Topic 2 : PL 111-216

Topic 2 : Individual and Industry Ramifications of Flight/Duty Regulations

In 2010 August 1, President Barrack Obama signed Public Law  111-216 in response to the 2009 Colgan part 121 Accident . The accident gained a lot of attention in 2009 by congress, which raised the question of whether the training for part 121 pilots was sufficient enough to provide a safe flying environment.

 PL 111-216, The Airline Safety and Federal Aviation Administration Act of 2010 contain two titles within it. Title one – Airport and Airway Extension contains section 101- 105 which extends grants and programs to smaller hubs and larger hubs for runway improvements training facilities and airport improvements (Oberstar 2010) Title two –Airline Safety and Pilot Training Improvement contains sections 202-  217 of the Law . These sections contain several areas that require changes in pilot certificates and data base entries of pilot records into a national database also additional training and certificate requirements under part 121, which will help with the improving SMS (Safety management systems).

Since section 215 of the law requires part 121 carriers to implement SMS in their operations and report them to the FAA. These systems are complex and new to the Industry; SMS has four functional components Safety Policy, Safety Assurance Safety Risk management and Safety Promotion (FAA 2009). When these components come together it promotes a safe environment that acknowledges risk and helps prevent accidents. Eastern MI undergraduates in the program of Aviation Management have been subjected to these components as well as SMS through their curriculum at EMU they will be ready and responsive for the field when it comes to dealing with these systems in the work environment.

There are a few changes in this law that effect the future flight training of Eastern MI flight students. Section 216 requires pilots to go through a comprehensive pre-employment screening that will check to see if they have a new appropriate multi engine training/experience.  Section 217 changes these requirements, which will allow modify the hours that are required for a pilot to receive an ATP (Airline Transport Pilot Certificate). As a result an NPRM (Notice of proposed rule making) was release in response to this law that will make the following changes if passed:

Pilots must be at least 21 years of age hold a commercial certificate with instrument rating, successfully complete the new ATP Certification Training Program and if you’re a military pilot hold 750 total hours or a pilot from an aviation degree program hold 1000 hours total as a pilot.

Current regulation only requires a SIC (second in command) to only hold a commercial certificate.  These changes will affect the EMU flight-training program since it changed from to part 141 operation it will allow students to obtain the certificate at 1000 hours from 1500 in total flight time. This makes Eastern MI more marketable for those prospective students who are looking for a career as a professional pilot in the aviation industry.

Federal Aviation Administration. (2012, February 29). Pilot certification and qualification requirements for air carrier operations. Retrieved January 30, 2013, from http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2012-02-29/pdf/2012-4627.pdf

Federal Aviation Administration (2009, November 12)  The Four SMS Functional Components,  Retrieved January 30, 2013, from

http://www.faa.gov/about/initiatives/sms/explained/components/

Oberstar, J. House of Representatives,(2010, July 28) Airline Safety and Federal Aviation Administration Extension act of 2010. Retrieved January 30, 2013

http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/111/hr5900#summary/libraryofcongress

http://www.3407memorial.com/index.php/component/content/article/133-pl-111-216-has-been-signed-into-law

U.S. Congress. (2010, August 1). Airline safety and federal aviation administration expansion act of 2010. Retrieved January 30, 2013, from http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/PLAW-111publ216/pdf/PLAW-111publ216.pdf

Topic 1: Competing in Global market in Aviation

The United States Aviation Industry has been successful in adapting to many changes throughout history. Over time the industry has been growing as a driving force in the economic growth of the U.S. economy through Civil Aviation. Civil aviation supported over 10.2 million jobs in the United States, Contributed $1.3 trillion in Economic activity and accounted for 5.4% of the countries RGDP in 2009; the end of the U.S. recession (FAA, 2010). Although the U.S. economy is growing and the U.S has increased RGDP by 3.1 percent in the Third Quarter, there are emerging threats that Aviation professionals should be aware of in the future of the industry (BEA, 2013). Today the growth of the aviation industry faces the threat of slowing down competing and performing with emerging competitors from countries with developing Industries.

The manufacturing sector of civil aviation related goods contributes as a leading export in United States (FAA). The U.S. exports Civil/Military Aircraft, engines, equipment and parts throughout the globe. Looking specifically at China alone, according to U.S. Department of Commerce (2012), the U.S. Exported $6.33 trillion in Civilian Aircraft, Parts and Engines in 2002 and 2003. Since 2004-2011 the U.S. has exported $32.2 trillion of the same products. For the United States, when emerging countries like China, enter the market, this expands there market base leading to increases in production ultimately increases RGDP. But as China develops into an industrialized country, they will eventually catch up with the United States, producing parts for cheaper with reduced labor costs.

