JANUARY 17, 2009
ERHC Member Hendrix flew divers to scene
NYC PD pilot Sgt. Michael Hendrix quoted by NYT.
Inauguration-related TFRs are here, there...
AOPA visualizes them.
FAA Aviation News Special Medical Issue
Just in time for our General Meeting "Year of the Pilot" kickoff with Aviation Medical Examiner Dr. John Dellorso, is an issue focusing on medical topics.
JANUARY 16, 2009
NYC TFR in effect UFN for ditching recovery
In effect Jan 15 at 2221Z. Check sources for dimensions.
Share your stories of Jan 15 on the Hudson
ERHC News staff requests members who observed or were involved in yesterday's jetliner ditching in the Hudson to email us your stories/photos to share here on the members' site and in our newsletter and potentially elsewhere.
Inauguration-related TFRs sprouting: Caution!
Botanically, yesterday's "blossoming" was probably incorrect usage.
Single-occupant 'helicycle' aircraft
AOPA posts new Safety Brief on fatigue
Citigroup, AAG staff win NBAA scholarships
Congratulations to Kelly Galeas of Associated Aircraft Group and Zsasha Diaz of Citigroup on their NBAA scholarships. Also announced were those gaining new certifications, including some from area corporate departments.
JANUARY 15, 2009
Inauguration-related TFRs blossoming 16th +
14 NOTAMS between Philly and DC on the 16-17th. Watch out!
NBAA Thanks all who contacted Congress
From Dean Saucier:
To all who responded to the urgent plea, thank you. Please see Ed Bolen’s letter to the NBAA Membership [& news release]:
Dear NBAA Member Representatives,
As you know, the business aviation community has been challenged from a number of corners in recent weeks. Last Friday, NBAA notified Member companies of an alarming provision included in a House proposal to amend the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP) that would require all businesses receiving TARP funds to immediately divest of business aircraft. The proposal had the potential to severely harm businesses trying to navigate the unforgiving economic climate, and fuel job losses for countless people in the general aviation community.
NBAA is pleased to report that earlier this afternoon, this harmful provision was removed from the House proposal. The House may approve the final version of the bill as early as tomorrow.
Clearly, this is an issue where the business aviation community effectively made its voice heard and its concerns known to elected officials. NBAA has long said that efforts by the Association in Washington are most effective if its Members also reach out to Congress. Using NBAA's Contact Congress resource, Association Members explained to their elected officials the value of business aviation as a mode of transportation, the numerous jobs associated with it and the critical role it plays in communities across the U.S.
My thanks to all those in NBAA's Membership who used Contact Congress to send Congress an unequivocal message of opposition to the TARP proposal. The messages to Congress, which were sent from all across the country, provided a single, unified voice on an issue we knew was of critical importance to our industry, especially in these challenging economic times. Today's outcome demonstrates that when we make our concerns known to our elected representatives, we can help shape a positive agenda for the business aviation community.
Sincerely, Ed Bolen, President and CEO, NBAA
...and this from the Alliance for Aviation Across America:
Thanks to the hard work of members like you, the Alliance for Aviation Across America is proud to report that the “divestiture” provision in the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP), which would have had a devastating effect on General Aviation, has been dropped from the bill.
Over the past three days, Alliance members across the country contacted Congress with thousands of emails, faxes and phone calls voicing their support for General Aviation and explaining why this piece of legislation had to be revised. As you can see in the AP article below, Congress recognized the critical role that small airplanes play in the daily lives of Americans and acted quickly to protect the small communities and businesses across the country that rely daily on General Aviation.
In short: You spoke - Congress listened.
Thank you for working so hard to safeguard the future of General Aviation in America.
Sincerely, Joe McLean, Executive Director, AAAA
Remembering bizav pioneer, leader Winant
HAI HQ hosts a safety initialism
Today HAI hosted a meeting of the International Helicopter Safety Team (IHST) to discuss safety initiatives, analyze updated incident and accident statistics, and prepare their agenda for HELI-EXPO 2009 in Anaheim, California.
Stabilized approaches on SKYbrary
SKYbrary is an international joint effort to share safety information.
