The Aspiring Pilot

General aviation accidents on the decline

During the 'Meet the FAA' forum at EAA Airventure, FAA Administrator Randy Babbit and Secretary of Transportation, Ray LaHood spoke on general aviation on various topics.   To show the Department of Transportations recognition of the importance of GA, LaHood stated “We recognize what a critical role GA plays in the aviation system of our country and the world.  We look forward to the opportunities to work with you to make sure what you do for aviation flies high at the DOT.”

However, one of the important factors, given some of the more recent highly publicized GA Accidents (such as the Rousch crash at Airventure), Babbit gave an encouraging statistic.    “GA accidents are down 13 percent in the first six months of 2010,” said Babbitt. “While this is an excellent trend, we must continue to dig deeper into the causes of the accidents – the numbers behind these numbers.”  An important part is continuing education.  I will eventually right a longer self authored post on my mantra for flying that I also apply to the firefighting world.  Based on the importance of it, I'd rather wait until the readership of this blog increases.  However, it focuses on the pilot that never stops learning.  This isn't a field that anyone should get lax in and definitely should never stop expecting the unexpected.

It's still nice to hear that overall accident rates are down for the start of the year.  13% isn't that bad; however, wouldn't it be great if we could continue that or increase the % of the decline through the last 6 months of the year?

As pilots, we just have to remember, unlike driving, everyday can be different in the air.  Yes, there are less airplanes to worry about then cars and other drivers on the road; however, there are so many other variables that must be considered.  Take into account constantly changing weather conditions, mechanical issues, human physiologic issues, among others.  All these will contribute to make virtually any flight unique and different.  We can't let our guard down and think each and every flight will be uneventful.  Incidents and accidents will happen, but how prepared you are, both from experience and mental preparedness, will determine the final outcome.

Airlines: Senate Approves Tougher Airline Safety Measures - CNBC

Airlines: Senate Approves Tougher Airline Safety Measures - CNBC.

The house passed it yesterday and the Senate just approved it as well.  Looks like the tougher safety standards are off to the White House for a signature, which is virtually a guarantee.  The biggest effect on an aspiring pilot is that it will increase the minimum flight time a prospective pilot needs in order to get hired by an airline, any airline (regionals or majors).  The minimums are going from 250 up to 1500 hours of total flight time; however, this is moot at the moment as most first officers currently working for the regionals have well in excess of 1500 hours and as tight as the hiring is now, it's hard to get on with less than that anyway.

This will really come into play in the future as the aviation industry continues to turn around, the next batch of pilot's retires and the airlines go on a hiring burst.  Add in the extremely low number of new pilots (based on student pilot certificate applications) entering the pipeline and there could very well be a shortage years down the road.

Overall, for the general public, this is a good bill and will help and ease some concerns in the publics mind about the regional airlines and put them more on par with the major's in how they are viewed in terms of safety and professionalism of the crews.

AOPA Online: Individual California CFIs are not subject to costly reg

By AOPA ePublishing staff

via www.aopa.org

Some good news for individual CFI's in California at least.

The state of California was trying to implement strict regulations on postsecondary schools in order to protect students financial interests. This followed on the heals of some schools shutting their doors and students losing all the money that had been deposited with the school.

The AOPA fought this, not because it doesn't care about protecting the students, but also about protecting the flight schools and instructors as well. The law would add an extreme burden on most flight schools. To put it in perspective, the process is so expensive and burdensome, that some estimate that as many as 90% of the flight schools in the state will close without if no changes are made to the law.

The law requires that flight schools pay multiple administrative fees and open their books to regulators. Thanks, it appears that for now, this will not apply to individual flight instructions that instruct out of their planes and not part of a larger school.

Let's hope the AOPA succeeds in getting the law clarified and more specific on it's reach. The flight schools are already suffering with record low numbers as stated in my prior posts, adding additional, unnecessary administrative fees.

We need to protect the future of Aviation. I do believe in rules and regulations to protect students from schools that may close down and run off with students hard earned funds, but we can't do it at the expense of schools that are legitimate and financially sound. The closing of 90% of flight schools in California would not help the sinking economy in that state in the least bit.

Congress set to act on tougher aviation safety measures in response to 2009 commuter crash - chicagotribune.com

Congress set to act on tougher aviation safety measures in response to 2009 commuter crash - chicagotribune.com.

