Flight Safety Information - November 5, 2024 No. 220 In This Issue : Incident: Commut E145 at Washington on Oct 30th 2024, interior panel fell on passenger : Incident: France B773 enroute on Nov 2nd 2024, MCP speed selector failed : Russia suspected of sending incendiary devices on US- and Canada-bound planes, Wall Street Journal reports ; Bombardier’s Must-Attend Safety Standdown Seminar Set to Open in Wichita, KS, Incites Aviation Professionals to Elevate their Influence : Loft Dynamics Unveils VR Instruction from World-Renowned Pilots to Increase Access and Quality of Training, : Delta Seeks Approval For Seats To Accommodate Wheelchairs In Flight : AI Elicits a New Generation of Avionics and Pilot Training Tools : FAA Investigating Single-Engine Go-Around : Equinox Charter appoints Garreth Horrocks as Aviation Safety and Compliance Manager : FAA Says It Will Keep ATC Meteorologists : United Arab Emirates (UAE) Accident Investigative Authority: Request : Calendar of Events Incident: Commut E145 at Washington on Oct 30th 2024, interior panel fell on passenger A Commutair Embraer ERJ-145 on behalf of United, registration N14148 performing flight UA-4305 from Washington Dulles,DC to Huntsville,AL (USA), was climbing out of Washington's runway 19L when about 3 minutes into the flight an interior panel fell from above an emergency exit and hit the passenger sitting there onto his head. The aircraft continued to Huntsville for a safe landing on runway 18L about 90 minutes after departure. Passenger Christian Cooper tweeted: "Exit row ln on @united yes this panel is held up with Band-aids. Yes this panel came undone 3 minutes after takeoff. Yes it hit me in the head. Yes it stayed like this for the rest of the flight. No this can’t be @FAANews approved, do better. #ua4305" The airline confirmed a plastic interior panel came loose during flight UA-4305 on Oct 30th 2024. The flight landed normally, the panel was repaired. The aircraft returned to service about 14 hours after landing. https://www.avherald.com/h?article=51fc4bda&opt=0 Incident: France B773 enroute on Nov 2nd 2024, MCP speed selector failed An Air France Boeing 777-300, registration F-GSQX performing flight AF-470 from Paris Charles de Gaulle (France) to Mauritius (Mauritius) with 193 people on board, was enroute at FL310 over Croatia about 60nm east of Rijeka (Croatia) when the crew decided to return to Paris due to the failure of the control wheel for the airspeed on the Mode Control Panel (MCP). The aircraft landed safely back on Paris' runway 08L about 3.5 hours after departure. The aircraft remained on the ground in Paris for about 2 hours, then departed again and reached Mauritius with a delay of about 5:45 hours. https://www.avherald.com/h?article=51fc46a9&opt=0 Russia suspected of sending incendiary devices on US- and Canada-bound planes, Wall Street Journal reports Incendiary devices that ignited in Germany and the United Kingdom in July were part of a covert Russian operation that aimed to start fires aboard cargo and passenger flights heading to the US and Canada, the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported Monday, citing Western security officials. In July, device explosions at DHL logistics hubs in Leipzig, Germany, and Birmingham, UK, kickstarted a race to find the suspects, WSJ reported. When asked about the incidents, a spokesperson at DHL Express told CNN the company is “aware of two recent incidents involving shipments in our network,” adding they are “cooperating with the relevant authorities.” The devices, which were reportedly electric massagers implanted with a magnesium-based flammable substance, were sent to the UK from Lithuania and “appear to have been a test run to figure out how to get such incendiary devices aboard planes bound for North America,” the WSJ reported. When the WSJ asked Russia for comment about the suspected Russian plot, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov denied the allegations. “We have never heard any official accusations” of Russian involvement, adding: “These are traditional unsubstantiated insinuations from the media.”” He said according to WSJ. CNN is attempting to reach the Kremlin for comment. Asked about the alleged Russian plot, a US government official told CNN that “at this time, there is no current active threat targeting U.S.-bound flights.” Polish authorities in October said four people had been arrested under suspicion of being involved in international sabotage and a sabotage group, according to a statement from the national prosecutor’s office. An international search has been initiated for two more suspects. The Polish statement, which does not name the sabotage group, says “parcels containing camouflaged explosives and dangerous materials” were sent via courier to the UK and European Union countries and “spontaneously ignited or detonated during land and air transport.” It adds that the group’s goal “was [also] to test the transfer channel for this type of shipments which were ultimately to be sent to the United States of America and Canada.” A UK counter-terrorism police spokesperson confirmed to CNN that they are “investigating an incident at a commercial premises in Midpoint Way” in Birmingham: “On Monday, 22 July, a package at the location caught alight. It was dealt with by staff and the local fire brigade at the