Justine Greening, Secretary of State for Transport, made the announcement following Haines’ initial three-year term in the position.

Andrew Haines joined the CAA in August 2009 for an initial three-year contract following a successful career in the rail industry.

He was appointed following an open competition held in line with the Code of Practice published by the Office of the Commissioner for Public Appointments – he is the first Chief Executive for the CAA.

Transport Secretary Justine Greening said: “Since his appointment in 2009, Andrew has helped bring fresh thinking to the CAA while maintaining the UK’s excellent record in aviation safety.

“This vision and drive will be crucial in implementing the passenger-focused reforms to the Authority's functions and framework that the Government will introduce in the Civil Aviation Bill in 2012.”

The Chair of the CAA, Dame Deirdre Hutton, welcomed Mr Haines’ reappointment: “Andrew’s reappointment is very good news for consumers and for the aviation sector.

“Since joining the CAA he has put in place important changes to modernise the organisation and build on its strengths, to ensure we regulate as effectively as possible in what are challenging times for civil aviation.

“The organisation will benefit from his continued leadership in ensuring an aviation industry that is safe, delivers choice and value for consumers, and takes steps to reduce its environmental impact.”

Photo by Olgierd Rudak

The airline plans to acquire more than 50 new aircraft to service both international and domestic routes.

Together with its sister carrier, Hong Kong Express, the airline currently operates a fleet of 18 aircraft across 23 destinations across China, Asia and Moscow.

Both airlines are operated by HNA Group of China, with the group now positioning itself to take advantage of increasing demand for air travel in both the Asia Pacific region – the fastest growing market for the airline industry.

Hong Kong Airlines is considering Australia as one of its new destinations in the expansion.

Between 2012 and 2015 the group will obtain 30 wide-bodied Airbus and Boeing jets for long-haul services and 21 narrow-bodied Airbus A320s for short-haul routes.

Just next year alone the airline plan to add eight to aircraft to the fleet.

Included among these aircraft will be three unique A330s, each configured to seat just 116 passengers in an all-Club Class layout.

From March, 2012, these special aircraft will be used to launch non-stop daily service between Hong Kong and London, offering ‘Club Premier’ and ‘Club Classic’, both of which have been created to deliver the airline’s exceptional signature service.

Photo by Miguel Paulo Riano

The quality and capability of pilots in the Arabian Gulf Region must not “degrade” if supply becomes limited. This is according to delegates at the 2011 Gulf Aviation Training Event (GATE) held in November in Dubai. The event was held as part of the Dubai Airshow.

Delegates debated the state of aviation training in the Arabian Gulf region amid the looming shortage of flight crew in the Middle East.

GATE conference speaker and moderator, Captain Ed Davidson, a senior international aviation air transport operations consultant, advised AviationJobSearch.com delegates were concerned about the following issues:

• the future quality, standards and inspection of out-sourced pilot training the absence of an international and industry-recognised syllabus for pilot training
• the prospect that the cost of commercial licences could limit the availability of high-quality pilot candidates

According to delegates:

• outsourcing [of pilot training] is likely to increase due to the increasing demand on fixed airline training capacity
• civil air regulators are not presently staffed or funded to adequately oversee outsourced pilot training

Delegates advised there needed to be an industry-recognised and accepted system to certify the quality and standards of outsourced training providers.

They added that an industry body such as the International Air Transport Association (IATA) may need to step in and provide that certification.

Davidson commented: “The concern of the GATE delegates in this recommendation was two-fold.

“1. There are already a number of third-party providers of out-sourced pilot training. The quality and standards of which must be inspected by the air carrier and the regulator. This is a significant burden on a resource-limited organisation such as the regulator – particularly when the provider can be on one continent and the regulator’s office on another. A means to establish standardised quality metrics recognised by regulators and airlines can reduce this requirement.

“2. As the need for pilots increases, some less than ethical providers may find that costs can be reduced and profits improved via lower training standards. To protect both ab initio, airline and recurrent/initial trainees from this practice, the industry would prefer to see a set international training syllabus ‘minimum standard’ that cannot be reduced or be absent prior to airline, trainee and/or regulatory approval as appropriate. “These actions need to be debated and agreed by a standard-setting organisation of international renown such as ICAO or IATA and placed into effect as soon as possible.”

Quality of pilot selection and training
Conference delegates also recommended that:

• The level of quality and capability of pilots should not be permitted to degrade just because supply may become limited. Training levels should not be reduced just to meet demand requirements.
• Due to increasing pilot demand, ab initio training will become a vital delivery channel for new pilots in the future. Therefore, the quality of ab initio pilot training and the facilities providing it then becomes increasingly important.
• Limited access and high cost of training may unduly limit the availability of ab initio pilot training to a small group of those candidates who can afford to undertake the debt. This will work to reduce the supply of new pilots in the future.

Delegates added that airlines and training providers needed to mutually develop creative methods to improve the access to ab initio pilot training financing. This is so that cost does not become a limiting factor to the creation, training and availability of high quality pilot candidates.

Davidson commented: “Today’s fuel and overhead costs have driven the average cost for a commercial license for a new student pilot often into the six-figure range.

