Pilots flying Air Journey’s Round the World trip were each given an iPad and a SolidFX e-reader to facilitate their 72-day, 25,000-nm trip circumnavigating the globe. The group departed from Quebec last week and is currently touring Scotland. Air Journey’s Thierry Pouille credits the iPad for helping the group navigate around the clouds of volcanic ash that has troubled European airspace.
“We gave each pilot in our group an iPad that is loaded with the day’s flight briefing, all weather data, NOTAMS, radar images and a Google view of the destination airport,” Pouille says. Flight crews can easily reference all pertinent information while airborne. “We also have an icon on the iPad desk top that enables pilots to upload the very latest information on the movement of the volcanic clouds. Air Journey also loaded Skype onto each iPad, which allows all the guests on his Round the World journey to enjoy real time video conferencing with friends and family.”
And thanks to corporate support from Jeppesen, pilots on the journey were able to leave 200 lbs. of paper approach plates behind, Pouille noted. Air Journey supplied each pilot with the new SolidFX e-reader, the only device capable of displaying Jeppesen approach plates for anywhere in the world. Data on the SolidFX is updated every 14 days from any WiFi connection.
“Today the group is exploring Loch Ness with high hopes of seeing Nessie,” Pouille says with a smile. “Tomorrow they’ll receive a brand new briefing on the iPads and prepare to move south toward the Azores.”
Air Journey offers escorted trips to the Caribbean, Central and South America, Europe, Alaska and many other destinations. The company arranges all the required paperwork, the hotels, ground transportation, weather information and variety of activities in each destination.
“The pace of our trips is always leisurely,” Pouille added. “We want everyone to have time to see the sights, sample the local cuisine, meet the people and still have plenty of free time. This is a once-in-a-lifetime experience and we want to make sure everyone comes home with lots of wonderful memories!”
You can follow Air Journey’s Round the World trip at AirJourney.com/blog or get more information by calling 561-841-1551.
Alsek Air Service, Inc.
PO Box 489
Yakutat, AK 99689
(907) 784-3231
Fax (907) 784-3256
[email protected]
http://www.alsekair.com
As Dave Sclair points out in his article, Flying in Alaska, in the May 25, 2010 issue of GA News, it would be wonderful if the airports in Alaska could be effectively run by real aviation people. Instead, we have people who are in well-paid administrative positions, getting on the job training to do a job they know nothing about. Dogs can be toilet trained to use a newspaper instead of the carpet but that does not mean they know why they do it. The same can be said for those who are in charge of running the airports in Alaska. Unless someone has background in aviation, they do not understand the intricate workings of an airport and they are just using a newspaper rather than the carpet. Some of them see it from a money point of view that doesn’t necessarily mean the decisions are in the best interest of the aviation community or for that matter the community as a whole.
The Alaska airports don’t need more government; they need people who know what they’re doing. They need people who will make decisions based on the best interest of established operators and not fairytales as told by conmen and dreamers. Aviation is a serious commodity in Alaska and the State of Alaska Airport Leasing needs experienced leadership to support aviation, as aviation supports the communities and the state.
The year-round basic operator is being pushed aside for non-aviation businesses. Aviation businesses are being put under more regulations that non-aviation businesses do not need to adhere to. We have heavy security (TSA) rules we must maintain within our property, our pilots must undergo background checks and pre-hire as well as random drug/alcohol screening and storm water run-off programs. However, the non-aviation leaseholder is allowed to maintain a building that is not secure with openings all around the outside and non-secure entrances on the front of the building allowing for unaccompanied access to the ramp area.. The air taxi operator’s business can only be conducted at the airport. In many communities in Alaska there is no property available to operate a private airport. Non-aviation business can be setup any place — so why does aviation leasing feel compelled to dole out valuable aviation property to people who have nothing to do with aviation or the services required by aviation based businesses or transient pilots?
While the rest of the country is on technology overload Alaska is still the great frontier. Many people move to Alaska to get away from the hustle and bustle of too many people and too much technology but they still require the services of experienced Alaska pilots who deliver their mail, groceries, fuel and supplies.
We do not need more government to run rural Alaska airports. We need people with real common sense, good judgment and real world aviation experience.