A longtime educator discusses getting an aviation education. In the news, companies partner to address corporate aviation safety and security, an A321 engine shutdown after a birdstrike, a proposal to remove ATC from the FAA, and when pigs fly. Also, notable flybys, AI flight controls, taking care of business on long flights, and an aircraft incident investigation on another planet.

Guest

Dr. Stanley Harriman is the Department Head of Aviation Science at Orange Coast College (OCC) in Costa Mesa, California. OCC focuses on getting students certificates that allow them to move into the workforce. The College partners with flight schools for those who want to become pilots and with Southern Illinois University to earn a bachelor’s degree in Aviation Management. In our conversation with Stanley, we looked at aviation education, what students should look for in a school, and a tip for getting into the industry.

Degrees and Certificates offered by OCC:

• Aircraft Dispatcher, Certificate of Achievement
• Airline Transport Pilot, Certificate of Specialization
• Aviation Science, Associate in Science Degree
• Aviation Science, Certificate of Achievement
• Commercial Pilot, Certificate of Specialization
• Flight Operations, Certificate of Achievement
• Instrument Pilot, Certificate of Specialization
• Private Pilot, Certificate of Specialization
• Unmanned Aircraft Systems, Certificate of Achievement

Stanley earned a Master’s in Aviation Safety and a Doctorate in Aviation Education from Purdue University. During his time at Purdue, his research focused on cognitive learning styles, scenario-based training, and aviation human factors. 

Following his graduate studies at Purdue, Stanley joined the Aviation Department at Lewis University near Chicago, Illinois. He continued his aviation safety research by investigating nano-particle coatings and their application on aircraft windshields to minimize environmental effects on pilots. He also led a team to design infrared warning systems to prevent airport runway incursions. 

Along with his research, Stanley’s teaching experience involved many facets of aviation. He taught courses in the Professional Pilot program, Aviation Maintenance program, and the Master’s program as the Director of Graduate Research. 

Stanley sits on national aviation committees providing aviation curriculum ideas and reform, aviation scholarships, and aviation safety research. He has been a safety research consultant and has traveled the country implementing these organizational and cultural changes within various aviation institutions, airlines, and maintenance facilities. 

Aviation News

Aviation Safety Solutions and Corporate Aviation Security International Join Forces to Fill Needed Gap in Aviation Safety and Security

Aviation Safety Solutions is a Safety Management Systems (SMS) consultant, and Corporate Aviation Security International (CASI) provides specialized security services for business aviation. The two companies have created a strategic partnership to address security shortfalls in the corporate aviation industry by integrating advanced safety and security services.

Bird strike disables a jetliner engine and forces an emergency landing at JFK airport

American Airlines flight AA-1722 departing from New York La Guardia to Charlotte, NC, an Airbus A321-200 (N133AN), experienced a bird strike that disabled one of the engines. The Aviation Herald reports the plane “was in the initial climb out of La Guardia’s runway 31 when the right-hand engine (V2533) ingested a bird and suffered stalls. The crew stopped the climb at 5000 feet, shut the engine down, and diverted to New York JFK Airport for a safe landing on runway 31L about 20 minutes after departure.”

See Wildlife Strikes to Civil Aircraft in the United States 1990 – 2023 from DOT/FAA and U.S. Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services. The report presents an analysis of data from the National Wildlife Strike Database. Also The FAA National Wildlife Strike Database: A Research Tool to Improve Aviation Safety.

Proposal to strip ATC from FAA reappears ahead of second Trump term

Air Traffic Control is under the FAA Air Traffic Organization. Previous efforts have sought to move ATC from under the FAA, but they didn’t progress. The notion returned at a Senate aviation panel hearing.

A Boeing 787 Dreamliner Flying to Mexico City Was Forced to Divert to Bermuda Because 100 Live Pigs in the Cargo Hold Made Such a Stench

The pilots of KLM Royal Dutch Airlines flight KL685 flying from Amsterdam to Mexico City contacted ATC and requested an unscheduled stop in Bermuda. The Captain reported that  there was “a lot of obnoxious cargo coming from pigs probably, which may have something to do with the oxygen environment in the cockpit, so that’s why I’m diverting.” Upon landing in Bermuda, the pigs disembarked and were taken to a “secure location” under the care of a veterinarian.

Memorable Flybys

From @Skippyscage.bsky.social: Video: Gulfstream IIB N779LC HALO4 final flight

https://youtu.be/5fiSaDKEjb0?si=nhk8o6z1elMJX20H

@kenmist.bsky.social‬ Canadian Snowbirds. “Earlier this year at OSH. Made my old Canadian heart swell with pride.”

@brentmo.bsky.social‬ – Terrafugia Transition roadable aircraft.

@dmvanderhoof.bsky.social The Space Shuttle Discovery on the way to the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center of the National Air and Space Museum (NASM) in Chantilly, Virginia.

Mentioned

Discount coupon for The Air Current. $15 for a three-month subscription. Use coupon code AGPOD. Offer good through December 31, 2024. Note: This offer is not sponsored.

NASA Performs First Aircraft Accident Investigation on Another World

Hosts this Episode

Max Flight, our Main(e) Man Micah, David Vanderhoof, Rob Mark, and Max Trescott.

The U.S. Senate hearing on airline fees, a Boeing employee surveillance program, the judge rejects the 737 MAX plea deal, Airbus floats a cockpit idea for Extended Minimum Crew Operations (eMCO), and a study will look at how high-G flying might affect Naval fighter pilots. Also, ticket sales for EAA Air Venture Oshkosh 2024 and FlightSimExpo, Brian’s 2024 travels, fly-by-wire airplanes and smuggling Cessnas into Russia.

Airline executives testify at a Senate Subcommittee. (Screen capture courtesy PBS NewsHour.)

Aviation News

US senators grill airline officials about fees for seats and checked bags

The U.S. Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations held a hearing on December 4, 2024 about airline fees charged for baggage, seat selection, and other services. Executives representing American Airlines, United Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Frontier Airlines, and Spirit Airlines testified. Testimony included:

Airline fees – Committee Chairman Sen. Richard Blumenthal consistently referred to these as “junk fees.” In opening remarks, airlines characterized fees as allowing the consumer to create and pay for the experience they want – unbundling.

“Bag bounty” programs – Sen. Hawley was quite antagonistic. Frontier removed their program September 30 that paid gate attendants for checking carry-on bags.

Pricing – The Senators wanted to know why personal information is collected before the ticket price is given and the use of dynamic pricing based on the personal data. They also (unsuccessfully) probed the airline executives for the cost of the services covered by fees, assuming that price is related to cost.

Family seating – Sen Hassan and others argued for fee-free family seating and sometimes confused a fee and the ability to accommodate.  See the DOT Airline Family Seating Dashboard.

DOT Airline Family Seating Dashboard

Loyalty programs – Sen Marshall characterized credit card programs as being about “voodoo miles” and the revenue to the airlines as a “kickback.”

Competition – Spirit Airlines Matthew Kline was very critical of legacy airlines saying Spirit is at a competitive disadvantage over slots. Also that the majors paid pilots to retire during Covid, then poached Spirit pilots when demand returned.

