Effects of Weather on Aviation

Aviation is greatly impacted by weather and the relationship between the two dates back to the early 19^th century beginning with the first flight of the Wright brothers. Since then, weather has and continues to play significant role in the number of aviation accidents. 

            This topic is significant current issue because no other type of transportation is heavily impacted by weather than aviation. Every aspect of aviation has the potential to be impacted by the weather. Every day, dangerous weather conditions cause delays and cancellations of flights and can turn flights into threatening

experience.  But more than that, accidents caused by weather have a major impact on the aviation industry. A paper by the European Civil Aviation Union observed that 20% of aviation accidents are weather related and approximately 8% of all fatal accidents are weather related. The National Transportation and Safety Board say weather is the primary contributing factor in 23% of all aviation accidents totaling $3 billion dollars.

            The future of weather and aviation is hard to predict. However, with global warming becoming a grave environmental problem, the future of aviation is likely to experience more hostile weather problems.  The aviation industry is likely to face serious challenges in the future as a result of global warming.

            This topic will greatly impact my career in two major areas, safety and efficiency of operation. This means that pilots will have to be more knowledgeable in weather and forecasts conditions. Thunderstorms, lightning, snow, ice volcanic ash, hail, heavy precipitation wind shear and tornadoes will now become crucial for safe and efficient operations.      

References

The effects of climate4 change on aviation safety (2010). Paper presented by European Civil

            Aviation Conference.

General Aviation in China

1. 1-     Many US aircraft exists in China. Besides Hawker Beechcraft, another U S general

aviation manufacturer with ties to China is Cessna Aircraft. Cessna is a Kansas based company. The relationship is a joint venture between the Kansas based company and a Chinese state-owned aviation corporation to produce midsize Cessna business jets.

2.    2-  What are the reasons for the rapid growth in the Chinese general aviation?

China is experiencing a rapid growth in general aviation. China is now the second largest aviation country in terms of transport volume, averaging more than 15%.  This rapid growth is due to a number of reasons. Since 1970s China moved from a closed, centrally planned system to a more market-oriented one, playing a major global role. By 2010, China had become the world’s largest exporter. Another reason has to do with the sheer number of people in China. Passengers using aircraft has quadrupled over the years. Another reason is attributed to the decaying economic conditions in Europe due to economic crisis. With rapid economic growth, the Chinese government has been able to extend cooperation to western countries –Honeywell, Rockwell, and other aircraft companies to work with the in consultation.

3.3-      Relationship between US general manufacturers with ties to China

Although China aviation is on the rise, it is still vastly underdeveloped. To ensure quality products, China must get technical and sophisticated products from the United States. As a result of this, the relationship between the two counties is joint ventures via General Electric, Goodrich, Eaton Corporation, Honeywell, Rockwell and others.

4.  4-    What does all of this mean for career opportunities in the US general aviation sector?

It means jobs! And more jobs, particularly in the areas of airport design and construction companies, general aviation aircraft, parts assembly, repairs, manufacturing entities, supplies, and small niche parts manufacturers.

Reference

Cessna signs deal with Chinese to build business jets (2012, July 23). The Associated Press.

Comair Air

Comair Air was founded April 1, 1977 by a 24 year old, Dave Mueller. Comair started out with three propeller driven Piper Navajo aircraft operating out of Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport. Originally, Comair was independently owned and operated and surprised many people in the industry. With 3,500 employees and a billion dollar annual sales, regional Comair changed the face of aviation and had a greater economic impact on Cincinnati and Kentucky.  However, by 2000, Comair became a subsidiary of Delta Airlines.

However, Comair’s success as a regional carrier came crushing down after 35 years of operation on September 27, 2012. First Comair emerged from a bankruptcy in 2007 and by 2012, was shut down by its subsidiary, Delta Air Lines. Many of the reasons for Comair demise can be attributed to economic downturn, price of fuel oil, pilot shortage and low paid.

Currently, regional airline industry is facing serious financial hardships due to a number of circumstances beyond their control. The first of these is the high cost of fuel oil. Fuel oil is impacting not only regional carriers, but even major airlines, forcing them to make major changes to their operations. Another major problem facing regional carriers is the high of regulation by the Federal Aviation Administration.  Due to many accidents, the FAA is tightening regulations on regional carriers. Another issue for regional carriers can be attributed to the economic down turn and shrinking of qualified pilots.

A successful regional airline currently operating is SkyWest, and yes that airline is hiring across the board. One of the open positions is for First Officer Pilot. A check of SkyWest’s website does not list salary, but says salary can be discussed during the interview process.  Comair Websites are: www.skywest.com  

References

Pilcher, J. (2002). Comair’s history sometimes turbulent. The Cincinnati Enquirer.

Sewell, D. (2012). Comair, delta airlines regional carrier to shut down in september.

            Huffington Post.