Earlier this year, American Airlines sued the powerhouse media platform “The Points Guy“, best known for offering tips on how people can maximize their travel while minimizing their spending. But their niche is reporting on how to best gain and use airlines miles.
The company launched a new app in Sep 2021 that allows users to track their frequent flyer miles – from all carriers – in one place. It’s like a one-stop shop for users to track their airline, hotel and credit card miles and points all under one roof.
Photo: American Airlines
But AA claims the company is profiting off the airline’s proprietary data and violating their AAdvantage loyalty program’s trademark and customer service privacy. They also claim claim Points Guy is violating the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act.
Points Guy wants to establish that the public can legally manage their own miles / points / rewards via a third-party, if they wish. And when AA first sent them a cease and desist, it was Points Guy who sued first.
AA’s suit seeks a court order forcing Points Guy to remove all links and data they have stored about the airline’s AAdvantage member accounts. Points Guy, combined with its website, app and various social media, reaches over 10 million views a month.
The TPG team hard at work in New York City. (Photo by Ken Pao / The Points Guy)
Both sides had a chance to settle the matter. But their lawyers notified a federal judge in Fort Worth, Texas this week that the talks failed.
The case will now head to trial in Sep 2023 (American Airlines Inc. v. Red Ventures LLC, 22-cv-44, US District Court, Northern District of Texas).
“We launched The Points Guy App for free last year with the goal of allowing travelers to track all of their loyalty programs in one spot. We believe that this gives consumers the power to see how much value they actually have in loyalty points and frequent flyer miles so that they can travel the world,” said Brian Kelly, Founder of The Points Guy.
Brian KellY, founder of The Points Guy (pHoto: Points guy)
“We are choosing to fight back against American Airlines on behalf of travelers to protect their rights to access their points and miles so they can travel smarter. We’ll continue to advocate because we believe the consumer has the right to choose whether you share your loyalty balances with a third party app that will make your life easier.”
Ultimately, both parties want the same thing – monetized views on their apps and websites. And the app = less people on AA’s platforms. Funny enough, Points Guy still publishes positively about AA, and the AA PR machine still pitches Points Guy with stories to do.
The “endangerment finding” is the first step in the EPA process under the Clean Air Act to flex their authority to reduce lead pollution by aircraft.
AvGas is the only transportation fuel still used in America with lead
“When it comes to our children the science is clear, exposure to lead can cause irreversible and life-long health effects,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “Aircraft that use leaded fuel are the dominant source of lead emissions to air in the country. Today’s proposal is an important step forward as we work to reduce lead exposure and protect children’s health.”
According to the EPA, aircraft that use leaded fuel are the largest remaining source of lead emissions into the air, contributing 70% of the lead according to government statistics.
Avgas is the only transportation fuel still used in America to contain lead. The most common and reliable is 100 octaneLL, which has an additive to prevent engine damage at higher power settings.
Their findings will undergo public notice and comment, and then be evaluated for a final finding next year. If finalized, the EPA would then propose regulatory standards for lead emissions on some 200,000 general aviation aircraft operating on leaded fuel.
The EAGLE Initiative is based on four pillars of action (image: FAA)
It’s an effort to establish policies and activities to transition piston-engine aircraft to unleaded fuel by the end of 2030, without adversely affecting the existing piston-engine fleet or compromising safety and the broader economic and public benefits of general aviation.
For the first time since 2009, the birthplace of supersonic flight is about to have an air show open to the public on-base. And considering the history of Edwards AFB and flight testing done there, the lineup and variety of aircraft will be quite unique from any other air show in the nation.
Taking place on Oct 15-16, the Aerospace Valley Open House, Air Show and STEM Expo has been in works now for 5 years, and will see the 412th Test Wing bring out all their toys. The show will celebrate the 75th anniversary of the USAF and breaking of the sound barrier for the first time on Oct 14, 1947 by then-Capt. Chuck Yeager.
Edwards flew a hybrid air show in 2020, but the public was not allowed on-base due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Instead, they brought the air show to the people by flying around the local county and broadcasting it live online.
The show will bring back Sonic Boom demos, an old Edwards air show tradition. It’s the only show in North America allowed to break the sound barrier. USAF and NASA jets will be “going full steam” to see who can break the sound barrier first. The altitude will be above 28,000 feet and the loudness of the booms will be based on weather conditions, but the crowd will hear and feel it.
F-35s will be one of maNy Edwards jets raging in the skies for the air show oct 15-16, 2022 (photo: mike killian)
“We are working hard with our NASA Armstrong Flight Research Center partner to showcase a unique demonstration of sonic booms- past, present and future” says the show.
STEM will be a focus
It will also focus heavily on STEM, and include the largest STEM expo in USAF history. The iconic Hangar 1600 (seen in Captain Marvel) will be transformed into an “oasis of technology and exploration” says the show. Flight simulators and other tech and fun stuff will be available to the public from over 60 exhibitors.
One of several flight simulators that will be on exhibit for the public At the aerospace valley air show Oct 15-16, 2022 (photo Credit: AV air show)
“Being the center of the aerospace testing universe, and how we develop future technologies, we are uniquely positioned to put some of those technologies on display at a level that is accessible and interactive for the public,” says air show director USAF Major Samuel Freeland.
“Especially with the younger audience, when you’re out there and you watch a 5th gen fighter put on a demonstration, that is the foundation of what gets people there to make those technologies possible.”
Usaf thunderbirds in their signature delta formation (photo credit: mike killian)
Thunderbirds are headlining
The USAF Thunderbirds will headline the show. NASA will be showing off some of their unique aircraft too, including their 747 SOFIA flying telescope. SOFIA will arrive Sat during the show and be on static display after, and leave on Sunday (during or after the show). So it WILL be flying in the show, along with NASA’s DC-8 & jet fleet.
L1011 will be there too
The world’s only flying Lockheed L-1011, Northrop’s Stargazer, will be on static display. And so will a RQ-4 Global Hawk. Every tactical fighter in the USAF inventory will be present. B-1 and B-52 bombers will also roar through the sky.
Edwards AFB airshow promises more surprises
NASA’s 747 SOFIA flying telescope (now retired) will be open to the public and flying in the air show oct 15-16 (nasa photo)
Many surprises are in store too, as the show has been hinting at on their social media.
Lockheed’s Skunk Works will also be bringing out their Darkstar hypersonic jet prototype, featured in this summer’s movie Top Gun Maverick. The plane can’t fly, as it is just a movie prop, but the model does feature a functional working cockpit, and there’s no doubt that Skunk Works is working on the concept for a real plane.
The Chinese even saw Darkstar in satellite inages and thought it was real, which sent them into a panic.
Gregory “WIRED” Colyer from Ace Maker Airshows will be flying his T-33 demo, showing off America’s first fighter jet trainer which helped usher in the jet age 75 years ago.
Gregory “wired” colyer will Be flying hIs ace maker t-33 demo at the air show, highlighting the USAF’s first jet trainer which paved the way for all the jets After. (photo credit: mike killian)
Edwards actually contracts Colyer as an instructor to support test pilot student training. He flies Qualitative Evaluation missions with the T-33 where students have to figure out a bunch of performance stuff, fly a set of test cards, record the data, then evaluate the jet and write a report.
Other civilian acts will be flying as well. Static displays of vintage aircraft will also be on hand from organizations such as the Golden Age Flight Museum.
A look back at some Of the 2009 open house air show flying at edwards, courtesy of sPencer hUghes
The event is free to the public. Gates will open at 8:30am on both days. The base will close when it hits capacity of 50,000 people. Premium VIP viewing options are available to purchase.
NASA has begun studying the potential for a privately-funded SpaceX mission to boost the Hubble Space Telescope’s orbit.
The engineering marvel has been delivering breathtaking views of the universe now for over 30 years, thanks in large part to 5 space shuttle missions that serviced it. The last, however, was in 2009, and Hubble’s orbit has been degrading ever since.
Nasa astronauts servicing hubble on the sts-103 space shUttle discovery mission (photo: nasa)
Those missions repaired and replaced hardware, upgraded the observatory, boosted its orbit, and extended its operating life and benefit to humanity by many years.
Hubble’s Remaining Time Is Limited
It’s now currently at 332 miles, and will fall faster and faster as time goes on. If nothing is done, it will burn up in the atmosphere in the mid 2030s.
Spacex launch from historic pad 39a at kennedy space center in floRida (photo: mike killian)
Billionaire Jared Issacman, who commanded the first all-civilian private SpaceX mission on Inspiration-4 last year, now wants to take another SpaceX mission to boost Hubble. He’s already training with a new crew for another all-private mission next year, called Polaris Dawn, and intends to command 2 other Polaris missions with SpaceX after that.
“Polaris is excited to assist in this study,” says Issacman. “Hopefully, it leads us down a path that ensures Hubble continues to service science for decades into the future.”
Issacman in orbit on the inspiration-4 mission with SpaceX
He even says the mission would come at no cost to the government or tax payer. Issacman self-funded Inspiration-4 and is doing the same with Polaris, and raising money for St Jude Children’s Hospital in the process.
Concept Presented To NASA
SpaceX has gained plenty of experience docking their Dragon spacecraft in orbit. They launch cargo and crew to the International Space Station for NASA regularly, and they think Isaacman’s idea could work. So together, he and SpaceX brought the idea to NASA.
SpaceX Crew Dragon Endeavour as it approached the International Space Station (photo: nasa)
The space agency agrees it is worth at least looking into. They recently signed an unfunded Space Act Agreement to seriously study the idea.
“This study is an exciting example of the innovative approaches NASA is exploring through private-public partnerships,” said Thomas Zurbuchen, associate administrator for the Science Mission Directorate at NASA. “As our fleet grows, we want to explore a wide range of opportunities to support the most robust, superlative science missions possible.”
Not a Done Deal
If such a mission were to happen, it could give Hubble another 15-20 years of service. But NASA emphasizes that, for now, there are no plans to conduct or fund a servicing mission.
