The financially ailing aerospace giant also announced sweeping changes to its commercial aircraft programs, including the 767 and previously-delayed 777X.

The company continues to face a month-long Machinists strike with Boeing’s chief operating officer Stephanie Pope saying it is looking at “next steps” due to unproductive negotiations.

• READ MORE: DOT Audit: FAA’s Boeing Oversight ‘Not Effective’

In a letter to employees sent Friday afternoon, Boeing’s CEO Kelly Ortberg said the manufacturer is in a “difficult position.”

“Beyond navigating our current environment, restoring our company requires tough decisions and we will have to make structural changes to ensure we can stay competitive and deliver for our customers over the long term,” he added.

According to preliminary earnings figures, the company expects to report $5 billion in losses for the third quarter.

“We need to be clear-eyed about the work we face and realistic about the time it will take to achieve key milestones on the path to recovery,” Ortberg shared. “We also need to focus our resources on performing and innovating in the areas that are core to who we are, rather than spreading ourselves across too many efforts that can often result in underperformance and underinvestment.”

Ortberg said the company plans to lay off roughly 10 percent of its workforce, equating to 17,000 jobs. The cuts are set to take place over the next several months, he said, and will include executives, managers along with rank-and-file employees.

In addition, Boeing will further delay its Boeing 777X with initial delivery of the jet now expected in 2026, roughly a year behind schedule. Ortberg said the company is also permanently halting 767 production in 2027 after fulfilling current freighter orders.

Editor’s Note: This article first appeared on AirlineGeeks.com.

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Tulsa Community College and the University of Oklahoma are the first two institutions to offer the new Enhanced Air Traffic-Collegiate Training Initiative. Under the initiative, graduates will go directly to air traffic control facilities for on-the-job training and skip the FAA’s training academy in Oklahoma City.

FAA Administrator Mike Whitaker said the two post-secondary institutions will offer the same training on the same equipment as the academy.

The goal is to streamline training to address the nationwide controller shortage.

“The FAA is working to hire and train more air traffic controllers, in order to reverse the decades-long decline in our workforce and ensure the safety of the flying public,” said Whitaker. “The Enhanced AT-CTI program is an important part of that effort.”

Editor’s Note: This article first appeared on AVweb.

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To keep these facilities running, airports employ skilled engineers to ensure that airport infrastructure is safe. Airport engineers also plan and oversee new projects.

Here is what you need to know about becoming an airport engineer.

What Does an Airport Engineer Do?

The work of an airport engineer can be divided into two broad categories. The first is project development and design, which involves planning for new infrastructure. For example, airport engineers would be heavily involved in the design, planning, and construction of a new terminal or apron.

Infrastructure projects can also include rehabilitation or improvements of existing facilities. For example, an engineer may oversee the replacement of the runway lights on an airfield or an update to the heating and cooling system inside an air traffic control tower.

The second category of work that an airport engineer does is ongoing monitoring and maintenance work. Many parts of the airport—including the runways, taxiways, and buildings—require regular inspections and tests. Engineers are responsible for conducting this work and identifying and managing any required repairs.

Although the work experience of an airport engineer can vary depending on their employer and expertise, day-to-day tasks of an airport engineer can include the following:

• Overseeing and participating in design studies and project plans: This involves tasks like performing technical design work, attending meetings, and directing consultants and contracted firms.
• Managing ongoing construction and maintenance projects: Work at an airport is conducted either by airport employees or contracted companies. Engineers are often responsible for overseeing infrastructure repairs and construction.
• Participating in the procurement process: Engineers assist in preparing requests for proposals and evaluating submissions for maintenance and construction work. This includes providing advice on the scope of work as well as technical requirements and constraints.
• Conducting site visits and inspections: There are countless elements of an airport that require regular testing and checks, ranging from baggage systems to airfield drainage networks. Engineers may be tasked with performing these inspections.

Most airport engineers are employed either directly by an airport authority (or a government body that runs an airport) or by an engineering firm that provides services to airports.

