New Pilot Training Program Takes Off

AJF launches the Internal Pilot Development Program

The competition to recruit and retain aviation professionals is greater than ever before, so to build its workforce and plan for changes in it, Flight Program Operations launched the Internal Pilot Development Program (IPDP) in March. The program aims to help current Flight Program Operations employees with private pilot certificates continue to build their qualifications and experience. The goal is for them to become mission-ready pilots while continuing to function in their current positions.

Participants will train and earn hours toward an airline transport pilot certificate in order to compete for positions in job series 2181. The program is so attractive because participants can work with their managers to identify schedule flexibilities to do this training. Ignacio Reyes and Ryan Hickey were selected as the inaugural participants based on meeting the program criteria.

Born and raised in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Reyes developed his love of aviation by staring into the broad, Southern sky. Full of firsts, Reyes was one of the first interns in Aviation System Standards within the FAA and is now one of the first IPDP selectees. 

“My goal is to obtain an ATP certificate,” Reyes said. “Then I would be able to apply to become a Flight Inspection Pilot.” Although scheduling the FAA’s aircraft and crews is a role that Reyes loves, he has dreamt of getting into the air.

Hickey has fond memories of flying with his grandpa as a child, and his love for aviation took off from there. After serving as a B-1 and F-16 crew chief in the Air Force, Hickey joined Flight Program Operations. Hickey applied for the IPDP so he could eventually move back into the pilot seat and experience some of those complex maneuvers for himself. 

“I enjoy a challenge, and the work we do is very dynamic. From the weather to the facilities we inspect, no two flights are the same,” Hickey said. “I’m excited about my new role within the flight program as I progress toward becoming an aerospace system inspection pilot.”

Learn more about Reyes’ and Hickey’s aviation career experiences and their participation in the IPDP on FocusFAA.

Jazz Vibes Bring Calm During Storm  

Victor Favela, an aviation safety inspector in Dallas/Fort Worth CMO, recalls how jazz music brought him calm during a particularly difficult Army deployment during the Gulf War. Years later after returning safely, Favela tries to embody the spirit of jazz music while working at the FAA. “For our customers, it can be stressful navigating all the processes and procedures, as well as ensuring all their records are up to date,” he said. “I try and embody the peace that jazz music brings by calmly addressing customer needs and anticipating what questions they may have. If I can match their tempo, we can make sure all our instruments are in sync and stay in-tune.”

Here Comes Summer Travel

The FAA is ready for a busy Memorial Day and summer travel period to make sure travelers get to their destinations safely with several efforts, including the work at the FAA Command Center to plan for bad weather, the newly activated high altitude highways along the East Coast, and considerations for space launches. “Less than 2 percent of scheduled commercial flights have been canceled, the lowest we’ve seen in 10 years! There is a lot  of work left to do as we head into summer, but these numbers demonstrate real progress…I know you are all working  around the clock to make sure the flying public reach their destinations safely – and I thank you for this.”

Join the EIM x RPA Showcase on Tuesday at noon ET and learn to analyze and visualize data with EIM tools.

Early Release Tomorrow: In recognition of Memorial Day, Secretary Buttigieg approved an early release of three hours for DOT on Friday, May 26.

Manager Training: Sign up for the AGC training event: “Manager’s Role in the EEO Process” on June 8.

Remembering Fallen Heroes: Nobody should grieve alone, support is available.

IBC Data Breach: A data breach incident was reported by one of FAA's shared services providers.

1. Take your required annual Information Security & Privacy Awareness Training (SAT) course in eLMS today!

2. Get tips to apply for the Aspiring Managers Program (AMP) and make your application stand out.

3. Register for the Air Transportation Information Exchange Conference (ATIEC).

4. Keep it separate - no politics at work.

5. Access the updated FAA Threat Checklist from your start menu.

For a Safe Start, Check the Chart! Our Pack Safe chart helps you learn what is safe to pack so you can avoid last-minute stress with your bags at the airport. When in doubt, leave it out.

Today's Headlines

NTSB Says More Technology Is Needed To Avoid Incidents – Simple Flying
NTSB head, Jennifer Homendy, said technology needs to be upgraded to improve safety.

Boeing looks to embed experienced pilots with new airline customers – Reuters
Boeing is deploying experienced pilots to airlines training their employees to fly their aircraft.

Emails Show SpaceX Bungled Elon Musk's Private Jet Privacy – Vice
SpaceX enrolled the jet in a program to prevent tracking then failed to implement it properly.

Flying Cars May Be in Our Near Future — Here's a Look at the Doroni H1 – NBC Miami Annually, one loses over 100 hours in traffic, but this can very well change in the near future.

After laser strike, MSP helicopter tracks source straight to man’s window – WOOD TV 8
Laser strikes have risen in the last five years. Numbers dropped slightly in 2022 to 9,457.

New footage emerges of suspected UFO sighting over military base in 2021 - New York Post
Video shows an unidentified string of lights hovering a Marine Corps base in California.

China Airlines 747 In-Flight Breakup

May 25, 2002: China Airlines Flight CI611, a Boeing 747-200, experienced an in-flight breakup over the Taiwan Strait. 235 people onboard were killed in the crash. The most probable cause of the accident was the structural failure of a 22-year-old tailstrike repair located on the aft lower lobe of the fuselage. The skin scratches associated with the tailstrike event had not been removed prior to installation of the permanent repair doubler. Over time and airplane cycling, multi-site cracking progressed from the scratches, ultimately leading to a catastrophic failure of the airframe. The CI611 accident increased overall industry sensitivity to the potential of surface defects to cause structural failures.

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