time and there were no reports of any injuries or significant damage caused,” the spokesperson said. The spokesperson added that the investigation is ongoing, and they are “liaising with other European law enforcement partners to identify whether this may or may not be connected to any other similar-type incidents across Europe.” CNN reported in July that Russia has been engaged in a “bold” sabotage operation across NATO’s member states for more than six months, targeting the supply lines of weapons for Ukraine and the decision-makers behind it, according to a senior NATO official. Multiple security officials across Europe describe a threat that is metastasizing as Russian agents, increasingly under scrutiny by security services and frustrated in their own operations, hire local amateurs to undertake high-risk, and often deniable, crimes on their behalf. https://www.yahoo.com/news/russia-suspected-sending-incendiary-devices-212753765.html Bombardier’s Must-Attend Safety Standdown Seminar Set to Open in Wichita, KS, Incites Aviation Professionals to Elevate their Influence MONTRÉAL, Nov. 01, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Bombardier today announced that its highly-influential Safety Standdown safety seminar has returned to Wichita, KS for another year of invaluable safety knowledge-based training. This dynamic three-day event, to be held on November 12-14 in person and online, features unique learning opportunities, dynamic workshops and cutting-edge presentations by key industry thought leaders. The free safety event is open to all aviation professionals regardless of the aircraft type they operate. The 2024 seminar centres around the theme, “Elevate your Influence” and encourages all aviation professionals to expand their own safety footprints to become safety stewards for the industry. It’s an over-arching premise that stresses how it’s incumbent upon all aviation professionals – be it pilots, flight attendants, maintenance teams, air traffic controllers and more – to learn new concepts, apply them in daily operations, and share their newfound knowledge with colleagues. The premise of this “Learn-Apply-Share” ethos is the philosophy of what drives all Safety Standdown events, ensuring aviation industry professionals work collectively to continue to drive safe practices in all sectors. “Bombardier’s Safety Standdown is a ‘must attend’ safety event that targets all aviation disciplines – nothing is more important than safety at our collective operations and the knowledge shared here is absolutely transformational,” said Chris Milligan, Vice President, Pre-owned Aircraft Services and Flight Operations, Bombardier. “Safety Standdown brings together the most sought-after industry experts and thought leaders together to share invaluable information about aviation safety, and we are thrilled to be leading the charge in offering essential safety advice and strategies to help our teams and colleagues share ideas and knowledge to reach new heights in their professional roles.” For close to three decades, Safety Standdown has offered free safety-based educational opportunities for a wide range of aviation professionals. Bombardier works closely with its advisory council and key sponsors to ensure this event remains free of charge and explores safety knowledge-based learning in all sectors of the aviation industry. First conceived by a group of Learjet demonstration pilots who were determined to make the Bombardier flight demonstration team in Wichita the safest in the industry, the event continues to grow in size and scope. Attendees span the industry spectrum from flight crews and maintenance technicians to flight dispatchers and schedulers. They also represent a wide range of corporate, commercial and military organizations. Since its inception, more than 10,000 aviation professionals have attended Safety Standdown seminars worldwide, either at live events or through its webcasts. Headlining this year’s event is Dr. Tony Kern from Convergent Performance. Dr. Kern will kick off this year’s event with an action-packed look at how the world of professional sports can help influence all aviation professionals. Dr. Kern notes that “we are never truly ready, only prepared” – and athletes and aviation professionals can certainly attest. Other presentations include what can be learned from National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) near misses (Michael Graham, Board Member NTSB), and from aviation failures (Leonard Beauchemin, Managing Director, AeroTechna Solutions LLC). More information about this year’s event can be found at the Safety Standdown website. Bombardier’s commitment to providing essential safety-based learning doesn’t stop with just Safety Standdown. Earlier this year, for example, Bombardier hosted the second annual Flight Attendant Safety Summit in Montreal. The event brought together some 112 cabin crew professionals from five countries, including flight attendants, managers, directors, CEOs and pilots to explore important topics like aviation food safety, enhancing crew member health and galley safety. A similar event will be taking place on Nov. 7 in Hong Kong. It’s all part of the company’s longstanding philosophy of working to help make the business aviation industry as safe as it can possibly be. To join Safety Standdown, either