The Flightline TV Show brings you stories on all types of aircraft and the people that fly them. Our goal (with your help) is to bring our program to a national audience. We not only provide stunning visuals and entertainment, but we’d like to inspire participation in the world of aviation whether as an enthusiast or maybe even as a career.
The Flightline tells the stories of aviation both past and present and we put the viewer right in the cockpit and along for the thrilling ride to see the incredible perspectives that pilots enjoy everyday. We like to say “we’re like an air show every week” except you’re riding along, — instead of behind the ropes.
We’re asking 2,000 people to pledge $46.75 each to reach our goal. If you know of a pilot or aviation enthusiast who can help, please send them this link and help spread the word. Together we can bring The Flightline to a National audience.
Please Pledge Here: http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/flightline/the-flightline-nation?ref=live
Thank You
Whether you’ve just started flying or you’ve been doing it for a number of years, turning your helicopter hobby into your day job is difficult but doable. The most successful pilots are those who are willing to put in the necessary flight time and training to become skilled in operating a wide number of aircraft.
Education and Certification
A helicopter pilot is expected to obtain certain certifications and log a certain number of flight hours before being considered for employment. After earning a Private Pilot’s license
through helicopter training, it is necessary to continue working to get a Commercial Rotorcraft License. This certification requires about 150 hours of helicopter flight time and an instrument rating to achieve. Those who wish to work as a helicopter pilot should try to become as experienced as possible with a wide variety of helicopters and flight situations.
Many of aspiring helicopter pilots become Certified Flight Instructors to work up to the required number of flight hours to get a commercial license. This is a good way to rack up some serious flying time and get paid for doing it. In addition to these certifications, pilots may want to consider getting a degree in aviation science or going into another math or science-based higher education program. According to HillsboroAviation.com, while the helicopter pilot industry does not necessarily require any type of degree, having this experience can help boost your credibility and give you an edge when applying for jobs.
Career Paths
As a commercial airline pilot, you have one of several career options to choose from. In any industry, however, you should be prepared to take a position, not as a pilot, but as a junior member of a helicopter team while you work up experience and connections in the company.
One of the most common jobs that pilots take after working up a good number of flight hours is a job as a tourism pilot. These pilots must be very flexible, as job opportunities may last for a few years and then move to another area. This industry does, however, have the distinct advantage of allowing you to become your own boss if that’s what you wish. If you are an entrepreneur who is able to save up enough money to purchase your own aircraft, you can start a helicopter business from scratch wherever you wish.
Some other options include working in the medical, police, or fire agencies and being a news helicopter pilot. These jobs are generally more stable and pay very well, but may require some extra knowledge such as EMT or police officer training.
A final opportunity that some pilots pursue is a career in the military, which includes becoming a Coast Guard pilot. This route to an aviation career allows pilots to start flying very quickly and become exposed to a large variety of machines and situations. Many military pilots become civilian helicopter operators after their service is over. Keep in mind, however, that the requirements for entering this particular area of military service are quite high.
If you are thinking of becoming a helicopter pilot you should know that the process is very demanding, but also very rewarding. Keep a good attitude and be persistent, and you can eventually achieve success in this field.
WICHITA, Kan., Dec. 2, 2011 — Cessna Aircraft Company, a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, has launched a safety initiative to educate 100- and 200-series single-engine piston aircraft owners around the world about new supplemental aircraft inspection procedures that will be added to Cessna service manuals.
The supplemental inspections cover Cessna single-engine piston aircraft produced between 1946 and 1986 when Cessna suspended production of piston aircraft. The inspections will be incorporated into the service manuals for the 200-series aircraft in early December and the change for the 100-series aircraft will be made in April 2012.
“The supplemental inspection program we’ve developed is primarily a visual process aimed at supporting the continued airworthiness of aging airframes,” said Beth Gamble, Cessna’s principal engineer for airframe structures. “Through this education effort, we hope to answer most questions before we release the revised service manuals. We encourage owners to check in with their local Cessna service affiliate at the appropriate times to have the mandatory inspections completed.”