It’s also a non-exclusive study. Other companies can propose similar studies with different rockets or spacecraft as their model.
one of hubble’s moat famous inages, the Pillars of Creation, Which are a mind-blowing 5 light-years tall. The pillars are part of a small region of the Eagle Nebula, a vast star-forming region 6,500 light-years from Earth. (Photo: NASA, ESA, and the Hubble Heritage Team (STScI/AURA)
“SpaceX and the Polaris Program want to expand the boundaries of current technology and explore how commercial partnerships can creatively solve challenging, complex problems,” said Jessica Jensen, vice president of Customer Operations & Integration at SpaceX. “Missions such as servicing Hubble would help us expand space capabilities to ultimately help all of us achieve our goals of becoming a space-faring, multiplanetary civilization.”
Even if NASA decides against such a mission, they’ll probably have to launch a propulsion module to the telescope by the end the decade anyway, to ensure Hubble makes a controlled safe reentry over the Pacific Ocean. So if they have to launch that anyway, why not launch a mission to give it another 20 years of life instead?
A few months back, we broke the news that Southwest was retiring their last Boeing 737-700 in the original ‘classic’ livery. At the time, Southwest shared the news that they also had plans to paint a new Boeing 737-MAX8 in the ‘classic’ scheme to replace the retiring jet. Thanks to spotter Chris Edwards, we have first photos of the forthcoming special livery jet.
Livery Harkens Back To Southwest’s First Paint Scheme
A Southwest 737-200 in the mustard ‘classic’ livery with passenger windows outlined in white.(Wikipedia Photo by: RuthAS)
The classic colors refer to Southwest’s original paint scheme. The 1970s era Boeing 737-200 jets featured the garish ‘mustard yellow’ paint scheme. This scheme became synonymous with Southwest’s quick turns, low fares, and open seating policy that become commonplace across the desert southwestern United States. (Note: If you are looking for a great breakdown of Southwest Airlines history, check out our profile we did on the fascinating early days of the pioneering airline by Avgeekery contributor David H. Stringer.)
Southwest later modified their colors to a more toned down but still distinctive desert brown before eventually refreshing their livery in 2001 to the Canyon Blue scheme.
As Southwest introduced the then new Canyon Blue scheme, they promised to keep three jets in the original scheme. Over time, that promise slipped to two aircraft named after its CEO and founder Herb Kelleher and its President-emeritus Colleen Barrett. Then over the past year, both remaining Boeing 737-700s were retired.
Previous Southwest schemes to appear on two new MAX jets
Southwest has plans to paint a single Boeing 737-MAX8 in the ‘classic’ scheme dedicated to Herb Kelleher. Southwest will also introduce another Boeing 737-MAX8 in the ‘Canyon Blue’ scheme dedicated to Colleen Barrett at a later date. We expect the official unveiling of the ‘classic’ jet should happen sometime around the end of the year.
For dedicated Southwest livery fans, an early look at this jet show that it retains the golden finish verses the more original brown paint that over 300 aircraft once wore. The jet does not look like the passenger windows will have a white outline like the original classic scheme but will instead mirror the previous special livery on the Boeing 737-700s where the white outline was deleted. There is no word yet whether this jet will feature any special nose art dedicated to Herb Kelleher. Also, we’ll be waiting to see if Southwest includes the heart decal that was so prominent on their jets back in the late 1990s. We’ll keep our eyes out for more information and keep you updated.
NASA’s Crew-5 astronauts arrived at the ISS today, after a 29-hour trip from Earth following launch yesterday from Kennedy Space Center.
Their SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft “Endurance” conducted a picture-perfect autonomous rendezvous & approach, docking to the station’s Harmony module forward port at 5:01pm EDT, about 260 miles above the west coast of Africa. Hatch opening occurred at 6:49pm EDT over the southern Atlantic Ocean.
The #Crew5 astronauts arrived at the space station at 5:01pm ET. The @SpaceX Dragon Endurance docked to the orbiting complex while the spacecraft was flying about 258 miles above the west coast of Africa. More.. https://t.co/CVvCiwmNU8pic.twitter.com/s6ZuwjryHE
— International Space Station (@Space_Station) October 6, 2022
Crew-5 Replacing Crew-4 on ISS
NASA astronauts Nicole Mann and Josh Cassada, JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) exited the Dragon to board station first. They were followed by Japanese astronaut Koichi Wakata and cosmonaut Anna Kikina. All were welcomed aboard with smiles and hugs by the space station’s Expedition 68 crew.
Crew-5 is replacing the current Crew-4 residents, who have been on station since last April. Crew-4 astronauts Bob Hines, Kjell Lindgren, Jessica Watkins and Europe’s Samantha Cristoforetti will spend the next week helping Crew-5 get adjusted, before returning to Earth on their own Dragon “Freedom” which is docked next to Endurance.
— International Space Station (@Space_Station) October 6, 2022
Also onboard are NASA astronaut Frank Rubio and cosmonauts Sergey Prokopyev and Dmitri Petelin, who recently launched on a Russian Soyuz.
