We have discussed the issues of traffic control workers and fatigue and sleeping on the job. Those concerns are continuing for the FAA, but not in the area of traffic controllers but in technicians. The FAA has been mostly concerned with pilots and most recently with flight control, but maintenance workers are also a big concern, The Federal Aviation Regulations state in pertinent part at part 121.377:
Maintenance and preventive maintenance personnel duty time limitations–states: “Within the United States each certificate holder (or person performing maintenance or preventive maintenance functions for it) shall relieve each person performing maintenance or preventive maintenance from duty for a period of at least 24 consecutive hours during any seven consecutive days or the equivalent thereof within any one calendar month.”
The FAA is offering a course called “Fatigue Countermeasure Training,” which addresses fatigue issues for mechanics and other maintenance technicians. This course can be taken online. We will see more of this as the issues are investigated to keep our aviation system safe. We continue to see examples where the industry will be tightening up to eliminate safety concerns.
There are over 9 million takeoff and landings every year in the United States and with all the news buzzing about the traffic controllers sleeping on the job the FAA says safety is on its list of things to take care of in the very near future. I have been inundated with press releases and information about what they are doing at the FAA and they are scrambling to get their procedures and protocols on the mend.
Ray LaHood is on a fever pitch of media pitches and has done hundreds of interviews the past couple of weeks. We are seeing many reports now of other violations and other incidents of controllers sleeping on the job. The secretary is stating that money is no object in correcting the problems. The government is cutting $4Billion for the budget of the FAA and he continues to state that this will not change their calling that they intend to make safety their priority. It is assumed they will have to cut in other areas if they intend to put two controllers in at least every tower to alleviate the problems with current issues of controllers sleeping on the job. We will have to see how this impacts other safety measures and if they can continue to put two controllers in each tower.
First of all, we here at Corporate Jet Insider and L&L International would like to say we are sending all our best wishes and thoughts to all the people having difficulties in the middle east no matter where you may be and we hope that everyone remains safe. The recent event sin the middle east have had sweeping effects on many industries and certainly have not missed business aviation.
We have been hearing good things from the business aviation world in the middle east as orders have been remaining steady and in some cases have increased n the middle east. Where the difficulties are now being seen is in the problems with oil prices. Oil is now over 100 dollars a barrel and this is having the same effects as it is for auto industry and the costs of goods. Jet fuel prices as also jumping and this is trickling down to the use of corporate travel and the use of business jets. We will be watching the industry and see how this may change in the short and long term. Our thoughts as stated are that we can overcome the middle east problems to make for a more stable business aviation industry.
The FAA takes serious the regulations regarding maintenance of aircraft and this is reinforced by the FAA administrator. He stated:
“Keeping aircraft well-maintained and in good condition must be a top priority for any operator,” said FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt. “All operators must comply with maintenance requirements.”
The FAA released a recent news story related to the penalty it proposes that will be assessed against Corporate Air:
SEATTLE – The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is proposing a $585,725 civil penalty against Corporate Air of Billings, Mont., for allegedly operating a Shorts SD-3-30 twin-turboprop cargo aircraft when it was not in compliance with Federal Aviation Regulations.
The FAA alleges Corporate Air failed to maintain the aircraft under the company’s general maintenance manual, which requires daily post-flight inspections that include examining the exterior skin for corrosion. In addition, the maintenance manual requires structural inspections on the basis of flight hours or flights.
The FAA alleges that Corporate Air operated the aircraft in violation of regulations on at least 81 revenue flights between Dec. 21, 2009 and Feb. 4, 2010 with corrosion that had not been detected during the post-flight inspections. The FAA also alleges that structural inspections were not conducted at the required intervals, between Mar. 16, 2006 and Feb. 3, 2010, in violation of federal regulations.
Corporate Air operates charter and air taxi service under Part 135 of the Federal Aviation Regulations and makes daily feeder cargo flights under contract to a major next-day air package airline.
