Santa, FAA showcase ways to stay off the naughty list this holiday season
As Santa Claus gears up for his journey around the globe, he’s teaming up with the FAA by giving some tips on how you can stay away from his Naughty List and expect some presents under the tree. While Santa prepares his sleigh for the busiest night of the year, aircraft operators and air traffic controllers are working to get you and your friends and family to your destination as safely and smoothly as possible.
"Keep the skies safe for me by doing your part to follow FAA guidelines in the airport and air," said Santa. To stay off Santa's Naughty List, follow FAA guidelines on choosing child safety seats, adhering to crew instructions, booking legal air charters, registering your drone, and packing lithium batteries. But most importantly, NEVER be unruly! It is much easier to pack your patience and be considerate of others than to end up on the FAA's Naughty List, which could include jail time or a fine. I know how stressful it can be to travel during the holidays," said Santa. "However, a smile, some kindness and looking out for others can help keep you off the Naughty List."
With his extensive flight background (Santa is going for his 1,753rd straight best pilot award), he knows what keeps pilots and the travelling community safe. Behaving badly at airports and on planes, shining lasers at aircraft, vaping in planes and ignoring safety messages will not only land you on the FAA's Naughty List but could book you a one-way ticket to jail and a trip to the bank to pay a hefty fine. www.faa.gov
Decisions in favour of bizav in the European Parliament and in Switzerland
On 20 December, the National Council in Switzerland clearly rejected the levy for private jets proposed by the National Council's Environment Committee (CESPE-N) in the revised CO2 Act by 108 votes to 87 with 3 abstentions. It would have charged between CHF 500 and CHF 3000 for every take-off of a business aviation jet weighing over 5.7 tonnes in Switzerland. The week before, the European Parliament rejected a non-binding own-initiative report on the ‘Role of tax policy in times of crisis’. The vote in the Parliament’s plenary resulted in 300 against, 282 in favour, and 30 abstentions. This report had advocated for prohibitive taxes on Business aviation initiated by Danish Green MEP Kira Peter-Hansen. The rejection followed extensive advocacy efforts by EBAA and GAMA to correct several false claims about Business aviation found in the report. www.ebaa.org
Rolls-Royce launches SAF program for business aviation
Rolls-Royce this week announced that business aviation customers worldwide are now able to sign up for its new SAFinity program. The program combines independently verified sustainability projects with a direct investment in Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), aiming to further support and accelerate the availability and use of SAF. SAFinity is available for all business aircraft and engines from any manufacturer.
Rolls-Royce and Shell Aviation are working together on SAFinity to provide business aviation customers with cleaner energy solutions. The teams from Rolls-Royce and Shell are also working on integrating Avelia, a blockchain-powered book and claim platform for SAF. It uses blockchain technology to ensure secured allocation of SAF’s environmental attributes to companies and operators after the fuel has been delivered into the fuel network.
In recent tests, Rolls-Royce demonstrated that current engines for large civil and business jet applications can operate with 100% SAF as a full “drop-in” option, laying the groundwork for moving this type of fuel towards certification. At present, SAF is only certified for blends of up to 50% with conventional jet fuel. www.safinity.net
People: French air navigation head Florian Guillermet chosen as new EASA chief
Florian Guillermet has been selected as the future Executive Director of the EASA, following a decision by the Agency’s Management Board. The next step is for the selected candidate to make a presentation to the European Parliament’s Committee on Transport and Tourism (TRAN). This is currently expected to take place on January 22, 2024, and a notice of formal appointment to the role is planned for February 15. The selected candidate will replace Luc Tytgat, who is currently serving as Acting Executive Director.
Since July 2021, Florian Guillermet is the Director at DSNA, the French Air Navigation Services Provider. He has begun his career by holding several managerial positions within the Operations Directorate of the DSNA, from 1997 to 2003, serving first within Paris ACC, then within the Headquarters. Then, Florian Guillermet occupied various posts in Brussels at Eurocontrol: From 2004 he has worked at the European Central Flow Management Unit, where he contributed to a range of operational and IT projects. He later joined the SESAR Joint Undertaking as Deputy Executive Director in 2012. From 2014 to June 2021, he was appointed Executive Director of the SESAR JU to lead the organisation in its mission to make Europe’s air traffic management system fit for the digital age. Florian Guillermet is a graduated engineer from Ecole Polytechnique and has a specialised Master in Air Transport Management and Aeronautics. www.easa.europa.eu