Alaska Airlines’ engines are stoked with wood & that’s GREEN
On November 14, Alaska Airlines used wood as a source of fuel for a cross-country flight. The plane used a 20% blend of aviation biofuel chemically indistinguishable from regular jet fuel.
Airlines
Hawaiian leads the way to safer, greener, real time EFBs
Electronic Flight Bag (EFB) systems are not new to airlines, but these state-of-the-art tablets will deliver enhanced functionality, greater safety and stronger cybersecurity. What is particularly encouraging is that this innovation was neither the push nor the pull of any FAR or proposed rule.
Sec. Foxx sanctions Qatar for flights with no US geographical nexus
The US DoT ordered Qatar to pay $185,000 in penalties for flights, that did not use US airspace nor had US citizens onboard, in FAA restricted airspace. Why the unusual extension of US jurisdiction?
Pre-Flight Safety Messages deserve experts on Reception & Retention of Critical Information
Pre-flight safety briefings are using Hollywood-like productions designed to grab the passengers’ attention, a good thing, but some of the extravaganzas may not have delivered the full measure of the critical message.
Alaska Airlines receives the FAA okay for its SMS program
The FAA recently accepted the SMS program developed for Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air. A remarkable achievement reflecting a 5 year cooperative project by the carrier and the FAA. Explaining the impact of SMS points would reveal the positive upside.
Innovative Paths to the JetBlue cockpit
JetBlue has added Gateway Select program to its six other pathways to pilot careers at the carrier. It differs from the other B6’s cockpit recruitment efforts in that (a) the candidate pays $125,000 for the first rate education, (b) no prior aviation experience and (c) assuming that all goes well, the graduate will be a first officer for the blue airline.
A new Airline Safety Approach to improve the Persistent Problem to Unruly Passengers
IATA’s statements are well-documented pleas for all stakeholders to prevent behavior of unruly passengers on board aircraft. Its specific request is for “more governments to ratify the Montreal Protocol 2014.” In spite of the repeated industry efforts, dangerous incidents have increased!
Three Exceptional Aviation Events/Messages
Three instances where good things are being done. One celebrates GA, one is an exercise of basic aviation safety, and one is a great message of “resurrection.”