Different sources have estimated the number as between 11 percent and as high as 20 percent. The company issued a statement to Private Jet Card Comparisons, an online news source that specializes in shared ownership aviation companies and their pricing programs.

“As a matter of policy, Wheels Up does not comment on personnel matters out of respect for the privacy of those involved,” the Wheels Up statement read in part. “However, given the release of internal communications, we do feel it is our responsibility to publicly acknowledge the macro industry factors were the largest contributor to our decision. The sharp decline in our pilot attrition rates in the first half of this year, due in part to a reduction of pilot hiring at the commercial airlines and pilots choosing to stay at Wheels Up, created the staffing imbalance that led to today’s actions.”

The statement cited that aligning its pilot roster with the size of its fleet is critical and “the abnormalities in the industry over these last few months made appropriate staffing forecasting against regular attrition challenging.”

Wheels Up did not immediately return a phone call Tuesday from AVweb for comment.

Despite a $500 million funding package from Delta Air Lines and a new management team, Wheels Up has continued to report losses, though executives still expect to return to profitability by the end of this year. The company reports it fleet includes around 170 aircraft: 59 Beech King Air turboprops, 43 Cessna Citation X super-midsize jets, and 35 Hawker 400XP light jets.

Earlier this month, according to a Jet Card Comparisons report, Wheels Up reduced daily minimum flight times for its jet aircraft and cut back the number of peak days for its entry-level program customers. In September, Wheels Up divested its aircraft management division.

Editor’s Note: This article first appeared on AVweb.

The post Wheels Up Confirms Pilot Layoffs appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

Decades later, Captain Rosenkranz returned to LA, where he commanded a specially chartered Airbus A330-900neo for his final flight at Delta. On board were 112 of his friends and family, including fellow pilots who didn’t get a proper retirement send-off due to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.

“Back when COVID hit, some of my friends…couldn’t get a final flight,” Rosenkranz told FLYING. “My one friend, all he could do was an Orlando [Florida] turn instead of a nice international trip. And I remember thinking, you know, I don’t want to do that. I want to fly where I want to fly.”

To set his plan in motion, Rosenkranz said he pulled some strings in Delta’s charter department. The Atlanta-based airline regularly charters aircraft for sports teams and other special events, but never for one of its own team members.

“I sat down with the charter director…I think it was around October 2022, and I told him my idea, and he says I’ve never done this before,” Rosenkranz said. “I said, ‘Well, I’ll be the first.’”

Although Rosenkranz wasn’t turning 65 until June, a weekday in late February—often a lull for airline demand—proved more ideal for taking a widebody jet out of commercial service. Having become an Airbus A330 captain three years ago, he asked the airline for an A330-900neo, which is the latest-generation variant of the jet.

Not only did he receive his requested aircraft type, but Rosenkranz also asked for the special “Team USA” livery on N411DX, which Delta also obliged.

The Special Trip

Rosenkranz and his hand-picked passengers jetted off for Kona International Airport (PHKO) in Hawaii on February 27 for a daylong, overnight trip. The chartered A330 flew from Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (KDFW) to LAX, where it made a roughly one-hour stop.

Then, the aircraft departed Los Angeles for Kona, arriving at approximately 2:30 p.m. HST. On February 28, the A330neo completed the same routing on the return, arriving back in Dallas-Fort Worth at 10:10 p.m. CST.

• READ MORE: A New Mission to Break Down Barriers

Joining Rosenkranz in the flight deck were longtime friends, one of whom he knew from a high school job at Safeway. The duo were once box boys together for the supermarket and now fly one of Delta’s largest aircraft.

“We had four pilots because you can’t fly a domestic leg and an ocean crossing in the same day,” Rosenkranz said. “So I had two of my friends fly the domestic portions from Dallas to LA, LA to Dallas.”

Rosenkranz said he flew both oceanic crossings to serve as his final two flights. Roughly 50 guests joined him in DFW, while the rest boarded in Los Angeles.

“We showed up in the terminal here at DFW, and about 50 friends and family were already there,” he said. “And it was very emotional for me just seeing everybody there clapping and giving me hugs. When we got to the gate there in LA, and my wife and I walked into the terminal in the gate area, another 60 friends and family were there. I started crying all over again.”

In Kona, Rosenkranz took care of his guests’ transportation to and from the airport, only asking them to pay for their one-night stays at a Hilton resort. The experience was made complete with a customary luau and a surprise renewal of wedding vows with his wife of nearly 42 years.

‘Fini’ Flights: Marking a Milestone

The tradition of the so-called “fini” flight dates back decades, finding its roots in the military. During their final flights, retiring pilots are met with fanfare. For the military side, this send-off can include an affectionate hose-down upon exiting the aircraft for a final time.

But in commercial aviation, retiring captains—who often wrap up their careers with decades of seniority under their belts—are met with grand gate parties and water cannon salutes by local firefighter crews. Some airlines allow captains to select their final flight and allow family members to join with free confirmed tickets.

