Safety in aviation

Captain Aisha Alexander holds an extraordinary passion for flying. Even at the early age of four years old, Captain Alexandra always knew that she wanted to become a pilot and has carved out an impressive career in aviation that would enthrall her younger self.

Today, she becomes the latest recipient of the AeroTime Aviation Achievement Award for her dedication to duty and her commitment to promoting aviation safety across the industry.

Captain Alexandra has worked in pilot and aviation management roles across charter, corporate and cargo flight operations. Her career highlights also include her experience as the designated pilot flying former First Lady of the United States, Hillary Clinton, and US Senator Mitt Romney, who was the Governor of Massachusetts at the time.

Recognized as an aviation safety advocate and as a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) ATP licensed pilot, Captain Alexander is a Boeing 777 pilot for Kalitta Air, an international cargo airline headquartered in Michigan, USA.

She has held positions in both pilot and management operations, including her role as an aviation safety manager and international captain for Coca-Cola. In 2020, Captain Alexander was appointed regional safety advocate for the International Civil Aviation Organization in North America, Central America and the Caribbean.

It’s a formidable resume. So, what is driving her success in the aviation industry? For Captain Alexander, her commitment to a career in aviation, as well as her faith and her family, have made the journey possible.

“Being a mother is the engine of my life,” she says. “I had the example from my own mother when she raised me as a single parent and as a career woman. I look up to her. I want my son to look up to me. So, every step that I take is basically for him, too. I want to leave a good example, and to be a role model in his life.”

Born in Colombia, and into a family with no connection to the aviation industry, Captain Alexander recalls the event that became the catalyst for her pursuing an interest in aviation.

As a four-year-old child, Captain Alexander was on a flight with her mother when she became fascinated by what was going on in and outside the cabin. She declared: “Mom, when I grow up, I want to be driving one of these.”

In response, her mother nurtured her daughter’s passion and encouraged her to pursue a formal career as a base foundation for her pursuit of a future in aviation. After relocating to the United States, Captain Alexander gained a doctorate in law. In 1999, she became a director of human resources for Aerofloral cargo, a Colombian cargo airline based in Miami. Three years later, she took on the role of director of operations for the airline.

At the same time, Captain Alexander joined an American flight school as the only female pilot in her class.

She says: “I was working for Aerofloral in human resources, then I escalated the position in the company. At the same time, I was also accumulating my flight time and working toward my private instrument and commercial rating.”

Having completed her pilot courses with 1500 hours and an ATP pilots license, Captain Alexander admits that the road ahead was still difficult as she encountered the prejudice of being a female pilot while balancing her dreams of motherhood.

She adds: “When I finished, I had to make the decision to either become an instructor to accumulate hours or to join a regional airline and at the same time I was becoming a parent. So, I had to balance my passion and my family. It was a roller coaster, but I continued knocking on doors and trying to basically become my own agent to companies. It was very difficult, especially coming to some places where they would say ‘we don't hire women, maybe later on you can try to apply again’.”

Despite these obstacles, which included encountering resistance to her career progression and even verbal bullying, Captain Alexander claims that this only made her stronger and she has remained resolute in achieving her goal.

“I am a strong believer that what we do, and the places that we are in life, are independent from our gender, but are tied up with our qualifications and with the efforts that we put in,” she says. ‘’We are in an era of aviation where the more qualifications you have, the more competitive you are. Qualifications, risk and resilience are what will take you to where you want to be.”

Then, in 2003, she became the first Hispanic corporate pilot in the United States. While flying for private jet charter Sentient Jet, Captain Alexander became the designated pilot for former First Lady of the United States, Hillary Clinton, and US Senator Mitt Romney, who was the Governor of Massachusetts at the time.

She says: “It was a great experience, something very unique and special. It was also completely different, especially because I was new to corporate aviation.”

The highlight of that period of her career was receiving a gold coin with the seal of the state of Massachusetts from Mitt Romney as a token of his appreciation.

She adds: “I was very happy and proud to have been awarded with that symbol.”

