Contract Airline Services


"We are the protagonists of our stories called life, and there is no limit to how high we can fly."


PHD. MBA. MHS. Type rated on A350, A330, B777, B747-400, B747-200, B757, B767, B737, B727. International Airline Pilot / Author / Speaker. Dedicated to giving the gift of wings to anyone following their dreams. Supporting Aviation Safety through training, writing, and inspiration. Fighting for Aviation Safety and Airline Employee Advocacy. Safety Culture and SMS change agent.

Saturday, October 31, 2015

Happy Halloween!!!

The Scariest Thing of 2015....

MY DESK!!! 


Or the Number Of Stats Books...


Or That I'm Having Coffee  With a Pumpkin at 0300 in the Morning doing homework!


HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!

Friday, October 30, 2015

CARLOS STEPHEN SÁNCHEZ SERRANO

Friday's Fabulous Flyer!


CARLOS
 
"My life in aviation began in 1999, when I started my training as a commercial pilot. After many years reading about aviation on magazines and books, I had the opportunity of studying what I had always wished. 

After finishing my studies and considering the different possibilities in order to start my professional life in aviation, I chose flying instruction. I remember the first day, when the teacher told us to explain why we were there. Everyone said almost the same “I’m here to get flying hours”. It was then when I realized that I thought differently because I was there due to my love for teaching.


After 4 years carrying out instruction tasks such as flight instruction (more than 1400 hours), simulator instruction (more than 1600 hours), ground instruction, and a year as a CFI (chief flight instruction), I considered that it was the time to change and continue my career.


In 2007 I got the opportunity of flying an executive airplane – a Cessna Citation 560 Ultra – which allowed me to have my first experience flying a jet airplane across Europe, and flying to many different places. The fact of changing from flying light Cessnas and Pipers to a Cessna Citation was a pretty important step forward, especially in terms of professional maturity achieved by performing a charter operation in an airplane flying at 0.7Mach, travelling to many different airports and with just a few hours to prepare the flight.


Unfortunately, this project just survived only for 2 years. The worldwide crisis which affected in a very important manner to the private aviation sector, closing companies, including the one I was flying for. Despite that situation, and taking into account that in my career I’ve always had the goal of learning and give the most in every company I worked for, I could add to my résumé 370 hours of jet time and the experience of being the security and safety manager of the company.


In that moment, the doubt of what to do appeared. The aviation market was really affected by the crisis. Airlines weren’t hiring pilots and in the only offers that could be found on the Internet, the requirement of being a B-737 or A-320 experienced pilot was common.

Was in that moment when I took the decision of developing a project that had been in my mind since for a long time. A project focused on working in these areas: aviation instruction, quality and image services, both for individuals and companies.

This project, FLYLAB CONSULTING, was established in 2012 and continues growing up in services and partnerships. Nowadays we are creating a database for aeronautical members in order to help people in their job seek, through contacts with airlines or international brokers, and by offering complementary training to improve their resumes.


In addition to my work at FLYLAB CONSULTING, I also work in a Spanish airline, as an ATR 42 copilot , Head of Training of the ATO and Safety Manager (SMS).



Although it seems to be a very busy life, I’m very lucky because I can develop a personal project and continue flying. The most important thing for me is that I have enough time to spend with my family without being forced to fly all the time. That’s a priority in my life. Of course I love flying, but the fact of saying “good night!” to my baby almost every day is amazing.

I hope you have enjoyed this quick summary of my professional life. I invite you to visit the web of my company - www.flylabconsulting.com/joomla/en - in which you will find, more in detail, all the services we offer.


Carlos, you are most definitely a Fabulous flyer. 
Thank you for sharing your story with us. 

And I wish you the very best success in your future! 

Enjoy the Journey!!
XO Karlene  

Sunday, October 25, 2015

Sir Frank Whittle

NOTAM SPECIAL -- BACK TO THE FUTURE WHITTLE JET

By Mark Restorick

"Hello from a dull wet rainy damp Nottinghamshire, this article was on our regional news last night, so missed my original newsletter of all things airline this side of pond. 

