Flight Safety Information - July 9, 2024 No. 135 In This Issue : Incident: THY B738 at Bologna on Jul 7th 2024, rejected takeoff due to engine failure : Incident: American B789 near Chicago on Jul 8th 2024, engine shut down in flight : Incident: PSA CRJ9 at Charlotte on Jul 5th 2024, wing tip strike on landing : Accident: Varesh B735 at Chah Bahar on Jul 2nd 2024, ground worker ingested into engine : Boeing 757-224 (WL) - Loses Wheel on Takeoff (California) : FAA orders inspection of 2,600 Boeing 737s over oxygen mask issue : EASA Updates Guidance on Navigation System Interference : Korean Air Enhances Safety Measures Amid Rising Turbulence Concerns : AIRLINE CEOS COMMIT TO SAFETY CHARTER : Israel’s ‘GPS spoofing’ tricks missiles, but also commercial airplanes, dating apps in Mideast : A passenger opens the emergency door of an airplane thinking it was the bathroom door, causes chaos... and it costs her a fortune! : Why do Americans keep bringing guns through airport security? : Airbus Delivers 67 Aircraft To 40 Customers In June 2024 : Airbus lays out ultimate vision for connected aircraft : Nine new Human Factors courses for pilots are now available on FAASafety.gov. : Calendar of Events Incident: THY B738 at Bologna on Jul 7th 2024, rejected takeoff due to engine failure A THY Turkish Airlines Boeing 737-800, registration TC-JZF performing flight TK-1326 from Bologna (Italy) to Istanbul (Turkey), was accelerating for takeoff from Bologna's runway 12 when the crew rejected takeoff after the right hand engine (CFM56) had failed. The aircraft slowed safely from about 90 knots over ground, vacated the runway and returned to the apron. A passenger reported through the window at least 3 fan blades were seen bent and damaged. After inspection of the engine the flight was cancelled and the passengers were rebooked onto other flights. https://avherald.com/h?article=51ae3c77&opt=0 Incident: American B789 near Chicago on Jul 8th 2024, engine shut down in flight An American Airlines Boeing 787-9, registration N836AA performing flight AA-90 from Chicago O'Hare,IL (USA) to London Heathrow,EN (UK), was climbing through about FL270 out of Chicago when the right hand engine (GEnx) failed prompting the crew to shut the engine down, drift down to 10,000 feet and return to Chicago for a safe landing on runway 28C about 45 minutes after departure. Emergency services followed the aircraft to the apron. A passenger reported the crew announced the right hand engine had failed. https://avherald.com/h?article=51ae3b97&opt=0 Incident: PSA CRJ9 at Charlotte on Jul 5th 2024, wing tip strike on landing A PSA Airlines Canadair CRJ-900 on behalf of American Airlines, registration N591NN performing flight AA-5144 from Harrisburg,PA to Charlotte,NC (USA), was on final approach to Charlotte's runway 18L when the crew initiated a go around but struck the runway with the left wing. The aircraft climbed out, positioned for another approach and landed on runway 18L without further incident about 10 minutes later. The FAA reported: "AIRCRAFT EXECUTED A GO AROUND AND STRUCK RUNWAY WITH LEFT WING. AIRCRAFT WAS RESEQUENCED AND LANDED.", the damage was "UNKNOWN". The aircraft remained on the ground for about 67 hours (2 days 19 hours) before returning to service. https://avherald.com/h?article=51ae35e1&opt=0 Accident: Varesh B735 at Chah Bahar on Jul 2nd 2024, ground worker ingested into engine A Varesh Airlines Boeing 737-500, registration EP-VAF performing flight VRH-5858 from Tehran Mehrabad to Chah Bahar (Iran), had completed the flight with a safe landing in Chah Bahar. Subsequently maintenance was performed on the right hand engine (CFM56), the engine was running with the engine cowlings open, when a maintenance engineer entered the safety zone to retrieve tools, however, was sucked into the engine and was killed. The aircraft is still on the ground in Chah Bahar on Jul 8th 2024. Iran have opened an investigation into the accident. https://avherald.com/h?article=51ae2671&opt=0 Boeing 757-224 (WL) - Loses Wheel on Takeoff (California) Date: Monday 8 July 2024 Time: 14:16 UTC Type: Boeing 757-224 (WL) Owner/operator: United Airlines Registration: N14107 MSN: 27297/641 Year of manufacture: 1994 Fatalities: Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: Other fatalities: 0 Aircraft damage: Unknown Location: Los Angeles International Airport, CA (LAX/KLAX) - United States of America Phase: Take off Nature: Passenger - Scheduled Departure airport: Los Angeles International Airport, CA (LAX/KLAX) Destination airport: Denver International Airport, CO (DEN/KDEN) Confidence Rating: Information is only available from news, social media or unofficial sources Narrative: United Airlines flight UA1001, a Boeing 757-224, lost a wheel during takeoff from runway 25R at Los Angeles International Airport, CA (LAX). The flight continued to the destination, Denver Airport, CO, where it landed safely. https://asn.flightsafety.org/wikibase/392430 FAA orders inspection of 2,600 Boeing 737s over oxygen mask issue WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The Federal Aviation Administration said on Monday it is requiring inspections of 2,600 Boeing 737 airplanes because passenger oxygen masks could fail during an emergency due to a retention strap. The FAA said it was requiring the inspections of 737 MAX and Next Generation airplanes after multiple reports of passenger service unit oxygen generators shifting out of position, an issue that could result in an inability to provide supplemental oxygen to passengers during a depressurization event. Boeing, which on June 17 issued a bulletin to airlines calling for visual inspections, said Monday it had told airlines to update a subset of the restraining straps on 737 oxygen generators after a new adhesive introduced on the straps in August 2019 had been seen under certain circumstances to allowed units to shift up to three quarters of an inch. "We have gone back to the original adhesive for all new deliveries to ensure the generators remain firmly in place, as intended," Boeing said, adding inspections of the in-service fleet and undelivered airplanes have not identified any units that failed to operate properly. The FAA said its airworthiness directive was immediately effective and requires inspections and corrective actions if needed within 120 to 150 days based on the 737 model. The FAA is also barring airlines from installing potentially defective parts. Airlines must conduct a general visual inspection and if needed replace oxygen generators with new or serviceable oxygen generators, strap thermal pads and reposition impacted oxygen generators, the agency said. On average, a 737 has 61 oxygen generators and each generator has two straps. https://www.yahoo.com/finance/news/faa-orders-inspections-2-600-160215465.html EASA Updates Guidance on Navigation System Interference With launch of the first next-generation GPS III satellites planned for 2016, the DOD is looking for ways to reduce costs in line with today’s budget realities while ensuring the utility airspace users expect in the future. EASA has updated its warning to aircraft operators about the dangers posed by interference to navigation systems caused by spoofing and jamming of signals. On Friday, the European aviation safety agency published the third edition of its safety information bulletin (SIB) on global navigation satellite system outages and alterations leading to communication, navigation, and surveillance degradation, underlining heightened threats in airspace around conflict zones. In a bid to offer more timely information about threats, EASA has also established a new dedicated platform to update operators on GNSS system outages and alterations in impacted flight information regions (FIRs). Currently, the FIRs of most immediate concern are in the southern and eastern Mediterranean Sea and the Middle East, around the Black Sea, in parts of Eastern Europe, and the Baltic Sea and Arctic region. Jamming blocks signals used by navigation systems, and spoofing sends false information to the receiver onboard an aircraft. The latest EASA guidance updates an earlier SIB issued in November and includes specific recommendations for regulators, air traffic management and air navigation service providers, and aircraft operators. To guard against jamming, operators are urged to verify their aircraft’s position using means other than a GNSS, report anomalies, train crew, and make non-GNSS procedures available. For spoofing, EASA recommends using non-GNSS navaids, closely monitoring air traffic control frequencies, and reporting irregularities. https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/air-transport/2024-07-08/easa-updates-guidance-navigation-system-interference Korean Air Enhances Safety Measures Amid Rising Turbulence Concerns In response to growing turbulence incidents, Korean Air has announced significant changes to its cabin service procedures. These new measures, which took effect from 1 July 2024, aim to boost passenger and crew safety during flights. We explore the details of these new changes and why they’re becoming crucial for air travelers. Korean Air Shift in Cabin Service Timing The most notable change is the earlier conclusion of cabin services on medium and long-haul flights. Previously, these services wrapped up 20 minutes before landing. Now, they’ll end a full 40 minutes prior to touchdown. This adjustment ensures all services are completed before the aircraft begins its descent, a phase often associated with increased turbulence risk. Why the Change? Recent data paints a concerning picture. Turbulence incidents have doubled in the first quarter of 2024 compared to the same period in 2019. This sharp increase has prompted airlines worldwide to reassess their safety protocols. Turbulence is becoming more frequent, especially during the descent phase. One key factor is the significant temperature differences between altitude levels. As planes navigate these varying conditions, the likelihood of encountering turbulence rises. Safety First: Passenger Guidelines When turbulence is expected, the “fasten seat belt” sign illuminates, accompanied by an alert. Passengers must follow crew instructions promptly, securing themselves in their seats with fastened seat belts. It’s important to note that turbulence can strike suddenly. Clear-air turbulence (CAT), in particular, is unpredictable and can occur without warning. For this reason, experts recommend keeping seat belts fastened throughout the flight, even when the seat belt sign is off. Proper storage of carry-on luggage is another crucial safety measure. Passengers should place their bags in overhead bins or under the seat in front of them. This simple step can prevent injuries caused by shifting items during unexpected turbulence. Korean Air’s New Approach The Korean airline initiative will go beyond the inflight service timing changes. Korean Air is also conducting a thorough review of its overall service strategies. This comprehensive approach aims to maintain the highest standards of both safety and customer experience. Looking Ahead As climate patterns continue to evolve, airlines must adapt their practices to ensure passenger safety. Korean Air’s proactive stance sets an example for the industry, prioritizing safety without compromising service quality. Passengers on Korean Air flights should be prepared for these new procedures: • Expect cabin