A reduced Labor cost is another threat that the Civil Aviation Industry in the United States Faces today. Airlines have begun to outsource their Maintenance to third party labor forces in countries like Singapore, Mexico and China. According to Douglas (2012), “American Airlines will outsource its aircraft maintenance to China.” This is the result of the airlines competing with the price of maintenance in the U.S. and having to cut costs during the recession.

As a senior on his way to Graduate with a major in Aviation Management, It is obvious that these issues are going to have an adverse effect on the Aviation Industry. As countries with lower Labor costs are becoming more popular within the U.S., I see the following solutions. First I would recommend FAA interference in approval for maintenance outside the U.S on U.S. Aircraft on the premise that the consumer’s safety is at danger.
Douglas (2012) said the following in his article

Foreign maintenance allows companies to forgo employee background checks, no drug testing, aircraft mechanics do not have to be licensed only supervisors are required to be licensed mechanics, and FAA inspectors are forbidden from making spot checks and surprise inspections a common occurrence at U.S. overhaul bases. In fact, at major U.S. maintenance facilities FAA inspectors are present on a daily basis. (Par 8)

 If FAA inspectors cannot access these facilities then regulation needs to adapt to fit the safety needs of airline passengers. As for a solution for companies catching up and developing parts themselves, I suggest that it is time to develop positive relations with these emerging foreign industries. In this global market it becomes hard for government to step in and regulate industries beyond their borders, but collaborations and financing in R&D could stimulate growth in our industry, in turn providing/supporting more jobs for U.S. Aviation Industry.


In the future I see these factors affecting me in the job market when it comes to who will be hiring and what they will be looking for. I believe that being aware of current issues in the Industry, having an opinion on them as well as possible solutions will come as an advantage while searching for a job. I also think that finding a good job in this industry may require more education and possibly a second language. Wherever this industry is heading I am committed to the future of it as well as my own.

Adam V. Patruno
Undergraduate Aviation Management 13’

Sources:

Douglas, J. (2012) American Airlines To Outsource Aircraft Maintenance To China Retrieved from http://avstop.com/september_2012/american_airlines tooutsource _aircraft_maintenance_to_china.htm

Federal Aviation Administration (2012) FAA Economic Impact Report 2011 Retrieved from: www.faa.gov/air.../FAA_Economic_Impact_Rpt_2011.pdf

United States Department of Commerce. (2012), U.S. Exports to China by 5- digit End-Use Code 2002-2011. Retrieved from
http://www.census.gov/foreign-trade/statistics/product/enduse/exports/c 5700.html#questions

United States Department of Commerce (2013, January) U.S. Economy at a Glance: Perspective from the BEA Accounts Retrieved from:http://www.bea.gov/new sreleases/glance.htm

United States Department of Labor (2013 January) Current Employment Statistics- CES (National) Retrieved from: http://www.bls.gov/ces/tables.htm

Introduction- Why Aviation?

Welcome Readers,


As you can see my Name is Adam Patruno, I'm a 22 year old  Aviation Management Student at the  Eastern Michigan University. I intend to graduate Eastern in April of 2013.

Growing up close to Detroit Metro Airport I would always find myself running out the front door trying to spot the airplanes as they would soar through the sky above our neighborhood. I was full of questions and surrounded by people who never had  the answer to them. When I was in 7th grade my teacher's husband, a pilot for Delta Airlines, came in for career day, and I was finally given the opportunity to ask the questions that had been always bothering me. "How do airplanes stay in the sky?" I asked before he could even call on me. He said well there are a lot of factors that go into flight and that was the first time i had ever learned about the concept of lift. I knew after that day that no matter what I wanted to be a pilot.

In 2008 upon graduating High school,  I was accepted into the Eastern MI flight program and was given my first opportunity to enter an Airplanes cockpit and fly all in the same day. I was so nervous on that summer day taking off when my instructor said your controls that i still remember my ears were sweating. After running into Financial difficulties i decided to switch over to the Aviation Management side of Aviation at EMU, I figured I would get management degree  which will help me in the future and return to flying when I was able to.

I look forward to my career in aviation where ever it takes me in the future. Although i would like to work my way up in Airline operations, whatever course my degree takes me I am sure i will be happy working within the Industry!