The criteria for initial visual inspections will vary by model and aircraft age or hours of operation and focus primarily on signs of corrosion or structural fatigue damage. Cessna authorized service providers will have special training and access to specific equipment for the inspections and for repairs, if required.
“Corrosion and fatigue are inevitable but with early detection and proper maintenance, severity and effects can be minimized,” Gamble said. “The new inspection requirements we’ve developed are very simple, and are based on visual inspection that can be done quickly by a trained inspector during an annual inspection.”
Cessna plans a series of education opportunities on the new inspection procedures starting with the company’s authorized parts and service facilities. An interactive presentation is available on the customer access portion of the Customer Service page of Cessna.com and ashort video explaining the inspection process is on Cessna’s YouTube channel at youtube.com/CessnaAircraftCo.
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Cessna is the world’s leading general aviation company. Since its inception in 1927, Cessna has designed, produced and delivered more than 192,500 airplanes around the globe. This includes more than 6,100 Citation business jets, making it the largest fleet of business jets in the world. Today, Cessna has two principal lines of business: aircraft sales and aftermarket services. Aircraft sales include Citation business jets, Caravan single-engine utility turboprops, single-engine piston aircraft and lift solutions by CitationAir. Aftermarket services include parts, maintenance, inspection and repair services. In 2010, Cessna delivered 535 aircraft, including 179 Citation business jets, and reported revenues of $2.6 billion. More information about Cessna Aircraft Company is available at cessna.com.
Textron Inc. is a multi-industry company that leverages its global network of aircraft, defense, industrial and finance businesses to provide customers with innovative solutions and services. Textron is known around the world for its powerful brands such as Bell Helicopter, Cessna Aircraft Company, Jacobsen, Kautex, Lycoming, E-Z-GO, Greenlee, and Textron Systems. More information is available at textron.com.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced today that, effective immediately, general aviation or on-demand charter aircraft owners or operators seeking to keep their aircraft’s registration number from being displayed over public data systems during flight no longer need to submit a Certified Security Concern to the FAA.
As a result of language in the fiscal year 2012 appropriations bill, the FAA is withdrawing its June 3, 2011 policy (76 Fed. Reg. 32,258-32,265) of requiring aircraft owners or operators to submit a Certified Security Concern in order to have their aircraft tail number blocked from view on the FAA’s Aircraft Situation Display to Industry (ASDI) or National Airspace System Status Information (NASSI).
Owners and operators seeking to have their aircraft tail number blocked from these data feeds can now submit a blocking request directly to the FAA without stating a reason for the request. The FAA has already begun receiving requests under the new appropriations language and is processing them.
This change will be reflected in the FAA’s interim policy which will be posted to the FAA Docket and published in the Federal Register as soon as possible. The FAA is developing a permanent policy that will be posted in the Federal Register for public comment early next year.
Source: http://www.faa.gov/
HOUSTON — Do you dream of flying in space? Now is your chance. NASA is accepting applications for the agency’s next class for the Astronaut Candidate Program.
Starting today, qualified individuals can submit their applications through the federal government’s USAJobs.gov website. Those selected will be among the first to pioneer a new generation of commercial launch vehicles and travel aboard a new heavy-lift rocket to distant destinations in deep space.
“For 50 years, American astronauts have led the exploration of our solar system,” NASA Administrator Charles Bolden said. “Today we are getting a glimpse of why that will remain true for the next half-century. Make no mistake about it, human space flight is alive and well at NASA.”
Qualifications include a bachelor’s degree in engineering, science or math and three years of relevant professional experience. Successful applicants frequently have significant qualifications in engineering or science; or extensive experience flying high-performance jet aircraft. Educators teaching kindergarten through 12th grade with these minimimum degree requirements also are encouraged to apply.
NASA will accept applications through January 27, 2012. After applicant interviews and evaluations, the agency expects to announce the final selections in 2013. Training will begin that summer.
For more information about astronaut application and selection and to follow the latest news via NASA accounts on Twitter, Facebook and YouTube, visit:
