Tag Archives: Robinson

844 Airline Retailing

Airline retailing with ATPCO CEO Alex Zoghlin, IATA’s New Distribution Capability, Offers & Orders, and the Elevate industry conference. In the news, AI transformation of the airline industry, cyber criminals stealing United FA login credentials, shark skin riblets on Delta 767s, first flight of a prototype hydrogen-powered helicopter, China’s tailless 6th generation fighter jet, and a fatal helicopter crash in the Hudson River.

Guest

Alex Zoghlin is the CEO of ATPCO, a neutral industry partner that provides airline management tools, pricing data, and solutions that support airline retailing. Owned by the airlines, ATPCO blends data and systems with technology to create value for hundreds of commercial airlines around the world. The company turned 60 this year.

IATA describes Airline retailing as a customer-centric approach in the airline industry that focuses on enhancing the shopping experience across various channels. It is enabled by the New Distribution Capability (NDC), which allows airlines to offer more personalized services and products directly to consumers. This modern retailing model emphasizes frictionless, intuitive, and personalized shopping experiences for travelers. The transition to this model provides airlines with opportunities to innovate their distribution strategies and create additional value.

Alex explains how ATPCO provides value to airlines. We talk about continuous pricing and dynamically generated fares as well as some of the factors airlines use in their pricing strategies. He describes how airlines can have fixed price points for different offerings, then turn specific offerings on or off depending on the circumstances. We look at curated ticket pricing that can create the specific travel experience the customer wants – extra baggage, type of seat, lounge access, etc. With this capability, airlines could potentially compete for the flyer’s travel business.

ATPCO’s Elevate 2025 airline industry conference was held April 7-10, 2025, in Chicago. Alex says the conference theme this year was data and AI: How airlines can use the wealth of available data and some AI tools to make win-win offerings for both the airlines and the consumers.

In our conversation with Alex, we consider several other airline industry topics such as the 2050 industry carbon reduction goals and the current tariff situation in the United States.

Alex is a long-time airline/travel industry veteran. He co-founded Orbitz, sold a distribution startup to Travelport, and worked as a VP at Hyatt for 6 years. Alex has several aviation-related pursuits: He’s a pilot and a flight simmer, he has a Part 107 drone license, and he participates in launching large amateur rockets, specifically the LDRS (Large, Dangerous Rocket Ships), an annual gathering of rocket enthusiasts organized by the Tripoli Rocketry Association.

Aviation News

How AI is Transforming the Airline Industry

The Promise of Travel in the age of AI, a 32-page Skift & McKinsey report (2023), claims that AI could generate an estimated US$45bn in potential value for the airline industry globally through operational efficiencies, revenue optimization, and customer service improvements.

AI is already impacting the airlines through organizational changes, predictive maintenance from aircraft health monitoring, AI-powered virtual assistants and chatbots, personalized in-flight entertainment options, and voice-cloning technology to provide a multilingual IFE system. In the future, look for flight path optimization for increased fuel efficiency, refined dynamic pricing models, and even autonomous aircraft.

Cyber Criminals Are Going After The Paychecks Of United Airlines Flight Attendants Using Fake Websites That Look Legit

Criminals are using website spoofing to steal the login credentials of United FAs. In addition to paychecks, Flexible Spending Accounts and Health Savings Accounts (HSA) are at risk. Airline passengers who quickly search for an airline’s phone number can also become victims of scams.

Delta Air Lines Innovates Fuel Efficiency with Shark Skin Riblets on 767s

In partnership with Australian company MicroTau, Delta is testing “shark skin” riblets that reduce drag on the Boeing 767. The claim is up to a 4% improvement in fuel efficiency. The skin is applied to the fuselage, wing, and tails. MicroTau’s Riblet Package was also tested on Boom Supersonic’s XB-1 technology demonstrator.

