As the COVID-19 pandemic continues throughout the world, we are tracking the impacts on flight training and the general aviation industry as a whole. We will update this page frequently as our friends and partners in general aviation continue to provide and publish new information.
Boeing released its “2020 Boeing Market Outlook (BMO)” today that says while defense and government services are expected to remain stable, overall conditions for the airlines “will continue to face significant challenges due to the pandemic.” Looking out of the next decade, Boeing estimates the overall market demand will fall from $8.7 to $8.5 trillion, and that while airlines are now recovering slowly “a full recovery will take years.” Read more on AVweb.
Singapore has unveiled plans to explore new measures to reopen its borders including additional air travel corridors, rapid testing, and easing its 14-day self-quarantine rule as the island nation struggles to revitalize its status as a global air hub amid a pandemic-driven recession. Read more on AINonline.
As the U.S. Congress approved a stopgap bill to extend funding for government agencies, including the FAA, through December 11, lawmakers took an unusual step of moving $14 billion out of the federal treasury general funds into the Airport and Airway Trust Fund. The funding will help keep the trust fund liquid as it was in danger of depletion as an unintended consequence of the CARES Act and the ongoing dampened travel in general from the COVID-19 crisis. Read more on AINonline.
Indy South in Greenwood and Greensburg Municipal are among 80 airports in 25 states to receive federal infrastructure funds. Read more on 13 WTHR Indianapolis.
COVID-19 has upended the business aviation industry, bringing aircraft manufacturing, maintenance, and transactions to a virtual halt. But these systemic shocks have been of relatively little consequence to private jet travelers—so far, at least. Read the story on AINonline.
The collapse of air travel and tourism has been a huge blow to airports across Canada that earn their living from aircraft flying.
Beyond the quiet terminals and empty gates at Pearson International Airport – Canada’s largest airport hub – hundreds of local and regional airports across Canada have seen business, finances and development plans disrupted after the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a global pandemic on March 11. Read more in Skies Magazine.
One unforeseen benefit of the COVID-19 pandemic is historically low interest rates, including those applied to aviation loans. As a result, banks and lenders are reporting an unprecedented volume of loan activity. Read more on AVweb.
Nav Canada announced on Tuesday that it will be reducing its workforce due to the continued impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. The company, which employed approximately 5,100 people before the pandemic, has now cut more than 720 jobs since the onset of the COVID-19 crisis. Nav Canada also noted that it will be closing its flight information centers in Winnipeg and Halifax and launching level-of-service reviews for a number of airports in the coming weeks. Read more on AVweb.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has extended coronavirus-related cross-border travel restrictions through October 21, limiting arrivals from Canada and Mexico. Read more on AOPA.
Beyond short-term adjustments by students and teachers, there are several other factors at play that will determine the success of a program's online courses. Read more on Redbird Landing.
The quieter than usual runways mean private pilots have been given the chance to land at the international airport for the first time. Read the story in The Guardian.
Eva Lobaton, 18, broke her flight school's record in September 2020 after earning her private pilot license in 89 days at Marco Island Executive Airport. Read more in Naples Daily News.
Volunteer pilots from California are arriving at the Eugene Airport in waves to deliver 100,000 KN95 masks and medical supplies. Read more on KTVZ news.
U.S. customs and immigration pre-clearance for general aviation flights to the U.S. will resume this Sunday at Ireland’s Shannon Airport, following a lengthy suspension due to the COVID-19 crisis. Read more on AINonline.
“Well, that fixes the pilot shortage.” This has been the “word on the street” since the COVID-19 crisis hit in mid-March. Since then, thousands of airline pilots have taken early retirement packages and extended leaves of absence.
The good news? Private charter flights are more in demand and first-time aircraft buyers are entering the market. While those factors might generate pilot demand, there aren’t enough positions to employ every furloughed airline pilot. And even if there were, many operators are leery of making the investment in them. Read the story on AINonline.
Business aviation movements continue to strengthen globally, down just 12 percent year-over-year so far in September, a marked improvement from the respective declines in June, July, and August of 20 percent, 18 percent, and 16 percent, according to industry analyst WingX. Overall, the sector continues to be more buoyant than airline flying, which is down 57 percent in the U.S. and 60 percent in Europe as it continues to suffer under the lingering effects of COVID-19, WingX added. Read more on AINonline.
As charter flights start to pick up, the lingering pandemic has raised a new series of questions for operators and brokers on how to handle cancellations and other issues that crop up as a result of COVID-19. Read more on AINonline.
After an early hit to the general aviation sector in March, businesses at Michigan airports are slowly making a comeback despite the pandemic. Read more on ClickOnDetroit.
Even though airline travel is down due to COVID-19, the Colorado Springs Airport is still seeing record business when it comes to general aviation. Read more on KOAA News 5.
All sectors of general aviation experienced a downturn in the first half of 2020, according to statistics released today by the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA). For the industry facing hurdles from the COVID-19 crisis, total billings were off by more than 20 percent, a full $2 billion less than the same span a year ago. Read more on AINonline.
Private aviation is in the midst of an expansion that's seeing aircraft operators invest in more planes to bring in a new market of first-time private flyers who are abandoning first class thanks to the pandemic. A fleet of new planes requires more pilots to fly them and as the airlines contract during the downturn, private firms are looking to hire former airline pilots with plenty of experience. Read more on Business Insider.
Congressman Frank Lucas (OK-03) announced Wednesday that seven of Oklahoma's municipal airports will be receiving a total of $7,590,308 in Federal Aviation Administration grants for improvements to airport infrastructure. Read more on KTUL Tulsa.
General aviation pilots can participate in a 50-state aviation relay thanking medical professionals on the front line of the coronavirus pandemic. Multiple flight legs begin September 24 from San Diego and include handoffs to fellow aviators of a commemorative flag and torch to be displayed October 30 in Washington, D.C., after the conclusion of the flights. Read more on AOPA.
The National Air Transportation Association (NATA) has released details of what the latest proposal for COVID-19 relief is expected to look like based on reports released Tuesday by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell. The skinny bill—as it’s being called—includes no fresh money for the Payroll Support Program for the airlines, that expire at the end of September. Short of new funding for the PSP, the major air carriers in the US are expected to furlough tens of thousands of employees, sending the national unemployment rate higher just a few weeks before the presidential election in November. Read more in Flying.
Private aviation is at a crossroads following a busy summer for leisure travel and executives are waiting to see if business travel rebounds in the fall. Read the story on Business Insider.
Travellers arriving in England from seven Greek islands will have to self-isolate for 14 days from 04:00 BST on Wednesday. The islands affected are Crete, Lesvos, Mykonos, Santorini, Serifos, Tinos, and Zakynthos (also known as Zante). Read more on BBC News.
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to affect countries across the globe, the Bahamas and Caribbean have been hard at work to make the islands a safe place to visit. Read more on AOPA.
European business aviation activity saw a strong rebound in August, with traffic levels up by three percent over the same period in 2019, according to the latest statistics from industry data provider WingX Advance. The company noted, however, the total flight hours were down, evidence of the trend of shorter flights seen throughout the recovery. Read more on AINonline.
The Holiday Flying Festival and Car Show will take place December 4 and 5 and will feature numerous aircraft displays, a short-takeoff-and-landing (STOL) competition, night airshow, balloon launch, a large airplane and car show, live music, and other activities on the Sun 'n Fun Expo campus at the Lakeland Linder International Airport. Read more on AOPA.
They were part of $1.2 billion in airport safety grants announced by Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao and given to 405 airports in 50 states and six territories.“This $1.2 billion federal investment will improve our nation’s airport infrastructure, enhance safety and strengthen growth in local communities, which is especially important as the economy recovers from COVID-19,” Chao said. Read more in The Salt Lake Tribune.
Aviation organizations asked the FAA to grant pilots and flight instructors new two-month grace periods for meeting proficiency, medical, and certification deadlines that would be impractical to comply with between October and December 2020 because of the coronavirus pandemic. Read more on AOPA.
A rebound in private aviation travel with Part 135 operators is likely to slow down after the summer, business aviation analyst Brian Foley said in an analysis released today. He added that buoyant reports of this activity, which aren’t necessarily reflected in traffic data, might shut out the industry from further government financial assistance. What's more, he wrote, there’s nothing to indicate that business travel is poised for a similar rally. Read more on AINonline.
Over the last 10 years, Migration has become the leading conference for flight training professionals, and this year it will be easier than ever to attend. Right from your home or office, you'll be able to tune in to virtual presentations from a wide range of industry leaders and participate in small group breakout sessions focused on providing solutions to the real-world problems facing flight training organizations globally. Learn more and register here.
As the federal fiscal year quickly ticks away, members of Congress are urging the Department of Transportation and the FAA to implement two important aviation workforce grant programs that have been authorized but not awarded for nearly two years. Read more on AOPA.
Much as we might like to, we can’t turn back the clock on 2020. Amid COVID-19, many pilots haven’t been flying regularly—and some may not be able to at all. As we begin the slow recovery from the pandemic, pilots will start getting back in the cockpit. This webinar will discuss effective ways aviators can regain their proficiency after an extended period on the ground. Register for the HAI webinar here.
FBOs and aircraft operators have quickly adopted new procedures and equipment to stay open during the pandemic. As the air travel industry tries to pick up the pieces after the disastrous economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic, one of their key tasks is to reassure an anxious public that it is safe to use aircraft again. Read more in Business Airport International.
The global aviation industry has racked up more than 350,000 job losses in the past six months, with more pain on the way, according to new research delving into the coronavirus pandemic’s impact on the once-buoyant sector.
The total could approach half a million positions after including some 25,000 cuts that don’t fit into the main categories of airlines, aerospace manufacturers and airports, and another 95,000 that are threatened but not formally announced, according to Rowland Hayler, a co-founder of consulting group Five Aero, which compiled the study. Read more in Bloomberg.
