tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-55860679305110906412024-03-17T23:03:02.183-04:00What's a Flight Officer?Don't ask questions, just go with it...What's a Flight Officer?http://www.blogger.com/profile/07715660494939221116noreply@blogger.comBlogger115125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5586067930511090641.post-75373676165361796712012-03-19T18:07:00.000-04:002012-03-19T18:07:30.768-04:00#pilotlogicAre we having fun yet? I sure was! And why not, aviation is fun. And that's what its meant to be. <br />
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Today I am announcing that I will be stepping away from WAFO? to take part with my friend Mike Vanhoy in the next generation of flying blog. This blog is <a href="http://pilotlogic.blogspot.com/">#pilotlogic</a>. It's about the art of flying through the eyes of young professionals. <br />
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Many of my favorite features will be migrating with me to #pilotlogic. Features such as Teaching From The Tube and Recommended Reading will now be featured on #pilotlogic. We also plan to show videos and share stories as we make our journey through careers in aviation. <br />
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Thanks for all the support over the years! I'll see you over there<br />
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-Colin J. Fischer, PilotUnknownnoreply@blogger.com44tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5586067930511090641.post-8985091267965940682012-02-15T10:52:00.000-05:002012-02-15T10:52:24.615-05:00Shuttles Discovery and Atlantis Final Power Down<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg41vrG2ubaTbEZkK25PW4ol9Q_-nng1fbTRplQ9JF8K6QUE1SxQBdzVys5zDOoFhTis1VocEznS6MthW7GYTs3dEGzdkvnmvtSGBWBSJ8J_se1zoAAYjBFcl-u1t2kl7ZXdY64o2y3chCm/s1600/Space_Shuttle_Discovery(1).png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg41vrG2ubaTbEZkK25PW4ol9Q_-nng1fbTRplQ9JF8K6QUE1SxQBdzVys5zDOoFhTis1VocEznS6MthW7GYTs3dEGzdkvnmvtSGBWBSJ8J_se1zoAAYjBFcl-u1t2kl7ZXdY64o2y3chCm/s320/Space_Shuttle_Discovery(1).png" width="320" /></a>NASA announced today that <i>Discovery </i>and <i>Atlantis </i>were <a href="http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/flyout/powerdown.html">powered down for the final time</a> in preparation for their eventual display in Washington and Cape Canaveral respectively. Both of the orbiters went through a power-on procedure to retract their Ku-band antennas and robotic arm. <br />
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The end of the Space Shuttle era is bittersweet - the Shuttle allowed space travel to become relatively common place by opening up space travel to more than just military test pilots. The Shuttle pioneered new technologies such as the MMU, and long-duration power supplies for the Space Station and eventual flights to the Moon and Mars. The Shuttle was also a victim of its own success, suffering 14 casualties during its tenure as America's Manned Space Program. Regardless, the Shuttle was still an engineering marvel, and she performed her mission well. Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5586067930511090641.post-57219212354416391452012-02-14T18:08:00.002-05:002012-02-14T18:13:15.733-05:00NASA Reveals FY 2013 Budget<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuFPOh_4llyeWxniarxKcTacak57GrCOPrFcQSkrlQKkVSreUkhn11RTKXVaHlkK9oURQdBTcy9A1691VrNAp9dveI9w23InV-T2D6S6w-C3viNb77h2VwRZvJMOZktawrE2B7G_JaKZNt/s1600/NASA_Logo.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuFPOh_4llyeWxniarxKcTacak57GrCOPrFcQSkrlQKkVSreUkhn11RTKXVaHlkK9oURQdBTcy9A1691VrNAp9dveI9w23InV-T2D6S6w-C3viNb77h2VwRZvJMOZktawrE2B7G_JaKZNt/s320/NASA_Logo.gif" width="320" /></a></div>
Corresponding with the President's 2013 budget proposal, NASA unveiled its vision for the next fiscal year. Overall, the agency is receiving a $59 million cut. The FY '13 budget has a larger sum of monies being sent to Human spaceflight initiatives and space technologies. This comes at the cost to robotic missions. NASA is going to drop out of the ExoMars Mission (as reported by Space.com). Earth Sciences missions, however are also seeing an increase in funding. Additionally, the James Webb Space Telescope is likely to survive to launch. <br />
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Here is NASA's video explaining the new budget (don't expect any statistics):<br />
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<script src="http://cdn-akm.vmixcore.com/vmixcore/js?auto_play=0&cc_default_off=1&player_name=uvp&width=512&height=332&player_id=1aa0b90d7d31305a75d7fa03bc403f5a&t=V0GYT2JNxsJkp4xV-KqkRvCczf8g_qHUGS" type="text/javascript">
</script>
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<a href="http://www.space.com/14551-nasa-budget-2013-request-obama-mars.html">Space.com also breaks this down pretty well. </a><i><b><br /></b></i><br />
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<i><b>Commentary:</b></i><br />
<br />
<i>What I like: </i><br />
<ol>
<li>Increased funding for human spaceflight, so the US may close the gap between the Shuttle and the first launch of the SLS.</li>
<li>Increased funding for Commercial Spaceflight.</li>
<li>Increased funding for Earth Sciences.</li>
</ol>
<i>What I Don't Like: </i><br />
<ol>
<li>Overall decreased funding.</li>
<li>Reduced funding for robotic missions.</li>
<li>Lack of a clear commitment and concrete direction for the agency (beyond development of SLS).</li>
</ol>
This budget is pretty much what I expected to see from the administration in an election year. The President can claim that he's increasing funding to human spaceflight, while driving down the cost of the agency overall. The theme of reducing NASA's budget has been talked about by GOP candidates as well, including Mitt Romney and Newt Gingrich. <br />
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The economics of space have been pretty well studied. The heyday of Apollo is the most often quoted figure, where $14.00 was returned for every $1.00 spent. I don't have figures for today, but I would imagine that the return on investment is somewhere around $7-$10.00 per $1.00 spent. <br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5586067930511090641.post-31935410176544326512012-02-14T14:37:00.000-05:002012-02-14T17:04:23.611-05:00Beechcraft AT-6 Aircraft launches a Laser Guided MissleBeechcraft has been developing the AT-6 aircraft and announced today that the aircraft became the <a href="http://newsroom.hawkerbeechcraft.com/news/beechcraft-at-6-becomes-first-fixed-wing-aircraft-to-employ-laser-guided-rockets/">first fixed wing vehicle to launch a laser-guided missile</a>. In case you are not familiar with the AT-6, here is a video put out by Aviation Week<br />
<iframe frameborder="0" height="307" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://video.aviationweek.com/linking/index.jsp?skin=oneclip&ehv=http://www.aviationweek.com/aw/video/&fr_story=3e1f1a09b315fefd1e4c906de41b0bf1c0b25498&rf=ev&hl=true" width="482"></iframe><br />
