Todd Curtis and John Goglia share the unfolding information surrounding a October 20, 2024 crash of an air tour R44 helicopter into a radio tower in Houston. The NTSB investigation continues. The air tour helicopter apparently crashed into the radio tower while the pilot in command was reading back a traffic advisory about a second helicopter in the vicinity. The second helicopter was operated by the same air tour company. The preliminary NTSB report issued less than a month after the accident. Details in the preliminary report and additional information from security cameras show that the pilot of the accident helicopter had the second helicopter in sight and made no major heading changes to avoid hitting the radio tower. Hear Todd’s assessment of the alignment of the tower and the helicopters. John and Todd discuss general safety issues of air tour aircraft, including the fact that the ones involved in this crash often lack voice and data recorders. John notes that in his experience the NTSB might not be able to determine a probable cause due to the lack of data.
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MELBOURNE, FL. November 27th, 2024 - Heck Air, a leading provider of aircraft maintenance services in Melbourne, Florida, is pleased to announce its acquisition of Sebastian Communication, Inc., a well-respected avionics shop located in Merritt Island, Florida. This strategic acquisition marks a significant milestone in Heck Air’s ongoing commitment to enhance its capabilities and serve the growing needs of general aviation customers throughout the region.
With the integration of Sebastian Communication, Inc., Heck Air will now offer an expanded suite of services, combining its renowned aircraft maintenance expertise with advanced avionics installations, inspections, and repairs. This partnership is set to create a comprehensive solution for clients, providing unparalleled convenience, efficiency, and technical excellence. The first fatal HondaJet accident just occurred. Greg Feith and John Goglia go over the known facts of the air crash in Mesa, Arizona on November 5. The jet ran off the runway and struck a car on a nearby road, killing the driver and four of the five people on board the jet. They draw similarities with a 2014 takeoff accident involving a Gulfstream jet near Boston. Poor preflight preparation may be the biggest contributor to this deadly event. Greg and John share the simple tests and steps that can be the difference between a successful and a fatal flight. Greg and John also discuss Greg’s recent recognition from the National Aeronautic Association. Greg was named a 2023 Distinguished Statesmen of Aviation. Greg and John finished the episode with a discussion of the show’s newest advertiser, Piston Power, and how their various options for managing routine and non-routine repairs may benefit an aircraft owner. They also welcome a new sponsor – PistonPower™. The company offers general aviation’s first and only Unscheduled and Power-by-the-Hour programs for piston aircraft. Designed by aviation pros who’ve designed and built similar programs for turbine engines, PistonPower™ brings stability to your maintenance budget and peace of mind to your business and personal flying. No Risk. No Surprises. Stabilize Your Maintenance Budget! PAMA, in coordination with its generous industry partners, has made available award opportunities for current and future aviation maintenance professionals. Awards are provided to current or recent aviation maintenance students and may be used toward the purchase of tools, tuition or other education-related expenses. Future AMT Professional Award, provided by PistonPower™ by AEPC™ (AeroEngine Protection Corp.) Two $1000 awards JSFirm.com Aviation Mechanic Student Award One $1500 award New Mexico Aero Education Aviation Mechanic Technician Student Award One $2000 award for AMT student currently attending Central New Mexico Community College or Eastern New Mexico University - Roswell Award winners will be announced at the Aerospace Maintenance Competition in Atlanta in April. Applications must be submitted by February 15, 2025. Get more information here. Whitney Lee, a doctoral candidate in the Graduate Studies in Education department at Southern Nazarene University, is seeking your participation in her study regarding how leadership styles in the aviation industry potentially impact safety. The purpose of her study is to explore perceptions of aviation safety leaders regarding their supervisors' leadership styles contributing to the organization's safety culture. She is seeking individuals who are aviation safety leaders currently working in aviation with five or more years of industry experience. If you are willing to participate, you will be asked to share your insights in this area. If you are willing to participate, Whitney would like to send you four questionnaires to fill out. The data collected from the questionnaires will be carefully and respectfully guarded. If you decide to participate in this study, your identity and responses will not be revealed. She will use pseudonyms to protect your identity. If you would like to participate or have any questions regarding the project, please contact her for further discussion at 405-567-5974 or [email protected]. Although the pilot in command had flown this same helicopter at the annual event in the previous two years, he had logged only 21 hours of flying experience in that helicopter. One of the five passengers was a helicopter pilot who had paid to operate the helicopter during the flight.
About 15 minutes into the flight, the engine failed. The helicopter struck power lines and a rock face before crashing and catching fire. The NTSB could not determine if the pilot in command or the helicopter-rated passenger attempted the emergency landing. Despite the number of people killed in warbird crashes, it is unlikely the FAA will make major changes in how it oversees operators of these types of flights because of the relatively small number of operators. John and Todd share thoughts on what these operators can do to ensure safety. JSfirm.com, the aviation industry’s leading job board, is excited to announce its partnership with two new flight schools: Alpha One Flight Training and AlphaFlight. These new collaborations continue JSfirm.com's successful efforts to expand its diverse Job Distribution Network and connect aviation job seekers with opportunities.