What Skills and Qualifications Do You Need to Become an Airport Engineer?

Airport engineers need to have strong problem-solving skills and attention to detail. The role of an airport planner also requires other important workplace competencies such as communication skills, the ability to work both independently and as a team, and organizational skills.

Airport engineers typically have a background in civil engineering, which is the engineering branch dedicated to the design and construction of buildings and public works. Most positions require a bachelor’s or master’s degree in civil engineering, as well as a professional engineering designation or license in the relevant jurisdiction.

Some job postings will also require prior experience as an engineer. Knowledge of airports or other public infrastructure is also typically considered an asset. Certain positions also require proficiency in design software like AutoCAD.

How Much Do Airport Engineers Make?

Entry-level airport engineering jobs typically have an annual salary of around $60,000 to $80,000. Experienced engineers can make hundreds of thousands of dollars per year.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the 2023 median pay for a civil engineer in the United States was $95,890. 

The post How to Become an Airport Engineer appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

They respond to aircraft emergencies to ensure passengers stay safe no matter what, and they can respond to medical emergencies across the airport to ensure good health for all.

Different airports handle their firefighting operations differently. Most airports have fire units under the jurisdiction of municipal fire departments, though many have distinct units to handle airport operations.

Either way, airport firefighting is a highly specialized operation that requires special training, equipment, and preparation to carry out safely.

Firefighter hopefuls must meet a certain selection of basic requirements to be eligible.

All airport firefighters must have a high school diploma or GED and pass a fitness test. Of particular importance is cardiovascular health, strength, and endurance to make sure you meet the demanding physical requirements of firefighting.

Firefighting Prerequisites

Many airport fire departments also require applicants to have some firefighting experience and certification already.

Though specific requirements can vary, you may need to have Firefighter II and CPR certification to be considered. Other departments require a certain amount of documented firefighting experience before you can join the airport’s operation.

There are a number of ways to achieve this basic certification.

Some people join volunteer fire departments to gain experience and certifications. In some places, airport units fall under the same department as the wider municipal department. In that case, the only way to get assigned to the airport is to spend time with the broader department. Airports tend to be senior units assigned to the most experienced, longest-tenured members.

There are often a number of prerequisites that firefighters must meet just like any airport, airline, or aviation employee. Firefighters are subject to drug testing and must pass a background check completed by the Transportation Security Administration.

Airport-Specific Training

Once you meet the basic requirements to become an airport firefighter, you need to accomplish specialized training on getting around airports, and handling airplanes and flammable materials like fuel.

One type of training an airport firefighter needs is Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting (ARFF) certification. This training covers aircraft systems, aircraft firefighting techniques, rescue operations, evacuation procedures, and accident management. 

Hazardous materials (hazmat) training is also required. It teaches firefighters to identify and contain hazardous materials and to mitigate its risk. It can also teach decontamination procedures and appropriate response protocols.

There are also highly specialized training programs, covering things such as how to drive fire trucks and how to do so at an airport. Equally as important is operating the equipment on the trucks. In addition, there is officer and leadership training to ensure quality leadership for safe operations.

Firefighter Duties

The day-to-day operations of airport fire departments vary based on the size of the department.

Larger airports with more aircraft operations tend to be more active than smaller airports. Midsize general aviation airports, which often serve significant business jet and flight school traffic, will have dedicated fire units despite their smaller size. The smallest airports will not have departments at all and will rely entirely on municipal services.

Smaller airports may even require their firefighters to perform household duties at the fire station, such as cleaning hoses and equipment as well as general upkeep. Some require basic airport maintenance.

Airport firefighter salaries start at about $36,000 and can top out above $70,000 for more experienced firefighters at bigger airports. They also tend to receive benefits such as insurance, retirement plans, and pensions.

Firefighting can be an incredibly rewarding job. Keeping passengers, crews, and aircraft safe brings incredible meaning and purpose.

Big or small, firefighters carry out heroic tasks and bring great value to airports.