in person or virtually, please visit the registration page. About Bombardier At Bombardier (BBD-B.TO), we design, build, modify and maintain the world’s best-performing aircraft for the world’s most discerning people and businesses, governments and militaries. That means not simply exceeding standards, but understanding customers well enough to anticipate their unspoken needs. For them, we are committed to pioneering the future of aviation—innovating to make flying more reliable, efficient and sustainable. And we are passionate about delivering unrivaled craftsmanship and care, giving our customers greater confidence and the elevated experience they deserve and expect. Because people who shape the world will always need the most productive and responsible ways to move through it. Bombardier customers operate a fleet of approximately 5,000 aircraft, supported by a vast network of Bombardier team members worldwide and 10 service facilities across six countries. Bombardier’s performance-leading jets are proudly manufactured in aerostructure, assembly and completion facilities in Canada, the United States and Mexico. For Information For corporate news and information, including Bombardier’s Environmental, Social and Governance report, as well as the company’s plans to cover all its flight operations with a Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) blend utilizing the Book and Claim system visit bombardier.com. Learn more about Bombardier’s industry-leading products and customer service network at businessaircraft.bombardier.com. Follow us on X (Twitter) @Bombardier. https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2024/11/01/2973285/0/en/Bombardier-s-Must-Attend-Safety-Standdown-Seminar-Set-to-Open-in-Wichita-KS-Incites-Aviation-Professionals-to-Elevate-their-Influence.html Loft Dynamics Unveils VR Instruction from World-Renowned Pilots to Increase Access and Quality of Training, Elevate Safety Standards and Address the Pilot Shortage Virtual Demonstration Mode Enhances Training Quality and Safety at Scale for Aircraft OEMs, Operators and Pilots New VR Simulations for Night Vision and Whiteout/Brownout Conditions Make High-Risk Scenario Training Safe Pilots Gain Personalized Insights to Track Progress, Accelerate Skill Development and Gamify Their Training Experience ZURICH, Nov. 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Loft Dynamics, the global leader in qualified virtual reality (VR) flight simulation training devices (FSTDs), today announced a suite of industry-shaping features to more efficiently and effectively address the global pilot shortage and high rates of training related accidents. Central to this is LofTWIN,a virtual demonstration mode that digitizes flight instruction from world-renowned pilots and instructors from aircraft original equipment manufacturers (OEMs). This tool makes their expertise immersive, accessible, and scalable across Loft Dynamics' global network of simulators. Additionally, Loft Dynamics is introducing new simulations—including Night Vision Goggles (NVGs) and Whiteout/Brownout conditions— that make skill- and scenario-based training safer and make simulations more realistic. The Next-Gen Solution: Immersive Hardware and Instruction "Our VR FSTDs have made realistic and safe pilot training drastically more accessible and affordable, but hardware alone isn't enough," said Fabi Riesen, founder and CEO of Loft Dynamics. "The industry faces a global pilot shortage, pandemic-related retirements, and rising demand for air transport—issues compounded by the high costs and limited availability of safe yet effective training solutions. LofTWIN addresses these challenges on a new level by making world-class instruction more accessible and scalable. More than just a tool, LofTWIN is a powerful knowledge-sharing platform that captures and disseminates invaluable expertise to improve training for the next generation of exceptional pilots. It's the first in a series of upcoming software innovations aimed at democratizing the best pilot training resources." Introduction to LofTWIN LofTWIN records and transforms expert flight instruction into an immersive VR experience for deployment across Loft Dynamics' cloud-connected simulator fleet. Its ever-expanding catalog of demonstrations features legendary pilots and instructors, including Glenn White, an experienced EMS pilot and former factory instructor at Eurocopter (now Airbus Helicopters); Gerold Biner, former CEO of Air Zermatt and a rescue pilot in the Himalayas and the Alps; Scott Urschel, one of the world's few aerobatic helicopter pilots; and Yann Guérin, head of pilot training at Airbus Helicopters. With LofTWIN, pilots build essential skills safely and more efficiently, while OEMs benefit from consistent and accurate demonstrations that lead to safer aircraft operations in real-world flight. The Pilot and Operator Experience Pilots and operators choose their scenario-based demonstration through Loft Dynamics' training device, immersing themselves in a realistic VR cockpit with expert virtual instructors. The instructors' movements are visually replicated by a full-body avatar that provides real-time guidance, while haptic feedback from the controls enhances the experience. After a LofTWIN demo session, pilots can apply learnings to their simulator training, where advanced