Advance Weather Planning

Keeping a Lookout For You

KHPN 081737Z 0818/0918 28008KT P6SM FEW060

     FM090100 VRB04KT 6SM BR SKC

     FM090500 VRB03KT 3SM BR SKC

     FM091300 30007KT P6SM FEW250 NOT SKED

Does that mean anything to you? Because to us it means it’s a great day for flying!

That is the actual aviation forecast taken on June 8^th at 1:30pm ET for Westchester County Airport according to the Terminal Aerodrome Forecast – more commonly known in the aviation industry as the TAF. Current conditions: unlimited visibility, light winds, few clouds.

Ever wonder why mainstream meteorologists are often so far off on their 10-day forecasts? The reality is: weather is extremely hard to predict with accuracy more than a few hours in advance. The FAA is well aware of the unpredictability of weather and gives hour-by-hour forecasts only for the next 14-24 hours ahead, and general trends for time spans beyond that. While your local weather guy may think you will like him better if he can deliver good news for the next few days, the FAA is motivated to be extremely realistic for safety’s sake.

At Fleet Aviation, weather management is inextricably linked to ensuring you the highest levels of safety as well as top quality customer service. Our weather planning begins on the ground the day before your trip. We monitor weather trends by tracking actual conditions at airports at and near your destination as well as watching the aviation weather forecast. We have access to a variety of aviation weather tools that measure surface conditions as well as the weather in the air, and most airports report actual weather conditions every couple of minutes.

Our pilots have completed extensive hours of online coursework, classroom instruction, simulation and real time in-aircraft training regarding interpreting weather reporting and navigating the safest route under any circumstance. Furthermore, we mandate semiannual seminars for our pilots to review and reinforce seasonal weather procedures. Expert weather management is woven into the fabric of Fleet’s operation.

Some of the many measures we look at include:

• Surface Weather Analysis: Tracking weather fronts which dictate the best times of day to travel and assist with optimal route planning.
• Visibility: Looking at both departure and arrival airports to determine our ability to take off and land within FAA regulations at the desired time.
• Wind Analysis: Examining the winds at different altitudes to understand their implication on flight time, turbulence, instability in the atmosphere, and which runways are best for landing.

By monitoring changes, we start to build a comprehensive picture of what the weather will likely be at the time of your planned departure. This gives us plenty of time to inform you if there is any possibility that the flight might need to be delayed, canceled, or even need to leave early to ensure the safest, quickest flight possible. Our goal is that you will never leave for the airport uninformed of potential weather concerns. We’d much rather have you waiting in the comfort of your own home, if a delay is necessary.

And, while you can assume no news is good news with regard to weather, you are always welcome to call our operations or your personal pilot directly to discuss any weather concerns you may have.

Navigating Summer Weather

In the summer time, there are two main concerns relating to weather: Fog and Thunderstorms. Below, we summarize the regulations, the technology and our procedures for keeping you flying safe in the summer season.

Fog

Fog typically occurs late at night or early in the morning and it affects visibility for take off and landing. The FAA mandates specific visibility requirements that are much more strict for charter operators  than for private pilots. These requirements vary by the number of engines on the aircraft, whether you are taking off or landing, and the type of guidance systems in place at the airport.

Most major airports (such as HPN, MVY, ACK) have something called an Instrument Landing System (ILS) that allows aircraft to land in low visibility. Smaller airports (such as MTP, CQX, UUU) have an array of guidance systems that have different visibility requirements, all of which are higher than ILS. This means that if you had wanted to fly into a small airport but there is dense fog restricting us, we may be able to fly you into a nearby, larger airport that has better approaches.

Landing

Visibility is determined automatically at airports by a transmissometer that sends out a signal along the runway to a receiver that determines the Runway Visual Range or RVR. For landing, as a charter operator, we are able to land only if visibility is 1800ft RVR or better for an ILS approach. (Keep in mind that a mile is 5280 feet.)

Taking Off

For take off, in a twin engine like our Baron you need 1800ft RVR, and in a single engine such as the Cirrus, you need 5000ft RVR or approximately 1 mile visibility. Essentially, in dense fog, per FAA regulation you might not be able to take off, but you likely will be able to land if needed.

The differences between take off and landing requirements come in to play when we see fog at your destination airport but we are clear to take off from your departure airport. If the fog is burning off and visibility is forecast to be okay by expected arrival time, we may give you the option of taking off before the destination airport is above minimums in anticipation that visibility will be above requirements when we arrive. In those cases, we make sure you know if the visibility doesn’t improve as we approach, we will have to divert or return home.

Thunderstorms

Thunderstorms happen typically in the afternoon because they are caused by rising columns of hot air that build as the earth heats up over the course of the day.  Our only option is to navigate around thunderstorms.

