Jetcareers - General Topics

possibly stupid question

ozone — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 18:05:02 GMT

I am planning on a xc flight tomorrow from KBED to KBVY (to pick up my wife after she drops our son off at the babysitter's) to KCQX.

1. Can I file a single flight plan, and inform flight following of my wee stop, or do I have to file two separate plans?

2. Also: how stupid is it to cross Massachusetts bay versus circling back over KBOS, and more land (assuming i can get VFR vectors through the class B)? I will be using a piper warrior II

All input is appreciated

Bill Seeks to Allow Airlines Access to Cockpit Conversations

CRJDriver — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 17:00:02 GMT

Oh Boy... !

Bill Seeks to Allow Airlines Access to Cockpit Conversations:

By ANDY PASZTOR

Sen. Jim DeMint, a Republican from South Carolina, plans to introduce a bill that would break a taboo in the airline industry: allowing airlines to use information from cockpit voice recorders in cases against pilots they want to discipline or fire.

Current labor contracts effectively bar major U.S. carriers from relying on information gathered from cockpit-recorders, or, in some cases, flight-data recorders to punish pilots or monitor their performance during trips. But the proposed legislation seeks to overturn those longstanding restrictions in both areas, which is already riling pilot union leaders.

The move also shines a spotlight on privacy and other complex legal questions surrounding the use of such information by airlines to make personnel decisions.

Today, cockpit voice recorder data doesn't become public or lead to actions against pilots unless there is an accident or serious incident investigated by the Federal Aviation Administration or the National Transportation Safety Board. Allowing airlines to use the information for their own personnel decisions would significantly open up an area that currently is considered to be an almost private sanctum for accident investigators.

Called the "Pilot Professionalism Assurance Act," the bill drafted by the Sen. DeMint envisions downloading voice or flight-data recorders "to discipline or discharge a pilot . . . for actions that endanger the safety or well being of passengers." The bill also proposes using previously sacrosanct recordings of cockpit conversations "to evaluate or monitor the judgment or performance of an individual pilot."

Sen. DeMint has not yet formally introduced his legislation and it is unclear what type of support it might find in Congress. The legislation is bound to face stiff resistance from both pilot unions -- and potentially the FAA and the NTSB. One of their principal objections is that the bill could put a chill on the current system of voluntary reporting of safety lapses by pilots. Currently, pilots are encouraged to file anonymous reports on safety problems that arise in the course of duty. Allowing airlines to review cockpit recordings could make pilots more reticent to report shortcomings because they might worry that they would be exposed to disciplinary action from their employer.

However, the bill comes in the wake of several commercial-aircraft accidents and incidents, including the bizarre October flight of a Northwest Airlines jet that lost contact with air-traffic controllers for more than an hour and overflew its destination. The pilots, whose licenses were revoked after the slip-up, told investigators they were engrossed in conversation about revised crew-scheduling procedures and became distracted by turning on and using their personal laptops on the flight deck.

That has created new impetus for stricter pilot oversight measures. There have been two attempts on Capitol Hill in recent weeks to draft legislation supporting installation of video recorders in cockpits. Pilot union officials successfully lobbied and managed to head off those efforts. The Air Line Pilots Association or ALPA, which is the largest pilot union in North America, is gearing up to quietly try to kill the DeMint bill before it is introduced, according to people familiar with the matter.

The escalating controversy focuses on how pilot professionalism conflicts with recent examples of distraction and lax safety standards in the cockpit. Randy Babbitt, the head of the FAA, has spoken out strongly on the need to enhance pilot performance and raise the safety bar by having larger airlines and veteran pilots mentor less experienced pilots at the smaller commuter partners.

But so far, the FAA chief has opposed drastic moves such as stripping cockpit recorders of the confidentiality they have enjoyed for decades. Currently, flight-data recorders are routinely screened for unusual occurrences, but the analysis is done privately inside each airline and the results generally don't become public.

John Prater, president of ALPA, has previously said media pressure shouldn't "lead our industry in a direction that is detrimental to the goal of accident and incident prevention."

Earlier this week. Mr. Prater put out a statement urging Congress to avoid "drafting legislation that simply reacts to events already under investigation."

Toxic cabin air!

