CASCADE FLYERS

STARBUCKS NEEDS AN AIRCRAFT MECHANIC

aircraft maintenance technician sr (Search for this job #)

0000JM1

Description
Job Summary and Mission

This job contributes to Starbucks success by repairing and maintaining aircraft, engines, and avionics systems to ensure safe and dependable service.

Summary of Key Responsibilities
Responsibilities and essential job functions include but are not limited to the following:

• Dispatches and retrieves aircraft. Resolves maintenance issues from the crew when the aircraft is airborne.
• Ensures airworthiness of assigned aircraft, to include tracking of maintenance and inspection due items, airworthiness directives and service bulletin compliance.
• Follows maintenance schedules and maintains records as required by FAA, aircraft manufactures, and the Company.
• Maintains regular and consistent attendance and punctuality.
• Performs maintenance of ground support equipment and other fleet aircraft. Orders sufficient inventories of spare parts and equipment. Determines whether parts should be repaired or replaced.
• Performs pre- and post-flight inspections and line maintenance. Troubleshoots and repairs aircraft based on discrepancies identified during crew debriefings.
• Supervises maintenance crews when the aircraft is outsourced for major inspections and repair.

AIRLINE PILOTS, FA'S & MECHANICS LIVING IN LAX PARKING LOT

Photo by Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times

A friend called the other day who is an airline pilot and who is actually living in the LAX parking lot and who is mentioned is the LA Times article. There have been a few stories about these pilots, FA's and mechanics living there. I really feel sorry for them, that the system can not accommodate those not wishing to live in L.A. The LA times article is here, and the LA Times slide show is here.

The BBC picked up the article as well, as did NPR. 

Recent NGPA Event in Provincetown was Tremendous Success

September 18th - 20th was a fantastic weekend for NGPA's annual Cape Cod Classic.  A record-setting 175 members and guests were in attendance, including 25 first-timers.  Fifteen members brought planes (and one helicopter).  A Commander, flown in by members from Baltimore, garnered Queen of the Fleet.

Friday evening local members Crane and Ron hosted the welcome reception at their house on the coast.  Saturday morning was the membership meeting with a guest speaker from the FAA who discussed "NextGen."  Saturday afternoon was "airport day" with a BBQ in the hangar, and the fleet of members' airplanes on display for all to climb in and around.  

At the Saturday night banquet, Ryan Slattery screened his 25 minute film “At Ease”.  Its production was funded by several NGPA members.  It is the story of a young Naval aviator (Kevin) who is killed in action just days before being discharged for being Gay.  His lonely, angry father (Bill) and his partner (Tyler) cross paths.  Tyler, also a Navy officer, comes to tell the bigoted Bill the truth about his son, as he too finally begins to be honest with himself.  They both struggle with reconciling their individual pasts with Kevin’s enduring legacy, and fight to achieve a most basic need: freedom.”  Watch for it at your local Queer Film Festivals. 

TEEN BURGLAR STEALS AIRPLANES

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We had a beautiful flight up to Orcas Island yesterday and had lunch at Vern's Bayside. (My Swedish and Danish friends had the Dungenese Crab Melt, I had the Crab Louis, both excellent). The waitress talked for hours about the string of burglaries happening on Orcas Island around Eastsound. The culprit she said stole $10,000 from them last year and tried to get more recently. She thinks it is the same person.

Allegedly, the culprit is a delinquent teenager who is very interested in flying. Two airplanes have been stolen and found later after hard landings. The teen is on the loose...hiding out in the woods and escaping capture.

When we landed at Eastsound the News 4 helicopter was there and the island residents where all wound up by the events. 

This is a real mystery full of intrigue.. you can read the Seattle Times story here. 

FLYING IN AFRICA BUILDING PILOT TIME

There are several members of Cascade Flyers who have recently attained their initial ratings and are desperately seeking to build pilot time.