As the COVID-19 pandemic drags on, the National Air Transportation Association (NATA) has turned to the FAA seeking longer-term relief for Part 135 from some key regulatory deadlines surrounding observation checks. In petitions for exemption published in the September 1 Federal Register, NATA asked the FAA to extend the deadline for a Part 135 check airman to undergo an observation check by an FAA inspector or designated examiner from 24 to 36 months. The association similarly has asked the FAA to extend the deadline for an instructor to undergo an observation check by an FAA inspector, operator check airman, or aircraft designated examiner from 24 to 36 months. Comments on both petitions, which were revised after the agency sought further detail, are due September 8. Read more on AINonline.
Airlines find themselves facing a critical dilemma as they resize their networks for a new post-coronavirus normal, and must walk a tightrope between furloughing pilots and keeping them on staff to maintain their network flexibility, experts say. Read the story on FlightGlobal.
Women in Aviation International (WAI) has announced the launch of a new app, which will correspond with the organization’s sixth annual Girls in Aviation Day (GIAD). The free Aviation for Girls App will offer content such as career videos, virtual museum tours, scholarship information, hands-on activities, book readings and digital issues of Aviation for Girls magazine. According to WAI, the app is aimed at girls ages 8-17 and will be available year-round with ongoing content additions. Read more on AVweb.
Amid continuing COVID pandemic event cancellations, the Helicopter Association International (HAI) reaffirmed its intention to hold its annual Heli-Expo show next March 22-25 in New Orleans. "Our early [booking] numbers tell me there is an entire industry that is eager to come out of quarantine and get together to do business,” said James Viola, HAI president. "We know people are concerned [about COVID-19]," said Viola. "It's our job to manage the risk for attendees and exhibitors and ensure their safety during their visit with us, just as our members do for their customers." Read more on AINonline.
When the coronavirus pandemic broke out in the United States, orders restricted nonessential work, but flight schools—and specifically flight instructors—were left up in the air, so to speak, about whether they were deemed essential. Now, there’s no question. Read more on AOPA.
An aircraft renter with a distillery-produced sanitizer meant well, but improper disinfecting techniques damaged the instrument panels of two Cessna 172s and required costly repairs. Read more on AOPA.
A new post-March high in global business aviation activity has been recorded in the past few days with an average of 11,500 flights a day, according to WingX’s weekly Global Market Tracker. However, in the past six months, global business aviation flights are down 37 percent—a total of 844,000 flights—compared with the same period in 2019, according to the report. Read more on AINonline.
A group of volunteer pilots in Colorado delivered more than 300,000 masks across the state. The masks were provided to each public-use airport in the state by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Read the story on AOPA.
The FAA is working to provide predictability without degrading safety as it shapes the special rules that are helping keep general and business aviation operating during the coronavirus pandemic, FAA Administrator Steve Dickson said in an industry webinar on August 4. Read more on AOPA.
Airlines have been hit hard because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The industry has seen empty planes, pilot layoffs and massive financial losses. But the rest of the aviation community, commonly known as General Aviation, has also been affected by the outbreak and the changes it's been forced to make. Read more on Texas Public Radio.
Business aviation flight activity has seen a welcome resurgence in recent weeks, with positive trends being most evident in areas where demand for trips has been bolstered by the Northern Hemisphere summer season, according to the latest Global Market Tracker produced by aviation data specialist WingX. Throughout July and into the first few days of August, activity levels were just 18 percent below where they had been during the same period of 2019, with more than 23,000 business aircraft operating some 500,000 flight hours. Read more on AINonline.
Four aviation groups are appealing to the U.S. Treasury Department to provide more flexibility in the eligibility of a direct loan program established for air carriers, saying major segments of the industry are facing challenges accessing the program. Section 4003 of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act set aside $25 billion in loans and loan guarantees for air carriers, including Part 135 operators, as well as associated Part 145 repair stations and other support entities. Read more on AINonline.
What can we do to stay healthy—both mentally and physically—during this pandemic? Discipline is the key. We are trained to be disciplined in the cockpit to do what it takes to make our flights safe. Pilots should be able to adapt this same discipline to their mental and physical health. Read more on AOPA.
The tenth annual Redbird Migration Flight Training Conference is going online October 21 and 22 because of coronavirus pandemic travel restrictions and safety concerns. NTSB Vice Chairman Bruce Landsberg and Hartzell Propeller Chairman Joe Brown were announced as speakers, along with health care flight program professionals Christopher Manacci and Celeste Alfes. Read more on AOPA.
With the COVID-19 pandemic causing drastic disruptions in air travel, ground service providers have felt the impact, particularly in Europe, leading some of those businesses to scale down or cease operations entirely. As a result, EASA has issued a Safety Information Bulletin with recommendations for airport operators to ensure the safety and regularity of services. Read more on AINonline.
If you’ve noticed the local forecast is a little shakier than usual, you can indirectly blame the pandemic. The drastic reduction in air traffic has curtailed the flow of information from weather sensors attached to 350 of airliners as part of their Aircraft Communications Addressing and Reporting System, or ACARS. Read more on AVweb.
Redbird Flight Simulations today announced an initial lineup of events for the tenth annual Migration Flight Training Conference. Previously scheduled to take place at the FedEx Air Operations Training Center in Memphis, Tennessee, Migration 2020 now will be held virtually due to uncertainties caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Read more in the Redbird Newsroom.
The United States, Mexico, and Canada have all extended limits on non-essential international travel through August 20, and the Bahamian government imposed a prohibition on commercial air travel to and from the United States effective July 22. As countries around the world grapple with outbreaks, or move to prevent COVID-19 resurgence, travel restrictions will likely remain subject to change for as long as the global pandemic continues. Read more on AOPA.
The Bahamas, which reopened its borders earlier this month, is instituting a two-week lockdown starting today for Grand Bahama after experiencing a surge of COVID-19 infections. This move will take effect at 7 p.m. ET and tentatively run through 5 a.m. ET August 7. During that period, all non-emergency or international flights to and from the island will be prohibited. Read more on AINonline.
Landing a flying job remains the same game it has always been. Smart job seekers should adjust their strategy, and perhaps the timeline, to current conditions, but as with flying itself, the fundamentals shouldn’t be sacrificed or compromised. Read more on AOPA.
Snagging a professional pilot job in the current coronavirus-pandemic market could be difficult, but staying in aviation and building time could pay off when the airlines begin hiring again, opening pilot jobs throughout the industry. Read more on AOPA.
Aviation career insiders suggest that aspiring professional pilots concentrate on the future and prepare themselves for a hiring spree that may coincide with an increased appetite for air travel in the months ahead. Read more on AOPA.
As the COVID-19 pandemic turned the aviation industry on its ear, the folks at Redbird Flight Simulations began fielding phone calls from customers worried that flight training would come to a grinding halt. Josh Harnagel, Redbird’s vice president of marketing told Flying his team, including the company’s vice president of software development, began wondering if there was a way to conduct simulator training remotely. Redbird began cranking away on the problem in March and by April had a few ideas of how such a system might work. Last week Redbird Connect debuted as an effective, no-cost platform for flight instructors and their students to train using flight simulation and video conferencing technology using a web-based version of Redbird’s flight simulator operating system, Redbird Navigator. Read more in Flying.
While the coronavirus pandemic brought the hottest pilot job market in 60 years to its knees, nearly all experts agree that this downturn will be a pause. So what can you do to keep your skills sharp to be ready for the interview or return to work when it comes on the back of this slump? Read more on AOPA.
Airline jobs are protected by the coronavirus relief bill passed by Congress, but only until October 1, after which the expectation is that nearly every airline is going to furlough employees for the first time in over a decade. What makes this different is the entire industry is going to be affected in some form or fashion. Previously, furloughs generally occurred at the major carriers, and regionals rarely furloughed. This particular economic disruption is not following any predictable pattern or behavior, and it won’t, because we aren’t dealing with normal economic triggers. Instead, we’re coping with a very infectious virus with a higher-than-normal mortality rate. Read more on AOPA.
The FAA Safety Team has published a document of frequently asked questions and answers about the special federal aviation regulations issued this year to help pilots meet currency, training, and medical requirements during the coronavirus pandemic. Read more on AOPA.
Whether you are keeping your kids in because of the coronavirus pandemic or looking for summer camps to send them to, AOPA compiled a list to meet your needs. In-person summer camps dot the country, and many are available online for kids to take part in right at home. Ages for the camps listed range from elementary school through high school. Read more on AOPA.
The coronavirus pandemic has shaken up the aviation industry in ways no one could have forecast a few months ago. While other segments struggled, elements of business aviation have recovered “smartly,” according to one industry observer, and a trade group launched an initiative to keep the momentum going for aircraft operators and job seekers. Read more on AOPA.
Redbird Flight Simulations has announced a new product designed to enable flight instructors to conduct remote simulator sessions with their students. Redbird Connect allows instructors remote access to a web-based version of Redbird’s Navigator flight simulator operating system, through which they can control simulator conditions including setting and changing the weather, initiating failures, pausing and unpausing flights, and repositioning aircraft. Read more on AVweb.
Global business aircraft activity continued its post-COVID-19 recovery last month, with traffic down 30 percent from year-ago levels, according to data released today by WingX Advance. But the business aviation segment is still outpacing the airline recovery, which was down about 50 percent year-over-year in June, it added. Read more on AINonline.
From July 10, the UK government will lift the requirement to remain under a 14-day quarantine at a fixed address for travelers arriving from a list of 59 countries published on Friday. Notably, the list does not include the U.S., Brazil, Russia, and India–all of which now have significantly higher rates of Covid-19 infection than the UK. However, the quarantine will also remain in place for many countries that do have lower rates of infection, including China, the United Arab Emirates, some European countries, including Portugal and Sweden, and the whole of Africa and South America. Read more on AINonline.
The National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) has cancelled its 2020 Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (NBAA-BACE) due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. The organization cited COVID-19-related travel restrictions and guidance from public health officials, such as recommendations to avoid gatherings of more than 50 people, as reasoning for the cancellation. The event was scheduled to take place October 6-8 in Orlando, Florida. Read more on AVweb.
Jeff Gusky, an emergency room doctor, believes the aviation industry is ignoring vital information that could help prevent infection by coronaviruses like COVID-19. The key is high humidity, he explained, because low humidity levels are a critical factor in the spread of COVID-19. Read more on AINonline.