"Whittle jet" Gloster E28-39 upon the roundabout

In memoriam to from whence the dawn of a new propulsion age began, the " jet age ", the memorial upon the roundabout just off jc 11 M1 motorway at Lutterworth Leicestershire and 1/2 mile south from airfield " Sir Frank Whittle" developed the co - axial jet engine in 1936 after writing a paper for his r.a.f. college course in 1929, but the Air ministry would not believe him. 


"Sir Frank Whittle" then with his own money and help of initially" British Houston Turbine" then "Rover car group" and after several issues due in experience of " Rover"and " Rolls Royce" with their Aero engine knowledge stepped in after swapping a contract for armoured cars, at same time then Squadron leader Whittle, registered it design at patent office. 


The replica " Whittle jet " as known, or its true name Gloster e28-39, is 10 years old and looking a little worn by weathering even though whole " Whittle jet " is made from stainless steel. The trust who care for the " Whittle jet" have launched a call for donations to help towards overhall that will see the a/c restored for a further 10 plus, the end result will see the " Whittle jet" not in its stainless steel existing look, but, painted in the colors as worn by the original prototype.


The trust though have the issue of, how do you repair / restore an aircraft that is life size mounted upon a roundabout, one view is to erect scaffold about the aircraft and encase all in a tent, the other is to remove the whole aircraft temporarily from the roundabout to a site close by very possibly to the original buildings as once used by Sir Frank Whittle of which still remain in tact and are preserved."

 Thank you Mark!!

Enjoy the Journey!
XO Karlene

Wednesday, October 21, 2015

Unicom Podcast

Flight Simulation and Real Life!

The Unicom Podcast is an audio broadcast that covers flight simulation and, to a lesser extent, real world general aviation and airline topics. The show is hosted by several staff members of the iFlySimX.com website. Namely, Nicolas Jackson, a flight simmer and internet broadcaster with more than nine years of experience, Dmitri Scheidel, an enthusiastic flight simmer and real world student pilot and Jordan Greene a real world CFI, CFII and MEI. 

Nicolas Jackson 

Every other week, this great team puts together a show based on a round table format that features one main topic of discussion, or guest, along with the most recent flight sim news and a brief overviews of the reviews being worked on by the iFlySimX.com staff.

The show is designed to entertain, educate and expose the listener to the happenings in the flight sim world. The show is a new and vital part of the iFlySimX.comhttp://iflysimx.com website... a redesigned flight sim website covering sim news, reviews and offering a live Twitch stream in addition to The Unicom Podcast. Listeners can interact with the show by signing up for the Disqus commenting system, joining the forms or sending an email to nicnacjak@gmail.com



We hope you enjoy the show! 
Check out their 4th episode:

Enjoy the Journey!
XO Karlene  

Monday, October 19, 2015

Night Witch

Historic Fiction~

My friend Sandy McCormack's book has just released!



From Farm Girl to Aviator. 


June 1941 Nineteen-year old Raisa Tarasova’s peaceful life shatters when Hitler’s forces invade Russia. Her two brothers immediately enlist in the air corps. Despite Raisa’s desire to fly and her many hours of flying time, neither the air corps nor her father would allow such a thing. She is, after all, “just a girl”.

In September Raisa returns to her engineering studies at the university in Moscow. Once there, she jumps at the opportunity to join a newly formed women’s aviation unit. Wearing men’s uniforms hurriedly cut down to fit, Raisa and 300 other female recruits are loaded into railcars and transported to a training base.

After six hard months of schooling, Raisa is assigned as a navigator with the all-woman Night Bomber Regiment. Their aircraft is the PO-2, a biplane made of plywood and fabric. Months later, after a night of heavy losses, Raisa is given a field promotion and the new responsibility of pilot. She has no choice but to carry out her orders and face down a most significant enemy…her own fear.

Courage, an impossible romance, and a daring rescue only a woman would devise become part of Raisa’s new life as a member of the 588th Night Bomber Aviation Regiment, the NIGHT WITCHES. 
 
 
Enjoy the Journey!
XO Karlene 

Friday, October 16, 2015

Newest Commercial Pilot!

