the industry will need to hire and train 649,000 new pilots between 2023 and 2042 – if it wants to keep up with projected levels of demand. This works out to about 32,000 pilots needed a year. 649,000 new pilots needed between 2023 and 2042, according to Boeing. These estimates do give an indication of the scale of the industry’s challenge. The fact that these numbers are based on global airframe manufacturers’ forward order-books also gives them a high level of credibility. “That said, there will still be a need for most of those new pilots toward the end of the decade. Pilots for UAM would come on top of that,” the McKinsey paper stated. Air taxis: a 70-year-old idea The concept of air taxis harks back to the helicopter services of the 1950s and 1960s, slicing through the skies over cities in the US, Europe, and Australia. In those heady days, these services thrived, airlifting hundreds of thousands of passengers and igniting imaginations. In 1951, The Wall Street Journal triumphantly declared, “the age of aerial taxis is here.” But the dream hit turbulent skies, as economic and safety complexities grounded the soaring ambitions of this nascent industry. 🚀 Beta Technologies’ Alia-250 eVTOL makes history with its first full transition flight! This breakthrough in the eVTOL market is set to revolutionize personal travel and cargo transport.🛸 #BetaTechnologies Types of aircraft used as air taxis Air taxis come in various configurations to meet the evolving demands of urban transportation: Multirotor VTOL Aircraft: Quadcopters, hexacopters, and octocopters offer stability and redundancy, making them suitable for urban air mobility. Fixed-Wing eVTOLs: Combine the efficiency of fixed-wing flight with vertical takeoff and landing versatility. Tilt-Rotor and Tilt-Wing eVTOLs: Balance vertical and horizontal flight capabilities. Electric helicopters: Provide hovering capabilities with reduced noise and emissions. Hybrid VTOL Aircraft: Combine electric propulsion with a combustion engine or generator, offering higher speeds and extended range. AIR TAXIS MARKET Precedence Research estimates that the market for air taxis will be worth $37.24 billion by 2032 from $2.94 billion in 2022. That is equivalent to a 28.9 per cent compounded annual growth rate (CAGR), with North America leading the demand. In terms of propulsion type, the parallel hybrid segment captured a significant share of the global market in 2022. The electric segment is expected to expand the fastest from 2023 to 2032, while the multicopter segment is predicted to grow significantly with the largest market share between 2023 and 2032. $JOBY Joby Aviation showcased electric air taxis in New York City, targeting passenger service from JFK to Manhattan by 2025. The taxis are in FAA certification stage three, with a rideshare-style booking system planned for commercial launch in 2025. https://t.co/6XN4sne9ro pic.twitter.com/gl2IQoXRID Benefits of air taxis Reduced traffic congestion: By bypassing crowded roads and highways. Time savings: Faster commutes result in increased productivity and improved well-being. Direct point-to-point travel: Eliminates multiple transfers or stops. Flexibility and accessibility: Promotes inclusivity and efficient transportation. Environmental sustainability: Produces fewer emissions and reduces urban air pollution. Reduced noise pollution: Quieter than helicopters and traditional airplanes. Efficient land use: Requires less space for takeoff and landing, reducing city infrastructure expenses. https://gulfnews.com/special-reports/60000-jobs-new-pilots-needed-to-fly-air-taxis-1.1716222080161 Scottsdale Based Private Jet Service Receives FAA Approval for International Charter Operations SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., May 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Private jet management and charter company PrismJet is excited to announce its approval of international charter operations by the Federal Aviation Administration. PrismJet launched in 2023 and started domestic charter operations earlier this year. With the addition of the newest FAA authorization PrismJet joins a small, elite group of operators who can operate aircraft with 10 or more seats on international charters. The final approval in the coming months will be for the Pacific Region (including Hawaii) giving PrismJet worldwide charter capabilities. "The approval of these specifications is a significant milestone for our company as we continue to expand our global presence and reach," said Scott Casey, vice president of PrismJet. "This is a testament to our team's expertise and experience." Based out of the Scottsdale Airport, PrismJet operates and brokers jet charter service and jet management