Overall, there was bipartisan demand that the airlines change junk fee practices, and two people should not be charged different prices for the same service on the same flight. It was evident that AI was on the minds of all, with airlines starting to think about applications and Senators afraid of what the technology could do.

Speaking for their respective airlines were 

• Steve Johnson, vice chair and chief strategy officer, American Airlines; 
• Peter Carter, chief external affairs officer, Delta Air Lines; 
• Andrew Nocella, EVP and chief commercial officer, United Airlines; 
• Robert Schroeter, SVP, chief commercial officer, Frontier Airlines; 
• and Matthew Klein, EVP and chief commercial officer, Spirit Airlines

See also Airline executives blasted at Senate hearing over carrier fees

Video: Airline executives testify on junk fees before Senate committee

https://www.youtube.com/live/jYNbu7E8gj8?si=VygQRsTGV7J-BvLD

Boeing cancels its workplace surveillance program, will remove sensors

Boeing had started to install sensors “in ceiling tiles above workstations, conference rooms, and common areas.” The sensors included motion detectors, cameras, and light, heat, and noise detectors. Boeing the data on building use for “managing energy and space usage.” According to Boeing, the cameras could take only blurry photos and AI would analyze the occupancy of the space. Only aggregated data would be presented to management.

After details of the program appeared in the Seattle Times, Boeing employees reacted as expected. Within a day, a Boeing email stated the program “has been canceled, and we are removing the sensors that have been installed.” See Surveilling Employees Erodes Trust — and Puts Managers in a Bind

Judge tosses Boeing plea deal opposed by families of MAX crash victims

The U.S. Department of Justice brokered a plea agreement with Boeing over the fatal 737 MAX crashes under which Boeing would plead guilty to deceiving the FAA. However, a U.S. district judge has rejected the deal saying the agreement was “not in the public interest.”

The judge questioned the selection of the independent monitor by the Justice Department and not the court. In his opinion, the judge wrote “It is fair to say the government’s attempt to ensure compliance has failed. At this point, the public interest requires the court to step in. Marginalizing the court in the selection and monitoring of the independent monitor as the plea agreement does undermines public confidence in Boeing’s probation.”

Boeing and the DOJ now have 30 days to update the court on how they plan to proceed in the case.

See:

• US judge rejects Boeing plea deal in fatal 737 MAX crashes
• FAA administrator says Boeing still not producing MAX planes after strike
• Air Force awards Boeing $2.4 billion contract for KC-46 tankers

Airbus Wants a Radio Equipped Toilet in the Cockpit

The European Air Safety Agency (EASA) is evaluating how to safely implement Extended Minimum Crew Operations (or eMCO) with the regulatory processes expected to begin in 2025 and implementation by 2027. Under eMCO, Airbus is exploring ideas to reduce the number of pilots on ultra-long-haul flights, which might be three or four. Currently, two pilots remain on the flight deck at any one time while others can sleep in the crew rest compartment. With eMCO, only one pilot would be in the cockpit and the other would be sleeping. Pilot unions are not enthusiastic.

See eMCO-SiPO – Extended Minimum Crew Operations – Single Pilot Operations – Safety Risk Assessment Framework

The Extended Minimum Crew Operations – Single Pilot Operations (eMCO-SiPO) project is funded under the Horizon Europe Work Programme 2021-2022. The project focuses on two concepts of operations:

Extended Minimum-Crew Operations (eMCOs) where single-pilot operations are allowed during the cruise phase of the flight, with a level of safety equivalent to today’s two-pilot operations. Offering at least an equivalent overall level of safety through compensation means (e.g. ground assistance, advanced cockpit design with workload alleviation means etc.) eMCO is, in particular, relevant to large aeroplanes operated in CAT [commercial air transport] operations, for which no fewer than two flight crew members are currently required as per the Air Operations Regulation. 

Single-Pilot Operations (SiPOs), where, at a later stage, end-to-end single-pilot operations might be allowed, offering at least a level of safety equivalent to today’s two-pilot operations provided that compensation means are in place (e.g. ground assistance, advanced cockpit design with workload alleviation means, capability to cope with pilot incapacitation etc.). 

Top-Gun Navy Pilots Fly at the Extremes. Their Brains May Suffer

“Odin’s Eye” is a confidential Navy project looking at the possibility of warfighter brain injury. It was originally created to look for brain injuries in Navy SEALs, but is now expanded to include TOPGUN aviators who take frequent high-G flying flights in the F/A-18 Super Hornet. The project will look at about 1,500 data points on brain function for the TOPGUN pilots to understand the cumulative effect and identify any injured pilots.

Brian Coleman’s 2024 Passport

Brian recorded a year-end summary of his 2024 travels. [4:14]

Mentioned

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Flighty flight tracking app. 

Avelo Starts Service to Portland, Maine

Registration for FlightSimExpo 2025 opens on December 14, 2024.  The 2025 Expo is June 27-29, 2024 at the Rhode Island Convention Center in Providence RI. FlightSimExpo welcomes devs to register to sponsor, exhibit, and speak. Details at flightsimexpo.com/partner. Attendees can book discounted hotel rooms and airfare deals now. Details at flightsimexpo.com/travel.

Tickets are now on sale for EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2025, July 21-27.

Attempt to Smuggle Cessnas From U.S. Into Russia Ends in Arrest

DOJ press release: Russian National Arrested for Attempting to Illegally Export Aircraft to Russia by Transshipping Through Armenia

GSA Auctions

Hosts this Episode

Max Flight, our Main(e) Man Micah, and David Vanderhoof.

An AI governance framework for aerospace and defense, airlines pad flight times and improve on-time performance, record numbers of travelers over the Thanksgiving holiday, stowaways on airline flights, and executive-level cost-cutting at Boeing.

Guest

Tim White is the Vice President of Engineering and Technology at the Aerospace Industries Association (AIA), where he advocates for the technical workforce to policymakers. In this role, he leads AIA staff and members in identifying, developing, and executing consensus programs and activities aimed at enhancing cost savings, performance, and efficiency within the aerospace and defense industry.

AIA Unveils AI Flight Plan Documenting Best Practices for AI Governance in Aerospace

The AIA released the AI Flight Plan, Best Practices for AI Governance in Aerospace, a first-of-its-kind document outlining comprehensive best practices for the governance of Artificial Intelligence (AI) use for aerospace and defense. The framework outlines the elements of an AI governance program that targets three primary usages of AI in aerospace:

• Business operations enhancement
• Generative systems design and development
• Integration into customer-delivered products, software, and services.

Tim has over 20 years of experience in operational and consulting roles within the aerospace and defense industry, having worked for companies such as Raytheon, Honeywell, and Bechtel. Throughout his career, he has contributed to commercial and defense products and held leadership positions in Engineering, Operations, Supply Chain, and Quality. Most recently, he has collaborated with advanced technology companies like Interos and Mosaic Data Sciences, focusing on delivering cutting-edge solutions in artificial intelligence, advanced analytics, and digital transformation.