Corporate Air is afforded a period has 30 days from the receipt of the FAA’s enforcement letter to respond to the agency and state why it should not face the penalty that is being proposed.
The Gulfstream 650 continues to use and test its aircraft under serial number 6001. Recently, Gulfstream, the jet manufacturer that is located in Savannah, Georgia, flew its S/N 6001 on a test flight using only an electrically powered, fly-by-wire (FBW) backup flight-control actuation system. The entire flight was approximately 3 1/2 hours and four pilots were on board to test the system which was ran about 2 1/2 hours and during that test time the jet performed 5 landings using the FBW system.
The system is different from most as it works on electric backup instead of using hydraulics like most systems. Gulfstream’s FBW is designed for the G650 as electric backup hydraulic actuators (EBHA)–one at every primary control surface (elevator, rudder and aileron) and the outboard spoiler. This is great news and the Senior Vice President of programs, engineering and test discussed the test stating:
“The system performed flawlessly. There was no difference in handling qualities between the electrically and hydraulically powered modes.”
This is good news for the Gulfstream team that is working on the 650. Personally I am watching the progress of the Gulfstream 650 as this jet has always been one of my favorites, ad who knows I may some day have the Gulfstream 650 as part of my fleet.
According to reports the business use of corporate jets has increased in a year over year analysis. The number was 4.4% reported last month and was a year over year figure. Part 91 flying increased 10 percent while it rose 12.2% in November. This is another comparison to the same time last year and should not be thought of as just due to the holiday increase. Fractional flying only rose a mere 2.4% so we did not see increased used across the board making for just an overall increase of 4.4%
In spite of the increase in use of corporate jets in the industry, safety remained relatively unchanged. In a report by Boca Raton, Fla.-based industry safety analyst Robert E. Breiling Associates it was stated that there was just one more accident last year involving U.S.-registered business aircraft than in the previous year, with the total business jet accidents rising to nine from eight.
It is nice to see that safety remains nearly unchanged in spite of the increased use. The turboprop industry was somewhat more increased and that could be due to its increased use, but corporate jets remain a safe alternative to commercial flying and we like to see these numbers. If you are looking at safety as a reason not to choose a private aircraft it has great numbers.
I was just discussing funding of the FAA and how the business aviation industry works with those issues through the fuel tax and not through usage fees. It seems that they will need to dip into the fuel tax to fund a problem they are having with their Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen). The problem is in the software of the new system. AIN recently reported the issues with the NextGen as it stated:
“the FAA’s new, $2.1 billion en route automation modernization (Eram) computer system, originally scheduled to be operational at all 20 air route traffic control centers (ARTCC) last year, could incur repair costs for the agency of up to $500 million.”
This is a set back for the agency and can mean some difficulties for the industry going forward. The full report from the DOT Inspector General was sent to Congress.
The technology that we currently use is more than 30 years old and is in need of replacement. The current system is being replaced by Lockheed Martin. It was also reported that in July, the IG found that subsequent operational testing at the St. Louis ARTCC raised more than 15,000 software issues, requiring a continuing estimated $12 million per month to troubleshoot and repair–at the FAA’s expense. This is not good news for the FAA budget, and it is not putting a lot of confidence in the new system set to replace its older counterpart.
I have been giving some thought to the recent brouhaha about the old Speaker of the House using the Air Force for travel needs and the new Speaker of the House indicating that would not happen and that the new Speaker would be taking commercial flights like the rest of the citizens. I am not sure how this can be safe when a potential person who may be the President of the free world would be traveling with the rest of the country in economy class.
Perhaps the privatization of the travel is in order. We have been doing business travel for many years and have become pretty efficient with this type of travel. We can have the competition of working to be most cost effective and being the best company to provide this travel. This takes out of the equation the excess we see with $400 hammers and $1000 toilet seats we see in the military, and creates jobs and other economic benefits for the country.
