Global Airlines - Is It a Fair Playing Ground? - Due Friday, Novmeber 4th @ 11:59PM

US Airlines are known for attacking foreign long-haul carriers, often attributing their success solely to the government subsidies that these carriers receive. Please answer the following questions:

1) Describe the US-UAE Open Skies Agreement. List and describe two long-haul carriers that are a part of this agreement that also receive government subsidies.

2) Do any long-haul US carriers receive subsidies or have received subsidies in the past? If so, which airlines? Why?

3) Another complaint is that long-haul foreign carriers have made aircraft purchases at "below market interest rates" that are unavailable to US carriers. How is this possible? Please discuss the Export-Import Bank.

4) Finally, critically analyzing the above information, do you feel that the global "playing field" of long-haul carriers is fair?

Enjoy!

A Chinese Competitor to Boeing and Airbus? - Due Saturday, October 29th @ 11:59PM

On Monday, November 2, 2015, the first Chinese larger-airliner aircraft rolled out - the C919. This aircraft was built by COMAC (Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China) and will compete with the A320 and the B737, seating about 168 passengers. Although the hope is for western certification, the C919 has yet to be FAA-certified, currently limiting the countries where the aircraft can operate. Given this information, please answer the following questions:

1) Do you believe that the C919 will ever receive FAA certification? Why or why not?

2) For sake of argument, if the C919 receives FAA certification, what challenges do you see for US carriers? Look at various aspects - for example, what would in mean in terms of aircraft purchases? What would it mean in terms of public perception?

3) Discuss COMAC a little and its relationship with the Chinese airlines and the Chinese government. Are there other aircraft in the works? If so, what are the specifics?

4) If this aircraft were to receive FAA certification, do you feel that other companies would enter the market as competitors to Boeing and Airbus?

5) Finally, has Boeing or Airbus responded to this rollout in any way?

Have fun!

The Commercial Space Industry - Due Friday, October 21st at 11:59PM

Is Commercial Space Tourism a viable industry? Please answer the following questions:

1) Historical background: When did the idea of "space tourism" begin? How has it developed? What have been the hurdles and accomplishments?

2) Give a brief summary of the rules and regulations that currently govern the commercial space industry. When and why were they developed? Do you feel that they are appropriate or that the need to be more or less restrictive?

3) Where do you see space tourism headed and in what time frame? I.e., do you think it will be accessible to the general public, not unlike the commercial airline industry? Do you think it will develop into a means of transportation or do you think that it will perpetually exists as a one-time, bucket list adventure?

4) What are the qualifications to work in the space tourism industry  - either from the pilot or the management perspective? This may require some research, perhaps even making a phone call.

Cargo Industry is Exempt From Flight/Duty Changes - Should They Be?: Due Saturday, October 8th at 11:59PM

Please answer the following questions:

1) As a result of the Colgan Air accident, the FAA institute new flight and duty regulations. Summarize  these new regulations and describe how they are different from the old flight and duty regulations.

2) Cargo carriers are exempt from the new rules. What are the current flight and duty limitations for cargo carriers?

3) Why do you feel that cargo carriers have been excluded from the new changes? Value of life? Public perception? Too much money for the carrier? Other reasons? All the above? You may find that reading the preamble of the final rule is helpful in answering this question.

4) Do you believe cargo carriers should be included in the new rules? Why or why not?

5) Finally, what would be the impact to your career if cargo carriers were to be included in these new rules - Pilots, address this from a pilot perspective, management address from a management perspective.