Charles Taylor was the first aircraft mechanic and the original unsung hero of aviation. He worked for the Wright brothers in their bicycle shop in Dayton, Ohio. When they could not find a company to build them an engine for their glider, Charlie made one from scratch in about 6 weeks.

In honor of AMT Day, hear a little more about his story at ​https://vimeo.com/420492939/e8535aa90a (brought to you by the Mechanical Dragons).

COVID-19 requires airports and airlines to rethink procedures. Air travel involves crowds and shared spaces. Cleaning and other processes from curb to curb need to be adapted to ensure the safety of the flying public. 

Lisa Kay, COO Environmental Health Services Group, NV5, leads a team that works with organizations to ensure cleaning procedures are done properly based on CDC, EPA and other guidance. She talks with Greg and John about current and emerging options that can help make airports and airplanes safe. 

From air filtration, to approved cleaning products, to anti-viral coatings, to emerging technologies, the discussion covers the issues faced. Even the right solutions need to be applied properly by trained staff equipped with the right PPE. 

John and Greg raise important considerations and use their experiences as passengers to look for the best solutions.  

​Most aircraft are not getting used as often due to coronavirus-related restrictions. The Flight Safety Detectives explore the safety issues created by parking and storing airplanes of all sizes.
 
Airplanes are machines that like to be used. Counter-intuitively, there is actually greater potential for things to break with lack of use.
 
Greg and John bring two experts into the conversation: Jason Lukasik, president of JL2 Aviation Consultants, and Ken MacTiernan, PAMA board member and a 32-year aviation maintenance technician for American Airlines.
 
These veterans of daily use and maintenance as well as safety investigations highlight how to prepare aircraft for short term parking as well as longer term storage or “pickling.” The biggest enemy is moisture and corrosion.
 
Listen and learn what needs to be done to ensure airplanes can be operated safety after storage. For large airliners doing it right means 60-100 man hours of effort!
 
Once again, Greg and John talk about the issues impacting commercial, business and general aviation that are otherwise overlooked.

​As the world looks to get back on track, front and center is the need to maintain protections to prevent the spread of coronavirus. This is a challenge for the aviation industry that does not yet have a clear answer.

Greg, John and guest Dr. Joe Kravitz explore some options. They outline what is known about preventing the spread of viruses and the very real challenges of ensuring safety of crew members and passengers in air cabins.

Dr. Kravitz discusses the science behind the protocols he uses to assure safety and hygiene in his dental practice. The conversation highlights the challenge of disinfecting aircraft, the downsides of solutions that are being discussed, and what’s needed to truly provide a measure of safety.

COVID-19 will change air travel. This is one in a series of episodes where Greg and John explore the many implications.

The FAA will publish a Special Federal Aviation Regulation (SFAR) to provide relief for aviation mechanic inspection authorization (IA) holders with recent and upcoming renewal deadlines. IA holders that were unable to meet renewal requirements by March 2020 (as required by 65.93), will have until June 2020 to do so. 

The SFAR, prompted by industry groups, also extends deadlines for pilots, crew members, and flight schools.
 
The SFAR is scheduled to publish in the federal register on May 4. The version available for public inspection as of May 1 is linked below.