Final Blog - Friday, April 20th @ 11:59pm at the latest!

You will complete a final blog instead of a final exam for this course. Please read the following instructions:

-Select a topic from the previous blogs.

-Approach that topic from a different angle. For example, if you select UAVs, you may want to focus on the military application of UAVs (since we didn't really include this in our previous discussion). You may include a little information from the previous blog, but not more than a paragraph.

-Total length should be about double of your regular blog. I'm not going to be too specific on length. I prefer quality over quantity. 

-You should have at least three references. 

-Although our final exam time is Wednesday, April 18th @ 2pm, I can give you some extra days. The latest you can turn in this blog to Canvas is Friday, April 20th @ 2pm. Make sure it is submitted to Canvas. 

ATC Privatization - Due Saturday, April 7th @ 11:59PM

ATC Privatization- Please answer the following questions:

1) Describe the fundamentals of our current ATC system vs. the proposed NextGen system. Include details. i.e. "Next Gen is satellite-based." is not enough detail.

2) Why has GA traditional spoken against the privatization of ATC? What is the stance of US airlines on ATC privatization and why? Find two aviation organizations/lobby groups/think tanks (not individual companies) etc. and report their response to privatization.

3) Is ATC privatized in any other countries? If so, where? Write about the details of how this system works. How is it funded? Who are the private operators? Etc..Does the privatized ATC system run more or less efficiently than our current system?

4) What would be the process for converting our current system into a privatized system? i.e. would it have to go through Congress, the FAA, etc..Where is the discussion at? i.e. is there a passed bill or law allowing ATC privatization? Does it have to be an act of Congress or can the FAA make this decision on its own. How do expect the current administration to impact ATC privatization if at all?

5) Finally, do you feel that the current ATC system would be more efficient if it were privatized. Why or why not?

Don't forget to include at least two references in APA format as well as corresponding in-text citations. There must be at least one in-text citation for every reference that you list.

Aviation Organizations - Due Saturday, March 31st @ 11:59PM

The topic is Aviation Organizations. Please answer the following questions: 


Do not use AOPA or ALPA in your answers.

1. What associations will it be important to belong to when you are employed and engaged on your career path?  Identify at least two organizations. 

2. Research the associations that you identified. Discuss the mission and functions of each association. Also discuss the role of these organizations in the overall industry, including their support for other sectors of the industry.

3. Discuss why is it important for you to belong to these associations.

4. Describe potential employment opportunities with these organizations.

Global Airlines: Is It a Fair Playing Field - Saturday, March 17th @ 11:59PM

US Airlines are known for attacking foreign long-haul carriers, often attributing their success solely to the government subsidies that these carriers receive. Please answer the following questions:

1) Describe the US-UAE Open Skies Agreement. List and describe two long-haul carriers that are a part of this agreement that also receive government subsidies.

2) Do any long-haul US carriers receive subsidies or have received subsidies in the past? If so, which airlines? Why?

3) Another complaint is that long-haul foreign carriers have made aircraft purchases at "below market interest rates" that are unavailable to US carriers. How is this possible? Please discuss the Export-Import Bank.

4) Are there any current issues with Norwegian International Airlines and the Open Skies Agreement? What about with carriers such as Emirates or Qatar?

5) Finally, critically analyzing the above information, do you feel that the global "playing field" of long-haul carriers is fair?

Enjoy!

Who should be the next FAA Adminstrator? - Due Saturday, March 4th @ 11:59PM

So I've decided to abandon the Chinese competitor post for something maybe a little more current and spicy, shall we say? Our topics have been pretty bipartisan...let's churn things up a little.

President Trump just announced that his private pilot is in the running for FAA Administrator. Please answer the following questions:

-What are the qualifications of John Dunkin (President Trump's pilot)?

-Who are the other candidates for FAA Administrator and what are their qualifications?

-Pick two past FAA Administrators. What was their qualifications?

-What is the job description of FAA Administrator?

-In terms of your career and based upon the job description above, do you feel that it matters who the FAA Administrator is? Why or why not?

Have fun and be respectful in your comments. 

The Comercial Space Industry - Due Friday, February 23rd @ 11:59pm

Is Commercial Space Tourism a viable industry? Please answer the following questions:

1) Historical background: When did the idea of "space tourism" begin? How has it developed? What have been the hurdles and accomplishments? Start in the 1960's - present day.

2) Give a brief summary of the rules and regulations that currently govern the commercial space industry. When and why were they developed? Start with the first rules developed in the 1980s. Do you feel that they are appropriate or that the need to be more or less restrictive?

3) Where do you see space tourism headed and in what time frame? I.e., do you think it will be accessible to the general public, not unlike the commercial airline industry? Do you think it will develop into a means of transportation or do you think that it will perpetually exists as a one-time, bucket list adventure? Why?

4) What are the qualifications to work in the space tourism industry  - either from the pilot or the management perspective? This may require some research, perhaps even making a phone call.

The Current Status of UAVs - Due Saturday, February 10th @ 11:59pm

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) are frequently in the news, most often for their military applications or the random story of a college experiment gone wrong, which inadvertently placed a UAV in controlled airspace. However, rumor has it that their practical application in the civilian world is becoming more of a possibility. Please answer the following questions for this week's topic:

1) What civilian purpose, if any, are UAVs currently being used for in United States? How are these civilian UAVs currently regulated (if they are regulated)? What are some of the details of the regulations that apply to the commercial use of UAVs?

2) Are UAVs being operated commercially in other countries? If so, where and for what purpose?  

3) Do you foresee UAVs integrating into the NAS? If so, how? Also, what problems do you foresee resulting from this? Be sure to include not only logistical problems, but also potential perception problems.
 
4) As for the military application of UAVs, how have they transformed military strategy? Has their integration been efficient (consider all aspects - from financial to ethical)?
 
5) Finally, do some research and find out if their are UAV jobs that are advertised for civilians (both flight and management students). If so, include this as your link. If you are unable to locate a job posting, reference your above answers to brainstorm the potential for types of UAV jobs in the future.