Tim holds a Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering, an MBA from Brigham Young University, and a Ph.D. in Systems Engineering from George Washington University. He is also certified in Six Sigma, Root Cause Analysis, and Change Leadership.

Related articles:

• UK CAA announces new AI strategy for aviation sector
• IAG: How AI is Impacting the Aviation Industry
• GE Aerospace Develops AI Maintenance Records Tool

Aviation News

Airlines Are Padding Flight Times. It’s Not Your Imagination

According to a NYT Upshot analysis of Bureau of Transportation Statistics data, airlines strategically add extra time to their flight schedules, effectively “padding” their flight durations. This leads to a higher percentage of flights arriving on time or early even if the actual flight time hasn’t significantly changed. This improves airline on-time performance metrics.

Jammed Thanksgiving Flights Push U.S. Air Travel to Record

The Transportation Security Administration said it screened about 3.09 million people on Sunday, the peak of the busy Thanksgiving travel period. The previous record set in July was 3.01 million travelers. The TSA reports that their 10 busiest days were recorded in 2024.

Stowaway caught after getting aboard Delta flight from New York City to Paris

The woman, a U.S. resident, boarded a Delta flight from JFK to Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport and was discovered midair. She had been hiding out in the lavs and the flight attendants noticed the strange behavior. The TSA said the woman passed through a body scanner at JFK, evaded the document and ID check portion, had her bags scanned, proceeded to the gate, and snuck onto the flight.

The Delta Paris Stowaway Incident Keeps Getting Stranger – The stowaway was a 57-year-old woman living in the Philadelphia area. She’s a Russian national who holds a US Green Card. She requested asylum in Paris, which was rejected. The woman was placed on a return flight but pulled off after a disruptive outburst.

Is Delta the Official Airline of Stowaways? – This was not the only stowaway incident involving Delta Air Lines.

Flight Attendants On Delta Air Stowaway Flight Were Meant to Check the Toilets For Hitchhikers Before Plane Pushed Back From the Gate – Flight attendants “were meant to have checked the toilets for hitchhikers before the aircraft pushed back from the gate” and “Most commercial airlines have specific procedures in place designed to prevent precisely this kind of scenario whereby a ticketless passenger hides in an onboard lavatory before departure.”

Boeing’s new CEO Ortberg clips corporate jet trips in show of restraint

The 19 members of Boeing’s executive council have access to five Bombardier Challenger 650 business jets and two Boeing 737’s. To cut costs, CEO Kelly Ortberg grounded some of the corporate fleet and asked executives to fly economy on scheduled airline flights. For security reasons, Boeing’s CEO is required to avoid commercial flights, even for personal trips. But Ortberg is relocating to Seattle.

In other cost-cutting moves, Boeing is eliminating 17,000 jobs that include management and making a list of non-core businesses to potentially sell or close. The company canceled the lavash rooftop party at the Singapore Grand Prix, pulled sponsorship of the Washington International Horse Show, sat out a commercial and defense air show in China, and did not attend the annual meeting of Asian airlines.

Mentioned

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Hurricane Helene Recap from the Jungle Aviation And Relay Service.

AOPA et al. Update Complaint Protesting California 100LL Ban

Listener Adam on TikTok and YouTube.

Hosts this Episode

Max Flight, our Main(e) Man Micah, and David Vanderhoof.

We talk to a youngster who sells the Polish Ekolot Special Light-Sport Aircraft. In the news, the Spirit Airlines CEO gets a retention bonus, an FAA review board will look at smoke in the cockpit after bird strikes, JetBlue plans to reduce the number of pilots, and a United Airlines captain delights passengers with pizza. In listener mail, we look at jet emissions and what the industry is doing.

Guest

Ethan Lin is a 13-year-old who sells the Polish Ekolot Special Light-Sport Aircraft. His family purchased an Ekolot Topaz (N717KM) S-LSA in December 2022 after his father decided to switch careers and become an Air Transport Pilot. Ethan and his father started flying the Ekolot together, and because Ethan loved the plane so much, he contacted the distributor in December 2023 and asked about becoming a dealer. He’s been selling Ekolots ever since.

Because he is only 13 years old, his father has a role in the dealership, but Ethan handles customer service, selling the airplane, and coordinating meeting times. His father does the test flights with people who are interested in buying Ekolots, and he handles the financial side, including filing taxes.

Ekolot Special Light-Sport Aircraft

We discuss the difference between LSAs and S-LSAs and the proposed Modernization of Special Airworthiness Certification (MOSAIC) rule, which would redefine the light sport aircraft category. Ethan explains why his family bought the plane and what he likes about it. He markets the plane with the Ekolot Texas Instagram. Also, Ethan and his father attend aviation events, such as Airplanes and Coffee, a monthly fly-in in the Dallas, Texas area at Addison Airport (KADS).

Ethan tells us how he learned the Ekolot’s specs, and about his plans to fly for an airline and sell planes “on the side.” He also offers his advice to other youngsters who have a passion.

Video: Ekolot Topaz Walkaround

https://youtu.be/ryNPVaMcBuY?si=VVIGcAXhFC63wreQ

Aviation News

Spirit Airlines CEO Gets $3.8 Million Bonus 1 Week Before Company Files Bankruptcy

An SEC filing says Spirit Airlines, Inc. paid CEO Ted Christie a $3.8 million retention bonus the week before the airline filed for bankruptcy. The bonus is effective if Christie stays with Spirit for another year. Under the restructuring plan, Spirit bondholders would take a $350 million ownership position, erase $795 million of debt, and provide $300 million of debt-in-possession financing. The New York Stock Exchange delisted Spirit stock which now trades in the over-the-counter marketplace. 

FAA plans to review 737 MAX engine issue after bird strike incidents

Two bird strike events in 2023 with Southwest Airlines aircraft (one in March and one in December) have caused the FAA to assemble a review board that will evaluate the safety of the CFM LEAP-1B engines. After the bird strikes, smoke entered the cockpit although the pilots landed the planes safely.

The review board will assess safety data and suggest fixes for manufacturers or airlines. These might lead to mandates. A Seattle Times article suggests that any mandated modifications could delay further the certification of the MAX 7 and MAX 10 models.

JetBlue Looks to Trim Pilot Workforce

Captain downgrades and base displacements are coming to JetBlue late next year. The airline says it will cut 343 captain positions out of the airline’s roughly 4,500 pilots. JetBlue lost $60 million in the third quarter and plans to ground more Airbus A220 and A321neo aircraft in 2024 as a result of ongoing Pratt & Whitney engine troubles. The airline is talking with the Air Line Pilots Association to offer early retirements.

United Pilot Orders 30 Pizzas to Feed Passengers After Emergency Landing for Medical Care

Pilot Scott Wardle was flying a United Airlines plane to Phoenix via Houston, but partway into the flight, a patient fell unconscious. By coincidence, three medical professionals were on board but Wardle felt it best to make an emergency landing at Albuquerque at 11 p.m. With that, the cabin crew had maxed out their hours and all were going to have to wait for a new crew of flight attendants. So “Pizza Pilot” Scott Wardle says he “had to do something to show we care” and oversaw the order and distribution of 30 pizzas to the 155 passengers.