S.T.Aviator — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 03:52:59 GMT

Clearing the air up there

By Kara Kostanich - bio | email
Posted by Rachel Leigh - email
(WFLX) - Ever wonder just how clean the air is aboard a commercial jetliner? You may be surprised to learn your favorite airline could be serving up more than just peanuts and soda at 30,000 feet.
For 30 years, Captain John Hoyte had a dream career as an airline pilot. Then, in 2004, an awful moment. He couldn't fly. "I thought I had Alzheimer's. I started to lose my speech. I couldn't relate to other people, had all sorts of other issues -- brain fog, word finding, memory. I thought what was going on? If I fly today I'm going to kill myself, kill passengers, this is not good. I've got to stop. And that was in 2004. I actually walked off the aircraft."
Soon, Hoyte's flying career was over. He was grounded - diagnosed with chronic stress. Then, he was contacted by another grounded pilot, Tristan Lorain, who asked Hoyte to volunteer for a blood test.
The results for Hoyte and 25 other grounded pilots showed the presence of Tricresi lphosphates or TCP.
TCP is used on aircraft as an oil additive to prevent engine wear. It's chemically similar to a pesticide.
Now, every aircraft gets fresh air into the cabin the same way: It's drawn in through the engine and fed through the plane's air conditioning system. Some say the air can be contaminated by leaking oils to form a fine, sometimes toxic, mist. "All the pilots that I've seen are very senior pilots. They're all captains; they've been flying for over 10 years."
In 2006, the United Kingdom Department of Transport commissioned an independent study by Cranfield University to monitor and analyse cabin air aboard Bae 146s, Boeing 757s and Airbus 319s. In all, 100 flights will be monitored. Study results won't be known until next summer.
Five European airlines are allowing inflight monitoring, but no U.S. carriers are participating. So, as a passenger, there are things you can look for.
Professor Clement Furlong at the University of Washington says sometimes you can't see a fume event, but you can often smell it. "So, as far as the passengers are concerned, they'd smell what's been described as a dirty sock smell, a vomit smell, a wet dog smell, and then the symptoms they might experience would be headache, nausea, dizziness, shaking, tingling."
The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration says: "The concerns raised by crew members about fume events are reasonable and are being investigated. The FAA believes that the cabin environment in the vast majority of commercial flights is safe."
To push the airlines into using different air supplies, Hoyte started a Web site devoted to Aerotoxic Syndrome, http://www.aerotoxic.org/.

Government mandated minium pay

intern_mike — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 03:07:22 GMT

Now that things have gotten to the point where the government has to introduce H.R. 3371, what is the thought on the government mandating a minimum pay for 121 operators? My line of thought is this; the FAA mandates that pilots pass specific standards per the PTS. One can't reasonably be expected to pass these requirements without spending a lot of money. Knowing this, doesn't the government have an obligation to mandate a reasonable pay to those that have completed said training?

Best place to get ATP rating?

QuasarZ — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:19:54 GMT

Hello everyone,

I remember searching the threads maybe a month or so ago and ran across an ALL ATPs school in TX I believe, that was doing the ATP checkride for really cheap. I can't seem to find that thread anymore when I search. It was only this location because they were apparently competing against another multi engine training place around the area. I am pretty sure it was Texas, but I am not for sure. What about any other place? I am trying to knock out the ATP rating relatively cheap and not too difficult. Any help is greatly appreciated.
Thanks!

Plate Ice?

Zero1Niner — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:11:46 GMT

What is it?

HPN Mini-M&G Tomorrow?

jhugz — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 22:08:03 GMT

Going to be sitting in the stains tomorrow from around 11-3ish. If anyone wants to grab lunch and has a car let me know.

Question for all you turbo-prop guys.

captainphil — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 18:43:53 GMT

What is the difference between a direct drive turboprop and a free-turbine turbo prop? Is it just the way the air is entered into the engine or does it have to do with the fact that one automatically feathers with the fly-weights when the engine is shut down while the direct drive keeps a flat pitch upon shut down? They all look the same to me :confused:

Delta chief check airman to speak at my school today

flyboywbl — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 18:18:39 GMT

Delta's Chief Check Airman for the 747-400 is speaking at my school today. Sorta excited to hear what he has to say. Ahhh to ask or not to ask about the airliner over MSP incident?

Hopefully he will give me some glimmer of hope of ever being an airline pilot. Or just flying something with more than 4 seats.

I flew with a FSDO guy the other day who was spouting off that there is no point in flight training for a career any more. "Do it for fun if you can afford it but don't expect to make a living at it."