Rosenkranz’s charter came with three different water cannon salutes, including in Kona, DFW, and most notably LA.

• READ MORE: Which U.S. Airlines Are Hiring Pilots?

The city of Los Angeles—which runs LAX—has long maintained a moratorium on water cannon salutes, citing local water shortages. By a stroke of luck, though, Delta was able to convince the city to make an exception for Rosenkranz’s special flight.

“So a week later, [a member of Delta’s charter team] calls back and said, ‘Well, the pilot’s name is this, and he grew up in Southern California. [He] and the other pilot were box boys at Safeway. His high school’s here,’” he said. “And whoever that person was said, ‘You know what? Let’s make it happen.’ So the FAA approved, the airport authority approved, and the fire department approved. I think I was the second one in nine years to get a [water cannon salute]. So, wow, just great.”

As the pandemic ravaged the airline industry, many retiring pilots lost out on the opportunity for a proper send-off flight. This was especially the case for widebody captains, who primarily flew long-haul flights, which were some of the first to be scuttled in 2020.

With his charter flight, Rosenkranz also sought to provide an additional opportunity for a proper sendoff to some of these pilots, all of whom he knew during his tenure at Delta.

A Decorated Career

Rosenkranz boasts a long and well-decorated aviation career, starting in the Air Force after graduating from an ROTC training course. In the military he flew the F-16.

Later, he would go on to write a book about his experiences flying during the Gulf War titled, Vipers in the Storm: Diary of a Gulf War Fighter Pilot.

“You know, I’m not Tom Clancy or Stephen King, so it certainly didn’t allow me to retire, but I’ve received thousands of letters from all over the world and kids in grade school, high school, and college will read the book and send me a note,” Rosenkranz said.

• READ MORE: Pro Track: Finding Your Way to an Airline Pilot Career

His airline career began in July 1991 when he started at Delta as a flight engineer on the Boeing 727. Throughout his time at the airline, he flew the 757/767, the Airbus A320, and most recently the A330 in the left seat.

“So, I would tell any new person…your love of aviation is going to carry you through anything, and then enjoy the job,” he said.

Rosenkranz said the No. 1 question about his retirement charter was the cost. Without going into too much detail, he said it was “probably a good year’s salary.”

“I mean, to be able to go out with your own jet and fly all your family and friends to Hawaii for a big luau, you just can’t put a price on it,” he said. “And you don’t want to be the richest man in the graveyard one day. So, I would do it again a hundred times and never look back. And so, I’ll be OK in life. And my wife and I will never forget this trip.”

This feature first appeared in the May 2024/Issue 948 of FLYING’s print edition.

The post Delta Air Lines Captain Makes the Ultimate ‘Fini’ Flight appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

Despite the overall slowdown in hiring, many airlines are still looking for new pilots. Here are the airlines that are currently hiring pilots in the United States:

Which Major U.S. Airlines Are Hiring Pilots? 

Most major airlines in the United States have stopped or drastically reduced their hiring plans for the year, but there are some that are still recruiting new pilots.

• Delta Air Lines is the largest airline in the country that is currently hiring new pilots. However, the carrier has stated that it is slowing down pilot hiring for 2024 due to a more normalized post-pandemic growth pattern. The carrier operates a diverse fleet of Boeing and Airbus aircraft to destinations all around the world.
• JetBlue Airways is currently accepting applications for new first officers, while also recruiting pilots through its “JetBlue Gateways” career development programs. JetBlue is based in New York but has hubs along the East Coast and in California. The airline primarily flies narrowbody Airbus aircraft, while also having a small number of Embraer 190s.
• United Airlines has resumed hiring new pilots following a two-month pause. The airline has cited delays in the delivery of Boeing aircraft as a key reason for its hiring slowdown. United is another global airline that has a fleet of both Boeing and Airbus jets.

Which U.S. Low-Cost Carriers Are Hiring Pilots?

Many low-cost and ultra-low-cost carriers across the country are actively accepting applications for new pilots.

• Allegiant Air is accepting applications for new pilots from its two pathway programs and from the general public. The airline has around two dozen pilot bases spread across the country and a fleet of Airbus A319 and A320 aircraft. Allegiant is also slated to take delivery of its first Boeing 737 MAX later in 2024.
• Avelo Airlines is hiring both first officers and captains. Avelo has six operating bases split across the East and West Coasts. The airline flies Boeing 737-700 and Boeing 737-800 aircraft.
• Breeze Airways is only hiring direct entry captains for its Airbus A220 fleet. The startup airline has six A220 bases across the country.
• Frontier Airlines is currently hiring new pilots, citing a plan to grow to three times its current size over the next ten years. Using a fleet of Airbus narrowbody aircraft, the airline connects airports across the United States, Central America and the Caribbean.
• Sun Country Airlines is hiring new first officers. The airline also runs a college bridge program in partnership with three colleges throughout the Midwest. Its pilots are all based at Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport and fly a fleet of passenger and cargo Boeing 737-800s.

