Cleared for Takeoff, A Flight Options Blog

Flight Options Adds New Players to Sales Team

2008-08-21T13:59:00.008-04:00

As Flight Options looks toward new growth, two aviation sales veterans have recently been added to the FO team.

Jay Heublein returns to Flight Options where he began his aviation career as a regional sales director. In his new role as vice president, Jay will lead the national sales force and create and execute Flight Options’ sales and marketing strategies.

In addition to Jay as the new VP of Sales and Marketing, Eli Flint joins as the Southeast region's new Sales Director.

Eli grew up in the aviation industry and has spent the last four years as a sales director with another aircraft manufacturer-owned fractional program. Prior to his most recent fractional sales position, Eli spent ten years employed by FlightSafety, where he held several roles in international sales and marketing.

Gentlemen, welcome to the team.

Flight Options and Pilots’ Union Announce Joint Cooperation

2008-08-12T11:19:00.004-04:00

Flight Options and the International Brotherhood of Teamsters Local 1108 recently announced an unprecedented expression of mutual cooperation. Both labor and management have pledged to put their past differences aside and instead dedicate their efforts to achieving common goals.

Kenn Ricci, the chairman of Flight Options, recently joined negotiations with the Flight Options pilots’ union. When asked how his personal involvement will change the focus at the bargaining table, Kenn said, “Our employees are our most precious resource and we recognize that our pilots are the most important part of delivering exemplary safety and service to our customers. As such, we intend to offer our pilots a long-term contract that recognizes them as the best in the industry.”

Captain Mat Slinghoff, the union’s president, when reached at the IBT Local 1108 office said, “We are pleased to join with the Company to express both eagerness and confidence that our first Collective Bargaining Agreement is now within reach. The pilots share Flight Options’ goal of providing unparalleled safety and service to our customers.”

"The Union and Company negotiating teams are working day and night to finalize an agreement that satisfies both the needs of the pilots and the business. I’m confident that bright skies are ahead,” Slinghoff added.

Flight International Reveals 100 Greatest in Aviation

2008-07-16T13:55:00.005-04:00

The Apollo 11 moon landing where Neil Armstrong first stepped on to the moon has topped a poll of the 100 Greatest in Aviation - revealed at a special 100th birthday ceremony for Flight International magazine held at the Farnborough Air Show in Hampshire last night [Tuesday 15th July].

Murdo Morrison, editor of Flight International magazine said: "We've had some really iconic aircraft and moments that have been nominated by thousands of Flightglobal.com readers and users, but the Apollo 11 landing was truly a golden age of mankind reaching new boundaries in science and technology."

Here is the link to the complete list: 100 Greatest in Aviation

Safety, Once Again & Always

2008-06-18T11:33:00.004-04:00

Last week, the Air Charter Safety Foundation (ACSF) announced a new comprehensive safety audit for Part 135 operators (including fractional providers). Flight Options took part in the development of the new approach. Here, FO VP of Safety Chuck Starkey offers an overview:

"Our Safety Department worked with National Air Transport Association (NATA) and the ACSF as part of the Audit Standards Working Group. Bill Boswell, our internal evaluation program manager, and I were regularly involved. The group has worked since the spring of 2007 to develop a single, common and comprehensive audit standard for Part 135 and Fractional operators. This standard incorporates effective safety management, continuous improvement and other industry best practices as requirements for a Part 135 or fractional operator to successfully complete the audit and achieve registered status with ACSF. Similar to the existing International Air Transport Association (IATA) Operational Safety Audit used as the industry audit standard for commercial airlines worldwide, ACSF's comprehensive audit covers ten major areas of operation:

1. Corporate Organization and Management
2. Flight Operations
3. Operational Control
4. Aircraft Maintenance
5. Cabin Operations
6. Aircraft Ground Handling & Servicing
7. Cargo Operations
8. Operational Security
9. Passenger Handling & Safety
10. Dangerous Goods / Hazardous Materials

These 10 sections contain hundreds of individual audit elements. To successfully complete the audit and achieve ACSF registry, the operator must show that every applicable element is documented, implemented and effectively meets the audit standards. The audit is designed to be scalable, allowing both small and large operators to implement appropriate programs within their organizations to meet standards.