The engineering behind the first hydrogen-powered helicopter flight

A Robinson R44 that has been modified as a hydrogen-powered helicopter prototype achieved a successful first flight. Robinson and Unither Bioélectronique (through the United Therapeutics subsidiary) are collaborating on the project that incorporates two low-temperature proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells, a lithium-ion booster battery pack, and a MagniX electric motor. The cylindrical hydrogen fuel tank is mounted under the tail boom and the cooling system utilizes two nacelles on either side of the helicopter.

See: What are proton exchange membrane fuel cells and how do they work?

Diagram of the operation of a hydrogen fuel cell. — Courtesy Biolin Scientific.

New video of China’s tailless, triple-engine fighter jet has military aviation community buzzing

New video of the J-36 flying over a highway have appeared on Chinese social media sites. The highway is located near the Chengdu Aircraft Industry Group runway where the jet is believed to have been made.

See: New Video Of China’s J-36 Next Generation Stealth Fighter Emerges and 6-second video of the J-36 on X.

Fewer than 1 in 3 airlines have advanced offer and order strategies

IATA explains in Distribution with Offers & Orders (New Distribution Capability – NDC) that NDC is a data exchange format based on Offer and Order management processes for airlines. This allows airlines to create and distribute relevant offers to the customer, regardless of the distribution channel. NDC (New Distribution Capability) was launched by IATA and is a travel industry-supported program. It’s open to any third party, intermediary, IT provider or non-IATA member, to implement and use.

See:

Helicopter crashes in Hudson River in New York City, all 6 on board killed

The chartered helicopter was flying a couple and their three children on a sightseeing tour. Video shows the Bell 206 falling into the river without a tail rotor or a main rotor blade.

See: Deadly Hudson River helicopter crash renews calls to restrict non-emergency flights. Local New York City elected officials are calling for a ban on non-emergency helicopter traffic over the City. Mayor Eric Adams countered that there is no need for an outright ban.

Hosts this Episode

Max Flight, our Main(e) Man Micah, Max Trescott, Rob Mark, and David Vanderhoof.

824 Robinson Hydrogen-Powered Helicopter

A Robinson hydrogen helicopter, Boeing machinists’ new contract, furloughed Boeing staff and impending layoffs, Jeppesen possibly for sale, incendiary devices at DHL, Boom Supersonic XB-1 test flight, shots fired at Spirit, and air tanker minimum drop height.

Aviation News

Unither Bioelectronics Signs Agreement with Robinson Helicopter Company

Unither Bioelectronics Inc. (UB) and Robinson Helicopter Company have entered into a strategic collaboration agreement to accelerate UB’s development and certification of hydrogen-powered helicopters based on Robinson R44 and R66 models. UB is a subsidiary of United Therapeutics Corporation and CEO Martine Rothblatt said “…we look forward to using protons from green hydrogen to drive the membrane-based fuel cell powerplants in our Robinson R66 organ delivery electric helicopters.”

Robinson Helicopter R66 flying. — Robinson R66 (Courtesy Robinson Helicopter Company)

United Therapeutics adds hydrogen to its electric helicopter plans

United Therapeutics is a biotechnology company that says it has been working on a hydrogen-powered R44 prototype for about a year and a half, and its first hover is “hopefully imminent.” In 2016, United Therapeutics began developing a battery-electric-powered Robinson R44 through a partnership with Tier 1 Engineering. A Guinness World Record was set in 2018 for the farthest distance traveled by an electric helicopter—30 nautical miles. UT also has partnerships with eVTOL developers EHang and Beta Technologies.

Boeing strike ends as workers accept new contract

The Machinists Union members accepted the contract with Boeing. Workers will get pay rises over four years. The union had demanded a 40% wage increase and restoration of a defined-benefit pension. The 38% wage increase plus a $12,000 bonus amounted to a 40% increase. The new contract does not restore the pension but promises that the next Boeing airplane will be built in the Seattle area. According to some analysts, the strike cost Boeing around $100 million a day in lost revenue.

