The ETS or Emission Trading Scheme.

The Emissions Trading Scheme, a program created by the EU to help reduce carbon emissions in the atmosphere, in my opinion, is a great program, but the way it is going to be implemented is a little off.  First off the ETS (emissions Trading Scheme) is a system where the EU will in a way "Fine" air carrier operations entering or operating inside EU airspace.  The EU will offer "credits" that may be purchased by air carriers, traded among air carriers, or given back to the government instead of money.  However these credits will need to be purchased.  The problem arises when we realize how the cost or total amount of credits due to the EU is determined.  The cost / credit is determined by the last leg flown into or in EU airspace, a big problem for US air carriers.

The money that the EU will be getting through the program, technically will be going for emissions R&D, However, that is shrouded in question. The money will be going into a sort of pooled government fund. This has caused many questions to arise.  one if them being, will the money really be used for R&D in regards of emissions research? or is this just a scheme to get money into the poor european economy that has been in decline for many years?

Currently there is heated debate between the US and the EU.  The EU is stating that all aircraft must participate in the program, And that US is trying to pass a bill that is stating that it will be illegal for US aircraft to participate in the program.  I personally believe that the US is trying to to this because of the fact that this is based on the last leg flown into the EU.  Lets take a flight from KJFK to AMS.  The EU will want to charge an carrier for the entire flight as if the entire fight has emissions over EU airspace.  where if you think about it. only about 15 percent of the flight is flown in EU airspace.  Most of it is over Oceanic / international waters, and parts of canada.  This will cause our aircraft to make more connecting flights, to areas such as North Africa, or the Middle East, before flight in to EU airspace, which will cause tickets to increase, and passenger heartache to increase. Something the the US and US air carriers do not want.

IF this does become mandated, I feel that there will be more mergers to help mitigate costs between individual carriers,  also prices of tickets will go up.

I feel that this would be effective if international flights from the US would be charged for just the time spent in EU airspace, or after a given point or intersection.  I feel that it is a good idea on paper, but the way that it is laid out now is impractical and unfair to all involved.

http://alphatangopapa.blogspot.com/

Decided to start following another aviation blog today.   This is a blog by an aviation enhtusiast.  He is a social media expert, so therefore knows how to get through and connect to the younger generation of people in this world.  This ais a good thing as he will probably get people to become interested in aviation.  I looked through some of his posts and he has some good infomormation on his site.  He is also active posting something every week.  Hopefully he will contrinue to post so I can continue to read. 

One Big Bird.

It is no secret that airliners in history have increased in size exponentially.  But the airbus Airbus A380-800 is taking this to the next step.  Comming in at a whopping 300 million dollars, it is one of the most expensive airliners being created today.  It will hold 500 passengers, which is quite a bit more than the 747.  It will also have many different ammenities, like a full service bar, and the video linked to this post states that there is a possibility of an on-board casino. (which I believe is a violation of many gaming commision boards around the country, but that is another blog).  As of today, I dont believe the US has any open orders for the A380 at this time.

I believe this aircraft and the Boeing 787, are going to be starting a huge war between Airbus inustries and Boeing, In fact I believe that both companies have invested so much materials and man hours, and capital, that whichever aircraft reins supreme will cause the other company to go bankrupt. 

I also feel that whichever company reins supreme will be the only manufacturing company left in existence, as the other would not be able to handle the competition. 

Lastly the aircraft will help the aviation industry and individual airlines because more passengers will be able to fly to a location at a given time.  This will dramatically lower operating costs, and fuel costs, as one plane will be way more efficient than two planes flying to the same final destination. Although the price tag is huge for this aircraft, I believe it will save the airline that buys it thousands in the long run,   That is, if it doesnt break all the time.

The NEXTGEN system

As pilots, We are always dealing with air traffic control.  And air traffic control is always dealing with us, and jokingly trying to kill us J. That being said our ATC system is keeping us as pilots safe by ensuring separation between aircraft and providing useful and sometimes life savings information.  However we are dealing with pre WW2 technology such as Radar, VORs, and sometimes even the outdated NDB systems to provide us with our navigation.  These systems are quickly becoming outdated, and it is safe to say that the ATC system along with how we navigate will need a overhaul.

The answer to the quickly dating and failing technology of the past will be slowly being replaced by what is called NEXTGEN ATC services. I believe that this system should be in place by 2025, but I may be wrong.  This new system will basically turn the ATC system as we know it (Radar services) into a system that uses Satellite technology such as GPS, and WAAS, and even LAAS.  These systems will greatly increase the accuracy of ATC and allow for closer traffic confines, especially in the northern areas of Canada, and across the oceans of the world.  A system that is trying to install itself is the NDS-B systems.  These systems have been put into place in the northern areas of Canada and some parts of Alaska already and are working really well in providing closer separation confines of participating aircraft.

All this is fine and dandy, but who is going to pay for it.  Here in lies the question, as it will be an expensive endeavor to create these new systems.  Personally I believe that it should be government funded, but others believe it should be funded by the users of the current airspace systems, through user fees. Pilots especially GA pilots pay enough to enjoy their hobby, and therefore I believe that user fees are out of the question.  The FAA should be able to get funding for this through the numerous grant programs that the government has put into place with the various aviation acts that were enacted throughout history.

Aviation Security: It is for the greater good...

Ever since 9/11/11, Aviation security has been a hot topic for all involved in the industry.  Some people are for it, others against it, and the technology just keeps getting better and more advanced.  I am going to write this post in a series of perspectives. One perspective of the pilot, the passenger, the airline, and the infrastructure of the the local, state, and federal governments. 