JANUARY 14, 2009
Please write Congress today on TARP proposal
If you haven't written all three of your representatives, please do so today, as Congress is considering a bailout provision that would mandate divesting of private aviation assets. HAI; see NBAA info Jan 13, below, including key talking points you can use in your message to Congressional representatives. AIN.
Blog updates
If you're not a daily viewer of this page, please scroll down to find the Safety (Jan 8) and IFR (Jan 7) blog update links. Better yet, bookmark this page and look at it daily so you don't miss anything!
NTSB issues reports from nine HEMS accidents
Dating back to Dec 2007; NTSB. Will the industry sector finally fix itself?
Aero Safety World Jan '09 magazine online
Those bugs may be watching you
JANUARY 13, 2009
Urgent appeal in defense of aviation from TARP
From Dean Saucier, NBAA:
This is an especially critical request and is as critical as the TSA NPRM. As this Bill will move this week, it is imperative that you send your comments no later than close of business tomorrow the 13th.
On January 9th, Chairman Barney Frank (D-MA) of the House Financial Services Committee included the same general aviation aircraft divestiture provision in his draft proposal for the reauthorization of the Troubled Assets Relief Program (TARP) that was included in the auto bailout bill in December. The provision requires that companies participating in the TARP program divest of any aircraft or leases.
I am reaching out to all of you to contact your legislators and explain to them that this move will be an economic disaster for the entire US economy and will result in the loss of employment as it already has in many states. Senators; Congresspersons.
Please use the talking points by Lisa Piccione, Sr. VP Government Affairs (71 kb pdf) or the NBAA Contact Congress page.
NBAA press release.
Robertson, 4B8 in CT, nearing sale to town
AeroNews; with FAA help, city would have to keep field open.
Remembering LG Harry Kinnard, US Army
AP; AAAA brief bio; Google Book search "A History of Army Aviation" by James Williams; Army Times.
JANUARY 12, 2009
DC ADIZ NOTAM for Jan 18 updated
Check your usual sources.
LA paper looks at PHI crash & GOM big picture
JANUARY 9, 2009
Heli Expo scholarship golf event postponed to 2010
FAA SMS guidance not ready for ICAO
JANUARY 8, 2009
Philly TFRs today extend northeast past Trenton
Become one with the IHST goals
Safety Chairman Jim Thomas' blog update.
TSA hears from SRO crowd at HPN
Bush quietly appoints new acting Administrator
JANUARY 7, 2009
Large VIP TFRs around Philly Thursday 8th
Bolen to TSA: LASP proposal is destructive
Important changes to IFR filing guidance in blog
"Changes to filing guidance and LI heli IFR route", by Paul Gottwig
FAA wants fewer NWS forecasters, locations
NYC heli ride highlight for teen with cancer
State Police, helicopter help couple on hike
New Federal Excise Tax rates
NBAA--affect private and commercial ops.
Chinook factory vandal sentenced
More about AOPA's new President
JANUARY 6, 2009
"West Siders Complain of Helicopter Buzz"
NYT; West Side Spirit; Gothamist; Councilmember Gale Brewer
Jan. 21 General Meeting information
View/download the flyer (2.03MB .doc file).
Bolen to testify to TSA at HPN today
from NBAA Update:
PUBLIC HEARINGS ON LASP BEGIN THIS WEEK IN NEW YORK AND GEORGIA
The TSA will hold the first in a series of public hearings on its proposed LASP tomorrow, January 6, at Westchester County Airport (HPN) in New York. Registration opens at 8:00 a.m., but the opportunity for attendees to offer oral testimony will continue throughout the day. NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen will testify at tomorrows meeting, along with other aviation leaders and local owners and operators. Four more hearings are scheduled in the coming weeks at locations throughout the country.
$1 Million gift to Flight Safety Foundation
To fund aviation safety research (17k pdf).
PHI S-76 fatal accident in LA
NOLA.com; FAA preliminary report
MD medevac system may be in for overhaul
2008 Bizav in review
JANUARY 5, 2009
midday update
NBAA strongly encourages TSA attendance
from Dean Saucier:
Please remember to attend the only scheduled TSA Town Hall Meeting on LASP (Aircraft Security Proposal for aircraft of 12,500 pounds and over) in the Northeast. The meeting will take place at Building 1 at Westchester County Airport, Airport Rd, the East side of the airport. Registration for comments will be from 0800 to 0900. Attendees are ALL encouraged to participate. The actual meeting begins at 0900. While it would be appreciated for attendees to be present at the beginning, unless commenting, you may arrive later in the morning and still hear the concerns of your contemporaries and information from TSA. Whether an airport administrator, scheduler, pilot, dispatcher , technician, caterer, etc, the new LASP will impact all of us. TSA wants to hear from other than national associations and this is one of the very rare opportunities we will have to affect regulation before it goes into effect.
Small hazard TFR in NJ
Between Camden, NJ, and Cedar Lake VOR (VCN).
Bizav in decline?
Heli EMS in NPR's sights
DECEMBER 31, 2008
Manhattan TFR tonight
A safe and festive New Year's to all, see you next year, and watch out for that leap second!
Attend the TSA meeting in W Plains Tuesday
HAI reminds those affected by the LASP to attend the meeting 6 January and offers an email address for assistance with talking points.
NBAA offers a very detailed page and encourages you to prepare now!
IFR Leader's Blog update
"Big Three slot exemptions for helicopters".
NASA ASRS Callback #348 now available
December 2008
ASRS "Cold Weather" Incidents
This month's CALLBACK is devoted to cold-weather incidents reported to ASRS by general aviation and air carrier pilots. The general aviation reports emphasize the helpfulness of Aeronautical Decision Making (ADM) techniques and careful preflight preparations when encountering icing and snow conditions. The air carrier reports describe the importance of following standard ground handling procedures to ensure the safety of flight. html, pdf
WSJ on executive travel
Make your executive life more difficult, brag about it, it's a selling point!
Web staff holiday
Your web staff is hosting family and will most certainly update this page January 6. Between now and then, it's hard to say if we'll have time to update or not. Thanks for your indulgence. We are seeking proteges by the way...
DECEMBER 30, 2008
Manhattan TFR New Year's Eve
Just in Dec 29 at midday from NBAA's GA Desk:
FDC NOTAM 8/5661 has been released for the New York City Manhattan area on 12/31/08.
A TFR which encompasses all of Manhattan south of Cathedral Parkway/110th street prohibits flight operations unless authorized by ATC from the surface up to 4000 feet from 31/1901 local (01/0001z) until 01/0200 local (0700z). Please note that helicopter operations in/out of the West 30th Street (JRA) are permitted provided pilots arrive and depart from over the Hudson River (No overflights of Manhattan are permitted).
Check your usual sources for the official NOTAM.
Bolen tells it like it bizav is to AP reporter
More on 4-day HEMS NTSB hearing in Feb.
On second thought, make it a radius instead
FAA corrects a word in the new DC SFRA.
DECEMBER 29, 2008
Higher fees, fewer flights at HTO
Resolve to get involved!
View ERHC opportunites on the Stake Exchange.
Phantom station disappears
The ADDS METAR tool "KBNL" station on LI that we reported to you on the 12th did not appear on the tool when we checked today.
Searching for something here?
Your web staff knows our way of organizing info here is not necessarily the same way you would do it. We don't currently have search functionality of these pages but until we do, visit our recently updated Site Outline.
2009 Annual Meeting to be Oct 17-18
Few additional details, but keep tabs on the AM page for updates.
DECEMBER 25, 2008
Web staff on holiday
We plan to bring you another update on Monday, December 29. Best Wishes from all at ERHC for a festive and safe Holiday.
Flying in the FRZ
AOPA Flight Planning first hand story.
AD for MD 900 helicopters
FAA, #2008-17-51
DECEMBER 24, 2008
Copterline closes; USH back at JRB soon
Got complaints about the NOTAM system?
NBAA:
PILOT FOCUS GROUP WILL SOLICIT FEEDBACK ON FAA NOTAM SYSTEM, JAN. 10
On January 10, the American Institutes for Research (AIR), a not-for-profit research organization, will be hosting a one-day focus group meeting in Washington, DC for general aviation pilots to provide feedback on the current notice to airmen (NOTAM) system and suggestions for the new NOTAM system being developed as part of the Federal Aviation Administrations (FAAs) Aeronautical Information Management (AIM) modernization effort. The focus groups findings will be shared with the FAAs AIM group. The focus group will meet from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at AIRs offices at 1000 Thomas Jefferson Street, NW. For details and registration information, contact Cori White at cwhite@air.org or register
Suffolk PD hangar construction delayed
Budget crisis at fault; 27east.
Red faced, and not from the cold
Doh! said the web staff in unison. The lack of updates Monday and Tuesday were both oversight and technical. Both hurdles overcome, so please see Monday's material, below as well as today's and sorry about the awol Tuesday.
NBAA warns vigilance on taxes
From Dean Saucier:
As predicted, states are looking to aviation to bolster their revenue funding stream for 2009. NY’s governor has already stated that there will be aviation advantageous exemptions eliminated and additional aviation taxes included in his 2009 budget. RI made a statement earlier this week, that it will seek additional taxes from aviation and “private flyers.” Please remain vigilant and understand that discouraging added tax initiatives will be an important aspect of the work we do in 2009, in addition to the TSA LASOP and FAA reauthorization.
NBAA maintains a "backgrounders" page to help us explain bizav as needed.
Holiday greetings from HAI
Including a staff photo!
Ah, the good old airline days
Former flight attendant laments the end of service, NYT.
DECEMBER 22, 2008
Inauguration TFR posted by FAA
Medical resources to consider
Our January General Meeting will feature Dr. Dellorso, AME from EWR, as featured speaker and he'll be taking anonymous questions as well. Another resource reminder came in email today, the 4th Quarter newsletter from Virtual Flight Surgeons, a flight medical issues consultancy (not a medical service provider). The newsletter should soon be posted online, but back issues also have some good material to learn.
New Advisory Circular
Airport Winter Safety and Operations, AC 150/5200-30C.
General Aviation News Dec 19 issue digital edition
NTSB critical of airlines eliminating ASAPs
NTSB EXPRESSES CONCERN AS AIR CARRIERS SUSPEND PROACTIVE SAFETY PROGRAMS
Washington, DC -- The National Transportation Safety Board is concerned that Aviation Safety Action Programs (ASAP) have recently been discontinued by some major air carriers. ASAP, which has been in existence among many air carriers since the early 1990s, encourages pilots, mechanics, and flight dispatchers to voluntarily report any safety-related incidents and, in return, receive immunity from disciplinary action.
These programs identify and correct safety issues before they cause accidents. Once the information is reported, a team of representatives from the airline, unions, and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reviews the information provided and recommends methods to improve safety. The success of ASAP has led to recent discussions between the FAA and the air traffic controllers to implement ASAP.
“The Safety Board is concerned that these proactive, voluntary disclosure programs, in which pilots, mechanics, and dispatchers become additional ‘eyes and ears’ dedicated to aviation safety, are no longer available at several major air carriers,” said NTSB Acting Chairman Mark V. Rosenker. “ASAP programs are a critical tool for addressing potential safety issues,” he added.
In 2007, the NTSB issued a recommendation to the FAA to, “strongly encourage and assist all regional air carriers operating under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 121 to implement an approved ASAP.”
The recommendation (A-07-11), which was intended to expand the benefits of ASAP to regional air carriers, has been classified “Closed -- Acceptable Action” based on significant efforts made by the FAA to encourage the adoption of ASAP.
The Safety Board believes that proactive safety programs, which encourage voluntary disclosure of safety issues, are crucial to ensuring aviation safety and identifying problems before they lead to accidents. Their elimination could put aviation safety at risk.
“The NTSB strongly urges all parties to do what is needed to reinstate proactive safety programs and keep existing programs viable and fully functioning,” Rosenker said.
Slightly used but good condition news
Please visit the Archive pages. We've been posting here since January 2008, so there is some pretty good stuff in there-over 800 items of aviator interest.