Career Pilot

Industry News

Industry news is more important to career development and the job search than many aspiring career pilots realize. What new regulations that could affect your career lurk just over the horizon? A proposal is pending, for example, that could eliminate the longstanding FAA regulation that required airline pilots to leave the cockpit when they turn 60.

Which airline is thinking about buying another carrier? That could affect you directly if you work for the acquired carrier. Who is ordering new airplanes? If new aircraft are an addition to the carrier's existing fleet, it will have to hire more pilots to fly them. How is the industry—and individual airlines—doing financially? While a company's financial situation can change over time, you should know how an airline stands when you apply.

ATA responds to air travel avoidance suggestion

The Air Transport Association of America (ATA) last Thursday responded to remarks made by U.S. Vice President Joseph Biden on NBC’s “Today” show. “Vice President Biden's comment that people should avoid air travel in response to the H1N1 flu outbreak was extremely disappointing,” said ATA President and CEO James C. May. “The airlines have been working daily with government agencies, none of whom suggest people avoid air travel, unless they are not feeling well. The fact is that the air onboard a commercial aircraft is cleaner than that in most public buildings.” ATA, a trade association for U.S. airlines, posted its letter to Biden on its Web site.

[ POSTED MAY 5, 2009 ]

First Boeing 787 Dreamliner nearer to flight testing

The Boeing 787 Dreamliner expected to fly later this quarter has moved to the flight line. Fuel testing, the first in the next phase of extensive checks the airplane must undergo, is to begin soon. “We are making great progress, and moving ever closer to first flight,” said Scott Fancher, vice president and general manager of the 787 Dreamliner program. The airframe has completed a rigorous series of tests, including a full simulation of the first flight using the actual airplane. With Chief Pilot Mike Carriker at the controls, the simulation tested all flight controls, hardware, and software. The simulation also included manual and automatic landings and an extensive suite of subsequent ground tests. All structural tests required on the static airframe prior to first flight also are complete. Boeing on April 30 delivered the seventy-fifth 777 commercial jetliner to Dubai-based Emirates, which is expected to become the world's largest 777 operator later this year.

[ POSTED MAY 5, 2009 ]

Piper gets new owner; PiperJet to continue

Piper Aircraft, Inc. announced Friday that Imprimis, a corporate finance and investment management firm that operates from Bangkok, Singapore, and Brunei Darussalam, has purchased a 100-percent stake in the 72-year-old company. Piper said its new owner intends to invest significant capital in the company’s current operations, to strengthen its position in its traditional markets and continue development of key new products such as the PiperJet. Imprimis also believes Piper has significant potential in new Asia Pacific markets. Piper's headquarters, production, and product development facilities are expected to remain in Vero Beach, Fla.

[ POSTED MAY 5, 2009 ]

HondaJet first flight, deliveries delayed

Because of delays in delivery of major subassemblies utilizing proprietary Honda designs and technologies, Honda Aircraft Company has moved the first flight target for the conforming HondaJet aircraft to January 2010. The first customer delivery, originally scheduled for late 2010, is projected to take place the fourth quarter of 2011. “We have been working very closely with our suppliers over the past year in an effort to minimize the effect of the ongoing worldwide economic instability on HondaJet development,” said Michimasa Fujino, Honda Aircraft Company president and CEO. “Unfortunately, we now have no choice but to revise our schedule.” Honda Aircraft recently completed a research and development center at its Greensboro, N.C., campus that features more than four acres under roof; ground is to be broken this summer on the HondaJet production facility.

[ POSTED MAY 5, 2009 ]

Airline demand down in April

Demand for the world’s airlines continued to slide this month, with six percent fewer flights and three percent fewer available seats in April compared to the same period last year, according to aviation data provider OAG. April marked the ninth straight month of decline. OAG said 136,000 fewer flights took place this month, with most market softening coming from Europe and North America. Demand in the Middle East and Asia remained strong, the firm said.

[ POSTED APRIL 28, 2009 ]

Cessna offers new trainer configuration

For decades future airline pilots have trained in light Cessna aircraft, such as the 152 and 172. Now those aircraft may look a little different at flight schools thanks to Cessna’s novel approach to seating. Instead of a bench seat in the back, Cessna’s new 172 with the optional crew resource management configuration features a single seat in the center behind the pilot and copilot seats. It’s specifically tailored to airline and university flight schools, according the manufacturer.