Video: 7’s Hero: United Airlines pilot from Boise goes viral for buying pizza for 155 passengers

https://youtu.be/tNuXVBV_cRs?si=fLlMqCvKFcjPv1bW

Mentioned

GE Aerospace: Experienced Engineers

Hydrogen Selected Countries

Boeing plant Wasserstoff-Superjet mit drei Rümpfen (Tri-body airplane)

Hosts this Episode

Max Flight, our Main(e) Man Micah, Max Trescott, Rob Mark, and David Vanderhoof.

A contrails study by GE Aviation and NASA, an F-15E Strike Eagle downs drones, Iberia’s new A321XLR in service, the Phillippine Mars moves to its final destination, an airliner and a UAP come close together, Spirit Airlines files for bankruptcy, and the environmental impact of private jets. Also, AvGeeks flock to Bluesky, a STEM author at the NASM, and F-35B trials on a Japanese flattop.

The contrails of an Airbus A340 jet, over London, England. Photographed by Adrian Pingstone in March 2007.

Aviation News

GE and NASA to accelerate understanding of contrails

The “Contrail Optical Depth Experiment” (CODEX) is a research project conducted through a NASA and GE Aerospace partnership to study the formation and behavior of contrails. Contrails are clouds of ice particles that airplanes can create when they fly through cold and humid air. Persistent contrails are thought to contribute to climate warming. The primary goal of CODEX is to accurately measure the optical depth of contrails, which indicates how much light is blocked by the contrail.

In the project, a GE Boeing 747-400 creates the contrails and NASA’s G-III research aircraft (a modified Gulfstream III business jet) follows and scans the 747’s wake with Advanced LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) technology to analyze the contrails produced by different engine configurations. This will hopefully lead to the development of engine technologies that reduce contrail formation.

NASA Gulfstream G-III

NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California, operates the Gulfstream G-III aircraft, NASA tail number 804, as an aerodynamics research test bed. Work with the aircraft is funded through NASA’s Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate (ARMD) as part of the Environmentally Responsible Aviation (ERA) project under the agency’s Integrated Systems Research Program.

GE 747-400 Flying Test Bed

Since 2010, this former Japan Airlines plane has been used by GE to test new jet engines, such as the GE90, GEnx, LEAP, and the GE9X. The plane is based at Flight Test Operations (FTO) in Victorville.

F-15E Pilot Recounts Having To Switch To Guns After Missiles Ran Dry During Iranian Drone Barrage

An F-15E Strike Eagle shot down so many Iranian drones aimed at Israel that they ran out of air-to-air missiles. The crew was ordered to continue and use any weapon available, which left the Strike Eagle’s 20mm Gatling Gun, capable of firing around 6,000 rounds per minute. Operating this gun is said to be risky with small, low, slow-moving targets. In this instance, the F-15 did not stop the drone.

Feel Sorry For the Flight Attendants: Iberia’s New A321XLR Long-Haul Jet Features Tiny Galleys That Even Contortionists Would Struggle to Work in

Iberia is the launch customer of the Airbus A321XLR (extra long range) single-aisle jet. The airline is flying the plane on a Madrid and Boston route. According to Saffran, the Airbus SpaceFlex V2 galley and lavatory allows for 6 more seats in the A321.

The Airbus Space-Flex galley and lavatory concept.

Airbus says the A321XLR features a 4,700 nm range, 180-220 seats, and 30% lower fuel burn per seat than previous generation aircraft. The plane was launched in 2019 at the Paris Air Show. Compared to other A320 family aircraft, the A321XLR carries more fuel, has strengthened landing gear, and includes a revised wing trailing-edge flap for takeoff performance. Airbus offers two engine options: the CFM LEAP-1A and the Pratt & Whitney PW1100G.

The first A321XLR was delivered to Iberia on 30 October 2024 and conducted its first revenue flight on 6 November 2024. The first long-haul flight with passengers was on 14 November 2024, from Madrid to Boston.

Martin Mars To Visit San Francisco, San Diego On Final Flight

The Philippine Mars is destined for the Pima Air and Space Museum in Tucson, Arizona. In preparation, the plane is undergoing taxi tests in Port Alberni, British Columbia. It will be flown to a lake near Phoenix and partially dismantled so it can be trucked to the Pima Museum.

Hawaii Mars was flown to the British Columbia Aviation Museum in Victoria, B.C., last August. (Covered in Airplane Geeks #813.) The 16-foot props were removed from Hawaii Mars and installed on Philippine Mars for its flight.

Video: Final preps underway for Philippine Mars’ final flight

https://youtu.be/hqAZWnMsOvo?si=jLFEJRKfLaf2H5AG

US Airlines Plane Narrowly Avoids Collision with UFO Near New York, Prompting Increased Scrutiny of Unidentified Aerial Phenomena and Aviation Safety Concerns

The U.S. government released information on 757 reported Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (UAP) cases between May 2023 and June 2024. One case involved a near miss between a commercial airline flight and a “cylindrical object” over the Atlantic Ocean. This occurred just off the coast of New York and was classed as a “possible flight safety issue.” The airline and time of the encounter have not been made public.

UAP sightings are investigated by the Pentagon’s All-Domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO). Of the 757 UAP reports worldwide that AARO analyzed nearly 300 were resolved. This often related to balloons, birds, drones, and even satellites. Other sightings remain unexplained.

Spirit Airlines Files for Bankruptcy; Lost $2.2 Billion in 5 Years

Spirit Airlines, Inc. announced that it has entered into a restructuring support agreement supported by a supermajority of Spirit’s loyalty and convertible bondholders on the terms of a comprehensive balance sheet restructuring. Spirit expects the restructuring to reduce the company’s debt and provide increased financial flexibility.

Spirit says it will continue operating normally throughout the Chapter 11 process. Customers can continue to book and fly without interruption and can use all tickets, credits, and loyalty points as normal. According to the Airline, employee wages and benefits will not be impacted. Vendors, aircraft lessors, and holders of secured aircraft indebtedness will continue to be paid.

Spirit Airlines Press release: Spirit Airlines Announces Comprehensive Agreement to Deleverage Balance Sheet and Position the Company for Long-Term Success as a Leading Low-Fare Carrier

NBAA Fact Checks Misleading Report on Business Aviation Sustainability

On November 7, 2024, the journal Communications Earth & Environment published a study titled Private aviation is making a growing contribution to climate change. The abstract says, in part:

“Commercial aviation’s contribution to climate change is growing, but the global role of private aviation is not well quantified. Here we calculate the sector’s CO2 emissions, using flight tracker data from the ADS-B Exchange platform for the period 2019 to 2023. Flight times for 25,993 private aircraft and 18,655,789 individual flights in 2019-2023 are linked to 72 aircraft models and their average fuel consumption. We find that private aviation contributed at least 15.6 Mt CO2 in direct emissions in 2023, or about 3.6 t CO2 per flight… Emissions increased by 46% between 2019-2023, with industry expectations of continued strong growth. Regulation is needed to address the sector’s growing climate impact.”