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This is a good example of using existing technologies to develop a new capability. The COTS technologies also make it potentially easy to maintain. However, given the cost of training pilots and maintainers, it is unlikely that this aircraft will be fielded before the expected pull out of troops from Afghanistan next year. What's a Flight Officer?http://www.blogger.com/profile/07715660494939221116noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5586067930511090641.post-67872853218036709802012-02-10T08:39:00.006-05:002012-02-10T08:49:40.247-05:00Swiss pilots try new ATC Procedures<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLcsM5GfNjj_qEHrpyZN10NRF6wMCFkdKxrG1vfrg9ZPUZ9hA1Jqzx8SxNVmK3GRKqHB6ofu58t3NivvpQLPedYzwfqojqqfp55q2sMRe1yTN7AtTJ2bJHyWKIVPoh1_ZaJIwMvzOa7MI/s1600/swiss-air.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLcsM5GfNjj_qEHrpyZN10NRF6wMCFkdKxrG1vfrg9ZPUZ9hA1Jqzx8SxNVmK3GRKqHB6ofu58t3NivvpQLPedYzwfqojqqfp55q2sMRe1yTN7AtTJ2bJHyWKIVPoh1_ZaJIwMvzOa7MI/s320/swiss-air.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5707502954771593810" border="0" /></a>I discovered <a href="http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/swiss-pilots-trial-do-it-yourself-atc-368031/">this piece of news</a> about a Swiss flight that used a new ATC technology that allows pilots to provide their own separation services while on an instrument flight plan.<br /><br />I'll admit that I'm not all that familiar with oceanic ATC procedures, but what drew me to this was more the implications for the FAA's NextGen Airspace. From what I understand of the program, the FAA intends to automate much of the en-route ATC system, and this appears to be a step in that direction. If this is successful, I can eventually see the system being included first on Airliners, and eventually (like TCAS) all IFR-certified aircraft will have this system. It also has implications for the proliferation of UAS into the national airspace, as UAS pilots can have a clearer situational awareness of surrounding traffic and maneuver around them. We have yet to discover how reliable this system is, but it certainly shows great promise.What's a Flight Officer?http://www.blogger.com/profile/07715660494939221116noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5586067930511090641.post-6087551155397245342012-02-09T10:09:00.002-05:002012-02-14T17:04:29.232-05:00Wright Bros Building may be Condemned<a href="http://news.yahoo.com/ohio-building-ties-wright-brothers-eroding-022639560.html">This </a>came across my desk today and wanted to pass it along. A building in Ohio that once was used by the Wright Brothers is decaying and may be demolished. Certainly, it will be a sad day in aviation if this happens. Fortunately, a group of citizens is trying to save it by renovating and improving it. If they can't then the safety of the surrounding community is paramount.What's a Flight Officer?http://www.blogger.com/profile/07715660494939221116noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5586067930511090641.post-33302463591136947272012-02-08T09:50:00.003-05:002012-02-08T10:08:04.669-05:0012 in '12: FAA Re-Authorization Bill to open airspace to drones<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYWY5E429FNn_yaRGj94CT4meuheOVkB5sJpEMn2bhRyk_rcVbIO264fym6g4A4RYVg4ZpeK4___f8RlupqLyqzHpmgfCUORqgahTqpOaeIvX44E-ROpLFARN1HqGU7o8Xkg2x_I4282g/s1600/FAA.gif"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 217px; height: 224px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYWY5E429FNn_yaRGj94CT4meuheOVkB5sJpEMn2bhRyk_rcVbIO264fym6g4A4RYVg4ZpeK4___f8RlupqLyqzHpmgfCUORqgahTqpOaeIvX44E-ROpLFARN1HqGU7o8Xkg2x_I4282g/s320/FAA.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5706779475287005538" border="0" /></a>The recently-passed FAA re-authorization bill <a href="http://www.flyingmag.com/news/congress-open-us-skies-drones-three-years">mandates that UAS integrate into the US Airspace within 3 years</a>. This is a major victory for UAS manufacturers who will be seeing a major decline in sales now that the Iraq war is over and Afghanistan is winding down.<br /><br />In 2009, the FAA's re-authorization mandated full integration of UAS into the national airspace in five years (2014). However, three years later there is still no published progress in this area. As is well known, the biggest hinderance to integration is the lack of a capable see-and-avoid system so UAS can avoid colliding with other aircraft. This could be solved by mandating the use of an IFF/TCAS system on all aircraft, or having all UAS fly on an instrument flight plan. However, neither of these solutions are plausible in the current airspace environment. An instrument flight plan works well for a Predator- or Global Hawk-sized aircraft. For smaller vehicles such as Shadow 200s, Ravens or other small UAS will likely make up the majority of the national UAS fleet do not carry transponders, and the missions they will perform will be locally launched, locally operated. Additionally, there aren't enough controllers to handle the added workload of so many UAS operating in their airspace on local missions. <br /><br />The only difference between now and 2009 is that the US drawdown overseas is closing or severely limiting the UAS market in the military. Therefore, its politically expedient to open UAS operations in the national airspace so a new business sector can open up. This will allow the UAS industry to keep production levels, and limit layoffs. These are important political tools in the ongoing recession.What's a Flight Officer?http://www.blogger.com/profile/07715660494939221116noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5586067930511090641.post-48917095441299879142012-02-08T09:27:00.003-05:002012-02-08T09:45:58.798-05:0012 in '12: China's role in the JSF's Costs<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin-RdooYIsAO4qDr7MEb1lanR8fxUoAsJIP2qH4MjK6L3qiOQhq4XoXvnEXlCkMQOp1c8r9Mfa2dFFsXNdZGqA9dt0hYqdcsogtwCS5rLuNMjoGipGeY7pOw-9A-odQxrQHdeasGd554k/s1600/AIR_F-35A_Frontal_ATK_lg.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 275px; height: 220px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin-RdooYIsAO4qDr7MEb1lanR8fxUoAsJIP2qH4MjK6L3qiOQhq4XoXvnEXlCkMQOp1c8r9Mfa2dFFsXNdZGqA9dt0hYqdcsogtwCS5rLuNMjoGipGeY7pOw-9A-odQxrQHdeasGd554k/s320/AIR_F-35A_Frontal_ATK_lg.