[ POSTED APRIL 28, 2009 ]

AirTran posts profit

Despite a deep recession that has left even Southwest Airlines unable to turn a profit in the first quarter, fellow low-cost carrier AirTran said last week it squeezed out a relatively large $28.7 million gain. This is compared to a $35.4-million loss for the first quarter last year. According to the Atlanta-based carrier, the profit resulted from its decision to begin cutting seats when fuel prices soared last summer.

[ POSTED APRIL 28, 2009 ]

ATA reports continued decline in passenger, cargo demand

The Air Transport Association of America (ATA) reported that passenger revenue fell 23 percent in March 2009 compared to March 2008—the fifth consecutive month in which passenger revenue has fallen from the prior year. March passenger traffic on U.S. airlines fell by 10 percent, while the overall cost to fly one mile fell by 13 percent. U.S. airlines also saw cargo traffic decline 21 percent year over year in February 2009. “We are seeing first quarter 2009 earnings for the U.S. airline industry that reflect the adverse conditions impacting the broader economy,” said ATA President and CEO James C. May. “While the industry faces demand uncertainty as we head into the summer, we certainly would like to believe that we have seen the low point.”

[ POSTED APRIL 21, 2009 ]

Delta, Southwest, United report losses

Three major airlines have reported losses for the quarter ending in March 2009. Delta Air Lines reported a net loss for the quarter of $794 million, but the company said excluding $684 million in realized fuel hedge losses and special items, its results were breakeven. Delta also said that it realized approximately $100 million in synergy benefits from its merger with Northwest Airlines during the quarter. UAL Corporation, parent of United Airlines, reported a first quarter net loss of $579 million. Even industry bellwether Southwest Airlines reported a first quarter net loss of $91 million, despite a record first-quarter load factor.

[ POSTED APRIL 21, 2009 ]

Boeing assembles first 747-8 wings

The Boeing Company has completed major assembly of the first set of wings for the 747-8 Freighter. The new 135-foot, 3-inch wings incorporate aerodynamic technologies that will allow it to fly farther and more efficiently. The advanced airfoil provides improved overall performance and greater fuel capacity. The Boeing 747-8 Freighter is a new, high-capacity 747 variant designed to minimize operating costs.

[ POSTED APRIL 21, 2009 ]

Narrowbodies to carry Boeing through downturn

After an announcement recently that Boeing plans to drastically reduce production of its widebody 777, the planemaker said last week it is holding steady on production levels of the narrowbody 737 line. According to analysts, however, a 30- to 40-percent cut will be necessary to remain competitive. Although Boeing still claims more than 2,000 backorders for the venerable jets, more than 175 relatively new airplanes sit idle in boneyards around the world because of reduced passenger demand.

[ POSTED APRIL 15, 2009 ]

In tough times, two airlines offer bonuses

Pilots and other employees at Continental Airlines and Delta Air Lines received welcome news last week when the two global carriers handed out employee bonuses. Delta gave employees a total of about $6 million, or about $100 each, for meeting on-time performance goals. And executives at Continental added an additional $50 million to employee pension plans, bringing the year-to-date total to$100 million.

[ POSTED APRIL 15, 2009 ]

Florida school offers free open house

Jet University, a flight school at Ft. Lauderdale Executive Airport in Florida that is dedicated to career pilot training, will hold an open house April 18 and 19 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The event will feature the school’s glass-cockpit-equipped Diamond training airplanes, an L-39 jet, a Beechcraft King Air, and a Canadair Regional Jet simulator. Sessions flying the CRJ simulator will be available for free with an online reservation. The school’s flight instructors and airline pilot consultants will also be on hand to answer questions about learning to fly for fun or a career.

[ POSTED APRIL 15, 2009 ]

Airline contract negotiations difficult

USA Today reported this week that a number of unions in contract negotiations are having difficulty recovering pay and benefits slashed after the 2001 downturn, thanks to the current economic condition. Various unions are in talks with their respective management at United Airlines, Continental Airlines, US Airways, Air Tran, Southwest Airlines, Alaska Airlines, and American Airlines. According to the story, one option being considered is to change the industry practice of automatic pay increases for workers and executives regardless of the company’s financial health.