Brandon Forbes
From Walla Walla University


"Friday I finally was able to take and pass my ASEL commercial ride."

Congratulations Brandon!!  
 
Enjoy the Journey!!
XO Karlene

Monday, October 12, 2015

Bonanza Update!

What Plane Should I Buy? 

And results are in:

"I'm Loving the Bonanza, great fun to fly. 
So much more capable than the Archer! 
 I flew into KNEW, New Orleans Lakefront last week.
Thanks again for all the encouragement!"
Enjoy The Journey!
XO Karlene 

Friday, October 9, 2015

Paul Job

Friday's Fabulous Flyer

 Paul Job 


Paul Job is an aviation art photographer in South Africa. And not just any aviation photographer. He takes the most beautiful photos. He currently lives in a small mining town called Kimberley.


Paul believe as a person with extreme dyslexia, he did not have any options to do anything else but take photos. Thus after school he studied photography, and did that pay off.  


Paul became well known for his beautiful sunset aviation photographs and aviation art photography.

 

He has been an aviation photographer for the previous 12 years, and his photography has been well received all over the world. He's also been published in numerous aviation magazine publications worldwide. While he'd thought of starting his own magazine, his dyslexia prevented that dream. Until this year, that is, when his dream became a reality.


Paul says, “I went to a large aviation event in South Africa in 2014 as the representative of an aviation magazine. After the event, I was very disappointed and disillusioned by the treatment I received from that publication. I went into depression and did not even want to take photos again. Then I realized that I don’t need other publications - I could start my own magazine and do it myself for myself. After registering my media company, Aviation Lifestyle Media (PTY) Ltd, I started working on my magazine titled “Aviation Lifestyle Magazine™.” 


The magazine focuses on the lifestyle aspect of aviation. The people. While many aviation magazines spend so much time on the aviation products including the aircraft and equipment that they forget to put the pilot in the picture.

 

Aviation professionals from all facets of the aviation industry are included in his magazine. They are interviewed and you will learn first-hand what it is like to fly an aircraft, how it feels to be in the cockpit, the emotional side of aviation and why they do what they do. Amazing people, like Karlene Petitt, who has made a difference in the aviation industry, and Bernice Cremore, an up and coming South African pilot with big dreams, are interviewed. 


 

Life is Beautiful~ Photograph  it! 


Contact Paul via his Website 
and check out more of his beautiful work!
http://www.pauljob.com/

Enjoy the Journey!
XO Karlene 

Thursday, October 8, 2015

Safer Skies

Help Requested!

My friend and fellow PhD student, Chris Broyhill, is conducting a study for his dissertation on the effects of IS-BAO (International Standard Business Aircraft Operations) implementation and leadership on safety culture in business/corporate flight operations and he needs your help! 
 
 
Working with the International Business Aviation Council (IBAC), Chris has sent out survey links to every IS-BAO-registered operator in the United States, over 570 of them, but not all of the links have made it to folks at the line level. 
 
If you work in an IS-BAO-registered operation and you haven’t seen a survey link forwarded to you by your aviation manager or your head of safety, email Chris at broyhilc@erau.edu and he’ll send you a link directly. All responses are completely anonymous and will make the industry and IS-BAO better and safer!
 
THANK YOU!!! 
 
Enjoy the Journey!
XO Karlene 

Tuesday, October 6, 2015

De-Crewing the Aircraft

Research Update:

I am flying to Hong Kong today, and will have the chance to work with my statistics partner on our project to reduce the total time requirement of 1500 hours during my layover.  However, for my other class, Future Trends in Aviation I have read an interesting book... Innovations in Aeronautics


Researchers are promoting single pilot operations:

"With Judicious use of a range of technologies developed during the past decade there are not major reasons why a single-pilot-operated aircraft is not feasible" 

Voice your opinion: 
Why do you think we need at least two pilots?

Friday, October 2, 2015

Justin Reed

Friday's Fabulous Flyer


Justin Reed
aka The Artful Dodger


Why would a teen orphan without a  pilot’s license be Friday's Flyer? Because Justin recently put his unique set of skills to not only thwart a hijacking, but to land the airliner as well.

