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Oct
23
2023
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Posted by Admin
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We all consider ourselves to be professional pilots and as such, we study and memorize everything we can about how we conduct our daily operations, to include the National Airspace System. We use the charts in the AIM, VFR Sectionals and Terminal Area Charts, and tablets with navigation applications. We refer to 14 CFR § 91.126-135. We check—and double check—the weather so we can remain compliant with 14 CFR § 91.155. VFR, IFR, GPS/WAAS, ATC - it all blends into this magnificent (and admittedly complex) system.
But where did all this come from?
Part of it began during WWII. Thomas Causby (and his flock of chickens) owned a parcel of land about a half mile from Lindley Field in Greensboro, North Carolina. The United States government, via what was then the Department of the Army, used Lindley Field for training bomber and fighter pilots. And they used it a lot. So much in fact, that quite a few (over 150) of Mr. Causby’s chickens died due to the noise and vibrations from the constant takeoffs and landings. The location of Mr. Causby’s property placed the landing and departing aircraft approximately 85 feet over the farm (and only 20 feet above the farm's highest object). Mr. Causby filed an inverse condemnation lawsuit against the government for damages, claiming that the airport’s activity had cost him his business and that the United States had “taken” without compensation his rightful property from him. He claimed that this was a clear violation of the Fifth Amendment of the Constitution.
[Read More...]
Tags:
AIM
National Airspace System
VFR Terminal Sectionals
Categories:
Regulatory
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Oct
16
2023
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Posted by Admin
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In recent months, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has joined forces with the Veterans Administration (VA) in a collaborative effort to identify pilots who, whether intentionally or unintentionally, have failed to accurately disclose receiving disability benefits.
In the early part of 2022, the FAA’s Office of Aerospace Medicine launched a ‘Special Project’ investigation aimed at identifying military veteran pilots who may not have properly disclosed their disability benefits to the FAA on their pilot medical applications. As Aviation Lawyer, Anthony Ison, explains in his AOPA article Airman Receiving VA Disability Benefits: A Time Sensitive Warning, it appears that the VA has granted the FAA access to their Veterans Disability Compensation records. Armed with this documentation, the FAA is, subsequently, cross referencing their own files in order to identify any pilot who may not have properly disclosed all of their VA Disability benefits.
[Read More...]
Tags:
Airman receiving VA Disability benefits
FAA Form 8500-8
MedXpress
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Career Development
Regulatory
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Oct
09
2023
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Posted by Admin
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Nine years! That’s how long it’s been since the last major update to the National Weather Service Aviation Platform. And from the early beta testing results, the wait will have been worth it. A new AviationWeather.gov is coming soon!
Much has changed in the last decade regarding computer programming capabilities, and all of that technological prowess certainly shows in the new platform. The modernized code provides enhanced stability and improved supportability for users.
[Read More...]
Tags:
aviation weather center
weather.gov
Categories:
Safety
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Oct
02
2023
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Posted by Admin
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Every year there are reports of fatal accidents where the pilot became spatially disoriented and crashed due to flying into inadvertent instrument meteorological conditions. According to the US Helicopter Safety Team, since the year 2000, there have been over 130 fatal accidents due to flying into visually degraded environments. These incidents occur regardless of pilot experience and are often the result of insufficient planning, decision-making, and inadequate training for the unexpected.
On 26 January 2020, an experienced helicopter pilot crashed into the mountains of Southern California. This tragedy claimed the lives of nine people, including Kobe Bryant and his daughter. The National Transportation Safety Board found that pilot error was the primary cause of the crash. The pilot flew into low-level clouds, became spatially disoriented, and collided with a nearby hillside while attempting to navigate in a visually degraded environment, despite having over 8,000 flight hours, including more than 1,000 hours in the Sikorsky S-76. This pilot also served as a company check airman and chief pilot for the company. Even the most experienced and qualified pilots are not immune to the dangers of spatial disorientation. The helicopter industry and the University of North Dakota (UND) are searching for solutions that could help prevent tragedies like this.
[Read More...]
Tags:
Environmental Tectonics Corp.
UND
University of North Dakota Aerospace
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Sep
25
2023
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Posted by Admin
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I am currently the vice president and general manager for Precision Aircraft Services located in Peachtree City, Georgia. PAS is an Airbus premium service center, MD Helicopters service center, and Robinson service center. We maintain a wide array of avionics dealerships such as Garmin, Avidyne and Genesys, etc. We provide inspection and MRO services for all types of helicopter operations. All our mechanics come from the field and understand customer urgency so our customers get my cell number and can call anytime in need.
[Read More...]
