Dream Career

My dream ending career is with Best Friends Animal Society.  They are located in Kanab, Utah and have been there for over 25 years.  Their mission is to end homeless pets.  Best Friends currently has about 1,600 animals at their site, which makes them the largest no kill shelter in the nation.  They provide a sanctuary to cats, dogs, birds, pigs, horses, sheep, goats, and rabbits; they also do wild life rehabilitation.

I would love to be a pilot for this amazing group.  They have pipers and beechcrafts.  Most of the flying done for the group is transportation to disaster sites or hording situations for teams to help the animals in horrible situations.  They do transport some animals, including a baby horse over 4 hours.  To work for a company that loves animals as much as I do would just be awesome.  I expect that it does not pay what the airlines does, but when it comes to animals, it's not about the money.  The reward of helping animals is a good enough paycheck for me.

Best Friends is a non-profit organization and all of their funds are provided by donations.  I am not sure what kind of aviation sector that puts them in.  It's defiantly general aviation, but I'm not sure if that is a special kind of general aviation.  The pilots do all of the flight planning and filling.  It sounds like it is just like cross countries that I do for time building, just with better co-pilots and flying for a mission.

I have been to Utah and volunteered with Best Friends and just love the atmosphere.  After graduating, I will be contacting them about a pilot career with them.

Continued need for NextGen

Albany International Airport was victim to weather twice in two nights in the month of October.  Heavy snow and rain took out the ILS, diverting two planes to other airports. 

The airport manager was able to get his technition out to fix the ILS as soon possible, the down time was no more than 45 minutes both IFR nights.  The airport manager said that the equiptment does not go out on a regular basis and that they fix any problem as fast as they come up.  Albany will always have heavy snow and rain.  The ILS is bound to go down again.  One solution: get rid of the ILS.  The implementation and use of NextGen will eliminate failed ground equiptment as it is satellite based...snow does not stand a chance.

Alysa Binder and Dan Wiesel

When Dan Wiesel, Alysa Binder, and their Jack Russell, Zoe, moved to Florida, Dan and Alysa got to sit in the cabin of the aircraft getting their complementary pop and peanuts, while Zoe was down with the luggage with no one to talk to, hot temperatures, and just a load and scary environment.  After seeing Zoe after the flight, Dan and Alysa decided that is was unacceptable, and thought it was horrible that they did not have any other option but to do that to Zoe. 

So they decided to make a brand new option for all concerned pet owners.  They created and co-founded the first-ever all-pet airline.  Pet Airways operates out of 8 cities in the U.S.  They fly Beechcraft 1900s, a 19-seater with no seats to make room for 50 carriers for the pawsengers.  Each flight is pressurized, temperature controlled, has a flight attendant, and makes multiple stops for pee-breaks and dinner.  Pet Airways have many reputable partners such as 1-800-PetMeds and Best Friends Animal Society. 

Dan Wiesel is the CEO, Chairman, and co-founder of Pet Airways.  He works with his wife, Alysa Binder, who is the Executive Vice President, Chief Development Officer, and co-founder of Pet Airways.

The background of this team is one with experience.  Dan Wiesel is an amateur plane builder and pilot and, therefore, has knowledge of aviation.  He has his MBA in entrepreneurship from the University of Southern California. He has over 25 years’ experience growing companies from the ground up, including real estate investment companies, real estate development companies.  He founded a women’s swimwear company.  His wife, Alysa Binder, has over 20 years’ experience founding and managing businesses in services and retail, founding her own retail jewelry operation growing it to include custom pieces for clients such as Guns N’ Roses.  She has worked with Palm Computing, maker of the Palm Pilot PDA, she has also helped build the management team of eBay.  Both Alysa and Dan’s experience in management, entrepreneurship, and founding helped pave the way to Pet Airways.