The AOPA You Can Fly team typically hosts the Flight Training Experience Awards to find and honor the best flight schools and instructors in the country. But, during the challenging times of the coronavirus pandemic, the team is instead looking for uplifting training video stories that will be combined into a larger video to premiere at Redbird Migration in October. Read more on AOPA.
From July 4th, the safe return of dual flights and training flights, and the reopening of GA businesses, will be permitted in England. This guidance is to help businesses to put measures in place to do that safely.
Since almost the beginning of the global pandemic, the volunteer pilots with the Texas Wing of the Civil Air Patrol have been taking to the air, ferrying lab samples from all over the state to the Austin-based lab where they’re tested for the novel coronavirus. Read the story in The Daily Sentinel.
Pilot medical certificates expiring between April 30 and September 30, 2020, will now have a three-month extension after their expiration month under an updated coronavirus-pandemic special federal aviation regulation. Read more on AOPA.
With COVID-19 infections increasing in many places, the U.S. government extended restrictions on non-essential travel to and from Canada and Mexico, while three Northeastern states added quarantine advisories for travelers arriving from infection hotspots on June 24. Read more on AOPA.
The National Air Transportation Association announced its Safety 1st Clean program—giving guidelines for appropriate sanitation and hygiene measures for aviation businesses—has had good uptake thus far. The association has also made progress as part of the government-sponsored bills and funds intended to help the US aviation industry return to regular operations following the COVID-19 outbreak and progressive reopening of the country. Read more in Flying.
Business aviation could recover in the next year to 18 months, according to a white paper published this week by the Argus group that outlines a return to prominence for business aviation well ahead of airlines recapturing passengers. Citing the ability to be flexible and for passengers to better control social distancing, the paper predicts that the recovery of business flying will happen sooner rather than later, though the outlook has plenty of question marks. Read more in AVweb.
The Reno Air Racing Association has cancelled the 2020 Stihl National Championship Races, normally to take place in Reno, Nevada, on September 16 to 20. The association cites the long-term viability of the event, along with concerns for participants’ health and safety in light of the continued COVID-19 pandemic. Read more in Flying.
Redbird's marketing team is hosting a webinar on June 26th to discuss how flight training programs can position their flight simulators to maximize revenue and retention. This webinar will provide marketing tips, real-life examples of Redbird customers' marketing content, and illustrate the importance of creating an engaging flight simulation environment at flight training facilities. Register for the webinar here.
Business aviation flight activity continues to mount a substantial post-COVID-19 recovery, with U.S. traffic on Saturday actually increasing 2.5 percent from a year ago when adjusted for day of the week, according to data from FlightAware. Read more on AINonline.
Quarantine requirements unilaterally imposed by individual countries are proving to be as damaging to the air transport industry’s efforts to recover as full-blown travel bans, according to the International Air Transport Association (IATA). In its weekly COVID-19 press briefing on Wednesday, the industry association urged governments to urgently address the damage being done by quarantines and travel restrictions by focusing on the implementation measures recommended by the ICAO Council’s Aviation Recovery Task Force (CART). Read more on AINonline.
The pandemic upended the airline industry, but there's still hope for pilots and future pilots. Read the story on AOPA.
Three months into the COVID-19 pandemic, the National Business Aviation Association reports operators are slowing coming back online as the market and economy attempts to rebound. Read the story in Flying.
According to a new white paper from Argus International, U.S. business aviation flying is expected to return to 73 percent of normal this month and then 83 percent of normal in July and August. “If the August forecast holds then we will see approximately 225,000 business aviation flights in North America for the month. That is off from the 2019 monthly average of 260,000 but it would represent a 300 percent increase from our April low of 74,771,” its analysts said. Read more on AINonline.
As you know, the coronavirus has shaken up the world. Among the innumerable disruptions, it has drastically reduced the number of passengers flying on the airlines, and in many places even local flight schools have stopped all but solo flights. The pandemic has also affected air traffic control. Controllers are essential personnel and are keeping the National Airspace System moving to the best of their ability, but controllers and other facility personnel can and have gotten sick, and when the virus hits a facility, a lot has to happen in a short time, and that includes rerouting traffic to keep everyone safe while getting the facility back up and running. Read more on Plane & Pilot.
Helicopter Association International (HAI) introduced the COVID Clean Program, a project designed to help HAI members share their efforts to protect their customers and employees from infectious diseases. HAI assists participating companies by providing them promotional tools and support through social media and other digital channels. Learn more on the HAI website.
With aircraft disinfection on the minds of most in the aviation industry, operators are being presented with myriad alternatives, some more suitable to the current situation than others, as more becomes known about the threat of COVID-19 and its transmission vectors. Read more on AINonline.
The British Business and General Aviation Association (BBGA) stepped up its efforts to secure an exemption for the industry from the UK’s 14-day quarantine requirement, which took effect June 8 for an initial three-week period. The association is trying to convince the government’s Home Office that an alternate compliance plan provides sufficient protection against increasing the risk COVID-19 infections from the low numbers of travelers arriving in the country on business aircraft. Read more on AINonline.
The FAA has a rule in the works to extend for a second time airman medical certificates that expired during the coronavirus pandemic and then had their expiration dates extended to June 30 under a special federal aviation regulation issued in April. Read more on AOPA.
Average and median values of preowned business aircraft have fallen 10 to 15 percent so far during the pandemic, with some individual makes and models experiencing decreases exceeding 20 percent, according to a report released yesterday by Amstat. Fortunately, the business aviation market research information and services firm said some market segments are now seeing a slowing of value decline. Read more on AINonline.
AOPA is canceling its September fly-in at Rochester, New York, as a result of ongoing issues associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. Read more on AOPA.
Keeping the rust off your flying skills is easier said than done these days. However, thanks to at-home flight simulation equipment, you can still stretch those flying muscles. This webinar will provide practical ideas for you to maintain VFR and IFR proficiency at home. Join the Redbird team live on June 19th to learn more about adapting a personal proficiency plan for your time away from the airport. Register here.
As the coronavirus pandemic wears on, GA pilot volunteers continue moving crucial supplies to where they are needed most, often by connecting with organizations like Maker Nexus, which is producing personal protective equipment for healthcare workers with donations funding the production, making the equipment available to medical end users at no cost. Read the story on AOPA.
Meteorological predictions are calling for a more active hurricane season this year, with two of the three named storms already making landfall before the traditional start of the Caribbean/Atlantic storm season on June 1. While preparations in storm-vulnerable areas are already in motion, this year organizers face the added complication of having to deal with the COVID-19 threat as well. Read more on AINonline.
Although the coronavirus pandemic has created an instant surplus of pilots worldwide, it’s also created big gaps in the training pipeline and that has some countries bracing for a pilot shortage in a few years. Read more on AVweb.
General aviation pilots, along with private boaters and yachters, will be the first tourists allowed back in the Bahamas starting June 15. Commercial travel for tourists is still on schedule to resume July 1. Read more on AOPA.
The voluntary program incorporates best practices from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for the maintenance of a safe environment, including cleaning and disinfection methods for all surfaces and areas of the terminal. It includes a checklist for companies to follow for self-certification. Read more on AINonline.
A group of rural, agricultural, business, and public health organizations have joined the chorus of calls for the U.S. Congress to extend fuel tax relief to general aviation. Congress in March approved a temporary suspension of the aviation excise taxes, including fuel taxes, on commercial aviation as part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act. But the fuel taxes remained intact for non-commercial operators. Read more on AINonline.
North American business aviation flight activity reclaimed a third of the COVID-19-induced losses last month, rising 84 percent month-over-month but still down 49.2 percent from a year ago, according to TraqPak data released today by Argus International. The company’s forecast expects more post-COVID recovery this month, predicting a 26.6 percent decline from June 2019. Read more on AINonline.
As you emerge from shutdown, you’ve got a lot to handle. But marketing should not be lost amid those other concerns. Read more on AOPA.
While the U.S. deadline for ADS-B Out equipage took effect at the beginning of the year, aircraft operators are still steadily upgrading their aircraft to meet the mandate, with as many as 21,175 becoming compliant through the first five months of the year. “We knew there would be aircraft being equipped post-mandate and it certainly has materialized,” said Jens Hennig, GAMA VP of Operations and Co-Chair of the ADS-B Equip 2020 working group's general aviation subcommittee. Read the story on AINonline.
In May, as states began easing pandemic restrictions and loosening restrictions on business operations, many flight schools that had been either strictly prohibited from operating, or that decided not to operate based on local guidance, opened again and welcomed back clients. Reopening brings with it almost as much uncertainty as closing, and the path forward isn’t always obvious. Read the story on AOPA.
Business aircraft arrivals into the UK spiked in recent days as travelers rushed to re-enter the country before being required to be quarantined at a fixed address for 14 days under rules that came into force just after midnight today. Data from industry analyst WingX showed 80 arrivals yesterday, which was more than double the meager 38 arrivals seen on May 17. Read more on AINonline.
While we can’t gather in Oshkosh this year, we can still share The Spirit of Aviation. EAA Spirit of Aviation Week on July 21-25 will celebrate the entire aviation community by showcasing the spectrum of flight in a virtual way. Learn more on EAA's website.
The COVID-19 pandemic has devastated aviation, including most flight schools. In this video from AVweb, Paul Bertorelli interviews three flight school operators and we hear what they’re doing to mitigate infection risks for pilots, students, and instructors. But in the end, you’re on your own to determine what you think the risk is. Watch it here.
With hospital workers facing a critical shortage of protective equipment in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, and stray cats facing starvation in shelters, Hawai'i pilots swung into action in April and May. Read the story on AOPA.
The UK government has denied a request from the British Business and General Aviation Association (BBGA) to exempt private aviation movements from the 14-day quarantine requirement that begins on June 8. In a meeting on June 4, the trade group tried to persuade Home Secretary Priti Patel that the country’s business aviation industry would be able to implement measures such as rapid COVID-19 testing of passengers and crew and creating so-called "sanitary travel capsules" through rigorous social distancing for the relatively small number of people using this transportation mode. Read more on AINonline.