Which U.S. Regional Airlines Are Hiring Pilots?

As major U.S. airlines scale back their hiring, many regional carriers are actively hiring. Some are even offering significant signing bonuses, following a mass exodus of regional pilots to mainline carriers between 2021 and 2023.

• Air Wisconsin is currently hiring first officers and captains. The regional carrier operates a fleet of Bombardier CRJ200 aircraft under the American Eagle brand, out of American’s hubs in Chicago and Philadelphia.
• CommuteAir is hiring first officers and captains. The regional airline flies a fleet of Embraer ERJ-145 jets under the United Express banner, with hubs in Denver, Houston and Washington, D.C.
• Endeavor Air is currently hiring first officers and captains. With bases in Atlanta, Cincinnati, Detroit, Minneapolis and New York, the Delta Air Lines subsidiary flies Bombardier CRJ700 and CRJ900 aircraft under the Delta Connection brand.
• Envoy Air is accepting applications for pilot positions from the general public and through its cadet program. Envoy is a subsidiary of the American Airlines Group and flies as American Eagle. The airline operates Embraer 170 and 175 jets out of its hubs in Chicago, Dallas, Miami and Phoenix.
• GoJet Airlines is currently hiring first officers and captains. It also has a career development program and a transition program for rotor pilots. The regional carrier flies a fleet of Bombardier CRJ550s under the United Express brand out of Chicago, Newark and Washington, D.C.
• Horizon Air is only hiring experienced first officers for its fleet of Embraer 175s at all its bases across the Pacific Northwest and Alaska. Applicants need to have 200 hours of FAA-approved Prior Qualifying Time.
• Mesa Airlines is hiring first officers and captains. The regional carrier flies Bombardier CRJ900s and Embraer 175s for United Express. It has hubs in Cincinnati, Houston and Washington, D.C.
• Piedmont Airlines is hiring first officers and captains and also operates a cadet program. As a wholly owned subsidiary of the American Airlines Group, the carrier flies under the American Eagle Brand. It operates Embraer ERJ-145s with crew bases in Charlotte, Harrisburg and Philadelphia.
• PSA Airlines is accepting applications for first officers and captains. The carrier, which is another American Airlines Group subsidiary, also has a cadet program. From its bases in Charlotte, Dallas, Dayton, Philadelphia and Washington, D.C., its pilots fly a fleet of Bombardier CRJ700 and CRJ900 aircraft.
• Republic Airways is hiring first officers and captains. It is only one of two regional carriers that flies for all the “big three” U.S. airlines: American, Delta and United. It has ten bases throughout the Midwest and Northeast and flies Embraer 170s and 175s.
• Silver Airways is seeking both first officers and captains. The airline has pilot bases in Fort Lauderdale, Orlando, San Juan and Tampa and flies a fleet of ATR 42 and ATR 72 turboprops around the southwestern U.S. and the Caribbean.
• SkyWest Airlines is hiring first officers and captains and also has a rotor transition program. SkyWest is the largest regional carrier and flies under five brands: Alaska Airlines, American Eagle, Delta Connection, SkyWest Charters and United Express. It flies a fleet of Bombardier Regional Jets and Embraer E175s from its bases all across the country.

Which U.S. Cargo and Charter Airlines are Hiring Pilots?

Charter and cargo airlines can offer pilots unique opportunities and dynamic schedules and working conditions. While some of these carriers have paused pilots hiring, others are still actively seeking new hires.

• ABX Air is hiring first officers for its fleet of Boeing 767s. It flies the -200 and -300 variants in all-cargo configurations, primarily for DHL.
• Air Transport International is hiring first officers. The cargo carrier’s fleet consists of Boeing 757 and 767 aircraft. It is the largest air carrier in Amazon’s delivery network.
• Amerijet International is hiring first officers, but only through its flight school pathway programs. The cargo airline flies Boeing 767s for DHL, Maersk and under its own brand.
• Atlas Air is accepting applications for new first officers. In addition to providing charter services, the airline has extensive cargo operations. The airline’s fleet of Boeing widebodies and narrowbodies fly under its own brand and for companies like DHL and Amazon.
• Kalitta Air is hiring first officers. The airline currently flies Boeing 747-400F and Boeing 777F aircraft to destinations across the globe.
• Omni Air International is hiring first officers. Omni is a charter airline with Boeing 767s and 777s in both passenger and cargo configurations.

U.S. Airlines Are Hiring Pilots

Although many large airlines in the United States have paused their pilot hiring efforts, there are plenty of companies that are still seeking new pilots. Despite the headlines of a pilot hiring slowdown, there are still many opportunities for aspiring aviators. 

