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Latest High Life Issue

Latest HL 358 published Feb 29, 2024. Not all sections of Blog are on first page. Click OLDER POSTS to view additional newsletter sections. For PDF version and all archived list CLICK HERE. Look for next issue soon!

Airlines news

Sunday, June 18, 2017

Misc - HL 274 (5)

ONLY GMAIL PCN EMAILS NOW ACTIVE!  ALL OLD PCN EMAILS HAVE CEASED!
See Mark’s Remarks  And thank you for complying with this recent change!
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Date: 6/5/2017 10:39:08 AM
Subject: FW: Notification of the DALRC Retiree Assistance Program, Inc. (RAP)

Delta Folks:
You may be in need or you may know a Delta person that is in need. Check the attachment for this great information if that is the case.
Julian Black
DGW Membership Chairman
Ladies & Gentlemen of the Community of Delta Retiree Organizations (CDRO):

Each year, RAP is providing financial assistance to an ever increasing number of Delta retirees, spouses and survivors that need help with health related bills.  Even though the number of RAP grant recipients is increasing each year, we know that there are thousands in the retiree community that do not know about us.
RAP would like to ask that the CDRO members distribute the attached letter to your membership base.  Each of your organizations may have one or more of your members that may be in desperate need of help.
Should you have questions, please let me know.
With kindest regards,
Roger Nix

DALRC Retiree Assistance Program, Inc.
        155 Westridge Parkway, Suite 220
    McDonough, GA 30253
     www.dalrc.org
                                                                                             June 3, 2017

Ladies & Gentlemen of the Community of Delta Retirees:

DO  YOU  NEED  FINANCIAL 
ASSISTANCE  WITH  MEDICAL  BILLS?

We would like to inform you of a charitable program available to all Delta retirees, their spouses, and their survivors.  It is called the DALRC Retiree Assistance Program, Inc.  This program was established to assist retirees, spouses, and survivors with paying their health related medical bills, including health insurance premiums.  The program is funded by donations from Delta retirees and active employees and is administered by a volunteer Board of Directors, all of whom are Delta retirees. You do not have to be a member of DALRC, Inc. to qualify for assistance; however, certain income and asset restrictions apply.  Financial assistance is in the form of a grant and does not have to be repaid.  For more information, visit our website at www.retireeap.org  or if you do not have access to a computer, contact us at the address on this letterhead or call 678-782-7577.

Bill Selby
Chair - DALRC Retiree Assistance Program, Inc.

Sandy Phillips
Vice-Chair - DALRC Retiree Assistance Program, Inc.

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From: Bill
Date: 6/12/2017 5:37:09 PM
Subject: Delta

I wonder if they're using some of my retirement money for this advertising?



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The “covfefe” over correct Memorial Day greeting!
One of the reasons I am following this DC Administration so closely is that the news moves at the speed of light.  An example is the one day news cycle obsession with the word “covfefe”.  EVERYBODY was talking about this word and what its hidden meaning could be or was it a simply a mistake.  Well, here we are a few  weeks later and we are light years away from “covfefe” which is long since forgotten.  However, during the last HL issue there was a mild covfefe over the Happy “Weekend” greeting that I gave.  Most objectors did not mention that I specifically wished a Happy Weekend and not just Memorial Day. A  couple members thought that was a lame argument and dismissed it.   There is of course is good reason for my thoughts here,  which is simply that our day of reflection is specified but there are 2 ½ days connected to it in this important weekend that are unofficially marking the beginning of summer.  THAT is what I was wishing Happy memories for, so I do hope no one actually took offense. And besides, sober reflection is imperative if we are to recognize with seriousness what history has meant, but we are multi faceted individuals so I say have a moment or two of silence then “play ball.”   In any case here below are a few comments regarding that greeting:

First, a repeat of Capt. Denny’s friendly admonishment (and I mean that, I appreciate his viewpoint)
Hi Mark,

First of all thanks for taking on this daunting job, and for doing it so well.

I do have a question though.  What is HAPPY about Memorial Day other than the fact that we are alive to celebrate it?  Maybe I'm getting to be an old curmudgeon, but it bothers me when people wish me or others a Happy Memorial Day.  Memorial Day is a day for introspection and thankfulness for those who gave all.  I don't know what is an appropriate way to wish someone something on this solemnest of all holidays, but for me, I'm just going to wish them a blessed Memorial Day.  Because we are blessed to have a Memorial Day at all as a result of the sacrifices made by those who gave all.

