Tag: pilots (Page 3 of 7)

Alaska Airlines first delivery of a 737-9 MAX departs from Seattle's Boeing Field on Jan. 24, 2021.

Alaska Airlines Takes Delivery of its First Boeing 737-9 MAX Aircraft

January 26, 2021 / WIL BALDWIN

Alaska Airlines (NYSE: ALK) has accepted delivery of its first Boeing 737-9 MAX airplane, marking a new phase of modernizing the airline’s fleet in the coming years. Alaska pilots flew the aircraft on a short flight yesterday from the Boeing Delivery Center at Boeing Field in Seattle to the company’s hangar at Sea-Tac International Airport with a small group of Alaska’s top leadership on board.

Alaska’s first 737-9 is scheduled to enter passenger service on March 1 with daily roundtrip flights between Seattle and San Diego, and Seattle and Los Angeles. The airline’s second 737-9 is expected to enter service later in March.

Teams from across various divisions at Alaska will now follow a strict readiness timeline that guides the actions that must be taken before the start of passenger flights. The process – involving rigorous rounds of test flying, verifying and specific preparations – will take five weeks:

Maintenance technicians will undergo training to become even more acquainted with the new aircraft. They will receive at least 40 hours of “differences training,” which distinguishes the variations between the new MAX and the airline’s existing 737 NG fleet. Certain technicians will receive up to 40 additional hours of specialized training focused on the plane’s engines and avionics systems.
Alaska’s pilots will put the 737-9 through its paces, flying it more than 50 flight hours and roughly 19,000 miles around the country, including to Alaska and Hawaii. These “proving flights” are conducted to confirm our safety assessments and those of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and to ensure a full understanding of the plane’s capabilities in different climates and terrain.
Our pilots will receive eight hours of MAX-specific, computer-based training prior to flying the aircraft over the course of two days, which includes at least two hours of training in Alaska’s own certified, state-of-the-art MAX flight simulator. That’s where they fly several maneuvers specific to the aircraft and better understand the improvements that have been made to the plane.

Deliveries of Alaska’s 737-9 aircraft by Boeing will be flown with sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), which helps the aviation industry reduce CO2 emissions on a life-cycle basis. The SAF will be used on all MAX aircraft deliveries and will be supplied by Epic Fuels.

Alaska announced a restructured order agreement with Boeing in December 2020 to receive a total of 68 737-9 MAX aircraft in the next four years, with options for an additional 52 planes. The airline is scheduled to receive 13 planes this year; 30 in 2022; 13 in 2023; and 12 in 2024. The agreement incorporates Alaska’s announcement last November to lease 13 737-9 aircraft as part of a separate transaction.

These 68 aircraft will largely replace Alaska’s Airbus fleet and move the airline substantially toward a single, mainline fleet that’s more efficient, profitable and environmentally friendly. The 737-9 will enhance the guest experience and support the company’s growth.

Alaska Airlines receives delivery of its first Boeing 737-9 MAX aircraft on Jan. 24, 2021.

ABX Air Pilots Ratify Amendment to Collective Bargaining Agreement

December 31, 2020 / WIL BALDWIN

Air Transport Services Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: ATSG) said today that pilot employees of its ABX Air, Inc. subsidiary have voted in favor of an amendment to their Collective Bargaining Agreement with ABX Air.

ABX Air’s pilots are represented by the Airline Professionals Association of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, Local 1224 (IBT).

“This affirmative vote demonstrates a renewed sense of unity at ABX Air, paving the way for us to work together toward our shared goals of growth and superior customer service,” ABX Air President David Soaper said. “I want to express my appreciation to the leadership and members of Local 1224 for their endorsement of this amended agreement. It represents a crucial step as we pursue future growth opportunities for our airline.”

The amended agreement will become effective January 1, 2021, and amendable six years thereafter. Terms of the amended agreement were not disclosed by ABX Air.

Myanmar Airways International Commences Revenue Flights with Embraer E190

December 25, 2020 / WIL BALDWIN

Myanmar Airways International’s (MAI) first E190 commenced operations from Yangon yesterday, operating four flights throughout the day. In addition, MAI’s second E190 is due to arrive in the country on 23 December 2020 and the airline will expand its E190 routes to include nine destinations across the country, upgauging from the turboprops used by its sister airline Air KBZ.

