Monday, 26 September 2016
Sunday, 18 September 2016
The Age of Very Light Jets
The Age of Very Light Jets
On 05.01.10, In Aircraft, by Wayne Farley
The age of very-light jets is upon us. You can call them microjets, entry-level jets or very light personal jets; but these aircraft are small, single-pilot operated and designed to seat 4-8 people, with a maximum take-off weight of under 10,000 pounds. As an aviation professional and an artist, I’m intrigued by these lean, aesthetically crafted machines which sometimes look like they are from another world.
The age of very-light jets (VLJ) is upon us. You can call them microjets, entry-level jets or very light personal jets; but these aircraft are small, single-pilot operated and designed to seat 4-8 people, with a maximum take-off weight of under 10,000 pounds. They are lighter than what is commonly termed business jets, and can operate into smaller airports with 3000 feet runways. As an aviation professional and an artist, I’m intrigued by these lean, aesthetically crafted machines which sometimes look like they are from another world. With the exception of the Embraer Phenom and the Piper Jet which were already featured, here’s a list of VLJs that may show up at your airport one day:
Cirrus Vision SF50
Cirrus Vision SF50 is a single-engine, low-wing, seven-seater aircraft clocking in at 6000 pounds. The prototype aircraft was first flown on 3 July 2008. It cruises at 300 knots, climbs at 3000 feet per minute, and the service ceiling is 25,000 feet. The Vision SF50 is priced at about US$1.7 M and deliveries will begin in 2012.
Eclipse 400
The Eclipse 400 was first flown back in July 2007, and intended to compete in the single-engine jet market. The Eclipse 400 design features one engine, four seats and a v-tail similar to the Cirrus Jet. It is powered by a single Pratt & Whitney Canada PW610F turbofan and built in complete secrecy at NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia. The aircraft has a cruise speed of 345 knots and a service ceiling of 41,000 ft. The MTOW is 4,800 pounds and an empty weight of 2,000 pounds.
The Eclipse 400 was priced at $1.35 million before the manufacturer terminated development and filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on 25 November 2008. The production may be continued by the new owners who are continuing the Eclipse 500 program.
Diamond D-JET
The D-JET is a composite, five-seat, single-engine jet aircraft produced by Diamond Aircraft Industries. The aircraft is undergoing flight testing, and carries a price tag of approximately US$1.9 M. It cruises at 240 knots, and takes a modest 15 minutes to get to 25,000 feet, the service ceiling.
Cessna Citation Mustang
The Citation Mustang C 510 first flew in April 2005 and received FAA certification in 2006. In standard configuration, it carries four passenger seats in the aft cabin, and seating for two in the cockpit. The Mustang has a MTOW of 8,645 pounds, cruises at 340 knots, and the service ceiling is 41,000 feet.
Hondajet HA-420
The HA-420 HondaJet is Honda’s first aircraft developed for the general aviation market. It made its maiden flight in December 2003 and was made public in July 2005. In July, 2006, Honda announced that it would commercialize the HondaJet, with production to take place in the United States and deliveries to begin in 2011 at a price of approximately US$3.65 M.
The HondaJet sports an unusual over-the-wing podded engine configuration, a fuselage made from lightweight composite materials, and wings made from structurally reinforced single sheets of aluminum to give the aircraft a 30-35% higher fuel efficiency than similar aircraft.
The HondaJet has a MTOW of 9,200 pounds, and seats 1-2 crew and 5 passengers. It cruises at 420 knots, and has a service ceiling of 43,000 feet.
Epic Victory
The Epic Victory was the second experimental jet from Epic Aircraft, prior to its closure in 2009. It seats 4 to 5 including the pilots, and first flew in July 2007. The company had intended that the jet would be available for less than US$1 million dollars. The aircraft’s gross weight is 5,500 pounds, with an economy cruising speed of 250 knots and service ceiling of 28,000 feet.
Production may soon resume following the April 8th 2010 purchase of the assets by LT Builders Group LLC.
Conclusion
With this flurry of activities surrounding the development and production of very light jets, is this the sign of a good or bad economy, or is it something else? The one thing I know for sure is that controllers will enjoy working with these high performance aircraft. High rates of climb and descent will certainly reduce controllers’ stress level in the increasingly busy skies. In part two of the post, I shall include other VLJs competing for the same market. Stay tuned!
