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United Celebrates Historic First Graduating Class of Flight Academy Pilots

United Celebrates Historic First Graduating Class of Flight Academy Pilots

United, the only major U.S. airline to own a flight school, is celebrating the graduation of United Aviate Academy’s inaugural class of pilots, an important step towards training the next generation of talented, qualified, and motivated aviators. The inaugural graduating class includes 51 students – with nearly 80% being women or people of color – marking the next step towards the airline’s goal to train about 5,000 new pilots at the school by 2030, with the added goal of at least half women or people of color.

The recruitment and hiring of pilots is a priority at United and the academy is an example of the long-term investments in infrastructure, training, and aircraft the airline has made in the past few years. Just last month, United purchased more widebodies than any U.S. airline in history and announced it’s now the largest carrier across both the Pacific and Atlantic. To support that growth, United hired about 2,400 pilots in 2022 and plans to hire another 2,500 this year. United intends to add at least 10,000 pilots by the end of this decade.

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United Aviate Academy graduates can continue to build flight time and leadership experience while continuing within the United Aviate pilot career development program’s ecosystem. Some graduates will work as Certified Flight Instructors at the academy to continue accruing the 1,500 required flying hours – a common industry practice for aspiring pilots – while others will build experience at participating flight schools or universities, including Embry-Riddle Aeronautical UniversityPurdue University and Hampton University.

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United currently has more than 14,000 pilots, and Captains of United’s Boeing 787s and 777s can earn more than $350,000 per year plus a rich package of benefits. In addition, United pilots receive one of the highest 401(k) matches in the nation – 16% of base pay.

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According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, only 5.6% of pilots are women and 6% are people of color. And training to achieve a commercial pilot’s license in the U.S. can cost at least $100,000, with supplementary costs adding to the financial burden.

To help address financial barriers to entry, United and JPMorgan Chase & Co. established a scholarship fund in 2020 and are working with leading industry partners to award more than $5 million in scholarships for prospective academy students. In addition, Boeing has committed funding to expand the program this year. United also directly works with the following organizations to educate prospects about the benefits of becoming a pilot and to find candidates for scholarship opportunities:

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  • Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals
  • Sisters of the Skies
  • Women in Aviation International
  • National Gay Pilots Association
  • The Latino Pilots Association
  • The Professional Asian Pilots Association
  • Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA)

As a result of these efforts, United Aviate Academy has received more than 22,000 applications, with nearly 70% of applicants being women or people of color.

United Aviate Academy currently has more than 240 students, with nearly 75% women or people of color. In the flight school’s first year of operations, collectively, the students have flown more than 2 million miles, achieved more than 250 aviation certificates, and completed more than 68,000 takeoffs and landings. The aspiring pilots also organized 174 “Pool Dunks” in the campus swimming pool, a new tradition that commemorates each time a student completes a solo flight for the first time.

The 340,000 square-foot facility at Phoenix Goodyear Airport includes world-class features such as:

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  • Forty late-model Cirrus SR-20 series single-engine aircraft, which feature advanced safety characteristics
  • Seven FRASCA flight simulators
  • Nearly 50,000 square feet of office space
  • Multiple aircraft hangars
  • Dormitory rooms for student housing with ample room for expansion
  • Proximity to many auxiliary airfields in the Phoenix area
  • Favorable weather for year-round flight training

United Next

Graduates of United Aviate Academy have a lot to look forward to. In December, United ordered more widebody aircraft than any U.S. carrier in commercial aviation history: 100 Boeing 787 Dreamliners with options to purchase 100 more. Combined with already announced orders, the airline expects to take delivery of about 700 new aircraft by 2032, including an average of more than two every week in 2023 and three a week in 2024.

This historic purchase is the next chapter in the carrier’s ambitious United Next plan and builds on United’s strengths: the leading U.S. international gateways, a robust domestic network supporting the global fleet, a premium onboard experience and the most widebody aircraft among North American carriers.

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Airlines

Somalil and ATC Prevents Collision Between Emirates and Ethiopian Airlines

Somalil and ATC Prevents Collision Between Emirates and Ethiopian Airlines

Somalil and’s Air Traffic Control (ATC) played a pivotal role in preventing a potential catastrophe as an Ethiopian Airlines plane narrowly dodged another near-collision incident with an Emirates aircraft over Somalia’s airspace.

The harrowing event unfolded last Sunday, involving flight ethiopian airlines ETH 690 and emirates UAE 722, both cruising at 37,000 feet. According to an incident report released by the Somaliland Civil Aviation and Airports Authority on Tuesday, the two planes were on a collision course after receiving conflicting instructions from Mogadishu Control, placing them on a collision trajectory.

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Fortunately, swift action by Somaliland’s ATC, in collaboration with the ethiopianairline
crew, averted disaster. The pilots of the et airline 737 MAX promptly ascended to 39,000 feet, creating a safe distance between the two airliners.

This incident underscores the critical importance of proficient air traffic control in ensuring the safety of airspace, particularly in the Horn of Africa region, which has witnessed similar close calls in recent times. The repeated errors by Mogadishu’s air traffic controllers highlight the pressing need for enhanced oversight and training within the aviation sector.

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The Somalil and Civil Aviation and Airports Authority has issued a cautionary statement, warning that such mistakes pose a significant threat to the safety of international flights. They emphasized that the “stubbornness and lack of knowledge” displayed by Mogadishu Tower personnel present a clear danger to air safety.

The government of Somalia has yet to respond to the incident or address concerns raised by Somaliland authorities.

