New This Week
News this week includes an auction of century-old aviation posters, recognition of helo pilots who went the extra distance, Think Global Flight’s upcoming launch for STEM education around the world and a notice that commuter airlines wouldn’t be facing a pilot shortage if they offered better compensation.
A review of press releases this week found one issued after Republic Airways Holdings announced that it would hire half the pilots it expected to because of a lack of candidates that meet new FAA experience rules. Craig Moffatt, President of Teamsters Local 357, which represents the more than 3000 pilots who fly for the regional airline said, "Regional carriers as a whole need to offer better pay and work rules to attract new pilots. The lack of a competitive contract here at Republic contributes to poor quality of life with sub-standard pay to boot. This, in turn, leads qualified pilots to look elsewhere." Republic pilots have not had a pay raise in six years. Recognizing pilot dedication on the other side of the world, at the Singapore Airshow, Bell Helicopter Textron recognized PLUS Helicopter Services Sdn Bhd for its dedication to saving lives amidst challenging conditions. In May 2013, PLUS Heli deployed a Bell 429 to rescue severely burned crew members injured when a container ship's boiler exploded 140 nautical miles northwest of Kuantan. Two months later, PLUS flew a second successful mission when a tanker's crew member suffered a stroke 160 nautical miles northwest of Penang Island.
Swann Auction Galleries of New York will explore the early days of flight, powered and unpowered, at its Vintage Posters auction on Feb. 25. Featuring seven unusual examples of flight from 1897 through 1912, these posters capture the spirit and excitement of this new technology in France, Germany and the United States. The majority of early aviation posters offered by Swann portray some of the very first flying competitions. Finally, on April 3, 2014, the Think Global Flight Crew takes off from Sun 'n Fun airshow on its around-the-world flight to promote STEM education and the promises that aviation and aerospace hold for our youth. Along the route, Captain Judy Rice, CFI and teacher, and Navigator Fred Nauer, CFI-I and commercial airline pilot (ret.) will be stopping at schools around the world, interacting with students and discussing the importance of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education. VIP supporters that will be present during the Think Global Flight launch at Sun 'n Fun include Astronaut Buzz Aldrin and Voyager Pilot Dick Rutan.
