Universal® Operational Insight - Latest Comments

Re: How Cabotage Regulations May Impact Your Flight

Turgut Kulacoglu — Mon, 14 May 2012 13:33:23 -0000

Cabotage and a strange implementation in Turkey.
A friend bought a Diamond DA42 (for his own company use) financed by a major leasing bank/company. By rule, during leasing period plane is registered to financing company. Last November over 51% shares of this bank were bought by an international company. Because the majority share change, Turkish CAA refused registering the plane. They claim that aircraft belongs to a foreign entity, so it cannot be registered in Turkey. !!!

Re: Understanding SMS Programs for Business Aviation

Christine Vamvakas — Tue, 08 May 2012 09:15:53 -0000

Dear Jeff,
thank you for your question. We know first-hand that landing permits have been denied due to lack of a verifiable SMS. This is based on our daily operations of arranging charter landing permits for France and routine communications with French DGAC.

Also, the FDA program is part of the SMS requirement for Annex VI, Part I aircraft. Specifically, A6, PI, Paragraph 3.3.6 states "An operator of an aeroplane of a maximum certificated take-off mass in excess of 27,000 kg shall establish and maintain a flight data analysis programme as part of its safety management system." Therefore, for operators under A6 PI who operate an aircraft over 27,000 kg (approximately 59,500 lbs.), an FDA must be part of their SMS.

Let us know if you have any more questions. Thanks again for reading our Operational Insight blog.

Re: Aviation Fueling in the Far East: Understanding Fuel Taxes

Daros Dara — Mon, 07 May 2012 15:14:53 -0000

Very nice

Re: Understanding SMS Programs for Business Aviation

Air Safety Group — Fri, 04 May 2012 21:47:33 -0000

Hi Christine,

I would invite you to verify your information. I am aware of a U.S. based Gulfstream that was denied a landing permit due to lack of Flight Data Monitoring Program. Shortly thereafter there was a rumor flying about that it was due to lack of SMS.

If there has indeed been a denial of a landing permit in France due to a lack of verifiable SMS, I'm not sure there was a basis for the denial.

My most recent conversation with a representative of EASA (Continuing Airworthiness Rulemaking Officer Product Safety Unit - Rulemaking Directorate European Aviation Safety Agency) the Organisation Requirements for air Operations (future Part-ORO) have yet to come to force.

Jeff WhitmanAir Safety Groupwww.AirSafetyGroup.com

Re: Understanding SMS Programs for Business Aviation

Christine Vamvakas — Tue, 01 May 2012 09:18:05 -0000

Dear Air Safety Group,
France has denied landing permits for charter (non-scheduled commercial) operators due to lack of a verifiable SMS. Specifically, the French Charter Questionnaire has a portion that asks the operator to verify that there is an SMS in place for their organization. If the operator can't validate this information a permit will not be granted. Additionally, at many airports in France there are random ramp checks conducted during which they may ask for documentation including that of the operator's SMS. This applies to both private non-revenue and charter flights.

Re: Understanding SMS Programs for Business Aviation

Air Safety Group — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 19:53:26 -0000

You mention in the first paragraph: "...there have been operators who’ve been denied landing permits due to the lack of a verifiable SMS."

Please share which States have denied landing permits.

Thank you.

Re: Operating with an Experimental Airworthiness Certificate: 7 Tips for Pre-flight Planning

Htrag Toille — Sun, 22 Apr 2012 09:37:58 -0000

This is an interesting bit of information and I am pleased that I took the time to read it over.

Re: Flight Crew Visas: Rules, Risks and Risk-Avoidance

Neel1989 — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 04:17:23 -0000

Thanks a lot for the information. It is very useful to the
applicants. First of all I am not really sure if a dependent can sponsor a
family visitor visa. I asked my friends and they were not sure either. I think
the safest way for general visitors and they can explain the whole situation in
their covering letter. Actually I have already emailed in this situation. Since
I have just shared my experience, I am really not sure if this can be accepted
by them or not. If you interesting you can ask this question to UK helpline.

Regards,
http://www.one-visa.com/

Re: International Flight Planning 101: 5 Things to Know before You Start

Christine Vamvakas — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 11:04:08 -0000

Dear Nadeem Iqbal Siddiqui,
thanks for the feedback. If you have any topics you would like covered, please let us know.

Re: International Flight Planning 101: 5 Things to Know before You Start

Nadeem Iqbal Siddiqui — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 07:29:57 -0000

JUST A GOOD REFRESHER

Re: Arranging Jet Fuel: 6 Considerations for Your Pre-trip Planning

Christine Vamvakas — Mon, 09 Apr 2012 10:11:27 -0000

Dear Zur Banner,
Thank you for the great tip. As you point out, when tech stops are involved, it's imperative to ensure that the fuel truck is standing by on arrival, which requires coordination by both the fuel provider and the ground handler. And in some cases, more communication is required to ensure that things are set in place. Thank you for the great tip!