In addition to our preflight weather planning (outlined in the above post) all of our aircraft are outfitted with the latest in weather technology. They all contain XM satellite receivers that display real time weather information superimposed on a geo-referenced map. This allows our pilots to see the complete weather system – all locations, how fast it is moving, in which direction is it headed, and when and where there have been lightening strikes. This enables us to fly around an entire system or to decide there is no way through and we must land.

Furthermore, our Baron aircraft have on-board radar that allows the pilot to independently evaluate the storm when pointed toward it, up to 80 miles away. Combined with satellite weather, this allows us to see front after front to evaluate not only what is right in front of the aircraft, but also what is continually along the desired path to your destination. So we can make weather related decisions well in advance as well as on the go.

And, no matter what the circumstances, we make it our duty to provide you with options and invite you to be a part of the decision making process. You can have peace of mind knowing that, as much as possible you remain in control over your travels. And unlike the airlines, if we have to cancel or deeply delay your flight due to weather, your fare is completely refundable. It’s all a part of flying smart with Fleet.

Protect Your Finances While Traveling

At Fleet, your physical safety from the minute you leave your house all the way to your final destination is our number one concern. But what about other kinds of safety while traveling? Our friends at People’s United Bank have some helpful tips for keeping your identity, finances and bank balances secure while on the road.

++++++++++++++++++

Going away for business or a personal holiday?  You likely have your luggage packed, making sure to protect all valuables by placing them in carry-ons, rather than checked luggage.  If you’re heading south, you also probably have your SPF lotion to protect your skin from the sun’s damaging rays.  But what are you doing to protect your finances as you travel?

Below are some tips you should follow:

1.    Take all transaction receipts with you when you use an ATM machine. Don’t leave a paper trail for strangers to find that might list your account balances.

2.    Never write down your PIN code or other personal identifying information on your ATM card.

3.    Use difficult-to-guess passwords on all your accounts.  Never use passwords that relate to family names, birthdates or Social Security Numbers.

4.    Travel with a light pocketbook. Don’t take any credit or debit cards that you know you will not need.  Take only one debit and credit card. The less you have with you, the less you’ll lose in the event your wallet or purse is stolen.

5.    When paying for purchases with either a debit or credit card, never let that card out of your sight and take your receipt.

6.    In the event you do lose a card, call your bank immediately. The sooner you close the account, the sooner the thief will be unable to use your card.

7.    Know the rules and restrictions on your bank accounts and credit cards for usage while you travel. At $2.00 or more each, ATM and transaction fees can really add-up.

If you have an Advantage Checking account from People’s United, you can protect yourself from all those bothersome ATM fees.  As an Advantage client, all out-of-state ATM fees are waived. So protect your pocketbook and inquire about an Advantage account today at your nearest People’s United branch.  With 340 offices throughout New England and New York, you’re sure to find one near you.

They are simple, but these tips can help protect you … and your identity!

Fleet Makes Headlines

Fleet Aviation’s Computerized Maintenance Tracking Program for piston aircraft — the first of its kind — has made the general aviation news. Aero News Network reports on how Fleet’s program could help aircraft owners maximize resale value.

Full text copied here:

Computerized Maintenance Tracking Program Established For Piston Aircraft

Tue, 01 Mar ’11

Accurate Records Could Help Shore Up Resale Prices

Among aircraft owners, it is commonly accepted that aircraft records make up 25% of the value of a plane at resale, yet until now the most advanced systems for record keeping have only been available to owners of jets and turboprops. As part of its comprehensive maintenance program, Fleet Aviation has become the first provider of a Computerized Maintenance Tracking Program specifically for piston aircraft.

Previously, small aircraft owners were left to personally track the maintenance of their aircraft through the tedious coordinating of reams of papers and binders of logs – documentation that is crucial to confirming the condition of a plane. Missing data affects resale value, can impact insurance rates, and can create troublesome questions regarding the safety of the aircraft.

Now, owners who join Fleet’s program will have all of their aircraft records centrally organized. Easy remote access enables detailed tracking and transcribing of aircraft management and maintenance, eliminating the insecurity of manual pen-and-paper tracking and increasing confidence in safety.

“We utilize the same system we employ for our FAA regulated Part 135 charter operations which requires incredibly thorough and exact record-keeping,” Fleet Aviation’s Director of Maintenance, Chris Szabo, elaborates. “The comprehensive tracking we provide allows us to advise our CMTP clients of any safety concerns such as upcoming maintenance events, mandatory inspections, optional service bulletins, and Airworthiness Directives. A quick login prior to any flight gives a real-time snapshot of flight-worthiness and impending maintenance timelines – something piston aircraft owners have never had the option of before.”

Fleet’s CMTP is part of the company’s larger Aircraft Services division that includes Aircraft Management, Database Management, and Piston Aircraft Maintenance performed out of their hangar space at Westchester County Airport (HPN). Fleet Aviation is a Limited Cirrus Service Center offering airframe and powerplant services and inspections for all piston engine aircraft, with a specialization in TCM and Lycoming engine maintenance. Additionally, Fleet offers Aircraft on Ground (AOG) and on-call emergency aircraft maintenance services around the clock.

