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April 2021
AEROSPACE
AERO INDIA REVIEW
CELERA 500L ANALYSIS
EARTH OBSERVATION
www.aerosociety.com
April 2021
Volume 48 Number 4
BACK TO BASICS
Royal Aeronautical Society
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Volume 48 Number 4
April 2021
EDITORIAL Contents
The ‘white heat’ of a Regulars
defence review 4 Radome
The latest aviation and
aeronautical intelligence,
12 Transmission
Your letters, emails, tweets
and social media feedback.
As AEROSPACE goes to press, the UK government is set to unveil what has analysis and comment.
58 The Last Word
been touted as the most radical defence review in a generation, preparing 11 Pushing the Envelope Keith Hayward questions
Britain’s armed forces and getting them ‘match fit’ for the near-peer and Rob Coppinger considers whether the Brabazon
‘grey zone’ conflicts of the 21st Century – where potential adversaries may European studies of Committee of the 1940s is
Reaction Engines’ SABRE the best role model for the
field advanced EW, cyber, weaponised drones, stealth fighters, satellites and UK’s future aerospace plans.
technology.
hypersonics. Aiming to become a ‘science and technology superpower’ the
first half of the Integrated Review, Global Britain in a Competitive Age, sets
out the UK’s strategic ambitions. The emphasis on science and technology, a
Features
new ‘DARPA’-like high-risk body and mentions of FCAS are welcome moves 26 Private eyes on Earth
How small satellites are leading
by the UK to invest in future capabilities and boost the ‘prosperity agenda’. a revolution in 24/7 Earth
Significantly, the review also mentions that the 2012 ‘competition by default’ observation.
rules for defence procurement will be reversed, with national industrial capability
Spencer Lisenby
prioritised over off-the-shelf foreign imports. Yet, to pay for these future
capabilities, the current armed forces are set to be reduced significantly. While 14 30
the Army looks to take the brunt, RAF airlift is to be cut with the early retirement
of C-130J fleet and the axing of No 32 Sqn (The Royal Flight). ISR is to take Airline pilot training – time
to revisit the basics?
a hammering with no crewed replacements for Sentinel or Islander spyplanes
Does the Covid-19 pandemic A need for speed
and the crucial ‘force multiplers’ of E-7 Wedgetails reduced to just three. While present an opportunity to A model glider enthusiast flies
a decision over final F-35 numbers beyond 48 has been postponed, current reset and improve airline pilot a glider at 548mph using the
combat air is to be reduced, with 24 Tranche 1 Typhoons retired early. Some of training? principle of dynamic soaring.
these cuts in conventional forces are thus set to be balanced by a more opaque 18 Soaring aspirations
and muscular UK nuclear deterrence posture, betting that raising the cap on Report on the 2021 Aero
nuclear warheads will tide things over until these new future capabilities are in India aerospace and defence 34 Shape shifters
airshow. How new technology is
service. enabling engineers to create
morphing aircraft which can
Tim Robinson FRAeS, Editor-in-Chief change shape in flight.
Otto Aviation
tim.robinson@aerosociety.com @RAeSTimR
EAG
Correspondence on all aerospace matters is welcome at: publications@aerosociety.com
Editor-in-Chief Editorial Office 2021 AEROSPACE subscription
20
Tim Robinson, FRAeS
+44 (0)20 7670 4353
Royal Aeronautical Society
No.4 Hamilton Place
rates: Non-members, £190
To place your order, contact: 38
tim.robinson@aerosociety.com London W1J 7BQ, UK Wayne J Davis
Deputy Editor
+44 (0)20 7670 4300 +44 (0)20 7670 4354 Going with the flow Reimagining the future of
publications@aerosociety.com aerosubs@aerosociety.com civil aviation
Bill Read, FRAeS An analysis of the radical
+44 (0)20 7670 4351 www.aerosociety.com efficiency and economic
Any member not requiring a print A Cranfield University virtual
bill.read@aerosociety.com AEROSPACE is published by the Royal version of this magazine should advantages claimed for Otto summit looked at opportunities
Aeronautical Society (RAeS). contact: membership@aerosociety.com Aviation’s unconventionally-
Production Manager for the international aerospace
Wayne J Davis Chief Executive USA: Periodical postage paid at shaped Celera 500L. industry in a post-Covid world.
+44 (0)20 7670 4354 Sir Brian Burridge CBE FRAeS Champlain New York and additional
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Unless specifically attributed, no 44 Message from our President
chris.male@aerosociety.com material in AEROSPACE shall be taken ISSN 2052-451X
Production Executive to represent the opinion of the RAeS. 45 M
essage from our Chief Executive
Annabel Hallam Reproduction of material used in this 46 Book Reviews
+44 (0)20 7670 4361 publication is not permitted without the
annabel.hallam@aerosociety.com written consent of the Editor-in-Chief. 49 Library Additions
Book Review Editors Printed by Buxton Press Limited, 50 New Members Spotlight
Palace Road, Buxton, Derbyshire
Tony Pilmer and Katrina Sudell
SK17 6AE, UK
51 2021 RAeS AGM
book.reviews@aerosociety.com
52 RAeS Diary
Original artwork
©Wayne J Davis/RAeS Distributed by Royal Mail 54 Obituaries
Additional content is available to view online at: aerosociety.com/aerospaceinsight
Including: UK sustainable aviation fuels, New Member Spotlight, Peace talks in Airbus-Boeing
Read AEROSPACE and the insight blog on your
subsidy row?, Drone and aircraft collision tests, 150 years of wind tunnels, In the March 2021 issue of smartphone or tablet with the AEROSPACE app
Online AEROSPACE, The future of military rotorcraft, Aero India show report, Transonic model glider. APP available from iTunes and Google Play
Front cover: Cessna 172 cockpit instruments. (123rf)
@aerosociety i Find us on LinkedIn f Find us on Facebook www.aerosociety.com APRIL 2021 13
Blueprint
INTELLIGENCE / ANALYSIS / COMMENT
New engines
The S-64F+ would also see the
existing P&W JFTD12 engines
replaced with new, as yet
unnamed, more powerful
turboshaft engines and a
FADEC.
Enter the Matrix
Erickson has partnered with Sikorsky to
bring its autonomous fly-by-wire
Matrix Technology to the S-64F+ to
allow optionally piloted operations.
Trialled by Sikorsky on its S-76
demonstrator, Matrix and new cockpit
avionics will also enhance situational
awareness and flight safety in the piloted
mode during day and night operations.
