May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and over the next two weeks “NBAA Flight Plan,” in cooperation with “The Pilots Pandemic” podcast, will feature an open and honest discussion about issues related to mental wellness in the business aviation community. While many are reluctant to discuss mental health concerns over fears that seeking help may negatively impact their job – and for pilots, their medical certification – Emma Laczko, pilot, aeromedical reform advocate and creator of “The Pilots Pandemic” podcast, emphasizes that, above all, “You should be able to get help if, for some reason, you need it. Nobody’s perfect and, unfortunately, we [business aviation professionals] can’t escape the hardships of life.”
In this extended, two-part episode of NBAA’s “Flight Plan,” host Rob Finfrock speaks with:
Emma Laczko, pilot, aeromedical reform advocate and creator of “The Pilots Pandemic” podcast
Mark Larsen, CAM, NBAA director of safety and flight operations
Matthew McNeil, president and clinical director at LiftAffect
Madolyn Miller, aeromedical reform advocate and “The Pilots Pandemic” podcast co-host
Unstabilized approaches, get-there-itis, flight-plan continuation bias and not fully understanding aircraft runway performance are reasons why runway excursions continue to be one of the most common safety challenges facing Part 91 operators. Training on how to effectively deal with such events can help reduce the threat, but having a backup plan may be most important.
Smaller Part 91 operators face the same challenges as their larger counterparts, but they do so with fewer resources. That makes it important for the aviation manager to not only set the right example, but for everyone in the department to lead from their respective positions to create a safe and professional operation.
Aircraft refurbishments continue to be in high demand, with new paint, cabin refreshes and connectivity solutions just a few of the popular upgrades available for business aircraft. Many times, it's ideal to combine this work with scheduled maintenance or overhauls, so planning ahead and scheduling refurbishment during maintenance downtime is as important as ever.
NBAA joined with five industry associations in submitting comments on the FAA's notice of proposed rulemaking on the operation of advanced air mobility vehicles in the National Airspace System. While the NPRM represents significant progress toward the start of commercial AAM operations as soon as 2025, industry stakeholders noted a few concerns.
International Business Aviation Council Ltd.