I doubt this will ever actually happen and frankly the security issues and the other things that would come out of it have not been thought about on my part. I merely believe it would be good for the private jet industry to have this shot in the arm. I know that this is always going to be an issue with travel by our politicians just as it was an issue with the car maker CEO’s during the buyout. What do you think about Speaker of the House traveling around in that latest Citation X?
There is a man down the street from my house that has the best looking garage in the neighborhood. He has one of those special floors that is painted with that special speckled paint and inside that garage is a couple of the family cars. Those cars are the best kept cars I have ever seen. The are always washed, always clean inside, and I got a peak under the hood a few times when speaking to him and the engines look like the day they came off the showroom floor. Those vehicles are the pride and joy of their owner and they would be the best vehicle to buy no matter their age. The point of the story is your private jet can also be the best buy no matter their age if you maintain them like my neighbor does his vehicles.
There are plenty of maintained private jets on the market. They have been kept up to date with all of the minimum requirements under the regulations. They never go above what the regulations require but they have been “maintained”. The business aircraft or the private jet that has been cared for properly will be the best aircraft on the market and will carry the best value. Meeting just the minimum requirements will keep your records up to date and will pass any inspection, but give me the private jet that has been cared for like the neighbor down the street. The aircraft that is always cleaned and polished, the one that has all the best of equipment that can be installed, all records of maintenance and well kept records as well as damage and repairs. All of this well done and well maintained principles make these aircraft carry their value and exceed most baseline values of other aircraft. Make sure you care for your aircraft and it will care for you when it comes to time to sell. Which business aircraft or private jet would you put at the top of your list?
It seems that airport safety is getting better and has been for several years. The FAA reported today that there were fewer incidents on runways this year by 50% year over year. The FAA statement indicates:
U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Administrator Randy Babbitt announced today that the number of serious runway incursions at the nation’s airports dropped 50 percent from 2009, the second consecutive year that the number of serious incursions was cut in half.
“We continue to make terrific progress in the area of runway safety and the credit should go to the entire aviation community,” LaHood said. “I’m thrilled that we’ve further reduced serious incursions, and I look forward to additional improvements in the years ahead.”
“The goal we are working towards is zero runway incursions,” Babbitt said during a press conference at Boston’s Logan Airport where he highlighted runway safety technology. “I’m confident that the right combination of education and technology will help us get there.”
The number of serious runway incursions at the nation’s airports dropped from 12 in fiscal year 2009 to six in fiscal year 2010, which ended on Sept. 30. Today’s announcement reflects a steady, significant improvement in runway safety over the last decade. In fiscal year 2000 there were 67 serious runway incursions. Of the six incursions this fiscal year, three involved commercial aircraft.
Several years ago the FAA launched an intensive effort to improve runway safety. That effort included the expedited installation of new technology at airports, expanded requirements for improved signage and markings at airports, and improved pilot training on runway conflict scenarios. Since then, the FAA and pilot groups also have conducted extensive outreach and training for general aviation pilots.
During the press conference, Babbitt announced that the Runway Status Lights system at Boston’s Logan Airport has completed a successful testing period. The runway safety system gives direct warnings to pilots of potential runway incursions or collisions through a network of red lights that are embedded in the airfield pavement. The lights warn pilots when it is unsafe for a pilot to enter, cross or proceed down a runway. Pilots must stop when the red lights are illuminated and may not continue without clearance from air traffic control.
The new technology, which is also being used at Dallas/Ft. Worth, San Diego and Los Angeles, was successfully tested for 90 days at Boston. The FAA partnered with the Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport) to install the system. The FAA funded the design and development of the system, as well as the equipment. Massport paid for the installation of the airfield lighting equipment.
Runway Status Lights systems are scheduled to be installed at 23 airports across the country beginning next year.
Technology it seems is making our lives easier to handle and it seems it is also making our lives much safer as well.