An HUD may also be fitted.
Erickson
4 AEROSPACE
New composite blades
The S-64F+ would feature FAA-certificated
composite main rotor blades, giving
performance gains, including increased
payload and climb rate, reduced vibration, fuel
savings and interchangeability with legacy
blades.
Water cannon
The civil firefighting variant of the S-64F+ would
also feature an enhanced water cannon, able to
tackle high-rise fires from 70m away and capable
of pumping 800 gallons of water a minute.
DEFENCE
21st Century Skycrane
Portland, US-based Erickson, which holds the type certificate for the
CH-64 heavy-lift helicopter, still in service in civil roles, such as
firefighting as the Air Crane, has proposed a modernised military variant
with autonomous capabilities. The updated fly-by-wire S-64F+ Air
Crane would be optionally piloted, and would allow US Army Chinooks
and USMC CH-53K helicopters to be freed up for front-line duties. The
S-64F+ will also be pitched at the civil firefighting market. The company
plans to fly an optionally piloted version next year and is converting its
famous ‘Elvis’ S-64 to act as the S-64F+ prototype. Customer deliveries
are expected to begin in 2024.
APRIL 2021 5
Radome
COVID-19
AIR TRANSPORT AEROSPACE
Post-Covid airline pilot First delivery of global vaccine-
shortage predicted sharing scheme touches down
A new survey from for the deep-seated
the consulting arm of global airline pilot
Oliver Wyman claims shortage, with 25,000-
that airlines could suffer 35,000 current and
from a ‘supply shock’ future pilots choosing
shortage of pilots by up alternative career paths
to 12,000 worldwide over the next decade.
by 2023 and potentially The report says that the
UNICEF
up to 50,000 by 2025, shortage will be most
as aviation recovers acute in North America
from the Covid-19 which has an ageing On 24 February, a UNICEF cargo flight, carrying 600,000 vaccines, touched
pandemic. The firm pilot population, many down in Accra, Ghana, the first delivery of vaccines under a global vaccine-sharing
says the pandemic is of whom have already scheme. The COVAX vaccines were flown in from Mumbai, India, using an Emirates
a ‘momentary reprieve’ retired early. Boeing 777 airliner.
AIR TRANSPORT AEROSPACE
Lufthansa reports worst ever loss Deliveries for regional
airframers nosedive
Lufthansa
Turboprop manufacturer to deliver around
ATR has revealed 20 aircraft this year.
its delivery figures Meanwhile, Brazilian
for 2020, with the aircraft manufacturer
airframer handing over Embraer delivered 130
just ten aircraft due jets in 2020, down from
to the effects of the 198 in 2019. The 2020
pandemic on air travel, deliveries comprised 44
with only one aircraft commercial aircraft, 56
German flag carrier Lufthansa has announced its worst-ever annual results, with an delivered in the first nine light jets and 30 large
operating loss of €5.5bn for the full year due to the air travel shutdown caused by months. This compares business jets. It also
the Covid-19 pandemic. The airline carried 76% fewer passengers in 2020 and is with 68 turboprops handed over the fourth
currently burning through €300m a month. In light of this, Lufthansa CEO Carsten handed over in 2019. C-390 airlifter to the
Spohr said that the airline’s A380s, currently grounded, will now not return to service. The company expects Brazilian AF in 2020.
NEWS IN BRIEF
stop taxpayers’ money phase, along with aligning parts, or assembling
The UK government has being invested in high-risk BAE Systems has parallel development with satellites in orbit, would
launched a new innovation projects. It is set to be revealed that the Tempest international partners, allow for larger, lighter
and research agency, with operational in 2022. crewed fighter portion were the two priorities for antennas, without the
a remit to pursue risky but of the UK’s FCAS future the programme this year. need to fold them up or
high pay-off projects. The Hong Kong-based carrier combat systems is set to make them structurally
£800m ARIA (Advanced Cathay Pacific has transition from the R&D Airbus Space has strong enough to survive a
Research and Invention announced a record loss phase to the Concept announced that it has rocket launch.
Agency) is patterned of $2.8bn for 2020 as a and Assessment phase won a two-year study
after the US DARPA result of the pandemic. this summer. Talking to contract to investigate eVTOL start-up Joby
organisation. Designed The airline had previously reporters ahead of the the feasibility of building Aviation has gone public
to respond rapidly and reported a profit of $220m imminent approval of the satellites in LEO. The on the New York Stock
empower scientists and in 2019. Due to the crisis, project’s outline business PERIOD (PERASPERA Exchange and merged
inventors, ARIA will be it is also retiring 34 aircraft case, the programme’s In-Orbit Demonstration) with Reinvent Technology
exempt from freedom early, while nearly 50% of BAE head, Michael project, it is envisaged, Partners, a special purpose
of information laws and its fleet are now in long- Christie, said that the would lead to an orbital acquisition company,
restrictions in place to term storage. transition to this next demonstrator. 3D printing (SPAC) – giving it access
6 AEROSPACE
SPACEFLIGHT AEROSPACE
China and Russia to team New Zealand start-up reveals HAPS
up on Lunar base plans
Kea Aerospace
Russia has announced with the Chinese space
that it will not continue its agency, CNSA, to build an
current partnership on the ‘international lunar science
International Space Station station’ on the surface or
(ISS) with the US onto the in orbit around the Moon
proposed NASA-led Lunar that would be operational
Gateway space station – in the 2030s. Other nations
which has already seen would also be invited to
space agencies from Europe, join. Notably, Russia has not
Canada and Japan agree to signed the US-sponsored Canterbury-based Kea Aerospace, a start-up from New Zealand, has revealed plans to
co-operate on this project. Artemis Accords, which develop a solar-powered high-altitude psuedo-satellite (HAPS) drone which could stay
Instead, Russia’s space outline guidelines for aloft for months at a time. The Kea Atmos would have a wingspan of 32m, a payload of
agency, Roscosmos, has peaceful co-exploration and 10kg and be able to stay aloft for over 90 days at altitudes of 65,000ft. The HAPS UAV will
signed an agreement exploitation of the Moon. be initially aimed at the aerial imaging sector.