Looking for pilot jobs? FindaPilot.com posts new openings every day. Get a 20 percent discount on any plan. Just use the promo code AG20 when purchasing a plan. You’ll get a 20 percent discount on your first three months as a member.

Editor’s Note: This article first appeared on AirlineGeeks.com.

The post Which U.S. Airlines Are Hiring Pilots? appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

The German manufacturer of the world’s first electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) jet on Monday announced a firm order for 20 aircraft from UrbanLink, a U.S. eVTOL operator formed in March by aviation entrepreneur Ed Wegel, the founder and CEO of charter airline GlobalX.

Notably, the agreement—which includes another 20 purchase options—sets scheduled predelivery payments between the partners. UrbanLink intends to operate the manufacturer’s flagship Lilium Jet out of planned vertiports in South Florida, with the goal of forming a regional air taxi network by 2026.

The initial network will span Miami, West Palm Beach, Boca Raton, Fort Lauderdale, and Marco Island, Lilium says.

The collaboration represents a major boost to Lilium’s efforts to serve the Florida market, which has long been in its crosshairs. UrbanLink claims to be the first airline in the U.S. fully committed to integrating eVTOL aircraft into its fleet, giving the manufacturer a crucial operational partner it previously lacked.

“While many airlines have discussed the potential of operating eVTOL aircraft, none have made a definitive commitment,” said Wegel. “UrbanLink will be the first airline in the U.S. to integrate eVTOL aircraft into its fleet…After thorough evaluation of various manufacturers, we found the Lilium Jet to be the optimal choice for our needs, thanks to its superior cabin design, range, capacity, and cost-effectiveness.”

Fellow eVTOL air taxi manufacturer Archer Aviation has a similar relationship with United Airlines, which in 2022 paid $10 million out of its $1 billion deal for the purchase of up to 100 aircraft. Joby Aviation, which intends to operate its eVTOL itself, received a $60 million equity investment from partner Delta Air Lines, also in 2022.

“This is a huge milestone, not only for Lilium, but for the commercialization of eVTOLs in the U.S.,” said Sebastien Borel, chief commercial officer of Lilium. “We believe that this purchase of eVTOL aircraft is the first by a commercial operator that isn’t invested in the manufacturer that it is purchasing from. This is a sign that the market for eVTOL aircraft has matured, and there is growing demand for aircraft that can provide connections between, rather than just within, cities.”

Wegel—who led FAA certification for two U.S. Part 135 airlines and several U.S. Part 121 carriers, including Eastern Air Lines’ fleet of Boeing 737-800s in just eight months—founded UrbanLink as a standalone venture in March.

The industry veteran envisions Miami, Los Angeles, and San Juan, Puerto Rico, as the company’s early markets. It will then expand internationally beginning with the United Arab Emirates, which is rapidly becoming an eVTOL hot spot.

UrbanLink will provide the aircraft, pilots, and other systems needed to run the airline.

The firm picked the Lilium Jet for its fleet due in part to its quiet operation. The aircraft employs a unique fan-in-wing configuration, with 36 electric ducted fans embedded in its fixed wings. Compared to other eVTOL concepts, the design sacrifices efficiency in hover for a significant reduction in noise and improvement in cruise efficiency, where it will spend up to 95 percent of its time.

Since 2020, Lilium has worked with the city of Orlando and other stakeholders to build a regional air mobility (RAM) ecosystem for its eVTOL jet in Florida. Unlike Archer and Joby, which are focused on shorter urban air mobility (UAM) routes, Lilium expects its aircraft to fly between cities, cruising at 162 knots on trips spanning 25 to 125 sm (22 to 109 nm). That range is another factor that garnered UrbanLink’s interest.

Fractional aircraft ownership company NetJets in 2022 became a Lilium partner, signing a memorandum of understanding to purchase 150 aircraft which it will operate within the Florida network. Vertiports, under development at locations such as Orlando International Airport (KMCO), will function as hubs for the service.

Vertical flight services provider Bristow Group will provide maintenance services across the network, while FlightSafety International has agreed to train an initial group of Florida eVTOL pilots.

However, adding an airline partner makes the company’s plans seem much more feasible.

In addition, the German manufacturer has a partnership with Atlantic Aviation to electrify more than 100 FBO terminals nationwide. The sites—30 of which are within Lilium target markets such as Florida, Texas, and Southern California—will be transformed to accommodate its seven-seat eVTOL jet.

Lilium expects the first piloted Lilium Jet flight test to occur in late 2024, with European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) type certification in 2025. FAA certification, via the Bilateral Aviation Safety Agreement between the two regulators, would follow shortly after. Lilium remains the only eVTOL manufacturer with certification bases on both sides of the Atlantic.

UrbanLink expects to begin the FAA certification process in late 2025, with commercial service launching by summer 2026.

Like this story? We think you’ll also like the Future of FLYING newsletter sent every Thursday afternoon. Sign up now.