I was like "Thanks man, way to shatter all my hopes and dreams." Not to mention that but he was saying this in the lobby of our flight school. Good thing there were no aviation program students sitting in there at the time to hear that!

-Matt

ATP Prep

TravDK — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 17:31:06 GMT

Figure it is about time to knock that written out of the way... anybody have a preference on study guides?

Uh oh....Delay City......

JEP — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 14:20:56 GMT

Quote:

FAA says widespread delays, cancellations in US due to flight plan computer problem.

By HARRY R. WEBER , Associated Press
Last update: November 19, 2009 - 8:13 AM

ATLANTA - A problem with the FAA system that collects airlines' flight plans caused widespread flight cancellations and delays nationwide Thursday.

FAA spokeswoman Kathleen Bergen said she doesn't know how many flights are being affected or when the problem will be resolved.

An AirTran Airways spokesman said there's no danger to flights in the air, and flights are still taking off and landing.

However, spokesman Christopher White said flight plans are having to be loaded manually because of a malfunction with the automated system.
"Everything is safe in the air," White said.

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, the world's busiest airport, has been particularly affected.

AirTran had canceled 22 flights and dozens more flights were delayed as of 8 a.m. EST. Delta Air Lines also has been affected.

The FAA said in a statement that it is having a problem processing flight plan information.

"We are investigating the cause of the problem," the agency said. "We are processing flight plans manually and expect some delays. We have radar coverage and communications with planes."

Passengers are being asked to check the status of their flights online before going to airports.

Flight plans are collected by the FAA for traffic nationwide at two centers � one in the Salt Lake City area and the other in the Atlanta area, Bergen said. She did not know which center was affected Thursday.

In August 2008, a software malfunction delayed hundreds of flights around the country.

In that episode, the Northeast was hardest hit by the delays prompted by a glitch at the Hampton, Ga., facility that processes flight plans for the eastern half of the U.S.

The FAA said at that time the source of the computer software malfunction was a "packet switch" that "failed due to a database mismatch."

Chesley in snit over truthful book

Snoopy2 — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 12:49:48 GMT

http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/20...with-new-book/

My favorite passage from the Times artcile.

"Since the day that he and his co-pilot, Jeffrey B. Skiles, landed the plane on the river, Captain Sullenberger has tried to tone down a public perception that he is a hero.":rotfl:

NDB Approaches

rajsingh — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 10:09:53 GMT

I had a question for the instrument rating flight test. Are you required to perform an NDB approach during your instrument rating exam? I read the Instrument Rating Practical Test Standard April 2004 version, and it said:
The required radio equipment is that which is necessary for communications with ATC, and for the performance of two of the following nonprecision approaches: VOR, NDB, GPS, LOC, LDA, SDF, or RNAV and one precision approach: ILS, GLS, or MLS. GPS equipment must be instrument certified and contain the current database.

So if you have VOR and Localizer and GPS, is that good enough and do you just end up skipping NDB?

It also said that for testing:
The examiner will select nonprecision approaches that are representative of the type that the applicant is likely to use.(Will try my best not to choose NDB). The choices must utilize two different types of navigational aids. Some examples of navigational aids for the purpose of this part are: NDB, VOR, LOC, LDA, GPS, or RNAV.

So again, will the VOR, LOC or GPS be good enough for the exam or the examiner always tests the NDB approaches as well.

Of course I've read that if you can master the NDB approaches, the rest isn't difficult. But from reading various articles, I'm getting the feeling that I'll be spending a lot of time making the wind correction angles.

"Ice Pilots" New Reality TV Show

canadian_atc — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 04:15:20 GMT

Filmed in Yellowknife, Canada, which for those unaware is not like the rest of Canada, but still a part of it.

Show featuring one of the if not THE only airline who still flies daily flights using:

DC-3's for Pax
C-46's
DC-4's

Made by the same folks who do Ice Road Truckers, and Deadliest Catch as far as I know, first episode aired tonight, and the full episodes should be on the internet shortly I would imagine... if you like seat of the pants aviation mixed with a bit of TV drama, watch this show, if anything some pretty cool aircraft.

http://www.icepilots.com/

Worst inflight situation!

Pilotwannabe1123 — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 04:07:10 GMT

Hey guys,

What is the worst problem that you had in-flight?

Can airlines do this?