DEFENCE AIR TRANSPORT
Turkish Aerospace unveils electric Engines shed parts in flight
unpiloted attack helicopter on same day
On 21 February on Netherlands. Meanwhile,
TAI
different sides of the on the same day, a
Atlantic, debris was United Airlines Boeing
shed by two P&W 777 was forced to divert
turbofans in two similar, back to Denver after an
but apparently unrelated, engine failure of one
incidents. In the first of its P&W4077s. The
incident, parts from aircraft landed safely,
a Longview Aviation with video taken by
Boeing 747 freighter passengers showing the
injured one woman entire cowling had come
Turkish Aerospace has released the first photos of a new unpiloted six-ton attack on the ground after off, with the engine also
helicopter, the T629 ATAK, it has rolled out. Details are scarce but the UAV is said to be falling from a PW4056 on fire. Initial examination
electric or hybrid electric-powered and is based on the piloted twin-seat T129 attack engine during take-off has revealed that two fan
helicopter, with the cockpit faired over and batteries where the crew would sit. from Maastricht, The blades had fractured.
to $1.6bn of funding. Aerospace. The (APD) tax as a way of
Joby, which has now contribution of a certifiable stimulating demand in the New Zealand’s Rocket Diamond Aircraft has
conducted 1,000 test battery for aerospace domestic air travel market Lab has announced that won an order from North
flights with its passenger systems, along with and reinvigorating the it is to go public with a Carolina-based pilot
eVTOL, says it intends to partner Baines Simmons, battered airline sector. merger with SPAC Vector training school Blue
begin air taxi services in leverages Electroflight’s A consultation has been Acquisition Corp, making Line Aviation for 50 new
2024. Its five-seat eVTOL, experience working on launched. for a company worth aircraft. The order includes
has a range of 150miles at electric racing aircraft, $4.1bn.The company will single engine DA40 NGs,
200mph. with its latest collaboration The first Taiwanese use this cash boost to twin engine DA42-VIs and
being on the Rolls-Royce AIDC T-5 Yung Yin help develop Neutron, a a Diamond simulator, with
Gloucester-based ACCEL electric aircraft, (Brave Eagle) advanced larger eight-ton launcher the option for 50 additional
Electroflight is to develop set to fly later this year. jet trainer/light fighter than its current Electron aircraft. The flight school
a high-energy battery is shortly to be handed vehicle, which will be is expanding with a new
system for the all- The UK government over to the Republic of suitable for mega- 50,000sq ft $16m HQ at
electric ES-19 airliner is reported to be China Air Force (RoCAF) constellations, beyond Johnston Regional Airport,
under development considering cutting for operational testing LEO missions and will be expected to open later this
from Sweden’s Heart the air passenger duty and evaluation. human-rated. year.
APRIL 2021 7
Radome
DEFENCE AIR TRANSPORT
USAF mulls ‘clean sheet’ MAX orders begin to return
F-16 replacement
Flair Airlines
The USAF has said that fifth-gen minus’ platform to
it intends to study the replace 1970s-era F-16s
potential for replacing and a more affordable
its Lockheed Martin fighter than F-22 and
F-16s with a new ‘clean F-35s. While new-build,
sheet’ Generation 4.5 updated F-16s have
or -5 multirole fighter. been proposed, Brown
Revealed by the US Air said: “I want to be able to Boeing has announced it has won an order for 24 737 MAX 8s from a new customer,
Force Chief of Staff, build something new and private investment group, 777 Partners. The deal also includes options on a further 60 of
Gen Charles Brown, the different that’s not the F-16 the narrowbodies for 777’s unnamed ‘affiliated operating low-cost partners’ – believed to
service is set to start a – that has some of those be Canadian budget airline, Flair Airlines (above with 737-800), of which 777 Partners
study on its mix of fighters capabilities but gets there owns a 25% stake. Meanwhile, US airline United Airlines is to purchase 25 Boeing 737
which could include a faster and features a digital MAXs and accelerate deliveries of 45 existing MAX orders as it looks towards a rebound
new ‘Four and a half or approach.” in air travel.
SPACEFLIGHT GENERAL AVIATION
Developers plan luxury ‘space NetJets signs MoU for
hotel’ by 2030 supersonic bizjets
A space construction company Global business aviation would provide supersonic
has revealed ambitious plans operator NetJets, along flight training. Meanwhile,
to build the world’s first luxury with its sister company Aerion is partnering
‘space hotel’ in LEO. The FlightSafety International, with NASA’s Langley
Gateway Foundation says has signed an MoU with Research Center to study
construction of its Voyager Aerion for the rights technology to support the
Station would begin in 2026, to acquire 20 of its development of Mach 3-5
with the hotel expected to supersonic AS2 bizjets. passenger aircraft. The
open to tourists by 2030. A The deal brings Aerion’s research includes a range
ring-shaped space station, backlog for its Mach 1.4 of propulsion systems,
Gateway Foundation
it would have capacity for SSBJs to $10bn, with thermal management
280 guests and 112 crew, NetJets becoming the technologies, integrated
and would rotate to provide exclusive operator for power systems and cabin
artificial gravity. Aerion Connect, while FSI technology.
NEWS IN BRIEF
range narrowbody yet the first export customer exploded 8mins later announced a partnership
Boeing has submitted from Airbus and is set to for the US-built Sikorsky after a high-altitude flight to bid for the UK
technical comments enter service in 2023. CH-53K King Stallion, test on 3 March, in Boca Maritime & Coastguard
to regulators for the heavy-lift helicopter which Chica, Texas. The vehicle Agency’s (MCA) Second
installation of central fuel Dutch flag carrier KLM will replace its existing was seen to land heavily Generation Search and
tanks for Airbus’ latest has taken delivery of its CH-53D fleet. The IAF but safely in one piece on Rescue (UKSAR2G)
A321XLR, alleging that first Embraer E195 E2 currently operates 22 its landing legs but then service. The current SAR
the location presents regional aircraft. The E195 of the ageing CH-53D a fire developed near its contract is operated by
an increased fire risk. E2, acquired via ICBC models and will replace base and the rocket then Bristow Group and set to
The submission to EASA Leasing, will be used by these with between 20-25 exploded at the 8mins run until 2026.
says that: “The location KLM’s Cityhopper arm, of the latest CH-53K mark. The flight was
of such an integral where it brings the total variants, which are also the third in a series of Rolls-Royce is to
fuel tank immediately number of Embraer jets set to enter service with trials to demonstrate the collaborate with Italian
aft of the main landing up to 50. KLM has leasing the US Marine Corps. high-altitude flip re-entry airframer Tecnam and
gear presents the most options for 25 E2s. manoeuvre. Norwegian regional
extensive range of threats SpaceX’s latest Starship airline Widerøe to
to be considered.” The The Israeli MoD has prototype SN10 Airbus Helicopters and develop an all-electric
A321XLR, is the longest announced it is to become successfully landed, then Draken Europe have nine-passenger
8 AEROSPACE
Dassault Aviation
GENERAL AVIATION AEROSPACE
Ukraine to nationalise
Motor Sich
Ukraine’s National Security drawn disapproval from
and Defense Council Washington, with the US
has announced it will State Department placing
nationalise helicopter the company on a blacklist
and aircraft engine maker in January 2021. Motor
Motor Sich and take it Sich has already assisted
into public ownership to China in producing the
avoid a Chinese corporate AL-222-25F jet engine
Falcon 6X makes maiden flight takeover attempt. China’s for the Hongdu L-15
Skyrizon is a majority advanced trainer and the
Dassault Aviation’s new Falcon 6X business jet has made its first flight from the
shareholder in Motor D-30-KP for the Xian
company’s Mérignac plant on 10 March. The one-hour 30min flight tested aircraft
Sich but long-standing H-6 bombers, as well
handling, engines and aircraft systems. Two more Falcon 6X aircraft are scheduled to
attempts to take over the as smaller turbojets for
join the test fleet and begin flight tests soon.
rest of the company have missiles.
MoD
AIR TRANSPORT DEFENCE
UK publishes
Airliner leasing mega Integrated Review
merger
General Electric has aircaft on their books or
announced a $30bn 18% of the global leasing
deal to sell its GE market. GE is reported
Capital Aviation Services to be making the deal as
(GECAS) aircraft leasing a result of troubles with
business to Irish lessor its GE Capital financial
AerCap which already division which has already The UK has published its long-awaited Integrated Review of Security, Defence,
operates International sold off a number of Development and Foreign Policy, setting out its ambitions for the UK to become a
Lease Finance other business interests science and technology superpower, while modernising forces for 21st Century threats.
Corporation (ILFC). The to focus on its industrial While FCAS/Tempest will receive £2bn over the next four years and defence R&D will
two companies are the sectors of power, aviation see £6.6bn injected in the same period, there will be early retirements for RAF aircraft,
world’s biggest airliner and healthcare. The deal including 24 Tranche 1 Typhoons by 2025, 14 C-130Js by 2023, four BAe 146s, 36
leasing concerns, with a awaits shareholder and Hawk T1s by 2025, as well as Sentinel R1 and E-3D Sentry fleets to be withdrawn this
combined fleet of 2,098 regulatory approval, year.
commuter aircraft, the Correction
P-Volt. The P-Volt, based In the March edition of ON THE MOVE
on the P2012 Traveller, AEROSPACE, in the feature Emma Gilthorpe is the
will help Norway achieve ‘Blade Runners for 2040+ Former Airbus CEO AVM Ian Gale RAF is to be new CEO of the UK’s Jet
it was incorrectly stated that
its goal of making all the Airbus Head of Product
Tom Enders and Airbus promoted Air Marshal and Zero Council.
domestic flights zero- Policy and Strategy was ex-commercial sales chief become Director General,
emission by 2040. Jerome Coombe. It should John Leahy have joined Joint Force Development in Alan Warnes is the Group
have been Jerome Combe. the advisory panel of start- UK Strategic Command. Editor Modern Military at
UK airlines reported up Universal Hydrogen, Key Publishing.
We apologise for any
a surge on flight and confusion caused. headed by ex-Airbus CTO Rajeev Suri is the new
holiday bookings after the Paul Eremenko. CEO of Inmarsat. Juan Carlos Salazar of
government announced a bookings had risen 600% Columbia has been named
potential phased plan to on the news that travel New interim Chief Ed Clark is to take over as the new Secretary
exit lockdown and restart may restart from mid-May. Executive of ADS Group from Walt Odisho as VP General of the International
international travel. Other holiday and airline is Kevin Craven, taking and General Manager Civil Aviation Organization
EasyJet said flight firms, such as TUI and over from Paul Everitt who of the Boeing 737 (ICAO), beginning 1
bookings had jumped Jet2 reported similar stepped down at the end programme. August. He succeeds Dr
300%, while holiday surges. of March. Fang Liu of China.
APRIL 2021 9
By the Numbers
Understanding the world of Aerospace through data
The UK Integrated Review – air power
C-130J to be retired Tranche 1 Typhoons
14 0 (2023) retired in 2025
24 0 (2025)
X
X
Modernisation of Puma fleet
in 2023-25 with new medium
helicopter
£2bn Investment in
FCAS/Tempest
14 additional extended range
Chinooks to be procured,
retiring 9 of older models
2BN
BAe 146 fleet (32Sqn) £6.6bn investment on 3 x E-3D Sentry fleet
retired by 2022 defence R&D retired this year
X
36 Hawk T1s (excluding T1A
6.6BN
X
E-7 Wedgetail fleet
Red Arrows) retired by 2025 capped at 3 from 5
X
X
X
10 AEROSPACEPushing the Envelope
Exploring advances on the leading edge of aerospace
Robert Coppinger
Europe wrestles with rocket
reusability
A
ircraft-like operations for space launches aerospace agency, Office National d’Etudes et de
could be key to effectively replenish Recherches Aérospatiales (ONERA), Hyperstar
mega-constellations’ failed satellites. would launch horizontally from the French space
The UK spaceplane, Skylon, and its agency, Centre National d’Etudes Spatiales’ (CNES)
air-breathing SABRE rocket engine spaceport in French Guiana. ONERA said that it
have been the subject of recent market and technology used Reaction Engine’s SABRE data in its Hyperstar
studies. This year, an engineering test model of SABRE’s calculations. The Hyperstar studies have only been
air-breathing core will be demonstrated in ground tests, conceptual, Reaction Engines said, not detailed
not a flight weight model. In February, Reaction Engines engineering projects. Skylon was designed for 15t
announced that it had completed its test programmes satellites at a time when large telecommunications
for two important SABRE subsystems: the HX3 heat spacecraft were a key customer for space launch.