Flight schools that train security-vetted foreign nationals have been granted more time to begin some students’ training under a temporary exemption announced by the Transportation Security Administration. Read more on AOPA.
The Montreal-based International Civil Aviation Organization, the aviation arm of the United Nations, this week published a report as well as a number of recommendations about the COVID-19 virus to offer the world a few standardized guidelines to help get the industry back up and running. Read the story in Flying.
The FAA’s April special federal aviation regulation (SFAR) provided some relief for aircraft owners, pilots, and operators facing pressure to comply with regulatory deadlines amid the COVID-19 pandemic. But as the June 30 deadline nears for many provisions in the SFAR, aviation groups are urging for an extension. Read more on AOPA.
With the COVID-19 pandemic continuing to drag on, the FAA is beginning to extend certain exemptions and other leniencies designed to keep the air transportation system operating during the crisis, the first among them surrounding air carrier crew training and checking requirements. In March, the FAA initially granted petitions for exemptions to provide Part 135 flexibility in meeting protective breathing equipment requirements during training, as well as to provide more time to meet the crew recurrent training requirements. Read more on AINonline.
With most flight departments and aircraft operators seeing vastly reduced flight hours as a result of the COVID-19 crisis, companies are looking for ways to keep their pilots’ skills sharp and ready for when demand increases. Read the story on AINonline.
Sun ‘n Fun’s Home Edition Online Airshow live event on May 30 will benefit the Aerospace Center for Excellence, to try and make up for funding lost with the cancellation of the Sun ‘n Fun Aerospace Expo in Lakeland, Florida, earlier this month.
The Online Airshow benefit promises to be packed with a lot of the airshow entertainment that folks have come to expect from the Aerospace Expo it replaces this year—including live interviews with aviation personalities and pilots, and live commentary on show performances by the US Air Force Thunderbirds, US Navy Blue angels, F35 Demo Team, and performers such as Patty Wagstaff and Michael Goulian. The live stream starts at 1 pm EDT on Saturday. Read more about it in Flying.
During the quarter that ended March 31, piston airplane deliveries declined 11.7 percent, with 219 airframes; turboprop airplane deliveries dropped a whopping 41.8 percent, with 71 airframes; and business jet deliveries declined 19.1 percent, with 114 airframes when compared to the same time period in 2019. On the rotorcraft side, turbine helicopter deliveries declined 18.3 percent with 85 airframes, while piston helicopter deliveries declined 43.9 percent sending just 37 machines out the door. Of the 404 total delivers in the first quarter, the majority–294–went to North America, 98 to Europe and nine to South America. Second quarter delivery numbers that should appear in late August are expected to reflect the full force of the COVID-19 virus on the industry. Read more in Flying.
After completely closing the borders on March 27 because of the coronavirus pandemic, Bahamian officials are planning to reopen the country to commercial travel by July 1. Read more on AOPA.
Join the Redbird team on May 27th at 2 P.M. Central to discuss everything you want to know about the FARs and flight simulation, and to get clear answers to the most misunderstood FARs for real-world operations. Register for the webinar here.
Sling Pilot Academy is offering a free, online ground school for instrument pilots. The organization says the ground school is its way to "give back to the aviation community" and to provide "to those who are stuck at home, but still ready and willing to learn." Learn more on the Sling website.
According to the Experimental Aircraft Association, the FAA has “released a policy that will make it easier for some owners of experimental aircraft to obtain special flight permits (SFPs) for their airplanes in order to reposition them for condition inspections.” The change comes in the form of allowing certain designated airworthiness representatives (DARs) to “remotely conduct inspections” as part of the so-called ferry flight permits. Read the story on AVweb.
Business aircraft flight activity in the U.S., Canada, and the Caribbean is now on the upswing, passing a COVID-19-induced bottom last month. May is expected to see the first-ever, triple-digit month-over-month gain in flight activity, which is predicted to be up 103 percent. Read more on AINonline.
Global business aviation traffic is down by 55 percent year-over-year as the industry continues dealing with the headwinds posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. The 113,000 legs flown thus far in May stands in contrast to the 254,000 a year before. On average, 2,600 business aircraft were active each day in May, representing 44 percent of the number usually deployed. But WingX has noted some cause for optimism as the seven-day rolling average jumped from 4,800 flights on May 1, to 6,800 on May 19. Read more on AINonline.
An international pilot writes on returning to ferry flights stateside. Read the story in Flying.
The National Air Transportation Association (NATA) is asking the FAA to push off until the end of the year certain air carrier training and qualification deadline extensions as well as certain emergency procedure training requirements for crewmembers and certain other personnel. The FAA in recent months has issued a series of exemptions, extensions, and other relief measures to ensure the national airspace system can keep operating to the extent possible. Read more on AINonline.
As your flight school takes steps to resume normal operations, your flight simulator can play a pivotal role in providing a safe and effective training environment for students. Tune into this live webinar on May 22nd and learn how to make your Redbird the best classroom possible. Get tips and tricks for effectively integrating a simulator into your customers' training and learn how to clean your flight simulator thoroughly. Register here.
A Helicopter Association International (HAI) webinar on May 14 warned that of the 181 FAA-certified Part 147 aviation maintenance technician schools, half expected graduations to decrease in 2020 by 25 percent and 60 percent said enrollment would drop by 28 percent. Read more on AINonline.
Although EAA expects to be well positioned to carry on with AirVenture in 2021, association chairman Jack Pelton says a COVID-19 vaccine may have to be fully fielded to return the event to its pre-2020 size. Read the story on AVweb.
AOPA’s You Can Fly program will not have an awards ceremony or designate top status this year, but there will still be a celebration through the Flight Training Experience Project. The Flight Training Experience Project is soliciting video stories from the flight training community that show the people who inspire and demonstrate the resilience of the industry. Read more on AOPA.
Whether we like it or not, this summer will be an experiment of sorts; for general aviation flying, for shows and for the airlines. And no one can say what the results will be. Read the story on AVweb.
Resuming operations after shutdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic involves moving from risk “avoidance” to risk management. The decision entails accepting some level of risk and implementing steps to minimize impact to personnel, operations, and to the community at large. This document provides some thoughts to assist making the decision to open, and then offers suggestions on steps to open carefully while monitoring the operation for signs of sustained strength and health.
The aviation world has changed considerably as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, forcing business aircraft operators and flight departments to question common practices and what were, until just a few months ago, considered certainties in the industry. Read the story on AINonline.
Collegiate flight programs across the United States are sharing techniques to help get flight training off the ground as coronavirus pandemic restrictions begin to ease. Read more on AOPA.
The Redbird Virtual STEM+ Lab is designed to keep middle and high school students engaged in aviation during the COVID-19 pandemic. The all-online version of Redbird's popular STEM labs features interactive classes aimed at engaging students' creativity and continuing to build interest in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) outside the classroom.
Airplane Systems Basics – May 12, 2020
Just about anyone can tell you that an airplane needs a wing and something to get it moving. However, most people are not aware of all the other systems that are necessary for flight. In this episode, we will briefly discuss these hidden airplane systems and explore parts of an airplane that you may not know exist. Watch the class here.
Despite the national paralysis, COVID-19 hasn’t put a stop to GA flying. Federal regulations require private pilots to maintain proficiency to fly safely, so their flying activity has been deemed “essential”. But the number of airplanes flying is definitely fewer. Read the story in Forbes.
COVID-19 presents a unique set of unprecedented challenges for the aviation industry. In particular, small business owners may face significant financial hardship, enhanced by an erratic market and dwindling demand.
To alleviate this concern, the federal government recently passed the largest stimulus package in our nation’s history. State authorities and private industry are also offering complementary relief, which may apply to you personally, to your staff, or to your entire business. Read more on AOPA.
If you're ready to learn how to get started in home flight simulation, or you're looking to up your game with your current flight sim setup, then the team at Redbird has a must-see webinar for you. Join live as Redbird's flight simulation experts walk through all the available options to build a home flight sim, share tips and tricks, and discuss resources to become a top-notch pilot.
The free webinar takes place Thursday, May 14th at 2 P.M. Central. Register on Redbird Landing.
While the Sun 'n Fun team ramps up towards a main event—the fundraising Home Edition Live Online Benefit Broadcast planned for May 30—it is featuring performers for that show in a series of profiles that livestream every week on Tuesday and Thursday evenings up until the week before the event. Read about it in Flying.
You're probably not flying as much as you'd like these days. Now more than ever, it's important to think about pilot proficiency for the time when we are able to fly more regularly again.
Maybe you’ve heard of the WINGS Pilot Proficiency Program but you’re not sure what it’s all about or how to get started. This presentation covers the benefits of the WINGS program for all pilots, including CFIs. Proficiency training works for making all of us better and safer pilots.
Student pilots can benefit too! CFIs and DPEs are encouraged to have their students/applicants enroll in the WINGS program. Successful completion of the Private Pilot Practical Test also completes the first Basic Phase of WINGS, and starts the brand new pilot down the path of continuing proficiency training to build knowledge and skills.
The webinar takes place the evening of May 20th. Register on the FAA website.
European business aviation traffic continued its downward plunge in April as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the latest statistics released by EBAA. In the April edition of its Traffic Tracker Europe, the organization noted an average year-over-year decrease of 71 percent for the month, declining from 52,000 flights to just over 15,000. Read more on AINonline.
Municipal officials all over the country are comparing notes and discovering major disparities in the government aid they’re getting through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act. The issue first cropped up in Colorado where Northern Colorado Regional Airport, a GA facility serving Fort Collins and Loveland, got a whopping $16.9 million for a facility with an annual operating budget of $1.2 million. GA airports in Crested Butte and Hayden got more than $18 million. Meanwhile Centennial Airport near Denver, the state’s second busiest airport, and Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport, the fourth busiest, got just $157,000. Read more on AVweb.
While the COVID-19 virus has a global reach, some areas have been more heavily affected than others. Before the extensive spread of the disease to the U.S., Milan, Italy was a major epicenter. Reports say that while the Lombardy region passed its peak for the pandemic around the beginning of April, the disease stubbornly persisted, slowing the return to some semblance of normalcy. Read more on AINonline.