eye and body tracking monitors responses during each maneuver. The data captured in these sessions equips pilots with insights to track progress over time and benchmark performance against experts. The gamified approach promotes regular skill development and helps usher in a new generation of digital-native pilots. Additionally, LofTWIN allows operators' chief pilots and instructors to produce high-quality lessons in a standardized way, educating everyone in the organization more efficiently. The Aircraft OEM Experience For aircraft OEMs, now their chief instructors can easily record demonstrations on any Loft Dynamics simulator, allowing them to develop the most relevant and precise instruction and instantly deploy it to any Loft Dynamics training device worldwide. The instructors execute specific maneuvers in the simulator as they usually would, providing detailed commentary through the headset microphone. All audio, visuals, control movements, and force feedback during the session are captured, uploaded, and packaged into a shareable session. "This technology is an important milestone for us," said Yann Guérin, Head of Pilot Training at Airbus Helicopters. "LofTWIN lets us create instructor demonstrations. With just a push of a button, instructors can record their demo on the VR H125 simulator and instantly share it with their trainees. Thus, the training is much more consistent and efficient. Instructors are able to demonstrate and assist their trainees. Furthermore, these demos could be shared within the VR H125 instructor community, increasing training standardization and safety." "LofTWIN also allows OEMs to monetize their expertise," Riesen added. "For instance, Air Zermatt's VR mountain rescue demo in whiteout conditions could be purchased by operators in Nepal training rescue pilots and uploaded to their Loft sim. This goes beyond just providing access to exceptional instruction; it connects people to the most relevant expertise available, helping us collectively improve pilot skills and safety." Night Operations, Whiteouts and Brownouts Meet VR Loft Dynamics continuously develops new simulations of high-risk, complex environments that cannot be safely or accurately replicated in-flight or with other VR tools. This includes the NVG module, which simulates night flight and allows pilots to adjust NVG controls, such as goggle settings, as they would in the real world. Similarly, whiteout and brownout conditions are recreated in VR to elicit realistic physiological responses. Pilots can fine-tune environmental factors like sand and snow levels, enabling them to safely practice maintaining control with minimal visual cues. Experience It To learn more and book your LofTWIN experience, visit www.loftwin.loftdynamics.com About Loft Dynamics Loft Dynamics AG is the global leader in qualified virtual reality flight simulation training devices (FSTD). It is the first and only VR FSTD qualified by the FAA and EASA. Equipped with a 3D high-resolution panoramic view, dynamic six-degrees-of-freedom motion platform, and full-scale replica cockpit with a unique pose tracking system, our revolutionary VR simulators provide a more immersive, realistic, customizable, and safe training experience. By offering a training solution 10 times smaller and significantly more cost-effective than legacy simulators, we enhance training accessibility and scalability, empowering highly skilled pilots to meet global demand. We serve leading manufacturers, airlines, operators, schools, and organizations worldwide. Headquartered in Santa Monica, California, and Zurich, Switzerland, our team comprises passionate engineers, developers, and aviation experts. Visit www.loftdynamics.com. CONTACT: Press@loftdynamics.com SOURCE Loft Dynamics https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/loft-dynamics-unveils-vr-instruction-from-world-renowned-pilots-to-increase-access-and-quality-of-training-elevate-safety-standards-and-address-the-pilot-shortage-302296135.html Delta unveils 'first-of-its-kind' airplane seat for travelers in wheelchairs ATLANTA - Delta Air Lines this week unveiled a- "first-of-its kind" airplane seat that makes flights more accessible, allowing travelers to remain in their own powered wheelchairs on board. The new prototype, which was shown at the Aircraft Interiors Expo (AIX) in Hamburg, Germany, converts a standard passenger seat to an accommodation for wheelchair restraint. Travelers who use the seat with wheelchairs in place still have access to the headrest, center console tray tables and cocktail table, Delta said in a press release. The carrier noted how the prototype also enables airlines to keep the design of their cabin on every seat. "This patented design offers new possibilities for customers with disabilities to enjoy a travel experience they truly deserve," Rick Salanitri, president of Delta Flight Products, said in a statement. RELATED: FAA may have to redo plane evacuation tests as passengers squeeze into smaller spaces The new seat was developed with the U.K.