“The amount of debt and the credit scores necessary to qualify for that debt are now serving to limit the new students to only those with significant financial capabilities. Even then, the pay-back schemes often are so limited and restrictive that few are capable of managing them within the initial income levels of the airline pilot.

“This is serving to both restrict the size and quality of the potential commercial airline pilot pool going forward.

“The industry believes that creative means to provide both access to capital and reasonable pay-back schemes such as in place in some UK-based pilot training companies, allows for the improved levels of quality and quantity that will be required to staff the impending gap in pilots available versus pilots required.”

Photo by volodimer

The Federal Aviation Administration said transport officials and lawyers were in talks over the status of Babbitt’s employment. Babbitt, who is part way through a five year contract as FAA administrator, asked to take leave following the incident and will be temporarily replaced by his deputy, Michael Huerta.

As FAA chief, Babbitt was responsible for more than 40,000 people and also oversees the US air traffic system and regulations which govern aircraft and cabin crew safety.

According to a police statement, the 65-year-old was pulled over on Saturday night in Fairfax, Virginia, for driving on the wrong side of the road.

He was apparently alone in the car and there was no accident. He was charged with driving while intoxicated and cooperated with the authorities.

It was Babbitt's second driving offense in Fairfax in five years. He was convicted of reckless driving for speeding in 2006 and paid a $500 fine, court records show.

The steep rise in tax has been condemned by some of the top airlines in the UK.

The Treasury said the APD rate would go up from April 2012 in the new tax year after this year’s rise was deferred in the March budget meetings.

It means next year’s increase could be double the rate of inflation according to figures released by PricewaterhouseCoopers.

The higher rate of tax will also be extended to private aircraft from April 2013.

Chief executives at the UK's biggest airlines joined forces to demonstrate their lack of support for the increase.

A joint statement released by bosses at easyJet, Virgin Atlantic, British Airways and Ryanair, said: "In the cause of the UK economy recovery, air passenger duty is an own goal and the Chancellor has just scored another one.

"By increasing this tax, he is further deterring inbound tourism and foreign investment and choking off yet more job opportunities for young people."

George Osborne's pledge that with the exception of another runway at Heathrow, the Government would look at "all options" to maintain the UK's status as an aviation hub received a warmer reception.

The Chancellor's comments raised hopes that the Government might throw its weight behind proposals for a Thames Estuary airport.

British Airways (BA) has completed the latest phase of a multi-million pound redevelopment of its Heathrow engineering base as it prepares for the arrival of its new fleet of Airbus A380 super jumbos.

Two of the airline’s 23m high grade II listed hangars needed to be raised by 3.5m so they can accommodate the A380’s larger tail fin when the airline’s 12 aircraft come into service from 2013.

Due to the complexity of the lifting operation and the height of the crane, work took place overnight so it wouldn’t interfere with landings.

BA’s Head of Property Services Vance Williamson said: “This is an important step in converting our hangars ready for our new aircraft arriving in 2013, it could also allow British Airways to provide maintenance solutions to other A380 customers at Heathrow.

“The hangar modifications represent only part of a wider property plan that will ensure that our engineering base remains a world class maintenance facility able to accommodate the very latest aircraft.”

A spokesperson from BA said it was too early to say whether the arrival of the airline’s A380s would result in the creation of more jobs for aircraft mechanics, engineers or technicians.

BA said that over the next five years it would be investing £5bn in new aircraft, smarter cabins, elegant lounges, and new technologies to make life more comfortable in the air and on the ground.

Photo by British Airways

London City Airport has announced that Declan Collier, currently the Chief Executive for Dublin Airport Authority (DAA), will be the next Chief Executive for London City Airport.

Current Chief Executive Richard Gooding, will vacate the role in early 2012 after 15 years’ service, to join the board as a non-executive director.

London City Airport Chairman Roy Griffins said: “We are delighted to have secured as our new chief executive somebody of Declan Collier’s calibre and experience.

“Declan has led DAA through a transformational period in terms of its infrastructure and business culture.

“He is a respected voice within the aviation industry through his involvement with Airports Council International, where he is currently president, ACI Europe.”

Richard Gooding commented: “I have enjoyed immensely my time at LCY, where I have been supported by an excellent team, blue chip customers, forward thinking local communities and committed shareholders.

“Together we have created a special niche, high quality business and played a vital role in London’s economy as well as the regeneration of the Thames Gateway.

“I am very pleased that I have been invited to maintain my involvement in the business from the perspective of the board.”

Paul Charlton, Leading Hand Ramp operator at Birmingham Airport gives us with a snapshot of his typical day and tells us why he chose a career in baggage handling.

According to Paul: “I work for Aviance as a Leading Hand Ramp and also as a Trainer. Our company provides ground services to more than 15 UK airports, handling over 43,000 passengers a year and employing nearly 5,000 staff.”

Background

“My career began in the Army. I later joined Aviance and have been with them for eight years. During this time there have been plenty of opportunities and support to enable me to work my way up the career ladder,” says Paul.

