Daniel Baker

In January, a door plug issue on an Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 MAX 9 led to increased scrutiny and a second grounding order from the FAA. This situation prompted Boeing to address the problem and improve their safety and quality practices. Boeing has developed a comprehensive Product Safety and Quality Plan to tackle these challenges. Key actions in the plan include: 1. Enhanced Safety Management System (SMS): Boeing is improving its safety reporting system and ensuring all work is completed before moving aircraft to the next production stage. 2. Simplified Processes: The company is streamlining its procedures to make them clearer and easier to follow. 3. Better Supply Chain Oversight: Boeing is intensifying its monitoring of suppliers to ensure parts meet safety standards. 4. Expanded Training: Additional training is being provided to new and existing employees to boost their skills and knowledge. 5. Improved Production Compliance: Boeing is focusing on key areas like debris control and adherence to work instructions, with enhanced daily reviews and audits. 6. Increased Employee Engagement: Boeing is fostering a stronger safety culture through regular quality reviews and involvement teams. 7. Refined Installation Instructions: The company is simplifying complex work instructions to improve safety and clarity. The FAA has reviewed Boeing’s new plan and expressed confidence in the company's commitment to safety. Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg has decided to work from Seattle to stay close to production and development efforts. These steps position Boeing to enhance its safety practices and restore its reputation in aviation. #aviation #aircraft #boeing #airbus #mro #airline #overhaul #FrontierAirlines #TravelDeals #AviationNews #AirlineIndustry #TravelMore #FlightDeals #LowCostTravel #ExploreMore #MRO #Wanderlust #CheapFlights #EngineAviation #BusinessTravel #VacationMode #Traveling #AirportLife #JetSetter

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🚀 Exciting News from the FAA and Boeing! 🚀 The FAA has proposed a new airworthiness directive (AD) that reflects ongoing commitment to safety and quality in the aviation industry. This proposal addresses recent insights into the manufacturing process of the Boeing 787 main landing gear (MLG) and highlights Boeing’s proactive steps in ensuring the highest standards of airworthiness. 📌 Key Points: - Enhanced Safety Measures: The proposed AD follows Boeing’s report on a missed inspection during the production of four drag brace lower link assemblies. The FAA's swift action underscores the industry’s dedication to rigorous safety protocols. - Comprehensive Coverage: Although the initial bulletin targeted specific aircraft line numbers, the FAA's directive will include all Boeing 787-8, 787-9, and 787-10 models. This ensures comprehensive safety oversight across the fleet. - Proactive Measures: The directive is based on Boeing’s November 2023 alert, with no in-service incidents reported. It involves inspections or records checks, which are expected to be efficient and cost-effective, with potential expenses covered under warranty. 🛠️ Looking Ahead: Boeing continues to uphold its commitment to safety and transparency, ensuring that any potential issues are addressed promptly. The FAA's proactive stance exemplifies the collaborative effort between regulators and manufacturers to maintain the highest safety standards in aviation. 🗓️ Get Involved: Stakeholders are invited to provide feedback on the proposed rulemaking until September 16. This is a great opportunity to contribute to the ongoing enhancement of aviation safety. Together, we’re flying towards an even safer future! ✈️ #Aviation #SafetyFirst #FAA #Boeing #AircraftMaintenance #Innovation #QualityAssurance #AviationSafety #aviation #aircraft #boeing #airbus #mro #airline #overhaul #FrontierAirlines #TravelDeals #AviationNews #AirlineIndustry #TravelMore #FlightDeals #LowCostTravel #ExploreMore #MRO #Wanderlust #CheapFlights #EngineAviation #BusinessTravel #VacationMode #Traveling #AirportLife #JetSetter