Pilotwannabe1123 — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 02:48:09 GMT

Hi,

I was curious if airlines did fare sponsorships? I am trying to go to South Africa so that I can work on an organic orchard to supply food to the poor and homeless population of South Africa. However right now I can not afford the plane ticket. Are there any airlines that will sponsor air travel for college students who are going to volunteer for humanitarian aid to countries in need?

Thanks,
Jerome

More TSA up in our bidness

Roger, Roger — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 02:46:47 GMT

http://www.avweb.com/avwebbiz/news/T..._201548-1.html

So not just airlines and flight schools, but now repair stations. Where does it all end?

EMP--anybody else thinking about this stuff?

beasly — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 00:26:11 GMT

This thread: http://forums.jetcareers.com/general...ss-panels.html talks about glass vs steam.....

but in IFR there really is no steam unless somebody somewhere wants to fly with a mag compass, chart and stopwatch.

As dependent on electronics as we are, EMP scares me--

Cordially,

b.

Some interesting reading......

TallFlyer — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 22:50:19 GMT

Came across some threads on another board that are "Ask the Pilot" types of threads, one from a Senior Alaska Capt and the other some United guys. The United Thread has over 2,800 responses but the Alaska one is a little shorter.

Alaska
United

A&P?

nimblybimbly85 — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 21:39:59 GMT

I have a B.S. in Aviation Operations and a Business Minor from San Jose State University. I was working on flight training at KRHV and I came to the realization that I more enjoy flying as a hobby than as a career. So now I am looking to get my A&P and start out working in GA and then move to a Regional and then hopefully Corporate.

How realistic and attainable is this career path? Do I have better chances of making it than pursuing a pilot career?

I understand the pay isn't all that great and I understand there are odd shifts (which is fine with me) and I understand it is still aviation which in itself is unstable. But is a mechanic gig more stable and easier to get into than flying for a living?

Thanks a lot!!!

Flying into VNY

mjg407 — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 20:33:48 GMT

What FBO do you all recommend?

Flightaware.com Question

jwp_145 — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 09:42:56 GMT

Where and how does flightaware.com acquire all of the aircraft tracking data? Did they bid and win a contract with the FAA to do what they are currently doing? I cannot think of any other way that they would be able to get that data streamed to themselves. Hopefully someone knows!

I've tried researching this but had no luck at all.

Scout

ASpilot2be — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 09:04:03 GMT

Anybody flown a Scout? How is it to fly? Somebody just donated one to the school, and I cant wait to fly it.:)

Visual approaches in database?

ilikebeer — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 08:37:17 GMT

In Boston there is a newish approach called the "Light Visual" to 33L. It is a visual approach, and is for noise abatement to avoid overflight of homes on the peninsula. Anyway, I heard a major airline tell approach control tonight that they had the "plate" but it was not in their database so they could not do it. They got cleared for a regular visual.
No big deal either way. I was just curious if anyone has visual approaches in their database. I have never seen one in a Garmin which is as sophisticated as we get in our planes. Most of our planes are /A. Sounded pretty lazy on the pilots part to me. Not judging them, I'm just saying. Its a visual approach!
:dunno:

Anyone with L-1011 Tristar Experience?

jwp_145 — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 07:14:06 GMT

I'm wondering if anyone on here has any experience flying the Tristar? It is my favorite wide body a/c and I'd love to hear if anyone can talk of flying her.

KLEX for a couple weeks

sdfcvoh — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 03:00:15 GMT

Looks like I'll be in KLEX for a week or so doing some mapping. Thought I'd see if anyone has insights that could help me out while I'm living hotel room life in the vicinity. Thanks!

Birds

philipp — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 02:32:38 GMT

Good evening ladies and gentlemen,

I have a question concerning your experiences with birds.
What is the highest altitude you have encountered birds, and what location was that?
I have heard of accounts saying that there were birdstrikes at up to 30 000 ft?
Looking forward to your answers.

Philipp

The 747 Hotel

Pilotwannabe1123 — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 01:42:16 GMT

Hey take a look at this. What do you guys think? Pretty coll hah!

AIM Chat

jhugz — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 00:52:25 GMT

Get on it.

T go get some milk in a dirty glass champ and hop on in here.

A.D.S.-B.Technology

galvestonaggie — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 22:48:19 GMT

Interesting article from NYtimes.....

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/17/sc...7air.html?_r=1