Lawsuit Filed Over "Volunteer" Program for Unpaid Sim Training Sessions

The Allied Pilots Association has filed a lawsuit against American Airlines over a program the company hoped would augment simulator staff with unpaid pilots using their time off. Their issue lies with a new company effort to forgo the need for a second check airman in the simulator for cases of absence or illness, through the use of unpaid volunteer "seat fillers". For simulator training, a missing student would, in regular times, be replaced by another paid check airman, where they could take the place of the missing student for the duration of the other pilot's evaluation.

The FY22 AvB Program Applies To Lieutenant Colonels And Below

Eligible active-duty aviators have from April 11 until Aug. 31 to apply for the fiscal year 2022 aviation bonus, Air Force officials announced April 6. “Airpower will always be in high demand, and our operational readiness hinges on retaining a force of skilled and experienced aviators,” said Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. CQ Brown, Jr., “As we explore and employ a variety of tools to assist in the production, retention and absorption of aviators, these incentives are one element of ensuring we have the force to meet current and future mission requirements.”

95 Aircraft Delivered, With 737 Taking the Lion's Share of Buisiness Once Again

The bulk of the planes delivered once again came from the 737 series, with 86 planes turned over to customers, with 5 from the increasingly aged 767. Only 3 777s were delivered, not too far off pace for a normal month at the brand. The first quarter was not free of instability around the world, with Boeing admitting that more than 140 jet orders are now stuck in limbo due to the war in Ukraine. The manufacturer moved the planes from its active order sheet into the unknown, unsure of whether or not the contracts would eventually be completed.

Administration Looking to Fund Projects for Climate, Access, and Sustainability

The FAA has opened the application process for those towns and airports looking to address shortcomings in their air traffic control facilities, freshly funded and ready to assist. The FAA has made $20 million available from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law for the modernization of ATC towers at small and municipal airports around the country. Currently, the administration finds 156 locations eligible for the funding, depending on the size and level of activity. 

Initial Certification Proposition Handed in to EASA

Lilium has submitted paperwork required for the Jet's  certification to the EASA, which will pave the way for the next phase in the aircraft's regulatory compliance. Lilium has submitted a full set of the necessary Means of Compliance proposals to the European Union Aviation Safety Agency for the type certification of the Lilium Jet. The proposal outlines the program needed to certify the aircraft on behalf of Lilium.

Navy Divers Recovered The E-2D By Cutting The Aircraft Into Sections

The Navy successfully recovered the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye that crashed in the vicinity of Wallops Island and Chincoteague Apr. 12. U.S. Navy Divers from Mobile Diving and Salvage Unit 2 (MDSU 2) recovered the aircraft with collaboration from other interagency partners, as well local and federal actors. MDSU 2 specializes in salvage, a Navy mission area that includes recovery of submerged objects. 

Klyde Has A Surprise In Store For His Students....

FMI: www.klydemorris.com

Lays Groundwork for F-16 Units to Assume Mission, Citing "High Rate of Accidents"

One of the remaining holdouts of the increasingly vintage fighter, Romania, has announced the suspension of all flight operations involving their MiG-21 Lancer fighters. The Ministry of Defense said that going forward, they will only operate the 17 hand-me-down F-16s acquired from Portugal. The change is the result of the type's "considerably high rate of accidents", according to the ministry. The MiG-21 has acquired a macabre infamy in those still operating the aged aircraft, piling up a yearly string of accidents around the world.

From 2010 (YouTube Version): Preserving The History Of An Amazing Facet Of Aviation

ANN's phenomenal trip to Albuquerque for the 2010 ABQ Balloon Fiesta is the gift that keeps on giving... both with the memories we have of the extraordinary visual delights of that week as well as the tremendous opportunities our Aero-TV crews had to experience so much of the world of ballooning, its people and its history. One of the more intriguing aspects of that trip was our vi

As The Pilot Attempted To Increase The Throttle Input, The Engine Did Not Respond

On March 8, 2022, at 1417 mountain standard time, a Cessna P210N airplane, N210GE, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Englewood, Colorado. The pilot and flight instructor both sustained minor injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot reported that the flight was cleared for an instrument approach as they neared the intended destination airport. The initial portion of the approach was uneventful.

Aero Linx: Minnesota Seaplane Pilots Association The purpose of the Minnesota Seaplane Pilots Association is to: Promote seaplane flying and safety programs pertaining to seaplane operation throughout the State of Minnesota, Promote a forum for the purpose of approaching governmental agencies, to educate said agencies, the legislature and the public in the understanding of seaplane operation, and Create safe and compatible seaplane base facilities in the State of Minnesota.

Abbreviated IFR Flight Plans An authorization by ATC requiring pilots to submit only that information needed for the purpose of ATC. It includes only a small portion of the usual IFR flight plan information. In certain instances, this may be only aircraft identification, location, and pilot request. Other information may be requested if needed by ATC for separation/control purposes. It is frequently used by aircraft which are airborne and desire an instrument approach or by aircraft which are on the ground and desire a climb to VFR-on-top.

“Having failed to plan properly for the recovery in air travel demand, American Airlines management now finds itself having to deal with the consequences of being the only major airline to have furloughed pilots during the pandemic and its decision to forgo training opportunities at that time. Management continues to fall behind and is scrambling to increase the volume of the pilot training funnel. Consequently, they are now soliciting all pilots to volunteer to replace our specially trained Check Airmen as 'seat fillers' during a critical training evaluation stage under terms and conditions that remain largely unknown to APA." Source: Allied Pilots Association head, Eric Ferguson, commenting on their lawsuit against American Ai