Flight Safety Information - July 3, 2024 No. 132 In This Issue : Dallas Love Field Airport adds new technology to avoid close calls on the runway : EASA warns of door malfunction risk on Boeing 757-200 freighter conversion : Southwest flight flying too low triggered alarm : Pilot who championed flight safety dies aged 97 : FAA Reauthorization, Tethered Drones and Public Safety: the Fotokite Whitepaper : The FAA Is Open To Using AI To Improve Aviation Safety : Bombardier's Flight Attendant Safety Summit To Return Dallas Love Field Airport adds new technology to avoid close calls on the runway By Alex Boyer Published July 2, 2024 4:51pm CDT Love Field Love Field adds tech to prevent close calls on runway Air traffic controllers at Love Field now have a new tool to help keep pilots and the traveling public safe called the Surface Awareness Initiative (SAI) system. DALLAS - Out on the terminal ramp, it's another busy day at Dallas Love Field, where some 700 planes move through daily. Air traffic controllers at Love Field now have a new tool to help keep pilots and the traveling public safe called the Surface Awareness Initiative (SAI) system. Javier Centeno is the superintendent of airside operations "This new technology will actually let the air traffic controllers see the aircraft on the ground on the radar. See them all the way to the runway," Centeno explained. Michael Emanuel is with the FAA. "In the National Airspace System, there's only 44 airports. Dallas Fort Worth being one of them that have surface surveillance technologies. These systems cost in the order of millions of dollars," he explained. As of this weekend, Dallas Love Field is one of four airports in the nation equipped with the new SAI system, which displays surface traffic to controllers to help prevent close calls on the runway. Prior to the technology, Emanuel says they had to rely solely on their eyesight and radio communication. "A tool available to them that will indicate the position of aircraft in relation to each other that will help mitigate runway incursions and close calls that we've seen of late across the National Airspace System," he said. Ron McCallum is a local pilot and aviation attorney. He's experienced the technology firsthand. "It's amazing technology," he said. "We as pilots, of course, love it. We want to make sure that we're safe." And that passengers and the cabin crew are, too. The initiative is being funded through the FAA's capital investment plan. Emmanuel says there is enough money to roll out the system in dozens of airports nationwide. San Antonio is on the shortlist. Dallas Love Field Airport adds new technology to avoid close calls on the runway EASA warns of door malfunction risk on Boeing 757-200 freighter conversion 29 / 06 / 2023 By Rebecca Jeffrey Interior of a converted B757-200PCF. Photo Precision The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has warned airlines of a door malfunction risk on Boeing 757-200 passenger to freighter conversions. In a Safety Information Bulletin (SIB) issued on June 23, the EASA referenced an incident in February 2021 that is being investigated by the German Federal Bureau of Aircraft Accident Investigation. “An occurrence was reported, where a Boeing 757-236 PCF aeroplane experienced a sudden in-flight full opening of its Main Cargo Door (MCD). This serious incident occurred during the initial climb of the aeroplane, and at a relatively low altitude, thus avoiding an explosive decompression,” said the EASA. The involved MCD had been installed a few years before the event in accordance with EASA Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) 10015539. The EASA STC was issued as validation of the original FAA STC ST01529SE, granted to Precision Conversions LLC. EASA said a similar incident had occurred in 2014 on another 757-236 PCF aeroplane also modified with the same MCD installation. The agency said possibilities are being looked at as a cause, including the possibility of the presence of air in the MCD self-contained hydraulic system, which may possibly have resulted in an undetected out-of-sequence closing and locking of the door. Another possibility is severe weather conditions and suspected ice contamination of MCD position sensors, which may also have contributed to not detecting the actual unlocked status of the door before take off. The EASA has made five recommendations: • Verify that the design improvements described in Precision Conversions LLC SB 757-52-0006 and SB 757-52-0007 have been embodied on the aeroplane (either in service via the SBs, or in production as a forward fit) and, if not, implement the changes at the first opportunity. • Verify that the condition of the MCD View Ports of the MCD still warrants a good viewing of the latch/lock mechanism position (e.g. glass condition, scratches), and restore as necessary. • Check if the features described in Precision Conversions LLC SB 757-52-0007 are still present and in good condition (e.g. mirrors, colour contrast paint on the tip of the lock-pin). • Include into the operator’s Aircraft Maintenance Program (AMP) a task for the periodic check of the condition of the features described in Precision Conversions LLC SB 757-52-0006 and SB • 757-52-0007 (Note: Precision Conversion LLC Supplemental Maintenance Manual PC-0118-06 52-30-00, pages 701-705 contains information on cleaning the mirrors, the view port windows, and painting the lock-pin tips). • In cold weather conditions, snow or in case of expected freezing conditions: – Prior to door closure, perform a visual inspection of the MCD sill area for possible contamination by slush, snow or ice accretion; and before each departure, flight crew or trained cargo personnel should verify that the MCD is fully closed, latched and locked by visual inspection of marker indicators. EASA warns of door malfunction risk on Boeing 757-200 freighter conversion Southwest flight flying too low triggered alarm 21 June 2024 By Mike Wendling, US aviation officials are investigating after a Southwest Airlines flight made a low approach, setting off an alarm. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said the alert sounded as a flight from Las Vegas came within nine miles (14.5km) of Will Rogers World Airport in Oklahoma City. The incident happened just after midnight on Wednesday. Data from aviation tracking website FlightRadar24 indicated that the plane came within about 500 feet (150 metres) of the ground. An automated system called Minimum Safe Altitude Warning alerts air traffic controllers if a plane goes too low. On an air traffic recording, a controller can be heard saying: “Southwest 4069, low altitude alert. You good out there?” The FAA did not specify how close the plane came to the ground, and the pilot's response was not included on the audio recording, but FlightRadar24 used atmospheric and flight data to estimate that the craft came within about 525 feet of ground level. The plane landed safely shortly afterwards. In a statement Friday, Southwest said it is in contact with the FAA “to understand and address any irregularities with the aircraft’s approach to the airport.” The FAA is also investigating a Southwest flight that came within about 400 feet of the ocean off of Hawaii during poor weather conditions in April. The pilot of that plane bypassed a landing at Lihue airport and inadvertently caused a rapid decent, according to a company memo. The plane, a Boeing 737 Max 8, returned to Honolulu. Nobody was injured. In May, a Southwest flight en route from Phoenix to Oakland experienced a “Dutch roll” – a potentially dangerous side-to-side movement across two axes. Nobody was hurt but the plane, also a Boeing 737 Max 8, was damaged, and the National Transportation Safety Board is investigating. The plane involved in the Oklahoma incident was a Boeing 737-800, not the Max 8 model. Southwest flight flying too low triggered alarm Pilot who championed flight safety dies aged 97 18 June 2024 By Chris Stone, BBC News, Jersey Charles Strasser, who has died aged 97, had an aviation safety regulation named after him A pilot known for his humanitarian work and creation of a flight scheme aimed at preventing avoidable crashes has died aged 97 in Jersey. Charles Strasser had been involved in many aviation groups in Jersey including a stint as chairman of the Channel Island region of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA). Mr Strasser was born in Czechoslovakia in 1927 and came to England in the Kindertransport, which helped children escape the Nazis, later going on to fight as part of the Czech division in France. He was instrumental in changing aviation safety regulations and had an initiative named after him. 'Significant contribution' The Strasser Scheme allows any pilot in difficulty to land at almost any UK airport without having to pay a fee. It followed a review by the Civil Aviation Authority in 1997 which stated a number of fatal accidents could have been prevented with "a timely diversion or precautionary landing". Mr Strasser was made an OBE for his work flying for St John Ambulance and transporting human organs for donation. He was also a member of and past vice-chairman of the Jersey Aero Club. Richard Hawkin, chairman of AOPA Channel Islands, said Mr Strasser was an important member who would be remembered by the aviation community. "Charles made a significant contribution to general aviation and pilots will benefit for many years to come from his efforts to get a better deal for general aviation pilots," he said. "Charles was a tough but fair negotiator, not easily accepting bureaucracy and red tape." Pilot who championed flight safety dies aged 97 FAA Reauthorization, Tethered Drones and Public Safety: the Fotokite Whitepaper July 2, 2024 by Miriam McNabb New Legislation Unlocks Operational Freedom for Public Safety Teams In February 2024, the Securing Growth and Robust Leadership in American Aviation Act (FAA Reauthorization) was passed, calling for specific actions and timelines regarding drone regulation. Fotokite, an international provider of tethered drones for emergency response, has released a whitepaper highlighting how this new legislation impacts public safety organizations using their tethered drone technology. Legislation focused on “Actively Tethered UAS,” a specific category of unmanned aircraft systems that grants public safety organizations unprecedented operational flexibility, could help public safety agencies scale their drone programs. Actively Tethered UAS The concept of Actively Tethered UAS was first introduced in the 2018 FAA Reauthorization Act, allowing public entities to operate these drones without the need for remote piloting certifications or Certificates of Authorization (COA). However, certain restrictions remained, such as altitude limits and the exclusion of volunteer firefighters from these operational freedoms. Over the past six years, Actively Tethered UAS have been successfully deployed in various high-impact missions, including structure fires, search and rescue operations, and large event security. The new FAA Reauthorization Act builds on this foundation, providing further operational freedoms and clarifying regulations. The whitepaper details the provisions relative to actively tethered UAS, below is a brief summary of the Fotokite analysis. Key Provisions of the 2024 FAA Reauthorization Act 1. Operational Exemptions: Public safety agencies are now exempt from many regulatory requirements, allowing them to operate in previously restricted areas without needing specific certifications. 2. Expanded Access: The Act now includes all volunteer firefighters, enabling more personnel to operate these drones without additional regulatory hurdles. 