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While some use professional connections to secure jobs flying twin, turbine, or charter operations to gain critical experience, others build time quickly as flight instructors or even buying and renting airplanes.

In such a big pool of applicants, many want to know what to do to stand out as a uniquely qualified and capable pilot. One of the best ways to do so is to attain special ratings and endorsements that are not common in the general public.

Glider Pilot Add-Ons

Becoming a glider pilot is one of the best ways to build quality flight time.

Gliding with no engine forces a pilot to learn more about the physics of flight, particularly controlling lift and drag directly to stay airborne for hours. Even just a little glider experience can do wonders to help pilots learn new skills or refine the ones they already possess.

Glider pilots can also attain additional ratings, endorsements, and privileges to further their career progression. They can, for example, receive an endorsement to do aerotows, flying airplanes that pull unpowered gliders into the air. This is a great way to sharpen skills and even make a few bucks in the process.

Glider pilots also need endorsements to add on each new type of glider launching. Those who have only ever been towed, for example, need an additional endorsement to fly self-launching gliders.

Learning the ins and outs of a wider variety of aircraft opens pilots up to a wider variety of situations that broaden their skills and experience, making them more competitive for a wider variety of positions down the road.

High-Altitude Endorsement

The process for attaining a high-altitude endorsement can be tricky, as you need to find someone willing to provide you with a capable aircraft for the training.

However, receiving the high-altitude training is valuable for pilots interested in continuing their careers in jets, turbine aircraft, and other high-performance aircraft down the road.

A high-altitude endorsement is required when flying a pressurized aircraft with a service ceiling or maximum operating altitude, whichever is lower, above 25,000 feet. The endorsement includes training on the dangers of hypoxia and other high-altitude physiological challengers, as well as aerodynamics and operations of systems.

The flight portion of the training includes both standard operations and emergency procedures. Simply having flight training in high-performance, high-altitude aircraft—let alone experience acting as a pilot of one—is invaluable for whatever aviator job may be interested in applying for down the road.

Seaplane Rating

Seaplanes are a great middle ground for pilots interested in expanding their horizons.

While the flight characteristics of a seaplane will be familiar to someone who already has time in land-based airplanes, learning to touch down on water is a unique challenge that can help pilots prove they’ve still got what it takes to face new challenges and succeed in new situations.

Though rare, some flight schools even offer multiengine seaplane add-ons. Pilots looking to build additional multiengine time can use this rating to build experience in a way that stands out from other pilots who often simply rent multiengine land airplanes to finish their time-building requirements.

Ground Instructor Certificate

If you’re looking for a rating to boost your aeronautical knowledge—at a fraction of the cost—then a ground instructor certificate is a great option.

All you need to do is pass the appropriate ground instructor written test—plus the Fundamentals of Instructing (FOI) test if you’re not already a flight instructor—and bring your result to the FAA.

FAA Advanced Ground Instructors (AGIs) are permitted to give ground training to almost any pilot or applicant except for instrument rating applicants. That requires an Instrument Ground Instructor (IGI) rating.

Giving ground lessons with real students will help pilots refine their knowledge while getting paid. Many flight instructor applicants obtain their ground instructor certification to help them study for their flight instructor exams by working with real students to put lesson plans to the test.

There are a variety of ways to expand your skills and knowledge as a pilot. Through new ratings, additional experience, and unique flight time, pilots can stand out while refining their abilities.

There is no one best way to face the challenge of becoming a professional pilot but rather a variety of methods based on individual needs and future goals.

The post Best Pilot Ratings to Advance Your Career appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

Air cargo specialists play a critical role in this global network by ensuring the proper and safe transportation of goods through the skies.

Here is what you need to know about becoming an air cargo specialist.

What Is an Air Cargo Specialist?

The term air cargo specialist refers to individuals who are responsible for organizing, planning, loading, and unloading cargo from aircraft. The exact job titles and responsibilities can vary depending on the employer.

Common tasks for an air cargo specialist include loading and unloading cargo from aircraft and vehicles, transporting cargo around an airport, and ensuring that the movement of cargo is properly documented. Some roles also involve administrative work such as preparing weight and balance records.