MAI has also signed on for Embraer’s Pool Program – a program enrolled by all E-Jet operators in Asia Pacific. There are now four new E-Jet operators in Asia Pacific (ex. China) since the start of 2020.

“Our pilots, cabin crew, maintenance crew and our staff are proud to take MAI’s E190 to the skies and to serve our passengers with an enhanced flying experience,” said Saravanan Ramasamy, Chief Executive Officer of MAI. “We look forward to a productive partnership with Embraer. The operation of the E190 marks yet another important milestone in MAI’s fleet expansion strategy and domestic jet network growth. As the demand grows, we plan to scale up the frequency of our E190 operations to eight flights a day.”

“The commencement of Myanmar Airways International’s E190 flights will enhance connectivity in Myanmar,” said Raul Villaron, Asia Pacific Vice President for Embraer Commercial Aviation. “The airline will benefit from the performance and efficiency of the aircraft and generous cargo capacity. Passengers will appreciate the comfort in the cabin. Myanmar Airways International can operate with full confidence that our excellent service and support team are here to support them.”

In preparation for the E190 operations, eight MAI pilots underwent the month-long Initial Pilot Training in September 2020 in Zhuhai, China. Separately, Embraer conducted the license-engineer type course for MAI’s engineers. Embraer’s Pool Program, which MAI has enrolled in offers full repair coverage for components and parts, airframe maintenance, and unlimited access to a large stock of components at the company’s distribution centers. Operators benefit from significant savings on repair and inventory costs, reduction in required warehousing space and resources required for repair management, while ultimately providing guaranteed performance levels. Singapore is the base for Embraer’s warehouse in the Asia Pacific region.

Embraer is the world’s leading manufacturer of commercial aircraft up to 150 seats with more than 100 customers from all over the world. For the E-Jets program alone, Embraer has logged more than 1,800 orders and 1,600 aircraft have been delivered. Today, E-Jets are flying in the fleet of more than 80 customers in some 50 countries. The versatile 70 to 150-seat family is flying with low-cost airlines as well as with regional and mainline carriers.

Air Saint-Pierre Takes Delivery of a New ATR 42-600

December 22, 2020 / WIL BALDWIN

Air Saint-Pierre has taken delivery of its new ATR 42-600 aircraft, following the signature of a Memorandum of Understanding in July 2018. Based on one of the three main islands of Saint Pierre and Miquelon (around 6,300 inhabitants), Air Saint-Pierre is essential to the archipelago’s economy, as it flies both passengers and goods to Miquelon, St. John’s, the Magdalen Islands, Halifax and Montreal. The new aircraft will replace the airline’s existing ATR 42-500 which has been in operation since 2009.

In addition to benefitting from unbeatable environmental performance and economics, the ATR 600’s proven ability to operate effectively in windy conditions is vital for Air Saint-Pierre. The -600 series can take-off and land in cross wind conditions of 45 knots, a unique capability which enables the airline to offer reliable air services to its communities. Air Saint-Pierre’s passengers will also enjoy the modernity and comfort of the Armonia cabin, whilst the airline’s pilots will appreciate the state-of the-art avionics suite, resulting in a smoother flying experience for all.

Benoît Olano, Chief Executive Officer of Air Saint-Pierre, said: “We are looking forward to starting operations with our new ATR aircraft. We have been flying ATR since 1994, starting with an ATR 42 320, and the turboprop’s unique capabilities and continuous improvement have made it the ideal aircraft for our operations over the years. We will continue to provide to the people of Saint-Pierre and Miquelon the connectivity they need, along with greater comfort, whilst limiting our impact on the environment.”

ATR Chief Executive Officer, Stefano Bortoli added: “There is nothing more satisfying than seeing a loyal customer upgrade its fleet. Delivering regional connectivity in the challenging operational conditions of Saint Pierre and Miquelon and its neighbouring islands takes a special aircraft and the ATR 42-600 is the perfect fit. The airline’s operations are vital for the archipelago’s communities and we are truly glad to see our aircraft once again accomplish what they have been designed for: to connect people and places responsibly, no matter how remote.”

Boeing Forecasts Strong Growth in China’s Aviation Market

November 15, 2020 / WIL BALDWIN

Boeing [NYSE: BA] expects China’s airlines to acquire 8,600 new airplanes valued at $1.4 trillion and commercial aviation services valued at $1.7 trillion over the next 20 years, reflecting an expected robust recovery following the COVID-19 pandemic. Boeing shared its annual China market forecast today as part of the 2020 Commercial Market Outlook (CMO), which shows anticipated demand for commercial airplanes and services.