ACSF’s single, independent audit standard and registry should provide a common accepted standard for operations and safety within our industry, and help to eliminate redundant audits."

The Greener Future of Aviation

2008-05-19T09:27:00.004-04:00

Really interesting blog today about an exhibit at the Science Museum of London that explores what a greener future for aviation might look like.

As might be expected, technology plays a big role in this future--with much emphasis placed on designing aircraft that simply burn less fuel.

Apropos of Nothing in Particular

2008-05-18T00:13:00.003-04:00

Today's/yesterday's (it's just past midnight, you see) entry on the blog Cockpit Conversation concerns the blogger's trip to Mount Rushmore.

Nothing aviation-y about it, but it's interesting.

(There's no individual link for the post, so just go to the blog and scroll to May 17. If you want.)

Fuel-Saving Techniques for Pilots

2008-05-15T13:33:00.003-04:00

The AOPA (Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association) just put out an information sheet on the top 3 techniques pilots can use to reduce their fuel burn. This is an area of great concern for both financial and environmental reasons.

(We've blogged about our own efforts to reduce fuel burn here and here.)

Obviously, given that it's for pilots, this information sheet contains specific maneuvers that won't necessarily mean much to non-pilots, although the technique related to descent is not all that technical. (Essentially, the idea is to plan ahead, and descend very gradually.)

The point is that fuel burn, as an issue, continues to grow in importance, based on skyrocketing fuel costs as well as carbon emission concerns.

Talking with LPGA Player Laura Diaz

2008-05-14T10:42:00.002-04:00

As we announced last week, LPGA pro golfer Laura Diaz joined the Flight Options JetPASS program recently, and Flight Options has become her private jet sponsor.

Yesterday, she took some time out of her busy schedule to speak with us about her passion for golf; how she stays fit and mentally focused; and what it has meant to her to begin flying privately. (You can listen to the interview here.)

Pilot Training: Simulators

2008-05-13T08:28:00.004-04:00

Flight Options partners with CAE, a world leader in providing integrated training solutions for the civil aviation industry and defence forces, for our simulation training, which is an integral part of both initial and ongoing training of pilots. (A basic intro to Flight Options’ pilot training is here.)

Through a global network of 27 civil aviation and military training centers, CAE trains more than 75,000 crewmembers yearly--and that includes all of Flight Options' pilots. With the commitment to introduce the new Embraer Phenom 300 to our fleet (beginning at the end of 2009), we've needed to incorporate training on that pioneering aircraft, and CAE is playing a central role.

CAE and Embraer have formed a joint venture to provide comprehensive pilot and ground crew training to customers of the Phenom 100 very light jet and Phenom 300 light jet aircraft. The program includes the provision of initial and recurrent training to pilots and maintenance technicians.

Both programs will include instructor-led ground school training using state-of-the-art computer based training tools, integrated procedures trainer (IPT) sessions, and real-world, scenario-oriented simulator sessions.

CAE and Embraer are designing the Phenom training programs to ensure that simulation technologies and synthetic environments permeate the end-to-end training experience as much as possible. Pilots and technicians will learn by doing those tasks they will be called upon to do in the real world—helping them gain knowledge that is practical, builds judgment and creates the safest-possible pilots.

Full-flight simulators will play a key role in the Phenom training program. The simulators replicate in every detail the cockpit of the aircraft that they simulate, allowing pilots to experience and learn emergency procedures that cannot be practiced safely on board the actual aircraft.

No pictures are currently available for the new simulator. We'll post them as soon as we get some.

Been Meaning to Add This

2008-05-08T09:26:00.001-04:00

Phenom 300, First Flight

The Physics of Flight: Lift

2008-05-06T11:38:00.004-04:00

Because embarrassing moments live with us forever, I remembered recently about a time, back when I was a young whippersnapper, when I saw a floatplane take off and thought maybe I was hallucinating.

