Airlines come and go...

Hello to all three of you that read this blog. Interesting events have transpired over the last several months. Frontier Airlines has elected to terminate service out of Provo (KPVU) and Allegiant will begin service to Phoenix/Mesa starting in February 2013. I sure enjoy my window seat down here at the hangar. Along with the numerous Diamond aircraft that taxi by, I've seen Gulfstreams, CJs, Lears, Challengers, C-130s, Blackhawks, Fokkers, Dessaults, Piaggios,and even that P51-D that's hangared a bit north of here. I can always tell when that plane is coming. It has a very distinct rumble.

I'll be sure to upload some pictures when Allegiant gets here. And to all of you who thought I had "passed on" because it's been so long since I posted to this blog, let me assure you I am still alive. The end.

NIFA SAFECON 2012 @ UVU

The National Intercollegiate Flying Association's SAFECON was hosted at UVU this year.  There was no lack of diversity in weather for the event.  From what I observed there were at least 4 colleges involved and 5 different types of aircraft including Cessna 152s and 172s, Piper Cherokees, and Diamond DA40 Diamond Stars and DA20 Katanas.  Our media production team in the Educational Technology department compiled some great footage into a short video.  Though I was not directly involved it was a cool experience to watch.  Enjoy the video, I know I did.

UVU Aviation | NIFA SAFECON 2012

Shouldn't We Move Ahead?

I hope that my blog doesn't just become a place for me to regurgitate information from other reputable sources, but I came across a video on the 787 done by AOPA and I'm afraid I just can't help myself. Watch the AOPA video here.

Besides being a beautiful aircraft to look at, the technologies used in it's design and development are not necessarily new. The thing with aviation (especially fixed wing) is that aircraft design was so innovative and functional in its beginnings that very few changes have been made. With the exception of military aircraft development, most features that you see on jets today have been around since the 1960s. One of the banes of the air transportation industry in my opinion is the lack of research and development.

It's true that military contracts are a driving force behind aviation innovations, but as a business principle airlines and aircraft manufacturers should be looking into modernizing more than just cockpit avionics and GPS ATC solutions. The old adage "if it's not broken, don't fix it" (corrected for grammar, obviously) shouldn't apply to aviation. I don't think that a major aviation accident should drive changes in manufacturing or design but rather optimistic ideas for future applications of aviation.

I do realize that there is a cost disparity between operators and manufacturers with such development and I don't have any incredible economic strategies for overcoming it but isn't that something that can be worked out as we go along?

I really meant to only talk about the wonders of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner but it sparked my little soap box rant about pushing forward with technological developments in aviation for safety, efficiency, and an overall better flying experience.

CRJ 200 Learning

This is an update for all three of you that read this blog.  I am close to completing the design for two courses that will feature the CRJ 200.  Both of these courses will be offered through UVU's school of Aviation Science this coming fall. 

I have had the pleasure of working with some great people on this project.  I have spent time learning a lot about the CRJ also.  It is such a boon to have a job that allows me to learn constantly.  Anyway, back to the point.  These two classes on the CRJ won't replace any airline's ground school but they will provide a solid foundation for understanding the principles of highly complex aircraft and will certainly give a head start for anyone considering a career as a pilot with an airline.

I hope to be able to provide some promotional material for each course eventually.  For a taste of the awesomeness that is happening with Aviation Science at UVU, go to YouTube to see UVU Aviation videos.

UVU Aviation

One of my favorite aspects of my job besides working at the airport is working with great people.  Recently we released a brief animated history of aviation video on YouTube.  I think it's an awesome video.  For all three of the people who read this blog you should check it out!

Frontier Airlines is coming to Provo, UT!

Yes, I thought the title was worthy of an exclamation point.  It baffles me that the arrival of a major national airline in Provo, Utah has been so neglected.  The Provo Municipal Airport (KPVU) is a great choice as a feeder airport to other major airports, especially Denver.

It's true that as a pilot I'm probably more excited than the average person about this event, BUT shouldn't other people be excited too? If YOU lived in Utah Valley would you consider flying out of Provo to get to your destination? Think about it, smaller airport = less crowds = less time to get through security = less hassle. The inaugural flight will arrive on Monday June 20, 2011.  Frontier will operate the Embraer ERJ190.

Just to make sure I get the point across, THIS IS A BIG DEAL PEOPLE!! There, I think that about covers it.

Microburst?

There I was minding my own business when the building started to shake.  As it happens, the building in which I work is an airport hangar located at KPVU.  I work with the Aviation Science department of Utah Valley University developing online learning courses for students pursuing degrees in aviation.  Anyway, I was working this afternoon when my workstation went blank (power spike) no thanks to my giant surge protector.

So I went to the window to see what was going on outside and there's the airport's wind sock sticking straight out like a knight's lance.  I noticed a large amount of dust and debris blowing past the building.  I didn't really think much of it until I saw a SkyWest CRJ900 landing on runway 31.  Now I knew something was up.  It happens on occasion that these jets divert to Provo when the weather in Salt Lake is bad.  While I was at the window I noticed that the building was moving in the wind and the wall I was leaning on was shaking.

I noticed another CRJ on a long base and watched as it turned final being blown WAY off course.  The pilots must have had to make at least a 20 degree bank to correct. Then the beautiful thing, a crab angle so severe the passengers on the right side of the plane must have had a full view of the airport.  They made their descent and then like clockwork lowered the left wing into the wind and put the mains on the tarmac.  Kudos to whomever those RJ900 pilots are.

It was about this time that we heard a large crashing noise.  I decided to go outside to see how bad the wind really was.  When I got to the corner of the building I was nearly knocked over.  Winds were gusting up to at least 50 mph.  When I got back to my office we were told that the building would be shut down and we all had to leave early due to the weather (we were expecting hail and the like coming up later).  On my way out I noticed that two of the four large doors on the north hangar were completely blown off the building.  We're talking HUGE doors here, they have to be at least 35-40 feet by 20-25 feet.

A few "essential" personnel stayed late that night and by the next day the hangar doors were back up and everything looked as though nothing had happened.  Way to go guys!