The Redbird Virtual STEM+ Lab is designed to keep middle and high school students engaged in aviation during the COVID-19 pandemic. The all-online version of Redbird's popular STEM labs features interactive classes aimed at engaging students' creativity and continuing to build interest in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) outside the classroom.
Due to the support for the courses over the last six weeks, Redbird is releasing additional content for students to utilize and enjoy from home. Here’s the updated course schedule for the next four weeks:
Airplane Systems Basics – May 12, 2020
Just about anyone can tell you that an airplane needs a wing and something to get it moving. However, most people are not aware of all the other systems that are necessary for flight. In this episode, we will briefly discuss these hidden airplane systems and explore parts of an airplane that you may not know exist.
Airplane Instruments in the Modern World – May 19, 2020
Think about driving for a moment. What is the one instrument that drivers look at most often? The speedometer, right? What other instruments are in a car? You might have to think about that one a bit longer. Like a car, an airplane has a speedometer, but it is one of many instruments that pilots depend on when they fly an aircraft. Let’s take a look at all these instruments and how they have evolved into the digital cockpits we have today.
Instrument Flying Basics – May 26, 2020
It’s pretty easy to fly an airplane in clear blue skies. Yet, if we only flew when the sun was shining, we wouldn’t fly very often. Even though an airplane may be able to fly in various types of weather, it is up to the pilot to guide that aircraft safely from point A to point B. But how do pilots do that if they can’t see where they’re going? In this episode, we’ll discuss the special training it takes to fly an airplane in “instrument conditions.”
Navigation Basics – June 2, 2020
So, you’ve learned how to fly? Great! Now, how do you get to your destination? Let’s take a look at the history of navigation and see how it has moved into the 21st century.
Learn more at the Redbird Virtual STEM+ Lab website.
Has your medical certificate, flight review, or instrument currency expired? If so, read this to determine whether you can fly.
If your flight instructor certificate is expiring soon, don’t procrastinate. Otherwise, you could create some extra paperwork for yourself. Read more on AOPA.
The Redbird Virtual STEM+ Lab is designed to keep middle and high school students engaged in aviation during the COVID-19 pandemic. The all-online version of Redbird's popular STEM labs will feature six interactive classes aimed at engaging students' creativity and continuing to build interest in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) outside the classroom.
Aeronautical Decision-Making – May 5, 2020
“Have a great day and make good choices.” You've heard that before, right? But would it surprise you to know that most people have never learned how to make good choices when it counts the most? In this episode, we will look at an algorithm that can help you in your decision-making process. We also will discuss the relevance of this decision-making and how it applies in our world today. Watch the class here.
The U.S. Senate Commerce Committee will take a closer look at the harm the COVID-19 pandemic has wrought on the aviation industry during a hearing this week that will include the participation of manufacturing, airlines, and airport representatives. Scheduled for Wednesday, the hearing, “The State of the Aviation Industry: Examining the Impact of the Covid-19 Pandemic,” will address the current status of the industry, challenges resulting from the COVID crisis, and the implementation of the CARES Act. Read more on AINonline.
Flight simulation is the best way to practice and maintain flying skills when you’re away from the airport. However, in the simulation world, it can be tempting to bend the realities of operating an aircraft. To help you build and maintain your proficiency from home, this guide will teach you how to keep your training focused and your scenarios realistic with a flight simulator. Download the guide from Redbird Flight Simulations.
The FAA issued a special federal aviation regulation (SFAR) that provides blanket extensions of medical certificates and airman knowledge tests that would have expired between March 1 and May 31 to all pilots regardless of the type of their flying. The SFAR also provides flight review and instrument currency extensions under very limited circumstances to get pilots back in the air to support the fight against the coronavirus pandemic. Flight instructor certificates that would have expired between March 31 and May 31 and would have been renewed under requirements other than a flight instructor refresher course will have a blanket certificate extension until June 30, 2020. Read the updated article on AOPA.
If you miss going to the airport, the North American Airports group will deliver a livestream virtual concert featuring 23 airports around the country on May 6, starting at 6 pm EDT. Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (KAUS) will host the event from Texas—fitting as the town has suffered the cancellation of the Oshkosh-like-in-scope SXSW (South by Southwest) festival in March 2020, and given its role as a “music city” as well as an aviation hub. Get more information in Flying.
AOPA experts explore in detail the SFAR that extends medical certificates and grants other relief for some pilots under some conditions. What you need to know before you take-off during the COVID-19 pandemic. Watch the webinar.
Within the last few days, data analysts have reported flickers of recovery in business aviation activity. Data released by WingX and online charter portal Avinode appeared to confirm anecdotal evidence that the sector might, very tentatively, be starting to turn the corner on the numbing effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Read more on AINonline.
Using general aviation aircraft in humanitarian relief efforts is a longstanding and well-received practice in the United States. Many other nations are now also realizing the value of GA to help move medical supplies and personnel during the coronavirus pandemic. Read the story on AOPA.
Early on Friday, May 1st, EAA made the announcement that it was canceling the 2020 edition of the Oshkosh AirVenture Fly-In, which had been scheduled to run from July 20-26. Read more in Plane & Pilot.
With an aggressive response to COVID-19, the FAA is committed to keeping the National Airspace System “open for business and operating normally” and will “continue our vital safety work,” Administrator Stephen Dickson told an online audience in his keynote address yesterday during the virtual Business Aviation Safety Summit (BASS). Read more on AINonline.
While the CARES Act payroll and loan provisions have received considerable attention within the industry, less highlighted measures surrounding tax treatment stand to help with business aircraft sales, according to the International Aircraft Dealers Association (IADA).
IADA pointed to the CARES Act reinstatement and extension of net operating loss (NOL) carryback, enabling companies to carry back the current-year NOL up to five years ago. Under the NOL carryback measure, some buyers might be able to purchase an aircraft in 2020, take an income loss through 100 percent bonus depreciation, and receive a refund on taxes paid for income for years dating back to 2015. Read more on AINonline.
The FAA issued a special federal aviation regulation (SFAR) that will get many pilots back flying to support the fight against the coronavirus pandemic by extending the validity of expired or soon-to-expire medical certificates, flight reviews, recency of experience requirements for instrument pilots, and flight instructor certificates—in most cases until June 30. Read more on AOPA.
General aviation airport administrators have a variety of resources available to answer questions about how to secure their announced shares of the $100 million in funding of $10 billion allocated to airports under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act. Read more on AOPA.
The coronavirus has changed the shape of our daily lives, and its effect on the aviation industry continues to evolve. While it’s critical to the future of aviation safety that pilots maintain currency and proficiency while abiding by physical distancing guidelines, it is also important to recognize that this nearly empty sky has new challenges. Read the story on AOPA.
The Redbird Virtual STEM+ Lab is designed to keep middle and high school students engaged in aviation during the COVID-19 pandemic. The all-online version of Redbird's popular STEM labs will feature six interactive classes aimed at engaging students' creativity and continuing to build interest in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) outside the classroom.
Stalls: The Wing is the Thing – April 28, 2020
The wings are perhaps the most distinguishing characteristic of an airplane. Yet, they may be the least understood. In this episode, we will look at various aircraft wings, how they work, and—in some instances— how they don’t work. Watch the class here.
With the worldwide airline industry operating at just a fraction of its usual capacity, and general and business aviation operators mostly under “stay at home” orders because of the COVID-19 worldwide pandemic, US skies are for the most part empty, as aircraft of all shapes and sizes remain grounded. But for those who continue to fly and must purchase either 100LL avgas for piston-powered aircraft, mogas for experimental and light-sport aircraft, or jet-A for turbine aircraft, significant pressures in the oil industry have resulted in fuel prices falling at FBOs across the country. Read the story in Flying.
Making predictions about COVID-19 is a fool’s errand right now, with a year’s worth of news happening in a week. When will schools open? When will sports stadiums again host packed crowds? The best guesses seem to change by the minute, so I for one am not making any predictions about these topics.
But that doesn’t mean we can’t think in broad outlines about the future of flying. While the medical community is focused on finding a vaccine and parents are contemplating the merits of online schools, many pilots are thinking about what changes we might notice at the airport six or 12 months from now. There's plenty of analysis to read about the airline industry and the challenges they face (a lot). But what about general aviation? Read more in Plane & Pilot.
AOPA President Mark Baker held a live presentation last week (linked below), touching on several topics of interest to pilots and aircraft owners. Among those was his assertion that relief for pilots facing expiring medicals or currency as well as owners with out-of-annual aircraft, all unable to get service, is coming.
“We’re telling the FAA that we need extensions. There’s a long list … BFRs, annuals on aircraft, medicals, the list goes on,” Baker said. “We believe that the SFAR will be out in the next week or so, and we believe that everything that makes sense will have extensions to it. We’ve asked for everything we can think of and [for the extensions] to be pushed out to reasonable dates. We’ve been disappointed about how long this has taken, there are a lot of aviators and insurance companies asking us to get that date out there so that we can remain safe and in compliance.” Read more in AVweb.
There’s no doubt that the coronavirus has knocked us all for a loop, and not in the fun aerobatic way, either. But for many of us who have extra time on our hands because of social distancing, voluntary or otherwise, we’re presented with the perfect opportunity to get some flying goals done, or at least get them going.
A question that always seems to start a healthy debate is, “What’s the best rating to add after your Private?” And we’re not just throwing it out there. We have an answer, though it is a qualified one: It’s the instrument rating. Read more in Plane & Pilot.
The drop in airline operations across the US and around the world has had an impact on weather reporting, particular with the input flight crews make to the World Meteorological Organization’s Global Observing System, part of the World Weather Watch program. The WMO provides part of the architecture through which 193 member countries can build weather forecasts as well as monitor atmospheric and climate conditions.
According to a press release from the WMO, “some parts of the observing system are already affected. Most notably the significant decrease in air traffic has had a clear impact. In-flight measurements of ambient temperature and wind speed and direction are a very important source of information for both weather prediction and climate monitoring.” Read the story in Flying.