exchanger and the engine pre-burner. SABRE stands Hyperstar has the same capacity but the customer
for synergetic air-breathing rocket engine and, while is expected to be an operator wanting to send a
Skylon was a single-stage-to-orbit (SSTO) concept number of smaller satellites as the trend towards
with a 15t payload capacity, the recent intra-European miniaturisation has finally come to satellites. In a
investigations have focused on a two-stage-to-orbit CNES/ONERA/Reaction Engines’ paper submitted
(TSTO) approach. to the European Conference for Aeronautics and
Skylon was the brainchild of UK propulsion company Aerospace Sciences, held in 2019, Hyperstar was
Reaction Engines, whose founder, Alan Bond, and his deemed a viable concept.
team, also designed the SABRE engine. Skylon would
use its engine’s air-breathing capability to carry less The launch market
fuel than a conventional rocket, which needs to keep
on board all of its propellant, giving it that SSTO ability. The most recent Hyperstar/SABRE study was
SABRE has a supersonic air intake that captures and completed in December last year. Carried out by
slows the incoming airflow which means it can operate ESA and Reaction Engines, it examined a TSTO for
beyond Mach 5 before having to change to rocket the launch market in the 2030s. Further studies
mode. While in air-breathing mode, the engine intake’s are expected, including by ONERA. For the 2020s,
pre-cooler cools in a fraction of a second that incoming Europe’s next expendable launcher, Ariane 6, will
air, whose 1,000°C temperature would otherwise melt serve the satellite market. Its first flight is planned for
the engine’s interior. This heat absorption allows SABRE the second quarter of 2022. ONERA views Hyperstar
to operate at higher speeds than existing propulsion as ‘too innovative’ to be able to be compared with SABRE HAS A
systems and the heat absorbed by the pre-cooler Ariane 6 and sees SABRE as the biggest technical
SUPERSONIC
is recycled to help power the engine, reducing fuel challenge for the spaceplane. However, while all these
consumption. studies have been ongoing, SpaceX has already
AIR INTAKE
shown the viability of vertical launch with reusable first THAT CAPTURES
Hyperstar stages and it is now working on its Saturn V scale AND SLOWS
reusable Starship rocket. THE INCOMING
The European TSTO concept, known as Hyperstar, Reaction Engines’ Business Development and AIRFLOW WHICH
uses SABRE in the same way but would launch Strategy Executive, Oliver Nailard, sees Starship MEANS IT CAN
a second stage from its payload bay. Since 2017, and its huge 100t plus payload capacity as good for
SABRE-powered TSTO concepts have been initially deploying a mega-constellation but overkill for
OPERATE BEYOND
examined by the European Space Agency (ESA) and replenishing it, leaving a niche for SABRE-powered MACH 5 BEFORE
the UK and French space and aerospace research spaceplanes. ESA, meanwhile is also developing HAVING TO
agencies, along with European launch provider reusable rocket technology, namely its Themis CHANGE TO
Arianespace. Under the studies with the French reusable methane-fuelled first stage. ROCKET MODE
APRIL 2021 11Transmission
LETTERS AND ONLINE @aerosociety i Find us on LinkedIn f Find us on Facebook www.aerosociety.com
Integrated Propeller Plane design critique
I was pleased to see my bending loads as there is
Conseil et Technique
comments on the Hybrid- no alleviation from the fuel
Electric Trijet published weight.
in the March issue of (ii) Increased undercarriage
AEROSPACE(1). However, and fuselage landing loads,
I was surprised to see a including spin-up and spring-
similar proposal for the back, as the landing weight
Integrated Propeller Plane will be the same as the
(IP2) on pages 4-5(2) which MTOW of 75,000kg (there
will have some of the same is no change in mass from
issues, especially the very a chemical reaction, i.e. the
tall undercarriage and battery weight is constant at
rear ‘propulsor’, for which 20,000kg).
the following points need (iii) The underfloor batteries
consideration: will require, heavy fire and
- The rear propulsor, even with French engineering and design consultancy Conseil et Technique’s concept for the Integrated
fume protection, plus a
contra-rotating fans, must Propeller Plane (IP2) electric-powered zero-emissions airliner.
cooling system. As the weight
surely be considered as a of a battery-powered aircraft
single engine which clearly does not reduce in flight it
will not meet certification to the fuselage is not clear 3metres,. The centrifugal the uncontained fan blade will be restricted to the lower,
requirements, as the but appears to be at three forces and bearing/roller trajectory does not pass bumpy and less efficient, flight
fragments from a failed fan points, the tail bumper and velocity will be exceedingly through the cockpit area. levels for the flight duration.
rotor will take out the second forward empennage, which is high. Removing 20,000kg of fuel,
rotor. structurally inadequate for the - Fuselages are not reinforced mainly from the wing, and As with the Hybrid-Electric
- Uncontained fragments from nacelle and the aft attachment for uncontained fan blade replacing it with 20,000kg of Trijet, the forward section
failed rotor blade(s) could of the empennage. failure, so there is no batteries in the fuselage will looks quite good.
severely damage, or remove, - The rotors and electric weight saving for the rear result in a tremendous weight
the empennage. motors seem to be rotating on mounting of the propulsor. penalty due to: Peter Gambardella
- The nacelle attachment a very large diameter, possibly The requirement is that (i) Increased wing shear/ MRAeS
.
Farnborough wind tunnels UK airline pilots left in lurch after Brexit
I was most interested to The government’s decision to and pilots for many years a European licence. With
Wambampram/Wikipedia
read the Winds of Change leave the EASA partnership since the decision to leave the prospects of growth
article in the March edition has, and will have, a huge the EU was confirmed; the and activity in UK airlines
of AEROSPACE(3), in which impact on the recovery of UK CAA were unable to looking gloomy, it appears the
Brian Riddle gave us an our already fragile industry provide any clear information government has done little
excellent review of the early for many years to come. As about what lay ahead, as more than create a huge pool
part of the 150 year history of a UK CAA APTL holder, nothing had been decided of professional pilots that are
wind tunnels around the world. this concerns me greatly. or agreed. This led to many now a burden on the state,
Your readers may like to know We have seen the past year airlines spurning UK Licences not to mention the many
that, through the efforts of the have huge implications and in favour of safer EASA trainee pilots in UK ATOs
Farnborough Air Sciences consequences for airlines, options. A great many of my on the brink of obtaining
Trust (FAST), the 24ft wind aerospace engineers and colleagues and I optimistically an equally restricting (and
tunnel in Building Q 121 at professional pilots alike. held onto our UK licences in tremendously expensive)
The main wind turbine fan in the hope that an agreement
Farnborough, which opened in Membership of EASA does qualification. I wonder how
Farnborough building Q121. would be reached. Right
1935 and was in full-time use not require membership with the government plans to
up to 1996, is now preserved the EU, as demonstrated by before the Christmas closure, steer the country through the
recent years and are expected
as a Grade One listed building. Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein and after many of the transfer stormy conditions ahead for
to restart after 17 May when
Similarly, the later Supersonic and Switzerland, so why has deadlines had passed, it was the aviation industry? Will we
the government lockdown
and Transonic wind tunnels our membership to EASA confirmed that the UK would see more of the industry’s big
restrictions are lifted.