China’s rapidly growing middle class, increased economic growth and growing urbanization are all factors in the Boeing forecast, suggesting the country will lead passenger travel globally in the next few years. Since 2000, China’s commercial jet fleet has expanded sevenfold, and approximately 25% of all aviation growth worldwide in the last decade has come from China. Boeing forecasts this trend will continue over the next 20 years.

“While COVID-19 has severely impacted every passenger market worldwide, China’s fundamental growth drivers remain resilient and robust,” said Richard Wynne, managing director, China Marketing, Boeing Commercial Airplanes. “Not only has China’s recovery from COVID-19 outpaced the rest of the world, but also continued government investments toward improving and expanding its transportation infrastructure, large regional traffic flows, and a flourishing domestic market mean this region of the world will thrive.”

Despite the challenges imposed by the pandemic, China’s projected airplane and services market represents a nearly 7% increase over last year’s 20-year CMO forecast. These increases are driven by continued high demand for single-aisle airplanes and China’s expanding share of passenger widebodies to support international routes, along with a large replacement cycle as China’s fleet matures. Boeing also anticipates growth in Chinese demand for new and converted freighters and digital solutions to help carriers further innovate and succeed.

The 2020 China CMO includes:

– Boeing forecasts China’s annual passenger traffic growth to be 5.5% over the next 20 years

– Boeing estimates operators will need more than 6,450 new single-aisle airplanes in China over the next 20 years. Single-aisle airplanes, such as the 737 family, continue to be the main driver of capacity growth

– In the widebody market, Boeing forecasts demand for 1,590 deliveries by 2039 in China. Widebody airplanes will account for 18% of China’s deliveries during the 20-year period, down 4% from last year’s forecast due to an anticipated slower recovery in global long-haul traffic

– China has the world’s highest e-commerce growth rate but significant room for development of air express shipping, presenting an opportunity for robust freighter demand

– Long-term aviation industry growth in China is expected to drive the need for 395,000 commercial pilots, cabin crew members and aviation technicians to fly and to maintain the country’s airplane fleet

F-15QA1 and F-15QA2 Air to Air. Includes Arch Fly-by, St. Louis, MO. MSF20-0028 Series.

Boeing Secures Over $800M in Middle East Training and Support Contracts

November 11, 2020 / WIL BALDWIN

– Qatar Emiri Air Force to receive aircrew and maintenance training support for F-15QA aircraft

– Comprehensive support includes pre-delivery training and maintenance, and in-country services support

Boeing [NYSA: BA] today acknowledged three foreign military sales contracts with the U.S. Air Force for training services and support in the Middle East valued at more than $800 million.

The first previously unannounced contract was awarded in 2019 and will support the Qatar Emiri Air Force (QEAF) with F-15QA program management, maintenance and aircrew training valued at $240 million over a five-year contract period.

Boeing also received a separate not-to-exceed $68 million contract to provide maintenance and logistics support for the QEAF during their pre-delivery training for the F-15QA aircraft, which will commence early next year. The QEAF will send pilots and weapon system operators to the U.S., where the aircrews will learn how to independently operate the F-15QA ahead of receiving their new aircraft. Training will include in-person instruction, simulation events and flying operations and will be held near Boeing’s F-15 production facility in the U.S. through mid-2021.

Following this, Boeing will establish and operate an aircrew and maintenance training center for the QEAF at Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar, through 2024.

A third contract awarded in November and valued at more than $500 million will provide the QEAF with in-country spares and logistics support once the aircraft are delivered to Qatar.

“The tailored training and sustainment delivered by our team, coupled with Boeing’s platform expertise, allows us to deliver a holistic solution to our Qatari customer so they can optimize the full capability of their fleet with high availability rates,” said Tim Buerk, director of Middle East defense services for Boeing. “We look forward to our continued partnership with Qatar and further supporting their mission readiness needs.”

The F-15QA is an advanced variant of the undefeated F-15 aircraft. The Advanced F-15 features next-generation technologies that offer more speed, range and payload than any other fighter in its class. Boeing will deliver 36 F-15QA aircraft to Qatar starting in 2021.

Boeing is the world’s largest aerospace company and leading provider of commercial airplanes, defense, space and security systems, and global services. As a top U.S. exporter, the company supports commercial and government customers in more than 150 countries. Building on a legacy of aerospace leadership, Boeing continues to lead in technology and innovation, deliver for its customers and invest in its people and future growth.