Flying in Africa for one of the humanitarian organizations is a great option to explore. Here is a list of some of the ones that were recently received from a pilot who built time in Africa some time ago to begin his career.

www.airserv.org - nonsectarian humanitarian relief operations, primarily in Africa
www.maf.org - the largest Christian aviation missions organization
www.aimint.org/usa/ - another Christian mission aviation outfit
www.samaritanspurse.org/ - operates a couple of turbine DC-3's out of Kenya into Sudan
www.flyingmission.org - yet another Christian mission outfit in Africa, operates in Botswana and Zambia

Several of the operators are Christian organizations so for anyone seeking a flying job with one of these you will likely need to do some research to see if it can be a match and work out for you.

 

Nonetheless, this list can be the start of your own research into creating an incredible experience building pilot time and living through some amazing adventures.

 

It is traditional for American pilots to seek flying jobs in their own country but sometimes opportunities can either be very limiting or just not really very fulfilling in your home country.

Some of the more popular organizations have higher pilot time requirements. But do some digging, there must be other organizations that would very much enjoy a motivated young American pilot willing to serve! And the those who work in the popular NGO's may have references to pass along.

There are even some non-flying jobs available that still involve aviation like this posting from the International Red Cross for an air operations manager position.

 

Please email the Cascade Flyers email list serve if you have further insights to Flying in Africa and Building Time! 

FLYING OVER IRAQ

In August our flight was routed over the entire country of Iraq on a trip from India to London. It was hazy but possible to see the Tigris and Euphrates rivers below. Interestingly, the ATC controllers had decent English but with a noticeable accent. At one point however, another aircraft was trying to inform the controller that they indeed had permission to fly into Jordan. At that point an obviously American voice came on frequency and said, "Yea, we know, you are cleared." Hum, I wonder who that was?

RADIO CONTROLLED SR-71 FROM YOU-TUBE

This YouTube video was sent in by a pilot friend and is for all you RC fans!

"Canada Line" Open to YVR International Airport

On August 17th, Vancouver's new rapid transit line opened ahead of schedule and under budget.  Departing every six minutes, it whisks passengers from the YVR International Airport to downtown Vancouver in only 26 minutes.  It is comprised of 16 stations and 19.2 kilometres of track linking Richmond, BC to downtown Vancouver along its main line.  There is a 4 kilometre spur from the Bridgeport Station to the YVR airport.  This spur terminates inside of the YVR international terminal, just adjacent to the domestic terminal.  100,000 passengers are expected to use the Canada Line per day in 2010, and already traffic has hit 70,000 per day.

On your next trip to YVR, you can take a free shuttle from the South Terminal to the Passenger (North) Terminal, and zip into the city on the Canada Line.  Most FBOs can take you to the shuttle stop.  If you are coming in via the airlines, the Canada Line is extra convenient!

Also new at YVR is the Public Observation Area in the domestic terminal, just steps away from the Canada Line terminus.  It offers unobstructed airfield views and interactive exhibits to its visitors.  This free, 500-square-metre space allows aviation enthusiasts to experience the workings of an international airport and the beauty of Sea Island, upon which YVR is located.  Floor to ceiling windows, information panels, and telescopes all benefit the plane spotter.  There you will also find the "BC Explorer," a user-controlled simulated flight experience which allows you to fly yourself over British Columbia skimming its beautiful mountains, lakes, and coast lines.

YVR's Canada Line and its Public Observation Area are two new reasons to make YVR your next destination for that $500 hamburger!

 

EVERGREEN 747 TANKER FIGHTS L.A.FIRES

Here is a non-credited photo apparently of Evergreen's 747 tanker dropping water onto the L.A. fires. The image came from www.ohlalamag.com.

As you can see from this chart from Evergreen's website...it makes sense to bring in the big gun when fighting a fire that has been such a challenge to put out. At 20,500 gallons that is quite a drop.

BECOME A BUSH PILOT IN A CUB

You can become a bush pilot in three days by taking this course in Washington. Thanks Ron S. for sending this in.