in Building R 133 have also been stripped as part of the leave EASA: a significant UK players, such as Airbus,
Bookings can then be made
been listed as Grade One, Brexit deal? What has the implication, that meant many easyJet, Rolls-Royce, IAG,
by visiting the FAST website at
while the tunnel in Building R government (and importantly thousands of UK licences etc, move operations onto the
www.airsciences.org.uk
52 has been listed as Grade the aviation industry in Britain) would be worthless within continent? Is this all worth it
Two. Guided visits to these gained? The lack of clarity on the EU overnight. The only for a blue passport?
Sir Donald Spiers
tunnels have been possible in the matter has been a key option on the table now is
HonFRAeS
issue of concern for airlines to apply from scratch for N N Patel
12 AEROSPACEi
.
Aviation success story Appeal for Vulcan museum
Nigel Rosendale Great
Naveed Kapadia
VTST
article. I feel like I’ve just read
about me in this. The single
Comanche was a magnificent
aircraft for its time. But trying
to sync in the props on full
go, the twin makes some
beautiful noise on take-off.
History of wind tunnels
Alex Liberson [On History Naveed Kapadia Was a
of wind tunnels(3)] Interesting while back... I think it was a
but a little lacking in detail, Stephen Fontinelle [On Piper PA-30 Twin Comanche
no mention of Bristol’s wind Naveed Kapadia Careers in B , at EGTK - Oxford. Thank
tunnel history from 1919 to Aerospace blog on how to you Royal Aeronautical The Vulcan to the Sky Trust (VTST) has launched a £4m
the present day. succeed as a business leader Society for featuring me. appeal to enable it to build a hangar at Doncaster Sheffield
in the aviation sector(6)] Love There are some amazing Airport which will be used to exhibit the preserved Vulcan
this... well done buddy. colleagues and career case bomber XH558. To be called The Vulcan Experience, the
Doug Greenwell It would be studies on the website hangar will also incorporate the Green Technology Hub,
nice to have a decent history and plenty of examples of designed to inspire young people to become the engineers
of UK wind tunnels. NASA Martin Robinson Glad to resilience in the face of who will devise the technical solutions to the global climate
has put a lot of effort over see you in a cockpit! Looks adversity. The team has done challenge. For more details see https://vulcantothesky.org/
the years into documenting like a twin com. a remarkable job. Thank you. executive-alliance/
its tunnel stories, eg NASA
SP-440, but the only book in
RAeS lectures online
the UK of similar scope (that
I know of) is Mike Dobson’s From the RAeS photo archives @Nickel23Matt There is
‘Wind Beneath the Wings’ on some amazingly good content
RAeS/NAL
the RAE Bedford tunnels. being put online and freely
available. I think the bar has
Chinese drone tests On 13 March the RAeS been set for the future!
Pakistan Division held an online
CAAC
‘aviation school’ outreach/
STEM session via Zoom.
@jonititan I really hope these
are all going on YouTube
afterwards as I now count
three @AeroSociety branch
lectures happening at the
same time today.
In December 2007, Drone DJ
reported that the Civil Aviation
Administration of China had
Drone threat to aircraft
conducted collision tests in
Close-up of the cylinders making up a Bristol Taurus exaggerated?
which a cockpit mock-up was Parachute update
14-cylinder, two-row radial engine of around 1,100hp. Its
launched at a stationary drone.
sleeve valve design gave it an uncluttered exterior, low @AviationVincent [On
@al_brock I wonder if
Sweyn Alsopout [On mechanical noise, relatively low weight and compactness. drone vs aircraft impact tests(4)]
anyone is offering a lecture
drone collision tests(4)] Higher Due to its protracted development and reliability problems, Most UTM operations are
on current parachute
fidelity and perhaps more engine deliveries did not start until just before WW2 and below 400 feet so maybe this
technologies? Any recent
representative tests were it was only used in two production aircraft, the Fairey is overestimating the risks
Heinrich course graduates or
done a while ago in China(5). Albacore and Bristol Beaufort, both torpedo bombers. somewhat. The ‘?’ is indeed a ?
lecturers?
1. AEROSPACE, March 2021, p 12, Transmission
2. AEROSPACE, March 2021, p 4, Blueprint
3. AEROSPACE, March 2021, p 14, Winds of change
4. https://www.aerosociety.com/news/fatal-impact/
5. https://dronedj.com/2017/12/29/chinese-test-drone-airplane-collision/
6. https://www.careersinaerospace.com/aero-stories/naveed-kapadia-founder-managing-director-of-inquisitif-an-aviation-business-management-consultancy/
7. https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/play/IgxJ1ZNYeNMCyWnF5_gk4E4ffbecCshuidQC1pn1s6ENDydmauveH1DZ-7JwQfaGJprgOXgpQ8IEOIxp.lfmHzGkD_
sPNuq5R?autoplay=true
@aerosociety i linkedin.com/raes f facebook.com/raes www.aerosociety.com APRIL 2021 13AIR TRANSPORT
Pilot training reset
British Airways
Airline pilot training
Time to revisit the basics?
Captain JOHN LEAHY and Captain ROBERT SCOTT from the RAeS Flight Operations
Group, argue that the Covid-19 pause in air transport provides a once-in-a-generation
opportunity to reset airline pilot training to better meet the challenges of more
automated aircraft and skill fade.