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A little of what I learned during these years at sea... Spending weeks confined in a space the size of a 2-car garage, sleeping in 3-hours shifts, sharing this tiny space with 7 other people, seems like an extremely painful experience. Based on what I've experienced, I can say that it can actually be very enjoyable and enriching. What makes the difference between whether it's positive or negative? For me at least, it's never been just about coming in first. Of course the result is important, but I can assure you that I've enjoyed many cruising in an exceptional way where I didn't even see the podium colors. I think that the main reason why this experience is enriching or a complete waste of time has to do with who's in charge of the boat and his characteristics. For several years I've been interested in making a list of the characteristics that make an ocean sailboat Captain stand out positively from the crowd. Every year the list below grows by one or two lines, but what really strikes me is the similarity between the characteristics required for an Ocean Captain and a Leader. I don't know if there is another sport that exhibits such a similarity. Perhaps this is one of the reasons why we see so many Business Managers in the world of sailing and the growth of “team-building” courses on board sailboats. Here is the list I have made, so far... 1. Clear and precise communication; 2. Responsible delegation; 3. Operations in fluid boundaries; 4. Detailed and dynamic planning; 5. Dealing with the unexpected; 6. Maintaining a good atmosphere, even in stressful situations; 7. Making quick decisions, and being responsible for them; 8. Adapting personal profiles to each activitiy; 9. Flexibility to adapt to new conditions; 10. Consistent and constructive feedback; 11. Immediate problem-solving using creative, intuitive and logical thinking; 12. Patience and elegance, even and especially in moments of high tension; 13. Strategic and tactical thinking; 14. Mutual trust; 15. Rationalization of resources; 16. Being vigilant to competitors and changes in the environment, always anticipating; 17. Encouraging members and the team to achieve their full potential; 18. Adapting the leadership style to the moment; 19. Humbleness and transparency; 20. Risk and uncertainty management; 21. Maintaining team motivation; 22. Conflict resolution; 23. Teamwork. Sailing and Leading!

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Yesterday, President Biden signed the FAA reauthorization bill, marking a significant step forward in aviation innovation. This legislation includes a directive for the FAA and DOE to team up in crafting a national strategy for hydrogen aviation, including the certification of hydrogen-powered commercial aircraft. Proud to have collaborated with Senators Cantwell and Warnock, alongside Val Miftakhov, Todd Solomon, and Joe Britton in achieving this crucial victory. Here's to a future of carbon-free aviation! ✈️ #HydrogenAviation #hydrogennow

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It's all about safety: Last Thursday, the FAA launched an official communication titled: "FAA Continues to Hold Boeing Accountable for Implementing Safety and Production Quality Fixes | Federal Aviation Administration" https://lnkd.in/d969YVGz The article in a nutshell: The FAA continues to hold Boeing accountable for addressing safety and production quality issues following a comprehensive review of the company's action plan. This includes strengthening Boeing’s mandatory Safety Management System (see FAA communication dated 22.April also), simplifying processes, enhancing supplier oversight, and increasing employee training. The FAA says it has implemented increased oversight, including more safety inspectors and halting production expansion, and will conduct regular reviews to ensure Boeing’s compliance and effective implementation of changes. So the intention of the FAA’s efforts is clear: They aim to enforce a systemic change in Boeing's safety culture. And the list of measures listed in the release sound promising, covering many different areas. The question is whether they will finally achieve this: It will depend to the biggest extend on Boeing Top Management and if they REALLY implement a safety management system that works, throughout all levels of the hierarchy and across all areas of the company. Due to its importance, I would even see a control task not only for FAA but for the MoD and even the US government. And it will depend on FAA itself, whether it is capable and willing to exercise the necessary controls and - through effective audits and controls - force the system to work effectively. The last years have shown a big lack of control power by FAA in front of Boeing, so we can only hope the FAA will re-position itself again as the required independent regulatory and control instance. What do you estimate: After all that happened, how long will it take until airline passengers stop being afraid of sitting in a Boeing aircraft again? (see article: Some travelers are changing flights to avoid Boeing airplanes (nbcnews.com)) FAA Administrator Mike Whitaker said "Systemic change isn't easy but in this case is absolutely necessary, and the work is never really done when it comes to the safety of the flying public". Let me now your thoughts... #Safety #aviation #Boeing #FAA

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"We don't have jobs for BVLOS." On this inaugural post series of "De-myth-tifying the ConOp," I'll explain how, with a little math, you can discover cost effective alternatives to both manned aviation and multi rotors. Let's start with some assumptions. Helicopters cost $3250/hr (8 hour minimum) or $25,000/day. Average VLOS multirotor coverage is 1.76 square miles (based on .75 miles average flight radius). Sentaero 5 coverage is ~27.27 square miles (based on our clients' average 3 mile approval radius). Sentaero 5 costs $275/hr or $2500/day (no minimums). Therefore, within a ~40 square mile area, the Sentaero will have cost 1/12th that of a helicopter, while covering almost 23x more space than a multi rotor. Trimming small and expensive outliers, which of your jobs remain? I encourage you to run these numbers through your own bid list and see what makes sense. Need some help? Reach out! #BVLOS #inspection #Part107 #drones