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Emirates A380 superjumbo was damaged by a ground vehicle in Moscow

Emirates A380 superjumbo was damaged by a ground vehicle in Moscow

In a startling incident at Moscow Domodedovo Airport, an Emirates Airbus A380, one of the largest passenger aircraft in the world, encountered significant damage as it prepared for departure.

The mishap unfolded on a Wednesday afternoon when a pushback tug found itself wedged beneath the colossal double-deck aircraft.

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Photographs circulated on social media platforms depicted the vivid yellow pushback truck ensnared under the belly of the A380, indicating the severity of the situation. The unfortunate incident, as per RadarBox data, unfolded mere hours prior, during the preparation for flight EK133 from Dubai to Moscow, operated by the aircraft with registration A6-EDM.

Thankfully, the aircraft had not yet welcomed passengers on board, as it awaited departure scheduled for 16:35 local time.emirates flights However, the faced postponement and eventual cancellation due to the damage sustained. The underbody of the airbus a380 emirates
bore notable harm, necessitating extensive repairs before it could resume service.

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Emirates promptly responded to the incident, ensuring the safety and convenience of its passengers. A spokesperson for the airline conveyed, “ek flight EK134 has been cancelled due to a ground services vehicle making contact with the aircraft prior to passengers boarding.” Additionally, affected passengers were swiftly rebooked on alternative Emirates flights, assuring minimal disruption to their travel plans.

The statement issued by emirates air line underscored their commitment to passenger and crew safety, reiterating that the well-being of all involved remains paramount. While the setback in Moscow may cause inconvenience, Emirates assures passengers that steps are being taken to rectify the situation and resume normal operations swiftly.

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China is secretly testing its next-generation medium combat helicopter Z21

China is secretly testing its next-generation medium combat helicopter Z21

China consistently keeps aviation enthusiasts surprised with its advancements in fighter jets and other aircraft. Leading the pack in Asia, China continuously pushes boundaries in developing domestically-built aircraft.

Recently, images circulating on the internet reveal China’s latest creation, the Z-21 helicopter. Resembling its predecessor, the Z-10, this helicopter boasts enhanced fighter capabilities. The emergence of these images sparks questions regarding the fate of plans to acquire Russian-made Ka-52K attack helicopters, particularly the naval version.

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Observing the helicopter in flight, it shares design elements with the Harbin Z-10, notably in the front fuselage and cockpit canopy. The wing stubs for weapon mounts exhibit similar shapes, though with less pronounced angular features. With a tandem seating arrangement, the Z-21 also draws comparisons to the Mil Mi-28, featuring an elongated body with five rotor blades and weapon bays on its sides.

The unveiling of the Z-21 has triggered speculation about its potential role in future military operations. Analysts suggest that beyond its firepower, its introduction could signal significant technological advancements. There’s particular interest in whether China will incorporate a ‘manned-unmanned teaming’ system akin to later Apache models, enabling the Z-21 to control armed drones for reconnaissance and attacks, reducing risks to the helicopter itself.

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The emergence of the Z-21 underscores China’s increasing military prowess and its commitment to developing cutting-edge weaponry. Its deployment and capabilities will be closely monitored, especially concerning regional security dynamics.

The helicopter presents a significant challenge to American-built Apache and other medium helicopters, boasting superior capacity for flying at higher altitudes and more powerful speed and combat capabilities, thus enhancing its effectiveness on the battlefield. On the other hand, amidst ongoing Indian border tensions, this aircraft is poised to play a crucial role in surveillance along the sensitive China border and beyond.

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SpiceJet reaches a settlement for $91 million liabilities with EDC

SpiceJSpiceJet reaches a settlement for $91 million liabilities with EDCet reaches a settlement for $91 million liabilities with EDC

In a significant development, SpiceJet, one of India’s prominent budget carriers, has successfully negotiated a settlement agreement with Export Development Canada (EDC), a government agency, to resolve liabilities amounting to approximately $91 million.

This breakthrough agreement paves the way for SpiceJet to assume ownership of the majority of its bombardier q400 aircraft, marking a crucial step in the airline’s financial restructuring efforts. The comprehensive settlement amount, as per SpiceJet’s financial records, is set to alleviate the burden of outstanding liabilities, amounting to Rs 755 crore.

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This milestone achievement underscores SpiceJet’s commitment to achieving financial stability and prudent management practices. As part of the agreement, SpiceJet will gain full ownership of 13 EDC-financed q400 plane, thereby enhancing its operational capabilities and fleet management. This strategic move not only strengthens SpiceJet’s position in the aviation market but also signifies a significant milestone in its pursuit of long-term prosperity.

Ajay Singh, the Chairman and Managing Director of SpiceJet, expressed his satisfaction with the settlement, acknowledging the cooperation and progressive approach demonstrated by EDC throughout the negotiation process. He emphasized that this agreement would fortify SpiceJet’s balance sheet, positioning the airline for sustained success in the future.

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Moreover, the settlement agreement heralds substantial long-term savings for SpiceJet, as it relieves the airline from the obligation of regular monthly rentals for the acquired aircraft. This newfound financial flexibility is poised to empower spicejet group booking
to navigate challenges and capitalize on opportunities in the dynamic aviation landscape.

Following the announcement of the settlement, spicejet b2b shares surged, indicating investor confidence in the airline’s financial restructuring initiatives. With this landmark agreement, SpiceJet is poised to embark on a trajectory of growth and resilience, further solidifying its position as a key player in India’s aviation industry.

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