The National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) has challenged the report for “selectively using data, making statements based on faulty analysis and ignoring facts to produce a one-sided set of conclusions about sustainability and business aviation – an industry that is on pace to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.”

The Need for Presque Isle’s New Airport Terminal

The terminal project is for an airport with only one flight per day, which is Essential Air Service (EAS) only.

Mentioned

Understanding Takeoff Calculations on Jetwhine.com.

Ladybug Launch. Author Melissa Trempe will be at the National Air & Space Museum,  Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, VA noon to 2:00 on Nov 29, 2024. Ladybug Launch is inspired by the true story of young girls who devised an experiment that NASA took to the Space Station. The book is a great STEM story for youngsters, girls especially, but boys as well. The book is available for sale in the museum shop. 

Modified Japanese carrier completes F-35B trials off Southern California

Hosts this Episode

Max Flight, our Main(e) Man Micah, Max Trescott, Rob Mark, and David Vanderhoof.

A Robinson hydrogen helicopter, Boeing machinists’ new contract, furloughed Boeing staff and impending layoffs, Jeppesen possibly for sale, incendiary devices at DHL, Boom Supersonic XB-1 test flight, shots fired at Spirit, and air tanker minimum drop height.

Aviation News

Unither Bioelectronics Signs Agreement with Robinson Helicopter Company

Unither Bioelectronics Inc. (UB) and Robinson Helicopter Company have entered into a strategic collaboration agreement to accelerate UB’s development and certification of hydrogen-powered helicopters based on Robinson R44 and R66 models. UB is a subsidiary of United Therapeutics Corporation and CEO Martine Rothblatt said “…we look forward to using protons from green hydrogen to drive the membrane-based fuel cell powerplants in our Robinson R66 organ delivery electric helicopters.”

Robinson R66 (Courtesy Robinson Helicopter Company)

United Therapeutics adds hydrogen to its electric helicopter plans

United Therapeutics is a biotechnology company that says it has been working on a hydrogen-powered R44 prototype for about a year and a half, and its first hover is “hopefully imminent.” In 2016, United Therapeutics began developing a battery-electric-powered Robinson R44 through a partnership with Tier 1 Engineering. A Guinness World Record was set in 2018 for the farthest distance traveled by an electric helicopter—30 nautical miles. UT also has partnerships with eVTOL developers EHang and Beta Technologies.

Boeing strike ends as workers accept new contract

The Machinists Union members accepted the contract with Boeing. Workers will get pay rises over four years. The union had demanded a 40% wage increase and restoration of a defined-benefit pension. The 38% wage increase plus a $12,000 bonus amounted to a 40% increase. The new contract does not restore the pension but promises that the next Boeing airplane will be built in the Seattle area. According to some analysts, the strike cost Boeing around $100 million a day in lost revenue.

Boeing to repay furloughed staff, proceed with job cuts

During the strike, Boeing furloughed some salaried employees, but CEO Kelly Ortberg said they would be repaid for lost wages. At the same time, Ortberg said a 10% cutback of the global workforce would proceed.

A Society of Professional Engineering Employees in Aerospace (SPEEA) spokesperson said it was informed that 60-day notices of job losses would be issued to its members on Nov. 15, 2024. SPEEA has reached a tentative agreement with Spirit AeroSystems on a new four-year contract that offers at least a 19% pay increase over four years. It includes provisions for greater increases if needed to keep up with labor market conditions, and a guaranteed minimum 5% bonus in the spring of 2025.

Report Says Boeing Eyeing Sale Of Jeppesen

As Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg looks to sell off non-core assets, Bloomberg quotes unnamed sources as saying Jeppesen is a candidate. Jeppesen is the world’s largest provider of aviation charts and air navigation materials. Boeing may be looking to get $6 billion for the company. Boeing paid bought Jeppesen in 2000 for $1.5 billion. Boeing also owns ForeFlight but the Bloomberg report does not mention that company,

Russia Suspected of Plotting to Send Incendiary Devices on U.S. Bound Planes

Electric massagers that held a magnesium-based flammable substance were shipped via DHL from Lithuania and ignited at DHL logistics hubs in Germany and England. Security officials say this was part of a covert Russian operation seeking to start fires on aircraft flying to the U.S. and Canada.

Boom Supersonic’s XB-1 jet sets new speed record during 7th test flight

Boom Supersonic plans ten subsonic test flights of their XB-1 supersonic demonstrator aircraft before supersonic speed testing begins. Boom has now completed the seventh of those ten subsonic test flights reaching an altitude of 23,015 feet (7,015 meters) and a new top speed of 629 mph (1,012 kph), or Mach 0.82. Boom Supersonic officials said the flight “focused on flutter envelope expansion and cockpit pressure testing in order to ensure safe performance and handling qualities as XB-1 approaches supersonic speeds and higher altitudes.”

Video: Boom Supersonic XB-1 Hits New Speed Record in Latest Test Flight

https://youtu.be/DEqMwHfHUwQ?si=9bsVo_HBSkNO64dG

Flight Attendant Injured After Spirit Airlines Flight Hit By Gunfire as it Tries to Land in Haiti

Spirit Airlines flight NK-951, an Airbus A320, departed Fort Lauderdale on November 11 for a two-hour flight to the Caribbean island of Hispaniola. However, on final approach to Port-au-Prince, Haiti, it came under gunfire, injuring a flight attendant. Airlines were forced to divert and cancel flights to Port-au-Prince. The Spirit flight diverted to Santiago in the Dominican Republic. Spirit has suspended all flights to Port-au-Prince as it evaluates the situation. American Airlines and JetBlue suspended flights to Haiti.

Mentioned

Air safety watchdog releases final report into WA water bomber crash

Safe Drop Height for Fixed-Wing Airtankers

Hosts this Episode

Max Flight, our Main(e) Man Micah, Max Trescott, Rob Mark, and David Vanderhoof.

We visit the Brunswick Naval Aviation Museum in Maine and speak with the Vice President and Operations Manager, and the Executive Director. In the news, more furloughs and cost-cutting measures at Spirit Airlines, the FAA’s final rule is out on powered-lift vehicles such as eVTOLS, a fuel top-off assumption leads to the loss of a Beechcraft B-60, the “doomsday plane” gets an official designation, and Boeing machinists vote again on a contract proposal.

Guests

At the Brunswick Naval Aviation Museum we spoke with Vice President and Operations Manager Jeff Smat and Executive Director John B. Briley.

The Museum was founded in 2009 as a 501(c)3 non-profit corporation with a mission to preserve the rich heritage of NAS Brunswick (NASB) by honoring the tens of thousands of men and women who served here, educate the public about the history of maritime patrol aviation and NASB, and maintain a memorial for those NASB-based airmen who gave their lives in service to their country.

The museum is located at 179 Fitch Avenue, Brunswick, ME 04011. Currently, the Museum and Memorial Gardens are open Wednesdays (10:00 am-4:00 pm) and Sundays (12:00 pm-4:00 pm).

For more on SERE, see Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape.

Jeff Smat on the flight simulator.