Military Air Cargo Specialists

One way of becoming an air cargo specialist is by joining the military. Many branches of the U.S Armed Forces have cargo specialist positions.

The U.S. Army, for example, has an occupation called cargo specialist. These enlisted service members handle supplies, weapons, mail, and equipment that are being transported by air, land, or sea. Army cargo specialists load and unload cargo, operate heavy equipment, and document the movement of cargo.

A similar role in the U.S. Air Force is the air transportation specialist. This job focuses exclusively on air transportation but also includes working with passenger transportation rather than just cargo. Air transportation specialists not only load and unload cargo but also have other tasks such as planning the types and quantities of cargo to be loaded and performing passenger-related tasks such as checking travel documents.

In the U.S. Navy, logistics specialists are responsible for mail and cargo. The U.S. Marine Corps has logistics/embarkation specialists who help prepare and load cargo for all modes of transportation.

The military also hires civilian cargo specialists to support its operations.

Becoming a cargo specialist in the military involves going through the standard enlistment process. This consists of meeting basic eligibility requirements, completing physical and written testing, and passing a medical examination.

New service members will then need to attend basic training for their respective branch before getting specialized training for their specialty and receiving their first posting.

Civilian Air Cargo Specialists

Airlines also hire cargo specialists for their cargo operations.

At cargo airlines such as FedEx and UPS, one of the primary tasks of their ramp agents is to load and unload their aircraft. These airlines also have administrative personnel who assist with planning and weight and balance.

Many passenger airlines also have a cargo division, which provides services using either dedicated planes or extra space on passenger aircraft. These airlines have employees who handle and organize their cargo operations. Cargo-loading functions are typically performed by ramp workers, who are also responsible for loading passenger bags.

These employees are usually hired internally or through public job postings. Cargo-loading jobs typically require a high school diploma or equivalent, a valid driver’s license, and the ability to perform physical tasks such as lifting and operating specialized equipment. Administrative jobs involving air cargo may require higher levels of education and proficiency with computers. 

The post How to Become an Air Cargo Specialist appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

Pipistrel is part of the Textron eAviation segment of Textron Inc. According to Textron, the Velis Electro received full type certification from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) in 2020, followed by an FAA exemption earlier this year that permits it to be used for flight training.

• READ MORE: Textron Loans Pipistrel Velis Electro to Smithsonian

“The foundation has leased the Velis Electro to Proteus Air Services, a flight school in Santa Monica, where it will be used primarily for pilot training,” said Eco-Aviation president Scott Burgess. “Additional discovery flights in the Velis Electro will provide hands-on, educational experiences for students and others in the community. These flights are designed to inspire and educate community members about the possibilities within the aviation sector, particularly those who may not have previously considered it as a viable career path.”

Burgess said the Velis Electro was selected because it offers a lower-cost and more sustainable learning platform for student pilots to acquire flying skills while giving them early experience on next-generation power systems. 

“The aircraft is quiet, producing noise levels of only 60 decibels, low cost, and user friendly, making it an ideal solution for flight training with zero carbon emissions,” he said, adding that the foundation is expecting the arrival of its second Velis Electro in November.

• READ MORE: Pipistrel’s Velis Electro Promises Electric Revolution

More Than Flight Training

In addition to providing flight training, the Eco-Aviation Foundation has plans to create an Eco Flight Ground School and initiate scholarships while working with local youth-focused community centers and aviation training opportunities.

According to the foundation, the scholarships will fund private pilot ground school, training on electric aircraft technologies, and the FAA knowledge test.

The post Santa Monica Flight School to Deploy Pipistrel Velis Electro Trainer appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

A certified Part 135 air carrier, Sierra West is based in the U.S. but offers frequent flights to Canada, Mexico, the Americas, and the Caribbean. Its fleet includes the Learjet 60, Metroliner III, and Piper Pilot 100i.