services – aiming to make aircraft ownership less complex. Launched by aviation industry experts with over 100 years of combined experience, PrismJet's leadership team includes Mike Bianco, CEO; Todd Pixley, president and chief pilot; Scott Casey, vice president; Trevor Turcott, vice president and director of operations; and Scott Guetti, vice president and director of maintenance. PrismJet's charter fleet includes two Challenger 350s and a Lear 45XR and has plans to expand into the large cabin market all to ensure a high-quality, safe flying experience. For more information visit www.prismjet.net. About PrismJet PrismJet offers dynamic aircraft management and charter services. Founded in 2023 by aviation industry veterans with the goal of providing concierge management services that offer a unique and proactive approach. Operating out of the Scottsdale airport, clients can expect high-touch communication, proactive maintenance services, safety and best-in-class aircraft for charter flights. For more information visit www.prismjet.net https://www.streetinsider.com/PRNewswire/Scottsdale+Based+Private+Jet+Service+Receives+FAA+Approval+for+International+Charter+Operations/23261029.html Call for Nominations For 2024 Laura Taber Barbour Air Safety Award ALEXANDRIA, Va. -- The Laura Taber Barbour Air Safety Foundation is now accepting nominations for the 2024 Laura Taber Barbour Air Safety Award, honoring a leader in global aviation safety. The Award will be presented during the 77th Annual International Air Safety Summit, taking place November 5 – 7 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Presented annually since 1956, the Laura Taber Barbour Air Safety Award recognizes notable achievement in the field of civil or military aviation safety in method, design, invention, study, or other improvement. The Award's recipient is selected for a "significant individual or group effort contributing to improving aviation safety, with emphasis on original contributions," and a "significant individual or group effort performed above and beyond normal responsibilities." Mechanics, engineers, and others outside of top administrative or research positions should be especially considered. The contribution need not be recent, especially if the nominee has not received adequate recognition. Nominations that were not selected as past winners may be resubmitted for consideration in subsequent years. Please note that self-nominations will not be considered. The Award Committee, composed of leaders in the field of aviation, meets each year to conduct a final review of nominees and selection of the current year's recipient. Please help us identify and honor this year's most deserving recipient. Nominations, including a 1-to-2-page narrative, can be submitted via the Laura Taber Barbour Foundation website at http://ltbaward.org/the-award/nomination-form/. Nominations will be accepted through June 2, 2024. For more information, including a complete history of Award recipients, see www.ltbaward.org. About the Laura Taber Barbour Air Safety Foundation and Award The Laura Taber Barbour Air Safety Award's story dates back almost 80 years. On April 14, 1945, after visiting family in Pittsburgh, Laura Taber Barbour was aboard a Pennsylvania Central Airlines DC-3 when it crashed into the rugged terrain of Cheat Mountain near Morgantown, West Virginia. All passengers and crew were killed. In 1956 her husband, Dr. Clifford E. Barbour and son, Clifford E. Barbour, Jr., in close association with The Flight Safety Foundation, established the Laura Taber Barbour Air Safety Award in her honor. For the past 68 years, this distinguished award recognizing outstanding achievements in aviation safety worldwide has been presented at Flight Safety Foundation’s International Aviation Safety Summit. In 2013, The Laura Taber Barbour Air Safety Foundation was formed as an independent non-profit charitable organization composed of members of the Award Board, the aviation community, and the Barbour family. In addition to the annual presentation of the award, in 2019 the Foundation initiated a scholarship program that supports worthy students pursuing professional aviation studies. As the Foundation broadens its scope, the Laura Taber Barbour Air Safety Award will continue to recognize those who significantly contributed to aviation safety. For more information on the Foundation, the award, and past winners, visit http://LTBAward.org 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 Summit for Aviation Safety (AP-SAS 2024), Aug. 13-15, Beijing, China. • 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) • Sixth Edition of International Accident Investigation Forum, 21 to 23 May 2025, Singapore Curt Lewis