Final Exam Blog - Due Dec. 14th @ 3pm

For your final exam, please select one of the topics that we discussed and approach that topic from a different standpoint than the original blog.

Your blog should be the equivalent of at least three pages typed. This is approx. 750 words. Any blog less than 600 words will receive a deduction in points.

You should have at least 3 references in APA format.

Topics from class include the following:


Aircraft Emissions

Global Airlines - Fair?

A Chinese Competitor to Boeing/Airbus

The Commercial Space Industry

Should the Cargo Industry Be Exempt From Flight and Duty Changes

Flying Cheap - What is Professionalism

Next Gen/ATC Privatization

Current Status of UAVs

Job plans and topic review - Due Dec.9th @ 11:59pm

For the last blog post, please answer the following questions:

1) What were your  job plans at the beginning of the course? Have they changed? Why or why not?

2) What is your action plan upon graduation?

3) What was the most useful topic that we discussed and why?

4) What was the least useful topic that we discussed and why?

Aviation Organizations - Due Wednesday, Nov. 30th @ 1:59PM

This week's topic is a little less intense. The topic is Aviation Organizations. Please answer the following questions: 

1. What associations will it be important to belong to when you are employed and engaged on your career path?  Identify at least two organizations. 

2. Research the associations that you identified. Discuss the mission and functions of each association. 3. Also discuss the role of these organizations in the overall industry, including their support for other sectors of the industry.

3. Discuss why is it important for you to belong to these associations.

Aviation Emissions - Due Saturday, November 19th @ 11:59PM

The UN recently reached an agreement on aircraft emissions. Please answer the following questions in regards to this topic:

1) Summarize aviation's contribution to overall emissions. Please be specific, using statistics,  etc.. For example,  how do aviation emissions compare to emissions from other industries?

2)The article in class confirmed that the UN had reached an agreement for the reduction of aviation emissions. What are the specifics of the proposed reduction plan?

3) It also appears that emission reductions are under the Paris Agreement. How might this play out under the newly elected administration?

4) What is your opinion about the validity of these upcoming aviation emissions reduction laws? Are they a necessity or overreaction? Why?

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.