“My career has taken a number of interesting twists and turns. I started out as a Baggage Handler, then progressed to Leading Hand, and further still to the role of Allocator and now things have come around full circle to Leading Hand Ramp, but with a difference! That difference is I am also a Trainer for Baggage Handlers.”

Why airport baggage handling?

“Airport Baggage Handlers are also known as Airport Ramp Agents or Operatives. I was attracted to aviation because I wanted a career with plenty of challenges and one that was hands-on and physically demanding.”

A typical day

“I have an interesting and varied role. I am responsible for training Baggage Handlers in all aspects of the job. Training is an essential part of a Baggage Handler’s role and it is something that continues throughout their career.

“My day begins by making a list of the staff scheduled for training and the level of training required for each one. I then deliver the appropriate training using methods, which include classroom based learning and practical on-site instruction.

“Having first-hand experience of a variety of roles I am able to relate to and understand staff concerns and mentor them by offering advice and support.”

Highs and lows

“Watching someone develop and grow in skill and confidence for me is one of the most rewarding aspects of the job. Keeping up-to-date with new regulations is a constant challenge and although essential is one of the less appealing aspects of the job,” Paul concludes.

This case study was provided by People 1st. For more information on careers in aviation visit the UKSP website or the career-profiles section of the People 1st website.

An aviation recruitment and training conference aiming to address personnel shortages in the Middle East, will be held during this year’s Dubai Airshow.

The airshow will be held from 13 to 17 November 2011 in Dubai. The Gulf Aviation Training Event (GATE) will take place over two, half days starting on November 14.

GATE will bring together recruitment policy-makers to find solutions to a looming shortage of flight crew in the Middle East.

The conference will be led by keynote speakers, US Federal Aviation Administration’s Administrator Captain Randolph Babbitt and CEO of the US-based Flight Safety Foundation William Voss.

Aiming to attract about 55,000 visitors this year, aircraft on display at the show will include a Bell/Boeing V-22 Tilt Rotor. This aircraft can perform vertical take-off and landing and short take-off and landing. Also on show will be a MA600, manufactured by China’s Xi’an Aircraft Industry Company Ltd. It is the first time the 60-seater will be seen outside of China.

The static park will include aircraft such as an F18, F15, C17, C-130J and an Apache MH-60 from the US government and an array of business jets from companies such as Gulfstream, Bombardier and Cessna.

Helicopters from Russian Helicopters, Sikorsky, Bell and MD Helicopters and Quest will also be present. Quest will be launching a helicopter programme to be built in the UAE.

The show will cover three exhibition halls, including 103 chalets, 11 pavilions and a large static aircraft display area for up to 100 aircraft of varying types and sizes.

This year the UAE’s own aerobatic team the Al Fursan - flying Alenia Aermacchi aircraft - will open the flying display to help celebrate the UAE’s 40th anniversary. The Patrouille de France aerobatic team, flying Alpha jets will also be a highlight.

Managing Director of the show’s organiser, F&E Aerospace, Alison Weller said: “The main objective of the Dubai Airshow is to provide a platform for exhibitors to network with the aerospace industry and market here in the Middle East. As the show grows and develops, this expands and now 20% of our visitor attendance comes from outside the region.

“It has become a global forum for the Middle East aerospace market and once every two years it provides a window highlights the achievements, progress and buying power of the region.”

Photo by Shandchem

Thomas Cook Airlines cabin crew have voted for industrial action in a consultative ballot, after management and crew members were unable to agree redundancy terms.

Thomas Cook Airlines announced it had entered into a 90 day consultation period with employees on 6 September over its plans to reduce its fleet from 41 to 35 aircraft – which could result in 498 job losses.

Representatives from the union Unite said the ballot followed a break-down in talks with management over its refusal to boost redundancy terms.

Unite will meet with the travel company on 26 October and next week to further the negotiations. However, a full ballot would be necessary before any industrial action took place, including strike action.

A spokesperson from Thomas Cook Airlines told Cabin Crew: “We are committed to continuing meaningful consultations with our people, their representatives and Unite as we look for opportunities to reduce the number of potential job losses.”

Of the company’s 1,800 cabin crew, about 1,150 are Unite members and of those members 475 voted in favour of industrial action, while 53 voted against it.

Unite wants the travel company to provide a redundancy package which includes a minimum of three weeks’ pay per year of service, plus a lump sum payment of £5,000. Cabin crew staff members earn on average £15,000 a year.

Unite regional officer Mick Whitley said: “The overwhelming vote shows our members’ anger and should be a strong wake-up call for the management to return to the negotiating table with a fair offer.”

“And until we have had the meeting tomorrow Unite is not going to speculate about Christmas flights by Thomas Cook. The ball is very much in the management’s court – they need to come up with a realistic offer for those facing redundancy. It is a very profitable firm.”

However, Thomas Cook Airlines said the negotiations were continuing and it was too early to talk about Christmas.

Cabin crews fly from Belfast, Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, East Midlands Gatwick, Glasgow, Manchester, Newcastle, and Stansted airports.

According to Unite, cabin crew and pilots from Thomas Cook Belgium have told management they will not operate flights for Thomas Cook UK, if industrial action does take place.

Photo by Dave Hamster