-based consortium Air4All, made up of the organizations PriestmanGoode, Flying Disabled, SWS Certification and Sunrise Medical. PriestmanGoode led the design. Air4All is dedicated to creating solutions around accessibility in air travel. "An innovation like this in air travel provides those with reduced mobility a safe and comfortable way for them to travel and remain in their own power wheelchair," Chris Wood, founder of Flying Disabled, said in a statement. "It has taken a truly collaborative effort to develop this seat and we believe this product provides an optimal solution for all parties." After the annual expo in Germany, Delta said the seat will be sent for "final design and validation." Testing and certification programs to install the seat will begin once certified. College students help build ‘dream-come-true’ costumes for children in wheelchairs Each year, Children’s Assistive Technology Service (CATS) organizes a wheelchair Halloween contest inviting local college students in the area to design and build out of this world costumes for the children that depend on wheeled mobility. Delta currently offers wheelchair assistants to help travelers through the terminal, security, and to their gate. It also offers onboard wheelchairs specially-designed to fit within the aisle of the plane and for use to and from the bathroom, according to its website. "These onboard wheelchairs can only be used with flight attendant assistance and may not fit within the onboard lavatory," Delta states online. All airlines in the U.S. are required to provide passengers with disabilities many types of assistance, including wheelchair assistance and "seating accommodation assistance that meets passengers’ disability-related needs." https://www.livenowfox.com/news/delta-wheelchair-airplane-seat-prototype-june-2023 AI Elicits a New Generation of Avionics and Pilot Training Tools • Aircraft avionics and training systems are evolving with artificial intelligence • CAE AI-based training • CAE’s AI-based training tools are helping facilitate the switch to more student-based experiential learning. Artificial intelligence (AI) is disrupting every facet of the aviation industry, and the technology is poised to completely change the way aircraft fly. While pilotless passenger flights on self-flying, AI-powered airliners won’t become a reality anytime soon, AI technology is already creeping into airplane flight decks and transforming how pilots do their jobs—and how they learn to fly. A handful of companies developing AI-driven flight control systems are already flying autonomous aircraft experimentally, but AI isn’t piloting any aircraft yet. Rather, autonomous airplanes being flown today by companies such as Xwing, Reliable Robotics, and Merlin rely on enhancements to existing autopilot technologies and remote-piloting capabilities. Using Cessna Grand Caravans as testbeds, those companies aim to convert existing legacy aircraft into autonomous aircraft under supplemental type certificates (STCs). “Autonomy is not necessarily equal to artificial intelligence, or machine learning, or deep neural networks, or non-deterministic systems or anything like that. Autonomous machines can be perfectly deterministic,” explained Honeywell Aerospace’s Stephane Fymat at the Vertical Flight Society’s 10th biennial autonomous VTOL technical meeting. “That's good, because it means that the certifiability of autonomous aircraft can be a more tractable problem, especially considering some of the deeper challenges that we're addressing right now around the explainability of AI, trust of AI, the generalizability of AI.” The Road to Self-piloting Airplanes Air safety regulators such as the FAA and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) currently have no set path to certification for aircraft that fly themselves with AI. However, that’s something both agencies are looking to change in the not-too-distant future. EASA and the FAA have both published their own AI “roadmaps” in which the agencies spell out similar approaches to certifying AI. In EASA’s AI roadmap, a “living document” last updated in 2023, the regulator said it expects fully autonomous AI aircraft to enter service in the 2035 to 2050 timeframe—yet it expects to certify its first AI avionics system as early as next year. According to EASA’s roadmap, initial applications for AI in the cockpit will center around pilot assistance, helping to reduce pilot workload and improve safety. Over the next decade, progressively more automated solutions will enable reduced-crew or single-pilot operations—maintaining a human in the loop—and by 2050, AI could be flying aircraft without any human supervision. The first AI-powered avionics system appears to be on track for EASA certification by the end of this year, according to Swiss AI start-up Daedalean, which is working on an STC for an AI-powered pilot assistance system called PilotEye. Developed in partnership with U.S. avionics manufacturer Avidyne, PilotEye uses cameras, sensors, and AI software developed with machine-learning algorithms to provide pilots with complete situational awareness plus detect-and-avoid capabilities. The company refers to its computer vision technology as “situational intelligence” because it “encompasses situational awareness as well as the ability to anticipate and react to a threatening situation.” PilotEye uses AI and neural networks to analyze images and data from various cameras and sensors to accurately perceive its surroundings. “You don't need AI for decision-making; you need the AI part for seeing that it's a runway and not a road and that it's actually going the way you wanted to land on,” Daedalean founder and CEO Luuk van Dijk told AIN. The AI-enabled computer vision software can accurately identify objects and obstacles to determine, for example, whether a camera has spotted “a cloud that’s not actually moving, or there's an airplane that's coming right at you,” he explained. “These are a couple of the harder problems.” Avidyne intends to offer the PilotEye as a feature in the Quantum avionics suite it launched last year specifically for new advanced air mobility aircraft, such as eVTOL air taxis and hybrid-electric regional airplanes. Daedalean is also developing an AI flight planning system that integrates with an aircraft’s autopilot and enables autonomous navigation. This would ensure an aircraft can safely travel through designated corridors, such as eVTOL air taxis flying at low altitudes in urban areas. “Things such as the ability to perceive or localize the aircraft in the world, the ability to interact perhaps with ATC using natural language (as much as we would all like it to go to data), the ability to help an aircraft plan complex courses of action on the fly in novel situations, and the ability to learn from the world also might make the system less brittle, and less expensive potentially to build or maintain,” Fymat explained. Beyond Flight Controls Although totally AI-piloted aircraft may not enter service for several decades, some AI technology is already flying on aircraft today—just not with the power to control the aircraft. So far, the focus of AI on aircraft has revolved around improving operational efficiencies. For example, flight management systems use AI algorithms to optimize routes and reduce fuel burn. Generative AI can also help to automate routine tasks. For example, in October, Turkish low-cost carrier Pegasus Airlines introduced AI-generated pilot announcements that provide passengers with flight information in several languages, allowing pilots to stay focused on flying. Earlier this year, Swedish company Web Manuals launched a new AI-powered search tool for pilots’ flight manuals. Called Amelia AI, the platform functions as a chatbot that pilots can use to quickly retrieve information from within their flight manuals, allowing them to make swift and well-informed decisions. Web Manuals’ AI search function “makes navigating through large amounts of operational and company manuals much more manageable and time efficient, with data retrieval within seconds,” said the company’s chief technology officer, Richard Sandström. Researchers are also experimenting with AI-driven face and voice recognition software that could potentially monitor pilots’ health and mental well-being. Blueskeye AI, a U.K.-based software company, uses facial recognition and voice analysis software “to look at medically and biophysically relevant behavior, so we can use it to help assess, diagnose, monitor, and treat medical conditions that actually change your expressive behavior,” such as fatigue, pain, and anxiety, Blueskeye AI founder and CEO Michel Valstar told AIN. When it comes to AI, the aviation industry (along with the rest of the world) is only beginning to understand the wealth of possibilities the technology can offer. While AI is changing the way aircraft and pilots fly, it’s also changing just about every aspect of ground operations, ranging from flight booking platforms to supply chain management. AI Improves Pilot Training Flight schools already have initiatives underway to use AI technology to make pilot training more efficient, effective, and accessible. At the forefront of those efforts is CAE, a global company that manufactures flight simulators and other training devices for airlines and flight schools. CAE is developing AI-driven tools that can provide personalized training experiences by analyzing a student pilot’s performance and tailoring training plans to every individual’s specific needs. “For future learning ecosystems to be successful, training providers must find ways to smartly blend the incredible advances we’re seeing in education technology with the latest understanding in learning science,” said Regan Patrick, CAE’s chief learning officer. “It’s important for CAE to understand what cognitive, behavioral, and neuroscience tells us regarding how humans learn so we can carry that forward into our training systems designs.” According to CAE, its patented adaptive learning technology makes training more efficient and cost-effective. It implements systematic and objective rule-based measures of performance and effectiveness, and it provides instructors and students with real-time feedback. With an integrated biometric suite, it allows instructors to gauge students’ stress, engagement, and cognitive workload. “One of the biggest challenges we see is the need to adjust mindsets, specifically migrating from traditional instructor-based training approaches to more student-centric experiential learning,” Patrick said. CAE has also been using AI for years to enhance its flight simulators. According to the company, AI enables a broader range of realistic and dynamic environments and scenarios, including unanticipated events that could catch a pilot by surprise. In addition to AI and machine-learning capabilities, CAE and other flight training companies are integrating several other cutting-edge technologies into their training products, including virtual reality, mixed reality, and data analytics. CAE’s virtual-reality training hardware includes headsets and hand-tracking technology. According to CAE, combining those types of tools with artificial intelligence will further expand the horizons for extended reality training. Another leader in AI-enhanced flight training solutions is FlightSafety International, which is also developing AI-powered adaptive learning capabilities. In 2019, FlightSafety and its partner IBM announced plans to introduce a platform called FlightSmart that uses AI to improve training processes. “The product, through the collaboration with IBM, is utilizing advanced algorithms, machine learning, artificial intelligence—all of those cognitive technologies—to provide the objective evidence or objective evaluation of the student's performance,” said Matt Littrell, FlightSafety product director of AI and adaptive learning. FlightSafety is working to integrate FlightSmart with flight simulators as well as other training processes, including task training on avionics and operating flight management systems, the use of automation, standard operating procedures, crew resource management, and maintenance. During simulator training, the AI software monitors more than 4,000 variables in real time, objectively evaluating a student’s performance in specific maneuvers. It also distinguishes between different flying styles, which FlightSafety’s team has classified as either shy, reactive, risk-taking, or aggressive. The technology is capable of picking up nuances that instructors may not be able to directly observe, like how much force a student pilot is applying to the stick controls, for example. So far, use of the FlightSmart system has been limited to military operations. For its first use case, FlightSafety implemented the technology on 16 T-6A training devices at a U.S. Air Force base in Columbus, Mississippi. It completed acceptance testing in 2020. Now FlightSafety continues development work to refine the system and optimize the design of the FlightSmart interface. FlightSafety aims to make FlightSmart available for civilian pilot training next. Eventually, the technology could expand to help train other types of aviation professionals, including maintenance technicians and drone operators, according to FlightSafety. The technology could potentially transfer over to other industries, improving training processes for locomotive conductors, maritime operators, truck drivers, and even surgeons. https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/futureflight/2024-11-04/ai-elicits-new-generation-avionics-and-pilot-training-tools FAA Investigating Single-Engine Go-Around The Thursday engine failure followed a bird strike. The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating a Thursday engine failure involving an American Airlines Airbus A319 near Washington’s Reagan National Airport. Flight 1539 from Boston later diverted to Washington Dulles International Airport. Air traffic control recordings indicate that the flight crew reported an engine failure while on approach to Reagan National before initiating a go-around. The aircraft — registered as N814AW — climbed to the south before opting to divert to Dulles. The crew later reported that the right-side engine failure likely came as a result of a bird strike. The A319 remains out of service. An FAA spokesperson said the agency is investigating the incident. “American Airlines Flight 1539 landed safely at Dulles International Airport in Virginia around 8:40 a.m. local time on Thursday, Oct. 31, after the crew reported a bird strike. The Airbus 319 departed from Boston Logan International Airport and was heading to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport,” the spokesperson said in a statement on Monday. ADS-B data from Flightradar24 shows the aircraft went around at approximately 400 feet. Initially, local controllers offered the crew a diversion to nearby Joint Base Andrews. No injuries were reported following the incident, and the aircraft landed safely at Dulles. An American spokesperson did not immediately reply to AirlineGeeks’ request for comment. https://airlinegeeks.com/2024/11/04/faa-investigating-single-engine-go-around/ Equinox Charter appoints Garreth Horrocks as Aviation Safety and Compliance Manager Garreth Horrocks will ensure operators meet minimum standards and will serve as a direct point of contact for both clients and passengers, addressing any concerns about their flights at Equinox Charter. LONDON, UK – Aircraft charter organisation Equinox Charter has announced the appointment of Garreth Horrocks as its new Aviation Safety & Compliance Manager. Garreth joins Equinox from his previous role as Head of Safety and Standards for EU operations at OneSky, where he oversaw safety programmes across Flexjet, PrivateFly, and Sentient Jet. With 25 years of industry experience, including in aviation training and management, Garreth brings valuable expertise to deepen Equinox’s commitment to top-tier safety and operational excellence. In his new role, Garreth will be responsible for enhancing Equinox Charter’s existing safety management protocols. Working alongside the sales and operations team, he will develop the company’s operational procedures and due diligence processes. He will engage