The Aspiring Pilot

Mesa Air Group emerges from bankruptcy

Just in time for what appears to be a run on the record level fuel prices again, Mesa Air Group has announced it is emerging from Chapter 11 bankrupcty protection. They entered chapter 11 proceedings approximately 14 months ago. 

The airline emerged slimmer and in hopefully better financial position to deal with the coming high fuel costs. Unfortunately, it's also emerging at a time when airlines are looking to trim their regional fleets and options as well. 

Mesa is down to about 75 airplanes in service, about 100 airplanes less then it had prior to its Chapter 11 filing. It is retaining its larger regional jets, with 70 and 86 seat configurations and plans to operate about 450  daily flights to 94 destinations under their contract with US Airways and United Airlines. 

The airline's elimination of nearly 100 excess aircraft and their associated leases removed about $700 million in capitalized leases and $50 million in debt from it's balance sheets per the press release. 

The company is emerging as a private company (not publicly traded on the stock markets as before.) 

In the press release, Mesa Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Jonathan Ornstein stated that 'Today marks a new beginning for Mesa, one that allows the company to build on its almost 30 year history and reestablish ourselves as one of the world’s leading regional airlines. We are deeply appreciative of the support we have received during our reorganization from our creditors, airline partners and employees, and we will work hard to repay this trust by building a successful Mesa Air Group.'

He continued on, saying 'Upon our exit from bankruptcy, we will take the intensity and effort of the past 13 months and transfer it from the triage of the bankruptcy process to focus on opportunities that exist in our rapidly changing industry. Throughout our bankruptcy the Company’s operations remained at the highest level of reliability and safety. Our people did a fantastic job and nothing reflects their competitive spirit better than the fact that during our bankruptcy Mesa consistently delivered operational performance which continues to lead the regional airline industry in nearly every category monitored by the U.S. Dept. of Transportation. 

This strong operational performance came during a time when many of our employees contributed to our financial savings by taking additional unpaid days off. This level of dedication and the resulting operational performance has provided a solid foundation upon which to return our airline to sustained profitability and future growth. In addition, through the restructuring process Mesa is among the first regional airlines to address the risks associated with fifty-seat regional jet aircraft which have increasingly fallen out of favor with mainline carriers. We believe the elimination of exposure related to this fleet provides Mesa with a significant competitive advantage.”

How succesful Mesa will be going forward in what appears to be a building challenging environment will take time to see.  

EU postpones EASA vote

The EU commission has postponed the vote on the EASA new proposals that would have virtually restricted FAA certificated pilot's from flying in Europe or from EU airplane owners from registering aircraft in the US.  The vote is postponed until December at the earliest and hopefully, will provide ample time for AOPA and IAOPA to continue to fight the proposal.  

For the full story and article on this new development, visit my General Aviation examiner article. 

EU vote on new EASA aviation rules today or tomorrow

During a hearing beginning today through October 14th, the European Union Commission will vote on the adoption of a new set of EU-wide rules pertaining to pilot certification and airplane registrations.  The AOPA and the IAOPA have both been vocal with their opposition of the new rules and the negative worldwide impact they will have on the international aviation community.  

The new regulations being proposed were introduced in 2008 by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA).  During the public comment period, ending February 28, 2009, the EASA received over 11,000 comments on the proposal.  After reviewing the comments, the EASA submitted the final proposal to the EU commission for a vote, which is taking place today and tomorrow.

The proposal, if a vote is successful, will lead to drastic changes in how general aviation and pilots operate within EU countries with the effects truly being felt globally.  Read the full details and the impact the proposal would have at my General Aviation column.

New TFR for 9/8 for Cleveland Ohio

President Barack Obama

Photo: Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

The FAA has issued a temporary flight restriction (TFR) over Cleveland, Ohio for Wednesday, September 8, 2010 due to a visit by President Barrack Obama. The Notice to Airman (NOTAM) was issued today effective September 8th from 1:00 p.m. until 4:30 p.m. EDT. The restriction should not result in any delays or cancellations of any flights between any Chicago airports and Cleveland-Hopkins International Airports. General aviation pilots that may be flying from Chicago toward the Cleveland area should review the NOTAM and ensure their flight will not conflict with the restrictions.  Presidential TFR's encompass a diameter of 30 nautical miles.  Other airports affected include Burke Lakefront Airport and Cuyahoga County Airport.  (Click Here for additional information.)

 

Warning - your flight is about to crash...

This happened earlier this week, but is just hitting the media today.  I guess a British Airways 747 pilot accidentally hit the 'wrong' butting in the middle of their flight.  Not only that, their location fit perfectly with the warning message transmitted across the cabin.