The post Lilium Receives Order for 20 eVTOL Jets, Forms Operational Partnership in U.S. appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

Air taxi manufacturer Joby Aviation on Monday signed a definitive agreement with Clay Lacy Aviation—which operates full-service FBOs at Van Nuys Airport (KVNY) in Los Angeles and John Wayne Airport (KSNA) in Orange County, California—to install the first electric charging system in the region.

The installation will be part of Clay Lacy Aviation’s planned $100 million redevelopment of the FBO terminal at John Wayne Airport, also announced Monday.

“Since our founding more than 50 years ago, Clay Lacy [Aviation] has been committed to improving lives for our community, employees, and clients, leading the industry on safety and service while taking action to reduce emissions in both our ground and air operations,” said Scott Cutshall, senior vice president of strategy and sustainability at Clay Lacy Aviation. “We’re excited to be working with Joby to install Southern California’s first air taxi charger, and we look forward to the greater convenience it will bring to the Orange County community.”

Since replacing Atlantic Aviation as a service provider at John Wayne in 2020, Clay Lacy Aviation has operated out of a temporary facility at the airport. Renovations will comprise two phases: a new terminal and a pair of 37,800-square-foot hangars will come online early this year, with two 35,000-square-foot hangars joining them in mid-2025.

The charger being added to the airfield derives from Joby’s Global Electric Aviation Charging System (GEACS), which the manufacturer released at the end of 2023. The GEACS interface is already in use at Joby’s flight test center in Marina, California, as well as Edwards Air Force Base (KEDW) outside Los Angeles. The company in September delivered its first air taxi prototype to Edwards, where it began crewed flight tests the following month.

According to Joby, GEACS is designed to support safe and efficient operations for all electric aircraft under development, including the company’s own design.

“The charging technology we have developed is optimized to support our whole industry, from air taxis delivering short range city flights to more conventional electric aircraft flying longer distances,” said JoeBen Bevirt, founder and CEO of Joby. “Joby made the specifications for the universal charging interface freely available to the wider industry in November 2023 to help accelerate the transition to clean flight. We’re therefore very pleased to see it being adopted in this key market.”

Joby’s stated goal is to make its service as accessible as possible, using a “safe and ultra-fast” system compatible with any electric aircraft. Accordingly, infrastructure developers and network operators would only need one type of charger to support the entire industry.

Joby’s charger includes multiple DC channels, which can juice up multiple isolated, redundant battery packs at the same time. A coolant system keeps the batteries at an ideal temperature during charging, eliminating the need for onboard thermal management systems.

Notably, the vehicles will communicate with the system directly. Joby will use an Ethernet connection to download flight data alongside normal charging operations, including data on battery charge level and temperature. That means operations won’t be bogged down by ground personnel.

Once complete, GEACS will be published as a freely available interface control specification. But it won’t be the only charging framework out there.

Two rival eVTOL air taxi manufacturers, Archer Aviation and Beta Technologies, partnered to push their own nationwide adoption of Beta’s air taxi chargers, making the announcement within hours of Joby’s. Archer purchased several Beta systems in a show of commitment.

The companies’ alternative pitch is for electric air taxis to adhere to the combined charging system (CCS) standard, which is used by several U.S. electric car manufacturers—with the notable exception of Tesla, the industry leader. Tesla developed its own standard, the North American charging standard (NACS).

The CCS was endorsed by the General Aviation Manufacturers Association in its Interoperability of Electric Charging Infrastructure report released last year. Both Archer and Beta contributed to the recommendation, as did Boeing’s Wisk Aero, Embraer’s Eve Air Mobility, Lilium, Volocopter, and Overair.

Archer and Beta maintain the CCS is the standard to which the top aviation OEMs are designing for. Joby, meanwhile, has claimed other electric aircraft companies will soon announce their decision to use its standard.

Unlike Joby’s system, Beta’s charger includes a separate coolant mechanism. And because the battery packs in Archer’s and Beta’s designs are in one location, the firms have no need to charge multiple packs at once. Joby’s battery packs are spread across the airframe.

Both Joby and Archer and Beta hope the industry will adopt their in-house system, which would foster some level of dependence upon their tech. For what it’s worth, in the automotive space, Tesla’s NACS—the analog to GEACS—won out, and more manufacturers, such as Ford and General Motors, are switching over from CCS.

“Today’s announcement marks a key moment on the path to delivering our air taxi service in the Greater Los Angeles area,” said Bevirt. “We’re taking concrete steps to ensure the right infrastructure is in place to support our future service and we’re grateful to be working with an industry pioneer like Clay Lacy Aviation to lead the way on bringing sustainable aviation to Southern California.”

Joby’s air taxi will fly a pilot and up to four passengers on routes spanning up to 100 sm (81 nm), cruising as fast as 200 mph (174 knots). The home-to-airport shuttle service is expected to produce zero in-flight emissions and a noise footprint “radically lower” than existing helicopters.