directly with Equinox’s network of operators to discuss any operational concerns specific to charters and to ensure their compliance with minimum safety standards. Equinox Charter’s sister company, Equinox Travel, will leverage Garreth’s expertise in commercial airline safety by enhancing aviation education via staff training. Across both companies, the role will include serving as a direct point of contact for both clients and passengers to alleviate any concerns about their flights, especially for regional itineraries where aviation safety standards are lower. Elliot Bottomley, Managing Director of Equinox Charter, said: “Garreth’s deep understanding of airline operations and global airline regulations reinforces our commitment to uncompromising safety. His knowledge and experience will be integral in providing our clients, especially film and TV production studios, with the assurance and precision required for every charter request – from specialised cargo to crew transport.” Garreth Horrocks, Aviation Safety & Compliance Manager at Equinox Charter, said: “In an industry where precision and risk management are paramount, Equinox’s dedication to upholding a robust safety policy is commendable. My goal will be to build upon a proactive safety culture tailored to the unique needs of our clients, particularly those with complex or high-stakes itineraries. I look forward to delivering additional confidence in every aspect of our clients’ charter experience.” Beyond his tenure at OneSky, Garreth’s extensive industry experience includes more than 10,000 hours of pilot flight time, and a proven track record in safety management and operational standards. His career highlights include serving as a Synthetic Flight Examiner on the Boeing 777 and implementing safety programmes in challenging environments for both commercial and humanitarian operations. Garreth’s appointment aligns with Equinox’s strategic vision to elevate its service offering. As an ARGUS-certified organisation and a member of the Air Charter Association (ACA), Equinox remains committed to delivering top-tier safety and operational excellence for its clients, particularly in the music and film industries. https://www.traveldailynews.com/people/new-appointments/equinox-charter-appoints-garreth-horrocks-as-aviation-safety-and-compliance-manager/ FAA Says It Will Keep ATC Meteorologists Negotiations with union on next contract continue. The FAA says it will keep staff meteorologists at 21 air traffic control centers. A few days after the union representing the weather specialists issued a press release saying the agency planned to get rid of them in favor of automated systems, the agency said it wasn't so. "The Federal Aviation Administration and the National Weather Service will continue our long-standing partnership to provide weather services to ensure the safety of the National Airspace System," an FAA spokesperson told USA TODAY in a statement. An earlier statement by the agency left the possibility of automating the service open. Placing NWS meteorologists at Air Route Traffic Control Centers was authorized by Congress in the early 1980s after a Southern Airways DC-9 lost both engines in a thunderstorm and made a forced landing on a road in Georgia. A total of 72 people, including nine on the ground, died and 20 survived. The NTSB said the crew was not warned of the dangerous weather. https://www.avweb.com/aviation-news/faa-says-it-will-keep-atc-meteorologists/ United Arab Emirates (UAE) Accident Investigative Authority: Request TO: ISASI Members ON BEHALF OF: Mr. Khalid Al Raisi (kalraisi@gcaa.gov.ae) RE: Call for Aviation Safety Investigation Experts The Accident Investigation Authority of the United Arab Emirates is developing a comprehensive pool of aviation safety investigation experts to support future investigation needs in the UAE and enhance the overall investigation capabilities. As part of this initiative, we are seeking experienced professionals to contribute their expertise to our growing aviation sector. • Human Factors • Safety Management Systems (SMS) • Aircraft Systems • Aviation Operations If you have further questions please contact Mr. Khalid Al Raisi. If you are interested in registering your expertise with the UAE GCAA you may send your curriculum vitae (CV) to Mr. Khalid Al Raisi. CALENDAR OF EVENTS • INTERNATIONAL AVIATION SAFETY SUMMIT - November 5 - 7, 2024 (Rio De Janeiro) • NATA’s Aviation Business Conference (ABC) - November 12-13,2024, Nashville, TN • Elevate Your Organization's Safety Practices with ERAU’s SMS Course in Daytona Beach Nov. 19-21 • The Gulf Flight Safety Association (GFSA) - 26/27 of November 2024; Manama, Bahrain • Sponsor the 2025 Fuzion Safety Conference! March 4 & 5, 2025 (Orlando) • Annual Women in Aviation International Conference, Gaylord Rockies Resort & Conference Center | Denver Colorado, March 27-29, 2025 • Air Charter Safety Foundation (ACSF) Safety Symposium April 7-9, 2025 • AIA Conference: The Aviation Insurance Association's annual conference in Orlando, Florida from April 25–28, 2025 • Sixth Edition of International Accident Investigation Forum, 21 to 23 May 2025, Singapore • The 9th Shanghai International Aerospace Technology and Equipment Exposition 2025; June 11 to 13, 2025 TODAY'S PHOTO Astronaut John Young jumping on the Moon, Public Domain Curt Lewis