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5706772026706250738" border="0" /></a><br />Aviation Week is running a <a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=5586067930511090641">story </a>on China's role in the ever increasing costs of the Joint Strike Fighter. The story asserts that cyber-spying by Chinese hackers has lead to multiple re-designs of critical system. <br /><br />Of course, spying on US Defense projects is nothing new. During the Cold War, the Soviet Union spied extensively on US projects (as did the US), and was even able to exactly copy certain designs such as the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tupolev_Tu-4">B-29</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/XB-70">XB-70 Valkyrie Bomber</a> and some even assert that the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antonov_An-124">C-5 Galaxy</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space_Shuttle_Buran">Space Shuttle</a> and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TU-144">Concorde </a>designs were also stolen. <br /><br />So, this is nothing new. The only thing new is that its a lot easier to steal plans from companies due to the proliferation of the Internet. In the 20th Century, spies had to make copies of designs and then covertly transfer them to the interested nation. Today, even though companies now have internal intranets that can house their proprietary and classified designs, I'm fairly certain that a hacker can get into these intranets by finding the right computer. Therefore, I believe that anti-espionage efforts have always been a part of fighter design. The proliferation of cyber spying has only increased their frequency.What's a Flight Officer?http://www.blogger.com/profile/07715660494939221116noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5586067930511090641.post-4338912223534024662012-02-07T17:20:00.007-05:002012-02-07T17:56:36.690-05:0012 in '12: Northrop Grumman fighting Global Hawk Block 30 Cancellation<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX8IH9HJB8KK1k_jaRBikJ7ZeMkvPKDrEQzhldNhuaGvx5qykZkf2zpplvWMdkrCcnCkdoVhe3T4z8UKSJYiabAOstJjxi2bTbI2J2SFR0siUI6wdu82tv1FnvDXt671ewTTciMmUPR2g/s1600/991973b.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 226px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX8IH9HJB8KK1k_jaRBikJ7ZeMkvPKDrEQzhldNhuaGvx5qykZkf2zpplvWMdkrCcnCkdoVhe3T4z8UKSJYiabAOstJjxi2bTbI2J2SFR0siUI6wdu82tv1FnvDXt671ewTTciMmUPR2g/s320/991973b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5706523635116337746" border="0" /></a>As previously reported, the Air Force wants to cut the Block 30 Global Hawks as part of their ongoing budget cuts. Since this budget is not yet official, only a proposal, <a href="http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/northrop-grumman-fights-rq-4-block-30-cancellation-threat-367533/">Northrop Grumman is challenging their cancellation</a>. Although the Air Force has reported that the aircraft cannot perform reliably, and that the U-2 fleet is now cheaper to maintain by at least an order of magnitude. As Flight Global reports, Northrop is maintaining that the USAF's methodology is flawed.<br /><br style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Commentary</span>:</span><br />I understand why Northrop would want to fight this. Asian and European nations have expressed an interest in the GlobalHawk platform, and any negative press from the Air Force can negatively impact that expected procurement. However, I believe it when the Air Force says that the aircraft is having issues accomplishing its mission, and I also believe that their projections of costs are accurate. In my day job I work with UAS. They are a great tool for both tactical intelligence, and science acheivement. However, the cost of operating a small UAS per hour is equal to a larger general aviation aircraft (such as a BE-55). Therefore, the reported $4,000 difference between the U-2 and RQ-4 is believable. Additionally, the U-2 is bought and paid for several times over, whereas the RQ-4 is less than a decade old.<br /><br />In my <a href="http://whats-a-flight-officer.blogspot.com/2012/02/12-in-12-usaf-to-cut-5-10-squadrons.html">previous commentary</a>, I only asserted that cutting a UAS capability is a bad idea. This was before I realized that this did not impact the Block 40 Global Hawk. The Block 40 Global Hawk is a much improved aircraft with a new sensor package, and designed to fit US Navy and Marines requirements as well as Air Force. This new capability increases interchangeability among the services and keeps costs down while allowing the US to maintain its UAS lead.<br /><br />Northrop has every right to protest this sale, but the expected procurement of the now-inter-service Block 40 Global Hawk lessens the sting of this cut.What's a Flight Officer?http://www.blogger.com/profile/07715660494939221116noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5586067930511090641.post-7148232491554041322012-02-02T16:32:00.005-05:002012-02-02T16:49:28.347-05:0012 in '12: USAF reveals details on budget cuts<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2slCIblrhfjHWVG93RRow1WsJf2_FIT0w-eRWF7RsebFmEDKGepZsiegr4JLAQANKS_JKPdZ05E1DpTpmGnoMEpa6l-5fsRuFsNeUea7ZH_zZfEzpuD2z7XkwSHhMf1-cNs10BT76Onc/s1600/300px-A-10_Thunderbolt_II_In-flight-2.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 161px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2slCIblrhfjHWVG93RRow1WsJf2_FIT0w-eRWF7RsebFmEDKGepZsiegr4JLAQANKS_JKPdZ05E1DpTpmGnoMEpa6l-5fsRuFsNeUea7ZH_zZfEzpuD2z7XkwSHhMf1-cNs10BT76Onc/s320/300px-A-10_Thunderbolt_II_In-flight-2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5704657038416202994" border="0" /></a><br />Aviation Week is now running an <a href="http://www.aviationweek.com/aw/generic/story.jsp?id=news/awx/2012/02/02/awx_02_02_2012_p0-420642.xml&headline=U.S.%20Air%20Force%20Reveals%20Budget%20Cut%20Details&channel=defense">article </a>that outlines the Air Force's plan to reduce its forces. The cuts include:<br /><ol><li>123 Fighters (102 A-10s and 21 older F-16s)<br /></li><li>133 Airlifters<br /></li><li>11 RC-26 Metroliners</li><li>18 RQ-4 Global Hawk Block 30s (as <a href="http://whats-a-flight-officer.blogspot.com/2012/02/12-in-12-usaf-to-cut-5-10-squadrons.html">previously reported</a>)<br /></li><li>9,900 Personnel (5,100 ANG, 3,900 AD, and 900 Reserves)</li><li>Additional cuts to state-level funding through manpower or equipment changes</li></ol>The rationale for these cuts are to enable the Air Force to mobilze quickly as needed and provide air superiority in any engagement. The force is not cutting the F-35 or the expected procurement of Block 40 GlobalHawks. Additionally, the USAF will move to 115 Associate Units (up from the current 100), and transition ANG units to Unmanned Systems.<br /><br />I don't have a commentary on this now, but refer to my last post for my thoughts on cutting the A-10 capabilities.What's a Flight Officer?http://www.blogger.com/profile/07715660494939221116noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5586067930511090641.post-7535686345770131692012-02-02T09:01:00.008-05:002012-02-02T10:05:25.582-05:0012 in '12: USAF to cut 5 A-10 Squadrons; Block 30 Global Hawk is cut<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiZUbyDPOy_-wD7PQKShEuN2a79KeZmTPThJ6RZWK-jShrhTw53DxxpH6A-rPBdVfrV0SK_QULiFJnyLsCd2hJTm565LvIY2ptGJqCmLKI33jf8P68ziE3tiATPsBq_KPJaf8wu88Q5bY/s1600/300px-A-10_Thunderbolt_II_In-flight-2.