More Than Three Types of NOTAMs?
I have a confession: I'm still trying to figure out NOTAMs.
I don't think I'm the only one. Depending on who you talk to (or which website you rely upon) there are sometimes 2 types, 3 types, 5 types or more.
During my flight training, I was taught that there were three types of NOTAMs: NOTAM(D), NOTAM(L) and FDC NOTAMs. So as a flight instructor, I was teaching these three types of NOTAMs (two types, now that NOTAM(L) isn't used anymore). I was doing some research recently and I came across the FAA website on types of NOTAMs. To my surprise, I learned that there are more NOTAM classifications than I was aware of. (And I never knew the difference between Class I and Class II NOTAMs. Do you?) Read More...
"Can I Fly After a DUI?"
Ask anyone in aviation and they'll tell you that if you want to become a pilot, you don't want to mess with the law, especially when it comes to drinking and driving.
They are right, for the most part. While a DUI can be a disqualifying medical condition, you shouldn't panic- there's hope.
If you find yourself pulled over because you made the bad decision to drink and drive, you might wonder what will happen to your aviation medical and pilot certificates. The answer, unfortunately, isn't very cut-and-dry.
You might be tempted to not do anything. But failure to report a DUI to the FAA within 60 days can result in the suspension of your medical and pilot license. And if you fail to report it on your medical exam the next time you go in to renew it, you'll be in bigger trouble for falsifying records.
So can you fly after a DUI? Well, if it's a single DUI and you otherwise have a clean record, then not much happens. If you are a private pilot with a third class medical certificate, then you're probably safe. There will be some paperwork. (Maybe lots of paperwork.) Commercial pilots and airline pilots will have to answer to the companies they work for, and there might be more serious repercussions.
If you have a previous DUI and you're applying for your initial medical certificate, it's normal to be anxious about what to expect. Again, if it's your only one, you will probably still pass the exam.
If you have multiple DUIs or a DUI with other arrests, then the process gets more complicated.
Women of Aviation Worldwide Week Takes Off
The annual Women of Aviation Worldwide week took off on Monday with events all over the world.
Women of Aviation Worldwide Week was founded by Canadian woman and pilot Mirielle Goyer, who was disappointed in the lack of events honoring women pilots and their successes. She decided to launch the initiative "Fly it Forward" which would introduce women and young girls to flight to honor women aviators in the past.
Since the launch of Women of Aviation Worldwide week in 2011, thousands of young women and girls have been introduced to the world of aviation and flown in small aircraft.
Women in Aviation Worldwide Week involves a series of events held during one week in March to honor female aviators in the past and introduce women Read More...
Student Pilots - Here's What You Need
One of the biggest questions I get when a student first inquires about flight training is "What do I need to get started?"
I've answered that question for you in a new article, What You Need to Get Started, so all of you student pilots out there can go get started.
I always recommend the particular items on the list because those are the things that I continuously referenced time and time again over the course of many pilot certificates and ratings. I also typed up a list of books that I found extremely useful. The books included on this list of books that beginner pilots need are still on my bookshelf, torn covers and pages missing.
If you're a student pilot or if you've recently completed a pilot certificate, tell me what book or pilot resource you found most useful during pilot training.
Pope Benedict Flies a Chopper?
Did anyone else notice that Pope Benedict XVI was flown away by helicopter today?
I didn't think much of it at first, and then I began to hear rumors about Pope Benedict having a pilot license of some kind. Who knew?
After his abdication today, Pope Benedict XVI was seen leaving in a helicopter, apparently off to his summer retreat at Castel Gadolfo.
News reports are saying that he does, indeed, have a pilot's license and apparently flies the helicopter himself from time to time. No surprise there. Pope Benedict is also the first pope to have used modern technologies like Twitter and cell phones.
Does anyone know what kind of helicopter he was in?
ERAU Students Will Fly Full-Flight Simulators
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University has become the first aviation university to offer full-flight level D simulators to its students for use.
According to a university press release, beginning this fall, students will be provided access to Level D simulators at both of its campuses. In Daytona, the students will get to fly a full-flight simulator that belongs to Flight Safety, Intl. and is located at ERAU's Advanced Flight Simulation Center. Prescott, Arizona students will have to make the drive to Phoenix to use these simulators.
There's no word on how much this will cost the students, but it will help prepare them for the Airline Transport Pilot certificate, which is required under the FAA's new Read More...
Dispatcher, Maintenance Training Offered at WAI Conference
This year's International Women in Aviation Conference will offer participants new or recurrent training that focuses on one of three different career topics, according to a press release from Women in Aviation, International.
The conference, organized by nonprofit group Women in Aviation, International, will take place March 14-16 at the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center in Nashville.
Attendees will be able to attend an industry exhibit hall, network with many other aviation peers and attend education and training sessions.
The training sessions this year will include aircraft dispatcher recurrent training, a Part 121 program Read More...
Tower Closings and Delays Possible with Sequester
Ray LaHood and Michael Huerta released a letter today detailing the FAA's plan for handling the potential budget cuts. The plan includes shutting down 100 control towers and cutting shifts at 60 more towers, as well as furloughing 47,000 employees.
The actions would take place in April, the letter says. The new budget plan would save $600 million during the remainder of the year.
Obviously, this is quite a hit for the FAA and for the aviation industry as a whole. Customers can expect Read More...
US Airways to Merge with American
Last Thursday, American Airlines and US Airways agreed to merge, creating the world's largest airline. And while airline executives claim that the merger will benefit customers in the long run, many of those customers are afraid it will only increase prices and cause problems with other things like frequent flier programs.
It's true that prices may increase with only four competing airlines, although experts say it probably won't be significant enough to worry about.
What's more worrisome for our industry is that these mergers tend to be complicated, no matter how "seamless" the executives plan for it to be. With pilots and flight attendant unions, lawyers and airline management executives all fighting for what they want, it's sure to be an interesting ride.
And here's the other thing pilots are afraid of: Remember the US Airways-America West merger in 2005? Yeah, seven years later the new airline still hasn't successfully integrated its pilots. Seniority will be a major issue with these three airlines as they try to integrate their pilots together. The entire merger could take four years, executives say.
I'm wishing luck to both American Airlines and US Airways employees if the deal is approved!
Are you an employee of American or US Airways? What are your thoughts on the merger?
Life Cycle Cost 2013 Available from Conklin & de Decker
Aviation consultant company Conklin & de Decker have announce the release of a new version of their popular software database, Life Cycle Cost 2013, Volume I.
Life Cycle Cost is a total aircraft and financial management software program, and includes a database of over 400 aircraft.
An article from aviationpros.com claims that the new update includes at least twelve new aircraft, along with cost updates for fuel and maintenance for 2013.
It sounds like this version of Life Cycle Cost is more customizable than previously.
Aviation finance managers and operations managers will love this. After all, Read More...