Some say that baseball is America’s favorite pastime, but if you ask me, no sport is more American than football. There are so many more traditions built around the Super Bowl than the World Series. The parties. The commercials. The half-time show (I thought Bruce Springsteen was the best!). The tail-gating. The beer. The wings.
The private jets.
Serious fans obviously can’t miss the big game, and they won’t risk flight delays or tarmac waits to get to Indianapolis this year. When the Patriots take on the Giants on Feb. 5, Gisele Bündchen won’t be the only one who arrives in style.
Private jet companies expect to break the record of 611 private flights to the Super Bowl set in Dallas, Texas, in 2011 when the Steelers lost to the Packers. Considering that many fans will be traveling from Boston and New York City, two of the wealthiest cities in the U.S., the record seems reachable.
Indiana airports are feeling the pressure. The FAA has set up temporary towers to accommodate the extra traffic at three airports. Indianapolis Regional Airport is already near capacity and has a wait list for larger aircraft.
Here’s a look at the New York Giants’ flight to San Francisco to win the NFC championship game. The Patriots have enjoyed home field advantage, so their first flight of the playoffs will be on Jan. 29.
Who are you cheering for in the Super Bowl? And more importantly, how are you getting there?
Most people don’t think twice about taking a breath — but breathing is nothing to take for granted on an aircraft.
Too close for breathing comfort
The close quarters of a private jet — with limited breathing room — can increase the risk of catching an infection. In addition, pollutants such as engine fumes leaking into the cabin may pose a threat to the health of crew and passengers alike.
An aircraft cabin exposes occupants to outside and recirculated air, just like a home or office. On an aircraft, however, people are much closer together. Also, occupants can’t leave at will, and the aircraft interior must be pressurized.
Without ozone converters, elevated concentrations of ozone occur on aircraft, causing airway irritation and reduced lung function.
Technologies are available to address the issue of infections, contaminants and pollutants. AirManager, an air-sanitizing system adapted from one used in hospitals and nursing homes, can eliminate bacteria, viruses and other biohazards. It also destroys chemical pollutants and removes unpleasant smells.
Pressure rises
Pressure is also a breathing issue on aircraft. At 8,000 feet, a passenger’s oxygen intake is reduced by about 4 percent — not enough to cause harm, but enough to make passengers feel fatigue. Small children and people with cardio or pulmonary ailments may experience serious health effects.
But some aircraft manufacturers are working to combat the effects of pressurization. Some 2012 Gulfstream models, for example, will include technology that keeps cabin pressure equivalent to 2,800 feet, even when the aircraft is cruising at 41,000 feet.
If you require specific equipment or accommodations in your private aircraft, you can breathe easier with the help of a private jet broker. A professional broker can quickly locate the aircraft with just the features you need.
That’s right. As of Dec. 15, 2011, the FAA approved pilots to use iPads to replace the paper-based flight bag on American Airlines. While some joke about the possibility of pilots playing Angry Birds or updating Facebook, nearly three weeks later, we haven’t heard of any dire consequences.
The iPad is replacing paper navigational charts and manuals for the operation of the aircraft. Weighing in at 38 pounds and 12,000 sheets of paper, the flight bag is a hefty item for pilots to tote around. However, the iPad only weighs 1.5 pounds. It seems like it would much easier to find answers in an intuitive iPad app rather than rifling through 12,000 sheets of paper.
American Airlines has additional plans in mind for the tablets. Flight attendants and pilots will also use the iPads in emergency situations to communicate with professionals on the ground through the InFlight911 Services.
Less paper, less weight, quicker access to manuals, better communication with the ground — iPads on planes seem like an obvious innovation. Perhaps the naysayers are just jealous that they still have to use their iPads in airplane mode during a flight?
Although some mechanics are qualified to work on only certain aircraft components, airframe and powerplant mechanics (A&Ps) are certified by the FAA to work on every part of a plane, except instrumentation.
An A&P performs regular and routine inspection of the aircraft and keeps accurate records and documentation, ensuring compliance with FAA regulations. A&Ps are trained to diagnose and repair issues efficiently — but always with an emphasis on safety — to ensure the aircraft can be flown when needed.
To become FAA-certified, A&Ps must first receive practical experience or training by one of the following methods:
- Successful completion of a 12- to 24-month training program through an FAA-certified school
- Completing at least 30 months of aircraft repair and maintenance under the supervision of an FAA-certified mechanic
- Military service, usually augmented with additional study and/or work experience in a civilian environment
After satisfactory completion of the classroom or on-the-job training, A&Ps are then eligible to sit for a series of oral, written and practical exams administered by the FAA.
Specialized skills
As aircraft system design becomes increasingly sophisticated, A&Ps must be exceptionally computer-savvy. Mechanics use computerized diagnostic equipment to test and monitor all aircraft components, including the engine, propellers, powerplant and hydraulics. It’s also essential that mechanics keep abreast of the latest technological advances with continuing education and training.