3. Safety Enhancements: Actively Tethered UAS must include safety features to ensure reliable and safe operations. Operational Requirements Certain safety requirements remain: • Altitude Limits: Operations are limited to 150 feet above ground. • Overflight Restrictions: Drones cannot fly over non-participants. • Visual Line of Sight (VLOS): Operators must keep the drone in sight. • Yield to Manned Aircraft: These drones must give way to manned aircraft. Advantages of Actively Tethered UAS These drones offer significant benefits for public safety missions: • Enhanced Safety: Tethers reduce the risk of uncontrolled descents. • Extended Flight Time: Continuous power supply allows for longer operations. • Situational Awareness: High-quality video feeds enhance decision-making. • Rapid Deployment: Quickly deployable in various scenarios. The 2024 FAA Reauthorization Act is a pivotal development for public safety agencies using drone technology. By reducing regulatory barriers and expanding operational freedoms, the Act empowers these organizations to utilize Actively Tethered UAS more effectively, enhancing public safety and protecting communities across the nation. FAA Reauthorization, Tethered Drones and Public Safety: the Fotokite Whitepaper The FAA Is Open To Using AI To Improve Aviation Safety By Aaron Bailey Published 2 days ago SUMMARY • FAA seeks AI capabilities for aviation safety improvements. • Current ASIAS system capabilities will look to be expanded with AI. • Interested vendors must submit applications by July 2nd, 2024. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has requested information to look into advanced analytics through artificial intelligence capabilities to improve overall aviation safety and meet the FAA's requirements for understanding factors for safety events in the National Airspace System (NAS). Market research will identify the existing capabilities and areas for growth in aviation safety and obtain industry feedback. Further information from this period will gauge market interest, the industry's ability, and the level of customization needed to deploy the AI capabilities into FAA infrastructure. Currently, the FAA has several capabilities within the Aviation Safety Information Analysis and Sharing (ASIAS) system. These capabilities work with several connected and disconnected systems. They are utilized for information analysis and cross-sharing of information with multiple stakeholders. Expanding insights The FAA presumes a new safety AI system will expand the insights from its current sources and use the data to provide a comprehensive understanding of the factors that lead to high-risk operations and to which environment. The end product will be a custom-built analytics tool that can be widely used by direct and indirect stakeholders who work within or for the aviation industry. Goals for the FAA have been outlined, as per SAM.GOV, which identified these key points: • Enhance predictive analytics capabilities to identify and mitigate potential safety risks proactively. • Leverage AI and machine learning to analyze safety data and derive actionable insights. • Integrate various data sources to provide a comprehensive view of aviation safety factors. • Improve the overall safety of the NAS through advanced analytics and rapid response to identified risks. AI will face several safety and security constraints and challenges for its integration, including data sensitivity, data variety, time, and overall integration process. So, as part of this process, the FAA has asked for interested vendors to commit to their overall capability, current solutions and how they can be integrated, required changes to their solutions, and ability to leverage the shelf software to satisfy the FAA's need, and how they can manage sensitive data (among several other requirements). Interested vendors will be required to submit their applications in writing, and those chosen to proceed to the next stage may be requested to have one-on-one discussions with the FAA. Submissions must be received electronically before 17:00 on July 2nd, 2024, to the Contracting Officer at SafetyDataChallenge@faa.gov. The FAA Is Open To Using AI To Improve Aviation Safety Bombardier's Flight Attendant Safety Summit To Return The second edition will help flight attendants and other aviation professionals expand their safety reach Bombardier's Flight Attendant Safety Summit will cover a breadth of topics from food safety and wellness to managing the chaos of an emergency and folding in a safety culture as part of personal growth. By KERRY LYNCH • Editor, AIN monthly magazine July 2, 2024 Bombardier is bringing back its Flight Attendant Safety Summit for a second edition, turning focus on elevating safety in the cabin. Scheduled August 8 at the company’s Laurent Beaudoin Completion Centre in Montreal, the day-long event will include workshops and presentations that Bombardier said are tailored for flight attendants but are valuable for all aviation professionals. The agenda includes a presentation from Stacey Jackson, president and founder of HF Solutions, on "Build Your Horizon Point," which is designed to help align safety objectives with broader professional and personal aspirations. Other sessions cover: • “Courage in Extraordinary Circumstances,” which will be presented by Fireside Partners president and CEO Don Chupp; • "Aviation Food Safety” with John Detloff, senior v-p of global networks and quality standards at Air Culinaire Worldwide; • "Enhancing Health and Safety of Aviation Crew Members" with Ryan Brockhaus, security specialist for aviation and maritime at MedAire; • "Flightess Fix: Crafting Calm in the Chaos of the Galley" with Flightess founder Jamie Gibson; and • “Crewmember Fit to Fly: Staying Physically and Mentally Healthy While Away from Home” with Richard Gomez, v-p of products at MedAir Bombardier's Flight Attendant Safety Summit To Return CALENDAR OF EVENTS • 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 • Safeskies Australia Conference, Canberra Australia - 16th and 17th of October 2024 - www.safeskiesaustralia.org • 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