Sierra West Mission Statement

“To be the most trusted operating partner for aircraft owners, flight departments, and clients needing management support and/or charter services.”

Sierra West Openings on FindaPilot.com

• LR 60 Captain in Oakdale, California
• SA227 Captain in El Paso, Texas

More Sierra West Resources:

• Career site 
• LinkedIn 
• X (Twitter) 
• Instagram 
• YouTube

More Employer Profiles

• Priester Aviation
• Global Medical Response
• Boutique Air
• Castle Aviation
• Contour Aviation
• Thrive Aviation
• Metro Aviation

More Help from FindaPilot.com

• Latest pilot job openings 
• Pilot directory 
• Sign-up page

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According to WAI, approximately 30,000 girls took part in the 185 events at airports, FBOs, and aviation museums in 33 countries, 43 states, and two U.S. territories.

• READ MORE: Frontier of Flight Museum Event to Celebrate Women in Aerospace

WAI boasts multiple chapters in the U.S., as well in Europe, Africa, and Asia, in addition to year-round virtual resources available for free through the Aviation for Girls (AFG) app.

The event is designed to appeal to girls ages 8-18 and show them what careers are available in aviation and meet women who hold these careers and can act as mentors. In addition to pilots, mechanics, and flight attendants, girls participating in the event have an opportunity to learn about engineering, dispatching, and the numerous technical applications that go along with aviation.

Participants had a chance to meet female role models, listen to career panels, and get up close with different aircraft. The events often also include age-appropriate, hands-on activities, such as scavenger hunts and model making.

“We know Girls in Aviation Day has been instrumental in introducing opportunities in aviation and STEM to thousands of participants all around the world,” said WAI CEO Lynda Coffman. 

The first WAI International Girls in Aviation Day was held in 2015 and featured 32 events. According to WAI, the day is made possible through the support of many, including the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation, PPG Foundation, Emanuel Bachmann Foundation, Sporty’s Pilot Shop, and JCL Aviation Services.

The post International Girls in Aviation Day Puts Spotlight on Industry Careers appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

The event is scheduled for October 15-17 on the campus of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, Florida.

“Last year’s summit was successful because of the strong technical program delivered by industry leaders and experts. This year will be the same,” said NAFI president Paul Preidecker. “But instead of addressing six themes as we did last year, this year we decided to bring more focus by supporting three very important ones: training the trainer, mentorship, and peer support, and pilot health and well-being.”

The event—which has the slogan, “Come to NAFI Summit, go home a better CFI”—is an opportunity for instructors of all levels and varying backgrounds to meet with their peers and discuss educational techniques, learner challenges, and opportunities to enhance their careers.

There will be 28 educational sessions during the two days. Among the topics to be discussed will be specific strategies instructors can use to “reach” their learners, as well as more technical topics such as the appropriate uses of autopilot during IFR and teaching emergency procedures in the most effective manner.

According to NAFI, there will be 21 exhibitors at the event, including Sporty’s Pilot Shop, King Schools, Avemco Insurance, and Redbird Flight Simulations. Several online training courses will be represented, as well as manufacturers of safety wearables, designed to enhance the educational experience.

Celebrity guests are also expected, and include keynote speakers Dr. Susan Northrup, FAA federal air surgeon, and Bruce Landsberg, Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association senior safety adviser and recently retired National Transportation Safety Board vice chairman.

Northrup will be discussing the FAA’s rulemaking committee report. Instructors are tasked with knowing the rules and where to look them up and teaching this practice to their learners.

Landsberg will focus on how instructors can best teach fundamental aviation concepts to their learners.

On the evening of October 16, a dinner will be highlighted by aviation educators and instructors John and Martha King. The Kings have more than 50 years experience as aviation instructors. 

Registration for NAFI Summit is $350 for nonmembers and $300 for NAFI members. Further discounts exist for Master CFIs and DPEs, as well as active military attendees.

There is also reduced pricing for flight schools that sign up as a group and bring at least three instructors or a maximum of 10 to the event.

Additional information, including how to register, may be found here.

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