Hiring a dedicated A&P (as opposed to using a repair service center) allows the technician to become familiar with the maintenance and repair history of your aircraft. Also, the A&P who works directly for the aircraft owner is apt to be invested in providing consistent, high-quality service. That knowledge and commitment translates to more accurate assessment of the jet’s overall health, better communication with the pilot and speedier repair times.
Hiring a qualified, professional A&P is critical, so request recommendations from other jet owners, check references and request proof of FAA certification. The extra effort you make to find the right mechanic will result in peace of mind down the road.
It’s not just your imagination: Sales of pre-owned aircraft have climbed and inventory has shrunk.
JetNet reports that pre-owned business aircraft sale transactions between January and July increased 11.2 percent compared with the same seven-month period in 2010, and turboprop sales increased 3.7 percent. Pre-owned inventories continued to decline gradually in July, to 13.7 percent for business jets and 10.1 percent for business turboprops versus the same month last year, representing 1.2 percent and 0.8 percent drops in inventories, respectively.
This trend means that if you’re in the market for a pre-owned jet, you’ll spend more time looking for the aircraft you want — and finding fewer options. That is, unless you work with a jet broker.
Less pain, more plane
Using a jet broker takes the pain out of buying an aircraft. You don’t have to waste valuable time searching through private jet sales listings, inspecting and haggling over the jet: You simply let an expert do it for you.
Companies such as L&L International will take down your requirements, work with you to refine them to meet your budget and business needs, and procure the perfect lease or finance plan for the acquisition of the aircraft. Your involvement consists of making the final selection and signing the bill of sale.
You may not know exactly which type of private jet is most suitable for your needs, but a jet broker can help you understand your options.
Dedicated service for sellers and buyers
If you already have a personal or corporate jet, you may find that you need to upgrade to a jet that carries more passengers, is capable of longer flights or is more luxurious than your current aircraft. If you have a jet for sale and also want to buy a new model, a jet broker is a valuable asset.
You are likely too busy to put in the dedicated hours required to secure both the best price for your own jet and for the jet you want to purchase. It’s your jet broker’s job to work tirelessly on your behalf to secure the best deal. Brokers have good relationships developed throughout the world of buying and selling jets. Thus, they are in the best position to research not only the best aircraft on the market, but also the best off-market deals.
In today’s market, a jet broker’s insider knowledge saves you time and effort — and presents opportunities you don’t want to fly by.
The FAA launched a new campaign on Nov. 8, 2011, asking the entire GA community to increase its reporting of wildlife collisions with aircraft. The main outreach component of the effort includes the printing and distribution of 12,000 posters to the GA community. The poster, “Report Wildlife Strikes,” is designed for frequently used areas, like training and break rooms.
The Wright Brothers documented the first aircraft-wildlife collision in 1905 in Dayton, Ohio. Obviously, aircraft and birds have endured a tenuous relationship since the beginning of air travel.
The FAA has had a wildlife hazard management program in effect for more than 50 years. From 1990-2010, more than 121,000 strikes were reported, but only 6 percent of these instances were from GA. The FAA is trying to change that. The factsheet released Nov. 8 explains innovations the agency has made to make wildlife hazard reporting easier.
- The poster contains a QR code, so anyone with a smartphone that is QR-code equipped can report a wildlife strike.
- The FAA set up a new website that easily allows users to report an incident.
Wildlife strikes endanger human and animal lives, and they cause significant damage to private property. You can see the aftermath of these collisions at a gallery on the wildlife mitigation website. Access to comprehensive data about the number of incidents, localities and the species involved allows researchers and officials to improve safety at airports and in the air.
I have been thinking about the case of Amanda Knox recently and how she has become the biggest story in the news recently. She is following another case of big hype in the case of, Casey Anthony, the mother accused of murdering her daughter. Finally, this also dovetails with the two men in Iran that were accused of spying and were recently released. All of them were very high profile cases and they garnered much attention and the press was in a frenzy to get pictures and to get that brief statement to add to their stories.
In the case of Casey Anthony it was most attentive to me because of the protection of her privacy once released by using a private or corporate jet to transport her from the site of the case to her destination. It was noted that the priovate jet took her away to a destination unknown. She had complete privacy when dealing with the spectacle she had become.
I noticed that following the release of Amanda Knox she decided to take a commercial flight from Italy to Seattle where she had to deal with the press and the photographers. She of course was celebrating her release from prison and her situation may have been different from that of Casey Anthony, but she chose not to have the ultimate privacy afforded by the use of a private or corporate jet. Amanda Knox also had to spend 30 hours traveling from Italy to Seattle and it could have been spent with her family alone without the public having access to her.