“Dad!” I said (he happened to be there). “How can an airplane push off from water?!?”

He explained that the airplane doesn’t push off at all, and then said something incomprehensible (to me) about how it is actually lifted off the ground, not as a result of magic, but because of certain principles of physics.

What principles? You might (or might not) ask.

I asked FO’s intrepid Director of Flight Administration, Scott Snow, to write a little something on the topic. Here is his explanation of lift:

We are "thoroughly modern" when we can take for granted the apparent magic behind an airplane’s ability to fly. Most of us never give a second thought to how an airplane flies even though flying is one of the most popular modes of modern transportation.

As a pilot who understands the fundamentals of flight, I still find myself amazed every time an airplane takes me aloft. In spite of the science I know is behind it, there is something magical about seeing an airplane take to the sky without any visible means of support. It’s even more magical when I watch a large airplane like a 747 lumber aloft.

Can science alone support a 747’s 700,000-pound bulk, or is there really magic at work here? In spite of how truly amazing it may seem, flight is supported by the science of physics, and magic has nothing to do with it. An airplane flies because the wings generate lift, which is a real, scientifically proven force.

Debunking the Old Explanation of Lift

For many years, it was generally accepted that the scientific principle most responsible for lift was Bernoulli’s Principle. According to this principle, the shape of an airplane wing, or its position relative to the air flowing around it, caused the airflow over the upper surface to flow faster than the air flowing below. This increase in airflow velocity over the top created a reduction in air pressure while the air flowing below created higher pressure. The low pressure on top of the wing combined with higher pressure below was thought to create lift.

As it turns out, the forces generated by Bernoulli’s principle are pretty weak and simply cannot lift an airplane off the ground. We now know that a different scientific principle is responsible for lift. Enter Sir Isaac Newton and his Laws of Motion. The forces generated when the Laws of Motion are applied to the lift equation are much stronger and actually possess the potential energy to carry any airplane aloft.

A More Eloquent (and Updated) Explanation of Lift

As air flows around the wing and off the trailing edge, a force is generated. This force manifests itself opposite to the direction in which the wing is traveling and the energy generated is transferred to the air aft of the wing (Newton’s First Law of Motion). Simultaneously, the wing’s shape imparts a directional change in the force by pushing the airflow at the trailing edge downward (Newton’s Third Law of Motion). Finally, the downward flow of air is accelerated significantly by “pumping” additional air from above the wing (Newton’s Second Law of Motion). This imparts even more energy into the equation. Combined, the Laws of Motion create ample force and push the airplane upwards.

In a much simpler explanation, as a wing moves through the air around it, it pushes and pumps that air behind and below the aircraft. The pumping and pushing action generates what we have come to know as lift.

The speed at which a wing moves through the air, the wing’s position relative to the airflow around it, and the shape of the wing itself all contribute to the amount of lifting force that is generated. That lifting force can even support the weight of a 700,000-pound 747, which to me still seems a lot more like magic than it does science.

Phenom 300 -- In Flight!

2008-04-29T21:56:00.004-04:00

So, the fine folks at Embraer are flying along, so to speak, on production of the Phenom 300 light jet. Today, the first Phenom 300 took off for a test flight in Brazil!

From Embraer's press release on the maiden journey:

"During the one hour and twenty-two minute flight, Captain John Sevalho Corção and Embraer Chief Pilot Eduardo Alves Menini, who also was a crew member of the first flight of the Phenom 100, accompanied by flight test engineer Jens Peter Theodor Geiger Wentz, put the plane through a number of maneuvers, checking the aircraft’s flight characteristics and the operation of its systems. Simultaneously, the engineering teams involved in the Phenom 300 flight test campaign were analyzing flight data transmitted in real time and supporting the flight test crew from the ground."

So, a bunch of test flying and more production is on the docket for the next year and a half or so, and we'll be getting our first aircraft by the end of 2009.