Well going along with the earlier post, here's a more indepth discussion about the new air safety measure bill that is expected to be voted on and pass by this weekend.

Essentially, the part that will effect me and other prospective pilots is the raising of the minimum qualifications to be considered for a first officer position of any airliner.  They current minimum (250, which isn't really realistic as I've never met anyone that's been truly hired with that little time) from 250 up to 1500 total time.

Now, the debate can come into account as to the type/quality of the 1500 hours.  What if I fly charter in turbo props and jets and obtain 1000 hours of time, or fly 1500 hours of instructing in a Cessna 172, which prepares you more for being a first officer?  (Granted, you won't be flying charter in turbo props/jets with little time under your belt either, it's more for a basis of discussion.) 

Either way, I didn't plan on spending less than 1000 hours instructing before pursuing an airline career.  I feel it is extremely important to impart my knowledge and experiences on the younger students.  Kind of my way of returning something back to the aviation community. 

In the end, I don't think I'd fully leave instructing behind if I succeed at obtaining an airline job a few years from now.  It's a way to continue to learn and expand my knowledge and experience.  I don't think a pilot should ever stop learning.

AOPA Online: New system helps students learn communications

By Thomas B. Haines

via www.aopa.org

Interesting program! I thankfully didn't have much issue with the radio and became very comfortable, very quickly. It's helped on the fire side as well in terms of communicating on our radios. The only negative I've carried over from aviation radio comm's to the fire side is I tend to talk fast, a little too fast sometimes, and have to repeat myself. Learning to fly in an environment with a LOT of flight training, mixed in with corporate aviation as well as international 747's, 767's etc. leads to a an ability to communicate with ATC at a very quick pace. Follow that up with flying in the Chicago area, and well, you learn to talk and listen at an even faster pace.

Still, this will be a great addition to many flight schools (though the costs seem a bit high, and with dwindling student pilot numbers, I don't see this entering wide-spread usage, at least not yet.) Student pilots, especially at high traffic airports, can establish a certain comfort level before actually engaging ATC in really life. Less errors and less repetition of clearances, etc. will lead to better, more efficient operations at airports with a lot of training aircraft.

Fresh airport amenities make the wait fly by - Travel - Travel Tips - msnbc.com

Excited about your summer vacation but dreading the part of the trip where you rush to the airport, wait in line, have your stuff pawed through and then end up just hanging around? There’s no need to sit by the gate and twiddle your thumbs, especially if you find yourself at one of the many airports offering fresh new amenities or special summer programs. Here’s a roundup of what’s in store:

via www.msnbc.msn.com

HAH! Just as I was discussing the airlines moving away from all the small luxuries, amenities and extras, the airports are increasing them. Interesting to read some of the additions, like fests that involve DJ's, facepainting, and other carnival type events to dog areas, viewing platforms for arrivals/departures, and nature areas. Overall, a GREAT idea to help people's time at the airport fly by. I think this may even make the employees live's easier. A happier and less stressed traveler is less likely to lose their temper at a gate agent, ticket agent, etc. What're your thoughts on this, comment with ideas of what you'd like to see at your local airport! (now how do I get that Willy Wonka Candy Machine into O'Hare....)

4 airmen killed in cargo plane crash during training run at Air Force base in Alaska - chicagotribune.com

4 airmen killed in cargo plane crash during training run at Air Force base in Alaska - chicagotribune.com.

Sad day yesterday.  R.I.P. to the 4 airmen (3 Air National Guard and 1 active duty Air Force) who died in this crash yesterday.  They were practicing for an air show this weekend. 

This along with the medical helicopter crash and Airbus crash in Pakistan yesterday made it a pretty somber day in the aviation world. 

Given that Alaska has the highest per capita number of pilot's of any state so aviation is very familiar there.  It's virtually impossible for some small towns in Alaska to have any contact with places outside their town without aviation.  Most times, it's the only means of transportation, for both people and goods. 

Once again, R.I.P.

Update: Tucson helicopter crash fatal for 3 on board - KOLD News 13

Update: Tucson helicopter crash fatal for 3 on board - KOLD News 13.

Received an email about from 'The Secret List' which provides emails for Line of Duty Deaths (LODD) in the fire service.  This was a double whammy, as it involved a rescue helicopter as well.  All 3 personnel on board, a pilot, flight nurse and medic were all killed.  RIP to all three.