I think that Dan and Alysa have contributed considerably to the aviation industry.  Obviously, creating and developing something brand new has a huge contribution.  Aviation speaking, their idea has created jobs for pilots, flight attendants, customer service agents, and mechanics (someone had to rip the seats out and develop an FAA approved carrier arrangement).  They have also gave people a better option for their four legged family members to get to their destinations.  It gives people peace of mind knowing that their pets are safe and comfortable.  Pet Airways has gained huge support from pet organizations and look good in pet lovers’ eyes. 

TWC Charter Airlines

TWC Aviation is based in California with operations in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and New York.  At these offices, TWC manages, sells, acquisitions, and charters planes; they also hold a 145 certificate.  They have dozens of aircraft ranging from light jets to super midsized jets to large jets including Bombardiers, Dassaults, Cessnas, Embraers, Gulfstreams, Boeing, and Hawker Beechcraft.  With over 250 employees, including flight, management, executives, dispatchers, and flight attendants, TWC says that they all work toward the highest amount of safety at the same time treating their customers as they would want to be treated.  The clients that TWC targets are rich.  I was curious to know how much a flight may cost.  A flight from Los Angeles to Detroit, one way, in a Hawker - $28,500!  If you want to upgrade to a gulfstream - $61,722!  You better hope that their staff is highly qualified and is giving the best customer service you have ever seen.  Like if there is a puddle, that captain better put down his/her captain jacket for you for the price of their flights.   TWC only hires people who are highly talented and motivated who have a passion for customer service. 

They are hiring such a person for a captain for a Challenger 300 based in San Jose, CA. 

Minimum Qualifications
Type rated in the Challenger 300 model aircraft.
500 hours in model BD-100-1A10
5000 + flight hours
3000 turbine hours
Hold a current First Class FAA Medical Certificate
Flown as a Part 91 Pilot within last 18 months
Live near San Jose, CA. (no more than 45 min. drive time one direction)
Possess reliable transportation to and from work
No FAA violations within last 6 years
Meet the standards for ARGUS and Wyvern approvals

Benefits
Excellent base salary
Great medical, dental, vision, life, STD and LTD insurance package
Excellent company 401K program
Vacation and personal days package

TWC is also looking for a Flight Coordinator to dispatch the flights safetly.

1.Must be willing and capable of working a flexible schedule.
2.Must be willing and capable of working dispatch assignments on the weekends, on an on-call basis and as needed.
3.Must be willing to carry a mobile phone, pager or other similar communications device in order to remain in contact with the company while on duty or while on-call.
4.Shall be responsible for dispatching company flights in accordance with established company policy and manuals.
5.Shall work with the Lead Flight Coordinator to establish and implement policies and procedures in the Dispatch office.
6.Shall communicate with clients, industry operators and other company departments in a pleasant, efficient and professional manner.
7.Shall develop quotes, coordinate assigned trip details and dispatch company flights in an accurate, timely and professional manner.
8.Shall work effectively with all company departments and staff members to build quotes, assemble flights and close out completed trips.
9.Shall work effectively with the Pilot in Command, Second in Command and Flight Attendant assigned to company flights to ensure that safety, compliance and customer service opportunities are successfully orchestrated.
10.Shall be willing to share in the assigned on-call schedule, including potential for late nights and weekend shifts.
11.Shall be willing to assist other members of the Flight Operations department as directed by immediate supervisors.
12.Must always dress in a professional and responsible manner while on the company premises.
13.Must remain professional at all times while on duty or while representing the company at off-site functions.
14.Shall never use company credit cards or company petty cash for any personal charges or purchases.
15.Must be willing to attend career or performance enhancement training as provided by the company.

EDUCATION
The Flight Coordinator will develop an acceptable base of knowledgeable in Company Manuals, Federal Aviation Regulations, Operations Specifications and other documents and data pertaining to the duties listed above.

EXPERIENCE
The Flight Coordinator should possess exposure to general aviation, aviation operational considerations, corporate aircraft, and the charter and corporate travel industry.
The Flight Coordinator must possess experience in a high-end client relationship industry with a proven record of success in handling complex coordination projects.