As many students and pilots around the world shelter-in-place during the coronavirus outbreak, flight simulation is one of the best ways to practice and maintain flying skills. However, in the simulation world, it can be tempting to bend the realities of operating an aircraft. To help you build and maintain your proficiency during the pandemic, here are five tips to keep your training focused and your scenarios realistic with a flight simulator. Read more on AOPA.
The plunge in oil and gas prices combined with restrictions and other ramifications surrounding the ongoing coronavirus pandemic has taken a sharp toll on the rotorcraft market and employment, but industry officials said some companies are still hiring and job seekers should still reach out to potential employees. Read more on AINonline.
With the 46th annual Sun ‘n Fun Aerospace Expo postponed until 2021 due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, Sun ‘n Fun and the Aerospace Center for Excellence (ACE) opened the virtual doors to the Sun ‘n Fun Home Edition 2020 on Friday. The Home Edition website features hundreds of hours of video, photo galleries and an interactive virtual expo, along with a series of online interviews with airshow performers culminating in a four-hour live benefit show on May 30. Read more on AVweb.
The new legislation provides new funds distributed by various formulas for national airport system facilities including all commercial-service airports, all reliever airports and some public-owned general aviation airports. The Alliance for Aviation Across America confirmed that “$100 million is designated for general aviation airports.” Read more in Flying.
The FAA has announced plans to temporarily adjust operating hours at approximately 100 air traffic control towers nationwide due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Read the story on AVweb.
The bailouts are a small part of the CARES Act, approved recently by Congress and signed into law by President Trump. A total of $10 billion of the funding was set aside for airports. While general aviation sometimes gets left in the lurch when it comes to assistance, in some cases, the little guys came out ahead compared to neighboring international airports. The formula, according to the FAA, allots funds based on their category, that is, whether they’re classified as National, Regional or Local airports, or Basic or off the radar completely. Read more in Plane & Pilot.
With the cratering price of a barrel of crude oil and impossibly low worldwide demand for gasoline and petroleum-based fuels of all kinds, the price of gas in the United States and elsewhere is going way, way down. The average price of a gallon of unleaded gas is under $1.70 nationwide, and it shows no sign of spiking again any time soon.
But what about 100LL, the avgas we pilots of gas piston planes depend upon? That’s a whole different story. Read more in Plane & Pilot.
Flight schools in Colorado may return to providing pilots with opportunities to maintain required flight proficiency and currency while a stay-at-home order that bans all but critical businesses from operating remains in effect until April 27. Read more on AOPA.
The Redbird Virtual STEM+ Lab is designed to keep middle and high school students engaged in aviation during the COVID-19 pandemic. The all-online version of Redbird's popular STEM labs will feature six interactive classes aimed at engaging students' creativity and continuing to build interest in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) outside the classroom.
Basic Aviation Aerodynamics – April 21, 2020
What truly makes an airplane an “air” plane? What’s the difference between an airplane and a car? Why does February normally have only 28 days? Tune into this episode for the answers to these riveting questions. Watch the class here.
Did you know that many states are restricting the movement by air of people from one state or country to another? Plane & Pilot outlines what you need to know.
Watch Phil Inman present the Cross Country Flight Planning webinar on Tuesday, April 21st from 11:00am - 12:30pm CDT. This webinar covers how to plan a cross country flight and what tools ForeFlight offers to make flight planning easier. Learn how to plan a route, check the weather, download the data you need, and more. Register here.
Worldwide business jet flights dipped by as much as 79 percent in the first two weeks of April, according to new statistics published by data analyst WingX. For the U.S., the latest numbers indicated a worsening situation as data released by the company last week covering the first seven days of April showed a 60 percent drop compared with the same period in 2019. Read more on AINonline.
It is time to have conversation about what has happened historically to commercial aviation after major events. It’s also time for industry professionals to have a dialogue about the real health of the industry rather than outsiders telling us what our future holds. Read the op-ed in Plane & Pilot.
Pilots using chloroquine or hydroxychloroquine to prevent coronavirus infection (COVID-19) cannot fly while on the medication and for 48 hours after the last dose, according to guidance issued by Director of the Medical Specialties Division at the FAA’s Office of Aerospace Medicine Dr. Penny Giovanetti. Chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine are typically used for prevention and treatment of malaria or treatment of autoimmune diseases such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis. Both drugs are currently being tested for possible use in preventing or treating COVID-19, but evidence of their effectiveness remains inconclusive. Read more on AVweb.
Experts explain the correct way to clean your avionics, instrument panels, and personal devices to keep them germ-free and functioning properly. Read more on AOPA.
General aviation airports will receive $100 million in federal relief funding, FAA officials announced April 14, and airports will have flexibility to use the money to offset lost revenue, pay debts, or upgrade facilities. Read more on AOPA.
The outbreak of COVID-19 is changing the way pilots need to assess their fitness for duty because now they are now not only responsible for determining their own situation, but how their health might affect others, according to Dr. Paulo Alves, global director of aviation health for MedAire. Read the story on AINonline.
Recently, the bottom has fallen out from underneath flight schools because of the coronavirus outbreak, leaving many CFIs with no students to teach. Online options for a flight instructor refresher clinic (FIRC) have come to the rescue with companies like Sporty’s Academy, already well known for their online FIRC. Sporty’s recently announced that it will offer its online eFIRC free, as a convenient renewal option. Read more in Flying.
A half-dozen business and general aviation groups are urging U.S. Congress to extend COVID-19-prompted aviation excise tax relief for commercial operators to non-commercial operators as well. The organizations wrote a letter to Senate leaders on Wednesday, saying, “Across the country, thousands of small and midsize businesses that generate $77 billion in labor income are facing unprecedented challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic and require additional relief.” Read more on AINonline.
Large and small flight displays have been canceled or indefinitely postponed from New Zealand to New Jersey—and the hit list keeps growing.
The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds and U.S. Navy Blue Angels consistently draw millions of spectators to airshows across North America—but spectators are not gathering anywhere this year. And pilots with warbirds or highly specialized aerobatic aircraft who count on airshows for their livelihoods have had their revenue slashed without warning. Read the story on AOPA.
With the COVID-19 pandemic showing no signs of a quick easing, business aircraft could be parked longer than their owners and operators originally expected. What may have first been anticipated as a temporary interruption lasting a few weeks has evolved into a situation where a company’s multi-million-dollar asset could be sitting for several more months or even longer. That has given rise to the need for owners and operators to understand that parking an airplane for a period of time goes well beyond towing it into a hangar and putting covers on the engines and pitot tubes. Read the story on AINonline.
Now is the time for aviators to freshen up their resumes, hone their flying skills, and practice interview techniques so they are ready to jump in when aviation hits its stride again, an online aviation jobs career specialist predicted. Read more on AOPA.
A new AOPA Don't Get Rusty, Pilots webinar series covers aviation topics in a fun, upbeat way and will launch with a "Don't Forget the Fundamentals" presentation April 16 at 12 P.M. Eastern that will be archived for future use. The continuing education series is part of the AOPA Rusty Pilots initiative and can help engage pilots who are temporarily grounded due to coronavirus pandemic restrictions. Additional webinars will be rolled out in the coming weeks. Register for the first webinar here.
The Redbird Virtual STEM+ Lab is designed to keep middle and high school students engaged in aviation during the COVID-19 pandemic. The all-online version of Redbird's popular STEM labs will feature six interactive classes aimed at engaging students' creativity and continuing to build interest in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) outside the classroom.
Aviation Weather Basics – April 14, 2020
When pilots fly airplanes, they always deal with the weather. Always. To deal with that weather, they first must understand where weather comes from, how it can change, and how it may affect their aircraft. In this episode, let’s take a look at the weather and see how it affects air travel. Watch the class here.
Last week, a number of alphabet groups participated in a conference call with senior Flight Standards officials to reiterate the importance of providing general aviation operators with regulatory exemption and accommodation in the face of the devastating industry effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Agency officials said they are developing a regulatory solution for operators facing various deadlines raised in an April 1, 2020, letter to the agency. Read more in Flying.
Companies have procedures in place to ensure customer and employee safety. Read the story in Flying.
The aviation industry is increasingly becoming concerned that the Airport and Airway Trust Fund (AATF) is in danger of depletion as an unintended consequence of the recently adopted CARES Act and the ongoing ramifications of COVID-19 restrictions. Nineteen aviation organizations wrote House and Senate leaders urging them to act to protect the continued solvency of the AATF. Read the story on AINonline.
As commercial airlines continue to cancel flights as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, the situation has resulted in the lowest demand for jet-A since the aftermath of the 9/11 terror attacks in 2001. The Airports Council International (ACI) recently noted that it predicts close to 38.1 percent of global passenger traffic will be lost in 2020, equating to 3.6 billion passengers. That curtailing of global flights has led to an oversupply in the amount of available jet-A. Read the story on AINonline.
Most smaller air carriers and charters are breathing a sigh of relief with the federal government’s modification of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act that absolves them of providing financial security to the government. The Payroll Support Program in the CARES Act eliminates the requirement to provide “financial instruments” to the feds to qualify for grants if their payroll assistance is less than $100 million. Read more on AVweb.
If you’re feeling stressed out by flying your plane in these crazy coronavirus times, rest assured that you’re in the same emotional spot as hundreds of millions of other folks around the globe. Read the recommendations in Plane & Pilot.
Key general aviation supporters in Congress on April 10 encouraged the FAA to act quickly on developing a special federal aviation regulation (SFAR) to grant the same relief from certain timebound limits as was previously granted to commercial aviation as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Read more on AOPA.
The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has pilots looking for guidance on an array of necessary extensions, certifications, and compliance. While much remains uncertain, AOPA and industry organizations are pleased that the FAA is moving toward issuing a special federal aviation regulation (SFAR) to alleviate the situation. Read more on AOPA.
The stay-at-home and social-distancing orders associated with the COVID-19 outbreak that have been issued by many states and local municipalities have had a major impact on flight training providers, both short term and potentially long term. Flight training providers are feeling pressure from local and state authorities all around the country—so what is an instructor to do in order to navigate this time? Read more in Flying.
