CONFIDENTIAL
CONFIDENTIAL
easyJet
Check Flight Management
9 February 2011
CONFIDENTIAL
Check Flight Management
• easyJet overview
• Check Flight requirement
• easyJet Events
• Internal issues
• Changes made
• Summary
CONFIDENTIAL
easyJet Overview
• Low Cost Operator
• Bases
 11 UK
 6 Rest of Europe (CDG, ORY, MAD, SXF, MXP, LYS)
• Crew numbers
 2000 Flight Deck
 5500 Cabin Crew
• Types
 A319
 A320
 B737-700
• Network
 109 Destinations
 500 routes
 27 Countries
159
37
8>2
CONFIDENTIAL
Check Flight Management
CONFIDENTIAL
Check Flight requirement
• Boeing Fleet
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Started as B737-300 operator
Merged with ‘Go’ BA-funded low cost B733 operator
Converted to all B737-700 operator
Now being phased out, last 8 reducing to 2 until 2012
• Airbus Fleet
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195 deliveries with more orders & options announced
Plans for 220+ aircraft fleet
Bought GB Airways BA Franchise - A320/321 Operator (16)
Lease & ex-GB aircraft being disposed/EOL
14 EZS aircraft
Original aircraft now reaching EOL
CONFIDENTIAL
EZY Boeing Event
• POSITIONING FLIGHT:
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B737-700
End-of-lease
“Shakedown” performed on positioning flight
Manual Reversion needed 11.5 turns UP
Noted in Check Flight documentation
Not recorded in Tech Log as within limits
Engineering used data provided to correct StabTrim
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EZY Boeing Event
• ACTUAL FLIGHT:
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EZY Customer Demonstration schedule flown
Flight combined AMM tasks with Demo
Including Manual Reversion
Customer Airline reps on flight
Limited training for F/O
• Previous event:
• CAA recognition
• Subsequent event:
• AMM vs. CDFS
CONFIDENTIAL
EZY Boeing Event
• Manual Reversion check:
• With STAB TRIM, AP TRIM & FLT CONTROL switches
OFF:
• Dramatic nose-down pitch
• Full back stick gave -3100fpm
• Aircraft rolled to 60 degs AOB & control column
released (CAA Check Flight Handbook)
• FLT CONTROL switches “reinstated”
• Still pitching down: 30 deg ND, 447kts, -20000fpm
• PAN declared
• Now IMC at 5600ft AMSL
• FLT CONTROL found OFF and now selected ON
CONFIDENTIAL
EZY Event
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EZY Event
• UK Air Accidents Investigation Board report:
• http://www.aaib.gov.uk/sites/aaib/publications/bulletin
s/september_2010/boeing_737_73v__g_ezjk.cfm
CONFIDENTIAL
What went wrong?
• Internally:
Lack of supervision or oversight
Single Capt running Boeing Check Flights
CAA procedures followed rather than AMM
Combined AMM & Customer flight
• Externally:
No regulatory requirements
No guidance on Demo flights
E&M handling of reports
No formal debrief with Maintenance
CONFIDENTIAL
What was changed:
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Internal Safety Investigation
AAIB investigation
Check Flight Cell created
Oversight & supervision process developed
Check Flight Manual created
Training & Currency requirements specified
Crew requirements specified
CDFS schedules redefined & derisked
All Airbus Crew attended Airbus Course
All flights authorised through ENG & Flt Ops
CONFIDENTIAL
CAA FODCOM:
CAA Check Flight Definitions:
a) Check Flight. A post-certification flight carried out as one of the
processes to ensure that the aircraft continues to comply with the
applicable airworthiness requirements.
b) Elective Check Flight. A Check Flight required by the operator, e.g.
to fulfil part of the end of lease conditions.
c) Maintenance Check Flight. A Check Flight carried out after
maintenance on an aircraft to provide reassurance of performance or
establish the correct functioning of a system that cannot be fully
established during ground checks.
d) Mandated Check Flight. A Check Flight mandated by the CAA mainly
associated with the issue of a Certificate of Airworthiness (C of A) for
used aircraft imported from outside the European Union.
CONFIDENTIAL
Check Flight Supplement:
1.
Definitions
2.
Organisation & Responsibilities
3.
Check Flight Schedules
4.
Check Flight Crew Requirements
5.
Preparation for, and conduct of, the Check Flight
CONFIDENTIAL
Check Flight Supplement:
Appendix A
Appendix B
Appendix C
Appendix D
Appendix E
Appendix F
Appendix G
Appendix H
Appendix I
Authorised Crews
CAA Check Flight Handbook
Airbus Check Flight Schedules
C.1
CAA CFS 246 (A319/320/321 – CFM)
C.2
CAA CFS 275 (A319/320/321 – IAE)
C.3
Airbus SA-ISATM
C.4
Airbus New Aircraft Acceptance
Boeing Check Flight Schedules
D.1
CAA CFS 314 (Boeing 737-700)
D.2
easyJet B737 Demo Schedule
Check Flight Authorisation Checklist EZF-001
Check Flight Technical Request and Authorisation Form
Airbus Simulator profile
Boeing Simulator profile
Crew Selection
CONFIDENTIAL
Airline issues:
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Issues exist now
Commercial pressures (not core business)
Availability of Crews
Location of Check Flight
Positioning of Crews
Airspace
Engineering delays
CONFIDENTIAL
Airline issues:
• TFE = ideal scenario
• External observer (3rd seat):
Type of Check Flight
Crew
Maintenance
3
Elective CDFS
2 + Approved Observer
Elective other
3 (2 with HOAO approval)
CAA mandated
3
• NEVER ideal conditions!
CONFIDENTIAL
EZY Airbus Event
• Event occurred after new processes:
 New Capt in Check Flight Cell
 A320 IS-ATM
 Low speed check
 Conf Clean all satisfactory
 Conf Full...
CONFIDENTIAL
EZY Airbus Event
CONF FULL
Table VMIN 106kts
PFD VMIN 98kts
Buffet felt at 101kts
Full back stick not reached
Table
Actual
CONFIDENTIAL
EZY Airbus Event
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Check Flight abandoned
Airbus consulted
FDM data downloaded & analysed
AoA values frozen
3 x AoA gauges changed
Successful refly
• Crew had completed Airbus Course
• Capt very capable
• Correct procedures followed
CONFIDENTIAL
Further changes:
• Guidance from Regulator:
Regulation not appropriate
Guidance on Demo flight schedules
General oversight of process
Recognise Operator’s current processes
Recognise Course
CONFIDENTIAL
Further changes:
• Support from Manufacturers
Demo flight schedule updates
Manufacturers Courses
Continuous dialogue
Best practice from experts
• Support Airbus actions:
 IS-ATM to Airlines
 Technical Flight course
 Continual support & dialogue
CONFIDENTIAL
Summary
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High exposure due to Fleet changes
Lack of internal & external regulation
Internal changes implemented
Right Crews & training are key to
success
• Demonstrated value of correct
processes
• But learnt the hard way!
CONFIDENTIAL
Summary