BENEFITS
Excellent base salary and eligible to participate in Charter Bonus Program
Solid medical, dental, vision and life insurance package
Excellent company 401K program
Vacation and personal days package

From the look of TWC Aviation, they take care of there customers as well as their employees.  They charge a lot for flights, so hopefully it goes to employees’ paychecks.  You need a lot of experience before you can get into charter aviation, but if you can get there, you’d be set.

Europe: The World's New Enrivonmental Police Force

Europe’s Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) is all about regulating the output of CO2 emissions.  Companies are given an allowance of CO2 emissions they are allowed to put into the air.  This allowance is smaller than their normal operating emissions, so either companies, ideally, produce less or they buy green and better equipment to produce the same product but less CO2.  If companies go over their CO2 emissions they can buy more allowances from other companies who aren’t using theirs.  The below video breaks it down really nicely:

ETS has been around since 2005.  Starting 2012, airlines going to or from Europe will have to participate.  In the UK, aviation counts for 9% of their total greenhouse gasses.  The US’s aviation counts for 3%.  Since 1990, emissions have doubled.  It is guessed that aviation in the UK will be at 29% by 2050.  This is why the ETS will expand to aviation.  Financial Times states that all airlines will be given an allowance, about 82% of their normal operation to fly into or out of Europe.  15% will be auctioned off and the remaining 3% will be on reserve for any new comers.  The scheme encourages the airlines to cut their CO2 emissions or else they have to spend money to buy more allowances from other companies, or the European government, who have already reduced their emissions and are getting rich. 

The US is fighting this new rule hard.  They do not think that US carriers should have to participate.  The European Union does not understand the US’s grounds.  They say that the US will actually have an advantage over European carriers as they will always be coming or going from Europe, where as the US’s European destinations count for only a fraction of their sales.  Still the US does not agree with EU’s methods.  Other carriers agree, action is needed, but it should be a global decision, not up to the European’s to decide what is right for the world.  Another reason the US does not agree with the European Union is because the money collected does not have to go to environmental efforts, some people find that shady. 

It is said that if the ETS goes through, it will be good in the long run as better routes will be established, better engines will be designed, and more biofuels will be used.  On the down side, Europe is going to lose business as less European hubs will be used to new Middle East hubs will develop.

I do not think that the US should have to participate.  I think that plan is awesome and will work to reduce CO2 emissions, but when did Europe start making the world’s decisions?  I believe that all nations should get together to come up with the best option for all countries plan and implement that. 

Flying with a Mission

AOPA Pilot Blog reported on the tragedy in South Carolina where 22 dogs had been shot by animal control officers.  Local animal rescuers were scared for the others still in animal control, but did not have the room in their homes to save more as they had reached their dog capacities.  Virgina, Florida, New Jersey, and Washington D.C. were willing to help.  But how do you move over 150 dogs to their new and desperately needed homes?  Pilots N Paws stepped up to the challenge.  The organization was able to get over 40 pilots to donate their planes and time to save these dogs.  If people need a reason to fly or even if they don't need one, I think the best way to gain hours is to help as many beings as possible, especially if they have 4 legs.

Boeing 787

Everyone has been anticipating the arrival of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner.  And it’s here!  This new and unique plane has much to offer to passengers, airlines, and the environment:

• 250-290 passenger seat arrangements
• 8,000-8,500 nm range
• 20% less fuel consumption than other similar size planes
• Travels at Mach .85
• Higher humidity levels in cabin for more passenger comfort
• Creates numerous new city pairs

The design of the plane is something new as well.  It is made up of 50% composite material which is lighter than aluminum.  It is also made of less, but bigger pieces.  The fuselage is one big piece which has fewer rivets and seams, reducing airflow interruption (better fuel) and less maintenance required.  The Boeing 787 has brand new engines for better fuel consumption.

Boeing has 56 customers from 6 different countries.  With 821 orders, that’s $145 billion.  And after a successful first flight on December 15, 2009, airlines and passengers can’t wait for the orders to be filled. 