Pilots who are not flying because of COVID-19 restrictions and who cannot get ground-only coverage should not cancel their policies, according to legal and insurance experts. Some companies may not be willing to write a new policy when you’re ready to fly again. Read the story on AOPA.
Aviation insurers are adjusting to the current COVID-19 outbreak by offering personalized answers for the aircraft owners that they have relationships with, as aircraft across the country sit idle. Read the story in Flying.
With schools shuttered under stay-at-home orders because of the coronavirus pandemic, many parents are now tasked with homeschooling their children. Aviation options can make online learning at home attractive and fun for our younger generation. Read the story on AOPA.
The new website is one-stop info shopping for information about temporary changes to FAA rules during the COVID-19 pandemic. Read more in Plane & Pilot.
The FAA is sharing with information with the public about which of its air traffic control facilities have been hit by coronavirus. The information on affected facilities can be found at the agency’s new coronavirus site. Read more in Plane & Pilot.
While measures were implemented early on that have enabled aircraft manufacturing to continue during the COVID-19 crisis, supply chain issues are growing and might play a significant role in the speed of recovery once the pandemic eases, warns General Aviation Manufacturers Association president and CEO Pete Bunce. Read more on AINonline.
The DOT acknowledged challenges posed by a two-sizes-fits-all proposal and adjusted requirements to better fit the aviation industry. Read the story in Plane & Pilot.
Flight schools can learn more about how to respond to the coronavirus pandemic during a webinar hosted by AOPA’s You Can Fly team on April 9. Read the details and register on AOPA.
The question of whether to fly or not in the age of COVID-19 has sparked a lively debate among some of the world’s great social isolators. Read the story in Plane & Pilot.
The International Civil Aviation Organization has created an airport status app for operators. Updated daily, the app lists the number of departures observed in each of ICAO’s 192 member states over the past seven days and indicates percentage-measured week-over-week changes in departures. A traffic data label for each airport or country allows users to see daily departures over time since October 2019. Operators can access COVID-19 NOTAMs via APIs through ICAO’s API Data Service. Read more on AINonline.
In a letter to Ali Bahrami, associate administrator for aviation safety at the FAA, a coalition of associations expressed its appreciation to the agency for its initial efforts to ease the regulatory impact on general aviation. The groups then called for the FAA to take additional steps to ease the burden further.
Specifically, the letter requested seven additional steps. The general aviation industry has requested similar exemptions and deviations to ensure the continuity of operations and commerce during the COVID-19 pandemic, including but not limited to the following:
The FAA has granted more time for operators of Cessna 210 single-engine airplanes covered by an airworthiness directive requiring corrosion inspections of carrythrough wing spars to comply with the AD in light of “unprecedented” obstacles caused by the coronavirus pandemic. Read the story on AOPA.
The European Business Aviation Association (EBAA) has called on European governments to take urgent steps to safeguard the future of the industry, while ensuring that in the short term it can continue to support efforts to mitigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. In an open letter sent jointly with the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) and national industry groups, EBAA presented an action plan including relaxation of some travel restrictions, the extension of pilot licenses and airworthiness certificates, and financial aid through guarantees, credit, and the suspension of taxes and fees. Read more on AINonline.
Worldwide business aviation departures fell 30 percent year-over-year last month as the COVID-19 pandemic took hold, according to data released today by WingX Advance. Activity in Europe was down by 34 percent, while that for the U.S. dropped 30 percent. Read more on AINonline.
In the short term as the coronavirus pandemic unfolds, the FAA issued guidelines to flight standards offices and designees on how to manage oversight and recurrent-training requirements in cases when the usual time allowances for compliance expire.
In broad terms, the guidelines state that if activities concerned with overseeing a designee are overdue or cannot be completed on time, “the designee should not be automatically prevented from performing additional delegated activities,” based on a risk-assessment analysis.
The memo authorized FAA personnel to extend the due dates for required training of designees to December 31, noting that “additional policy deviations and guidance unique to specific individual designee types and ODA holders may be necessary in some cases and will be issued separately.”
However, “if the designee’s overall performance is not satisfactory, the Flight Standards office will notify the designee in writing to cease delegated activities until the oversight activity is completed.” Oversight personnel must document the risk analysis process they use when making the decisions. Read the full story on AOPA.
The show had been postponed once already, but organizers made the cancellation announcement after a series of pandemic developments. Read the story in Plane & Pilot.
During this time of national emergency caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, air traffic control remains a critical service to ensure safe and efficient operations. However, the virus is also affecting ATC personnel, which has resulted in reduced staffing and even required some facilities to have unplanned closures (ATC zero). If you will be flying into an airport or airspace affected by an ATC facility that has an unplanned closure or that is providing limited services, be prepared for possible delays, airborne holding, diversions, reroutes, and limited support for IFR pop-ups. Read the safety notice on AOPA.
The National Air Transportation Association (NATA) and National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) sent a letter to U.S. Secretary of the Treasury Steven Mnuchin on Wednesday requesting additional guidance and flexibility for the general aviation community on the loan and grant provisions enacted in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. The letter (PDF) also asked the Department of the Treasury to consider the scale and business operations of GA air carriers and FBOs when developing loan and grant program guidance. Read more on AVweb.
The relevant authorities in the UK have cut through any grey area: people should not take part in recreational flying during the current coronavirus outbreak. According to the Department of Transport and the Civil Aviation Authority, this is in line with government guidance to stay at home unless it is absolutely necessary to go out. Read the full guidance document on GOV.UK.
The recent FAA decision to temporarily suspend enforcement of medical certificate lapses during the coronavirus emergency may not change insurance policy requirements. Read the story on AOPA.
Learn how to use ForeFlight with popular flight simulator programs to maintain your ForeFlight know-how with realistic sim flights. This webinar will include multiple ForeFlight staff demonstrating how easy it is to connect ForeFlight to flight sims and discussing how it can improve your use of the app. This webinar will include live Q&A. Click here to register.
Per this article in Plane & Pilot, SUN 'n FUN will issue an official update next week regarding the status of its event tentatively scheduled to begin on May 5.
The Redbird Virtual STEM+ Lab is designed to keep middle and high school students engaged in aviation during the COVID-19 pandemic. The all-online version of Redbird's popular STEM labs will feature six interactive classes aimed at engaging students' creativity and continuing to build interest in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) outside the classroom.
Aviation Appreciation – March 31, 2020
It is hard to imagine an industry that could have as significant an impact on the planet in as little time as aviation. In this episode, we will cover a brief history of the aviation industry. We will explore how aviation's long and humble beginnings led to our dependence on airplanes today. We also will discuss the various ways that airplanes and aviation affect you and your local economy. Watch the class here.
In a press release on March 29, HAI cautioned against FAA-certificated flight personnel allowing their medical certificates to expire based on information contained in the March 26, 2020, FAA Docket No. FAA-2020-0312.
An FAA representative stated that this was a draft document that had not been completely vetted within the FAA and thus was not ready for public release. Consequently, HAI recommends affected individuals ignore the wording in the docket.
This docket stated that the FAA was waiving enforcement actions against pilots and aircrewmen whose medical certificates will expire between March 31 and June 30, 2020. The document explained that the FAA's waiver was connected to the COVID-19 pandemic and its related disruptions.
"Again, we recommend that any persons whose airman medical certificate will expire between now and the end of June should continue their efforts to obtain this certificate as quickly as possible," says James Viola, president and CEO of HAI. "We don't yet know if the FAA will reissue this docket, so make sure your paperwork is up to date."
HAI has also reached out to the FAA for clarification of a series of exempted Part 135 regulations issued last week to the National Air Transport Association (NATA). According to the agency, the exemption issued to NATA is also extended to other Part 135 air carriers and operators that submit a letter of intent.
The exemptions cover the following Part 135 regulations:
· 14 CFR 135.245(c), 135.247(a), 135.301(a), 135.323(b), 135.337(g), 135.338(g), 135.339(b), 135.340(b), and 135.505(d).
"HAI is aware that these exemptions are needed by our members," says Viola. "Our Operations Department created this template letter for companies to use when they request this exemption."
HAI members should contact ops@rotor.org with questions about these and other regulatory challenges.
While Boeing and Textron have shut down manufacturing facilities already, it’s not yet the same for smaller manufacturers and service providers. Many small manufacturers have been able to stay open with a combination of work-from-home employees, reconfigured manufacturing layouts, staggered shifts and other tweaks. While everyone has seen temporary hits to productivity, these smaller companies have, for the most part, been able to keep working. Ready the story on AVweb.
The aviation industry’s response to the spread of the coronavirus in the United States in March was swift and dramatic. A seller’s market in general aviation aircraft suddenly ended, and this downturn felt different from previous ones. Read the story on AOPA.
As many pilots and student pilots around the world shelter-in-place during the coronavirus outbreak, flight simulation is one of the best ways to practice and maintain flying skills. However, in the simulation world, it can be tempting to bend the realities of operating an aircraft. To help you build and maintain your proficiency during the pandemic, check out these five tips on Redbird Landing to keep your training focused and your scenarios realistic with a flight simulator.
The National Air Transportation Association (NATA) has issued guidance for FBOs and ground handlers as they face the growing COVID-19 spread. Above all, the organization noted, workers who are sick or have been exposed to the virus must not report to work, an expectation that management must effectively communicate to its employees on a continuous basis. Businesses should establish contingency plans for all critical operations, including fuel receipt, fueling, towing, CSR, and accounting operations. Read the story on AINonline.
While aircraft insurance policies can be put on hold during extended periods of grounding such as during the current COVID-19 crisis, the cost savings don't outweigh the risks for most operators, Aviation Specialty Insurance president Matt Drummelsmith told AIN. Read more on AINonline.
If you are a pilot or aircrewmen whose medical certificate will expire between March 31 and June 30, 2020, the FAA has announced that it is waiving enforcement actions against you if you are unable to obtain a new certificate in a timely manner due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
However, in an email on March 29, Helicopter Association International (HAI) recommended that affected personnel do not delay in obtaining a current medical certificate. "I note that the document was signed by Legal, not Flight Standards," says James Viola, president and CEO. "It's also possible that insurance companies may not acknowledge this document as binding."