Captain Alexander went on to fly in South America, Africa, the Middle East and Asia Pacific with VIP charter organizations and world-leading airlines, such as Ethiopian Airlines and Etihad Airways. She also flew and worked in prestigious roles, including a term as an aviation safety manager and international captain for Coca-Cola. In 2020, she was also appointed regional safety advocate for the International Civil Aviation Organization.

A passion for aviation safety

“I believe everyone says safety is a priority,” says Captain Alexander. “But for me, safety is a value. It’s something that no-one has to teach you, it's something that you know is important. It's something that you know is the foundation of any career.”

Initially, when Captain Alexander started to look at the safety side of the aviation industry, there was no formal aviation safety education.

She explains: “I was looking at safety. I decided to study criminal law, not for the criminal aspects of it, but for the human factors that I could later tie with my law degree and focus on the human factors towards safety.”

Today, Captain Alexander is surprised by the opportunity to carve out a career in aviation safety.

She continues: “Safety is a value and that is what I embrace in the companies that I work for and what I want people to believe. Safety lies on each individual person. If I believe that safety is what rules my career and it is what is going to make this industry safer, then I have to start with making and doing my part.”

After accomplishing this on an individual level, Captain Alexander turned her attention to the companies she was working with and their executive managers.

She says: “I said let's help each person and equip them with the tools to allow them to report. But also, not punish them.”

Instead, she urged companies to “embrace the people who have those values”.

She adds: “For me, safety is the real foundation of aviation. Today, we are going far and beyond in talking about the priority and talking about regulation. But what are we really doing with the individual?

“What are we doing with every single pilot, every single cabin crew, every single ground-handling personnel? How are we helping these people to become an important and determined part of safety? That is my job, that's what I advocate for and that's what I do with passion. I hope that one day the industry will move from safety simply being a priority, to being a value.”

AeroTime Aviation Achievement Award

In recognition of her dedication and commitment to the aviation sector, for her perseverance and focus and for promoting aviation safety and playing a role as an aviation safety advocate, AeroTime CEO, Richard Stephenson OBE, was delighted to present Captain Alexander with a coveted AeroTime Aviation Achievement Award.  Captain Alexander became the 22nd recipient of this award and joins the ranks of other aviation professionals from around the world being recognized for their dedication and inspirational work.

Stephenson says: “Aviation safety is such an important part and core of our industry. Our Global Executive Committee wanted to say a very big thank you for your unwavering commitment to promoting safety in the industry. We want to acknowledge your dedication and your perseverance, and we are certain that many others across the wider industry have been inspired by your journey, your passion and positive efforts towards aviation safety. I hope that this award will serve as a constant reminder to you of the gratitude of so many people for everything you've done in your career, and that we hope you will continue to do in the future.”

Captain Alexander says: “I can't thank you enough. This is a remarkable acknowledgement. The most important thing in life is people and what you can do for them, and, in some way, this award makes me feel like my sacrifices, and the ones of those around me, paid off. I'm fully committed until the end of this life, with God’s help and support, that I can make a difference to make aviation a safer place and a value for all of us. Thank you so much.”

AIR FRANCE-KLM REDEEMS €500 MILLION OF THE OUTSTANDING €4 BILLION BANK LOAN

 

      Following early signs of a recovery of the worldwide air traffic, combined with an improved access to capital markets, Air France-KLM has agreed with the syndicate of the nine banks of the PGE and the French State to redeem €500 million of the outstanding bank loan notional, bringing it down to €3.5 billion and, concomitantly, to amend its redemption profile by substituting the single repayment initially due on May 6, 2023 with a new maturity on May 6, 2025, at the latest, at Air France-KLM’s discretion.   

      The new maturity schedule is changed to: In May 2023:

Toys

 

R.A Gibson submitted this photo and note: “A beautiful picture of beautiful toys.”

Ethiopian Airlines and Liege Airport extend partnership

 

Ethiopian Airlines Cargo and Logistics Services and Liege Airport have announced that they have renewed their long standing partnership agreement until 2026.

Image courtesy Ethiopian Airlines

Liege Airport, Belgium’s largest cargo airport and the 6th largest cargo airport in Europe, will continue to be Ethiopian Airlines cargo hub serving as a freighter gateway between Africa and Europe for the next five years. Ethiopian Airlines Cargo and Logistics Services, Africa’s largest cargo network operator, has been working with Liege airport for its freighter operations between Africa and Europe.