services to conclude earlier in the flight • Be ready to follow crew instructions quickly when alerted • Keep seat belts fastened whenever seated in the passenger cabin • Store carry-on items securely throughout the flight By working together, airlines and passengers can create a safer flying environment for everyone. Korean Air’s updated safety measures reflect a growing awareness of turbulence-related risks in air travel. As the industry navigates these challenges, the cooperation between airlines and passengers becomes increasingly important. By staying informed and following safety guidelines, all parties can contribute to smoother, safer flights in the years to come. https://aviationsourcenews.com/airline/korean-air-enhances-safety-measures-amid-rising-turbulence-concerns/ AIRLINE CEOS COMMIT TO SAFETY CHARTER The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has announced a significant milestone in aviation safety, with 73 airline CEOs committed to the IATA Safety Leadership Charter. This collective agreement underscores the aviation industry’s dedication to maintaining and enhancing its strong safety culture, which has contributed to exceptional safety records, including zero fatalities among IATA member airlines and those on the IATA Operational Safety Audit Registry in 2023. “Strong leadership and a robust safety culture are interdependent and essential for ongoing improvements in safety performance,” Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General, said. “By endorsing the IATA Safety Leadership Charter, these 73 airline CEOs are setting a precedent for their airlines and the industry. The Charter serves as a call to action, emphasising the crucial role of airline CEOs in fostering a safety culture that ensures the safety of both passengers and staff.” Principles of the Charter The IATA Safety Leadership Charter was developed through collaboration with IATA members and the broader aviation community. It aims to help industry leaders cultivate a positive safety culture within their organisations, guided by eight key leadership principles: Reinforcing Safety: Promoting safety through both words and actions. Fostering Safety Awareness: Ensuring that employees, leadership teams, and boards are aware of safety practices. Integrating Safety: Embedding safety into business strategies, processes, and performance measures. Managing Safety Proactively: Building internal capacity to proactively manage safety and achieve safety goals collectively. Creating Trust: Establishing a trust-based environment where employees feel responsible for safety and are encouraged to report safety-related information. Setting Clear Expectations: Communicating and understanding acceptable and unacceptable behaviours regarding safety. Encouraging Responsibility: Developing an environment where all employees feel responsible for safety. Continuous Improvement: Regularly assessing and enhancing the organisational safety culture. Three-pillar strategy To support the industry in continuously improving safety performance, IATA employs a three-pillar strategy: Safety Leadership: Focusing on both safety leadership and culture. Safety Risk: Identifying and mitigating risks through comprehensive data collection and analysis from audits, accident reports, and other sources. Safety Connect: Facilitating communication among safety leaders to report, discuss, and resolve safety issues. https://aircargoweek.com/airline-ceos-commit-to-safety-charter/ Israel’s ‘GPS spoofing’ tricks missiles, but also commercial airplanes, dating apps in Mideast “GPS spoofing” sends counterfeit GPS signals to receivers, which can trick airline pilots into thinking they are flying toward dangerous obstacles. BEIRUT — It was the last minute of the flight, just before touchdown at Beirut’s international airport, when the Airbus 320’s ground proximity warning — the system that warns pilots if their aircraft is about to hit a mountain or other obstacle — squawked, “Terrain! Pull up! Pull up!” Fadi Ramadan, the 37-year-old pilot, fell back on the emergency protocol drilled into him every six months for the last 15 years of his flying career. “It’s muscle memory at this point. Whenever we get this warning, we immediately go full power and full back stick to get the plane to a safe altitude,” said Ramadan, a former employee of Lebanon’s flagship carrier Middle East Airlines. He was about to do just that. But looking out the cockpit, he knew something was wrong with the plane’s Global Positioning System, or GPS. They were nowhere near the mountains overlooking the airport, and he could see the runway right in front of him. And the plane’s instrument landing system, which relies on radio navigation, showed they were in the right place. “Disregard,” he told his co-pilot, and landed the plane with the alarm blaring all the way to the gate. Ramadan and other pilots flying over Lebanon that October day were victims of an attack known as “GPS spoofing,” which sends counterfeit GPS signals to receivers, overwhelming the legitimate but weaker signal from navigation satellites and making receivers think they’re in a different location. Other spoofing attacks have followed, affecting areas in Lebanon, Israel, Syria, Jordan, Egypt, Turkey and Cyprus — part of a deluge of signal disruptions that are becoming a regular occurrence over the Middle East. In a recent 72-hour period, for example, researchers from SkAI Data Services, using information from the OpenSky Network, detected almost 2,000 spoofed planes. The attacks differ from the more common GPS jamming, which simply interferes with the signal between the satellite and the receiver. Spoofing can “simulate the entire constellation of GPS satellites to trick