Before I begin, Lets talk about security devices that are currently in place...Three come to mind, and are the three that I am going to be discussing.  Airport security in its simplest form is done through a pat down.  A security officer, (TSA agent) will pat you down (male on male, female on female to prevent possible sexual embarrassment and harassment, along with possible title XIV santions against the person, and company).  and search for contraband, weapons, etc...  The second step up are metal detectors and x-ray scanners.  Metal detectors work by creating a magnetic field, and as a metallic item (CONTAINING FERROUS MATERIALS) pass through  the field, the field becomes distorted thus tripping the alarm.  X-Ray scanners, In my opinion are self explanatory.   The third, and most advanced detection method is the full body scanner.  The two main types of scanners are "millimeter wave" and "backscatter" machines. Millimeter wave units send radio waves over a person and produce a three-dimensional image by measuring the energy reflected back. Backscatter machines use low-level X-rays to create a two-dimensional image of the body. If any of you are wondering if the body scanner is invasive , you might be surprised just how wrong you are.

Now, lets talk about security measures based on different perspectives of people involved.

As I am going into aviation to be a pilot, I must start with that demographic first. 

Let us start by saying that the pilot is the one most concerned about the security of the flight.  Think about it, they are just doing their jobs, and are wanting to come home safely to their families each day. Personally I would make all passengers go through a body scan or pat down.. Metal detectors in my opinion are not safe enough.  Pilots should not have to worry about their door being kicked in, or a bomb going off while in flight.


Now passengers....Yes I know, as I have been one many of times...Security checks are annoying.  Maybe even frightful if you are getting a pat down (happened to me, and yes i was scared although I didn't have anything to hide).  But stop thinking about yourself.  People conducting security operations are just looking out for your safety along with the safety of others.  They are professionals and always have your privacy in mind.  And if you even think that the pat down is a violation of your rights....think again, you waived them when you bought your ticket. 

The airline also has a vested interest in airport security for the simple reason that it is their assets that they are protecting.  If a bomb gets through, and successfully detonated mid-air, the company would be out billions of dollars, and have negative PR relations through the media.  Something that they cannot afford in such a competitive market where bankruptcies and mergers are nothing new.


Lastly local / state / federal governments.  Airline hijacking will effect the local area where the incident occurred by potentially having local businesses close.  The state and federal government will have to put new policies in effect, and expend capital to research what happened, and how to prevent future occurrences.  Something the government currently does not have the money to do.

So airline security, although a nuisance to the everyday passenger, especially in busy airports such as Detroit, and O'Hare, is there to protect not just you, but the greater good.  Deal with the lines, show up early, and cooperate, and you will never have a problem with it.

Automation in the office: Friend of Foe?

Automation is everywhere in our lives, and becoming more and more prevelant in the cockpit. However is this a good thing or not?  Some people would say no, others would say yes.  I personally believe it is a catch 22 situation.  Automation is a great thing however it does pose problems.  Automation allows the pilot to make his or her work load smaller, allowing them to think, assess situations, and get ahead of the airplane if needed.  Automation can cause problems if you dont understand it, or program it wrong.  For example, if you were to input a 5 letter identifier incorrectly you will leave your intended or filed course, causing navigation problems if left unnoticed.

Automation can cause accidents. as seen here ( http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/29194109/ns/us_news-life/t/official-plane-ny-crash-was-autopilot/ )
In the previous case automation as well as icing buildup caused an aircraft to crash outside Buffalo, NY.  The pilots were flying in icing conditions with the automation of the airplane and de-ice equipment engaged.  The pilots were changing the configuration of the aircraft with flaps for their approach into the airport.  The pilots did not release that the automation was controlling te aircraft in strange ways, so when the automation was turned off, the pilots has no time to act, which caused the aircraft to crash.  This is a situation where automation can cause fatalities, just because it was not fully understood by the the people handling it.

Personally automation has saved me.  On my first long cross country after I got my pilots license. ATC deviated me to a head to a series of VORs.  I was not an instrument pilot, so naturally I did not have the frequencies easily accesible, so I had to engage the autopilot and try to figure out my situation in the air.  I got everything figured out in the end, disengaged the autopilot, and had a smooth landing at KGRR.

Automation, Friend of Foe? This will be an argument for many generations in not just the aviation industry.

Introduction and Reasoning..

Hello everyone and the world. 

My name is Dustin Witjes.  I am a Eastern Michigan University student studying aviation and flight technology.  I am currently in my 5th year at Eastern finishing up my instrument and commercial ratings to get ready for a career in the real world.  I am an aviation enthusiast, a student, and a butcher  at Whole Foods Market with knowledge in multiple areas in the aviation field, along with many other areas that people find interesting, but I find useless :). 

I have multiple reasons for starting this blog.  Number one being is that it is a social site where I can get my name out into the aviation sector, who knows, maybe some Delta representative will start to follow this.  Secondly, I tend to read a lot of aviation articles and once in a while I feel that it would be nice if I were to share my thoughts on the article, or any aviation news break for that matter.  Thirdly I think it would be fun to share my aviation experiences and trips with people. I feel that this would be a good way for people to learn something about aviation.

So that is my reasoning, its short, simple and to the point.  Hope to see people reading, and if you happen to be a pilot, maybe I will see you at a FBO somewhere and some hole in the wall airport.

take care, especially in flight

Dustin