Tags:
Mark Tyler
MRO Services
Precision Aircraft Services
Categories:
Human Interest
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Sep
18
2023
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Posted by Admin
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With a population over one million people, Charlotte, North Carolina, the seat of Mecklenburg County, is the largest city in the state, and 15th largest in the U.S.
Formed in 1762, Mecklenburg County, which lies at the intersection of several major U.S. highways, has become a business hub for many industries such as banking, manufacturing, and high-tech medicine. Additionally, given its many universities and outdoor attractions, the region also draws sports fans, academics, as well as adventure enthusiasts.
Atrium Health, formerly Carolinas HealthCare System, is a hospital network with more than 70,000 employees and part of Advocate Health. It operates 40 hospitals, seven freestanding emergency departments, over 30 urgent care centers, and more than 1,400 care locations in the states of North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Alabama.
[Read More...]
Tags:
Airbus Helicopters
Atrium Health
Rotor Pro
Categories:
Company Profiles
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Sep
11
2023
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Posted by Admin
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Matt Christensen is a unique subject for Executive Watch. Almost everyone we profile has some sort of roots in aviation and/or helicopters. Christensen came to helicopters from lifestyle-marketed consumer audio headphones. In the early 2010s, he was part of the launch executive team for SOL Republic headphones targeted for EDM fans. This was par for Christensen’s career that has focused on growing small technology-based companies. And by “grow,” we mean GROW: When Christensen took hold of the sales team at SOL Republic, he guided them from $0 to $70 million in sales over the span of three years. “My philosophy was to take the headphones to EDM events and introduce them to the fans; we traveled to more shows than I care to remember and wound up with our products in stores like Best Buy, Apple, Radio Shack, and on Amazon,” he says.
[Read More...]
Tags:
Matt Christensen Vita Inclinita
safe hoisting technology
Categories:
Human Interest
Company Profiles
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Sep
04
2023
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Posted by Admin
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Aerial firefighting teams often find themselves operating in less-than-ideal conditions when general aviators are faced with strong, gusty winds and unpredictable mountainous terrain exacerbated by extreme heat. These challenging circumstances are further intensified by the presence of multiple helicopters, fixed-wing spotter aircraft and bombers in close proximity, as well as reduced visibility and low-altitudes, making aerial firefighting jobs among the most perilous in the industry.
Kishugu Aviation is a key provider of aerial support to the South Africa's Department of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries through its Expanded Public Works Program (EPWP) initiative called Working on Fire (WoF). Based in Mbombela, Mpumalanga, Kishugu Aviation offers an extensive array of aerial services to both public and private sectors, encompassing aerial firefighting, game relocation, anti-poaching, disaster relief, drone operations, and charter work.
Kishugu Aviation, previously known as Forest Fire Association, started in 1986 with one spotter aircraft and has grown into an industry leader that today boasts a fleet of more than 40 aircraft.
[Read More...]
Tags:
aerial fire support
Kishugu Aviation
South Africa Expanded Public Works Program
Categories:
Opinion-Editorial
Company Profiles
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Aug
29
2023
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Posted by Admin
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“Teamwork makes the dream work.” Is that true in helicopter air ambulance work?
According to the American Heritage Dictionary the definition of teamwork is “cooperative effort by the members of a group or team to achieve a common goal.”
I recently visited Atrium Health’s MedCenter Air operation in Charlotte, North Carolina. (See story on Page 49.) Working with their teams reminded me of when I used to fly helicopter air ambulance, how complicated the work is, and how success hinges on many moving parts working together as a whole. If only one of the parts fails or falls short, desired outcomes may fall short as well.
I remember when I was a new air ambulance pilot, we were shut down on a highway waiting for two patients involved in a DUI, head-on accident, to be extricated from their vehicles. Given that I was flying an S76C+ helicopter we had the ability to take both patients. The first patient to arrive at the helicopter was in very critical condition and was bleeding out. I was told by the flight nurse that the second patient should be arriving in five minutes to seven minutes. I made the decision that I would keep the helicopter quiet and would start it when I saw the patient being pushed from the scene towards the helicopter.
[Read More...]
Tags:
Editor Lyn Burks
Editors Letter
Rotor Pro
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Aug
21
2023
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Posted by Admin
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All around us, technology is changing. The helicopters of our youth are dinosaurs compared to today’s aircraft. The modern engines that power these helicopters have become sophisticated, digitally controlled power plants designed to optimize performance and reliability while also reducing fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.
To gain insights on where helicopter engine technology is headed, Rotor Pro spoke with Nico Chabée, vice president of sales and marketing at Pratt & Whitney Canada.
[Read More...]
Tags:
Green Helicopter Engine Technology
Pratt & Whitney Canada helicopter engines
PT6T TwinPac
PW206B2
Categories:
Company Profiles
Helicopter Sectors