the receiver into believing they’re in a different position,” said Benoit Figuet, SkAI’s co-founder. “It’s affecting a huge area, which means you need power,” Figuet said. “So this is probably military activity. It’s not a hobbyist in the garage just having fun.” By analyzing measurements of low-Earth orbit satellites over the eastern Mediterranean, researchers with the University of Texas at Austin’s radio-navigation lab tracked the spoofing to an air base in northern Israel. In the weeks after Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack, Israel worked to counter missile strikes from Hamas and its Lebanese ally Hezbollah. The latter possesses an Iran-supplied arsenal of GPS-guided munitions, including drones. With temperatures and tensions soaring, forests are burning in Israel and Lebanon June 21, 2024 The Israeli army confirmed in October that it was disrupting navigation systems “in a proactive manner for various operational needs,” adding that location-based applications on people’s phones would be affected. In April, Israeli military spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari also acknowledged the military’s disruption was meant to “neutralize threats.” “We are aware that these disruptions cause inconveniences, but it is a vital and necessary tool in our defensive capabilities,” Hagari said in a news conference. Those inconveniences have hit people far beyond Israel’s borders, affecting not only aviation but also maritime shipping. “This is an attempt to use the most potent form of GPS electronic and navigational warfare,” said Todd Humphreys, an aerospace engineering professor at the University of Texas at Austin. “Yet they cannot contain the spoofing to just the borders of Israel, because they need it to overwhelm receivers that are designed to resist such spoofing.” That means the signal interference is affecting a much wider area, Humphreys said. “They need to have many times the traditional power to overcome a GPS receiver, so the signals are being felt all the way out to Cyprus.” AARAMTA, Lebanon. May 21st, 2023. Hezbollah fighters in southern Lebanon demonstrated their readiness to confront Israel in a training exercise held on the eve of "Liberation Day", a national holiday that commemorates on May 25th, the end of Israel's occupation of southern Lebanon. WORLD & NATION A halfway war pulses on Israel’s border with Lebanon. Will it escalate? Nov. 11, 2023 Israel’s spoofing has also wreaked havoc on GPS-reliant consumer programs, such as Google Maps, food delivery and dating apps. Bewildered users across the region say their smartphones are suddenly telling them they are somewhere in Beirut’s international airport or in the Egyptian capital, Cairo. “It’s affecting 80% of our drivers and obstructing our work — we’re getting constant complaints,” said Marwan Fayyad, head of Lebanon’s taxi drivers union. Drivers have had to cut back on the number of trips they can do because of the extra time required to navigate. After the spoofing began in October, Fayyad met with several government officials, but to no avail. “The government isn’t able to do anything. All we can do is wait for this to end,” Fayyad said. In March, Lebanon’s foreign ministry lodged a complaint with the U.N. Security Council over what it described as Israel’s “reckless” disruption of signals since the start of the Gaza war, saying it was an attack on Lebanon’s sovereignty that has “dangerous consequences on the safety of civil aviation, as well as on the lives of thousands of civilian passengers every day.” The effect on air traffic worries aviation experts the most, as pilots are instructed to shut off a plane’s GPS receiver and rely on other means of navigation. That may work, but the spoofing has been so powerful that in some instances it affects a plane’s inertial reference systems (which use sensors to extrapolate from a last known GPS position), corrupting any onboard position calculations and forcing pilots to ask air traffic control for assistance. That could quickly become overwhelming for already stressed air traffic controllers. One workaround may be to rely on other global navigation satellite systems. GPS is owned by the U.S. government and is run by the U.S. Space Force, but there’s also Russia’s GLONASS, China’s BeiDou, and the European Union’s system, Galileo. But only GPS is used for airplane navigation, and those systems are also susceptible to spoofing. Potentially more dangerous is the effect of GPS disruptions on a plane’s avionics suite, Humphreys said. “There’s no question that safety has been reduced in flights in the eastern Mediterranean because airlines are instructing their pilots to shut off GPS, along with automatic collision avoidance and terrain warning systems,” he said. “They’ve been put in for a reason, so the danger is that we’re normalizing aberration.” Ramadan, the airline pilot, said the spoofing had been especially disruptive for airlines not familiar with the region; he’s heard on multiple occasions pilots coming over the radio to say they’re running terrain avoidance procedures. “But what’s worse is that pilots are getting used to the collision alert,” Ramadan said. “Now they question it and take time to troubleshoot a very very high risk alert when they’re supposed to react very quickly. In real-life conditions, this could prove catastrophic.” https://www.latimes.com/world-nation/story/2024-07-09/israel-gps-spoofing-attacks A passenger opens the emergency door of an airplane thinking it was the bathroom door, causes chaos... and it costs her a fortune! The incident occurred on an Air China flight that had to be cancelled. A passenger opens the emergency door of an airplane thinking it was the bathroom