The installation at John Wayne adds the airfield as a node in the company’s Southern California network, Joby said. In partnership with Delta Air Lines, the manufacturer also plans to launch service in Los Angeles, as well as New York City and other airports served by Delta. Los Angeles is scheduled to be one of the company’s earliest U.S. launch markets, with commercial service expected in 2025.

Monday’s announcement follows Joby’s watershed flight in New York City in November, during which it became the first company to complete electric air taxi flights in the city. Germany’s Volocopter also participated. The demonstrations came shortly after New York City announced plans to electrify the historic Downtown Manhattan Heliport (JRB).

Like this story? We think you’ll also like the Future of FLYING newsletter sent every Thursday afternoon. Sign up now.

The post Joby, Clay Lacy Aviation Bring First Electric Air Taxi Charger to Southern California appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

The Joby eVTOL flew from the well-known Downtown Heliport (KJRB) in Manhattan, where New York Mayor Eric Adams on Monday announced the city’s plans to electrify the heliport. The move would be a major step toward development of an eVTOL transport network in New York, a city known for a range of mobility challenges.

“By electrifying one of the most famous heliports in the world, New York is demonstrating global leadership in the adoption of electric air travel. We’re grateful for the support of the city, and we’re honored to be working with visionary partners like Delta Air Lines to bring our air taxi service to this market,” said JoeBen Bevirt, Joby’s founder and CEO. “We plan to make quiet, emissions-free flight an affordable, everyday reality for New Yorkers, while significantly reducing the impact of helicopter noise.”

Joby said the demonstration flight followed several days of preparation flights at the HHI Heliport (65NJ) in Kearny, New Jersey. The company previously announced that it expects New York to be one of its early launch markets after receiving certification for its piloted, four-passenger eVTOL aircraft.

• READ MORE: Joby’s Electric Air Taxi Is Now Flying with Pilots on Board

Joby said its aircraft can fly up to 100 sm on a charge and is optimized for rapid, back-to-back flights. It could complete nearly all typical trips across the five New York boroughs. While the notoriously difficult journey from Manhattan to John F. Kennedy International Airport (KJFK) can take more than an hour by car, Joby expects to make the trip in seven minutes by air.

“The Adams administration has been a leader in driving technology innovation and economic growth while simultaneously improving quality of life,” said Andrew Kimball, president and CEO of the New York City Economic Development Corporation (EDC). “EDC’s new strategy for the Downtown Manhattan Heliport reflects these priorities while making it an industry leader in the embrace of eVTOLS—a quieter and greener helicopter alternative.”

Joby said it is working with partner Delta Air Lines, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey and the New York City EDC as they plan for eVTOL operations. Efforts include development of infrastructure at KJFK and LaGuardia Airport (KLGA). Delta said these plans will build on other recent improvements it has made at its New York hubs.

“Delivering exceptional experiences for our customers is why Delta has invested over $7 billion in New York City, especially at our LaGuardia and JFK hubs,” said Gail Grimmett, senior vice president of sustainability performance and strategic partnerships at Delta. “[Monday’s] announcement demonstrates the great progress that’s been made toward launching clean, quiet, and convenient air taxi services for Delta customers traveling to and from New York, and is a testament to our innovative partners at Joby and the support of Mayor Eric Adams in advancing new and sustainable technologies.”

Joby said it has flown more than 30,000 miles with its full-scale prototype eVTOL aircraft since 2017. The company’s pilot production plant in Marina, California,  recently completed its first aircraft. Joby also delivered an electric air taxi to the U.S. Air Force for testing. Joby expects to begin commercial passenger service in 2025.

The post Joby Performs First eVTOL Test Flights in New York appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

A rocket landed close to the airport Monday, according to media reports.

תיעוד: נפילת רקטה ליד נתב"ג במטח למרכז, אין נפגעים • בשדרות – נפילה בחצר בית, אין נפגעים בגוף@Doron_Kadosh @ShaniRami pic.twitter.com/1jZPaA5LQm

— גלצ (@GLZRadio) October 9, 2023

Travel disruptions are among the many latest developments for the country left reeling after a multifront surprise attack Saturday by more than 1,000 Hamas fighters that left an estimated more than 1,100 dead and thousands more wounded.

The airport has an average of 236 flight departures daily, according to FlightAware data. On Sunday, about 27 percent of flights into Israel had been canceled and about half were delayed.

About 37,000 air passengers travel to Israel daily, according to Cirium, an aviation analytics company.

By Monday, major carriers United Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and American Airlines all suspended service to Israel, The Associated Press reported Monday.

• READ MORE: US Moves Fighters into Mediterranean in Response to Attack on Israel 

Not all carriers cut service, however. Israel airline El Al ramped up flights in order to bring Israeli reservists back to the country amid its unprecedented call-up of 300,000 reserve troops, Reuters reported. The airline had not canceled any flights, and many of its flights in and out of Israel were full, an El Al spokesperson told Reuters.