Can't wait!

Safety, the FAA and Us

2008-04-27T17:44:00.004-04:00

On March 12, USA Today published an Op-Ed piece by Acting FAA Administrator Bobby Sturgell, addressing concerns about air travel safety. Questions about adequate oversight by the FAA had arisen, when revelations came to light that Southwest had skipped some aircraft inspections and the FAA had done nothing.

We think Acting Administrator Sturgell is correct when he identifies the air safety system itself as generally effective. But our VP of Maintenance Todd Hattaway says the discussion needs to go further:

"No carrier or operator wants the type of attention or press that is being generated out of the recent events mentioned by Mr. Sturgell in the March 12 USA Today. There is quite a bit of activity across the nation this past month which indicates that as Mr. Sturgell suggested, his top 88 inspectors are looking to ensure that their respective operators/carriers are vigilant in all areas of safety.

When Mr. Sturgell stated that 'our safety record shows that the system works,' he was also referring to all of the carriers/operators who support the system. We have the safest aviation system in the world, in large part because of the oversight, voluntary reporting and information exchange between inspectors and airlines/operators that is happening constantly. Disclosure and information sharing have been key to improvements in aviation safety, far more effective tools than sanctions.

Left unsaid but an important understanding is that the industry recognizes safety as something that can, and must, always be improved. It is not an achievement, but a process. With that in mind, we continue developing better ways to promote safety, and to reduce risks before they can cause problems.

The industry is on the verge of entering an even more robust era of cooperation and management oversight with the start of the Safety Management System (SMS). This next step will require each operator/carrier to understand, share and develop effective processes and procedures for the gaps identified during a review with their respective FAA inspector.

On April 18, Transportation Secretary Mary Peters provided some insight into some of the next steps the FAA and operators will take to ensure our level of safety continues to improve. The FAA will form a national team to focus on maintenance practices at the carriers and operators to include special emphasis on overdue and looming inspections. Another area of focus will be how a voluntary self-disclosure item is submitted, reviewed and accepted.

The first focus area of creating a national team to review inspections will provide a system wide review of how an operator/carrier conforms to an inspection program in a proactive manner. When considering a Safety Management System (SMS) that is fully integrated to include the operator, the FAA or oversight agency and the OEM (original equipment manufacturer), the outcome could be a standard method for updating maintenance programs and the required manuals needed to operate regardless of which aircraft an operator/carrier has in their fleet.

This type of standardization can only raise the bar for safety. This may not be the primary reason a program such as this is being considered at this time, but when a philosophy such as SMS is used to drill down to a root cause, the result could help the industry tackle one of the issues that stretches across our fleets.

The second focus area mentioned was changing the process used for the Voluntary Disclosure Reporting Program (VDRP). There were several changes mentioned that are under consideration. One was a requirement that the VDRP be submitted by a higher-level manager at the operator/carrier, rather than by a lower-level employee, on the operator/carrier’s behalf.

Simply put, this is an awareness item to ensure that managers responsible for the operation of the carrier fully understand what is amiss and where the focus should be. Another piece of this is to have the FAA office management review the VDRPs as well and report out any trends and consider actions.

There was mention of not accepting all VDRPs without penalty. With the exception of actually mandating that higher levels of management are in the loop and a formal review process is created– this is a similar system to what we have today, but with an eye on increasing awareness.

Both Transportation Secretary Mary Peters and Acting FAA Administrator Bobby Sturgell are openly stating that we are operating in the safest period of our history and that our programs support the results. They are also stating we must improve our programs and continue searching for that higher level of safety. The theme of the changes proposed supports our current programs, albeit with changes, and is a consistent message that we will improve together.

This type of cooperation is paramount in reaching the next level of safety that both the FAA and the operator/carriers desire. At Flight Options, we agree with and support the Administration's efforts to achieve the next level of safety.

Aircraft deliveries are reaching an all-time high. Our safety systems must grow and improve accordingly."