As the plane crossed the North Sea, the pilot hit a button that broadcast, over the speakers in the cabin, 'This is an emergency announcement. We may shortly need to make an emergency landing on water.' According to news sources, the flight attendants then began frantically running through the cabin trying to calm the now freaked out passengers.  In multiple interviews, many passengers, for a time, thought that they were truly about to crash (not withstanding the plane was flying straight and level).  When  your in the plane and an announcement tells your your crashing, why would you not believe it!

Thankfully, the story ended with a routine flight and eventual landing, on dry land.  Still I never was aware some airliners are equipped with these automated crash messages.  Is this just a European thing?  Supposedly, it also occured on an Aer Lingus flight in 2009 when the automated voice told the passengers about upcoming turbulence followed by a message stating they will be making an emergency landing.

Celebrating National Aviation Day - August 19th

(from my published Examiner.com article)

• August 19th, 2010 9:55 am

Wright Brothers National Memorial

Photo: By taygete05/LizDeCoster via flickr.com

Today is National Aviation Day, a day established to honor aviation on our unique freedom to fly.  From Chicago to Los Angeles to Miami, thousands of General Aviation pilots take to the skies because of the dreams and perseverance of two brothers.  August 19th is the birthday of Orville Wright, who along with his brother Wilbur, created and introduced mankind to controlled, powered airplane flight.

In 1939 President Franlin Roosevelt proclaimed August 19th Naional Aviation Day.  Today is a day of observance and not an actual public holiday.  (read more and see a video at my examiner.com page)

Mom says she slapped baby who kicked her on flight - Yahoo! News

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – A mother told aviation police she slapped her crying 13-month-old daughter on a flight between Dallas and Albuquerque because the child kicked her, authorities said.

via news.yahoo.com

Wow, this is just unbelievable. I'm glad the flight attendant did what she did, though hopefully DCFS in whatever city they live in will look into their home life. The fact that the father was arguing with the mother and stated that he routinely argues with her about the mother hitting the baby shows that this isn't the only time. I can only imagine what will happen as the child grows up and reaches the terrible twos and older.

I understand the need for disciplining your child, but this sounds like it was excessive. Given the fact that the mother was nonchalant about her actions in front of a plane-load of passengers shows that she is probably capable of way more than this when she's not in public.

Let's hope I'm wrong and the slap to the face was and remains an isolated event for this child.

Fltops.com Pilot Job Fair coming up August 28th

Well, I'm not going to go this year since I know I have no where near enough current time to try for any jobs, but for any prospective pilot out there looking for a job this is for you.

Fltops.com will be holding their annual pilot job fair in Atlanta on August 28th at the Atlanta Airport Marriott Gateway hotel.  Room discounts are available for $89 for attendees.  The fair will run from 08:30AM to 05:00PM and attire is business casual.  Bring plenty of resumes as there will be airlines that are recruiting present as well as flight schools/training centers looking for instructors as well.

According to the Fltop's website you can "Attend company briefings and informative sessions about interview skills and pilot supply and demand projections." as well as having a tremendous amount of networking opportunities.  It would be great to attend just for the networking that can be accomplished.

Visit the FltOps Jobs website for a full list of costs, times and a list of airlines that will be present and their requirements.  There will also be an afternoon session for low time and prospective/future pilots discussing the training, industry, job skills and industry future.

Good luck!

 

Jet around, all you want for a month for $699 or $499

(photo by saaby via flickr.com)

Jet Blue has brought back their all you can jet fares.  For $699 you can fly anywhere Jet Blue flies, as many times as you want between September 7th and October 6th.   If you opt to exclude flights on Friday and Saturday, you save $200 and only pay $499 for a 5 day a week pass.

This is actually a very good deal, a typical New York to LA flight will most likely cost you in excess of this single pass.  There are some restrictions/rules, but otherwise it's an amazing deal.  If you're interested and have some spare cash laying around, act fast, the last time they did this it sold out extremely fast.

Wish I had the money and vacation time left to take advantage of this! Imagine being able to spend 3 weeks jetting around the US.

Bayless coming to O'Hare Airport

(from my examiner.com published article)

• August 17th, 2010 11:24 am

Rick Bayless at Xoco in Chicago.

Photo: By Fuzzy Gerdes via flickr.com

Accoring to the Associated Press, the City of Chicago has come to an agreement with Rick Bayless to open two restaurants at O'Hare airport.  Initial plans are to have one restaurant at Terminal 1 and another at Terminal 3.  Plans are to have the restaurants open by this fall according to aviation officials.  (click here for the rest of the story)