Aviation News

Spirit to Furlough More Than 300 Pilots as Losses Mount

Spirit Airlines is experiencing financial difficulty and a second-quarter net loss of $158 million. More red ink is expected for the third quarter. Last month the airline furloughed 186 pilots and plans to do the same for 330 more pilots effective January 31, 2025. (Spirit has 3,500 pilots.) About 120 captains are to be downgraded. Spirit says it will sell 23 of its Airbus A320 and A321 aircraft next year. That’s a fleet reduction of about 11 percent.

Energy Reserves and Pilot Training For eVTOLs Addressed in FAA’s SFAR Rules

The FAA issued its final rule for powered-lift vehicles, such as eVTOLS. The Integration of Powered-Lift: Pilot Certification and Operations; Miscellaneous Amendments Related to Rotorcraft and Airplanes – Final Rule adopts permanent amendments and a Special Federal Aviation Regulation (SFAR) for ten years to facilitate the certification of powered-lift pilots, clarify operating rules applicable to operations involving a powered-lift, and finalize other amendments which are necessary to integrate powered-lift into the National Airspace System (NAS).

The Integration of Powered-Lift: Pilot Certification and Operations; Miscellaneous Amendments Related to Rotorcraft and Airplanes NPRM was issued in June 2023.

Standing order to top off fuel tanks backfires on pilot

In November 2022, the pilot of a Beechcraft B-60 (N51AL) assumed the FBO topped off the fuel tanks, per his standing fueling order, before hangaring the aircraft. But fuel was not added this time and the pilot landed in a cemetery when both fuel-starved Lycoming engines quit. The pilot and his wife sustained minor injuries. See Project Summary: Aviation Investigation – 3 Docket Items – ERA23LA050 from the NTSB.

SNC Receives Second Boeing 747-8 for SAOC Conversion as Aircraft Gets E-4C Designation

Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC) now has the second of five Boeing 747-8s from Korean Air for conversion to “Doomsday aircraft,” which become airborne command centers during national emergencies. These provide critical command, control, and communication (C3) for the President, the Secretary of Defense, and the Chairs of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. The E-4C will replace the current fleet of E-4B Nightwatch B747-200 aircraft. The contract notice says the award was for $13 Billion.

SOC recently cut the ribbon for its Survivable Airborne Operations Center (SAOC) at its Aviation Innovation and Technology Center (AITC) in Dayton, Ohio. This 100,000 sq. ft. hangar is located near Wright Patterson Air Force Base.

Boeing Machinists head to the polls in decisive vote that could end strike

As we record this episode, members of the Boeing Machinists Union are voting to accept or reject the contract offer that includes a 38% general pay hike over four years.

Hosts this Episode

Max Flight, our Main(e) Man Micah, and Max Trescott.

We hear from participants at this year’s Cranky Dorkfest, the U.S. Marine Corps flew the XQ-58A Valkyrie drone with four F-35B fighters, American Airlines flew a B787 from Dallas to Brisbane in a 15 hour and 44-minute flight, a pair of corporate flight attendants are suing their employer, airlines are reacting to flight restrictions over Russia, and the Portland Jetport is replacing the firefighting foam with something more environmentally friendly. Also, a self-propelling ionic thrust wing, an exploding satellite, and thoughts on DB Cooper from an expert parachutist.

Cranky Dorkfest 2024

Brian Coleman recorded interviews at Cranky Dorkfest on September 14, 2024:

• Melissa – Why she keeps coming back. Her husband is former military mechanic.
• Benny – A first-timer with a unique Boeing airplane-related telephone number.
• Jvan – He took home last year’s brick mosaic. This is his 3rd year participating.
• Matt Sauchelli – He’s shooting with a Nikon mirrorless camera and a long lens.
• Ben Grenuchi and Heather – From NYCAviation.
• Ian Petchenik – Director of Communications at Flightradar24 the live, global flight tracking service. Also, the co-host of AvTalk podcast.
• Brett (Cranky) Snyder. The man behind it all.

For Those Who Didn’t Attend, Here’s What You Missed at Cranky Dorkfest This Weekend

Aviation News

Marines score aviation firsts with F-35 squadron, drone test and more

A Marine Corps XQ-58A Valkyrie drone completed a test flight last week at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida. Col. Derek Brannon, branch head for the Cunningham Group, deputy commandant for aviation said “The flight focused on the use of tactical data links to enable digital communication between the XQ-58A and an airborne four-ship of F-35Bs from Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 214 and other joint aircraft.”

XQ-58A Valkyrie, courtesy AFRL.

The XQ-58A Valkyrie is a low-cost, high-performance, reusable unmanned air vehicle developed through an Air Force Research Laboratory partnership with Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc. This vehicle is an example of an “attritable” aircraft designed to be used for several missions, but built at a cost that permits it to be a combat loss.

American Airlines’ longest flight set to be one of the most tracked in the world

The American Airlines inaugural flight from Dallas to Brisbane in Australia was heavily followed on Flightradar24. Director of Communications Ian Petchenik said people worldwide “are especially keen to watch the livestream of the landing.” The Boeing 787-9 (N825AA), flight AA7, made the trip in 15 hours and 44 minutes covering a great circle distance of 13,363 KM. See Flight history for American Airlines flight AA7.

Overworked Private Flight Attendants For Co-Founder of The Home Depot Claim ‘Inept’ Colleagues Kept Their Jobs Because They Were in ‘Romantic Relationship’ With Boss

Two private flight attendants filed a lawsuit claiming they were overworked while working for the co-founder of The Home Depot, while “inept” co-workers had romantic relationships with their bosses. The two FAs, who quit their jobs, said they sometimes worked 26 days per month and around 90 hours per week.

Why It’s Harder Getting to China

As a result of the war in Ukraine, non-Chinese airlines are no longer entering Russian airspace, so some are discontinuing service to China, or reducing frequency. Demand for flights to China is down, and the cost of avoiding Russian airspace in time and fuel is significant. Virgin Atlantic is dropping its flight connecting Shanghai to London, LOT Polish Airlines is suspending its Warsaw-to-Beijing flights, and SAS plans to stop direct flights between Copenhagen and Shanghai. Chinese airlines are adding capacity.

PFAS-free firefighting foam coming to jetport

The Portland (Maine) Fire Department plans to replace the AFFF firefighting foam used at the Portland International Jetport with PFAS-free foam. The Deputy Chief said of the new foam, “Nobody’s really had a chance to real-world use it. I think until it’s been out for a year or two, it’s going to be hard to determine if it’s going to be as good as AFFF was. Testing shows it does a lot of things just as good as AFFF does, but we’ll see.”

Mentioned

Designing a self propelling ionic thrust wing

MIT engineers fly first-ever plane with no moving parts

Boeing-made satellite explodes in space after experiencing an “anomaly”

Hosts this Episode

Max Flight, our Main(e) Man Micah, Max Trescott, and Rob Mark.

Airline sustainability with the founder and CEO of the SimpliFlying aviation marketing, branding, and communications consultancy firm. Also, actions by Boeing, the outcome of the American Airlines vs. Skiplagged.com suit, US airlines performing poorly in a global ranking, United Airlines and passenger accessibility, and the U.S. Army looks for a new heavy-lift helicopter.