Ethiopian Airlines Cargo and Logistics Services Acting Managing Director, Mr. Enquanhone Minyashal said: “We are glad to have renewed our partnership agreement with our long-standing partner airport at a time when we are registering tremendous growth in our cargo destinations and capacity. In collaboration with Liege Airport, Ethiopian Cargo and Logistics Services has been providing fast and secure cargo transportation service across Europe and beyond for the last 15 years of successful cooperation.

"In the next five years, we will work to transform our freighter operation to serve Europe better with our renewed commitment with Liege Airport. As the largest pan African carrier, Ethiopian Airlines will continue to strengthen its partnership with Liege Airport to boost its freighter operations between Africa and Europe.”

Steven Verhasselt, VP Commercial of Liege Airport said “First of all, Liege Airport would like to congratulate Ethiopian Airlines and all its staff and partners a very happy 75th birthday. It is with great pride that we are part of the Ethiopian’s success story for almost 15 years and LGG will continue to be Ethiopian Airline’s cargo hub in Europe. Looking back from the start to where we are today, Ethiopian has already operated 15,000 freighter flights into LGG, approaching an incredible one million tonnes of cargo carried. Still, this is the past and can be considered as a very impressive start.

"Today, we celebrate the future. Ethiopian and LGG have renewed their partnership agreement that not only confirms the European Cargo hub in LGG for the next five years but also states that Ethiopian will become much more than an airline flying into LGG. In the future a dedicated cargo hub can be established in Liege North, for which Ethiopian was the launch customer to start with. We are very much looking forward to this next step that will help Ethiopian to serve its customers even better. More than ever, LGG will be the hub for Ethiopian and the main freighter gateway between Africa and Europe.”

ASECNA teams up with NIGCOMSAT and Thales Alenia Space to continue developing SBAS aviation services

 ASECNA, NIGCOMSAT and Thales Alenia Space are working together to accelerate the development of SBAS (Satellite-Based Augmentation System) services for aviation in Africa.

The three partners conducted on June 2nd 2021 a successful SBAS demonstration flight between Douala and Kribi in Cameroon with a rotorcraft. The aim was to show on the field the effectiveness of this technology developed as part of the “SBAS for Africa & Indian Ocean” programme, designed to autonomously provide SBAS services across the continent, thus improving the performance of the global navigation satellite systems (GNSS), GPS and Galileo.

The rotorcraft carried out a low-altitude, two-way demonstration flight along a low-level route linking two point-in-space (PinS) approaches to the Douala airport and a point near the oil platforms off the Kribi coast. The helicopter was provided by Heli Union and the SBAS receiver by Pildo Labs. This experimental flight demonstrated the ability of the SBAS service to improve navigation safety and efficiency, in view of the operational SBAS services expected to be delivered in 2024.

On June 3 and 4 in Douala, a seminar organized with the EGNOS-Africa JPO will host representatives of major aviation institutions in Cameroon to raise awareness about the development of SBAS aviation services in Africa.

“We will continue to support and contribute to the success of SBAS flight demonstrations using NIGCOMSAT-1R  navigation payload to sensitize stakeholders towards acceptance and adoption of SBAS technology in Africa’s Aviation sector for its many benefits especially as it concerns  improvement of operational safety, reduction in operational costs and environment”, declared Dr. Abimbola Alale, MD/CEO of NIGCOMSAT Ltd. “It is in line with marching order and directive of the Honorable Minister of Communications and Digital Economy of Federal Republic of Nigeria; Dr. Isa Ali Ibrahim (Pantami) FNCS, FBCS, FIIM who has directed full exploitation of the capabilities and capacity of NIGCOMSAT-1R satellite for digitalized economy in all sectors for sustainable development in the continent.”

“Thales Alenia Space is the ideal partner to support countries that want to implement their own SBAS system, based on our proven expertise in developing EGNOS1 for Europe and KASS for South Korea, coupled with our advanced satellite positioning technologies,” said Benoit Broudy, Vice President,  Navigation Business Unit at Thales Alenia Space “This latest demonstration proved the service's ability to improve satellite navigation for helicopters, in addition to civil planes, and it will help accelerate the rollout of SBAS aeronautical services in Africa.”