door, causes chaos... and it costs her a fortune! A passenger's confusion on an Air China flight caused chaos when she opened an emergency exit when she mistook it for a bathroom door. The mistake by the passenger, who police would later confirm was flying for the first time, caused the emergency ramp to deploy on the Airbus A320 aircraft at Quzhou airport, which was located in Zhejiang province and bound for Chengdu. The incident occurred last Thursday, July 4, on Air China flight CA2754 waiting on the tarmac of Quzhou airport, when the first-time passenger went to the wrong gate and caused a mishap that affected the rest of the users, because the flight had to be cancelled. Mistake costs Air China passenger a fortune The mistake was also very costly for the passenger, as the fine for activating the emergency door is $28,000, reported the South China Morning Post. "When the evacuation ramp came out, even the flight attendants were startled," said a passenger consulted by media, identified as Cheng, who later added that "the passenger cried when she heard she would have to pay damages." Although the woman was questioned by the police, she was not identified in the report of an incident that opened the conversation on social networks about two issues that have to do with safety protocols, firstly the lack of a mechanism in the design of the door that prevents it from being easily opened by a passenger and, secondly, the need for passenger education when boarding a plane. https://www.marca.com/en/lifestyle/world-news/2024/07/08/668bfe48268e3edd5f8b4596.html Why do Americans keep bringing guns through airport security? Five Caribbean vacationers and now a congresswoman have been charged with firearms violations in recent months. Michael Lee Evans remembered he had misplaced the ammunition clip for a pistol years ago, but he didn’t expect to see it come out of his luggage. It was an even bigger surprise for the 72-year-old from Texas to learn he could be facing years in prison for bringing the bullets into Turks and Caicos. Evans said a December anniversary trip turned into a “nightmare” when he and his wife, Sharon Evans, were stopped by security at Providenciales International Airport. He was arrested and taken to the police station, but it wasn’t until he talked to an attorney provided by the local government that he realized the severity of the situation. “I asked him, ‘How much trouble am I in?’” Evans recalled, and the attorney answered, “You are in significant risk.” Turks and Caicos prohibits the possession and use of unlicensed firearms and ammunition under an ordinance that has led to at least five American arrests in the British territory over the past seven months, including Evans. In interviews with The Washington Post or reports by other media, each of those travelers have said they packed ammunition by accident. That was the same explanation that Rep. Victoria Spartz (R-Ind.) gave after she was charged with bringing an unloaded handgun to Dulles International Airport on June 28. The incidents in Turks and Caicos tie into a trend with U.S. travelers. The number of firearms detected and intercepted at U.S. airports has risen for the past 10 years, with the exception of 2020, when travel diminished with the start of the pandemic. This summer, with a record-breaking number of Americans traveling, more guns and ammo are making their way into airports. Flying with an unloaded gun and ammunition is legal in the United States, but only in a checked bag. Transportation Security Administration regulations require that any guns and ammunition be packed and locked inside a hard-sided case and that travelers declare them at baggage drop. Attempting to bring either in a carry-on bag is illegal, as well as dangerous for TSA agents and other travelers, TSA spokesperson Alexa Lopez said. “The number-one reason we hear from people, and I kid you not, is ‘I forgot I had it in my bag,’” Lopez said. Though shootings inside airports are rare because of fortified security, there have been reports of shootings in pre-security areas as recently as November, when a woman inside Portland International Airport in Oregon was accused of firing a gun near a TSA checkpoint. Tim Carey, law and policy adviser at Johns Hopkins University’s Center for Gun Violence Solutions, called the rise in Americans caught with improperly packed guns and ammunition a “perfect-storm situation” brought about by two factors: large-scale increases in U.S. gun ownership and states’ deregulation of firearm purchasing and possession. In a Gallup poll last year, 30 percent of U.S. adults said they personally own a gun. A 2013 survey requested by the European Commission showed the same was true for only 5 percent of Europeans. “There is a very justifiable increased scrutiny on Americans and guns in foreign places,” Carey said. Besides Turks and Caicos, he cited Mexico, which is suing five U.S. gun dealers for allegedly facilitating gun trafficking across the border. Misses by TSA Some of the Americans who have been detained in Turks and Caicos, such as Florida resident Sharitta Grier, passed through TSA checkpoints without being stopped. In response to Grier’s case, TSA acknowledged that rounds of ammunition inside a carry-on were probably missed at Orlando International Airport. Oklahoma resident Ryan Watson was apprehended with ammunition in Turks and Caicos after clearing TSA in Oklahoma City. TSA officials at Will Rogers World Airport made changes, including additional training, in response to a review. According to TSA, loose ammunition can be missed when there is no firearm present, which is why gun owners should start packing with an entirely empty bag each time they travel. Though the