Crew-5 settling for 6 months of work on ISS
11 souls are now living in space, until Crew-4 departs next week for a splashdown off the coast of Florida.
Over the next 6 months, Crew-5 will be busy conducting over 200 science experiments and technology demonstrations. They include studies on printing human organs in space and better understanding heart disease. You can read more about some of the work they’ll be doing HERE.
Late last month, Phoenix-based regional carrier Mesa Airlines announced the purchase of 29 Pipistrel Alpha Trainer Pro aircraft, with options for 75 more. The aircraft will be the workhorse of Mesa’s Pilot Development Program (MDP), a specialized training program designed to help pilots with a commercial license quickly – and cost-effectively – reach the FAA-mandated 1,500-hour minimum.
The Alpha Trainer is a two-seat, high-wing training aircraft. Designed with a carbon fiber fuselage, a Kevlar reinforced cabin, and a full airframe ballistic parachute, it is touted as a safe, efficient, and low-cost option for flight training and time building. Mesa plans to deploy the aircraft at Inverness Airport (INF) in Citrus County, Fla., this October. The program will eventually expand to Phoenix as additional Alpha Trainer Pros come online over the next year.
A Dire Need for Pilots
Mesa Airlines pilots | IMAGE: Mesa Airlines Facebook
Mesa’s Pilot Development Program aims to help combat the dire need for pilots while simultaneously providing cadets with a direct path to a long-term career.
AvGeekery spoke with Mesa Chairman and CEO Jonathan Ornstein, who offered a bleak assessment of the state of the industry.
“The pilot shortage could become a permanent feature of the airline industry if we don’t get more aviators into the system,” said Ornstein. “It is basic math. If there aren’t enough trained pilots, customers suffer from loss of service and high-ticket prices.”
Indeed, airlines have already been forced to raise ticket prices and eliminate or reduce service to many smaller cities. Government statistics paint a damning picture: 14,500 new pilots are needed annually. The US is producing just 6,335. More than 8,000 – or 56 percent – pilot jobs are currently unfilled.
Even unprecedented rises in regional pilot salaries have been unsuccessful in retention efforts. Mesa recently raised their first officer hourly rate to $100 per hour – an astonishing 118 percent jump.
However, Ornstein acknowledges it’s not really about the money.
“Some of the happiest pilots I know were those flying 19-seaters in the Rockies, and some of the unhappiest are flying 777s making $350K per year,” Ornstein said. “It’s not just about the money. I think there’s a lot more that goes into it.”
How Did We Get Here?
A Mesa Airlines CRJ | IMAGE: Mesa Airlines Facebook
A combination of factors has brought the industry to this point. More stringent training requirements and a wave of early pilot retirements due to COVID-19 have contributed to the pilot shortage. The crisis disproportionately affects regional airlines because their pilots are moving to the major carriers to fill vacancies there. And there are not enough incoming regional pilots to replace those that move on.
The unfortunate reality is that becoming a pilot in the United States is simply unattainable for some – particularly for minority and other disadvantaged communities. Becoming a pilot is already expensive. Then, add in 1,500 hours of flight time the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requires for pilots to earn their Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) certificate, and the cost becomes exorbitant.
It wasn’t always like this, though.
Following an investigation into the deadly 2009 Colgan Air commuter crash near Buffalo, New York, the FAA raised the minimum flight time from 250 to 1,500 hours. Although the cause of the accident was determined to be pilot error, the move to increase the minimum hours was controversial, especially considering both pilots in the crash had attained more than 1,500 hours of flight time.
More than a decade later, the United States is still the only country to have implemented such stringent requirements for ATP certification. The mandate remains controversial to this day. A recent attempt by Republic Airlines to persuade the government to reduce the 1,500-hour minimum to 750 failed.
Ornstein doesn’t mince words when it comes to the 1,500-hour rule.
“We strongly believe that 1,500 hours is unnecessary,” he told AvGeekery. “It’s no worse than flying a pipeline or towing a banner. If people get a commercial license, then they should fly commercially – just like Air France, JAL, and every other airline in the world. This is an hours-building exercise, not a training exercise.”
Ornstein believes politics are behind the mandate.
“It’s not justified and lacks data,” said Ornstein. “There’s not one shred of evidence that supports 1,500 hours has made it safer – especially considering the rest of the world requires so much less.”
As a 42-year-old regional carrier, Mesa Airlines has survived countless challenges. But, until recently, there has always been a fresh supply of pilots.
Seeing the writing on the wall, Mesa took matters into its own hands and launched the Pilot Development Program in an effort to produce great pilots quickly. It is a way to support new pilots and address the airline’s needs. New pilots will receive training in an expedited manner and with no out-of-pocket costs.
The program works like this: commercially-certified pilots can log up to 40 hours of flight time weekly at $25 per hour, fully financed with no interest. Once cadets reach the 1,500-hour threshold, cadets can take a position in one of Mesa’s regional jets or 737s. Pilots will then pay back their loans over three years while at Mesa. Starting pay at Mesa is an industry-high $100 per hour.