[ POSTED APRIL 7, 2009 ]

ASA temporarily grounds CRJ fleet

No doubt cautious because of similar situations at Southwest Airlines and American Airlines last year, Atlantic Southeast Airlines last week grounded 60 of its 112 Canadair CRJ 200 regional jets to ensure that inspections on their General Electric CJ34 engines had been completed. A company spokeswoman said it was unclear whether the inspections had already been completed and not properly documented, or whether they had been overlooked. After cancelling 277 flights, the airline returned the jets to service later in the week.

[POSTED APRIL 7, 2009]

FAA predicts long-term growth for aviation

The FAA said in its annual aviation forecast released last week that it expects domestic passenger enplanements to drop by almost 8 percent this year, followed by average annual increases of 2.7 percent for the next 15 years. The report also said U.S. airlines will carry one billion passengers by 2021, a full five years later than when the agency said that would happen in last year’s forecast.

[ POSTED APRIL 7, 2009 ]

Tarver joins FltOps.com

Experienced career counselor Judy Tarver has joined FltOps.com as the vice president of pilot career services. In her new position, Tarver will be responsible for implementing the company’s global pilot hiring database, according to Louis Smith, the company’s president. Tarver has more than 30 years of experience in pilot selection and recruitment, and as a consultant. As manager of pilot recruitment for American Airlines, she oversaw the hiring of more than 7,100 pilots.

[ POSTED APRIL 7, 2009 ]

Military needs more UAV pilots

Although it may not seem as glorious as a job in the cockpit, the military will need thousands of unmanned aerial vehicle pilots over the coming decades, according to military news sources. The Air Force has begun training nonpilots to fly the drones because so few qualified aircraft pilots are willing to transfer. While commissioned officers must fly drone attack missions, a number of civilian contractors employ nonmilitary personnel to conduct reconnaissance flights.

[ POSTED MARCH 31, 2009 ]

Airline wardrobe a concern for pilots, flight attendants

Two dress items made news this week as Northwest Airlines pilots and flight attendants were required to trade their uniforms for Delta livery, and one Air Tran pilot was suspended for wearing his outside of work. Switching uniforms has proven to be one of the most visible signs to travelers that Northwest and Delta are now one company. This move is in addition to major rebranding at airports around the world. Meanwhile, an Air Tran pilot was recently suspended for wearing his uniform to a union event, a violation of the collective bargaining agreement. Although the pilot was apparently dropping off his family at a union picnic on the way to work, the airline stood by its decision to suspend the offending pilot.

[ POSTED MARCH 31, 2009 ]

Bombardier adds to CSeries order book

Buoyed by a firm order from launch customer Lufthansa, Bombardier announced this week it received a firm order for 20 CSeries aircraft from lease company Corporation International Aviation Limited. Valued at a list price of $1.44 billion, the order includes options for 20 more aircraft. The ordering company is a subsidiary of Lease Corporation International Limited, an international company that leases commercial aircraft to airlines.

[ POSTED MARCH 31, 2009 ]

Airlines expected to lose $4.7 billion this year

Airlines around the world are projected to lose an estimated $4.7 billion this year, according to the International Air Transport Association. That estimate is almost double what IATA said in December would be the year’s loss. According to the industry trade group, falling fuel prices have been offset by reduced passenger and cargo demand. Although the situation doesn’t look good, IATA said, things should start to rebound through the second half of the year. Incidentally, North American airlines are expected to do the best in the world with $100 million in profits.

[ POSTED MARCH 24, 2009 ]

World airline demand down five percent

The world’s airlines scheduled almost five percent fewer flights in March, translating to a three-percent decline in seat capacity, according to consulting firm OAG Aviation. OAG said the world’s airlines are expected to fly 2.38 million flights this month, a reduction of 122,000 flights from March of last year. March is a continuation of an eight-month decline in scheduled flights, which are down seven percent in the first quarter of this year compared to the same period last year.

[ POSTED MARCH 24, 2009 ]

Dassault Falcon, Cessna see declining demand

Although Dassault Falcon Jet said it expects to deliver more jets this year than last, demand for new aircraft is sinking fast. DFJ said it will deliver 90 aircraft this year, compared to 72 last year. But in a negative turn of events, Bloomberg reports that the manufacturer had more cancellations than orders during the past two quarters. Meanwhile, Cessna CEO Jack Pelton said the company is scaling back production on three of its Citation models to meet reduced demand. Further layoffs are expected as a result.