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 161px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiZUbyDPOy_-wD7PQKShEuN2a79KeZmTPThJ6RZWK-jShrhTw53DxxpH6A-rPBdVfrV0SK_QULiFJnyLsCd2hJTm565LvIY2ptGJqCmLKI33jf8P68ziE3tiATPsBq_KPJaf8wu88Q5bY/s320/300px-A-10_Thunderbolt_II_In-flight-2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5704538818946261522" border="0" /></a><br />Continuing our eye on Aviation Week's 12 stories to watch in 2012, the first aviation casualties in the dwindling defense budget have been announced. Several news stories are announcing that <a href="http://www.airforcetimes.com/news/2012/01/airforce-5-a10-squadrons-cut-013012/">5 A-10 squadrons are to be cut</a>. One Active Duty Squadron, One AF Reserve Squadron, and Three ANG Squadrons. Which squadrons will be deactivated or transitioned to a new aircraft are not outlined. The stated objective is to replace these aircraft with the new F-35 JSF, as it is believed that this aircraft has a larger multi-role capability than the current A-10. <br /><br />Additionally, the article above, reports that the Block 30 GlobalHawk UAS is also going to be placed on the chopping block, in favor of a more agile military force. Aviation week, however, is reporting that the Air Force is completely cutting the <a href="http://www.aviationweek.com/aw/generic/story.jsp?topicName=unmanned&id=news/awx/2012/01/24/awx_01_24_2012_p0-417750.xml&headline=U.S.%20Air%20Force%20to%20Kill%20Global%20Hawk%20UAV&channel=&from=topicalreports">GlobalHawk program in favor of extending the U-2</a>. WAFO will continue to monitor these and other stories to bring you the final results.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Commentary: </span><br />Lets start with the A-10. Its a mistake because the aircraft is already incredibly versatile and has proven itself in combat several times over. Like the Air Force's current fighter fleet, the aircraft was designed with a Soviet-style menace in mind; notably as a counter to Soviet or Warsaw-Pact tanks crossing the Iron Curtain in Germany. As it turns out, however, the aircraft is also really good at killing terrorists and insurgents. Additionally, the aircraft has been configured for, and successfully tested or demonstrated, a number of additional roles including (but not limited to):<br /><ol><li>Forward Observation and Patrol</li><li>Disaster Recovery Operations</li><li>Reconnaissance<br /></li><li>Air-to-Air Combat</li></ol>As a versatile aircraft for CONUS-based units, it's already on-par with the F-35, and much cheaper to maintain when compared to the already-over-budget JSF. Sure, it will likely loose in a dogfight against an air superiority fighter. Realistically, however, the Guard and Reserve will likely only use Air-to-Air in CONUS in the event of another 9/11 where shooting down a hijacked airliner may be necessary. In-theater, guard and reserve units will have the benefit of active-duty squadrons watching their backs and providing the necessary Air-to-Air capabilities that are needed. Guard and Reserve missions in CONUS will likely be more on the lines of Katrina/Rita recovery, requiring an aircraft that can fly efficiently at low altitudes and carry a multitude of sensors. The A-10 has already demonstrated this.<br /><br />We should also remember that this has all happened before. The A-10 is neither sleek, nor sexy, nor stealthy, meaning that it doesn't fit the image that the Air Force has of itself. It's designed for close air support of US forces on the ground instead of either air superiority or supply. The aircraft was supposed to be phased out in both the 1980s and the 1990s, but each time the Army decided it wanted the aircraft, forcing the Air Force to keep it in its roster. Hopefully, this gets changed either congressionally or by the Air Force itself.<br /><br />Regarding the GlobalHawk, I can understand why the Air Force wants to cut at least the Block 30 model. Afterall, an internal USAF study found that the aircraft in its current form is "<a href="http://www.aviationweek.com/aw/generic/story.jsp?topicName=unmanned&id=news/asd/2011/06/06/01.xml&headline=Testers%20Find%20Limitations%20For%20Global%20Hawk&channel=&from=topicalreports">unable to completely and reliably perform the high-altitude imagery and signals intelligence collection missions for which it is designed</a>". I would rather focus on my current aircraft, and continually upgrade them until they can perform the mission. But, since we don't have the SR-71 anymore, real-time reconaissance capabilities will be lacking if placed solely on the U-2. (The only reason the SR-71 flew so high and so fast was to avoid it being shot down and their pilots captured, with an unmanned system we don't have that worry). This was discovered during the first Gulf War when General Norman Schwarzkopf had a lack of reliable intelligence, only to find out later an SR-71 could have performed the job and given him what he needed. Global Hawks or an equivalent system supplementing the U-2 is the right way to go.What's a Flight Officer?http://www.blogger.com/profile/07715660494939221116noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5586067930511090641.post-48194526889925260202012-01-30T12:40:00.004-05:002012-01-30T13:05:03.336-05:00Teaching from the Tube: Lead like the Great ConductorsTeaching from the Tube was one of my favorite features on the old What's a Flight Officer, so I've decided to continue it into the new WAFO?<br /><br />I came across this video a few weeks back and thought it had some good lessons for what pilots can do as leaders. Please take the 1/2 hour to watch it:<br /><br /><iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/R9g3Q-qvtss" allowfullscreen="" width="560" frameborder="0" height="315"></iframe><br /><br />So here's the lesson I believe: Don't be overpowering as a leader, let your team do their jobs. As pilots, or flightcrew, we are taught the importance of Crew Resource Management. We've spoken about this previously in other posts. Sully Sullenberger used CRM to successfully land in the Hudson. Other pilots have used it successfully in situations that are beyond their training and averted total disaster. This is a documented fact time and time again.<br /><br />Now, I am not suggesting that an orchestra is in a life-and-death situation like the above situations. However, the same approach that Leonard Berstein took in the last clip is similar to what Sullenberger used to secure his airplane: he trusted his team do their jobs. He gave the emergency procedures to his FO because the FO was more familiar with them. He trusted his flight attendants to prepare the cabin for a water landing. He only communicated with the cabin once, but made sure that he was working in-concert with his FO on the flight deck.<br /><br />We also see in this talk that while Conductors may open up the music to their orchestra, they will also exercise the authority over their players as needed. This is also important for flight teams to understand: <span style="font-style: italic;">"As the Captain I know you're professionals and so trust you to do your jobs, but if I see something I don't like I will step in and correct it". </span>The authority is there, and can be exercised.