Re: Arranging Jet Fuel: 6 Considerations for Your Pre-trip Planning

Zur Banner — Mon, 09 Apr 2012 02:48:31 -0000

When you have a fuel stop when a quick turn around is required, I will phone ahead to the fuel provider AND the ground handler to confirm that all is OK with the fuel release and everything is double checked. Don't be afraid to call even one more time before you take off to this destination

Re: Dealing with Aircraft Maintenance Issues While in China

Universal Weather and Aviation — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 10:46:57 -0000

Hi Narendra, Thanks for the feedback. We really appreciate it.

Re: Dealing with Aircraft Maintenance Issues While in China

simple man — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 13:25:57 -0000

Good Article in support of the Business Aviation and Aviation in general. Valuable Information.
Narendra

Re: 10 Must-Knows About Airport Operations and Customs When Flying into China

Christine Vamvakas — Wed, 29 Feb 2012 10:19:58 -0000

Hi G3Visas,
that's some great information. Thank you for updating our readers!

Re: 10 Must-Knows About Airport Operations and Customs When Flying into China

G3Visas — Wed, 29 Feb 2012 08:40:35 -0000

Thanks Christine!

We love this forum and thing you are putting out great information here! It may also be good for your readers to know the following:

China
Enforcing New Regulations
As of February 1, the Chinese government is enforcing strict new visa
regulations. Same-day visa service has been discontinued, though applicants may
still appear in person in extremely urgent cases to request same-day
processing. The Chinese Embassy will also be enforcing consular jurisdiction,
meaning that applicants must apply at the consulate that has jurisdiction over
their state of residence. This might be an important factor to consider
for those of you traveling as business people or crew to the ABACE Conference
in Shanghai.

If you need help determining the requirements for the China
visa, or which consulate you need visit to process your visa, please let
me know.

Re: 4 Action Items for Successful 2012 London Olympic Games Trip Planning

Christine Vamvakas — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 13:51:26 -0000

Hi Near Earn,
Great find! Thanks for sharing!

Re: 4 Action Items for Successful 2012 London Olympic Games Trip Planning

Near Earn — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 09:32:07 -0000

Useful set of tips for any visitor, just seen an
olympics website that highlights Olympic black spots around the venues
http://www.getaheadofthegames....

Re: Flying to the Middle East: 7 FAQs by Business-Aviation Operators

Christine Vamvakas — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 09:28:26 -0000

G3Visas,

Thank you for sharing the valuable information regarding visas.
These are excellent tips for crews operating to this region, helping them prepare
by having the necessary documentation to mitigate passport and visa issues that
can disrupt a trip.

Re: Flying to the Middle East: 7 FAQs by Business-Aviation Operators

G3Visas — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 08:27:52 -0000

Based on the constantly changing security situation in the Middle East, and the current elevated risk in the region, obtaining visas in advance is crucial for flight crews. While visas can be obtained on arrival in Jordan, Egypt, and even Saudi for up to 72 hours, it is advisable to obtain them in advance. We also recommend having visas in advance for Turkey and Bahrain. Having visas ahead of time will ensure the crew has maximum flexibility for diverts or tech stops.

Having a Second Valid Passport at all times while operating in the middle east is critical for flight crew. This will ensure that there are no issues with Israeli stamps on your passport during entry to Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, Syria or other Arab League Boycott countries.

Re: 10 Must-Knows About Airport Operations and Customs When Flying into China

Christine Vamvakas — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 17:01:20 -0000

Hi
G3Visas. Thanks for adding your insight. We’ve made an update to the article
based on your input.

Re: 10 Must-Knows About Airport Operations and Customs When Flying into China

G3Visas — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 14:51:40 -0000

A small clarification on the Chinese visa regime for flight crews: China is only issuing 1 or 2 year multiple entry C visas to commercial and cargo operators that have an approval from the government of China (FedEx, United, Delta etc) . For GA part 91 and 135 operators, the current maximum C visa issued by China consulates is a 6 month Double Entry visa.

It should also be noted that currently, China is enforcing jurisdiction based on the residency of the traveler.

Re: 5 Best Practices When Making Aircraft Fueling Arrangements

Christine Vamvakas — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 11:01:23 -0000

Hello G K,
Thank you for raising this important point about fuel
planning. As you said, this is more of a maintenance question, which is not our
area of expertise. Maybe someone else who specializes in maintenance
can chime in here.
Thanks - CV

Re: 5 Best Practices When Making Aircraft Fueling Arrangements

gkchetty — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 02:05:13 -0000

The article gives a good insight to economics while doing a fuel planning when flying, even to small airfields. I wish to know one point from the maintenance point of view. It is known that when tanks are kept empty and especially in cold regions, there is every possibility of condensation leading to water contamination. How could we combine the two requirements to get the most economic situation for fuel planning.
Regards
G K Chetty

Re: 5 Best Practices Used by Aviation Meteorologists on the Day of Operation

Christine Vamvakas — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 15:09:35 -0000

Hi Kenneth. Information overload is definitely a valid concern. The High Level Significant Weather charts represent major features: highs, low, fronts, jet stream boundaries, tropical systems, thunderstorms, etc. Whereas the Turbulence, Icing, and Volcanic charts provide specific details: intensity, coverage, percentage of occurrence, and location. In our experience, it’s best to provide all the information the crew requires in order to better prepare them for the particular flight.