[ POSTED MARCH 24, 2009 ]

Lufthansa inks order for Bombardier jets

Lufthansa last week signed an order for 30 CSeries Bombardier jets with an option for an additional 30. The deal is significant because the German carrier has long been touted as the launch customer for the super-regional 100- to 149-seat CSeries. The 100-seat jets that Lufthansa will take delivery of in 2013 will be powered by Pratt & Whitney’s new geared turbofan engine, and will be operated by Lufthansa subsidiary Swiss International Air Lines.

[ POSTED MARCH 17, 2009 ]

Air Tran sees fees as key to profitability this year

The additional fees that airline passengers love to hate will make Air Tran Airlines profitable in every quarter this year, according to airline CEO Bob Fornaro. Fornaro said that even though oil prices are down, demand also is reduced. That decreased demand has led to lower prices, but the fees have increased revenue to the point that the airline expects to be in the black.

[ POSTED MARCH 17, 2009 ]

United Technologies to lay off almost 12,000 workers

United Technologies, the parent company of helicopter manufacturer Sikorsky and turboprop and jet engine maker Pratt & Whitney, said last week it will lay off 11,600 workers, or five percent of its workforce. Although the cuts are expected to cross all of the company’s sectors, including elevator and air conditioning, the aerospace market is a major factor. Pratt & Whitney Canada, which makes business aircraft engines, said that demand for its products has dropped off considerably.

[ POSTED MARCH 17, 2009 ]

Alaska Airlines announces tentative deal with pilots

After more than two years of contract talks, Alaska Airlines and the Air Line Pilots Association announced last week that they had come to an agreement in concept for the carrier’s 1,500 pilots. The current contract for the pilots became amendable in May 2007, and the two sides began discussions in January of that year. If the airline and its elected pilot union representation formally agree to the contract principles, the final decision will rest with the pilots, who then will vote whether or not to ratify the agreement.

[ POSTED MARCH 10, 2009 ]

Mesa denied use of Aloha branding

Although a simple court hearing was all that was left in the way of Mesa subsidiary go! using the name of its former competitor Aloha, the judge denied the request and sent the parties back to the beginning of the process. According to the court, the public auction process in which Mesa offered Aloha parent company Yucaipa millions for the name was not public at all. Other would–be bidders testified they had been shut out of the bidding, and the judge agreed to start the process over. One analyst said he expects Mesa will eventually be given rights to the name.

[ POSTED MARCH 10, 2009 ]

No Plane, No Gain makes gains

An industry public relations effort aimed at educating the public and influencers about the value of business aviation in the face of heightened scrutiny seems to be taking hold. Last week Republican Sen. Sam Brownback of Kansas said, “I will continue to fight against any measure that negatively impacts the use of general aviation aircraft or limits the ability to utilize these aircraft to grow business opportunities.” Brownback’s comments echo those by a number of high–profile Washington–commentators, including radio personality Rush Limbaugh.

[ POSTED MARCH 10, 2009 ]

Former NTSB chief wants to ground turboprops

Although National Transportation Safety Board investigators stressed it was too early in the investigation to make conclusions on the fate of Colgan Air Flight 3407, which crashed in Buffalo, New York, on February 12, former NTSB chief Jim Hall said all twin–turboprop aircraft should be grounded immediately. Hall said that the ATR 42 and Bombardier Q400—one of which was the Flight 3407 aircraft—have inherent problems with icing, mainly due to their slow speeds and pneumatic–boot deicing systems. An FAA spokeswoman said grounding was unlikely.

[ POSTED MARCH 3, 2009 ]

Alaska Airlines answers buyout rumors

Since Delta Air Lines and Alaska Airlines announced a code sharing agreement three months ago, talk has surfaced that Delta may be preparing to buy Alaska. Alaska CEO Bill Ayers said that although the company is doing well independently, “If there is a better alternative, we will look at that alternative.” Delta has declined to comment on the rumors since the code share agreement was announced, when it said that buying Alaska wasn’t anticipated.

[ POSTED MARCH 3, 2009 ]

HAI attendance breaks record

Despite a slumping economy and continued external pressures on most aviation businesses, the helicopter sector seems to be flourishing. The Helicopter Association International announced last week that attendance at its annual convention was a record-breaking 17,995—some 600 more people than attended last year. HAI also said there were 585 exhibitors, which was also an increase from last year.