M
any recent airline accidents have with less flight time on real aircraft, less exposure
shown clear evidence of a common to the resultant stress of actual flight and much of
cause, whether from fatal crashes it, computer-based. Simulator time is reduced in
or devastating hull losses without many cases to the minimum required to achieve
fatalities. That common cause is the certification requirements. Among the drivers for these
inability of the pilots, in far too many cases, to cope reductions have been better automation and more
with the situation they have faced. Sometimes it was reliable warning systems, resulting in aircraft that are
when the automatic systems failed, requiring them to considered to be easier to fly. Currently, pilot training is
fly manually. In others, they were trying to deal with a combination of mastery of basic handling skills and
what should have been a relatively benign situation the ability to manage complex automated systems,
and they simply did not cope. with an increasing emphasis on the latter. Thus,
Members of the Flight Operations Group (FOG) although management of automation has improved,
of the Royal Aeronautical Society (RAeS) have less and less time is now spent on developing and
been studying these matters for some time but maintaining the basic skills that are so necessary
individually, rather than as a group, with a common when automation fails or causes confusion.
purpose. The members came together recently to This article is intended to bring to the attention of
discuss the reintroduction of the 737 MAX and pilots, regulators, airline executives, flight operations
what sort of training would be needed to achieve the managers, ab initio training schools and safety
best outcome. It very quickly became apparent that management teams that, in our view, change is
concerns about training standards on the 737 MAX needed and needed now. ICAO has set a target of
were not restricted to that aircraft alone. It was obvious 2030 to achieve zero fatalities. That was reached for
that there is a need to review the way that pilots are jet-powered commercial aircraft in 2017 but, since
trained to fly all types of public transport aircraft. then, the accident rate has increased again, with loss
Pilot training has changed greatly, particularly of control being a frequent cause. It seems clear from
in the last two decades. It is shorter in duration, accident and incident reports that some pilots are not
14 AEROSPACEbeing trained to a sufficiently high standard to manage Of particular concern was the fact that a high
their aircraft in anything much more than routine percentage of the few accidents that were occurring
circumstances. Even the slightest deviations from the fell into one category, Loss of Control in Flight (LOC-I).
norm have resulted in aircraft accidents that should Nothing to do with extraordinary and demanding
have been totally avoidable. circumstances but instead the pilots’ failure to
Of major concern is the fact that ‘loss of control cope with the most fundamental activity, that of
in flight’ has been the number one cause of fatalities being capable of using the aircraft flight controls to
in aircraft accidents for many years, yet the training manage the flight path of the aircraft. Although the
required to address this most fundamental pilot activity actual loss of control was sometimes triggered by
is obviously not being carried out to the extent that it external factors, such as adverse weather, it was often
should. A strong safety culture with an emphasis on compounded by human factors, such as poor decision-
pilot performance excellence must be supported at making, technology mode confusion, poor manual
the highest level in any airline, whatever the perceived handling skills and inadequate communications
financial costs. between the pilots. In almost all cases, LOC-I resulted
Due to the Covid pause that has hit in a non-survivable accident.
the airline industry so hard, there is time This situation still prevails, so it is
available to do something before aviation appropriate to ask the question, ‘How
recovers to 2019 levels which is forecast is the risk evaluated and thus the
to take three or more years. We view this amount of training which is considered
as a great opportunity to start making the appropriate?’ It would appear that,
improvements that are so necessary in in some airlines, the industry’s low
A STRONG
the field of airline pilot training. accident rate equates to a low risk and
This article addresses what appear SAFETY thus any training that extends beyond
to be significant shortcomings in the CULTURE WITH satisfying regulatory requirements and
way that some airline pilots are trained AN EMPHASIS the recommendations of the original
today. However, it also acknowledges equipment manufacturer (OEM) is an
the significant contribution to aviation
ON PILOT unnecessary expense. This completely
safety that is made by so many within the PERFORMANCE overlooks the fact that the decision may
aviation industry on a daily basis. EXCELLENCE then restrict the knowledge and skills of
MUST BE the pilots concerned to a narrow range
A history of LOC-I and make it extremely difficult for them
SUPPORTED AT to cope with unforeseen events.
Commercial aviation safety has shown THE HIGHEST On the other hand, it should be
a massive and welcome improvement LEVEL IN noted that there have been a significant
since the 50s and 60s when aircraft number of serious incidents over
ANY AIRLINE,
accidents were more frequent. The the years that were only prevented
industry has always endeavoured to learn WHATEVER THE from becoming tragic accidents by
from the causes of every accident and PERCEIVED the successful actions of the pilots,
to implement solutions. 2017 saw no FINANCIAL who demonstrated competence
fatalities worldwide on large commercial and professionalism that could only
aircraft. Compared with 20 years earlier,
COSTS have been the product of sound
when 2,500 fatalities per annum were training where basic handling skills
commonplace, this is commendable. It might have were considered to be a fundamental requirement
been thought that we had reached a state of near to operating an aircraft, regardless of its technical
perfection in aviation safety. Advances in technology sophistication. In these instances, the pilots were
appeared to be making up for shortcomings in pilots’ faced with extraordinary challenges, yet succeeded in
abilities. The new training model, whereby advances mitigating the outcomes.
in technology enabled much-reduced pilot training
programmes – a significant selling point for aircraft Some landmark examples are shown below:
manufacturers and eagerly embraced by airlines –
● Boeing 747-200 – Near Jakarta – June 1982 –
seemed to be working.
Four engine flameout due to volcanic ash;
However, some aviation safety professionals
were concerned that this apparent improvement in ● McDonnell Douglas DC10 – Sioux City – July
flight safety may be concealing a disturbing trend. 1989 – Uncontained tail-mounted engine failure
Serious incidents were still occurring, some of which and multiple systems failures;
were only prevented from becoming fatal accidents ● Airbus A320 – Hudson River, New York – January
by happenstance and a measure of luck. However, 2009 – Bird strike and subsequent ditching;
because the incidents did not result in fatalities, they ● Airbus A380 – Singapore – November 2010 –
were not widely reported and nor did they affect the Uncontained engine failure and multiple systems
accident statistics. failure.
APRIL 2021 15AIR TRANSPORT
Pilot training reset
A wide disparity in standards of regulatory approval, that their regulators are
competent and would never permit standards to fall
Why is it that some airlines have an excellent safety below a safe level. In most cases that is true but,
record over many decades while others do not? It is to believe that standards are universal is incorrect
the view of the group that this is not just a matter of because we know from experience that they are
IN THIS MODERN luck. It is abundantly clear, from our many years of not homogeneous across all borders and nor are
working in the industry, that some airlines set a high regulatory authorities infallible.
AGE THERE standard that far exceeds the minimum required by Indeed, even the FAA has been castigated
REALLY IS NO the regulations. This may include such measures publicly in the US by a Congressional Enquiry and
EXCUSE FOR as only recruiting superior candidates from the best one can conclude that if the FAA can be found
training colleges and training them to the highest wanting, others may too. The Final Committee
FAILING TO standards, not only at the entry stage but on an Report: BOEING 737 MAX by Congress in October
TRAIN PILOTS ongoing basis during their time with the airline. Yes, 2020 stated in its conclusion: ‘Traditionally, the FAA
PROPERLY the cost is higher but, to coin an old phrase: ‘If you has been the primary leader of the world’s civilian
think training is expensive, try having an accident’! aviation authorities, but questions raised about the
At the other end of the scale, some operators FAA’s role in the 737 MAX crisis have punctured its
struggle to even reach the bar set by the regulators, reputation as the gold standard in aviation safety and
exemplified by the number of airlines that are unable international civil aviation authorities.’
to satisfy the accepted standards and end up on The FOG is concerned about the wide disparity
the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) or the in safety standards of airlines, and of their pilots,
European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) together with a similar disparity in regulators
banned airline list. and regulatory oversight. Alignment of training
The situation is complicated by the fact that there methodology on a global scale will lead to better
are different training methods in use globally and exchanges of ideas and understanding of each
there is not universal agreement on which ones are other’s operational challenges and an overall increase
better than others. In some cases, culture influences in operating standards.
the decisions on which ones to use, while in others
the decision can be financial or even based on the The decline of essential skills
recommendations of regulators or OEMs. Tools,
such as AQP, CBTA, MPL and EBT are popular in Forty years ago, technology was changing at a
the industry, though have gained different traction fast rate, which resulted in accidents due to a poor
in different operating environments. There is no understanding of that technology. Over time, a
shortage of good ideas plus a genuine desire on focus on managing the technical capabilities of the
the part of many to train to the highest standards, aircraft assumed greater emphasis than teaching
yet some airlines stick to training to the minimum the traditional basic handling skills. This was a major
standards commensurate with incurring the least change in the demands placed on pilots but made
costs. good use of the new efficiencies of modern aircraft.
There is a view held by many, including board However, we would argue this left us with a deficit
members of some airlines, that what keeps the world of basic skills which should be the foundation stone
of aviation safe is a robust and uniform international on which other skills are built, those that lie dormant
system of regulation. If that is satisfied, they believe, most of the time but assume immense importance
their airlines can operate safely under that umbrella when the technology fails and the pilots need to
CAE
CAE pilot training
simulators.
16 AEROSPACEdeal with an aircraft that is exhibiting unfamiliar and outside the control of the management team, so the
challenging handling characteristics. focus can move to other areas, including pilot training.
In the event of an aircraft accident, it is sometimes Unless senior management prioritise the need for
tempting to attribute the cause to some failure of the the highest standards of training, it may be tempting
pilots to perform to the standard expected of them. to make cuts to the training budget. This may be
This may shroud other factors behind the events done on the basis that ‘improvements’ in automation,
which led to the accident. As the complexity of the simulation and smarter training techniques permit this
operating environment increases, the demands to be done without compromising safety. This group
placed on the pilots also increases. While automation challenges that notion. This reduction in training does
has relieved pilots of many routine handling tasks, not encourage the development and maintenance of
essential skills have declined through lack of practice the skills and knowledge that are essential to safely
and may not be present when needed, such as when and competently operate today’s complex aircraft,
workload increases dramatically. Typically, this can something that is borne out by those accident reports
occur when pilots are distracted by events, particularly that cite lack of pilot ability as a major causal factor.
those known to exhibit ‘startle’ characteristics. Unless Good training may be more expensive but it
the pilots have a solid foundation of should be viewed as an essential
training that enables them to easily investment in safety. The loss of an
control the aircraft while they deal with aircraft, passengers and crew is not only
any abnormalities that are occurring, a financial loss but a dreadful human
the outcome will be compromised. tragedy, especially when the accident
Unfortunately, accident reports indicate was avoidable. Aircraft manufacturers
that, in far too many instances, the pilots have developed amazing aircraft over the
struggle to identify the problem and
FLYING IS NOT years, that contribute enormously to the
decide on the correct course of action, INHERENTLY safety and financial success of the airline
all while trying to control an aircraft in DANGEROUS, industry. However, this has resulted in
circumstances that are totally different BUT TO AN a situation where, as the complexity of
to the ones they have become used to in aircraft and their operating environment
regular training sessions. EVEN GREATER have increased, arguably the quality of
EXTENT THAN training has decreased. The automation
The consequences THE SEA, IT that is meant to ease the challenges
of operating complex aircraft has to be
IS TERRIBLY
The current accident rate is relatively matched by pilot competency which is
low compared to the past and it could UNFORGIVING lacking at times.
be assumed that all is well in the OF THE LEAST In this modern age there really is no
industry. However, it is not the number ERROR excuse for failing to train pilots properly.
of accidents that is at issue here; it is The standards are clearly established
the fact that so many of them were FAA and adhered to by the more responsible
avoidable, had the pilots used basic Human Error airlines who recognise that a poorly
skills to recover from the situations they in commercial trained pilot has the potential to be an
found themselves in. The lack of these aviation accidents: enormous liability. Pilots do not set out
skills raises the question – were the DOT/FAA/AM- to cause accidents and are often the
skills ever in place or is this evidence of 06/18 victims themselves of management
skill fade, due to an over-reliance on the decisions to shortcut recruitment and
automatics? training methods. In this technology-
There are undoubtedly some excellent flying driven and innovative age, there are many ways to
training schools that deliver first rate graduates. control the high costs of pilot training. Part-task
However, some pilots can undergo inadequate ab training devices, and other proven tools, provided in
initio training courses with the emphasis on getting an efficient training environment, can go a long way
them through quickly and as inexpensively as possible. towards consolidating a pilot’s knowledge and skills.
Thus, they start their careers poorly prepared for the The aim is not necessarily more training but better
challenges of converting on to larger, more complex training.
aircraft in an airline setting which, in turn, is often Training methods vary and different airlines may
carried out in accordance with a significantly reduced jealously guard their preferred ways of achieving the
airline training model. Unless these pilots can enjoy required standards. The FOG does not mandate any
rigorous training within the airline they have joined, particular training methods but merely wishes to see
they will remain at a severe disadvantage as far as all airlines strive to achieve an equal and universal
skills and knowledge are concerned. standard of excellence that ensures the highest
All airlines operate in a very challenging financial standards of pilot competency.
environment. There is always pressure to reduce This, and only this, will stop the needless loss of
costs. Fuel costs and engineering costs are largely lives and aircraft.
APRIL 2021 17You can also read