U.S. Embassy in the Bahamas had issued a warning about Turks and Caicos’s strict gun regulations last year, Sharon Evans said she and her husband “had no idea” about the law before their December trip. Michael Lee Evans, who suffers from several health conditions, faced months of hearings and ultimately received a suspended 33-week sentence. Another American arrested in Turks and Caicos, Bryan Hagerich of Pennsylvania, had to wait more than 100 days in crowded jail cells and emergency apartment rentals before receiving a suspended 52-week sentence. Both received their sentences after U.S. leaders — including the governors of Oklahoma, Pennsylvania and Virginia and a bipartisan congressional delegation — advocated for the release of Americans. Stateside, large GoFundMe campaigns and anxious social media posts raised money and awareness for those arrested. Most have paid fines and received suspended sentences. In January, TSA reported that 2023 was a record-breaking year for guns flagged at security checkpoints. A total of 6,737 firearms were detected at airports across the country, about 93 percent of which were loaded. In the first quarter of this year, TSA intercepted 1,503 firearms. Whether it’s intentional or inadvertent, trying to pass a gun through airport security has consequences for the gun owner. TSA officers don’t confiscate firearms, but they do call local law enforcement, which can then enforce fines or criminal charges that could lead to jail time, depending on local laws. How state laws might be changing gun travel Between 2019 and 2021, an estimated 7.5 million Americans became new gun owners. However, the vast majority of guns purchased during that time were bought by people who already owned one. On average, approximately 1.9 million firearms were purchased per month between January 2020 and April 2021. Just 300,000 of those went to first-time buyers. “Following covid, there are millions of excess firearms relative to what we would have expected in a country already inundated with firearms,” said Michael D. Anestis, a professor at the Rutgers School of Public Health and executive director of the New Jersey Gun Violence Research Center. “If there’s more firearms, then there are more opportunities for people to, even unintentionally, bring a firearm with them to a TSA checkpoint.” A 2022 Supreme Court decision then opened the door for legal challenges against state attempts to regulate or limit how people can carry their firearms in public. “States that are more conservative and more centered on a pro-gun facet have been virtually stripping away their entire regulations or imposing laws to prohibit future regulations,” Carey said. The looser regulations and habits around improper gun storage, he said, mean “we’re going to see more guns in places where they shouldn’t be.” The Turks and Caicos travelers, for example, all lived in states with relatively scant firearm regulations, Carey said. Pennsylvania, Oklahoma and Virginia have neither safe-storage requirements nor license or permit requirements for firearm purchases, advocacy groups say. An issue of responsibility Beyond security issues, gun ownership experts say it’s simply poor form to skirt laws for travelers. “To assume that just because you have a firearm, that you can take it anywhere, any place, any time … it’s just not responsible,” said Tom O’Connor, a board member of the Oregon-based Gun Owners for Responsible Gun Ownership. “If you’re going to travel, firearm outside the home, you need to know what the safety rules are, what the firearm regulations are.” Hagerich, the traveler from Pennsylvania, describes himself as a responsible gun owner who had a slip-up. He keeps his firearms in a separate room protected by two sets of locks and keys and an alarm system, precisely out of an “utmost respect for firearms and ammunition.” “I am one of the most responsible individuals with firearms. … So, it’s not like we’re reckless individuals here,” Hagerich told The Post in a phone interview. “I’m a human. I make mistakes. We all make mistakes. Unfortunately, mine was a mistake that had very, very, very severe consequences.” But gun-owning advocates for gun safety said that forgetting a firearm while traveling — even when a gun owner takes great care otherwise — is reckless, especially given that there are legal ways to travel with them. “I think it’s recklessness and disrespect for laws,” said Paul Kemp, a founding member of Gun Owners for Responsible Gun Ownership. As a lifelong gun owner, he said, “I’d be even more concerned about getting everything right.” Peter Gurfein, 75, has hunted for more than 50 years and frequently travels with his firearms across the United States. Whenever he does, he said, he locks his guns in a four-padlocked, hard-sided case and gets to the airport four hours early to avoid any problems. TSA regulations are “very efficient,” he said. “There’s no excuse for someone not following TSA regulations.” Gurfein said a responsible gun owner is one who knows where their gun is at all times. “That’s basic safety. And for someone to say they don’t know where their gun is, is one of the most irresponsible things I can imagine,” he said. https://www.washingtonpost.com/travel/2024/07/08/gun-laws-americans-arrested-turks-and-caicos/ Airbus Delivers 67 Aircraft To 40 Customers In June 2024 SUMMARY • Airbus delivered nearly 70 new aircraft in June, bringing the total to 323 for the year. • The company reduced its delivery target by 30 planes for the year to 770 due to supply shortages. • Airbus' plans to ramp up production of the A320neo family have been slowed. Airbus, the world’s largest planemaker, has completed its count of total aircraft deliveries last month. The