“I think long-term, this program will be very impactful,” said Ornstein. “We think we can create somewhere between 0.8 and one pilot per month, per airplane. With 100 planes, we can produce almost 1,000 pilots a year. If two or three other airlines did the same thing, that would go a long way towards solving the problem.”
Partnership With United For Follow-On, Pay Increases Seeing Early Positive Signs
A United Express Embraer 175 takes off | IMAGE: Mesa Airlines Facebook
Mesa also partners with United Aviate, a fast-track career pathway to a United Airlines flight deck.
So far, Ornstein likes what he sees. The company has already seen a reduction in the number of Mesa pilots going to national carriers like JetBlue, Frontier, or Spirit that jumped ship to build their hours on their way to legacy carrier United. With the recent 118 percent increase, the salary at Mesa is comparable – or more in some cases – than that of other non-legacy national carriers. It also helps that they have a guaranteed spot waiting for them at United mainline.
“We’ve seen a fifth of the number of resignations we were seeing,” said Ornstein. “All the resignations, with the exception of one or two, were going to one of the national legacy carriers like United, American, Delta, Southwest, or cargo carriers like FedEx. We aren’t losing them to lower-paying carriers like we were before. Pilots understand that going to carrier XYZ, making the same or less, and then not having a guaranteed spot at United didn’t make sense. So from that respect, yes, the program is really working.”
The new structure helps retain pilots and gives them a guaranteed upgrade through a follow-on program.
“At Mesa, a five-year FO is a unicorn, a mythical creature,” said Ornstein. “So, you say to yourself, do you want to be the highest paid FO or the lowest paid captain? That’s a pretty easy decision. Now, our partners – particularly United – want us to retain people. Because, ultimately, they want them to end up there.”
The arrangement is beneficial for United, too, since Mesa has created a dependable pass-through program for pilots. Instead of training pilots who will most likely go on to other companies after flying for a regional for a set time, the MDP invests in the next generation of pilots for their company.
“This is invaluable for United,” said Ornstein. “United understands the value of this program because pilots are not going to their competition.”
An Effort To Develop Veteran Pilot Careers Too
RTAG Logo | IMAGE: RTAG Facebook
Additionally, Ornstein says Mesa’s MDP will benefit veterans seeking a career in aviation. Through RTAG, the Veteran to Aviation Charity, Mesa will help fulfill the charity’s mission of helping Veterans jumpstart their post-military career in the world of aviation.
“The results have been amazing,” says Ornstein. “For a lot of these men and women, building their time is also very valuable. It won’t help them get their commercial license, but it will help them generate the hours they need in order to be able to fly commercially.”
Ornstein adds that it is a relatively quick and cost-effective way for Veterans specifically to build their time.
While it’s still too early to quantify the results of the effort, Ornstein says he believes the state-of-the-art Alpha Trainers are the perfect aircraft to complement skills Veterans have already acquired while serving and is proud to be a leader in such an initiative.
An Uncertain Future for Regional Jets Too As Few Replacements On The Horizon
A Mesa CRJ-900 sits at the gate | IMAGE: Mesa AIrlines Facebook
Alleviating the pilot shortage is the most pressing need to help stabilize the industry. But another – and potentially more impactful – crisis is on the horizon.
The vast majority of smaller regional jets are approaching the end of their service life in the next decade. So where does this leave regional carriers? Without Bombardier in the picture, Embraer is essentially the only legitimate option for large-capacity regional airliners going forward right now.
Ornstein says he worries about a world in the not-so-distant-future where regional departures are cut in half once regional jets are parked forever. Considering that regional aviation currently makes up 60 percent of all departures in the United States, a move like that would disconnect dozens of cities from the transportation system and create an enormous problem for the airlines and the economy.
New technology is on the verge of reshaping the aviation industry, but it’s not yet ready. Emerging technology like eVTOL aircraft are currently in development and certification likely won’t happen for years. And even then, it remains to be seen just how useful they will be in the regional space. On the positive, eVTOLs offer possible a natural stepping stone for pilot development as a next step in Mesa’s pilot development program. Though, Ornstein acknowledges that such technology is still years away from being fielded at scale.
Embraer is betting on a next-gen turboprop (TPNG) to fill in the gap. The company is developing 50- and 90-seat variants of the TPNG, with a tentative launch date of 2028 at the earliest.
For airline industry leaders like Ornstein, the prospect – or lack thereof – of what will replace regional jets is a conundrum that must be solved.
“I am concerned,” said Ornstein. “Embraer is really the only player now that Bombardier is gone. It’s a big issue, and one that we’re going to have to contend with for sure.”
Let’s just hope we can solve the pilot shortage in the meantime.
For those itching to travel the world in a private jet while visiting some of the planet’s most incredible natural, manmade, and cultural wonders, National Geographic has just the adventure for you.
For the first time since the pandemic, National Geographic Expeditions is offering its stunning “Around the World by Private Jet” adventure. Snagging tickets may be a bit of a challenge, but for those who do, the expedition promises to be a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Private Jet Luxury
IMAGE: National Geographic
Travelers will experience luxury private jet travel aboard an Icelandair Boeing 757-200 (Reg: TF-LLL / MSN 29307). National Geographic is leasing the 757 from Iceland’s flag carrier.
Built in 2000, the jet features a fresh National Geographic livery and a specially-modified interior. Designed to carry 233 passengers, the modified 757 will feature just 80 seats in a 2×2 configuration. However, National Geographic is selling just 75 for each expedition. The VIP-style leather seats feature adjustable leg and headrests; although they aren’t lie-flat, they recline to a comfortable 45-degree angle.
Every passenger will have access to in-seat power outlets and ample storage space for computers, cameras, and other personal belongings.
The specially-trained flight crew includes three pilots, a chef, a catering officer, multiple flight attendants, an engineer, and a dedicated luggage handler. A physician will be available to travelers at all times – on air and land.
24-Days, Five Continents
IMAGE: National Geographic
In a two-week span, National Geographic will whisk 75 passengers to five continents, where they will explore ten UNESCO World Heritage sites.
The adventure starts at Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) in Virginia. From there, travelers will visit Peru, Chile, Samoa, Australia, Cambodia, India, Nepal, Bhutan, Tanzania, Jordan, and Morocco. Some of the incredible sites on the expedition include Easter Island, Machu Picchu, the Great Barrier Reef, the Taj Mahal, and the Serengeti Plain.
A map of National Geographic’s ‘Around the World by Private Jet’ Expedition | IMAGE: National Geographic
Also on the expedition will be a dedicated group of experts that will provide information and lectures throughout the trip. Some of the experts will include photographers, art historians, authors, anthropologists, biologists, archaeologists, and geographers.
Travelers will stay at “world-class accommodations” throughout the expedition.
This Could All Be Yours for the Low, Low Price of $100K
TF-LLL departs Santa Maria AIrport in the Azores on 23 Sep 2022 | IMAGE: Aeroporto de Santa Maria / LPAZ – SMA / Santa Maria Airport on Facebook
National Geographic Expeditions is offering nine more trips between now and 2024 (there is an ongoing expedition at the time of this writing).
The next trip begins on 29 December 2022 and ends on 21 January 2023. However, that trip is sold out (you can get on the waitlist here).
Additional trips include six departures in 2023 and two departures in 2024. Out of the nine trips listed on the website, only one has availability. Travelers can depart on 25 January 2023, arriving back in the US on 17 February.
How much, you ask? Well, let’s just say this adventure isn’t for everyone. 2023 dates have a going rate of $106,690 per person (based on single occupancy) and $96,995 per person (double occupancy). Those prices are a relative bargain, however, as they jump to $109,990 and $99,995 per person (double and single occupancy, respectively) in 2024.
Icelanders Love Adventure
Icelandair B752 TF-LLL | IMAGE: planespotters.net
Perhaps it’s in the genetic makeup of every Icelander, but adventure seems to be a way of life for the island country. Just a few months ago, an Icelandair 767-300 made a trip to Antarctica.
My guess is that there’s not much else to do in Iceland during the winter months when it’s dark 24 hours a day. You either step outside to watch the Northern Lights, or you plan your next adventure.
To watch the National Geographic 757 on flight monitoring websites, you can track TF-LLL or Icelandair 1239 (FI1239). As of 05 October, TF-LLL is en route to Australia from Tahiti’s Faa’a International Airport (PPT).
TF-LLL is one of 18 Boeing 757s that currently makes up Icelandair’s fleet. However, only 11 are in active service. The carrier also has two Boeing 757-300s.
It’s the first spaceflight for both NASA astronauts Nicole Mann (Cdr) and Josh Cassada (pilot). Joining them are veteran astronaut Koichi Wakata from Japan on his 5th spaceflight, and cosmonaut Anna Kikina, who is also making her first trip to space.
So far their Dragon spacecraft “Endurance” is operating nominally, with no reported issues thus far.
NASA Cree-5 astronauts nicole mann and Josh cassada on the spacex dragon as they reach space for the first time in their lives today (photo: nasa)Astronauts point of view foe the ride to orbit on The spacex dragon “endurance” (photo: NASA)
“We are living through a golden era of commercial space exploration. It’s a new era powered by the spirit of partnership, fueled by scientific ingenuity, and inspired by the quest for new discoveries,” said NASA Administrator Bill Nelson. “While our eyes are focused upward on the heavens, let us never forget these missions will also better life here on Earth.”
ISS Bound
The crew will be at the ISS for 6 months, replacing NASA’s Crew-4 who have been there since last April.
They’ll conduct more than 200 science experiments and technology demonstrations, including studies on printing human organs in space and better understanding heart disease. You can read more about some of the work they’ll be doing HERE.
Following launch, the Falcon 9 booster made a successful return to Earth, landing on a SpaceX barge in the ocean so the company can reuse the rocket.
