Airbus has introduced a temporary revision to A321neo flight manuals intended to prevent the possibility of the aircraft reaching excessive pitch attitudes. The European Union Aviation Safety Agency has disclosed that the revision follows analysis of the re-engined type's elevator and aileron computer. It has not elaborated on the situation beyond stating that "excessive" pitch could occur under certain conditions and "during specific manoeuvres". EASA cautions that this could result in "reduced control" of the aircraft. Airbus has issued temporary revisions to the aircraft's flight manual incorporating operational limitations. EASA has ordered operators of the A321neo to amend the flight manuals accordingly, within 30 days.

Source: FlightGlobal

The largest US pilots' union and US lawmakers have urged civil aviation agency ICAO to review its global pilot training standards – requests coming in a wake of two deadly Boeing 737 Max crashes. In requesting the review, the Air Line Pilots Association and lawmakers have not taken heat off Boeing but have suggested better pilot training standards may be needed. Controversy about the degree to which pilot actions contributed to the crashes has simmered since the two accidents, as have questions about a fast-track ICAO commercial pilot license called the "multi-crew pilot license" (MPL).
"Recently I wrote a letter to… the secretary general of the International Civil Aviation Organisation asking for a global review of pilot training qualification standards," ALPA president Joe DePete told lawmakers on 17 July during a House Transportation Committee aviation safety hearing.

Source: FlighGlobal

American Airlines' mechanics unions have urged the Federal Aviation Administration to assign additional inspectors to the carrier, saying a recent court order potentially threatens the safety of American's operation. The FAA confirms it is more closely watching American due to its dispute with the TWU-IAM Association, which represents the carrier's mechanics and other ground service employees. "The FAA increases its oversight anytime there is tension between labour and management," the agency said. The FAA does not say it has assigned additional inspectors to review American and defers further comment to the carrier. American did not respond immediately to requests for comment.

Source: FlightGlobal