Have a blessed Memorial Day Mark, and thank you for your service and all that you do for the pilot group.

Denny Walsh

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From: Vic Hooper
Date: 6/1/2017 7:24:36 AM
Subject: FYI

 Regards
Vic Hooper


A few responses from at large:



Date: 5/29/2017 12:22:08 PM
Subject: Memorial Day
 Mark,
I dare say the vast majority of pilots took your greeting exactly as you intended it, to enjoy the weekend while remembering what it's about. Sorry you have to waste your time on someone's pet peeve when you do so much for us already.
Warm regards,
Vern McNeill
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Date: 5/29/2017 10:17:24 AM
Subject: Memorial Day

For me this is the saddest of days. When I was born I had two aunts, a father and an uncle who I never met. The uncle was a graduate of Yale University where he excelled at all things as well as Captain of the baseball team. When he graduated the Draft selected him for service and he joined the Navy. There he trained as a pilot and soon became proficient flying the Hellcat and making carrier landings. Once qualified he was shipped off to Oakland where he joined a carrier, the Yorktown, and set sail towards Japan. Along the way they received information that the Japanese had taken over Guam and it was requested that the Hellcats would swarm the island and eliminate the Japanese presence.
Unfortunately my uncle was hit by a Japanese and did not make it back to the Yorktown. He and hi aircraft crashed at sea and sank in very deep water.
Back home his loving mother waited for her most  favorite child to come home. When he did not return and the War Department made it official she lost her will to live and died of a massive heart attack shortly after the news.
I never got to meet this uncle but all spoke fondly of him. I have seen several pictures of him inside the Yorktown in Charleston.
While conversation at home did not dwell on our uncle, I grew up only knowing that my father became a Grumman test pilot, the same company that manufactured the F6F.
Everyone in the family has passed now and I have many unanswered questions. Perhaps these and other questions will be answered some day.

A blessed day to all.
 Captain Tom LeBoutillier, Ret.

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From: Vic Hooper
Date: 5/29/2017 8:55:43 AM
Subject: Denny's Comment

Dear Mark
I too thank you for your tireless effort keeping us informed.
I do take issue with your rationalization of the "weekend", in that the holiday which has been built on this day of reflection, has marginalized its intent.  Because of the "weekend" and its activities, how many of those people eating hamburgers, watching "the 500" or going to the beach have even thought of the sacrifices which have been made for them.  I don't begrudge your "mistake", I've made plenty of them, but I do think we should do all we can to remember the nine classmates I lost in Vietnam, the additional nine squadron mates who died in the first Gulf War and thousands of others who have given the last full measure that we all can have this holiday. I think I would I would wish wisdom to all on this weekend that we do not squander our gift.  I do not feel happy about today.  I feel grateful.
God Bless you
Vic Hooper
Editor: Ladies and gentlemen, there were other responses that I intended to include here but somehow they disappeared.  Suffice it to say there was a split decision on using the refrain of wishing a Happy  Memorial Day or Memorial Day Weekend.  I take the sentiments seriously and will watch it next time. 

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Time to skip bureaucratic “NextGen” ATC and accelerate the update:

The FAA has spent $7.5 billion in congressionally appropriated funds on the air traffic modernization program known as NextGen over the past seven years………with no  end in sight!
June 05, 2017

President Donald J. Trump's Principles for Reforming the U.S. Air Traffic Control System