Falcon 9’s first stage booster has landed on the Just Read the Instructions droneship pic.twitter.com/qKk3uk4J9B
The crew will take about 29 hours to arrive and dock to the ISS. Once aboard, Crew-4 will help their Crew-5 replacements adjust to life there, before handing the station over to Crew-5 and returning to Earth for a splashdown off the coast of Florida a week later.
“Thank you so much Falcon team, that was a smooth ride uphill,” said commander Mann upon reaching orbit. “We’ve got 3 rookies that are pretty happy to be floating in space right now, and one veteran astronaut who is pretty happy to be back as well.”
Crew-5 (photo: Nasa)
Docking is scheduled for around 4:57 p.m. EDT Thursday, Oct. 6. You can watch that below as it happens live, the camera views as it happens are incredible.
NASA also will broadcast the ceremony to welcome the crew onboard at about 8:15 p.m. EDT Thurs.
Flight attendants in the United States will now be guaranteed a 10-hour rest between duty periods, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced Thursday at a ceremony at Reagan National Airport (DCA) in Washington.
The updated requirements will apply to flight attendants scheduled to work 14 hours or less. Previously, the FAA required a minimum of nine consecutive hours of rest.
FAA Announces Longer Rest for Flight Attendants. New rule will require 10 hours of consecutive rest. https://t.co/aCPulxjVqN
U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg says the legislation, which will take effect in 90 days, is all about safety.
“Flight attendants, like all essential transportation workers, work hard every day to keep the traveling public safe, and we owe them our full support,” said Buttigieg. “This new rule will make it easier for flight attendants to do their jobs, which, in turn, will keep all of us safe in the air.”
The law also prohibits a reduction in rest period time, no matter the circumstance. The current rule allows for a nine-hour rest period, with the option of eight hours if needed.
The Legislation Has Overwhelming Bipartisan Support
A flight attendant prepares the cabin for arrival | IMAGE: Lukas Souza on Unsplash
The new requirement is in response to the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018, which calls for an increase in rest breaks. Despite overwhelmingly bipartisan Congressional approval, the legislation stalled during the Trump administration and left the 10-hour rest requirement unfulfilled. The FAA published the proposed rule in November 2021 after the Biden administration promised its support.
The increased rest requirement has plenty of support. However, there were some objections. Airlines for America (A4A), a trade group representing major airlines such as American, Delta, and United, objected to the change in its proposed form. A4A representatives say there are other ways to achieve the same results.
“Regulations should be limited to implementing only what is required by the statute,” A4A representatives said during a public commenting period. “The FAA could achieve the safety benefits of this regulation effectively and more efficiently through a risk-based rule in lieu of prescriptive hours-based requirements.”
The group represents 66 percent of all flight attendants in the United States.
A4A estimates the legislation will lead to nearly $790 million in additional costs for its members over the next ten years. The costs will stem from new hire turnover costs, training, scheduling software, and travel costs. Additionally, the group said the legislation could result in a loss of income for flight attendants. Reasons for reduced income could include reduced schedule flexibility, unpaid “idle” time away from home, and operational disruptions.
Safety Equity is Crucial for Flight Attendants, Pilots, Fliers
With this change, flight attendant rest times align more closely with pilot rest time mandates. Typically, pilots must rest for ten hours.
“We are here to make a change in aviation safety – one that’s been long overdue,” said acting FAA Administrator Billy Nolen. “The bottom line is that a rest period increase for flight attendants corrects a historical inequity.”
Some of the inequities stem from legislation passed following the crash of Colgan Air Flight 3407. Flight 3407 was a commuter flight that crashed outside of Buffalo, New York, in 2009. Some suggest a contributing factor to the accident was crew fatigue. However, the NTSB was never able to fully prove that was the case.
“When the Colgan crash happened, the pilot rest rules were changed – essentially overnight,” said Sara Nelson, president of the Association of Flight Attendants, CWA. “But flight attendants were essentially left on the cutting room floor.”
The increased rest rules come at a particularly vulnerable time for flight attendants. In the past couple of years, flight attendants have had to battle ta global pandemic, increasingly unruly passengers, and fatigue.
“Today, this is getting corrected,” said Nelson. “And we are going to see, by the new year, this implemented across the industry.”
SpaceX is set to launch NASA’s next astronauts on the Crew-5 mission to the International Space Station (ISS) on Wed, Oct 5.
Liftoff from Kennedy Space Center in Florida is scheduled for 12:00pm EDT. You can watch it LIVE below
Watch the launch live on oct 5 starting at 11:30am edt
With the international nature of the ISS, only two of the crew are actually NASA astronauts. And both of them, commander Nicole Mann and pilot Josh Cassada, will be going to space for the first time.
Joining them are veteran astronaut Koichi Wakata from Japan on his 5th flight to space, and cosmonaut Anna Kikina from Russia, who will also be making her first spaceflight.
Astronauts discuss their crew-5 mission
Together, the 4 astronauts will join ISS Expedition 68, living and working there for the next 6 months. They’ll be staying busy too, conducting over 200 science experiments, technology demonstrations and carrying out a wide range of other objectives. You can read about some of the work they’ll be doing HERE.