Credit: WayneFarleyAviation.com
What Motivates an Air Traffic Controller?
What Motivates an Air Traffic Controller?
On 01.18.11, In Human Factors, by Wayne Farley
Air traffic controlling is rumored to be one of the most stressful jobs on the planet. In many countries, the rewards are not encouraging. Remaining focus on the job is like walking a tightrope. But yet thousands of men and women signup for the job and stay committed to it for years. What is it that brings them to work each day?
What is it that motivate air traffic controllers to work each day? It’s a question that I’ve found myself asking pretty often, even more so that I’m pretty close to the end of my career as a practicing controller. The factors may be wide and varied, but I”ll jump right in and remove money as one them. I’ll probably work for free if I had an alternative means of supporting myself and family. While many controllers earn satisfactory wages, even more do not. Yet, they all have somethings is common: they all show for work, do a fantastic job, and then repeat the cycle on the next shift.
Here is a short list of some of the motivational factors I came up with:
Dynamic Environment
Like many professions, ATC operates in a dynamic environment. The separation standards, phraseology, navigation aids employed, and so on, remain the same, but the weather and the mixture of aircraft differ everyday. Throw in an emergency situation and the job gets even more exciting.
Wired in our DNA as humans, is adventure seeking, forever pushing back the boundaries of the unknown while the adrenaline is flowing. This probably explains why we show up for work. We never know what really lies ahead on any shift, but we are well prepared and anxious to handle it. The reality of what we do differ by the second and sometimes we just cant get enough of it. We would simply get bored if there is no excitement.
Sense of Accomplishment
Many days I’ve left the control tower feeling a sense of purpose, that my existence on Earth is justified. Safely navigating hundreds of aircraft and their occupants into and out of airports pretty much give you a “high”. Yes, ATC employs the use of some of the best tools that money can buy, but their is still the need for humans. The lives of countless passengers are literally in the hands of air traffic controllers everyday, and it’s more than a sense of accomplishment when you have contributed to their safe transit.
Instant Results
Whether instant or slightly delayed, air traffic controllers are obliged the opportunity to plan, issue instructions and see the results instantly. Unlike many professions where you have to wait to see the fruits of your labor, air traffic controllers get to see the their results instantly. The entire process of planning, issuing instructions and getting back results in a very small window of time is one of those driving factors in the lives of controllers. In essence, a controller’s job is a perpetual series of conflict resolutions which yields instant results.
Feeling of Belonging
Have you, as an air traffic controller, ever been asked by a stranger what you do for a living? Whatever direction the conversations was heading, the answer usually takes it on a different path. A combination or respect, admiration and a few more questions ensues. Humans crave belonging, and air traffic controllers are no different. They are motivated by the level of respect and admiration that is hurled at them by people who seem to put them in some kind of elite class. Announcing that you are an air traffic controller is definitely a game changer.
The Perks
I’m not sure how effective this factor is now, but I certainly enjoyed the days when controllers were obliged the privilege of riding in the cockpits. FREE or rebated airline tickets are usually enough keep air traffic controllers motivated in the land that I came from. September 11th certainly put a damper on that aspect of things, but there are still a few perks lying around that controllers enjoy.
Your Turn:
I’d love to hear what keep you going back to the tower, approach office or area control centre like if it’s your first day on the job.
Credit: WayneFarleyAviation.com
Air Traffic Controllers' Salaries
Air Traffic Controllers' Salaries
On 08.12.10, In General, by Wayne Farley
Government officials in Spain are calling Spanish air traffic controllers’ salaries ‘millionaire salaries’ as they announced plans to cut cost in that sector. Usually, air traffic controllers, salaries and millionaire are not bundled together in the same sentence.
Government officials in Spain are calling Spanish air traffic controllers’ salaries ‘millionaire salaries’ as they announced plans to cut the cost of its loss-making state-operated Aeropuertos Españoles y Navegación Aérea (AENA). Usually, air traffic controllers, salaries and millionaire are not bundled together in the same sentence so I had to investigate.
