Boeing is Really Flying Now
The Boeing Company has completely blown past projections for aircraft sales this month. Before the Annual Paris Air Show the Boeing Company had already made three deals for commercial aircraft of worth over 5 Billion in sales. It is good to see that the United States still makes some things like aircraft. Both Boeing and Airbus have had excellent bookings and sales orders for new aircraft. From their commercial aircraft division to their Space Program Boeing is on a roll.
read more

Helicopters Outfitted With Airbags
The company that makes these is RAFAEL and the name of their product is REAPS Rotorcraft External Airbag Protection Systems. We are just losing way too many troops to helicopter accidents, which have nothing to do with actual combat and we all know we must protect the top brass and our nations leadership too. Such a system should be installed in all Presidential Helicopters as well like Marine One. This keeps the aircraft gliding and as long as the pilot glides at the proper ratio, the helicopter hovers to the ground and just before getting their it changes the pitch of the rotor blades enabling the helicopter to take a bigger bite out of the air and thus flair for a soft landing. Normally if the engine quits in a helicopter it can auto-rotate and the rotor blades spin around like a pin wheel or like the Da Vinci model helicopter.
read more

Private Jets: 4 Leaders in Fractional Flying
Launched in 2000 as a joint partnership between TAG Aviation, an aircraft management and operations company, and the Cessna Aircraft Company. Raytheon Aircraft Company is the principle owner of Flight Options which was founded in 1998. Not to be left out in the cold, Canadian aircraft maker, Bombardier, jumped into the fray with AMR Combs [parent company of American Airlines] and started Business JetSolutions. Today, Flexjet customers can purchase shares in various Learjets [now owned by Bombardier] and Canadair [another Bombardier make] aircraft. Santulli sold out to Warren Buffett of Berkshire Hathaway in 1998, but he remains a key player with the company.
read more

Airbus to Build $600 Million Aircraft Manufacturing Plant in US
The Boeing Company has some heavy competition with Airbus in the commercial aviation sector and the future of commercial aviation both in passenger aircraft and cargo or freighters looks bright. This is significant news and will open doors to US based commercial airlines to buy more Airbus Aircraft in the future. Some such as myself feel Mobile is problematic due to Hurricane Season weather although this is a calculated risk for the company in any given season. Airbus has announced that it will build a $600 million aircraft manufacturing plant in Mobile Alabama. Think on the global competitiveness of the commercial aviation sector.
read more

Business Aviation Networking Notes
You could send out a copy of your resume to every single company that flies a Falcon, Gulfstream, Challenger, or any of the other larger cabin jets. Some of these operators utilize larger cabin aircraft and are in need of flight attendants. Successful candidates know this and they are the ones who will be hired, trained, paid well, and otherwise be perceived as being an asset and not a detriment to the company. Do not focus on your needs, but focus on the company's needs and how you will benefit them. Be prepared to give a concise background on who you are and what you can offer the company.
read more

Sport Aviation and Jet Aircraft
At its full production rate, which the company expects to reach in 2007, Eclipse will be able to manufacture an estimated 1,500 aircraft per year. To date, approximately the first two-and-a-half years of production aircraft have been sold out. Can you believe how well this company has done. Fleet customer aircraft delivery commitments extend through 2008. At this price, it costs approximately a quarter of today's small jet aircraft.
read more

Starting an Aircraft Washing Business
My Car Wash Guys company was originally founded over twenty years ago and started as an aircraft washing service. After cleaning Thousands of aircraft over the years, I have paid for my flight school, first aircraft and then started an aircraft washing franchise as a module of another franchising company I had founded. To learn more about aircraft washing, I have put some additional ideas online to assist you. Owning an Aircraft Washing Service small business can be quite rewarding and although hard work, it can be an extension of your flying hobby. When in the aircraft washing business you will not only wash exteriors of planes, you must also have carpet-cleaning capabilities.
read more

Cleaning Air Cargo Containers
Before your pressure washing company or cleaning service will be chosen to do such accounts you must convince your potential customer that you believe in. In our company we have established an industrial division from our car and truck washing business, The Car Wash Guys, which specializes in unique type cleaning. Yes, those are low prices, but that's how you secure large accounts, which will lead to more work around industrial areas and airports. Ground Equipment at airports is parked all over the ramp, many pieces of equipment and if you charge by the unit you may find yourself cleaning hundreds of pieces of equipment in a single visit. I hope you'll take this advice and follow it, as it uplifts the industry the more professional companies there are out there and together we also add a safety net to the new Homeland Security paradigm.
read more