[ POSTED MARCH 3, 2009 ]

Southwest Airlines settles with FAA on maintenance discrepancies

The FAA on Monday announced it had reached a $7.5–million settlement with Southwest Airlines for the airline’s maintenance oversights. An initial penalty of $10.2 million was proposed in March after the airline flew almost 60,000 flights without inspecting the airplanes for fatigue cracks; the inspections were required by airworthiness directive. The airline is also being put under a probation that subjects it to stricter oversight and potential fines if future inspections aren’t completed.

[ POSTED MARCH 3, 2009 ]

Delta crew rest procedures challenged

Last October, Delta Air Lines voluntarily instituted tough industry crew rest standards that the rest of the airline industry is now challenging. Under the new standard, crews were required to have 48 hours off before a shift as long as 23 hours, and the airline required four-pilot crews on all long-haul flights. Now other airlines are suing after the FAA adopted the stricter standard for the industry. The suit seeks a formal rulemaking process, something the FAA has thus far declined to do.

[ POSTED FEBRUARY 18, 2009 ]

GA shipments down, billings up last year

Strong general aviation aircraft billings in 2008 were tempered by a decrease in the number of new aircraft delivered worldwide, the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) announced Feb. 17. Billings for new aircraft delivered worldwide during 2008 set an industry record of $24.8 billion, 13.4 percent more than the previous year’s $21.9 billion. However, the number of GA airplanes shipped last year decreased for the first time in five years—to 3,969, a drop of 7.1 percent from 2007. The number of piston-engine aircraft shipped during 2008 decreased compared to previous-year numbers, while shipments of turboprops and business jets increased.

[ POSTED FEBRUARY 18, 2009 ]

AIR, Inc. shutters operation

The struggling economy has claimed AIR, Inc., the Atlanta-based aviation career information service offering information on airline job openings, career fairs, and résumé services. “The current status of the airline industry and the economy has made our business unsustainable, and we are closing,” AIR, Inc. President and Publisher Kit Darby said in a message last week Darby said AIR, Inc. members and subscribers can continue to receive services at no cost from FltOps.com for the duration of their membership, if they enroll with the service by April 15. With the exception of a bump in September 2008, pilot hiring has fallen each month from January 2008 to December 2008, the last month for which hiring data was available. Aviation employers hired 1,101 pilots in January 2008; by December, the number had fallen to 114, according to AIR, Inc. Airline pilot hiring totals for 2008 were 6,479; in 2007, the industry hired 13,157 pilots. In its final forecast, AIR, Inc. estimated that only 5,000 new pilot jobs will be created in 2009.

[ POSTED FEBRUARY 18, 2009 ]

New air taxi service starts in New York

Hopscotch Air is adding itself to a growing list of operators using Cirrus SR22s for intercity air taxi service. The company will operate primarily in the Northeast. Pilots will meet customers at any New York City-area airport and deliver them to their airport of choice. According to Hopscotch Air, the fare will be comparable to that of shuttle service between New York and Boston, and the destination will obviously be closer than airline airports. Although flying a single-engine piston may not seem like an obvious career path, operators like Hopscotch Air are springing up all over the country.

[ POSTED FEBRUARY 18, 2009 ]

Bombardier sales figures fall sharply

Airplane manufacturer Bombardier last week reported a significant sales drop for the 2008 fiscal year. The company sold a total of 378 aircraft between its commercial and business aircraft divisions, a 46-percent decline from the previous year. For the current fiscal year, Bombardier said it expects business aircraft orders to drop by another 10 percent, but for that drop to be offset by a 10-percent increase in commercial orders—especially those for the fuel-efficient Q400 turboprop.

[ POSTED FEBRUARY 10, 2009 ]

JetBlue pilots decline union option

Although it may seem as though every airline’s pilots are unionized, some carriers are still without an organized group. One of those, JetBlue, will remain without representation after its pilots recently voted to forgo a union. A simple majority was required to pass the measure, which would have established the JetBlue Pilots Association as the official pilot union, but only 646 out of 1,937 eligible pilots voted in favor. The vote means JetBlue pilots remain the largest group of nonunionized airline pilots in the United States.

[ POSTED FEBRUARY 10, 2009 ]

Charter executives charged in accident

A 2005 accident in which a Bombardier Challenger business jet operated by Platinum Jet Management crashed on takeoff at Teterboro airport in New Jersey and struck a warehouse has resulted in criminal charges for six of the company’s executives. The six are charged with falsifying documents and misrepresenting the business to customers. It was discovered after the accident that the company did not have a charter operating certificate and its flights were often flown outside of weight and balance limitations, which caused the crash in 2005.