Fleet CEO Doug Brennan notes, “One of the great things about our CMTP is that you don’t need to be on-site to use it. No matter where you are in the country, we can save you money and time by avoiding foreseeable maintenance problems and potentially lowering your insurance premiums. Moreover, you will increase the value of your aircraft when it comes time to resell it.”

Pilot Training

Fleet Aviation is an on-demand airline and the regulations we follow regarding safety, record keeping, maintenance, and pilot training are the same as the commercial airlines. Clients who fly with us regularly acknowledge that our pilots are not only extremely professional but clearly experts in the field of aviation.

In addition to having thousands of hours of flight time under their belts, our pilots undergo an additional 50 hours of training led by our Chief Pilot, Karl Liang.

1. Basic Indoctrination. (2 days) This includes a review of all airline regulations and procedures, as well as  Emergency Drill Training. A test of applied operational knowledge is issued and all pilots must score 80% or above.
2. Baron Ground School. (2 days) This training includes detailed instruction regarding the operation and function of the Baron aircraft. Pilots are then required to pass two tests specifically about the Baron.
3. Limitations and Memory Items Exam. Pilots have to memorize every limiting speed and weight of the aircraft and all emergency procedures. Pilots will only pass this exam with 100% accuracy. Failure to score perfectly will disqualify a pilot from further training.
4. Line Operations Field Test. (LOFT) This is a 12-hour, scenario-based simulator test.  Pilots must complete all tasks – including paperwork – as though this were an actual charter flight.  They are also presented with emergency events from which they must recover.  Three different scenarios are presented and a validation test is given.
5. Airplane Field Test. Pilots are put through more than six hours of actual flight testing in the plane. Two or more possible scenarios are presented, to which the pilot must react and handle accordingly.
6. FAA Part 135 Captain’s Check Ride. With FAA Evaluator , This exam requires the pilot to pass both a written test and an in-airplane flight evaluation.
7. Steps 2 through 6 are then repeated, this time focusing on the Cirrus aircraft.
8. Steps 2-7 must be repeated every 6 months.

Your safety is our number one concern, and we train our pilots to confidently handle every situation, from the ordinary to extraordinary. For more information regarding our pilot requirements and training, please contact us at 866-862-9509, option 1.

Yes, We Fly All Winter!

Karl Liang, Chief Pilot

Too often, we take to the skies, never really knowing who is manning the controls. Sure, we hear the obligatory, “this is your Captain speaking,” but security measures on commercial airlines require the pilot to be locked away behind a reinforced door.

As a private charter operator, Fleet affords you the opportunity to meet your pilot and get to know the capable hands you are flying with.  This month, we introduce you to our Chief Pilot, Karl Liang.

Karl not only pilots our Baron aircraft, he is Fleet’s Chief Pilot, responsible for the leadership and management of all Fleet’s pilots and their training.  It is Karl’s capable hands that develop, implement and maintain all the procedures that ensure our clients the highest safety and customer service standards.

Karl is an Airline Transport Pilot with over 4,500 hours of flight time.  Flying for over 25 years, he has operated corporate jets and airliners, as well as the piston aircraft Fleet flies. Not only does Karl have extensive commercial and charter pilot experience, he has also worked diligently as an independent flight instructor.  The positive impact of Karl’s comprehensive background is evident at Fleet.

“My personal mission is to take my base of experience and transfer my safety and service culture to the pilot group, making Fleet Aviation a world-class organization,” says Karl.

Fleet’s clients are the true beneficiaries of having Karl as Chief Pilot. He has already made and continues to implement, numerous improvements to enhance safety and service offerings to create what he wants to be the best “total customer experience” for Fleet’s clients.

Having flown families, businessmen and celebrities all over the world, Karl stands behind his exemplary reputation for safety, discretion and incomparable customer service.  He inherently understands and serves the travel needs of the private charter client.

“The passengers are most important to me,” says Karl. “As professional pilots, we are solely responsible for transporting them safely and comfortably to their destination and I take that responsibility very seriously.”

It is a mindset that, as Chief Pilot, Karl passes on to each of the pilots who reports to him.

“I want to create a work environment and a company that the pilots are proud to work for,” asserts Karl. “I’ve been taught to lead from the front and never do anything to compromise safety or my personal integrity. Conversely, I expect my pilots to do the same.  I expect them to be safe and service-oriented. I want them to be happy, because at the end of the day, a happy crew leads to happy customers.”

When asked if he has a favorite destination airport, Karl replies without hesitation. “Westchester Airport (HPN), because it means I am coming home to my family.”

Fleet Aviation is extremely proud to have you as an integral part of our family too, Karl.

Karl can be reached directly a kliang@flyfleet.com