<br /><br />I do think the best example of this type of leadership is in the last clip. In case you didn't follow my directions, Here it is again:<br /><br /><iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/xIv6ZkiJHcM" allowfullscreen="" width="560" frameborder="0" height="315"></iframe><br /><br />Do you see what Leonard Bernstein is doing? He's stepping in only occasionally to inform his orchestra, but otherwise he is letting them do their jobs.What's a Flight Officer?http://www.blogger.com/profile/07715660494939221116noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5586067930511090641.post-91435848269181830812012-01-30T12:31:00.000-05:002012-01-30T12:35:09.580-05:00Biting off more than you can chewThe Naval Safety Center published a wonderful <a href="http://navylive.dodlive.mil/index.php/2012/01/30/biting-off-more-than-you-can-chew/">article </a>today on safety. <br />I won't rehash it - just read it.What's a Flight Officer?http://www.blogger.com/profile/07715660494939221116noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5586067930511090641.post-67961690493008932002012-01-26T16:43:00.002-05:002012-01-26T16:49:56.121-05:0026 Alien PlanetsI saw an article on Space.com today that NASA has discovered <a href="http://www.space.com/14371-26-alien-planets-nasa-kepler-spacecraft.html">26 alien planets orbiting 11 different stars</a>. Remember when it was special just to find one extra-solar planet three times the size of Jupiter?<br /><br />Unfortunately, scientists can't tell us yet which planets are rocky or just gas giants. But the odds of finding a planet that can support life is increasing. These planets were found by staring at a stretch of the night sky "the size of your fist". The law of probablility tells us that there are potentially millions of planets in our Galaxy. The law of probability can be taken one step further to say that there are potentially thousands of planets like our own. Either revalation is stunning.What's a Flight Officer?http://www.blogger.com/profile/07715660494939221116noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5586067930511090641.post-8137191079752602232012-01-23T17:20:00.004-05:002012-01-23T18:07:44.100-05:0012 in '12Aviation Week online has a good <a href="http://www.aviationweek.com/aw/generic/story.jsp?id=news/awst/2012/01/23/AW_01_23_2012_p46-411545.xml&headline=12%20Topics%20To%20Watch%20in%202012&channel=awst">story </a>identifying the 12 major aviation stories to watch in 2012.<br /><br /><br />I agree with this list - but I would also add NASA's Orion to this list. Although she's not scheduled to fly until at least 2014 depending on funding - keeping track of her progress will be interesting.<br /><br /><br />Also - LIKE us on facebook!What's a Flight Officer?http://www.blogger.com/profile/07715660494939221116noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5586067930511090641.post-65080699709032724302012-01-23T10:20:00.005-05:002012-01-23T18:13:34.022-05:00100th Post<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8MpeD7-faBkBmiKge0M9iqcjy8QbrRC-ho8g_91aTls5lgJ1J2cpiah2wisuEfnWOtxGGuXQ__JJH48eNC2VLuQ_SMg6J5bTjTogCTtSBQjsoaeNPA8coZ_FfiZLMCRYrsGFg_3pF8ss/s1600/WAFO.jpeg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 103px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8MpeD7-faBkBmiKge0M9iqcjy8QbrRC-ho8g_91aTls5lgJ1J2cpiah2wisuEfnWOtxGGuXQ__JJH48eNC2VLuQ_SMg6J5bTjTogCTtSBQjsoaeNPA8coZ_FfiZLMCRYrsGFg_3pF8ss/s320/WAFO.jpeg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5700969546239451058" border="0" /></a><br />Okay - so I handed over control and nothing has happened on here. So I took it back.<br /><br />Firstly, Happy Belated 70th to Civil Air Patrol. Semper Vigilans<br /><br />I was not a member for the festivities. A lot has happened in the last year. I have started a new job that has since taken me away from CAP, so I've let my membership expire. One day I will return, but not today.<br /><br />As a result of these changes, What's a Flight Officer will be re-branding itself into an aviation-centric blog as opposed to the niche market of CAP. 2012 promises to be a revolutionary year for aviation: FAA Next Gen, UAS integration, Commercial Space and potential fielding of the F-35 by the USAF.<br /><br />For now, we'll be keeping the What's a Flight Officer moniker, but a rebranding of this sort sometimes calls for a new name.<br /><br />Stay tuned!What's a Flight Officer?http://www.blogger.com/profile/07715660494939221116noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5586067930511090641.post-21930585304222340422010-11-01T21:30:00.001-04:002010-11-01T21:31:33.195-04:00Change of Command: Official DateThe official change-of-command will take place on December 1, 2010.What's a Flight Officer?http://www.blogger.com/profile/07715660494939221116noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5586067930511090641.post-67952650551851012642010-09-10T20:51:00.003-04:002010-09-10T20:54:53.863-04:00Change-of-CommandIt is with a heavy heart that I must announce that I will be stepping down from posting on "What's a Flight Officer?" at a yet to be determined date. <br /><br />I have found a suitable replacement for the site, and I will be turning over control of this blog to him. I will occasionally make posts or musings as I see fit, but my era of posting has come to an end.<br /><br />Expect one more post from me before the official change over. <br /><br />Thanks to everyone who read and listened over the years. It's been fun.What's a Flight Officer?http://www.blogger.com/profile/07715660494939221116noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5586067930511090641.post-78506376726598636272010-03-28T16:57:00.007-04:002010-03-28T21:37:58.773-04:00Recommended Reading: Better: A Surgeon's Notes on Performance<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglmWtBhuDJnzKd4K-CPShCNCJ8u08_C4AczGJohx1bimiaEzAsQMJme__S6AnhjNohq9ZE75FJS_Ovm4B4dfICqo0214Dh2DRWXCSsUfhmFADRQ69IlXNWwBiSwsu25OJ0ORZpN8vsCWg/s1600/419hbCB1w6L._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-sticker-arrow-click,TopRight,35,-76_AA300_SH20_OU01_.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 202px; height: 202px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglmWtBhuDJnzKd4K-CPShCNCJ8u08_C4AczGJohx1bimiaEzAsQMJme__S6AnhjNohq9ZE75FJS_Ovm4B4dfICqo0214Dh2DRWXCSsUfhmFADRQ69IlXNWwBiSwsu25OJ0ORZpN8vsCWg/s320/419hbCB1w6L._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-sticker-arrow-click,TopRight,35,-76_AA300_SH20_OU01_.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5453802496341191698" border="0" /></a><br />I was standing in the airport the other day on my way home from out west. The flight was going to be long, late, and just about the only saving grace I could find was that my Human Resources director had given me a first-class ticket ("free drinks <span style="font-style: italic;">and </span>a hot meal!" I thought). As I perused the book store trying to pass the time, my eye caught an image of a surgeon gloving up on a peculiar silver cover. I'm a fan of "House" and recently have passed the late nights with re-runs of "ER", so I was interested. I was pleasantly surprised to see it was non-fiction and when I read the title I knew I had a winner: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Better-Surgeons-Performance-Atul-Gawande/dp/0805082115">Better: A Surgeon's Notes on Performance</a> by Atul Gawande.