There are many basic differences between corporate aviation and the airlines. One of the big differences is the schedule. The corporate schedule is much more chaotic than the airlines. You fly when and where they need you and it could be different every week. As a corporate pilot you may also be responsible for other things besides flying, such as loading the plane and making your own flight plans. As an airline pilot you have a schedule that is a little more consistent. You also will not have to worry about loading the aircraft or making a flight schedule, all you need to do is show up and fly. Another difference is that in the corporate world you have much more interaction with who you are flying, whereas in the airlines the extent of interaction my be smiling at the people as they board the aircraft.
I believe that corporate aviation can save a company money. Although owning a plane can be expensive so can the cost of airline travel. Not only are you paying for the cost of travel but you also paying for the time. Paying someone for travel time can be expensive, the time it takes for them to get to the airport, check their bags, go through security, and hope there are no delays along with having to work with the schedule of the airlines and pay for hotels. Not only does having an aviation department save time, it also gives an advantage over companies that don't have one. It allows companies to fly to places with smaller airports and can greatly improve communication.
One corporate company I found was Starbase Jet, based in Dallas, Texas for a Falcon 50. The position is for a captain and chief pilot. The requirements for the job are FAA ATP or CAMEL with instrument rating, applicable type rating, current 1st class medical, 5000 hours total time, 1500 hours multi-engine, 1000 hours turbojet, 250 hours in specific type, minimum 3 years 135 passenger experience within the last 5 years strongly preferred, and clean FAA/DOT/DOJ records. Overall requirements for majority of corporate jobs are more than required for a start in the regionals. Corporate aviation is a good option for people that meet the requirements and don't mind the unique experience it brings.
http://www.forbes.com/sites/businessaviation/2012/08/06/business-aviation-the-unfair-advantage/
http://www.aopa.org/letsgoflying/dream/whyfly/careers.html
Tuesday, September 30, 2014
Friday, September 19, 2014
NextGen
NextGen is satellite navigation that allows pilots to see their exact location and the location of other aircraft around them. It will allow more direct routs of flight and more accurate landing procedures. It also allows an aircraft to fly over the Gulf of Mexico and stay in radar contact where before they could only be seen up to 200 miles offshore. It is already being tested and will be widely used by 2018 depending on funding. In February 2014, a Jet Blue flight was flying from Los Angeles to Fort Lauderdale and encountered a 200-mile stretch of thunderstorms along the coast of Florida. Rather than going north and around they were able to divert south over the Gulf saving 60 gallons of jet fuel and preventing 12,000 pounds of exhaust emissions http://www.faa.gov/nextgen/snapshots/stories/?slide=31. This will have a major impact on both the airlines and general aviation because it will allow for faster routs and will save on fuel and time. It will also allow for more traffic in the sky with an increase in safety
NextGen is expensive but it has the potential to save billions in the future. There are many ways to get the funding needed. One obvious way would be to ask for funding from the government, but with the recent cuts, funding there will be very limited. Another way would be to increase the price of tickets to help with costs, but I believe that the airlines themselves could help fund the program. Over time they will save billions of dollars on fuel and with faster routs could provide more flights. Investing money now will be a good investment for the future and will pay off over time.
It is hard to say how NextGen will affect aviation careers. From what is sounds like there will still be a need for air traffic controllers and the job of the pilots will remain the same. It will just mean new systems to learn and more automation in aircrafts.
http://aviationweek.com/awin/faa-s-nextgen-program-reaches-critical-period
http://www.faa.gov/Nextgen/slides/?slide=1
NextGen is expensive but it has the potential to save billions in the future. There are many ways to get the funding needed. One obvious way would be to ask for funding from the government, but with the recent cuts, funding there will be very limited. Another way would be to increase the price of tickets to help with costs, but I believe that the airlines themselves could help fund the program. Over time they will save billions of dollars on fuel and with faster routs could provide more flights. Investing money now will be a good investment for the future and will pay off over time.
It is hard to say how NextGen will affect aviation careers. From what is sounds like there will still be a need for air traffic controllers and the job of the pilots will remain the same. It will just mean new systems to learn and more automation in aircrafts.
http://aviationweek.com/awin/faa-s-nextgen-program-reaches-critical-period
http://www.faa.gov/Nextgen/slides/?slide=1
Thursday, September 11, 2014
Flying Cheap
If I had to make a choice right now of where I wanted to work it would have to be Southwest Airlines. My final goal would be to become a captain and to fly to Atlanta or San Diego. I would choose Southwest is because of their approach to employees and customer service. Their theory is that if they take care of their employees first and treat them well then in turn they will treat the customers the same way. They may not pay as much as some of the majors, like Delta, but having a good working environment to me is more important than making the "big money".