This is why so many celebrities choose to use private jets instead of using the public accessed commercial flights. Even first class flights don’t allow for the complete privacy and they also allow people to photograph and have contact with the celebrity.
This press release from the FAA is shocking but not unexpected. As many in the Federal Government begin to get ready for the economic issues faced by not having legislation from Congress to continue paying loans and working.
WASHINGTON – Contractors have been told to stop work on critical airport modernization projects around the country after Congress failed to pass legislation on Friday giving the FAA the authority necessary for work to continue. Dozens of “stop work orders” have been issued for major projects designed to build and modernize control towers and other aviation infrastructure from coast to coast.
“Construction workers across America will lose their jobs and local communities will be hurt the longer this goes on. Congress needs to pass an FAA bill to prevent further economic damage,” said Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. “This is no way to run the best aviation system in the world.”
“Unless Congress acts quickly, more work on projects critical to our nation’s aviation system will come to a halt. Work is stopping on construction and planning projects, NextGen system testing, and airport certification. The list goes on and on and this is just the beginning,” said FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt.
Construction workers, engineers and planners were told not to come to worksites across the country after the FAA was forced to issue stop work orders on projects ranging from the construction of new air traffic control towers to the rehabilitation and modernization of air traffic facilities. Nearly 4,000 FAA personnel, many needed to oversee various aspects of these projects, were furloughed on Saturday. Stopping work on these projects could significantly increase the ultimate costs of construction for taxpayers.
Some of these projects include:
- Las Vegas, Nevada: A more than $43 million project to build a new air traffic control tower at McCarran International Airport. Contractor: Archer Western Contractors.
- Palm Springs, California: A $24.5 million project to build a new air traffic control tower at Palm Springs International Airport. Contractors: Swinterton Builders.
- Oakland, California: A $31 million project to build a new air traffic control tower at Oakland International Airport. Contractor: Devcon Construction.
- Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania: A more than $18 million project to build a new air traffic control tower at Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport. Contractor: Donald J. Keating Co.
- Kalamazoo, Michigan: A more than $14 million project to build a new air traffic control tower at Battle Creek International Airport. Contractor: Skanska.
- Gulfport, Mississippi: A nearly $12 million project to build a new air traffic control tower at Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport. Contractor: Flintco, Inc.
- Queens, NY: A more than $6 million project to demolish the old air traffic control tower at LaGuardia Airport. Work was supposed to begin on Saturday. Contractor: Paul J. Scariano Inc.
Additionally, the FAA has issued stop work orders for $370 million in contracts with Jacobs Engineering of Pasadena, California. The company is contracted to do all the architect, design, engineering and planning services for existing and future air traffic facilities. To view a list of projects where “stop work orders” have been issued click here. This list will be continually updated until Congress passes an FAA bill.
Before last Friday, the FAA was also prepared to award contracts for new air traffic control towers in Cleveland, Ohio and Fort Lauderdale, Florida but was forced to suspend that process because the agency was no longer authorized to access the Airport and Airway Trust Fund.
In addition to the FAA’s work on the construction of aviation facilities such as control towers, it is a primary funding source for other airport projects through the Airport Improvement Program. The program is also unable to operate without congressional authorization and as a result the FAA is unable to get roughly $2.5 billion out the door for airport projects in all 50 states that could put thousands of people to work in good paying jobs
Nearly 4,000 FAA employees in 35 states, and the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, have been furloughed and forced to go without pay. Large numbers of employees in New Jersey, New York, California, Georgia, Oklahoma, Texas, Washington, Illinois and the District of Columbia will be affected. This includes many of the FAA’s engineers, scientists, research analysts, administrative assistants, computer specialists, program managers and analysts, environmental protection specialists, and community planners.
While this lapse in FAA’s authorization affects thousands of public and private sector jobs, it is important to note that the safety of the flying public will not be compromised.
We will continue to monitor this situation and I can only assume as these types of actions continue to take place, the loss of work and jobs will cause ripples that will begin to put serious pressure on Congress to take care of the problems sooner than later.
The world of aviation is getting a little older year by year and that is no different that the Federal Aviation Administration. I was interested to read the following press release sent by the FAA. Aviation has become one of the safest ways to travel and the reason is for agencies such as the FAA. They have suffered some recent bad press with the air traffic controllers and other debacles, but for the most part they have done a good job of keeping our skies safe for all. For you enjoyment we have reproduced the release of theirs here.
(WASHINGTON) – The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration today marked the 75th anniversary of federal air traffic control as American aviation experiences its safest period ever. Since its inception with 15 workers operating in just three control centers in 1936, the agency has become a world leader, pioneering safety improvements and developing new technology to speed up flights, save fuel and improve safety.
“The United States has the safest air transportation system in the world. But as the last 75 years show, we will never stop working to make our system even safer,” said Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood.