Guest

Shashank Nigam is the founder and CEO of SimpliFlying, one of the world’s largest aviation marketing, branding, and communications consultancy firms. Shashank’s new area of interest is airline sustainability.

Shashank explains that airline brand experience and engagement are longer than other products and services, especially with long-haul flights. The branding fundamentals remain the same, but how airlines build trust has changed. In 2008 it was airline presence on Twitter and Facebook. During the pandemic, it was health and safety. Now, airline sustainability has grown in importance.

The Sustainability in the Air podcast explores what airline, airport, and technology firm CEO innovators are doing. Shashank gives an example of how creative financing is needed for airline sustainability.

We also consider what Boeing must do to restore trust and hear about the very interesting company culture at SimpliFlying.

SimpliFlying was founded in 2008 and has worked with over 100 aviation clients in airline branding, customer experience, digital marketing, crisis communications, and sustainability initiatives. SimpliFlying’s analysis and insights have been featured in leading international media outlets such as BBC, CNN, CNBC, Reuters, Bloomberg, the Wall Street Journal, and the New York Times.

Shashank is the author of Soar: How the Best Airline Brands Delight Customers and Inspire Employees and Sustainability in the Air: Innovators Transforming Aviation for a Greener Future. Look for him on LinkedIn and join over 4,000 Sustainability in the Air subscribers which separates the signal from the noise in sustainable travel.

Aviation News

United teams with United Spinal to strengthen accessibility

Under a new agreement, the United Spinal Association will help advise and support United Airlines to improve the travel experience for customers with disabilities. The United Spinal Association represents 5.5 million American wheelchair users. 

United Spinal Association CEO Vincenzo Piscopo said “This partnership demonstrates that accessible travel is a reality, and every step forward brings us closer to a more inclusive travel experience for the disability community. I hope to see continued improvements not only from United Airlines but also throughout the entire travel industry.”

The Runway Girl Network reports that the FAA “is working to define the criteria necessary to allow someone to remain in their personal wheelchair during flight using a tie-down similar to what’s used in the automotive industry, and as the US Department of Transportation prepares to initiate rulemaking in that regard.”

Boeing’s CEO Is Shrinking the Jet Maker to Stop Its Crisis From Spiraling

With all its troubles and difficult financial position, some Industry insiders and analysts are thinking about a possible Boeing breakup or even bankruptcy. In a note to employees, new CEO Kelly Ortberg said Boeing has spread itself too thin: “We need to be clear-eyed about the work we face. We also need to focus our resources on performing and innovating in the areas that are core to who we are.” Boeing is exploring asset sales and pruning non-core or underperforming units.

Boeing machinists to vote on new proposal with 35% raises that could end strike

The new proposal includes 35% in wage increases over four years, a $7,000 signing bonus, increased 401(k) contributions, and guaranteed minimum annual bonus payouts. The ratification vote is scheduled for Wednesday, October 23, 2024.

Why US airlines are loathed around the world – as they take up bottom spots in global ranking

Daily Telegraph researchers examined 90 major airlines and assessed a number of factors, including in-flight experience, luggage policies, reliability, and connectivity. No U.S. airlines made it into the top 20. Alaska was ranked at 23 and Delta at 24. Frontier, Allegiant and Spirit were in the bottom four.

American Airlines Wins $9.4 Million Verdict In Skiplagged Case

After a 5-day trial, a federal jury determined that the Skiplagged.com website infringed on the airline’s copyright, but did not violate American’s trademark protections. Skiplagged is a resource where consumers can “find flights the airlines don’t want you to see” and exposes “loopholes in airfare pricing to save you money.” American claimed that Skipplagged was not an authorized agent and the website fooled consumers when it used American’s logo. The jurors dismissed that claim. Nevertheless, Skipplagged was ordered to pay American $4.7 million in disgorgement from its revenues, and another $4.7 million for copyright infringement. The skiplagging hack is also called “hidden city” ticketing.

For more legal analysis, see: COPYRIGHT—N.D. Tex.: American Airlines’ contract claims against Skiplagged suffer hard landing, copyright claims arrive on time, (Aug 1, 2024)

Army Confirms It’s Exploring Requirements For A New Heavy-Lift Helicopter To Replace Chinook

Under its Future Vertical Lift program, the U.S. Army plans to replace the CH-47 Chinook heavy-lift tandem rotor helicopter with a new-generation aircraft. The Chinook is used by the U.S. Army and 20 international operators.

Mentioned

Twelve, The Carbon Transformation Company™.

Infinium, ultra-low carbon electrofuels.

Becoming an Air Traffic Controller

Rob on Fox News

Don Mueang International Airport and Qantas Flight 1.

I’m Sorry I Haven’t A Clue

Flight makes emergency landing after passenger found a live mouse in meal

Hosts this Episode

Max Flight, our Main(e) Man Micah, David Vanderhoof, Max Trescott, and Rob Mark.

An aviator’s journey from a former commercial airline transport pilot, flight instructor, flight examiner, and author. In the news, the SpaceX Starship first-stage booster returns to the launch pad, the NTSB reports on two B737s that were cleared for the same runway at the same time and the incident where an A350 clipped the tail of a CRJ-900. Also, navigating airline dress codes, an airport executive director resigns, and an air museum plans to expand.

Guest

Lola Reid Allin is the author of Highway to the Sky: An Aviator’s Journey. She’s a former commercial airline transport pilot, flight instructor, flight examiner, and SCUBA divemaster. Lola’s work has appeared in national newspapers and publications, and in juried national and international shows. Her professional aviation affiliations include Women in Aviation International, The 99s: International Organization of Women Pilots, and the Northern Lights Aero Foundation.

In her book, and with us, Lola shares personal aspects of her flying experiences and aviation career. She describes things she has learned from her student pilots, her relationships with others, the Cessna 150 she owned, and some particularly interesting flights she has piloted.

Lola’s story is about how learning to fly gave her wisdom and taught her to live her life. She had to defy the societal norms of the era, such as the notion that “women belong in the kitchen and the bedroom” and “they shouldn’t take jobs from men who need to support their families.”

An adventurer who lived with the Maya in Mexico and Belize for three years, Lola has explored more than sixty-five countries in depth. When she isn’t backpacking Baffin Island, trekking the Andes or the Himalayas, forging deep into the Guatemalan jungle, summiting Kilimanjaro, or guiding a dogsled team in the Yukon, she lives with her husband of twenty-six years in a small community east of Toronto, Canada.

She is a professional speaker and co-lead of the First Canadian 99s Education & Outreach Committee and for the Northern Lights Aero Foundation.

Find Lola on her website, X, and Facebook.

Aviation News

Two planes cleared to use same runway in Nashville near-collision, NTSB says

In September, Alaska Airlines Flight 369, a Boeing 737 MAX 9, was cleared for takeoff at Nashville International Airport. At the same time, Southwest Airlines Flight 2029 was cleared to cross the same runway. The Alaska Jet aborted the takeoff, which blew out the plane’s tires.  The NTSB said one ground controller cleared the Southwest jet, just 23 seconds before another controller cleared the Alaska plane.