Timeline of a Hypothetical FO Trip*

2008-04-22T10:30:00.007-04:00

Tuesday:

+ Owner calls to book flight for following Tuesday, Aspen to Teterboro (NJ)
+ Advises Owner Services Representative (OSR) that he’s flying with wife and two small dogs
+ Requests usual catering
+ OSR checks all aspect of trip information
+ OSR checks Owner profile, which indicates the need for extra blankets, and then arranges for them to be on the aircraft
+ OSR notes precise catering instructions—diet Snapple, not regular
+ OSR ensures newspapers include the New York Times and the Washington Post
+ OSR arranges with transportation partner for sedan to pick up Owner, wife and dogs

Wednesday:

+ Pilot Support Manager (PSM) gets trip information, prepares Aircraft Performance Request. (Because Aspen is a high-altitude airport, some aircraft cannot take off with heavy fuel load. PSM determines that a fuel stop will be necessary)
+ OSR emails Owner updated flight itinerary

Thursday:

+ OSR calls Owner to review details, get final okay, incorporate any changes
+ Owner mentions granddaughter coming along
+ OSR adds her to the passenger list

Monday:

+ Utilizing proprietary software program, Optimizer assigns an FO aircraft based on aircraft proximity and crew assignments
+ Scheduler reviews and confirms all is correct
+ Later in the day, the aircraft in question is stuck in Anchorage with unspecified weather delay (scheduler assigns a new aircraft to the trip)
+ OSR reviews trip again, double-checking Fixed Base Operator (FBO) hours of operation, ensuring diet Snapple has been ordered and transportation is scheduled
+ Dispatcher sends trip sheets for the next day for Crew to review via BlackBerry
+ Overnight, weather in Colorado gets bad, so late shift OSR keeps an eye on it

Tuesday:

+ Weather has improved
+ OSR and Dispatcher confirm repositioning leg (flight that brings aircraft to departure location) to Aspen has been delayed just a few minutes; it will not affect departure time
+ Owner Services Support Team member confirms catering is at Aspen FBO and transportation is at Teterboro
+ OSR receives call from Owner. One of the dogs is sick; delayed about an hour
+ Flight Planning makes necessary changes to the flight plan
+ Flight proceeds as per revised schedule

+ After trip, crew log flight times and notes into BlackBerries
+ Trip is closed out

*Big thanks to FO Owner Services Manager (Teams B & H) Aubrey Midgley for providing info for this hypothetical timeline.

Blogging Inspiration for a Monday

2008-04-21T10:18:00.004-04:00

I like finding new blogs.

Often I can find aviation blogs I've never seen before on the Blogroll at Nuts About Southwest (which is Southwest Airlines' blog). That's where I ran across this blog today, featuring the Goodwill Ambassabloggers of the San Diego County Regional Airport Authority.

(Ambassabloggers, you gotta love that, right?! It's one of those words that wakes you up in the middle of the night, and you have to jump out of bed and write it down, so you don't forget. Big-time kudos to whoever's subconscious came up with that one.)

Anyway, I've totally and immediately fallen in love with this blog, partly because of the latest entry, which focuses on the experience of employee blogging. (I'd be even more in love with it, if I weren't gripped by a rampant, high-flying jealousy about their levels of blog participation.)

So--Attention all FO Team Members:
Write stuff, will ya? (And send your pieces or ideas to me here.)

Why?
Ambassablogger Dennise says it best in her post:

" What you and they have to say is important, and an employee blog can be a suprisingly effective and beneficial way to say it. With our voices, we can each make a difference - where we work and in the lives of others."

Everybody has something worth saying, so if worrying that you don't is holding you back, I suggest the Zen practice of taking note of that opinion's existence, without judging it, and then just letting it go...

Avalanche Gorge, Glacier National Park

2008-04-17T09:35:00.004-04:00

Avalanche Gorge - Glacier National Park, originally uploaded by HonuPhoto. (flickr photo.)

A shot taken last summer at one U.S. 'disappearing destination' (see blog post below).

Travel to 'Disappearing Destinations'

2008-04-17T08:39:00.004-04:00

The website independenttraveler.com has an interesting piece about a trend in which people choose travel destinations based on what parts of the world seem to be experiencing the greatest effects of climate change.

The site lists five places that have become destinations for this kind of travel. Two of them are in the US--the state of Alaska and Glacier National Park:

"Alaska: Alaska is warming five times faster than the rest of the planet, jeopardizing its famous glaciers and frozen tundra. That's bad news not only for travelers seeking snowy scenery but also for Alaskans living in remote coastal villages, where receding ice is literally melting the ground out from under their feet....

Glacier National Park: In a few decades, the name of Montana's famous park may be a misnomer; according to current projections, the glaciers here will be gone within 30 years. They have already receded so visibly that scientists from the U.S. Geological Survey are using the park as a major site for research on climate change."

Of course, the notion of traveling based on ecological concerns raises the issue of the impact of travel itself on the environment. At a recent international seminar on sustainable tourism, sponsored partly by the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP), a senior researcher from the Oxford University Centre of the Environment described tourism as:

"... a contributor to Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions, including emissions from transport, accommodation and activities. In 2005, tourism's contribution to CO2 emissions was estimated to be approximately 5%. Measured as warming effect these emissions could represent up to 14% of global warming effect."

(If you're interested in green traveling, independenttraveler.com has some tips for how to do it here.)

Embraer's New MSJ and MLJ

2008-04-16T08:29:00.005-04:00

Images of the new midsize jet (MSJ) and midlight jet (MLJ) Embraer announced last week.

The MSJ will be over 67 ft long, 66 ft across and 22 ft high, with full stand-up cabin. Its range with four passengers will be 3000 nautical miles; 2800 nm with eight passengers--capable of trans-continental and trans-Atlantic flights. Mach 82 will be its max cruise speed.

The MLJ will be nearly 63 ft long, over 66 ft across and just over 22 ft high, also with stand-up cabin. Range with four passengers will be 2300 nm; 2200 with eight passengers--perfect for those regional and not-quite trans-continental flights (say, Atlanta to Denver or San Francisco). Its max cruise speed will also be Mach 82.

These aircraft will round out Embraer's business/executive jet lineup, occupying the cabin size between the Phenom 300 light jet (which we will begin taking delivery of late next year) and the Legacy large cabin model (which is our large cabin jet of choice).

The MSJ and MLJ are scheduled for release in 2012 and 2013.

(Thanks to Embraer for providing the images and 411.)

News From the Airline Front

2008-04-15T09:54:00.005-04:00

Nope. Not the merger.
Everybody's talking about the merger.

Nope. Not the mass aircraft groundings of last week. Everybody's (still) talking about the mass aircraft groundings of last week.

Here's the 411--American Airlines just entered the blogosphere, and with so little fanfare that we would not have even realized it, had the fine folks at Airline Biz Blog not been paying attention. (Thanks, Suzanne.)

So, that makes three blogging airlines (Southwest was the pioneer; Delta launched its blog last summer).

Meanwhile, on the fractional side of things--we're the first, and so far only, bloggers. (Not that we're bragging, or anything, just: Wake up, guys!)

Not for the Faint of Heart

2008-04-14T08:50:00.003-04:00

How I missed it, I don't know, since I do listen to Morning Edition just about every day.

But today, I heard a commentary for the first time by an apparently regular commentator (and daily blogger) named Leroy Sievers. He's been battling cancer for some time, and it really has been an epic battle, complete with suffering and setbacks and the kind of triumph that comes from plugging away, regardless.

I'm not sure if his story is inspiring, exactly, but I can say it grips you, right from the start.

My mother died of cancer. Losing a parent to a degenerative process like cancer--especially, I think, if you are present for the decline--focuses you on the concept of dying as a journey, and sometimes makes you wonder exactly where you are on your own path.

As with any journey in life, guides are vital. Leroy Sievers is an expert, pointing out every shadow and identifying every tree, as he moves through the landscape of cancer and cancer treatment.

