Cessna Model 172 an Icon of Global Aviation

Cessna Aircraft Company's Model 172, "Skyhawk," is poised to enter a second half-century of service.  Few airplanes, military or commercial, can lay claim to being in production for 50 years after introduction, but the Skyhawk is long recognized as an icon of the global general aviation fleet.

Phoenix East Aviation considers the Model 172 the best primary trainer in the world. PEA's single engine fleet consists entirely of Skyhawks.  Many flight schools use smaller, cheaper aircraft for training, but none meets the quality of the Skyhawk for training.  The Skyhawk taxis with ease, and steering through the rudder pedals is responsive.  The windshield and side windows offer excellent visibility, and the wheel brakes, when applied, are immediately effective. Over the decades, Cessna has improved the airplane's already excellent handling characteristics by tweaking the wing's aerodynamics and flight controls.  The upgrades and improvements in the Skyhawk have been too numerous to mention here, but they have enhanced the safety and performance of the aircraft.

It is among the easiest light airplanes in the world to fly, one that makes no special demands on the pilot and is forgiving of mistakes commonly made by neophyte aviators.  When you are considering flight training schools, be sure to ask about their fleet aircraft. Don't hesitate to ask for details.  Choose a school with excellent, new or late model aircraft, preferably the Model 172.  Phoenix East Aviation offers prospective students and parents tours of the facility and the opportunity to speak to students and instructors, as well as check out our impressive fleet.  Come see for yourself the high quality of PEA training and the excellent aircraft.

   

U.S. Airlines Post Jump in Revenues

The largest U.S. airlines, the so-called "legacy" or "major" airlines, posted a 12.6% jump in mainline revenue in May.  This is the results of greater consumer demand. 

Just released by the Air Transport Association (ATA), the report covers the seven major U.S. airlines.  If their regional affiliates are included in the statistics, passenger RASM rose 15% in May.  This was the stronger April-to-May improvement since 2000, according to JP Morgan aviation analysts, excluding the 2003 Gulf War. 

U.S. domestic mainline revenue rose 15.1%, according to ATA. Outside the U.S., unit revenue to Latin America rose 14.8% and transpacific and transatlantic routes rose 7.5% and 5.4%, respectively.

This is excellent news for the industry.  It indicates that not only are discount and regional airlines growing rapidly, but major U.S. airlines may be growing also.  Become a part of these exciting times in aviation.  Train to be a commercial pilot.  Call Phoenix East Aviation today.

More Expansion - New Routes

New routes continue to be added to domestic and international airline schedules, reflecting the continuing growth of commercial aviation in the U.S. and abroad. and the need for more pilots in the future.

U.S. Airways will begin daily roundtrip service from Orlando to Key West, Florida. JetBlue Airways has added a sixth daily nonstop flight between Jacksonville, Florida and New York.  Delta Air Lines will soon also offer nonstop flights to Mumbai, India, and Accra, Ghana, from New York's Kennedy Airport.

Start your flight training now and capitalize on the excellent opportunities available to fly for airlines worldwide.  For more information on an exciting career as a commercial pilot, Call Phoenix East Aviation, 1-800-868-4359 or 1-386-258-0703. Ask to speak to an Admissions Officer for more information on how you can begin a career as a pilot right now.

How About a Career as a Corporate Pilot?

There are so many opportunities for career pilots -- domestic and international passenger airlines,  cargo airlines, military and agricultural flying.  And don't forget another area of opportunity -- flying business jets for either a corporation or a charter company.  Did you know that 18% of all flights are by business jets?

Here's the breakdown of flights: 65.5% commercial passenger and freight carriers, 18.5% business aviation, 5% government/military aviation, and 8.5% private aviation and helicopters, 2.6% other, according to the Wall Street Journal. (Note: percentages don't add up to 100% due to mathematical rounding).

Call Phoenix East today 1-800-868-4359 or 1-386-258-0703for more information about flight training.  You could be a career pilot as soon as next year!

China Aviation Continues to Grow

China's swelling middleclass, whose pockets are padded by an economic boom, is taking to the skies at a breakneck pace.  The government has also eased travel restrictions -- and has actually encouraged travel both at home and abroad.  More than 110 million people flew on domestic routes in 2004, up from 60 million in 2000, according to data from the Civil Aviation Administration of China. 

This year's results for Airbus and Boeing show how things have changes.  Airbus so far has booked firm Chinese orders for 72 planes, up from 47 last year.  Boeing has secured 70 firm orders; China ordered 15 Boeing aircraft in 2004. 

The Advantages of Flying Cargo

Some pilots are seeing advantages in flying cargo planes instead of passengers.  FedEx and UPS did 28% of all pilot hiring at major U.S. airlines last year, up from 8% in 2004, according to AIR Inc.  Smaller cargo carriers are also expanding, including Kalitta Air of Ypsilanti, Michigan, which flies 14 planes, up from three in 2000. 

And the pay can be very good.  Five-year cargo pilots now make an average of $108,330 a year, while top captains are paid $194,566 on average.  This reflects the surging global freight demand that is filling cargo planes with everything from computers to toys to flowers. 

  UPS and FedEx, which operate the world's two largest cargo airlines, made about USD$22 billion in combined PROFIT since 2001 -- and more growth is expected as they expand their delivery networks in China. UPS currently employs 2,700 pilots worldwide.

Except for seats and flight attendants, cargo and passenger planes are basically identical. 

Call Phoenix East Aviation today 1-800-868-4359 and find out how you can develop the skills to fly for commercial passenger or cargo carriers worldwide.  Your career as a pilot can start with this  phone call; an Admissions Officer is waiting to talk to you. 

U.S. Pilots Flying Worldwide

A new standard goes into effect in the U.S. later this year that will allow U.S. pilots even more job opportunities worldwide -- and for a longer career, if they so choose.  This new federal standard allows American pilots who wish to continue flying past 60 in this country to do so, if they go to work for a foreign carrier.  FAA regulations currently prohibit American pilots from flying for American companies past the age of 60. A good number of foreign carriers such as the fast-growing Emirates Airlines are already recruiting American pilots. 

These American pilots who work for a foreign company remain U.S. citizens, and frequently, continue to reside in the U.S. They may  even fly the same types of airplanes over the same exact routes as their counterparts working for American companies.

This is just another example of the expanding opportunities for career pilots worldwide.