“I’m proud that we were able to demonstrate the utility and efficiency of SBAS services on our continent for all the community of airspace users, from commercial aviation to general aviation, and including rotorcraft,” said Mohamed Moussa, Director General of ASECNA. “In line with my vision of unification of the African Sky, the upcoming deployment of the ‘SBAS for Africa & Indian Ocean’ system, the navigation solution for Africa and by Africa, will benefit to all the aviation stakeholders of the continent, enhancing sustainably the flight safety and efficiency” Commented Mohamed Moussa, ASECNA General Director.

CAP Helps Train Aspiring USAF Pilots

 

Civil Air Patrol is one of the four partners in the U.S. Air Force Total Force. Consisting of CAP as the Air Force auxiliary as well as the Air National Guard, Air Force Reserve and active-duty Air Force, each partner has specific missions that often foster collaboration.

For CAP, the collaboration often consists of participation in training exercises as intercept targets straying into restricted airspace, performing search and rescue missions assigned by the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center, and in this case providing essential preparatory training to active-duty officers who aspire to achieve their goal of earning their Air Force wings.

“CAP is providing a crucial service for the Air Force and our nation,” said Brig. Gen. William Betts, First Air Force and Air Force Northern Command vice commander. “Some great Airmen got their start in CAP, and we are committed to maintaining that tradition.”

Capt. Alex Johnson and 1st Lt. Kristen Kummen share that aviation dream. Kummen could have spoken for both in just a few words. I really want to be a pilot,” she said.

Thanks to the partnership between the Air Force and CAP, Airmen have the opportunity to soar to their airborne dreams.

Launched in 2019 as an experimental initiative, the Rated Preparatory Program, or RPP, provides accelerated instruction that identifies future pilots, navigators and other crew members to help address the Air Force’s potential pilot shortage.

The program's intent is to provide current officers with flying hours and experience to increase their Pilot Candidate Selection Model score and be more likely to qualify for Undergraduate Flight Training boards.

Nearly 100 officers have participated during the first two years of the program. Forty-one students participated in the program this year. In the first session, 20 students completed 112 sorties, totaling more than 189 hours of flight time. Twelve to 14 planes took to the skies daily, with students under the guidance of CAP flight instructors, several of them retired military pilots. The 21 students in the second session made 112 flights totaling 169.7 hours.

Johnson, a combat systems officer who also works in tactical air control while stationed at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, and Kummen, stationed at Kunsan Air Base, South Korea, sing the RPP’s praises.

“For me, the RPP has been a great opportunity,” Johnson said. “Just having the ground school and the instruction that you receive from the instructors here … has helped me learn my place in the air and not having to drink so much from a fire hose.” Johnson, like Kummen, wants to secure a pilot training slot.

Kummen has gained a great deal from supplemental flight time from the military and civilian members. But along with learning the aircraft inside-out, she has gained an understanding of the flying community, which she called “a lot of fun.”

“My motivation comes a lot from that,” she said. “I really want to be a pilot in the flying community more than anything. Everyone I’ve met loves aviation and wants to fly for their whole lives. That’s why I’m here.” Fifty-two officers went through the program in 2019. The 2020 decrease is due to the COVID-19 pandemic and its accompanying travel restrictions.

“It’s a great opportunity for the Air Force to generate more pilots in a time of need,” said Ron Olienyk, CAP Operations deputy director. “It also gives the volunteers an opportunity to give back. A lot of our staff are retired military flyers, so they feel like this is kind of paying back for the opportunity they had.”

The program is already impacting the Total Force. The Air Force’s Air Crew Task Force has concluded that the Air Force is thousands of pilots short, Olienyk said. The RPP helps address that need, bolstering national security.

The program also gives a “second-chance” opportunity to Air Force officers who may not have had the means or the opportunity for flight training before testing and submitting application packages to the pilot boards.

“They knew they wanted to be pilots, but they just didn’t have some of the air sense,” Olienyk said. “So what we’re providing here is that air sense for them to go back with that desire and actually test to meet the boards and actually get selected.”