With Boeing’s new success, is it disturbing the competition?  Well, we all know that the competition is the Airbus A380.  The A380 has a lot of things going for it: can carry up to over 800 people, has a cocktail bar, some have showers, and sleeping quarters.  This is all well and good, but it sounds expensive.  Forbes and I think that people (normal people (non-rich people)) will better appreciate the B787 with fewer people, shorter boarding times, and more city pairs over the A380 outrageous accommodations.      

Whether it Boeing or Airbus, I think that this will create a lot of jobs: pilots, a lot of flight attendants, managers, trainers, airport designers, and construction workers.  Both planes are going to help people to get where they need to go and stimulate the economy. 

NextGen

In 2009, the airlines provided 11.5 million jobs, that’s 396 billion wages, 1.3 trillion to the economy, and a contribution of 5.6% of the nation’s GDP.  The airlines, obviously, have a huge impact on our economy, and they affect millions of people’s lives everyday.  In 2011 (June ends the 12 month period), 363 million people flew in commercial planes to get to destinations.  By 2025, air traffic is expected to increase by 50%.  That’s a lot of people and planes.  How are we going to be able to fit all those planes in the air? 

The solution: NextGen.  The FAA describes NextGen as “a comprehensive and ongoing transformation of our National Airspace System.”  NextGen is going to replace the current radar-based system to a satellite-based system.  Satellites, along with the required equipment for NextGen, allows planes, pilots, and ATC to do incredible things:

• Direct routes
• Real time weather
• Pilots know where they are at all times in relation to ground and other aircraft
• 20% reduction in radio communications
• Precise flight paths
• Efficient use of airspace
• More informed decisions
• Fly shortest distance between two points
• FAA, National Security, and Military will be able to monitor airspace easily
• Airport diagrams displays in cockpit and ATC with moving plane and vehicle locations on ramps, taxiways, and runways
• Better airfield capacity
• Airport design flexibility – parallel runways closer to allow for more runways and more flights
• And more…

All of these things save time, money, and fuel, and reduces CO2 emissions.  In fact, NextGen claims to be a friend to the environment.  NextGen allows continuous descents when coming in on approaches with very little power, reducing noise and fuel consumption.  A study done at MIA airport reveled that planes that have continuous descents saved, on average, 50 gallons of fuel and reduced CO2 emissions by 1,000 pounds.  It is estimated that by 2018, taking into consideration of increased air traffic, NextGen will reduce delays by 21%, reduce CO2 14 times, and save 1.5 billion gallons of fuel. 

This all sounds amazing, futuresque, and wonderful; but who’s going to pay for it?  In a recent article from Information Week Government, the FAA expected costs for NextGen to be close to a total of $40 billion, where now they think that cost is going to be closer to $160 billion.  The FAA has already invested $1.9 billion, but we still have a long way to go.  The cost is broken up into two pieces: (1) infrastructure – things like radar, radios, and landing system equipment, this will be paid for by the FAA and at no direct cost to users; (2) Cockpit Equipment – all the equipment for the plane to receive, transmit, and display information is at the cost of the operator.  Airlines are hesitant to install this new equipment because they will not be getting a near-future payback, it will take a while to be able to pay it off. 

The Air Transportation Association has be pushing for grants to fund this massive technology move, but because of the current economy, it is expected they will not receive any grants.  The company ITT has a solution.  ITT had the idea to start the NextGen Equipage Fund.  ITT, aerospace companies, and other investors are working to provide $1.5 billion in borrowings and equity.  It is estimated that the $1.5 billion will fund 75% of the commercial cockpit installations, including data communication and ADS-B.  ITT will call back loans as the airlines make their profit off their new equipment, all while being a “good corporate citizen.”

So, the airlines have help, but what about GA and their pilots?  For GA to have NextGen they need GPS, a Universal Access Transceiver – making their current transponder a back up, a Multi-Functional Display, and an antenna.  AOPA online reported that, today, more than 80% of GA aircraft have GPS, and 20% have WAAS.  Therefore, the transition is possible with just a few upgrades.  AOPA just asks the NextGen plan to remember the cost to GA and their pilots. 

