Dire Desistance

The Wall Street Journal on Tuesday announced a pact between Boeing and Lockheed Martin to resolve the nation's palling air-traffic controller concerns. With "U.S. air traffic expected to double, or even triple, over the next 20 years" a new system is being developed to take advantage of the improved technology of airplanes, and to effectively exploit the use of satellites.
The FAA, however is keeping the deck shuffled, by allowing the opportunity for other companies to develop and bid on such management systems. Thus, the lamentable hardships of air-traffic controllers come to a conclusion. Demands have far exceeded the benefits bestowed upon this profession. Long hours and little relief have long plagued this industry. The end of the dirigisme brings relief to us all. I know I feel revitalized. Maybe even Brazil could come to understand something from these dealmakers.

Have Passport, Will Travel

Effective today, most U.S. residents traveling to all other Western Hemisphere countries will need to get a passport. The exceptions are those traveling by sea or land, and the 27% of Americans who already have a passport.

These restrictions are part of an effort to keep borders controlled under The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, which extends its mandate to sea and land travel by the beginning of next year.

The Initiative might seem like a tough pill to swallow, yet in today's world, and with the consequences of rogue air passengers, I believe this policy is consensus. Still, Guam, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, American Samoa, Swains Island, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands are great winter attractions.

After submitting all the proper paperwork, you can expect to wait at least six week to receive your new passport.

Great Lakes Aviation conference & Expo

Can’t get enough aviation info?? Check out the Great Lakes Aviation Conference & Expo to be held in Novi, Michigan on February 2nd and 3rd, 2007. This is the 7th year for this event which offers the greatest and latest of everything related to aviation.

Over 150 exhibitors are expected to attend with over 80,000 sq. ft. of exhibits and displays. Industry representative will be on hand to show you some of the latest in avionics, training aids, and the latest products on the market. Seminars will be available on a variety of topics from IFR flight issues to weather information.

Don’t for get to take in the FREE pancake breakfast on Saturday or Happy Hour on Friday! Make plans to attend at www.greatlakesaviationconference.com.

Springtime for Delta

The Wall Street Journal on Thursday, with nearly four pages of coverage, reported the significance of US Airways' 20% bid increase, which is effective until February 1. US Airways hopes to acquire Delta before a possible industry-wide shift of mergers begins, and before Delta's date of emergence. It is said that people familiar with the talk have an interest in that date to be sometime in the second quarter.
Nevertheless, the creditors and management participating in the decision making process must face the ambivalent contrasts between interests of rationality and the vehemence of the employees. Northwest and Delta have less route overlap, thus resulting in a better outlook for the unions. A private equity investment might be the best temporary solution, but a merger, either with Northwest (in bankruptcy-court protection itself) or US Airways, makes the combined entity preponderantly more competitive.

AOPA General Aviation Photography Contest

If you are an aviator/part-time amateur photographer, consider entering your unique general aviation photo in the AOPA 2007 General Aviation Photography contest.

If you have captured some great images, why not share them with others! To enter and to take a look at last years winning entries go to www.aopa.org/pilot/features/2006/photocontest0612.html