HAI further suggests contacting your insurance company if you intend to operate with an expired certificate. HAI is seeking further clarification on this FAA policy change and will provide additional guidance when it is available. In the meantime, HAI members should contact ops@rotor.org with questions about this and other regulatory challenges.
The FAA and the Department of Transportation have taken the unprecedented step of formally suspending enforcement action against required pilot flight crew members if their medical certificate expires between March 31, which is next Tuesday, and June 30, 2020. Read more in Plane & Pilot.
Several air traffic control facilities across the United States were in contingency mode on March 27 as the spread of the coronavirus temporarily closes towers and impacts tracons, causing far-reaching impacts in the National Airspace System. Read the story on AOPA.
Those looking for silver linings in the dark clouds over business aviation this week found themselves squinting to see any. If the COVID-19 pandemic’s repercussions for the industry still seemed ambiguous at the end of last week, there is now little doubt that the sector’s engines are spooling down and the industry is bracing for a period of inactivity. The only remaining questions seem to be for how long this might last and whether it could prove to be more than just a temporary interruption to what until now has been a rising tide for business aviation. Read the story on AINonline.
In the end, Congress specifically is directing almost $80 billion in loans and grants for certain aviation segments, as well as $10 billion in airport grants with $100 million set aside for general aviation facilities. For those that don’t qualify, Congress has set aside a loan pool of $454 billion that may be available to states, municipalities, and businesses in general, including aviation entities. Read the story on AINonline.
Jack Pelton, EAA CEO and Chairman of the Board, addresses how the organization is approaching the planning process for AirVenture, and explains the timetable for the show as we sort through ever-changing world events. Read the story on EAA.
Businesses, from FBOs to repair shops and online retailers, try to figure out where they fit in, with widely varying interpretations. Read the story in Plane & Pilot.
Following the trend of many upcoming aviation events, the National Intercollegiate Flying Association (NIFA) has cancelled SAFECON 2020, the national flight competition that was scheduled to take place in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, from May 18 to 23. EAA will host the competition in Oshkosh next year. Read more in Flying.
Roll up your sleeves and get ready to fight. Plane & Pilot outlines what the issues are, what you can do, and what trouble you might get in if you run afoul of the rules.
An FAA policy statement is expected soon to extend the expiration dates pilots face for practical and knowledge test eligibility, currency and proficiency intervals, medical certificates, aircraft maintenance, and other deadlines. Read more on AOPA.
The question of whether flight training qualifies as an “essential” function that many states and municipalities, and the federal government have so far excluded from stay-at-home advisories remained subject to varying interpretation by industry groups and individual operators. Read the story on AOPA.
AOPA is postponing its fly-in at Casper, Wyoming, originally scheduled for June 19 and 20, until 2021 because of the coronavirus pandemic. Read more on AOPA.
The free online series, Redbird Virtual STEM+ Lab, will engage and inspire middle and high school students’ interests in aviation as classrooms remain closed during the coronavirus outbreak. For more details, including the class schedule and requirements, visit the Redbird Virtual STEM+ Lab page.
If you teach at or run a flight school—any size, from one of the big ones to a small-airport school—and have been affected by the coronavirus pandemic, AVweb wants to hear about it. Email its editorial team about your experiences so far at newsteam@avweb.com.
With the Coronavirus outbreak causing the drawing down of in-person flight training in some areas of the country this spring, you can look to providers like Sporty’s Pilot Shop, Redbird Flight Simulations, Aviation Supplies & Academics, King Schools, and others to help keep your focus on your aviation goals. Read the story in Flying.
In a newsletter last Friday, the Flight School Association of North America (FSANA) said that “the California Executive Order [to shelter-in-place] is important to all flight schools because it specifically ties the list of businesses that may remain open to a federal agency, CISA. It is FSANA’s opinion that flight schools outside of California may also choose to remain open because of this very important designation.” However, flight schools still are left grappling with the question of whether they should stay open. Read the story in Flying.
As the coronavirus pandemic response continues to impose once-unthinkable disruptions, AOPA advised members to continue essential flights, with caution. No specific restrictions on general aviation are expected, though it may be impossible to fly with passengers in small aircraft and maintain social distancing. Read the story on AOPA.
Popular tourist destinations Hawaii and Florida have taken further action to quell the COVID-19 outbreak by issuing mandatory 14-day quarantines for certain new arrivals into these U.S. states. Hawaii has ordered all people entering the state to self-quarantine, while Florida’s quarantine is targeting those who arrive from COVID-19 hotspots. Read the story on AINonline.
Voice, timing, and transparency are key elements for your COVID-19 public relations. Read all the tips in Flying.
Using a flight simulator is a great way to keep your flying skills fresh while reducing the risk of spreading the coronavirus to or from your flight instructor or fellow pilots. However, even if you are using a simulator in isolation, you should clean and disinfect the device often to reduce your risk of contracting the infectious disease. Read the guidelines on Redbird Landing.
Aviation groups are urging Congress to support needed funding for airports across the country while ensuring that small and general aviation airports also receive a portion of any funds made available to help cope with the coronavirus pandemic. Read the story on AOPA.
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University is offering free online courses to students and the public who are limiting in-person social interaction during the coronavirus pandemic. Topics range from aeronautics and meteorology to computer applications, history, and more. Read the story on AOPA.
Flight operations in Las Vegas will be at reduced levels for a fifth straight day Monday as McCarran International Airport’s air traffic control tower remains closed.
The tower was shuttered following a controller testing positive for COIVD-19 late Wednesday night. The Federal Aviation Administration closed the tower to clean and disinfect it. Read the full story in the Las Vegas Review-Journal.
The air traffic control tower at Chicago’s Midway Airport remained shuttered on Monday due to the coronavirus.
It marks the sixth day of the shutdown for the tower after the Federal Administration Aviation abruptly shut it down on Tuesday, March 17, when employees in the tower tested positive for coronavirus. Read more in the Chicago Business Journal.
With many business aviation operators contending with the continuing spread of the COVID-19 virus, NBAA is providing the very latest information available from the medical community and industry experts on the ever-evolving global situation. Read more on NBAA.
PSI, the FAA knowledge testing provider, is temporarily closing testing centers that it owns and operates in the United States and the United Kingdom. Read more on AOPA.
John F. Kennedy International Airport’s (JFK) air traffic control tower reopened at approximately 11:30 a.m. local time following a thorough cleaning after a technician assigned to the New York facility tested positive for coronavirus. Read the story on AVweb.
Given the rapidly diminishing airline schedules worldwide, the COVID-19 crisis still has the potential for burnishing business aviation’s value proposition. But, more immediately, it seems that operators and the supply chain that supports them are faced with significant challenges to maintain service. Read the story on AINonline.
For now, FSDOs seem to be letting Designated Pilot Examiners decide to fly, or not, amid the COVID-19 pandemic. One DPE who’s still doing checkrides explains his choice and reasoning. Read the article in Plane & Pilot.
A Federal Register notice published March 17 details new restrictions and arrival procedures for international flights that were imposed with immediate effect. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security, along with U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the Transportation Security Administration, published the notification pursuant to proclamations issued by President Donald J. Trump starting on March 11 that seek to bar entry by foreign nationals who have visited parts of Europe and the United Kingdom within the preceding 14 days, building on similar measures previously enacted to screen or limit arrivals from China and Iran.
Cargo flights and flights carrying only crewmembers were excluded from the new requirements, though that exclusion does not apply to GA aircraft whose passengers or crew have visited the designated areas within the preceding 14 days prior to entry. Read the full story on AOPA.
How flight schools and university aviation programs are dealing with the novel coronavirus varies from place to place. The editorial staff at Plane & Pilot breaks down what it’s seeing.
The Aircraft Electronics Association announced the decision to cancel its 63rd annual AEA International Convention & Trade Show that was scheduled for March 24-27 in Nashville, Tennessee. The event will not be rescheduled. Read more on the AEA website.
Pilots whose medical expires before June 1st are able to keep flying until August 1st on their old medical. Transport Canada also has advised Civil Aviation Medical Examiners to refrain from booking appointments before May 1st. Read more on AVweb.
In a March 17 letter to FAA Administrator Steve Dickson, AOPA President Mark Baker described the impact of the coronavirus on general aviation pilots and urged a flexible approach that allows extensions and relief from regulatory time restrictions for the duration of the crisis.
Many pilots confront seemingly intractable dilemmas in the face of closures, curtailment of travel, and the recommendations of health officials to practice social distancing. “For example, federal requirements require pilots to renew their medical certificate in person, to complete their pilot certification examinations within a certain amount of time, and to complete knowledge tests at off-site testing facilities,” he wrote. “The current restrictions to the U.S. population create an impossible barrier for these individuals to meet the necessary airman and aircraft requirements.” Read the full story on AOPA.
Currently, the ‘World’s Greatest Aviation Celebration’ is still set for July 20-26 in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. Read the story in Plane & Pilot.
After considering many possible options for rescheduling the event to take place on a later date, Messe Friedrichshafen decided that the next edition of AERO Friedrichshafen will take place from April 14 to 17, 2021. Read more on the AERO website.
Go Wheels Up! Texas and the AOPA Fly-In scheduled for May 29 and 30 in San Marcos, Texas, have been postponed indefinitely. Read more on AOPA.
The European Business Aviation Association (EBAA) and National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) announced the decision to cancel the European Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition 2020 (EBACE2020), due to concerns related to the rapidly evolving Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. The event was scheduled to take place in Geneva from May 26-28, 2020. The two cosponsoring partners have agreed that exhibit and registration fees will be refunded in full. Read more on the EBACE website.
SUN ‘n FUN has tentatively postponed the 2020 SUN ‘n FUN Aerospace Expo until May 5-10 and will make a final determination on its ability to hold the event by no later than April 17h. Read more on the SUN ‘n FUN website.
With events and workplaces going on indefinite breaks, a lot of us are flying from home. The editorial staff at Plane & Pilot offers some great ways to pass the time, aviation style. Read the article in Plane & Pilot.