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.