The Aspiring Pilot

RIP: Position and Hold, now line up and wait!

For pilots, new terminology replacing 'Position and Hold' went into effect today.  The new ATC command issued in it's place is now 'line up and wait.'  This change was implemented to standardize communications between US pilots under FAA regulations and international pilots using ICAO terminology.  

With the FAA's emphasis on decreasing runway incursion incidents, a more uniform, easily understood phrase was chosen that should help prevent foreign pilots from misunderstanding a position and hold clearance. Using the phrase that they are already familiar with helps to ease any confusion and also limits misunderstanding a clearance as 'hold position' or other similar terms that may unintentionally cause a pilot to taxi onto an active runway when not cleared to do so. 

For more reading and links to FAA training, LiveATC, etc. see the National General Aviation Article. 

 

Fly near/in/around Chicago? New Class B airspace changes in effect 10/21/10

The FAA has finally publicized the final ruling to alter the class B airspace over Chicago. The change is based on a variety of reasons but is being made primarily to ensure that airplanes landing at O'Hare using instrument procedures are kept within the class B airspace throughout the approach. The new airspace goes into effect October 21, 2010 with the next batch of chart publications.

Previously, some of the instrument approaches were outside of the class B airspace which went counter to the FAA's new policy. The FAA states that all portions of an instrument approach into a class B airport be fully contained within that airports class B airspace. The final changes expand the airspace to the east and west of the current class B airspace to fully include all sections of instrument approaches into O'Hare Airport (ORD).  

Read more at Chicago General Aviation Examiner (with link to graphic showing changes). 

Fly for MS in Moldova, help create Moldovan MS Society

From National General Aviation Examiner.

Vice-Minister of Health Octavian Grama, Vice-Director of the Neurology Hospital Dr. Andrei Uncuta, Fly for MS Pilot Keith and Andrei

Photo: Fly for MS crew

Fly for MS was in the country of Moldova on September 15 through the 17th with a busy schedule, full of events.  Andrei stated that 'Moldova is unique among the 30 countries we will visit as the country is the only one without an MS organization.' 

As a result of the visit by Fly for MS, the trip acted as a starting point for the countries doctors, MS patients and governmental entities to bring attention and resources to the fight against MS.  The MS Society in Moldova was created thanks to the groups visit and work with so many people and groups within Moldova.  

See National General Aviation Examiner for entire story.  If you only read one of these Fly for MS updates, this is the one for right now.   It demonstrates the power of even a single group of people can have on raising awareness and support for a cause.  

 

Microsoft released second teaser trailer for 'Flight'

Some more information out on MS Flight, the 2011 flight simulator being developed by Microsoft Game Studios.  (Keeping my fingers crossed as I'm a alpha and beta tester for MGS.... please please please let me alpha/beta test it!)  They did release a second trailer which leads to some indication it will be another resource intensive game, so, for those looking into it, now might be a good time to start saving up money for computer upgrades when the game is released.   Stay tuned for more information.  I will add additional posts as they come around.  For the initial video, see this post from earlier. 

 

 

Piper aircraft announces layoffs

from National General Aviation Examiner:

A Piper Arrow aircraft at Embry Riddle's Daytona Beach, Fl. Campus

Photo: By iagoarchangel / Jimmy Thomas via flickr.com

Piper Aircraft, headquartered in Vero Beach, FL, has announced the layoff of 60 employees as of Monday, September 27th. The layoffs will reduce the company's employee count from 890 to 830.  The move mainly effects the manufacturing divisions of the company. 

The layoffs come after a time of massive hiring by the company in support of production for its newest aircraft model, the PiperJet. In September of 2009, Piper had an employee base of 580 employees. After the layoffs, the company will still have 250 more employees than in the same period a year ago.  

Development and production of the PiperJet is still proceeding and first deliveries are expected in the second quarter of 2013.  

The layoffs are the result of lower than expected airplane sales. Initial estimates were for 200 sales in 2010 but have since been revised down to 159 aircraft for the year.  This is still well ahead of the 2009 sales of only 90 aircraft.  The increase over 2009 can most likely be attributed to the successful Light Sport Aircraft model Piper recently began delivering, the PiperSport, which starts at a retail price of only $119,900.  

See National General Aviation Examiner for full story and link to the letter from Piper.

 

Missing airplane located, confirmed crash with fatalities

The PA-44 Piper Seminole that was reported missing overnight has been located according to the Vilas Sheriff's Department. The Sheriff's department is confirming that the airplane did crash and that there were two fatalities in the crash.  

FAA spokesperson Elizabeth Cory stated the airplane was located approximately 5 miles north of Minocqua. 

See Chicago General Aviation Examiner for additional information. 

 

Airplane disappears from radar near Minoqcua, WI, departed Aurora, IL

A Piper Seminole twin engine aircraft similar to the one that is reported missing

Photo: by neepster via flickr.com

A PA-44 Piper Seminole with two people aboard is reported missing in northern Wisconsin.  The Vilas Sheriff's Department was contacted by the FAA around 8:30 p.m. Thursday evening to look for a plane that may have crashed in the area.  The airplane, N570ER, departed Aurora Municipal Airport (KARR) in Illinois 6:22 p.m. and was heading to Lakeland/Lee Field Airport (KARV) in Minocqua, Wi.  The plane was scheduled to land around 8:00 p.m. 

According to an FAA spokesperson Elizabeth Cory, the only information they will provide at this time is that the plane disappeared from radar near its destination of Minocqua around 8:00 p.m. last night.

See Chicago General Aviation Examiner article for full story.

FAA seeking to ban new 'through the fence' agreements for public airports

The FAA has recently proposed modifications to it's 'through the fence' (TTF) policy pertaining to residential access to public airports. 'Through the fence' airport access is when an off airport property, residential or commercial has direct access for their airplane onto the airport. This is usually seen with private airparks where all the residences have hangers attached to the homes and provide direct access to the runway for all home owners.

FAA acting Assistant Administrator for Airports, Catherine Lang, on Wednesday, reiterated the FAA's position to the House Transportation and Infrastructure committee Wednesday seeking a ban on new through the fence agreements and seeking assurances for those agreements already in place.

 See National General Aviation Examiner for full story.

Cessna layoffs continue, 700 more to lose jobs

Shortly after Cessna was in the news for averting a strike by the machinist's union, an announcement was made that they will be laying off employees company wide.  

In an email written to employees that was obtained by the Associated Press, Cessna's CEO, Jack Pelton, blamed the need for layoffs on the economy and that the company's performance mirrored the downturn.  In the letter, Pelton stated “the recovery and growth we expected to see throughout the year have not materialized, and the timing of any recovery remains uncertain.”

See National General Aviation Examiner for full story.

 

Helicopter on training flight crashes at Schaumburg Regional Airport

A helicopter owned by Bachman Aero was involved in an accident at Schaumburg Regional AirportMonday evening. There were no injuries reported and the fire department cleared the scene after determining that there was no fire threat and no signs of leaking fuel. 

According to FAA spokesperson, Tony Molinaro, the helicopter was a Hughes 269C, tail number N34LB, owned by Bachman Aero.  Bachman Aero's offices are located in Skokie, IL and they provide helicopter flight training and flight services out of Schaumburg Regional Airport.  Molinaro stated that the 'helicopter hit the ground at the airport, skidded, then the tail boom struck the ground.  Two people were onboard, no injuries reported.'  

Read the rest of the story at Chicago General Aviation Examiner.