The RPP will help ease the pilot shortage while also increasing diversity, said Maj. Sean Stumpf, Air Crew Task Force Talent Management Branch chief. "The Air Force is committed to increasing diversity within its rated force—$18.1 million has been designated in fiscal 2021 for various Rated Diversity Initiatives,” Stumpf said. “RPP is one initiative with significant momentum in increasing diversity in aviation—in just one year, the number of under-represented groups participating in RPP has doubled (57% of fiscal 2020’s class is comprised of students from under-represented groups).”

He added, “Diversity in all forms makes our Air Force better. It’s more than race, gender and ethnicity—it’s about leveraging unique strengths, perspectives and experiences. A force made up of various backgrounds inherently brings out new and innovative ideas, which is vital to the Air Force mission. Additionally, when dealing with complex issues, diversity of our force means we’re bringing unique skills, abilities and knowledge to the table to help solve those issues.”

Every one of the 2019 students who completed the program and submitted application packages to the boards received their first or second choice to serve as pilots, system operators or large-drone pilots. Each RPP participant must complete six to eight hours of actual flight time, finish an online ground school and pass a demanding written examination. Candidates also have access to flight simulators that enable them to sharpen their skills.

As with all Air Force pilots, successful RPP candidates must be officers and hold a college degree. Both Kummen and Johnson say the program has sparked thoughts of a long-term military career. Lt. Col. Eric Templeton, a CAP senior program manager, gives Kummen, Johnson and all the students in this year’s RPP high marks. Both of the program’s classes were highly motivated, but this group has more air experience, with some having their private pilot’s certificate.

“The group that’s here for these two weeks are truly here for a second chance at their passion,” Templeton said. “The flying is stellar.”

Lucky Air passenger gets fined $17K

A first time flyer boarding Lucky Air flight took an extra step to ensure the flight goes well and smoothly. Unfortunately for the passenger, throwing coins at aircraft engine is not seen as a good way to ensure flight’s safety in aviation. In fact, it is quite the opposite. The passenger was ordered by a court to pay-up approximately $17,000 for the airline in compensation.

In February 2019, a 28-year-old man was due to take a domestic flight in China onboard Lucky Air Airbus A320neo. The flight 8L9960 was to take off from Anqing Tianzhushan Airport (AQG) to Kunming Changshui International Airport (KMG).

To ensure some extra good luck, as the passenger explained later, he tossed some small coins at the aircraft engine. The coins were noticed by ground crew on the ground near one of the engines. Consequently, the flight was cancelled, passengers deplaned and the aircraft taken for inspection.

The 162 passengers from the (un)lucky flight 8L9960 were taken on replacement flights, some flew out only the following day. On another hand, the traveler who tossed the coins faced a longer hold-up: he was detained by the police for ten days, charged with disturbing public order and sued by Lucky Air for damages in a civil case.

Initially, the budget carrier estimated that the incident cost it over $20,000 (140,000 yuan). In court, it was asking to compensate over $17,600 (123,000 yuan). The defendant, on the other hand, claimed that the airline should have warned passengers beforehand that throwing coins at aircraft engine is not allowed. The Yixiu District People’s Court in Anqing sided with the airline, ordering the superstitious passenger to pay over $17,000 (120,000 yuan) in damages for the airline.

The ruling was issued in July 2019. The passenger reportedly appealed the decision, but later withdrew the appeal. The ruling became known publicly just recently, when it was published online.

Throwing coins for good luck is a strongly held belief in China. Therefore, the aforementioned passenger is not the only one who had tried to charm their flight using this method.

In 2019, at least five similar incidents were reported by the media in China, including an incident in March 2019, when two female Lucky Air passengers delayed domestic flight from Jinan to Chengdu by throwing coins. Famously, two elderly passengers made headlines for the very same reason in 2017, including a person flying with Lucky Air from the very same location in Anqing.

Lucky Air is a low cost carrier, a subsidiary of Hainan Airlines Group. It operates a fleet of 57 aircraft, including six Airbus A320neos.

Airbus A320neo can be equipped with either the PurePower PW1100G-JM engines from Pratt and Whitney or the LEAP-1A engines from CFM International. Lucky Air uses LEAP-1A for its A320neos.