<br /><br />I quickly snatched it up, went back to the terminal and began reading it. Although this is a book about medicine, the profession of piloting is similar. Both are high-risk, complex professions that require years of study and attention to detail before one can even be considered passable, let alone good. Also, Captain Sullenberger made it a point in his book to tell how aviation had influenced other professions, including medicine. Maybe, just maybe a young pilot could learn something from a surgeon. I most certainly did.<br /><br />Again, this is a book about medicine. But it has a single underlying theme: performance with the tools you have is at least if not more important than the tools themselves. Divided into three sections detailing aspects of performance, the book recounts trials and errors where the little things or changes in procedures worked miracles or made things worse. The sections, Dilligence, Doing Right and Ingenuity, are each sub-divided into further sections focusing on individual accounts. Stories like "Washing Hands", "Casualties of War" and "The Score" are the ones I found to relate most to what I do as a Pilot, and as a Civil Air Patrol Officer.<br /><br />"Washing Hands" is about the struggle to get doctors to stay sanitary in hospital environments. The lesson here is that even something so simple as washing hands can prevent large-scale disasters down the line. In instrument training, it would be equivalent to "small corrections now saves big corrections later". It also relates to things on the flightline: wear your earplugs and eye protection when you can, fill out the logbooks as detailed as possible, pack your gear away when you're done using it, and secure the airplane properly upon conclusion of a sortie.<br /><br />"The Score" shows how the Apgar score used to rate newborns resulted in challenging the medical community to develop new techniques and technologies that dramatically reduced the number of failed deliveries. The parallel to aviation is the new Operational Risk Management training that is becoming the industry standard. Here, aviation is seeking to quantify flight risks as numbers. Tracking these numbers will show how often high, medium and low risk operations take place, why pilots choose to take these flights, are these flights necessary and inevitably, how can they be made safer. As long as these numbers are tracked, it will lead to safer flights and better services in the industry.<br /><br />"Casualties of War" relates how medical technology on the battlefield has not changed since Operation Desert Storm in 1991, but how the <span style="font-style: italic;">techniques </span>on how the technology was applied has. This change in procedure alone has been the single saving grace for many battlefield soldiers wounded in combat and the dramatic reduction of casualties. Here, the simple lesson in how you do something as opposed to the tools or knowledge used can be more effective than the latest a greatest tool available. This is later recounted in the final story of the book as well.<br /><br />This lesson alone reaches a little close to home for those of us in the CAP. The ARCHER system has been utilized on many missions as of late; however it has been used incorrectly. We have learned the lesson on how the tool is used is just as important as the tool itself only too recently and painfully. Additionally, the ongoing debate as to whether to FLIR or not to FLIR fails to take into account one, simple truth that is underlined so elegantly in this book. If the point of the technology is not understood, there is little point in having it. Could CAP stand to adopt electro-optic/infrared payloads? Sure. But could they also change the techniques by which current methods are used in the search? Absolutely.<br /><br />The last section of the book is my personal favorite: Tips on Becoming a Positive Deviant. "Positive Deviance" is also a recurring theme in this book, as people are shown to diverge from the norm because they see room for improvement. The tips here are valuable and worth reading in the author's own words.<br /><br />One of the pilots at our Squadron likes to relay a joke: Sunday is the most dangerous day to fly. Why? Because that's when the doctors are out flying. This book is about doctoring, first and foremost. However, it also has lessons that can be applied to pilots, and especially Civil Air Patrol Pilots. Doctoring and Piloting aren't all that different. The above joke is often told at our squadron at the expense of our Chief Pilot: He's a Doctor.What's a Flight Officer?http://www.blogger.com/profile/07715660494939221116noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5586067930511090641.post-9046711317946732142010-03-08T21:00:00.004-05:002010-03-09T00:15:24.212-05:00Teaching from the Tube: Sully SullenbergerIn a recurring theme, I found this recent interview with Captain Sullenberger on Hulu and wanted to share.<br /><br /><object width="512" height="296"><param name="movie" value="http://www.hulu.com/embed/6OTIduInujM-5ULEhh7eiQ"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><embed src="http://www.hulu.com/embed/6OTIduInujM-5ULEhh7eiQ" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="512" height="296"></embed></object><br /><br />As always, Captain Sullenberger proves to be insightful and precise as he discusses aviation and flight safety. His main lessons here are the same as his book, but still worth repeating. See my review of "Highest Duty" for more on that.What's a Flight Officer?http://www.blogger.com/profile/07715660494939221116noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5586067930511090641.post-46827255450056213162010-03-04T22:19:00.005-05:002010-03-04T22:46:30.060-05:00Commentary: Junior ATC, The FAA and Bring your Kid to Work DayHave you heard the audio of the kid directing air traffic. You can find it <a href="http://waynefarley.com/aviation/2010/03/jfk-tower-allowed-a-kid-to-direct-air-traffic/">here</a>, along with some commentary on the fact that the father, a New York air traffic controller was suspended, along with his supervisor, for irresponsibility. Many in the aviation community have chimed in for, or against the FAA's decision. So at the risk of being a monday-morning quarterback, here's mine. <br /><br />Every parent brings their kid to work with them at some point. Maybe school was closed and they couldn't find a sitter, or the kid is sick and the parent can't stay home for whatever reason. When I was a kid, I went to work with my father a few times. My father was the purchasing manager for a regional lumber yard catering to the housing industry during this time. He spent his day on the phone with sellers and sending e-mails.<br /><br />Each and every time I remember my dad reminding me to pack a coloring book, toys or something to keep me occupied because he was going to be very busy and couldn't entertain me like he did at home. This was normal, and I understood as well as I guess a child can. And so those few times I would spend the day at my father's work I would mind my own business as my father spoke with buyers on the phone and typed away at what passed for a computer back then. When he got a break he would come over talk and spend time, but that time was few and far between. <br /><br />There were limits, too, on what I could and could not do. A lot of the 'cool' things that I wanted to try were, rightly so, forbidden. "Dad, can I ride on the forklift" No. "Can I help in the hardware store?" No. "Can I see the cranes lifting the wood into the warehouse?" No. Some of these were safety-related (kids don't have the best situational awareness) and some were just plain inappropriate. A kid minding a hardware store is not a very good thing.