“As a pilot, I am in awe of the aviation safety and technological advancements that have been made in the last 75 years,” said FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt. “NextGen represents the next milestone in aviation innovation. The FAA is committed to transforming our national airspace system so passengers can reach their destinations even more safely and more efficiently than they do today.”
Federal air traffic control began on July 6, 1936, when the Bureau of Air Commerce took over the operation of the first airway traffic control centers at Newark, N.J., Chicago and Cleveland. Faced with a growing demand for air travel, the 15 employees who made up the original group of controllers took radio position reports from pilots to plot the progress of each flight, providing no separation services. At the time, the fastest plane in the commercial fleet was the Douglas DC-3, which could fly coast-to-coast in about 17 hours while carrying 21 passengers.
Since then, the air traffic system has expanded from three control centers to include 131 federal stand-alone airport traffic control towers, 132 towers for terminal area approach control, 29 stand-alone terminal radar approach controls and 21 en route traffic control centers. The number of controllers has grown from 15 to more than 15,000, a workforce that handles an average of 50,000 flights each day. The DC-3 has given way to jet aircraft that can carry hundreds of passengers and fly from New York to Los Angeles in about five hours.
The FAA continues to pioneer new technologies that will make air traffic control safer and more efficient. The Next Generation Air Transportation System, or NextGen, will transform air traffic control in the U.S. from a system of ground-based radars to one based on satellites. In parts of the country, controllers already are beginning to track aircraft via satellites with a state-of-the-art system called Automatic Dependent Surveillance – Broadcast, or ADS-B. ADS-B will be available nationwide in 2013 and will enable more direct routes, saving time and money while also lowering the industry’s environmental footprint.
This month the FAA will celebrate the 75th anniversary of federal air traffic control by highlighting advancements in air traffic controller training, NextGen, how the FAA handles convective summer weather and aviation infrastructure improvements.
For more information on the air traffic control anniversary, follow the FAA on Facebook at www.facebook.com/FAA.
The FAA recently released this information regarding the crackdown on the use of laser pointers being pointed at aircraft. I thought it would benefit our readers here for this to be posted.
WASHINGTON – Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Administrator Randy Babbitt announced today that the FAA will begin to impose civil penalties against people who point a laser into the cockpit of an aircraft.
“Our top priority is protecting the safety of the traveling public. We will not hesitate to take tough action against anyone who threatens the safety of our passengers, pilots and air transportation system,” said Secretary LaHood.
“Shining a laser into the cockpit of an aircraft is not a joke. These lasers can temporarily blind a pilot and make it impossible to safely land the aircraft, jeopardizing the safety of the passengers and people on the ground,” said FAA Administrator Babbitt.
The FAA released a legal interpretation, which finds that directing a laser beam into an aircraft cockpit could interfere with a flight crew performing its duties while operating an aircraft, a violation of Federal Aviation Regulations. In the past, the FAA has taken enforcement action under this regulation against passengers physically on-board an aircraft who interfere with crewmembers.
Today’s interpretation reflects the fact that pointing a laser at an aircraft from the ground could seriously impair a pilot’s vision and interfere with the flight crew’s ability to safely handle its responsibilities.
The maximum civil penalty the FAA can impose on an individual for violating the FAA’s regulations that prohibit interfering with a flight crew is $11,000 per violation.
This year, pilots have reported more than 1,100 incidents nationwide of lasers being pointed at aircraft. Laser event reports have steadily increased since the FAA created a formal reporting system in 2005 to collect information from pilots. Reports rose from nearly 300 in 2005 to 1,527 in 2009 and 2,836 in 2010.
In 2010, Los Angeles International Airport recorded the highest number of laser events in the country for an individual airport with 102 reports, and the greater Los Angeles area tallied nearly twice that number, with 201 reports. Chicago O’Hare International Airport was a close second, with 98 reports, and Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport and Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport tied for the third highest number of laser events for the year with 80 each.
So far this year, the Phoenix and Dallas-Fort Worth areas each have recorded more than 45 laser events. The Los Angeles, Philadelphia and Houston areas each have recorded more than 30 laser events.
The increase in reports is likely due to a number of factors, including greater awareness and outreach to pilots to encourage reporting; the availability of inexpensive laser devices on the Internet; stronger power levels that enable lasers to hit aircraft at higher altitudes; and the introduction of green lasers, which are more easily seen than red lasers.
Some cities and states have laws making it illegal to shine lasers at aircraft and, in many cases, people can face federal charges. The FAA is prepared to work with federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies to assist with criminal prosecutions arising under those laws.
Legislation that would criminalize purposefully aiming a laser device at an aircraft is currently pending in Congress. The Senate included this language in the FAA Air Transportation Modernization and Safety Improvement Act, which it passed on Feb. 17, 2011. On Feb. 28, the House of Representatives passed legislation that would enact a similar penalty for shining lasers at aircraft. Both bills are awaiting further action.