 

Ironically, the US Congress is still reviewing and debating the FAA reauthorization bill, part of which include additional regulations and changes to medical flights.  This was brought on by the latest rash of medical aviation crashes in the news.  They are a much needed aspect to the fire/ems services; however, their safety does need to be reviewed and enhanced.  I feel that I can speak on both aspects, being a firefighter/paramedic and a pilot.  (I'd love to be able to be a flight medic as well, even given the latest rash of incidents.)

 

Let's hope the investigation is quick, and if any ongoing concerns exist for safety of life/flight of future flights they are addressed quickly.

 

R.I.P.

Air fares are up even without the fees, DOT says | Chicago Breaking Business

If you think air fares have been rising, it’s not your imagination.

Figures just released from the government, though a bit dated, show that airline prices in the first three months of this year rose nearly 5 percent from a year earlier. And that doesn’t include baggage fees and other extras.

But average fares are 25 percent lower than they were in 1999 adjusting for inflation, the government says.
The numbers were in a report issued Wednesday by the Department of Transportation.

The average domestic fare in the first quarter of 2010 rose to $328.  Since 2001, the average price for the first quarter was higher only once –  in 2008, when it hit $333.

The government figures include the ticket price plus taxes and things such as security fees. They don’t include add-ons such as baggage fees. The numbers also are several months old, and information from other sources indicates that prices continued to rise into the summer.

By June, passengers were paying about 18 percent more than they did in June 2009, according to the Air Transport Association, a trade group for the biggest U.S. airlines.

The government says the highest average fare in the first quarter was in Huntsville, Ala., and the lowest was in Atlantic City, N.J.

The figures show the influence of low-cost airlines on local fares. Huntsville is dominated by major airlines and has very limited service by discount carriers — AirTran offers just a few flights to two other cities.

The biggest price increase from  early 2009 to early 2010 was in Charleston, S.C., where AirTran pulled out last December. On the flip side, prices fell the most in Milwaukee. Southwest Airlines began service there last year and competes against AirTran and Frontier.

via chicagobreakingbusiness.com

Kind of goes along with my last post regarding the costs and fees of flying nowadays. Huntsville having the highest average fare with the least low-cost carriers proves the effect the low-cost carriers have on airfares overall.

Why? .. and the Future of Flying...

Well, I know given the current state of the industry and flying, I do occasionally get the question as to why I want to fly.  Simply for the fact that I absolutely love it.  All throughout training, I never once viewed it as training, or a chore, career, etc.  I want to fly for the sheer and utter love of it.

I understand that the days of pilot's being these icons are long gone, but people that are getting into the field just so they can say they're a pilot shouldn't be doing it then.  If you don't love this, you won't last.  It's a time consuming (and resource consuming) process.  I unfortunately think that a lot of the modern ages fascination with flight has waned.  Thanks to the introduction of ultra-low fare and no frill airline service, flight has become just another mode of transportation.  Gone are the days when I was little and flying was an adventure and an experience.  People still mostly dressed nicely (not like the really old days of suits and dresses, looking your 'Sunday Best.'  Now, it's the cattle car mentality in some cases and profit in most others.  I do understand the profit aspect as you need to make a profit in the end to be a viable company, but to what extent?  Airlines need to return to the error of customer service and comforts.  Make flying an adventure and experience again.

Will that ever actually happen? i highly doubt it, the bottom line is king now, and with so many low-fare startups and the general populaces need for the cheapest expenditure for them.  I've always been curious what would happen if an airline started up that focused on providing service on par with the golden age of aviation?  Sadly, then reality sets in and I doubt it would last beyond the first few flights that would be successful solely due to nostalgia and simple curiosity.  I doubt if it would take long for the mighty pocketbook to once again rule in favor of discount fares.

Now, where does the future lie?  With new student pilot certificates at an all time low (@60,000) and record low responses from student pilots wanting to pursue an airline career, it could be an interesting future.  How low will the supply of qualified airline pilots get?  Especially with the retirement of more and more of the current pilots and an concurrent increase in air traffic.  Could this lead to an eventual strengthening of the pay and benefits that airline pilots experience.  I think that is a distinct possibility, but only time will tell.

Well, till next time, enjoy your flight!