The main character of pilot-author Eric “Cap’n Aux” Auxier’s Spy/Fly thriller series, “Code Name: Dodger,” Justin chronicles his latest adventure in Mission 3: Jihadi Hijacking, now available in print or ebook!


Trouble seems to follow this adopted son of a secret agent, and Jihadi Hijacking is no exception.  We caught up with Justin after his wild, Middle Eastern escapade.

Karlene: I heard you love Flight Sim 3000... what do you love about it? 

Justin: Oh, man. It’s so much fun! I used to play it for hours on my computer every day after school. My girlfriend Joya would get kinda miffed when I played it too long; can’t say as I blame her.

The systems work exactly like you see on a real Airbus. And, having had to land the real deal in an emergency, I can tell you it’s like crazy-realistic. But, to tell the truth, ever since that emergency crash landing, well, let’s just say it fried the fun out of the game for me. Talk about stress!


Karlene: You were able to understand the systems . . . did that help you fly the plane?

Justin: Oh, totally. My adopted dad Bob used to fly tiltrotor V-22 Ospreys in the Marines, but that was like before I was even born, and he’d never flown a jet before. So, when it came to flying the A321, he was totally lost. So, I go, “Hey, do you know how to program a CAT 3 Autoland in the MC-DU?” (That’s the Multipurpose Command/Display Unit, which programs the plane.) And he’s like, “The Cat in the Mc-what?” LOL! So, he made me his copilot.

And it’s a good thing, too, cuz I had to help him with all the systems stuff. To tell the truth, though, I was totally in over my head when it came to the actual flying part. But, as it turned out, together we made a pretty good team, and Bob did an amazing job, despite the crash and emergency evacuation. I mean, I’m still here to tell the tale, right?

Oh, and speaking of which, since Bob’s International anti-Terrorism Agency—the ITA—“doesn’t exist,” please remember: Just like the clueless Press has been saying on TV all week, our plane had an “electronic malfunction,” and “the pilot” made a precautionary landing in Israel.

And “None of this ever happened!” (Insert wink face here, LOL!)


Karlene: Terrorists took control of the plane. Could these sim programs help bad guys fly?

Justin: Oh, ya, totally. In fact, I bet that’s how Muhammed Myanmar and his terrorist cell learned to fly it in the first place. Those systems on my computer are so realistic, you can’t imagine. But the real thing’s a lot bigger and louder. And faster!


Karlene: What was the scariest or most challenging thing about flying the plane?

Justin: Well, having a Glock 19 machine pistol pointed at my noggin by one of the world’s most notorious terrorists did not exactly start my flight out in clear blue skies. And then, having his henchman shoot up a bunch of systems and depressurize the plane didn’t help, either.

But, after we kicked their psychotic butts and took back the cockpit, I’d have to say what really threw me was how fast everything happens on a jet. I mean, I’m used to skateboard speed! And, when flying Flight Sim 3000, I can always hit Pause and go to the fridge for a soda.

There’s no “Pause” button in a real plane!


Karlene: What message would you like to give to the kids of the world?

Justin: You know, this has been a wild year for me. For starters, the CIA took me into protective custody to hide me from the evil spy Pharaoh. To be safe, they trained me in all sorts of survival and self-defense, and even some cool spy stuff. I wound up using every bit of that training—along with my street skills—to survive. Then, I had to use those skills to go rescue Bob when he got kidnapped by that drug cartel. Not to mention the hijacking, which nearly lit off World War 3!

But, really, even before all that crazy stuff, back at the orphanage I always had to stand up to bullies. I had to either talk or fight my way out of fixes, because I’m so small for my age.

So, my advice, really, would be: Stand up for what you know is right. You may get knocked around once in awhile, but in the end you can look back and know that you did the right thing, and did something to make the world a better place.


Karlene: Thank you for your time, Justin. And, thank you for your heroics aboard that airplane. Lord knows, we don’t need another World War, and maybe we can all sleep more soundly, knowing that there’s people like your father out there protecting us from evil. Um, that is, if the ITA actually existed. Which it doesn’t.

Justin: Right. And none of this ever happened.

Karlene: Right. 

Enjoy the journey!