Overview
The United States Air Traffic Control (ATC) system is one of the most important and vibrant elements of our Nation’s infrastructure.  Every day, the dedicated men and women of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) safely and efficiently guide thousands of aircraft to and from their destinations, collectively carrying millions of passengers and tons of cargo.  Yet, the FAA’s ATC operations are currently mired within a Federal bureaucracy that hinders innovative operations and the timely introduction of new technology.  In order to modernize our ATC system, the Administration supports moving the FAA’s ATC operations into a new non-governmental entity.  This will enable ATC to keep pace with the accelerating rate of change in the aviation industry, including the integration of new entrants such as Unmanned Aircraft Systems and Commercial Space Transports.  A more nimble ATC entity will also be able to more quickly and securely implement Next Generation (NextGen) technology, which will reduce aircraft delays and expand the availability of the National Airspace System (NAS) for all users.   
ATC reform presents an exciting infrastructure improvement opportunity, and its completion will demonstrate early progress toward much needed infrastructure reform across all sectors.  The Administration’s principles for reforming ATC will drive legislation that will reduce delays, further improve aviation’s leading safety record, protect access to rural communities, and accelerate much needed capital investment.  These principles insulate one of our most important national assets from political interferences and the crippling effects of budget uncertainty, while keeping intact FAA’s critical safety oversight.  Additionally, they preserve essential working relationships and interoperable capabilities with the Department of Defense (DoD), the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and law enforcement agencies that are critical to ensuring the safety and security of the Nation.
This proposal demonstrates that the Federal Government does not have to supply all of the resources required to develop and maintain our Nation’s vast infrastructure.  Often, it simply needs to remove obstacles hindering investment and innovation.  The new ATC entity envisioned in these reform principles will be self-sustaining, financed through fees paid by the users of the NAS.  These fees will be more efficient and less burdensome than the patchwork of aviation taxes that supports the system today.
The time has come to embrace a bolder vision of what our Nation’s ATC system can be and how best to move forward to achieve it.  In 2016, House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Bill Shuster introduced the Aviation Innovation, Reform, and Reauthorization (AIRR) Act to move ATC from the Government to a not-for-profit, independent entity.  The Administration supports the proposed AIRR Act as a good foundation for reforming the ATC system, and believes the legislation can be improved.  Accordingly, the Administration supports the enactment of legislation that incorporates the principles detailed in this document.
The Principles
Safety: The FAA’s appropriate role is the inherently governmental function of safety regulator.  Removing ATC operations from the FAA would further this principle, and bring it in line with the recommended practice of the International Civil Aviation Organization’s (ICAO) and the approach used by the majority of developed aviation states around the world.  Aviation safety regulation would remain within the Department of Transportation, and the FAA would migrate to a performance-based framework responsible for providing effective oversight of the new ATC entity.
National Security: Protecting our Nation’s security is of paramount importance.  Accordingly, the new ATC entity must provide airspace access, prioritization, integration, cooperation, navigation, and information management services and support at levels of quality that ensure sustained national security and law enforcement capabilities.  This must be done at no cost to the Federal Government.  The new entity must develop interoperability plans, procedures, policies, and programs that ensure it can operate effectively, under all circumstances, with DoD.  The new entity must also be able to work under DHS control in exigent circumstances involving physical, adversarial, and technological threats and circumstances.  The Federal Government would indemnify the new entity for costs incurred in connection with operations that support Federal national security and law enforcement activities.
Cybersecurity: The new ATC system must be secure, robust, and resilient.  Components will fail, but those failures must not significantly affect the ATC system’s ability to provide safe and effective operation at peak capacity.  Additionally, as part of our Nation’s critical infrastructure, the new ATC system must be able to detect and defeat malicious cyber-based efforts to manipulate or degrade its operations.
Access: The new ATC entity must maintain open access for all users of the airspace and, specifically, those in rural communities, general aviation users, and the military.
  • Open Access: All users, including the general aviation industry and emerging new entrants, must have open access to our Nation’s airspace.  The FAA would continue to certify new entrants (such as Unmanned Aircraft Systems and Commercial Space Transports) as part of its responsibility to oversee safe use of the NAS.  The new ATC entity would grant FAA-certified users access to the NAS, subject to their participation in the system’s user fees, their being equipped, as necessary, to fly in controlled air space, and their compliance with other applicable rules and regulations.
  • Rural Access: The new entity must maintain access and services to rural communities and general aviation users. 
  • Military Access: To ensure safe and effective execution of military missions, the new ATC entity must ensure continued military access to delegated Special Activity Airspace (e.g., Military Training Routes, Military Operating Areas, Warning Areas, and Restricted Areas); be capable of enforcing temporary airspace restrictions; and meet national security airspace requirements for DoD training, testing, and exercises. 
Noise: Efficient use of the airspace requires new technology and efficient air routes.  The new ATC entity must have the authority, after seeking public comment, to adjust airspace routes.  The proposed route change would only be subject to National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) review if the change exceeds the FAA-established noise threshold.  The FAA would still be responsible for ensuring—within a reasonable period of time, like 120 days—that any proposed route change does not create a safety hazard.