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Spoofing has become a daily threat, so much so that some are becoming complacent. Like many things in aviation, complacency can lead to disaster. We need action instead. Spirent has published an actionable eBook for Airlines, OEMs, and avionics suppliers to understand and mitigate the operational and safety impacts of GPS spoofing. Download it here: https://okt.to/4LizFu #Aviation #airlines #airlines #GPS #spoofing #GNSS Spirent Communications

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After visiting over 130 airline operations control centers and working with 350+ airlines since 2002, I've come to a startling conclusion: the airline industry is stuck in a time warp, and not the fun Rocky Horror Picture Show kind. Picture this: It's 2024, and while you're booking your flight on a sleek smartphone app, behind the scenes, airlines are running on IT systems old enough to be your grandparents. One US airline's system could legally retire, another US airline's IT is experiencing a midlife crisis, and other US, European and Asian airlines might as well be powered by hamsters on wheels. But why change? After all, nothing says 'reliability' like a system that predates the moon landing, right? When disruptions hit, it's like watching a game of high-stakes whack-a-mole. Ops controllers juggle more screens than an octopus with ADHD, desperately seeking that one crucial piece of info hidden in the digital haystack. Meanwhile, management's go-to move? Blame the weather, ATC, or perhaps Mercury in retrograde. Anything but admitting their tech is older than most of their pilots' first solo flights. The irony? Airlines spend fortunes on planning optimization, crafting schedules so perfect they'd make Michelangelo weep. Then reality hits, and it all goes out the window faster than you can say 'delayed due to technical issues.' But hey, why fix what's (barely) working? Change is scary, especially when you've hired an army of system loyalists who'd rather wrestle a live bear than question the status quo. So next time you're stuck in an airport, watching the departure board light up like a Christmas tree of delays, remember: somewhere, in a dimly lit room, there's an overworked ops, crew and hub controller trying to save the day using #technology that remembers the Cold War. Welcome to the airline industry, where the only thing not taking off is progress. #leadership #aviation #innovation #airtravel

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Archer Aviation has announced plans to launch an air mobility network in Los Angeles by as early as 2026, reports a press release. The company seeks to change the way Southern California residents and visitors commute, travel and spend their free time. Adam Goldstein, CEO of Archer, commented, “This is a big moment for Archer. Establishing our LA network ahead of the global events that are coming to the region over the next three years is a milestone that will put Midnight on display for the whole world to see. LA is known for its horrendous traffic. Our goal is to offer a safer, faster and more sustainable alternative travel option.” Gavin Newsom, Governor of California, added, “The State is showing the world what’s possible when you embrace innovation, entrepreneurship, and clean energy to help solve your biggest challenges. Homegrown companies like Archer Aviation are pioneering the next generation of zero-emission transportation that will help California cut pollution, clean our air, and reduce traffic.” And Kevin Demoff, President of the Los Angeles Rams, remarked, “We are excited about the opportunity to bring Archer’s game-changing technology to Hollywood Park. This underscores our commitment to enhancing the guest experience as we continue to build this transformative global destination for sports and entertainment.” Read the full article on our blog. #AvfoilNews #ArcherAviation #AirMobility #UrbanAirMobility #MidnightAircraft #ElectricAviation #eVTOL #AviationInnovation #FutureOfTransport #ZeroEmissions #SustainableTravel #CaliforniaInnovation #GreenAviation #SmartCities #LosAngelesTraffic #SoFiStadium #HollywoodPark #AviationTechnology #AviationNews

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Valuable perspectives from Hemal on the current trends and challenges in the aircraft interiors market, and how we support sustainability and efficiency. #aviation #cabinSolutions

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Hangar rash or ground damage is not only a major issue in the insurance industry, it impacts aircraft owners/pilots, flight crew, clients and ground based companies. The damage to an aircraft, if not noticed, could even be life threatening. The SMARTug design affords the tug operator to move freely around the aircraft while towing to watch for obstructions. Although we advocate for additional help while maneuvering an aircraft, one of the wing walkers can be the tug operator too. In times when filling openings in your operations is challenging enough, we make it easier for your team to get the job done safely!

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Inflight view of a conceptual Alaska Airlines JetZero BWB (Blended Wing Body) airliner: Alaska Airlines has invested in the JetZero BWB program with options for future aircraft orders. JetZero is developing the first commercial BWB airplane as an alternative to today’s conventional ‘tube-and-wing’ designs. First flight of a prototype is expected in 2027. The BWB aircraft design integrates the wings and fuselage into a single shape, significantly reducing aerodynamic drag by 30%, providing additional lift, and also reducing the noise footprint. Due to an expected 50% fuel burn reduction, BWB operations should result in lower carbon emissions and to help Alaska Airlines’ goal of net-zero carbon emissions by 2040. JetZero’s proposed configuration is approximately the size of a Boeing 767 with a wingspan about the size of an Airbus A330. The aircraft is designed to integrate seamlessly into existing airport infrastructures, as its single-deck configuration fits existing runways and gates. Additionally, the aircraft’s passenger cabin will provide an atmosphere of enlarged space that will enable new innovative seating arrangements to enhance passenger comfort. Per design options, the cabin could be illuminated by overhead and front side windows, with many apertures in-between the structural elements that will saturate the area with light and space. Over 20-years ago Boeing Phantom Works developed a BWB design in which, passenger, cargo and military aerial tanker versions were studied. In cooperation with NASA, during 2007-2013 two remote-controlled sub-scale (21 ft. wingspan) Boeing X-48B/Cs were successfully flown to verify flight characteristics. Erik Simonsen Illustration

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“Building in the open” – I was told this is startup speak for sharing ideas, plans, and progress publicly on social media. For me, I find incredible value in tossing ideas out into the universe and seeing what happens. Sometimes the ideas are terrible (people will let you know), sometimes they are great (people will let you know), and sometimes information will come out of left field and change your world forever. As I said in my last post, we’ve committed to opening a “job shop.” Not only is it the logical first step towards our bigger vision, but it will also teach us a TON and allow us to fuel growth through cash flow. We’ve scraped together some seed money and are looking for angel investors to cover our startup costs. No salaries, just the two of us making parts. With that said, here are the technologies we’re considering: - Machines (min envelope of 30"x15"x20"): SYIL Machine Tools Inc, Haas Automation, Inc., DN Solutions America - Cutting Tools: Kennametal & Iscar Metals (love their high feed indexable tools) - Fixturing: SCHUNK USA, Pierson Workholding, and other good value options - ERP: ProShop ERP - Quoting: Paperless Parts - Machine Monitoring: Chatter.dev - CAD/CAM: Autodesk Fusion360 - CMM Programming: CAMIO We’ll round out our internal processes and knowledge management with help from GitLab, Notion, Slack, and ChatGPT. Curious to hear what people think of these... #CNC #Machining #Manufacturing #Reindustrialize #Startup (09-03-24 edit) - While the bootstrapping a Job Shop idea was a noble pursuit, we've decided that our best chance to chase our "pie in the sky" dream is to leverage VC investment and partners. https://lnkd.in/e3bbwVJJ

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Completeness & accuracy of flight data matters......check out our White Paper on how Collins Aerospace FlightAware's Neural Network produced predictions can enhance airport operations ✈

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Nice work on this white paper on the adoption of AI to power the growth of part, asset and plane lifecycle optimization tools. It’s always good to connect career friends like John Maggiore of Boeing AHM fame. From the white paper - “The industry has a group of startups that have been formed specifically to make things better and easier in the aircraft parts supply chain. While forming their chain, SkyThread realized that many industrial giants, digital firms, and others would build individual solutions to tackle one or more aspects of the business problem. Chuck Marx, Chief Strategy Officer for SkyThread notes “We built our chain to collaborate with all industry efforts to collect part ID data. This is called our chain of chains. All data are welcome as we tackle this industry issue around data sharing.”

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“We’re always balancing priorities and budgeting, but certainly the future is going to be in hybrid systems," says Prime Division Chief Lt. Col. Jonathan Gilbert.

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*I’m here to help* is more powerful than *I told you so* … “As the hype around electric-battery-powered aircraft begins to cool, hybrid-aircraft developers see vindication and an “I told you so” moment ahead.” 📰 Look below for the full article by Garrett Reim Aviation Week Network With the aviation industry continuing its shift towards hybrid electric solutions, Ampaire is here to help. Our solutions help #airlines, #aircraft OEMs, and #propulsion OEMs create #impact and earn market share. We help #communities build their #economies and alleviate aviation’s burdens.

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