Thanks, Leroy.
And, best of luck as your journey continues.

Airplane at night

2008-04-11T12:21:00.002-04:00

Airplane at night, originally uploaded by _hordurinn.

Just wanted to share this cool shot with you. Gotta love Flickr.

Embraer on a Roll (Take Two)

2008-04-11T10:58:00.004-04:00

Our friends at Embraer (which supplies our large cabin Legacy and will produce the Phenom 300 light jets we're so excited about) announced this week two new business jets in development. These will be midsize and midlight jets, and will fill the gap, so to speak, between the Legacy and the Phenom 300. From the press release:

"The Embraer MSJ and Embraer MLJ were first presented at NBAA [National Business Aviation Association] 2007, in Atlanta, U.S., as concept aircraft. Surveys conducted with aviation specialists and potential customers confirmed the Company’s vision of best-in-class products for the midsize and midlight categories.

The Embraer MSJ and Embraer MLJ will offer an incomparable travel experience with the flatfloor stand-up six-foot (1.82-meter) cabin and a stylish interior design developed jointly with BMW Group DesignworksUSA. A full fly-bywire flight control system will further enhance a comfortably smooth flight."

These will be hitting the market in 2012 and 2013.
More later, perhaps with some pics to share...

American, the MD-80 and Safety

2008-04-10T14:08:00.004-04:00

If you haven't seen it, read today's post by Cranky Flier.

He's crankier than usual, over media coverage that suggests there may be some kind of history of safety problems with the MD-80, the aircraft American pulled out of the sky by the hundreds this week due to a wiring issue. (He particularly takes issue with an AP piece yesterday about overseas accidents involving MD-80s.)

The MD-80, he argues, is a very safe aircraft and doesn't deserve this kind of abuse.

One thing's for sure: airline passengers don't deserve to get stranded (again!), wait in long lines for nothing and have their plans completely undone.

Just how much more out of hand can this situation get?

Safety for All, And for All a Good Flight

2008-04-07T09:23:00.005-04:00

Most of us, when we think about flight safety, probably consider issues like pilot training, aircraft maintenance, air traffic control--even weather. Clearly, all these things do affect the overall safety of everyone onboard a flight.

But pilots face additional risks to their safety, health and well-being in flight. In fact, pilots are at risk before they even get into the cockpit, and by a not-very-obvious threat: baggage.

The leading cause of injury at Flight Options is related to baggage handling. (Unlike airlines, Flight Options does not have baggage handlers; pilots are responsible for that task, in addition to their other duties.)

It's become such an important issue for us that our Safety & Training Departments have developed a training program on proper baggage handling, and it's become part of the recurrent training all our pilots undergo annually.

Pilots are educated in this program to follow proper lifting techniques, which include but are not limited to:

"Plan ahead before lifting.
Knowing what you're doing and where you're going will prevent you from making awkward movements while holding something heavy. Clear a path, and if lifting something with another person, make sure both of you agree on the plan.

Lift close to your body.
You will be a stronger, and more stable lifter if the object is held close to your body rather than at the end of your reach. Make sure you have a firm hold on the object you are lifting, and keep it balanced close to your body.

Keep feet shoulder-width apart.
A solid base of support is important while lifting. Holding your feet too close together will be unstable, too far apart will hinder movement. Keep the feet about shoulder-width apart and take short steps.

Bend your knees and keep your back straight.
Practice the lifting motion before you lift the object, and think about your motion before you lift. Focus on keeping you spine straight--raise and lower to the ground by bending your knees.

Tighten your stomach muscles.
Tightening your abdominal muscles will hold your back in a good lifting position and will help prevent excessive force on the spine.

Lift with your legs.
Your legs are many times stronger than your back muscles--let your strength work in your favor. Again, lower to the ground by bending your knees, not your back. Keeping your eyes focused upwards helps to keep your back straight.

If you're straining, get help.
If an object is too heavy, or awkward in shape, make sure you have someone around who can help you lift."