Weather also looks great for tomorrow, with a forecasted 90% chance of favorable conditions expected.
Spacex’s faLcon-9 rocket and crew dragon spacecraft “Endurance”, poised for launch of crew-5 atop pad 39A (photo: NASA)
Their Falcon 9 rocket and Crew Dragon capsule, named Endurance, was rolled out to Kennedy’s pad 39A on Oct 1. The crew arrived hours later from Ellington Field, near Johnson Space Center in Houston. SpaceX conducted a static test fire of the rocket on the launch pad Oct 2, which is standard for them before these launches. The crew, launch teams and various support personnel also conducted a launch day dress rehearsal.
“It’s time to get to work. Nobody does this alone, and we have thousands of people around the globe we need to thank for getting us to this spot,” said Cassada upon arriving at KSC for launch. “This is a remarkable opportunity for all of us. We have trained and prepared for years for this.”
Dragon “endurance”, ready to take crew-5 to the ISS (photo: NASA)
The crew will take about 29 hours to arrive and dock to the ISS. Once aboard, the current Crew-4 residents will help their Crew-5 replacements adjust to life there, before handing the station over to Crew-5 and returning to Earth for a splashdown off the coast of Florida a week later.
The second to last 747 to ever be produced has rolled out of Boeing’s factory at Paine Airport in Everett, WA.
Avgeek Matt Cawby was there to capture images of the 747-8F freighter (#1573, N862GT), as the penultimate rollout occurred. The final plane, #1574 (N863GT), entered final body join on Sep 29th.
747-8F N862GT rolled out of the factory tonight. The last 747, line 1574, entered final body join on September 29 pic.twitter.com/jWGt67LtOR
Altas Airlines actually took delivery of the third to last Queen of the Skies just yesterday, #861GT. Boeing is expected to deliver the final plane to Atlas, #1574, by the end of the year.
Production Is Ending But The 747 Will Continue To Fly On For Years, Mostly In A Cargo Role
The iconic plane, however, will still serve in the skies for many years to come, as major cargo carriers such as Atlas Air and UPS still use them extensively (both are the largest operators of the 747).
Atlas actually ordered the last three 747s, and they operate more 747s than anyone else (more than 50).
747 Was A Gamble That Paid Off
Boeing has been producing 747s for more than 54 years. The plane was developed at the request of Pan Am, who in 1966 asked Boeing for the biggest airliner ever. Boeing accepted the challenge, and it nearly bankrupt them.
But the gamble paid off. The first 747 flew its maiden voyage on February 9th, 1969. The first commercial flight with Pan Am took place a year later from New York to London, flown by Captain Robert M. Weeks, Captain John Noland and Flight Engineer August (“Mac”) McKinney. It ushered in a new age that revolutionized the industry by making international travel affordable for the every day person.
Pan am 747 over San Francisco (photo: Pan Am)
Other airlines followed with orders for 747s, and it became a staple of international travel. A company wasn’t even considered a major airline unless they had a 747.
747 Served In Many Roles
Even NASA found use for them, using a modified 747 to carry their space shuttle fleet piggyback on trips between California and Florida for over 30 years.
NASA’s 747 Shuttle Carrier Aircraft carrying space shUttle endeavour piggyback on a cross-country flight (photo: mike killian)
NASA also modified another 747 to carry a flying telescope to explore the universe in ways stationary telescopes on the ground could not. That plane just flew it’s last science mission last week, which we reported on HERE.
naSa’s 747 sofia flying telesCope (photo: NASA)
And of course, the jumbo jet has served as Air Force One, flying 6 Presidents over the years, and will continue doing so for many years to come. Boeing is currently working on two new 747 Air Force Ones to deliver to the Air Force, but they are modified 747s from already produced airframes.
Air forCe one 747 (photo: Mike Killian)
But times of course do change. Increasing fuel costs and newer plane types with better fuel efficiency and superior design tech have forced major airlines to move away from the 747.
Most now operate as cargo freighters. The global air cargo fleet is expected to grow by more than 60% over the next 20 years. But a few airlines still fly them for passenger travel. They include Asiana Airlines, Mahan Air, Lufthansa, Koren Air, Max Air and Air China.
Photo: Lufthansa
Atlas Air Is The Largest Remaining Operator
“The 747 will forever hold a special place in aviation history,” said Stan Deal, president and chief executive officer of Boeing Commercial Airplanes. “Atlas Air began operations 28 years ago with a single 747 and it is fitting that they should receive the last, ensuring that the ‘Queen of the Skies’ plays a significant role in the global air cargo market for decades to come.”
Photo: Atlas Air
“I can’t emphasize how big of a sense of employee pride there is with this airplane,” said Boeing’s head of communication for the 747, Brianna Jackson, during a media tour of the production facility earlier this year. “There are people here who have worked on this plane for 40 years — their entire career on the 747. They love this airplane and want to see it to the end.”