There are always safety/liability concerns when dealing with any airline both regional and major. Many of these safety factors can be minimized by following procedures and sticking to the checklists. For example if you are overweight you should not just assume that things will be ok. Things are done certain ways for a reason, whether they are proven to work or because of something that went wrong in the past, possibly costing someone their life. If the proper training is being conducted and procedures are being followed, then the chance of a mishap is greatly reduced.
To me, professionalism is the way a person conducts themselves both at work and off the clock. Utilizing the proper chain of command and not complaining to the junior people. The way they present themselves and treat others. Also always doing what you are supposed to and not cutting corners and hoping things will be ok.
Relating to the Colgan accident of Continental flight 3407 in Buffalo that killed 49 on board and 1 on the ground February 12, 2009, and the film Flying Cheap, there was a lack of professionalism. The first thing I viewed as lack of professionalism was during the interview of Roger Cohen, the regional airlines association president. When asked about the starting pay of first officers he responded by giving the high end of the pay. He would not address the starting pay and how it is an unlivable situation. Overall he did not seem to care about the well being of the junior pilots. The second lack of professionalism was the pilot that was interviewed about taking off when the aircraft was over weight. He did eventually write a report but he risked the lives of all the people on that flight. He may have had to deal with some irritated bosses but safety should always come first.
A couple ways to maintain professionalism while at you job would be to always show up on time, ready to work, and have a positive attitude. Also to treat your coworkers and the customers the way you would want to be treated; if there is an issue, pull the person aside and avoid causing problems. You should also maintain all these qualities outside of work because you never know who you may run into and where.
http://www.advancebusinessconsulting.com/advance!/strategic-alignment/strategic-alignment-business-cases/the-rise-of-southwest-airlines.aspx
http://video.pbs.org/video/1412744270/
There are always safety/liability concerns when dealing with any airline both regional and major. Many of these safety factors can be minimized by following procedures and sticking to the checklists. For example if you are overweight you should not just assume that things will be ok. Things are done certain ways for a reason, whether they are proven to work or because of something that went wrong in the past, possibly costing someone their life. If the proper training is being conducted and procedures are being followed, then the chance of a mishap is greatly reduced.
To me, professionalism is the way a person conducts themselves both at work and off the clock. Utilizing the proper chain of command and not complaining to the junior people. The way they present themselves and treat others. Also always doing what you are supposed to and not cutting corners and hoping things will be ok.
Relating to the Colgan accident of Continental flight 3407 in Buffalo that killed 49 on board and 1 on the ground February 12, 2009, and the film Flying Cheap, there was a lack of professionalism. The first thing I viewed as lack of professionalism was during the interview of Roger Cohen, the regional airlines association president. When asked about the starting pay of first officers he responded by giving the high end of the pay. He would not address the starting pay and how it is an unlivable situation. Overall he did not seem to care about the well being of the junior pilots. The second lack of professionalism was the pilot that was interviewed about taking off when the aircraft was over weight. He did eventually write a report but he risked the lives of all the people on that flight. He may have had to deal with some irritated bosses but safety should always come first.
A couple ways to maintain professionalism while at you job would be to always show up on time, ready to work, and have a positive attitude. Also to treat your coworkers and the customers the way you would want to be treated; if there is an issue, pull the person aside and avoid causing problems. You should also maintain all these qualities outside of work because you never know who you may run into and where.
http://www.advancebusinessconsulting.com/advance!/strategic-alignment/strategic-alignment-business-cases/the-rise-of-southwest-airlines.aspx
http://video.pbs.org/video/1412744270/
Sunday, September 7, 2014
About Me
My name is Steven Pinterpe and I am currently a senior in the Aviation Flight Technology program at Eastern Michigan University. I first got introduced to aviation when I joined the Marine Corps and became an avionics technician on the F/A 18 fighter jet. I took my first flight lesson shortly after that and really enjoyed it. After receiving an honorable discharge from the Marines I decided I wanted to be a pilot and EMU seemed like the best fit for me. I am currently working on my commercial rating and plan and getting my CFI (certified flight instructor rating). After graduation I plan on building my hours through flight instructing or surveying . My career goal is to go into either cargo or the airlines.
Current topics that interest me are anything military because of my background and because I still have friends that serve. I am also interested in the new avionics technologies and how they are able to improve from the systems that are currently being used. Also how advancements in technology may help prevent future mishaps.
Current topics that interest me are anything military because of my background and because I still have friends that serve. I am also interested in the new avionics technologies and how they are able to improve from the systems that are currently being used. Also how advancements in technology may help prevent future mishaps.
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