Pilot of larger plane was looking away from smaller plane in Atlanta airport mishap, report says

A Bombardier CRJ-900 operated by Endeavor Air, a Delta regional subsidiary, was waiting on a taxiway. A taxiing Delta Air Lines Airbus 350 clipped the tail of the CRJ with it’s wingtip, knocking the tail off the smaller plane. The NTSB preliminary report finds the CRJ stopped 56 feet (17 meters) short of the hold line painted on the taxiway. As the A350’s right wing extends 106 feet (32.3 meters) from the center of the jet to tip, that 56-foot distance may have been the margin between a hit and a miss.

Do Airlines Really Have Dress Codes? What to Know

Every airline has a contract of carriage and these typically include a cause addressing attire. These leave a lot of discretion to the airline staff and each airline is different:

• Southwest Airlines: Wearing clothes that are lewd, obscene, or patently offensive.
• American Airlines: Dress appropriately; bare feet or offensive clothing aren’t allowed.
• Delta Air Lines: When the passenger’s conduct, attire, hygiene or odor creates an unreasonable risk of offense or annoyance to other passengers.
• United Airlines: Passengers who are barefoot, not properly clothed, or whose clothing is lewd, obscene or offensive.
• Spirit Airlines: Barefoot or inadequately clothed, or whose clothing is lewd, obscene, or offensive in nature.
• JetBlue: Clothing is that is lewd, obscene, or patently offensive.
• Alaska Airlines: Passengers who are barefoot or whose conduct, attire, hygiene, or odor creates an unreasonable risk of offense or annoyance to other passengers.
• Hawaiian Airlines: Specific requirements, and clothing must not be lewd, obscene, or patently offensive to others.

Two women kicked off Spirit Airlines flight for wearing crop tops

Two friends boarded the plane wearing sweaters over crop tops. As the air conditioning wasn’t working, they took off their sweaters. A flight attendant asked them to cover up but they asked to see the dress code. Another sympathetic woman removed her sweater and said “So if they’re kicking you off the flight, then they’re also going to have to kick me and my toddler off of the flight.” All three were removed.

Brunswick lawmakers say resignation of airport leader ‘not a time to celebrate’

Updating the story about the firefighting foam accident at Brunswick Executive Airport, the board of trustees for the Midcoast Regional Redevelopment Authority announced that its Executive Director has resigned.

New England Air Museum Announces $25M Expansion

The New England Air Museum (NEAM) in Windsor Locks, Connecticut, is the largest aviation and aerospace museum in New England. The Museum is planning to build a new multipurpose hangar, increase enrollment in its educational programs, and partner with local companies and educational organizations. NEAM is awaiting $15 million in state funding for the new hangar and $10 for new digital classrooms and other educational initiatives. Construction of the new hangar should break ground in 2025 and open in 2026.

Mentioned

Be ATC – FAA Hiring Air Traffic Controllers. The Fall 2024 application window is now open and will close on November 4, 2024.

Flying Magazine, Max Trescott Archives.

FAA WINGS – Pilot Proficiency Program.

Points Path browser extension.

Hosts this Episode

Max Flight, our Main(e) Man Micah, David Vanderhoof, Max Trescott, and Rob Mark.

We talk with the Long Beach Airport Public Affairs Officer. In the news, watching racy movies on the inflight entertainment system, a fatal crash at the Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome in New York, the competition for the main operating base for a fleet of Boeing KC-46A Pegasus air refueling tankers, and the AeroSHARK film that reduces fuel burn. Guest Kate Kuykendall has been the Public Affairs Officer at the Long Beach Airport (LGB) for over five years. She previously worked for the National Park Service and the Peace Corps. Our Main(e) Man Micah and Brian Coleman recorded a conversation with Kate covering various topics, including the airport's history, noise complaints, the new plane spotting area on private leasehold, and Corporate tenants at the airport, such as JetZero. Also, community outreach programs and tours, sustainability, and leaded aviation fuel for piston-powered aircraft. The airport’s annual Festival of Flight is scheduled for Oct 19, 2024. Aviation News Passengers on Qantas flight to Tokyo endure ‘super uncomfortable’ experience as racy movie is played on every single screen The IFE system was broken and the crew had to make a movie selection that would be seen on every screen. They chose Daddio from 2023 starring Dakota Johnson and Sean Penn. One passenger said, “Qantas played an inappropriate movie to the whole plane, there was no way to turn it off.” Another said, “It featured graphic nudity and a lot of sexting – the kind where you could literally read the texts on screen without needing headphones.” Experienced Aviator and Master Plane Craftsman Dies in Crash During Saturday Aerodrome Airshow Brian Coughlin, 60, died in a crash during an Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome show. He was flying a replica of a World War I Fokker D-VIII that he had helped to rebuild. A preliminary look at the accident indicated an engine fire during the airshow. Coughlin was a volunteer, an experienced pilot, and a mechanic craftsman who rebuilt World War I aircraft as a hobby. Bangor Air Guard Base Competing for New Refueling Tankers A competition is underway for the main operating base for a $1.3 billion fleet of Boeing KC-46A Pegasus air refueling tankers. The Bangor Air National Guard Base is one of the seven remaining finalists. The KC-46A tankers would replace the Boeing KC-135 Stratotankers operated by the Maine Air National Guard's 101st Air Refueling Wing, also known as the MAINEiacs. DAF announces seven candidate locations for KC-46A Pegasus MOB 7 The Department of the Air Force has selected seven bases as candidate locations to host the KC-46A Pegasus Main Operating Base 7. The candidate locations are: Bangor Air National Guard Base, Maine Forbes Field Air National Guard Base (Topeka), Kan. Key Field Air National Guard Base (Meridian), Miss. McGhee Tyson Air National Guard Base (Knoxville), Tenn. Rickenbacker Air National Guard Base, Ohio Scott Air Force Base, Ill. Sumpter Smith Air National Guard Base (Birmingham), Ala. Lufthansa Technik Upgrades LATAM’s Boeing 777 Aircraft With Fuel-Saving AeroSHARK Film LATAM Airlines Group S.A. will become Lufthansa Technik AG's first external customer in the Americas to equip its Boeing 777s with AeroSHARK film. Lufthansa Technik calls AeroSHARK “a durable bionic film that successfully mimics the skin of sharks and optimizes the airflow, thus enabling significant fuel savings.” The film was developed in conjunction with BASF.  Lufthansa Cargo, SWISS, All Nippon Airways, and EVA Air have already adopted AeroSHARK, with promising results. Mentioned Northrop X-21 Operation Airdrop: Hurricane Helene Volunteer pilots are flying supplies to trapped Hurricane Helene victims Martin J. McNally – Part 1 Airways, Nov/Dec 2021, “Terror in the Air,” Clipper 93, September 6, 1970 Hosts this Episode Max Flight, our Main(e) Man Micah, David Vanderhoof, Rob Mark, and Max Trescott.