[ POSTED FEBRUARY 10, 2009 ]

Bombardier sales figures fall sharply

Airplane manufacturer Bombardier last week reported a significant sales drop for the 2008 fiscal year. The company sold a total of 378 aircraft between its commercial and business aircraft divisions, a 46-percent decline from the previous year. For the current fiscal year, Bombardier said it expects business aircraft orders to drop by another 10 percent, but for that drop to be offset by a 10-percent increase in commercial orders—especially those for the fuel-efficient Q400 turboprop.

[ POSTED FEBRUARY 10, 2009 ]

JetBlue pilots decline union option

Although it may seem as though every airline’s pilots are unionized, some carriers are still without an organized group. One of those, JetBlue, will remain without representation after its pilots recently voted to forgo a union. A simple majority was required to pass the measure, which would have established the JetBlue Pilots Association as the official pilot union, but only 646 out of 1,937 eligible pilots voted in favor. The vote means JetBlue pilots remain the largest group of nonunionized airline pilots in the United States.

[ POSTED FEBRUARY 10, 2009 ]

Charter executives charged in accident

A 2005 accident in which a Bombardier Challenger business jet operated by Platinum Jet Management crashed on takeoff at Teterboro airport in New Jersey and struck a warehouse has resulted in criminal charges for six of the company’s executives. The six are charged with falsifying documents and misrepresenting the business to customers. It was discovered after the accident that the company did not have a charter operating certificate and its flights were often flown outside of weight and balance limitations, which caused the crash in 2005.

[ POSTED FEBRUARY 10, 2009 ]

Southwest reaches tentative agreement with pilots

Southwest Airlines reached a tentative contract agreement with its pilot union, the company said last week. The company said the tentative agreement includes pay raises and increased retirement benefits for pilots. If finalized by the airline and the union, and then ratified by all pilots, the agreement will continue for five years.

[ POSTED FEBRUARY 3, 2009 ]

Delta posts massive loss

Despite a merger with Northwest Airlines that was supposed to generate cost savings, Delta Air Lines last week reported a loss in the fourth quarter of $1.4 billion. The airline blamed more than $900 million of the loss on a one-time charge for employee compensation related to the merger. More than $600 million was lost because of fuel hedging, a practice in which airlines attempt to save costs by contracting to buy fuel long before it’s needed. However, despite the heavy setback, analysts say Delta is expected to become profitable after the first quarter of this year.

[ POSTED FEBRUARY 3, 2009 ]

Robinson Helicopter builds a record

Despite a sagging economy that is hitting the airlines and business aviation hard, helicopter operators are going strong, as evidenced by Robinson Helicopter’s record-breaking 893 helicopters produced last year. That total marks the largest number of civil helicopters ever produced in one year by a single company. Even better news for career-seeking pilots is that 80 percent of Robinson’s sales are for the company’s four-seat models, which are more often used in commercial operations.

[ POSTED FEBRUARY 3, 2009 ]

Colgan Air orders 15 Q400s

Pinnacle Airlines Corporation subsidiary Colgan Air ordered 15 Bombardier Q400 NextGen twin-turboprop aircraft, the manufacturer said last week. Colgan operates Q400s from Newark as part of its Continental Connection service. Bombardier said the aircraft will feature the new quiet interior. The Q400 is the modern version of the de Havilland Dash 8; it has 74 seats and cruises at 360 knots.

[ POSTED JANUARY 21, 2009 ]

PlaneSense fractional program expands

PlaneSense, the New Hampshire-based company operating the largest fleet of Pilatus PC-12s in the world, said this week it plans to expand its fractional ownership program. The company’s primary operating area was previously east of the Mississippi River but now extends to Louisiana, Arkansas, Texas, and Oklahoma. Additional Bahamian airports are also available for use, PlaneSense said.

[ POSTED JANUARY 21, 2009 ]

Embry Riddle orders new Diamond twin trainers

Diamond Aircraft announced last week it won an order from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University for 10 DA42 L360 twin-engine aircraft. The model was introduced with Lycoming IO-360 engines after diesel engine manufacturer Thielert, which originally provided the DA42’s engines, filed for bankruptcy last year. The DA42 L360 features a Garmin G1000 integrated cockpit and can be equipped for flight into known icing.