By integrating JSfirm.com’s job board on the websites of these flight schools, both current and prospective students will gain seamless access to job listings and aviation career resources. Alpha One Flight Training in Concord, North Carolina, offers flexible, safety-focused flight training with a family-like atmosphere. Programs include private pilot to commercial certifications, along with instrument and multi-engine ratings, all supported by a strong instructor-to-student ratio. AlphaFlight, located in Plymouth, Indiana, leverages over 70 years of aviation experience from military and legacy airline pilots. A Part 141 flight school, AlphaFlight offers private pilot, instrument rating, commercial pilot, and CFI programs, with personalized training throughout. JSfirm.com’s new partnerships reflect the company’s commitment to supporting a broad range of aviation disciplines, helping to build bridges between educational institutions and employers in the industry. As Laurie Elliott, Partnership Manager for JSfirm.com, shared, “It is truly exciting to give flight students exposure to all the pilot jobs available now and in the future.” Any aviation schools, programs, or associations interested in becoming a JSfirm.com Job Distribution Partner can contact Laurie Elliott directly at [email protected]. About Alpha One Flight Training Alpha One Flight Training in Concord, North Carolina, offers a range of programs focused on safety, affordability, and personalized instruction, including private pilot certifications, commercial licenses, and multi-engine ratings. About AlphaFlight AlphaFlight, a Part 141 flight school at Plymouth Municipal Airport in Indiana, offers private pilot, commercial pilot, instrument rating, and CFI programs. With over 70 years of combined experience, AlphaFlight personalizes training using a variety of tools. About JSfirm.com JSfirm.com continues to be the world’s largest resource for aviation jobs with resume database access and has exclusively served the aviation industry for over 25 years. It is a free service for job seekers and an out-of-this-world place for aviation companies to post jobs and search resumes JSfirm.com Partners with Whirly-Girls International to Empower Women in Helicopter Aviation11/12/2024 JSfirm.com is thrilled to announce a strategic partnership with Whirly-Girls International, a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing women in helicopter aviation. This collaboration will enhance the resources available to women in the rotorcraft industry by integrating JSfirm.com’s extensive aviation job listings on the Whirly-Girls’ website.
Whirly-Girls International is committed to promoting women in the helicopter industry through scholarships, networking opportunities, mentorship, and career support. By joining JSfirm.com’s network, Whirly-Girls will feature a dedicated careers section on their website, allowing members and visitors to easily search for job openings in the aviation sector, specifically tailored to rotorcraft aviation. Considering our commitment to promoting diversity in the aviation industry, we are beyond enthusiastic to reignite our partnership with Whirly-Girls International,” shared Laurie Elliott, Partnership Manager for JSfirm.com. Whirly-Girls provides a supportive platform for women to connect, share knowledge, and advocate for rotorcraft’s utility and versatility. With this partnership, members will gain direct access to JSfirm.com’s vast job listings, enhancing their visibility to potential employers. "We are delighted to be able to offer our members a helicopter job search interface through our partnership with JSfirm.com," said Whirly-Girls Webmaster, Laura McColm. "This tool will help our members research job opportunities, learn about individual companies, and apply for specific openings for helicopter pilots and maintenance technicians from the whirlygirls.org website. It will also allow the public to learn more about what's available in the industry.” Any aviation schools, programs, or associations interested in becoming a JSfirm.com Job Distribution Partner can contact Laurie Elliott directly at [email protected]. ______________________________________________________________________ About Whirly-Girls International Whirly-Girls International is a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing women in helicopter aviation through scholarships, networking, and educational support. The organization empowers women to thrive in the rotorcraft industry while advocating for the utility and versatility of helicopters. About JSfirm.com JSfirm.com continues to be the world’s largest resource for aviation jobs with resume database access and has exclusively served the aviation industry for over 25 years. It is a free service for job seekers and an out-of-this-world place for aviation companies to post jobs and search resumes. Flight Safety Detectives host John Goglia will be inducted to the National Aviation Hall of Fame, a rare accomplishment in aviation. John is the first person whose career was focused on aviation maintenance to be selected. John Goglia and Todd Curtis talk about the honor before diving into a recent drone accident in Boston that injured two people.
The drone crash occurred in downtown Boston during the taping of the TNT show “Inside the NBA.” The drone crashed into a pole and fell, injuring people in the crowd. The drone flight would likely have had a FAA exemption to allow a flight both near crowds of people and close to Boston’s Logan Airport. Todd and John also discuss John’s recent visit to the NBAA (National Business Aviation Association) exhibition in Las Vegas. John saw many of the companies and technologies behind the vertical takeoff and landing aircraft associated with advanced air mobility (AAM) companies like Joby. The FAA has just released regulations related to the commercial use of such aircraft. Todd and John talk about the potential for AAM operations in the U.S. They discuss several possible issues might slow adoption. PAMA, in coordination with its generous industry partners, has made available award opportunities for current and future aviation maintenance professionals. Awards are provided to current or recent aviation maintenance students and may be used toward the purchase of tools, tuition or other education-related expenses. Future AMT Professional Award, provided by PistonPower™ by AEPC™ (AeroEngine Protection Corp.) Two $1000 awards JSFirm.com Aviation Mechanic Student Award One $1500 award New Mexico Aero Education Aviation Mechanic Technician Student Award One $2000 award for AMT student currently attending Central New Mexico Community College or Eastern New Mexico University - Roswell Award winners will be announced at the Aerospace Maintenance Competition in Atlanta in April. Applications must be submitted by February 15, 2025. Get more information here. |
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