<br /><br />Now that I'm in the workforce, I see similar trends. Many of my coworkers will bring their kids with them to work, but they undergo the same ritual my father and I underwent all those years ago. They sit in the corner minding their own business, coloring books, playing with a favorite toy, doing homework, as their parent tries hard to accomplish the day's goals.<br /><br />With that being said, it is not a bad thing for this father to bring his young son to work with him as an air traffic controller. He probably even had the son pack his favorite toy, homework or a book to read. But, although its the aviation equivalent in 'cool factor' of riding a forklift at the lumber yard, kids should not be allowed to direct air traffic. As awesome as it is for a youngster, and as much as I'm sure many of us would have wanted that kind of opportunity at that age, kids simply lack the situational awareness and maturity to handle this kind of environment. .<br /><br />I'm absolutely sure that the father was standing over his shoulder and telling him what to say. I'm also absolutely sure that the father was ready to step in and correct a mistake immediately. This still does not excuse the fact that he should have said to his son "Sorry, but I can't do that or I could get in trouble". Or, do what my parents did to get me off their backs: "Maybe next time".What's a Flight Officer?http://www.blogger.com/profile/07715660494939221116noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5586067930511090641.post-23662801489255971852010-02-28T22:56:00.005-05:002010-02-28T23:16:26.744-05:00Recommended Reading: Highest Duty<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzuF0tzJURwvNjxkAJAxlD9ukgYr8M83d5rDtwaQub_IhiuWCVLpZA02IbyRIP2VaiQxzm0UMDtnYufpunSu9l2em-tbRN0-huop42kTnLxa9Zw_VLoXMyQhd0aTSNe3o1OZZE4M0ouG4/s1600-h/51TdWpjYuLL._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-sticker-arrow-click,TopRight,35,-76_AA240_SH20_OU01_.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzuF0tzJURwvNjxkAJAxlD9ukgYr8M83d5rDtwaQub_IhiuWCVLpZA02IbyRIP2VaiQxzm0UMDtnYufpunSu9l2em-tbRN0-huop42kTnLxa9Zw_VLoXMyQhd0aTSNe3o1OZZE4M0ouG4/s320/51TdWpjYuLL._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-sticker-arrow-click,TopRight,35,-76_AA240_SH20_OU01_.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443509713641410786" border="0" /></a><br /><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:trackmoves/> <w:trackformatting/> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:donotpromoteqf/> <w:lidthemeother>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther> <w:lidthemeasian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:lidthemecomplexscript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> 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mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;} </style> <![endif]--><span style="font-family: arial;">On January 15, 2009 I was sitting at my parent’s home in New Jersey watching the news.</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span><span style="font-family: arial;">I’m a news junkie, and with my job I don’t get to watch as much of it as I would like.</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span><span style="font-family: arial;">But on that day, I was prepping for my return to College (for my last semester) and had little to do but pack and watch some TV.</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span><span style="font-family: arial;">I turned it on and within minutes there was a report that an airplane was down in the Hudson River.</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span><span style="font-family: arial;">I knew that I would not be leaving that room anytime soon.</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span><span style="font-family: arial;">I, like many others was glued to the television for what I knew was an unmitigated disaster.</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span><span style="font-family: arial;">But as the story continued, I eventually saw the airplane sitting upright in the river, the rescue boats and eventually heard that everyone had survived.</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span><span style="font-family: arial;">It was a miracle.</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span><span style="font-family: arial;">Really, it was.</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span><span style="font-family: arial;">In the months that followed we learned more about the crew of that airplane, their professionalism and their humility.</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span><span style="font-family: arial;">And so, when Captain Sullenberger (Captain of that airplane) published his book “</span><a style="font-family: arial;" href="http://www.amazon.com/Highest-Duty-Search-Really-Matters/dp/0061924687">Highest Duty</a><span style="font-family: arial;">”, I knew I had to read it.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span> <p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal">This book has been sitting on my desk for the last several months.<span style=""> </span>My work schedule is not as conducive to reading as I would like but I get to it when I can.<span style=""> </span>However, I read the first 100 pages in the first night.<span style=""> </span>It continued like that since November, getting to the book when I could, but being completely engrossed in it when I did.<span style=""> </span>Not since before College has this happened to me regarding a book. <span style=""> </span>When combined with the essential lessons of, not just flying, but life that this book presents, this becomes a must-read for cadets, officers, pilots, and anyone with even a passing interest in aviation.<span style=""> </span>Therefore, I have gladly added it to the list of “recommended reading” placed on the right-hand side of this blog.</p> <p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal">To be fair, though, the book is not written in the carefully crafted pros that I have become accustomed to in the last few years of my academia-filled life.<span style=""> </span>Parts of the book tend to ramble.<span style=""> </span>Parts jump all over the place.<span style=""> </span>Poetry, this is not.<span style=""> </span>However, these flaws are part of the books charm.<span style=""> </span>This is the story of an everyman in extraordinary circumstances.<span style=""> </span>Captain Sullenberger’s story is one I’ve heard and read for years from many different pilots old and young: the farmboy who discovered a love of aviation and learned to fly airplanes.