[ POSTED JANUARY 21, 2009 ]

NTSB releases judgment on medevac accidents

In a rare move last week, the National Transportation Safety Board released at one time new information about nine separate medical helicopter flights. Of the nine accidents discussed, four were final determinations, of which three were attributed to weather. The board said it planned to hold public hearings on the state of medevac safety to coincide with the new information.

[ POSTED JANUARY 21, 2009 ]

2008 hiring down; 5,000 pilot jobs predicted for 2009

Airline pilot hiring numbers for last year were less than half of the 2007 total—6,479 pilots found jobs in 2008, compared to 13,157 the previous year. High fuel prices, a softening economy, and the credit crunch were among the factors contributing to the decrease, said Atlanta-based AIR, Inc. Of the 92,348 pilots employed industry wide, 4,494 are currently furloughed, an increase of 1,400 from this time last year. AIR, Inc predicts 5,000 new airline pilot jobs for 2009.

[ POSTED JANUARY 13, 2009 ]

Airlines fatality-free for two years

U.S. airlines flew 1.5 billion passengers without a fatality in 2007 and 2008, a new record. There have only been four years without a fatality in the past 50, making the two-year stretch all the more impressive. Only one major accident occurred in the past two years, when Continental Flight 1404 ran off the runway at Denver International Airport last month.

[ POSTED JANUARY 13, 2009 ]

AirTran recalls pilots

Despite a deep recession that has hit the airline industry hard, Air Tran Airways announced this week it is recalling 60 furloughed pilots and hiring flight attendants to deal with the upcoming summer travel season. Air Tran continues to cut capacity, however, and more than 100 pilots will remain on furlough status.

[ POSTED JANUARY 13, 2009 ]

ASA to operate new jets, furlough pilots

SkyWest, the owner of Delta regional carrier Atlantic Southeast Airlines, said this week it reached an agreement with Delta for the airline to operate 10 new Bombardier CRJ900 jets. The jets will replace 20 of the company’s smaller CRJ200s. But the new jets and merger of Delta and Northwest did not keep the airline from furloughing for the first time in its 30-year history. The company is expected to furlough 80 of its 1,700 pilots.

[ POSTED JANUARY 13, 2009 ]

Airlines sue FAA over crew rest changes

Several U.S. airlines have sued the FAA over new rules aimed at increasing crew rest periods on ultra-long flights. The complaint says the FAA should have gone through a rulemaking process for the changes, allowing more industry input. Listed on the lawsuit are American, Continental, United, US Airways, JetBlue, Evergreen, and Atlas. The Allied Pilots Association, American’s pilot union, is in favor of the rule changes and does not believe there is a problem. The issue was discussed in FAA working groups, and the airlines used this opportunity to comment, APA spokesman Scott Shankland said.

[ POSTED JANUARY 6, 2009 ]

FAA, whistleblowing controller settle

On advice from its Office of Special Counsel, the FAA settled with an air traffic controller at Memphis International Airport who was taken off duty after multiple attempts to stop what he considered an unsafe air traffic procedure. The controller took exception to a practice of putting airplanes on intersecting runways. After taken off controller duty, the employee filed a complaint, which was validated by the OSC and Department of Transportation Inspector General. As part of the agreement, the controller will be put back on duty, and transferred to another ATC facility.

[ POSTED JANUARY 6, 2009 ]

Public meetings begin on LASP

Public meetings begin this week on the Large Aircraft Security Program, a Transportation Security Administration program intended to vet crewmembers and passengers aboard business aircraft. The plan has drawn widespread opposition from aviation groups, which requested the public meetings. Comments are still being accepted on the proposal, which if enacted would mandate baggage screening and independent security audits. For more information, see AOPA’s security action center.

[ POSTED JANUARY 6, 2009 ]

Continental to fly first U.S. biofuel test

It’s been happening around the world for months, but Continental Airlines said it will become the first U.S. airline to fly a Transport-category aircraft powered with biofuels in a test this week. The demonstration flight will burn a special fuel blend including components derived from algae and jatropha plants. According to the airline, the demonstration flight will be the first biofuel flight by a commercial carrier using algae as a fuel source—and the first using a two-engine aircraft, a Boeing 737-800 equipped with CFM International CFM56-7B engines.

[ POSTED JANUARY 6, 2009 ]