Secret Security

Many airline passengers complain that the security at the airport is a hassle.  They have to leave even earlier to get to the airport because they know security is going to take “forever.”  Some people think that security is not enough and that people can get through; there needs to be more or new security measures.  So, what is to be done?  Should we decrease the security like the people think they want, increase the security like some people think we need, or change the security to make it flow but still maintain the safety of passengers. 

I think that we should be adding security that does not slow down the check in process for passengers.  If there is a hassle for passengers, security will be viewed as a bad thing.  If the security is always there and does not involve a line, the people will welcome and encourage the security.  One way to do this is with Federal Flight Deck Officers.  It is the new “beefed up” pilot.  Allowed to carry a pistol in the cockpit and receive training to carry and build confidence with guns.  The thought being that they are the last defense for when the No-Fly List, x-ray machines, and body searches fail.  It gives the pilots peace of mind knowing they do not have to only rely on the TSA, they can have control over all situations now. 

More and more pilots want to receive this training to become Federal Flight Deck Officers, but funding is limited and they are forced to wait, continuing to fly unarmed knowing that something could happen. Some would say that there are Federal Air Marshals to protect the plane once the people are on it.  But there are not enough Air Marshals to be on every flight.  Plus, it costs more to tax payers to have an Air Marshal than it is to train a pilot to become a Federal Flight Deck Officer. 

I suspect that there will be increasing number of these Deck Officers.  Pilots want to feel safer and do not have to worry about who is in the back of the plane.  I like that there is increasing safety even after you get through the security gate at the terminal. 

An issue with automation?

I have completed my instrument rating and am currently working on my commercial license.  I fly a Cessna 172 which is installed with a G1000.  That thing does everything.  GPS, autopilot, XM radio, Nexrad weather, etc.  When my instructor turns all of that off to fly by the standbys, it takes me a while to get my bearings; and I always prefer to just leave the automation on.  We learn to fly with the automation and without the automation, but never practice a scenario if it fails.
 
Is there a problem with automation in aviation?  Or is there a problem with pilots’ skills?  Or is the problem when the two are combined?  There has been a lot of talk in the aviation industry about the recent airline accidents with the blame falling on pilots and their lack of skills when it comes to the automation in the plane. 

Accidents are happening when it automation fails.  When pilots fly by automation, they get comfortable and just assume everything is working.  How many times have you heard ATC ask an aircraft their location only to first respond with “Uhhhhh….standby”?  They trust that the plane is where it is supposed to be, even if they don’t know where “it” is.  But what happens when the automation is not doing what it is supposed to be doing?  It catches pilots off guard and it takes a while for them to process the situation and by then it may be too late.  ABC network did a story on Automation Addiction, http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/automation-addiction-pilots-forgetting-fly/story?id=14417730.  It discusses the Air France flight 447 where the autopilot kicked off and the stall warning sounded.  On the voice recorder, both the co-pilot and captain did not know what was happening.  The co-pilot took the plane into a climb and all 228 people are dead. 

I think that training for pilots should include scenarios with spontaneous automation failures.  Pilots need to stay on top of the aircraft and be prepared at all time for a failure.  This is such a high risk job; nothing should be over looked or forgotten. 

Introduction

Greetings,

I am what you would would say as not your typical person.  I am considered unusual, but I take it as being unique.  It's the unique ones that change the world, not the boring people.

I am an aviation student currently working on my commercial license.  At times I find myself just wanting to be done with school and want to get my ratings as fast as possible, but then I find myself just taking in the whole flying experience and never want to land. 

I know I will have to become a flight instructor out of school, as I am not rich enough to pay to build up my hours.  But this is a good thing.  You learn so much from teaching, and I want to learn everything.  I am keeping all doors and windows open for opportunities in the aviation industry, whether it's a pilot, dispatch, or fueling job.