It was revealed that some Spanish air traffic controllers were earning as much as 10 times more than the Prime Minister and 50 times the average Spanish worker salary. Spain’s Prime Minister receives an annual salary of around 92,000 euros, while the average worker earns less than 18,000 euros per year. Here’s what an audit of the controllers’ salaries in 2009 revealed:
- 10 earned between 810,000 and 900,000 euros,
- 226 earned between 450,000 and 540,000 euros,
- 701 earned between 270,000 and 360,000 euros, and
- the average basic salary is 200,000 euros but most double or triple this amount by working overtime.
These Spanish controllers are perhaps the poster boys and girls of this profession. Air traffic controllers everywhere dream of this sort of wages. Personally, I am happy to know that somebody somewhere has acknowledged the worth of air traffic controllers and was prepared to reward them accordingly.
Moving on, it should be noted here that air traffic controlling is perhaps the most stressful job on Earth, earning the title for the snap decisions that are constantly being made to ensure safety in the busy skies above us. We do not have the luxury of second guessing our decisions, and instructions given to pilots must be correct 100 percent of the times. Anything short of this could result in deadly consequences.
So what do the Spanish controllers give in return for their wages? Controllers work 12-hour days made up of two four-hour shifts and two, two-hour rest periods. According to the Spanish government, most do an average of 1,200 hours with 400 hours overtime a year. They must have a degree, speak good English and pass a medical examination. Pretty routine stuff, however, I think the daily hours are way too long, and can give way to fatigue.
By comparison, British air traffic controllers are paid £60,000 to £90,000, U.S. controllers make $90 to $160,000, and the French controllers take home €110,000. That said, I am too ashamed to say what controllers in this part of the world take home.
What salary would be enough to keep you quiet in your profession? Controllers and non-controllers can weigh in here.
Credit: WayneFarleyAviation.com/
13 Characteristics of an Air Traffic Controller
13 Characteristics of an Air Traffic Controller
On 09.07.10, In Human Factors, by Wayne Farley
Air traffic controllers are super humans. Well, almost. Akin to the stripes on a tiger, here are a handful of characteristics that air traffic controllers must possess in order to keep aircraft safe in the skies.
Air traffic controllers are super humans. Well, almost. How else are these professionals able to maintain safety and order in the increasingly busy skies above us? Sure enough, there are tools to help get the job done, but the human element is an important piece of the puzzle and cannot be ignored. Here are a handful of characteristics that air traffic controllers must possess [like the stripes on a tiger] in order to succeed at what they do:
- Spatial awareness – the ability to mentally build a three dimensional picture of where each aircraft is relative to the others and to foresee any potential conflicts is one of many characteristics an air traffic controller must possess.
- Simultaneous capacity – multitasking ranks in the top tier of characteristics that air traffic controllers must possess. Reading instruments, transmitting or receiving and writing simultaneously are just part of the routine of controllers on duty. [Can you rub your tummy and pat your head?]
- Excellent memory – the task of controlling aircraft requires air traffic controllers to remember both distant and recent events, even thought these may be aided by memory joggers. The multiplicity of air traffic control tasks competing for attention can easily interfere with one’s ability to remember. [Controllers are the elephants of the human race]
- Respect for authority and the rules – aviation is a highly regulated industry, which requires adherence to maintain safety. Regulations are the products of many years of industry experience and conventional wisdom and are undoubtedly superior to any single person’s judgment. Having respect for these will be a controller’s greatest asset. [I can almost hear someone saying “that” is a stupid rule]
- Making decisions under pressure – air traffic controllers must think faster than an aircraft can fly if they are to keep safety in the air. Decisions cannot be postponed when working live traffic traveling at speeds as much as 8 miles a minute. Every wasted minute brings conflicting aircraft dangerously close to one another.
- Exercising effective personal authority – the word “control” can only have meaning if air traffic controllers exercise their authority effectively. Being resolute earns a controller respect and gives pilots confidence in his/her ability. [This is not an excuse to exclaim “shut up”]
- Paying attention to details – “never assume, determine” is a phrase that air traffic controllers have repeatedly heard, and is synonymous with getting the details right. Like making quick decisions, the lack or wrong assumption of some detail can lead to dire consequences.
- Visual-motor coordination – try playing a video game without this ability… the result will be a resounding defeat. Controlling air traffic is like a complex video game, except that real lives and millions of dollars worth of aircraft are involved. Radar controllers and aerodrome controllers particularly must rely of visual-motor coordination for observing traffic and issuing instructions accordingly.