European manufacturer confirmed on Monday that it delivered nearly 70 new aircraft, adding to the more than 250 planes already delivered within the first five months of this year. The planemaker’s performance reportedly represents an increase of 2% compared to the same period last year. Despite the uptick in deliveries, Airbus’ output has been below its internal projections for several weeks. More than 320 deliveries so far this year Throughout June, a total of 67 planes were delivered to 40 customers, bringing its 2024 delivery count to 323 to 65 customers. According to Reuters, Airbus had recorded a total of 316 deliveries throughout the first half of 2023 – only seven aircraft less than this year. On the orders side, the manufacturer accumulated 73 gross orders last month. In a monthly bulletin, Airbus reportedly said it had won 327 gross orders throughout the first six months of this year. However, the net total resulted to 310 orders after cancelations. Among the orders was Indian low-cost carrier IndiGo, becoming a new customer for the A350-900. The airline placed an order for 30 examples of what Airbus calls their “long-range leader” aircraft. IndiGo is no stranger to securing Airbus deals, ordering 500 A320neo family planes at the Paris Air Show last year. “IndiGo’s first widebody order opens an exciting new chapter in our close partnership,” Benoît de Saint-Exupéry, Airbus EVP Sales, Commercial Aircraft, said in May. “We are proud that our fuel-efficient, next-generation A320 Family revolutionised domestic air travel in India, and that now the A350 is poised to replicate the same success on long-haul routes.” Reducing the delivery target For at least two months, Airbus’ delivery output has been performing lower than its initial forecasts due to supply chain problems, according to Reuters. The struggle has prompted the company to cut its delivery target earlier this month, and delay its plans for any increases in underlying production. Airbus reduced its delivery forecast by 30 planes for the full year to 770 planes from 800. Even June’s performance was lower than expected as the total fell short of its initial target to deliver 77 aircraft. Preliminary numbers analyzing its quarterly performance reportedly showed a drop of 4% since the second quarter of 2023. Airbus blamed specific supply shortages with engines, structural parts, and interiors for its decision to reduce its delivery ambitions. The A320neo family has primarily been affected by Pratt & Whitney engine complications, which have caused airlines to ground some aircraft for inspections. “Persistent specific supply chain issues” Airbus’ plan to increase production of the aircraft type has since been slowed, as the manufacturer has delayed its expectations on when it will be able to produce the planes at record speeds. Airbus pushed back its ambition of building 75 aircraft a month from 2026 to 2027, which compares to the current estimated output of 50 planes per month. “In commercial aircraft, Airbus is facing persistent specific supply chain issues mainly in engines, aerostructures and cabin equipment,” the planemaker said in a statement last month. “The Company now intends to deliver around 770 commercial aircraft in 2024 and continues to ramp up towards a rate of 75 A320 Family aircraft per month, which is now expected in 2027.” https://simpleflying.com/airbus-delivers-67-aircraft-june-2024/ Airbus lays out ultimate vision for connected aircraft As Airbus pursues its new linefit supplier-furnished Airspace Link HBCplus inflight connectivity program with gusto, it is working to ensure the connected jetliners it delivers to airlines become a true node on their networks, driving operational benefits and improving the passenger experience. During the Aircraft Interiors Expo in Hamburg, Airbus executes shared the airframer’s “ultimate vision” for connected aircraft with Runway Girl Network, noting that it’s already putting many of the requisite building blocks in place today to support this vision. “So the idea is to leverage the competency that we have in the group around cybersecurity, aircraft integration and space in order to provide our customers… with an aircraft that doesn’t just fly, but which is applying digital,” said Airbus head of connected aircraft marketing Mehdi El Kouch. “And in the vision this should be an extension of our customers’ ecosystem where all the data flows seamlessly between what happens in the cabin, between the operation, ATC system and the third parties.” He continued: We want to design the biggest App Store in the air where an airline could choose any apps for operations or passenger experience without the need for additional certification. Airlines will be able to develop their own apps, but we also want to bring on board all the digital innovators, all the startups with fancy new ideas, new service. We want to help them to bring their services, and same for the digital majors. So, Netflix, Amazon. In the end, in our vision, the aircraft becomes an end-to-end digital platform where all the data points are connected together from maintenance to catering to eventually the ATC. By leveraging the right applications and services, airlines can turn this data into actionable insights, becoming what El Kouch referred to as “an AI driven company” that can make the best decisions for operations and the passenger experience, whilst at the same time “driving costs down, improving loyalty and boosting ancillary revenues”. Rotation HBCplus is a “key enabler” to this vision, he said. Under the linefit broadband IFC program, Airbus provides the connectivity hardware and related services, and effectively considers the certified terminal and radome to be part of the