Embraer awarded ANAC and FAA Certification for Synthetic Vision Guidance System

September 29, 2020 / WIL BALDWIN

Embraer today announced that the Synthetic Vision Guidance System (SVGS) for the midsize Praetor 500 and super-midsize Praetor 600 business jets was awarded certification by both the civil aviation authority of Brazil, Agência Nacional de Aviação Civil (ANAC), and the civil aviation authority of the United States, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Embraer is the first OEM to receive SVGS certification approval.

The SVGS provides pilots with a dynamic perception of position, trend, and motion, facilitating the transition to utilizing visual references and enabling the safe completion of more missions during inclement weather and lower ceiling approaches. The system allows pilots to operate the aircraft to a decision height of 150 feet (SA-CAT I), as opposed to the regular decision height of 200 feet, increasing operational efficiency and allowing access to several airports during inclement weather and lower ceiling approaches. The SVGS can be used with or without the Head-Up Display (HUD) and is now available for new aircraft and fully retrofittable on all Legacy 450, Legacy 500, Praetor 500, and Praetor 600 aircraft at any Embraer Owned or Authorized Service Center.

“At Embraer, we are committed to continuously improving our already industry-leading products to deliver the ultimate experience in business aviation. Just two months after certifying the electric pocket door and making the HEPA filter standard, we are proud to certify another Praetor 500 and Praetor 600 innovation,” said Michael Amalfitano, President & CEO, Embraer Executive Jets. “Thanks to our unparalleled engineering team and world-class partnership with Collins Aerospace, Embraer is proud to offer business aviation’s first Synthetic Vision Guidance System on the Praetor 500 and Praetor 600, further solidifying their position as the most disruptive and technologically advanced midsize business jets in the market.”

Independent of the Embraer Enhanced Vision System (E2VS), the SVGS is an optional addition to the acclaimed Collins Aerospace Pro Line Fusion flight deck on the Praetor 500 and Praetor 600. The SVGS can be installed either with or without E2VS, delivering even greater flexibility and safety options. When installed alone, SVGS allows for enviable situational awareness, without the investment required for E2VS. When installed together, the aircraft’s operational efficiency is further improved, allowing for even better utilization of the Praetor’s unparalleled short runway performance.

Delta Launches $6.5 Billion Debt Deal Backed by Frequent Flyer Program

September 14, 2020 / WIL BALDWIN

CHICAGO, Sept 14 (Reuters) – Delta Air Lines said on Monday it is seeking to raise $6.5 billion through new bonds and loans backed by its SkyMiles loyalty program, further bolstering liquidity to weather a drastic downturn in travel demand due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The airline said it would use the loyalty program as collateral to secure the new loans and issuance, as it continues to burn through about $27 million in cash each day.

U.S. airlines have cut costs and raised debt to survive what they call an unprecedented industry crisis. The situation is not expected to improve until there is a meaningful recovery in demand.

With its latest financing deal, Delta will not pursue a $4.6 billion federal loan available under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, officials said, even as it continues to lobby for a second round of federal payroll grants.

Atlanta-based Delta is among U.S. airlines to have tapped funds under a $25 billion made available primarily in grants under the CARES Act to cover employees’ payroll through September, but not a separate $25 billion package in secured loans.

The loan program has attractive financing terms but restricts executive compensation and share buybacks.

The airline has said it could furlough nearly 2,000 pilots in October without more federal aid, but believes it can avoid any flight attendant furloughs through the winter thanks to strong demand for voluntary departures or leaves.

Delta had $15.7 billion in liquidity at the end of June, which it said equaled about 19 months of financial runway at a daily burn rate of $27 million.

It still has unencumbered assets worth $6 billion to $7 billion, primarily in the form of spare aircraft parts and engines, if needed, officials said.

Delta did not disclose the value of the loyalty program or the terms of the new financing, which mirrors a debt deal by United Airlines in June backed by its $20 billion MileagePlus program.

Delta’s shares, which have lost about 46% this year, closed at $31.70 on Friday.