When these principles are used, they have been proven to reduce injury, and we hope to begin seeing injuries decline. As of now, it's too soon to evaluate the new training program's effectiveness.

Inspiration on an It's Spring?!? Day

2008-03-31T12:55:00.010-04:00

Recently, Team Members of Owner Services and the Operations Control Center participated in a Service Pin Day to raise corporate pride. They were asked to share stories--memorable experiences--of their time at Flight Options. What follows are some of their responses, which divided into two basic topic categories--meaningful interactions with customers and respect for coworkers and the company.

These two anecdotes fall into the first category:

"I once took care of an owner who was trying to book an ASAP trip for her best friend whose son was just in an accident while away at college. While on the phone with the owner, she got word the son didn’t make it. She was obviously overwhelmed by the news, still needed to get her friend to her son ASAP, and was in no shape to to think clearly. I was able to share a very personal moment with her and then take care of absolutely everything else for her.

Our team worked together to get an aircraft assigned, transportation, hotel, and directions to the hospital for her within minutes. We got her friend to her son within 4 hours. I was very proud to work for Flight Options and be in this industry where your service can really be of importance in helping an owner in a crisis situation."
--Melissa Grzely, Director of Owner Services

"A owner's wife was terminally ill and was going through heavy cancer treatment. She was a lovely woman who fought every day and when she would call our team she would always have nice things to say about us. Her treatment was in another state and her children flew to see her as often as possible. Near the end they booked a pop-up trip that ran into mechanical and weather issues. I was on the phone with her for majority of the night. To say the least it was heart wrenching and I left here exhausted. Scheduling tried everything, charter, crew swaps, you name it they tried it. We ended up getting the kids to her the next day. Even though we did not get the kids to her that night our victory was in the effort put in by OPS and OSR that through communication made her realize we had an all-hands-on-deck attitude."
--Eric Kulka, Owner Services Representative

These examples reflect the second category, pride in coworkers and the company:

"When the company started a new Employee of the Month program in the OCC a few years back, my dispatch team at the time voted for me to be Employee of the Month because of the work I was getting done with our pilot customers (post flights). I was the first Employee of the Month under this new incentive. The next day, when I came to work and entered the OCC, the room applauded; this was my first and last sitting ovation. I was embarrassed, but felt great corporate pride."
--Ivan Williams, Dispatcher

"I consistently hear our team members speaking with owners and administrative assistants, showing care and concern. Whether it's in dealing with a disservice situation, or just asking how their families are or how their last trip went. Professional, yet connected. It always makes me smile!"
--Dawna Newman , OS Manager, Teams D & I

"As an organization, we seem to have unlimited capacity to step up when there is a real need, when someone needs help. We demonstrate this again and again, when our owners are in dire need of services due to personal emergencies, when our co-workers need help, and with our internal fundraisers. I have never heard anyone here complain that we're asked to do too much to help. I don't worry about how Flight Options will respond, because I know this is an outfit you can count on."
--Michael Petersen, OS Operations Representative

"Honestly, in my role it has been incredible to witness the personal and professional development of our team members. How we have been able to transform ourselves into a team of individuals that share the vision of this organization is awesome and demonstrates such faith and pride in all that we have accomplished."
--Lisa Donato, Manager of Operations Training & Development

"I see teamwork exemplified, constantly. I believe that my colleagues take the term 'teamwork' seriously. It amazes me that so many departments work together each day, passing the torch back and forth, ultimately creating the best possible service experience for our owners. I'm very lucky to work with individuals who care for one another and believe in what we are doing here. As an example, my team may be having a challenging day. The person on the other side of my wall, on a different team will overhear and will popup to offer assistance, or even just say something funny that will brighten up the day."
--Deena Click, Owner Services Representative

"I feel extreme pride every time I speak with an owner or an admin who advises me that my team is wonderful, they are provided with the best service and are unmatched."
--Aubrey Midgley, OS Manager, Teams B & H