Entering Business Aviation, Part II: Pay Rates for Flight Attendants
It may take several interviews for you to find out if the company places value on your culinary expertise, your safety training, your related job experience, etc. I have heard of flight attendants flying for $0 just to get the experience and hours [how could a company conscientiously allow that to happen? Okay, stupid question!] I've also heard of a flight attendant making $600 per day flying internationally. Contract rates vary widely and depend, again, on your location, responsibilities, experience, etc. If the company insists on paying 35K, guess what? You won't make anything near 60K, you'll be crossed off their list and the person settling for 35K will get the job. Generally, never expect anyone to reveal their salary to you.
read more

The History of the Aircraft Wash Guys, Part Two
The Founder of LA Title company liked the synergy of aircraft sales and aircraft washing for built in clientele. Later he changed the name of the business to Aero-Auto Wash to encompass all types of washing, from Aircraft to Cars. One day after having lunch in Lance's office they started doodling on a napkin the basic idea for the franchise in aircraft washing. Both loved the idea, Lance because it was his dream and Dave because he loved the aircraft washing services, which he contracted through Lance after he bought the plane from him. Without any success in finding venture capital, Lance continued his business, got into politics and at nights, sometimes all night writing up plans to fulfill his mission.
read more

Entering Business Aviation, Part IV: Crafting a Resume
If you are applying for work overseas the company or agency may want this information in addition to a full length picture of yourself and a headshot. Always state in the Objective what you can contribute to the company and not what you want to get out of the company. I have heard objections from some about this particular practice. If you want to work internationally, you must respect local laws and customs. College and universities are key institutions where many get their first try at crafting a résumÃ.
read more

A380 Bathrooms
But Airbus is not the only commercial aircraft company, which has their shit together. Both Airbus and Boeing have seen record orders for their latest model jets. Ready to get out of the driver seat yet and into a futuristic amenity rich modern jet airliner? The major commercial jet manufacturers and airlines are betting that you will. The Boeing 787 will have humidified air, so no more dry eyes during flights and because of its stronger composite cabin, it will leave the cabin pressure at 6,000 feet instead of 8,000 or 10,000 feet, meaning it is safer on the bio-system with more oxygen. Will this get more air travelers out of their SUVs and into airliners for those 350 plus mile journeys? Some industry analysts think it just might be the ticket the market sector needs.
read more

A Look at Fractional Jet Ownership
If you decide that fractional ownership is for you, be warned, you should thoroughly investigate the pilot training, safety procedures, aircraft, and management services that each company offers before making a decision. If you're serious about making a fractional jet purchase, and live nearby to their operations, don't hesitate to ask for a tour of their aircraft and facilities, they should be more than happy to accommodate you. NetJets, on the other hand features a broader spectrum of aircraft, and is the industry leader. CitationShares and Flexjet are owned by aircraft manufacturers, their respective fleets composed mainly (if not entirely) of the planes they make. Many fractional operators hold regular events around the country in which prospective buyers can take a look around the aircraft and the service that they offer.
read more

The History of the Aircraft Wash Guys, Part Three
In this review of the history of the aircraft wash guys we see the company diversifying and finding other niches to serve, some of which were actually better than the original plan. Arthur helped the company design labels and with the help of his chemist design better products which were safe for the aviation cleaning industry working actually out of Lance's garage. In 1996 he decided to become an actual franchise company, forming Car Wash Guys International, Inc. Arthur's brother operated the Tidy Car Franchise after that and did lots of aircraft washing for jet customers in Florida. The goals today include having 35 Aircraft Wash Guys in 2007 and 50 by 2009 and 100 by 2011.
read more

Young Men Trying to Imitate the 9-11 Scenario, Part III
But I do point out here and forever that we are simultaneously rewarding those who act out and are not following the program. I am not saying that Teen Challenge, DARE or any of another dozen programs are not totally worthy efforts both in our time spent and the results yielded. Only different in that they try harder or dream more. But those who surpass the program we do not. Those who go beyond what normal kids do and try to exceed the normal realm of their social structure.
read more