aircraft. Participating airlines can switch bandwidth suppliers — called managed service providers (MSPs) — without changing the linefit (or approved retrofit package for) IFC hardware on their aircraft. Operators can adopt Ka-band satellite-powered IFC, with deliveries starting this year, or Ku-band IFC with deliveries starting in 2026. Safran Passenger Innovations is providing the Ka- and Ku terminals to Airbus for the program, with the former based on ThinKom Solutions’ Ka2517 VICTS hardware and the latter based on Thales/Get SAT’s dual-beam electronically steerable antenna (ESA). The Ku ESA features a few more components than the program’s VICTS-based Ka-band terminal, including notably a 5G solution that will ensure gate-to-gate connectivity can be accommodated even if the Ku ESA overheats on the ground in very hot weather. Ka-band MSPs include Viasat, SES’s MEO/GEO multi-orbit service and — under a new MOU — Hughes Network Systems. Thus far, Airbus has selected two MSPs for the Ku-band side: Intelsat (which is being acquired by SES) and Panasonic Avionics. And to date, the airframer has announced Ka-band HBCplus deals with several airlines. Launch customer Emirates, plus Air Algerie, Air India, Ethiopian Airlines, and Philippine Airlines will use Viasat as their MSP, whilst an as yet undisclosed single-aisle customer has selected SES as MSP. Screen shot of the Airbus presentation about HBCplus at AIX 2024, with new customers revealed. “With HBCplus,” said El Kouch, “what we want to do at Airbus is to elevate the passenger experience and make fast and reliable Internet access a reality for every step of the passenger journey. But today we know the experience we have in-flight is not the same that we have on the ground… and moreover, the current offers available in the market do not offer the flexibility to benefit from the new [satellite] constellations that may provide the connectivity service that is more relevant for the airline route operated. “On the contrary, [at present] it’s very difficult for the customer to change its service provider because it’s usually quite costly and quite risky. And this is where HBCplus comes into place, with a solution that is open and flexible to operate with different service providers like your phone. So today with your smartphone, you don’t have to change your phone to change your service provider. So that’s exactly the same concept that we applied to inflight connectivity.” Whether an airline selects Ka- or Ku-band IFC under HBCplus, the broadband pipe works hand in glove with other onboard hardware to drive ops benefits and in turn bolster PaxEx. For example, by harnessing Airbus’ Flight Operations and Maintenance Exchanger (FOMAX) data router, which captures real-time aircraft parameters, together with the airframer’s Skywise digital tools, airlines can avail of aircraft health monitoring and predictive maintenance, ensuring they can make “accurate and fast decisions” about the dispatch of their fleets, reduce unscheduled events and improve turnaround times, said El Kouch. Data can be transmitted either using the satcom connection, or indeed the 4G/5G link when aircraft are on the ground. Leveraging data, pilots are also better informed, with the Airbus executive describing a scenario whereby Airbus’ NavBlue applications for pilot electronic flight bags (EFB) can display “the accurate position of the aircraft” on the EFB map “so that gives an enhanced situational awareness for the pilots”. “Another example,” he said, “is that we can use the connectivity to actually get live updates of the weather forecast, of the flight briefing updates and that gives the crew as well situational awareness, reduces workload, so there’s less risk of errors because of manual entry.” BFE still on offer, for now Though it favors its new supplier-furnished HBCplus catalog, Airbus will retain — but does not plan to update — its current buyer furnished equipment (BFE) catalog for inflight connectivity. The BFE catalog features Panasonic Avionics’ Ku-band satellite-focused IFC with a traditional gimbaled antenna, Intelsat 2Ku based on ThinKim’s Ku3030 VICTS antenna, and Viasat Ka-band (both its high-capacity Ka offering on the A320 and A330, and the Global Xpress solution it acquired with its Inmarsat buy across all types including the A350). These solutions continue to roll off the line under BFE arrangements. For example Panasonic counts Croatia Airlines as a new linefit customer on the A220; Intelsat recently won Condor as a new linefit customer for 2Ku on A320/A321neos; and Korean Air is taking GX on its new A321neos. Asked by RGN how long Airbus will retain the BFE program, Airbus connected aircraft exec Don-Jacques Ould-Ferhat said: “I mean as long as our customers are asking for it, we will keep it alive. But our vision is that we will neither update [nor] upgrade the BFE program. Our strategy is go SFE with this new technology.” The airframer did make a ‘one-time’ exception, however, when it recently agreed to supply an airline, as BFE, the Safran Passenger Innovations (SPI) Ka-band terminal being used for HBCplus, which is based on ThinKom’s Ka2517 VICTS antenna, as reported by RGN. https://runwaygirlnetwork.com/2024/07/airbus-lays-out-ultimate-vision-for-connected-aircraft/ Nine new Human Factors courses for pilots are now available on FAASafety.gov. The courses focus on safety culture, human performance, communication, teamwork, situational awareness, decision-making, threat and error management, human information processing, and design and automation. The courses are eligible for credit in the WINGS Pilot Proficiency Program. For more information: FAASafety.gov 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