<span style=""> </span>This is also what makes his story so accessible.<span style=""> </span>There are times where I feel like I know the man, or I’ve been in the same place at some point in my own journey, even those that have nothing to do with aviation. </p> <p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal">These life lessons are the ones that everyone should read. All of them have some connection to aviation or flying, but lessons like ‘Attention to Details’, ‘Hard work and Preparation pay off’ matter in all professions.<span style=""> </span>Aviation here is like a game of baseball or football; an allegory that teaches a lesson in a safe, non-threatening manner.<span style=""> </span></p> <p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal">Pilots and aviation enthusiasts too will find more specific examples of the lessons learned after years spent on the flight deck.<span style=""> </span>The importance of safety, checklists, procedures, knowledge of aircraft systems, and good decision-making are all laid out here in a way that easily hammer home these lessons as well.<span style=""> </span>Perhaps my favorite chapter is Chapter 11, where Captain Sullenberger talks about the value<span style=""> </span>of Crew Resource Management.<span style=""> </span>Many a training scenario for us in the CAP and broader fields of aviation can come from this chapter alone.<span style=""> </span>The Captain presents many different scenarios where other aircrews had to face extraordinary circumstances, and although their endings were not as joyful as his own, he lauds their accomplishments and airmanship through these difficulties.<span style=""> </span>He also uses the opportunity to teach another lesson: there are times when the checklists don’t apply.<span style=""> </span></p> <p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal">But the book itself isn’t all serious.<span style=""> </span>There were moments where I laughed out loud due to some irony or circumstance that was amusing.<span style=""> </span>The one that particularly sticks out in my mind is immediately after the crash, Captain Sullenberger called the US Airways Air Operations Chief to talk to him about the crash, and the chief told him “Can’t Talk, there’s an airplane down in the Hudson!”<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">When taken as a whole package, this is a must-read for everyone in the CAP, involved in aviation, or anyone looking for some good advice.</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span><span style="font-family: arial;">The charm in this story lays in its universality.</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span><span style="font-family: arial;">The lessons presented here are also universal.</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span><span style="font-family: arial;">There are good times and bad, funny and serious alike. </span><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span><span style="font-family: arial;">This is also a love story.</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span><span style="font-family: arial;">Not just for family (which Captain Sullenberger clearly has a great deal of), but also of aviation.</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span><span style="font-family: arial;">In the end, this story is the story of </span><i style="font-family: arial;">Life</i><span style="font-family: arial;">.</span><span style=""> </span></p>What's a Flight Officer?http://www.blogger.com/profile/07715660494939221116noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5586067930511090641.post-69010699461713151642009-11-22T21:32:00.004-05:002009-11-22T22:13:15.498-05:00TwitterTrackerTwitterTrackerTwitterTracker!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil6_Cg8CxYWptfm9M_LlY8pmNG4cDS9tHkVRNNBkH0dh4Z9i-EtcHroin5rxCCLmHGUT2RxXi4yyNHr3xuCARWQIC_7-xDlPYaWybQmhl0IuXf40Obb__iCZ2R5nwVnV-AGDJdu8T-x38/s1600/tt3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 182px; height: 128px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil6_Cg8CxYWptfm9M_LlY8pmNG4cDS9tHkVRNNBkH0dh4Z9i-EtcHroin5rxCCLmHGUT2RxXi4yyNHr3xuCARWQIC_7-xDlPYaWybQmhl0IuXf40Obb__iCZ2R5nwVnV-AGDJdu8T-x38/s320/tt3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407131721689353090" border="0" /></a><br />I took me long enough, but I opened up a twitter account today for this site. You can now follow me on @whatsaflgtoffcr. I don't have the time anymore to maintain this blog like I used to, so this is an effort to keep the momentum, while fitting it into my schedule. <br /><br />But, I don't know how I'm going to use it yet, so stay tuned!What's a Flight Officer?http://www.blogger.com/profile/07715660494939221116noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5586067930511090641.post-89366597346663558582009-10-23T17:40:00.003-04:002009-10-23T17:50:46.442-04:00This morning I arrived to work to have our chief pilot come up to me and say "<a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/10/22/AR2009102204115.html">Did you hear about that airliner that overflew its destination by 150 miles?</a>" I had to reply "no". Although I did turn on the news this morning, this story was (maybe rightfully) absent from the major networks.<br /><br /> This story serves to remind us that the most vicious enemies in the sky may not be an engine out or fire, but a loss of situational awareness. In this case, it was due to an arguement that had little to do with the flight itself. It should also be noted that the article cites another reason why the airliner overflew its destination; crew fatigue.<br /><br />Both are extremely important in conducting a safe flight, and both contribute to a loss in situational awareness. Arguing over corporate policy means your thinking about proving your side and not whether the VOR indicator changed from "to" to "from". Struggling to keep your eyes open means you aren't scanning your instrument panel. <br /><br />In this case, it was a simple screw up and nothing bad happened. It could've been a lot worse. The article mentions that USAF fighters were scrambled to intercept the aircraft. Fortunately they were called off, but you can see how badly this could've ended. <br /><br />This incident serves as a healthy reminder that if the big boys can make this kind of mistake, <span style="font-weight: bold;">so can we</span>. Our missions are 1000' AGL over what is often difficult terrain. There are reasons we have sterile cockpit rules, and follow them.What's a Flight Officer?http://www.blogger.com/profile/07715660494939221116noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5586067930511090641.post-52562907967776264952009-10-11T19:44:00.003-04:002009-10-11T19:46:12.870-04:00Wing ConferenceYes, its that time again. I will be attending the Maryland Wing Conference this year (again) and as always I will be doing my usual report after-the-fact. <br /><br />For those of you going to that conference, I'll see you there. I'll be the one in the blue uniform. ;)What's a Flight Officer?http://www.blogger.com/profile/07715660494939221116noreply@blogger.com0