‘Exercise Caution’

In a Notice to Air Missions, or NOTAM, published Monday, the FAA advised all air carriers and commercial air operators planning to fly into or out of Tel Aviv to “exercise caution.”

“Due to the ongoing conflict situation in the region, between Israel and Gaza-based extremist militants, operators are advised to review current security, threat information and NOTAMs,” the FAA said. “Delays are expected, [so] operators should calculate fuel accordingly.”

• READ MORE: Israel’s El Al Poised to Maintain Vital Air Link

Passengers traveling through the Tel Aviv airport were advised to be on alert to take shelter. 

“In light of the security situation in the state of Israel, Ben Gurion Airport is prepared in accordance with the orders of the Home Front Command,” airport management said in a notice to travelers. “Given the need to evacuate the terminal when there is an alarm at the airport, the following instructions must be followed: When an alarm sounds, passengers are asked to obey the instructions of security personnel in order to reach the protected areas.”

The post Carriers Scuttle Flights to Israel as FAA Tells Pilots to ‘Exercise Caution’ appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

While the industry has seen significant peaks and lulls over the years, the current state shows pilot hiring climbing to previously unseen levels, with 2023 forecasted to surpass the hiring that occurred in 2022.

Aircraft manufacturing giant, Boeing, anticipates a global demand of 649,000 new pilots over the next 20 years. The Arlington, Va.-based manufacturer believes the commercial North American sector will need 129,000 pilots, while China and Eurasia will necessitate even more. 

Future and Active Pilot Advisors (FAPA) has tracked pilot hiring with the major carriers since the 1990s. The organization anticipates the hiring trend to continue this year, marking yet another record in the number of pilots hired by major carriers in a year. FAPA categorizes the major carriers as Alaska, Allegiant, American, Atlas, Delta, FedEx, Frontier, Hawaiian, JetBlue, Southwest, Spirit, United, and UPS. Regional carriers and corporate operators are not included in the data detailed below.

Regional carriers will need to continue hiring pilots who meet the Airline Transport Pilot certificate (ATP) requirements or the Restricted Airline Transport Pilot certificate (R-ATP) requirements. Corporate operators have different requirements set forth to hire pilots, however, many hire at the same requirements that regional carriers do. 

Record Hiring

In 2021, major carriers hired 5,426 pilots according to FAPA, with United Airlines hiring the most at 1,280 pilots. At the time, this was the largest number of pilots hired in a single year. 2022 on the other hand brought unfathomable numbers.

Last year, 13,128 pilots were hired by the majors. This represented an increase of 142% in one year. So far in 2023, the major carriers are on track to break that record as well, with FAPA anticipating over 13,000 pilots set to be hired. Through August, 8,920 pilots have been hired, leaving four more months in the year for additional growth. 

Freight Operators Buck the Trend

It is not all positive news though. Cargo giants FedEx and UPS are currently seeing a post-COVID decline in operations. According to ch-aviation, FedEx has accelerated the retirement of the carrier’s MD-11 aircraft with a fleet retirement year of 2028. Trans-Pacific flying is being cut by 30% for the Memphis, Tenn.-based carrier, and overall flight hours are being reduced transforming the company’s operation to have more presence on the ground. FedEx hired two pilots in January of 2023 and zero since. UPS started the year with nine hires, four in February and none since. 

On the flip side, passenger carriers are hiring at rates never before seen. Year-to-date totals for the big three include American Airlines bringing aboard 1545 pilots so far this year, Delta Air Lines with 1790, and United Airlines hiring 1813 pilots. American had the largest class month out of all the carriers, bringing aboard 284 pilots in May alone per FAPA. 

Hiring droughts in the past have correlated with major world events involving a decline in air travel. Immediately following Sept. 11, 2001, carriers furloughed pilots for years without recall. Hiring then resumed after those who had been furloughed had returned, however, some carriers waited longer than others. American Airlines, for instance, hired zero pilots from 2002 to 2012, a period of 10 years.

Many of the carrier’s pilots spent years furloughed awaiting the call to return to the job they had worked years to earn. This was a similar story for those at other carriers during the time period as well. Delta and United did not hire pilots again until 2007, lasting only two years before another year of zero pilots added to the ranks. The post-2007-2008 financial crisis showed 30 pilots being hired across the major carriers in 2009, all of which were by JetBlue.

Looking Ahead

The past two and half years show a very different picture compared to the ones painted just a decade ago. The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics believes that between 2022 and 2032, there will be around 16,800 openings for airline and commercial pilots each year over the course of the decade. This number accounts for retirements and attrition across the industry and other workforces. United Airlines alone is expecting to add 10,000 pilots over the course of the decade. 

