What a Show -- EAA AirVenture 2005

The Experimental Aircraft Association's annual AirVenture is the largest general aviation and sport aircraft exhibition in the world.  It's held every summer in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. If you love aviation, you owe it to yourself to go at least once in your life! But be prepared to be impressed: The recent show drew 700,000 people and 10,000 aircraft. Really.  There were also over 2,000 experiemental aircraft on the airfield, plus approximately 200 piston and jet-powered military aircraft that flew in the daily air shows. 

Cessna's China Contract

Cessna Aircraft has signed an agreement to deliver 42 172 Skyhawks for ab initio training with the Civil Aviation Flight University of China (CAFUC).  Twenty of the aircraft will be equipped with the Garmin G1000 glass cockpit.  Delivery is scheduled to begin in 2006.  This will increase CAFUC's training capacity from 600 to 1,000 students a year.  The growth of China's aviation industry has stimulated the need for more pilots, and the increasing demand for pilots exceeds China's training capacity. Like many countries throughout the world, China is experiencing a rapid and significant growth in commercial aviation, which it expects to continue.

CAFUC is government-owned and the country's largest flight training school.  It is currently responsible for training about 90% of the pilots produced in China.

Choosing a Flight School

You're considering starting to train to be a professional pilot, but other than a school's LICENSES and COSTS, you're not sure exactly what to ask to find the best academy for you. That's understandable.  It's an important decision; it's the start of your career and lifelong dream. Here are some good questions to ask. The the answers will help you compare schools and find the best one for you.

1. EXPERIENCE: Does the flight school have the experience and financial security that comes with many years in professional flight training?

2. QUALITY OF INSTRUCTION: Is the school nationally accredited? VA approved?

3. AIRCRAFT: Type and number of training aircraft?

4. WEATHER: How's the weather in the local area? Year-round good weather means more flying opportunities for students and faster course completion.

5. HIRING OF GRADUATES: Does the school commonly hire its graduates as instructors, to build more flying hours while earning a salary?

6. FINANCING: Does the school offer financing options or assist in locating financing for tuition and  living expenses?

7. COST OF LIVING AND LIFESTYLE: Does the local area provide a lifestyle that suits you? Is it affordable? Most students are on a budget.

8. DIVERSITY: Is the student body and instructor staff diverse and international to provide a more stimulating learning environment? 

9. VISAS: For international students, is the school authorized by the U.S. government to issue M-1 and J-1 visa forms to facilitate entry into the U.S.?

10. AND MOST IMPORTANTLY: Does the school have a strong and long history of graduates hired as commercial pilots throughout the world?

There are many flight schools out there that can help you get your pilots license, but if you really want to fly for the airlines or a commercial company. Then check out Phoenix East Aviaiton first, you'll find that no flight school offers so much value for the education and experience.

Song Airlines is Promoting Music

Love to see airlines getting creative in customer service. SONG AIRLINES, the discount airline division of Delta Air Lines, has tried to make itself stand out by offering lower ticket prices along with stylish touches. Song is sort of the "Target" (retail store) of the U.S. airline industry.  Or to put it another way, Song customers are looking for a better experience, but they don't want to pay a lot for it.  Song provides organic food menus, inflight fitness routine, and Kate Spade-designed flight attendant uniforms.  There's even a Song Records label, clearly a brand extension designed to burnish the airline's hip image.  Song is attempting to establish a pop-culture imprint that will provide it with the image of being a cooler place in the sky than its competition.The airline-cum-record label plans to release about five titles a year with the help of a Hollywood agency.  Song gets a #10 from me for innovation. Very cool.

United Airlines Loves Northwest Airlines Customers!

United Airlines has quickly put some new policies in place to accommodate Northwest Airlines "disserviced" customers.  UA is welcoming passengers who are affected by the Northwest flight.  They will accommodate NW passengers holding tickets valid for travel of NW or one of its domestic codeshare partners. 

Speaking of Northwest Airlines, which, by the way is the 4th largest U.S. airline,  and its mechanics strike.  Gutsy move to strike when so many unemployed airline mechanics are on the streeet , particularly since the union has no strike fund.  The union membership has decided to oppose the givebacks Northwest wants, which include nearly halving the current work force of 4,400 and cutting pay for those who remain.  Tough situation for all.    

Opportunities to Fly in Asia

If you want to fly for international airlines, or specifically Asian airlines, now is the time to train.  And my advice for professional flight training is be sure to check out Phoenix East Aviation in Daytona Beach.  Great training.  Fabulous beach and lifestyle.  Lots of international students creates a great atmosphere. But back to the Asian airlines opportunities.

Who seems to be growing in Asia? The latest list is long -- Bangkok Airways, Okay Airways, Ryanair -- and many, many more.  If you want to fly professionally, don't wait.  Growth is happening now and creating more opportunities. 

Bangkok Air is growing their China operations with new non-stop service to Zhengzhou (CGO) and Hangzhou (HGH).  They operate Airbus A320s.  Bangkok Air already flies to other parts of China, including Jinghong, Guilin, Xi'an and Shenzhen.

Since we're talking Asia aviation here, did you know Okay Airways, the first private airline in China, launched services this year?  Haven't been able to find out what aircraft they fly yet..............

Ryanair is buying more airplanes.  I expect they'll need more pilots now too.  Ryanair is investing about $250 million USD and buying four 7377s.  BIG NEWS for German aviation pilots and support folks -- this should create 200 or more new jobs at Luebeck (Hamburg), Germany, with a knock-on effect of adding another 2,000 jobs in the region.   More growth here.  Check this: Ryanair aims to operate low-fare (their marketing strength) scheduled services from Luebeck across Europe and estimates they'll deliver two million (that's not a typo, two million ) passengers in the first year at this base.

U.S. Carriers Expanding Service

I like to see U.S. commercial aviation becoming more aggressive, growing and expanding -- it's good for the industry -- and of course good for all of us who are involved in it or want to be professionally involved in it.  Good example: AMERICAN EAGLE just added new daily non-stop service to 11 U.S. cities: Charlotte, Cleveland, Columbus, Indianapolis, Louisville, Memphis, Nashville, Norfolk, Pittsburg and Richmond.  American Eagle has just added weekend jet service between Miami and Cincinnati.  In case you're curious, all these flights will be operated with Embraer ERJ 140s.   

INDEPENDENCE AIR just began expanded service to Charlotte from Washington Dulles, operating with Airbus A319s.  Their current schedule on that route all operate with 50-seat Bombardier CRJs.

AIRTRAN AIRWAYS is also adding service -- new daily non-stop service to Richmond from Atlanta and Philadelphia and Boston.  AirTran operates these routes using Boeing 717s (in case you're comparing with other regional jets, the 717 has 12 business-class seats and 105 coach seats).

Anyone interested in a really good place for professional flight training?  Try Phoenix East Aviation in Daytona Beach, Florida.  First class instructors, extensive program and priced less than comparable professional flight academies.  It's international in scope -- many foreign students as well as U.S.

Air Fare Increases Good for the Industry

Those of us who love aviation and wish to see commercial aviation prosper and grow even faster will be cheered by the news this week that the latest round of air fares increases look likely to stick.  ARM Corp's American Airlines, Northwest Airlines and JetBlue Airways made an excellent decision; they decided to go ahead and join United, Delta and Continental and US Airways -- to again raise fares.

U.S. airlines have already raised prices several times this year.  By last Friday AM, AA had raised domestic faress by $10-$20 r/t to match Delta.  Not that I want to necessarily spend more money when I fly, but with record-level fuel prices and other factors compromising the financial health of U.S. airlines, it's just fair and equitable.