- Teamwork skills – a chain is as strong as its weakest link. That said, air traffic controllers must work together like the proverbial chain to maintain the safe and orderly flow of traffic. One blunder in the order can replicate itself throughout the chain. The defense mechanism in place, however, is often sufficient to stymie the development of any problems.
- Tolerance to frustration – this is easier said than done, but controllers cannot allow extraneous issues to interfere with their performance. When a controller enters an ATC unit, he must check all annoyances at the door if he is to carry out the exacting tasks ahead on his watch.
- Emotional stability – emotions almost always clouds one’s judgment, and air traffic controllers must keep these at bay. Like frustrations, emotions must be checked at the door.
- Willingness to accept criticism – an observer on the outside looking in is likely to be at an advantage, and criticism of from him/her should be accepted. It is likely that controllers can achieve the same objective using different methods, so it is wise to accept other points of view. [hmmm…controllers are gods unto themselves]
- Resistance to boredom – boredom leads to complacency. [no more explanation needed here]
The list of characteristics is by no means exhaustive, so tell me what are some other characteristics that an air traffic controller must possess.
Credit: WayneFarleyAviation.com
How to prepare for a career in air traffic control
How to prepare for a career in air traffic control
Want to be an air traffic controller? Here is a list of recommended reading material for candidates worldwide who want to make ATC a career.
Over the years, I have been asked by candidates for the ATC career worldwide for advice on how to prepare for the profession. Conventional wisdom suggests that knowledge is power, so my advice would simply be to read as much aviation related materials that you can access.
At the time that I joined the ATC profession, there were not many resources available and access to the internet was not as common as it is today. That said, potential candidates for the ATC profession today literally have power at the fingertips.
To get started, here are a few things that I recommend you learn about while you wait to begin your ATC journey:
- Aircraft – like the words sheep and furniture, aircraft is both singular and plural. I may be prepared to give people who are not a part of the aviation fraternity a break if they say aircrafts. It is however annoying to hear it coming from the mouth of someone that is already in the aviation profession. While we are on the subject, learn about the classification of aircraft. Aircraft classification is contained in ICAO Annex 7: Aircraft Nationality and Registration Marks.
- ICAO – the International Civil Aviation Organization is the world’s governing body for all civil aviation matters. It is important to learn the history and workings of this body. Countries that are members of ICAO are referred to as contracting states and aviation legislation, regulations and procedure manuals are largely based upon ICAO’sstandards and recommended practices (SARPS).
- Phonetic alphabet – the words that are used in voice communication to enunciate each letter of the alphabet. For example, an aircraft with registration XA-BCD would be referred to in voice communications as xray alpha bravo charlie delta. The alphabet is contained in ICAO Annex 10, Volume II, Chapter 5.
- 4-letter airport indicators – ICAO has developed a uniform standard for identifying airports around the world. These indicators are based on the geographical location. In the USA, for example, all airports that have been assigned a location indicator begin with the letter K. John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York is therefore KJFK. It would be helpful to learn the indicators for the airports in your country and those international location indicators that aircraft operate into from your country. The document that these are contained in is titled Location Indicators, Doc. 7910.
- Aircraft type designators – similar to the location indicators, ICAO has developed a uniform standard for identifying aircraft. These designators have a maximum of four alpha-numeric characters. The designator for a Boeing 737-800 aircraft is B738 and a Citation X is C750. It would be helpful to learn the designators for those aircraft that are common in your jurisdiction. The document that these are contained in is titled Aircraft Type Designators, Doc. 8643.
- Abbreviations and codes – the abbreviations and codes that are used in aviation are contained in ICAO Doc. 8400. The abbreviations and codes contained therin are for worldwide use in the international aeronautical telecommunication service and in aeronautical information documents, as well as uniform abbreviated phraseology for use in pre-flight information bulletins and ATS data link communications.
- Phraseology – there are some basic words and phrases that are used in voice communications that are important to learn. One such word is Roger which means “I have received all of your last transmission.” This list is contained in ICAO Annex 10, Volume II, Chapter 5.
- Navigation aids – there are a number of navigation aids including VOR, ILS, GNSS, RADAR, and ADS-B. It would be useful to learn how these work and together with any other kind of navigational aids that are in use in your country.