New Entity: America’s growing aviation system demands a new, independent, non-government organization to operate our Nation’s airspace.  The new entity should have access to capital markets in order to spur capital investment, technology adoption, and innovation faster, more effectively, and securely.  Over the last 20 years, more than 50 countries have already successfully transitioned their ATC operations.
  • Transition Period: The transfer of ATC operations from the FAA to the new entity should be completed within an established 3-year transition period overseen by the Secretary of Transportation.  The transition period should be marked by milestones developed and monitored by the Secretary of Transportation, in coordination with the Secretary of Defense, to ensure adequate progress.  The transition period may be extended only with the approval of the President. 
  • Not-For-Profit Entity: The new ATC entity should be a not-for-profit, non-governmental entity.
  • Fees: The new ATC entity should be financially self-sufficient through the collection of user fees that cover both its costs of operations and recapitalization.  The aviation taxes that currently cover these costs should be sunset, except for those necessary to continue to fund the Airport Improvement Program.  General fund revenues should fund the rest of the FAA.  Users should have input in the fees and their structure, which should be guided by ICAO principles and be consistent with the international obligations of the United States.  Except national-security users (including DoD aircraft, DoD-contracted flights, and foreign military aircraft), diplomatic users (including non-commercial United States Government and foreign sovereign State aircraft), and public safety users, all users should pay their fair share.  To ensure that rates are just and reasonable, however, users should have the ability to request review by the Secretary of Transportation, rather than the Congress.  Any determination by the Secretary of Transportation should be final.
  • Financial Authority: The new ATC entity should have the authority to borrow funds and enter into contracts, leases, and other arrangements during and after the transition period.  The new entity should also have the authority to procure goods and services, hire employees, and to bond or pledge future revenues to fulfill the terms of financial arrangements and other transactions.  Additionally, the new entity should have the authority to sell or transfer its assets.
  • Assets: All assets currently owned by the FAA and used in the operation of ATC should be transferred, at no charge, to the new ATC entity.  The users of the ATC system have already paid for those assets and should not be charged for them again.  The assets should be transferred along with any environmental liabilities associated with them.  Accordingly, sufficient funds to account for those liabilities should also be transferred to the new entity. 
  • Governance: A professional Board of Directors should manage the new ATC.  The members of the Board should have a fiduciary responsibility solely to the new ATC entity and be free of any financial conflict of interest.  Board seats should not be reserved for any entity, except for the ATC entity’s Chief Executive Officer, who would serve as a representative of the new entity.  The new entity should represent all users impartially, and no group should have even the appearance of influence over the Board.  The Board should ensure that DoD and national-security equities are adequately represented and that the entity maintains appropriate relationships with national and international air navigation service providers and forums.  To establish the initial Board, the Secretary of Transportation should select eight members from candidate lists provided by five nominating groups.  The nominating groups should be airlines, unions, general aviation, airports, and the Department of Transportation.  Each nominating group would provide lists of six to ten qualified persons to the Secretary.
  • United States-based carriers with annual revenues greater than $10 billion should develop the airline list.
  • Unions representing at least 50 percent of FAA employees that would transfer to the new ATC entity or representing more than 10,000 United States commercial pilots should develop the union list.
  • The two largest trade groups representing general aviation (Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) and National Business Aviation Association (NBAA)), should jointly develop the general aviation list.
  • The two largest trade groups representing United States airports (Airports Council International - North America (ACI-NA) and American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE)), should develop the airport list.
Two members should be selected from the airline list, two members should be selected from the union list, one member should be selected from the general aviation list, one member should be selected from the airport list, and two members should be selected from the Department of Transportation list.  Those eight initial Board members would then select a Chief Executive Officer.  Those nine Board members would then select four independent Board members.  The 13-member Board would be constituted for at least the transition period, plus the first year of operation.  After this time, decisions about Board constitution and members’ terms should be left to the discretion of the Board.  Once the initial Board members are nominated, no group should have an exclusive right to name successor Board members.     
  • Labor: The new ATC entity should honor existing labor agreements.  Employees who transition to the new entity will no longer be Federal employees, but they should be held harmless and have similar rights to those they had as Federal employees at the FAA.  Consistent with those rights, employees of the new entity should not be permitted to strike.
  • Spectrum: The new ATC entity should not be charged for its use of spectrum, as the FAA is not charged for spectrum use today.  The new entity will occupy spectrum shared with Federal entities.  The new entity, however, could be required to vacate existing spectrum band (at some point) and move to another frequency along with other Federal entities.  In any future spectrum reallocation, the new entity should be treated as a Federal entity, including with respect to the use of any reallocation auction proceeds to finance relocation expenses.  Relocation expenses could include those associated with the development, procurement, and installation of new radar systems that are interoperable with government systems on a different spectrum band.

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Boeing Studies Pilotless Planes:

http://www.reuters.com/article/us-boeing-airshow-autonomous-idUSKBN18Z12M


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