(Reporting by Tracy Rucinski; Editing by Ana Nicolaci da Costa)

Garmin Announce Certification of G1000 NXi Upgrade in Piper Meridian

August 20, 2020 / WIL BALDWIN

Garmin International Inc., a unit of Garmin Ltd. (NASDAQ: GRMN), today announced Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certification and availability of the G1000 NXi upgrade for G1000-equipped Piper Meridian aircraft. The G1000 NXi integrated flight deck upgrade is available immediately for these aircraft through select Garmin dealers and features several new enhancements such as SurfaceWatch, visual approaches, geographical map overlay within the HSI and more.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200819005056/en/

State-of-the-art processors support faster map rendering and smoother panning throughout the G1000 NXi displays. The flight displays also initialize in seconds so pilots have immediate access to frequencies, flight plan data and more, saving valuable time in the cockpit. The G1000 NXi integrated flight deck also incorporates contemporary animations and LED back-lighting, offering increased display brightness and clarity, reduced power consumption and improved dimming performance.

– The G1000 NXi integrated flight deck boasts a comprehensive feature set with new and advanced capabilities. Unique features included as part of the G1000 NXi upgrade for the Piper Meridian include:SurfaceWatch runway monitoring technology, which provides visual and aural cues to help prevent pilots from taking off or landing on a taxiway, on a runway that is too short or on the wrong runway based on performance data entered during preflight.

– Visual approaches offer pilots enhanced guidance in visual flight conditions based on a three-degree glideslope from the threshold of the runway. Pilots can set customized minimums, select vectors or straight-in for the final approach intercept and fly a visual approach coupled with the autopilot.

– Geographical map overlay within the HSI supports the display of NEXRAD, Flight Information Service-Broadcast (FIS-B) weather, weather radar, SafeTaxiairport diagrams, traffic¹, terrain and more.

– Flight Stream 510 and Connext technology enables Database Concierge, the wireless transfer of aviation databases from the Garmin Pilot™ app on a mobile device to the G1000 NXi integrated flight deck. Flight Stream 510 also supports two-way flight plan transfer, the sharing of traffic, weather, GPS information and back-up attitude information.

– The G1000 NXi system supports the display of various Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) In benefits via the GTX 345R transponder.

– Pilots can optionally overlay European Visual Reporting Points (VRPs) on the moving map, as VRPs are standard within the navigation database.

– Display of sectional charts, as well as IFR low/high enroute charts are available on the MFD.

– Smart Airspace highlights the airspace nearest the aircraft’s current altitude and de-emphasizes non-pertinent airspace.

– COM frequencies are decoded and displayed on the PFD for easier interpretation.

– Decoded Terminal Aerodrome Forecasts (TAFs) can be viewed on the MFD.

– Split-screen functionality allows pilots to view flight plans, charts and more simultaneously.

– An optional audio panel upgrade offers advanced features such as 3D Audio, auto squelch and Bluetooth connectivity.

The G1000 NXi integrated flight deck upgrade for existing G1000-equipped Piper Meridian aircraft is available immediately through select Garmin dealers. Meridian owners and operators can easily upgrade to the G1000 NXi with minimal aircraft down time and disruption of the panel as the displays preserve the same footprint and connectors, so panel modifications are not required. The upgraded components of the G1000 NXi also come with a two-year warranty, which is supported by Garmin’s award-winning avionics product support team.

LATAM Airlines to Fire ‘at Least’ 2,700 Workers in Brazil

August 2, 2020 / WIL BALDWIN

BRASILIA (Reuters) – LATAM Airlines will fire “at least” 2,700 workers in Brazil, including pilots, its Brazilian arm said on Saturday, as the bankrupt carrier struggles to cut costs and cope with an industry collapse due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

In a statement, LATAM Brasil said it opened a voluntary redundancy process on Friday which will run through Aug. 4, after which a further minimum 2,700 jobs will be cut.

The announcement followed the breakdown in talks with the SNA union over workers’ pay, the statement said. O Globo and O Estado de S. Paulo newspapers had reported the redundancies earlier on Saturday. LATAM said it pays its pilots and crew more than its rivals in Brazil, and the pandemic has forced it to “match industry practices.”

The layoffs are the latest in efforts to downsize Latin America’s largest airline. Before the novel coronavirus outbreak, the airline had 43,000 workers worldwide, with most of them in Brazil and Chile.

LATAM is seeking to restructure $18 billion in debt. When it filed for U.S. bankruptcy protection in May, it was the world’s largest airline to date to seek an emergency reorganization due to the pandemic.

(Reporting by Jamie McGeever and Marcelo Rochabrun; Editing by Paul Simao)

Archives