- Theory of flight – if you are to control aircraft, it is essential to learn how flight is sustained. What are the four forces acting on an airfoil? This is just one of many questions that will be answered when you read up on the subject.
- Air accident investigations – there are many YouTube videos that you can watch to give you the awareness of the chain of actions that can lead to an incident or accident. Amongst the things that you will gain an insight into are how be behave as humans (Human Factors) and how to mitigate risks.
This is by no means an exhaustive list, but it offers you a fair idea of the journey that you are about to embark upon. If you find any interesting other stuff during your research, please feel free to share.
Want to be an air traffic controller? Here is a list of recommended reading material for candidates worldwide who want to make ATC a career.
Over the years, I have been asked by candidates for the ATC career worldwide for advice on how to prepare for the profession. Conventional wisdom suggests that knowledge is power, so my advice would simply be to read as much aviation related materials that you can access.
At the time that I joined the ATC profession, there were not many resources available and access to the internet was not as common as it is today. That said, potential candidates for the ATC profession today literally have power at the fingertips.
To get started, here are a few things that I recommend you learn about while you wait to begin your ATC journey:
- Aircraft – like the words sheep and furniture, aircraft is both singular and plural. I may be prepared to give people who are not a part of the aviation fraternity a break if they say aircrafts. It is however annoying to hear it coming from the mouth of someone that is already in the aviation profession. While we are on the subject, learn about the classification of aircraft. Aircraft classification is contained in ICAO Annex 7: Aircraft Nationality and Registration Marks.
- ICAO – the International Civil Aviation Organization is the world’s governing body for all civil aviation matters. It is important to learn the history and workings of this body. Countries that are members of ICAO are referred to as contracting states and aviation legislation, regulations and procedure manuals are largely based upon ICAO’sstandards and recommended practices (SARPS).
- Phonetic alphabet – the words that are used in voice communication to enunciate each letter of the alphabet. For example, an aircraft with registration XA-BCD would be referred to in voice communications as xray alpha bravo charlie delta. The alphabet is contained in ICAO Annex 10, Volume II, Chapter 5.
- 4-letter airport indicators – ICAO has developed a uniform standard for identifying airports around the world. These indicators are based on the geographical location. In the USA, for example, all airports that have been assigned a location indicator begin with the letter K. John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York is therefore KJFK. It would be helpful to learn the indicators for the airports in your country and those international location indicators that aircraft operate into from your country. The document that these are contained in is titled Location Indicators, Doc. 7910.
- Aircraft type designators – similar to the location indicators, ICAO has developed a uniform standard for identifying aircraft. These designators have a maximum of four alpha-numeric characters. The designator for a Boeing 737-800 aircraft is B738 and a Citation X is C750. It would be helpful to learn the designators for those aircraft that are common in your jurisdiction. The document that these are contained in is titled Aircraft Type Designators, Doc. 8643.
- Abbreviations and codes – the abbreviations and codes that are used in aviation are contained in ICAO Doc. 8400. The abbreviations and codes contained therin are for worldwide use in the international aeronautical telecommunication service and in aeronautical information documents, as well as uniform abbreviated phraseology for use in pre-flight information bulletins and ATS data link communications.
- Phraseology – there are some basic words and phrases that are used in voice communications that are important to learn. One such word is Roger which means “I have received all of your last transmission.” This list is contained in ICAO Annex 10, Volume II, Chapter 5.
- Navigation aids – there are a number of navigation aids including VOR, ILS, GNSS, RADAR, and ADS-B. It would be useful to learn how these work and together with any other kind of navigational aids that are in use in your country.
- Theory of flight – if you are to control aircraft, it is essential to learn how flight is sustained. What are the four forces acting on an airfoil? This is just one of many questions that will be answered when you read up on the subject.
- Air accident investigations – there are many YouTube videos that you can watch to give you the awareness of the chain of actions that can lead to an incident or accident. Amongst the things that you will gain an insight into are how be behave as humans (Human Factors) and how to mitigate risks.
This is by no means an exhaustive list, but it offers you a fair idea of the journey that you are about to embark upon. If you find any interesting other stuff during your research, please feel free to share.
Credit: WayneFarleyAviation.com
Saturday, 17 September 2016
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