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nELAHSO Compromise The US Federal Aviation Administration and the nation's commercial airline pilots have reached a compromise regarding 'land and hold short operations' (LAHSO), allowing expanded use of the capacity [...]

AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C) 1997-9 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD The International Federation of Airline Pilots' Associations has denounced the media frenzy over the possible cause of the crash of EgyptAir Flight 990. [...]

AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C) 1997-9 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD The head of the Egyptian Airline Pilots Association has suggested several factors that could have caused the autopilot and engines of EgyptAir Flight [...]

Air line pilots have contacts Congress with suggestions for safety and some have made their own plans in case of terrorist attacks. Secure cockpit doors, armed personnel and other suggestions are reviewed. Problems with government response and union decisions are also discussed.

Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association founding member and longtime president J.B. 'Doc' Hartranft, who recently died, is praised. Other aspects of the association and a recent conflict over housing near the Danbury, Connecticut airport are also discussed.

The US Air Line Pilots Association is lobbying to allow pilots to carry guns in the cockpit to defend against terrorism or other dangers on a plane. United Airlines has bought taser guns for the meantime.

Independents Pilots Association (IPA) plans to have Traffic Alert and Collision Avoidance Systems (TCAS) fitted into cargo planes have been strengthened with the alleged near collision between a United Parcel Service (UPS) plane with Air Force One. The incident happened on May 26, 1997 when the Presidential jet reportedly flew 1,000 feet above and three miles to the left of the UPS aircraft. The incident, UPS union officials contend, was in technical violation of minimum separation standards between the jets.

New rules concerning European air-crew duty are being opposed by pilot unions. According to the International Federation of Airline Pilots' Assns., the proposed regulations pose danger and make scheduling and crew-rostering difficult. The rules were proposed in Nov. 1994 by the European Joint Aviation Authorities Operations Committee in the name of flight safety. Current rules on air-crew duty differ across Europe.

Private pilots and corporate flight departments have much to gain by paying attention to national politics. These individuals and entities would do well to keep politicians appraised of the issues that affect them. Among these issues is the relevance of an investment tax credit, tax relief, continued deregulation of the airline and aircraft industry, a reform of product liability laws and a cleaning up of the Airport and Airways Trust Fund mess.