Major carriers are also addressing one of the largest barriers to entry into the industry: cost. The big three carriers are making strides to bring those without experience in the field into the workforce. Delta Air Lines has partnered with a Florida-based flight school to create the Propel Flight Academy. The carrier is offering financial assistance as well to help students get into the cockpit at an accelerated pace. United Airlines also has its own in-house flight school in Arizona. American has the American Cadet Academy, partnering with CAE to give those without experience a path into an American Airlines cockpit. 

United also just announced a new way for military aviators to transition into the civilian sector. Applicants need not have an ATP certificate, just the minimum requirements to possess one. Scott Kirby, United’s CEO stated “Launching this program is a win-win: our airline gets direct access to some of the best, most talented aviators in the world, and military pilots – and their families – get the time they need to plan their civilian career while still serving.”

While there is no magic ball to query for what the future will hold, the aviation industry needs pilots. 

Editor’s Note: This article first appeared on AirlineGeeks.com.

The post U.S. Pilot Hiring on Track to Eclipse 2022 Levels appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

The investment agreement, which includes a $500 million credit facility to Wheels Up, combines the experience of Delta, the travel and tourism expertise of Certares, and the turnaround and restructuring knowledge of Knighthead. The announcement follows the selection last week of George Mattson as the new Wheels Up CEO.

• READ MORE: Wheels Up Selects George Mattson as New CEO

“This investment represents both an important source of capital for Wheels Up to support our strategy for financial stability, future profitability, and long-term growth on behalf of our members and customers, as well as a vote of confidence in our path forward from a group of investors with deep experience in the premium travel space,” Mattson said. “We look forward to working closely with Delta and our other investors to deliver best-in-class operating performance and an exceptional customer experience which, as we deepen our commercial partnership, will also enable us to provide a one-of-a-kind, seamless connection between private and premium commercial travel.”

The credit facility includes a $350 million term loan funded at closing from Delta, CK Wheels LLC, and Cox, and a $100 million revolving credit facility from Delta. Under terms of the credit agreement, a new lender may provide a $50 million term loan after the closing date, as approved by Delta, Certares, Knighthead, and Cox. The companies said they expect to complete a transaction for the additional funding “in the near term.”

“Wheels Up is an integral part of Delta’s portfolio of premium partners, and this deep relationship offers a significant opportunity to deliver compelling benefits to our customers that are unique in the travel space,” said Dan Janki, Wheels Up chairman and Delta’s chief financial officer. “This investment and new leadership puts Wheels Up on a strong path to future success.”

• READ MORE: Delta, Others Invest $500M in Wheels Up Bailout

WIth the closing of the credit facility, the lenders will receive newly issued shares of Wheels Up common stock representing 80 percent of the company’s outstanding equity at the time of the closing. After approval by Wheels Up’s shareholders, the company will issue additional new shares to the lenders, who ultimately will own 95 percent of its outstanding equity as of the closing, the companies said.

Wheels Up also announced a new structure for its board, under which Delta will appoint four directors, Certares and Knighthead each will appoint two, and Cox will appoint one. One Wheels Up executive will join the board, and two independent directors are expected to remain from the previous board, the companies said.

A number of strategic advisors assisted with the transaction, including Davis Polk, Jefferies LLC, Kirkland & Ellis, and PJT Partners. 

The post Wheels Up to Continue Operations After Closing Transaction with Delta, Other Investors appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

The news is the latest leadership change for the company that last month received $500 million in an emergency bailout from Delta Air Lines and other investors that saved it from bankruptcy. The company’s founder, Kenny Dichter, stepped down as CEO in May.

• READ MORE: Delta, Others Invest $500M in Wheels Up Bailout

Wheels Up Experience Inc. (NYSE: UP) was founded in 2013 as a private jet travel company. According to Wheels Up, Mattson brings 25 years of aviation experience to the role, as a strategic adviser, financier, business owner/operator, and director. His previous roles included a place on Delta’s board of directors. 

“In 10 years Wheels Up has grown from a startup into a global leader in private aviation, with a strong consumer brand and loyal member community,” Mattson said. “I look forward to leading the Wheels Up team, with the operational, commercial, strategic, and financial support of Delta and our other new investors. Delivering best-in-class operating performance and exceptional customer experiences, consistently and profitably, will attract more members to our community as we begin the next chapter of the Wheels Up story.”

According to a press release, Mattson served as a partner and co-head of the Global Industrials Group in Investment Banking at Goldman Sachs. from 2002 to 2012. At the time, his responsibilities included oversight of the transportation and airline practices. 

Since 2014, he has been the lead investor and chairman of Tropic Ocean Airways, the nation’s second-largest operator of seaplanes. Tropic Ocean Airways is a Wheels Up partner.

Mattson will be based in Atlanta, where Wheels Up recently established a state-of-the-art member operations center. He will start the new job in October.

The post Wheels Up Selects George Mattson as New CEO appeared first on FLYING Magazine.