Boeing to repay furloughed staff, proceed with job cuts

During the strike, Boeing furloughed some salaried employees, but CEO Kelly Ortberg said they would be repaid for lost wages. At the same time, Ortberg said a 10% cutback of the global workforce would proceed.

A Society of Professional Engineering Employees in Aerospace (SPEEA) spokesperson said it was informed that 60-day notices of job losses would be issued to its members on Nov. 15, 2024. SPEEA has reached a tentative agreement with Spirit AeroSystems on a new four-year contract that offers at least a 19% pay increase over four years. It includes provisions for greater increases if needed to keep up with labor market conditions, and a guaranteed minimum 5% bonus in the spring of 2025.

Report Says Boeing Eyeing Sale Of Jeppesen

As Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg looks to sell off non-core assets, Bloomberg quotes unnamed sources as saying Jeppesen is a candidate. Jeppesen is the world’s largest provider of aviation charts and air navigation materials. Boeing may be looking to get $6 billion for the company. Boeing paid bought Jeppesen in 2000 for $1.5 billion. Boeing also owns ForeFlight but the Bloomberg report does not mention that company,

Russia Suspected of Plotting to Send Incendiary Devices on U.S. Bound Planes

Electric massagers that held a magnesium-based flammable substance were shipped via DHL from Lithuania and ignited at DHL logistics hubs in Germany and England. Security officials say this was part of a covert Russian operation seeking to start fires on aircraft flying to the U.S. and Canada.

Boom Supersonic’s XB-1 jet sets new speed record during 7th test flight

Boom Supersonic plans ten subsonic test flights of their XB-1 supersonic demonstrator aircraft before supersonic speed testing begins. Boom has now completed the seventh of those ten subsonic test flights reaching an altitude of 23,015 feet (7,015 meters) and a new top speed of 629 mph (1,012 kph), or Mach 0.82. Boom Supersonic officials said the flight “focused on flutter envelope expansion and cockpit pressure testing in order to ensure safe performance and handling qualities as XB-1 approaches supersonic speeds and higher altitudes.”

Video: Boom Supersonic XB-1 Hits New Speed Record in Latest Test Flight

Flight Attendant Injured After Spirit Airlines Flight Hit By Gunfire as it Tries to Land in Haiti

Spirit Airlines flight NK-951, an Airbus A320, departed Fort Lauderdale on November 11 for a two-hour flight to the Caribbean island of Hispaniola. However, on final approach to Port-au-Prince, Haiti, it came under gunfire, injuring a flight attendant. Airlines were forced to divert and cancel flights to Port-au-Prince. The Spirit flight diverted to Santiago in the Dominican Republic. Spirit has suspended all flights to Port-au-Prince as it evaluates the situation. American Airlines and JetBlue suspended flights to Haiti.

Mentioned

Air safety watchdog releases final report into WA water bomber crash

Safe Drop Height for Fixed-Wing Airtankers

Hosts this Episode

Max Flight, our Main(e) Man Micah, Max Trescott, Rob Mark, and David Vanderhoof.

572 Pickle Fork Cracks

We discuss the erosion of manual piloting skills, pickle fork cracks in the B737NG, the EC review of Boeing’s interest in Embraer, a helicopter crash “close to home,” an “MCAS-like” system on the KC-46 tanker, tracking stealth fighters with passive radar, Delta’s proposed stake in LATAM, and Delta’s rules change for emotional support animals.

Aviation News

EAA Creating Hands-On Build-And-Fly R/C Model Building, Flying Program

EAA and the Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA) have unveiled a new “Young Eagles Build and Fly” program. This is designed to engage youth in hands-on building and flying of radio-control aircraft.

Unexpected cracking found on critical Boeing 737 Next Generation part

Some Boeing 737NGs are exhibiting pickle fork cracks. These are structures that connect the wing to the fuselage and transmit the load to the fuselage as the wings flex. The pickle forks are reportedly meant to last a lifetime so the cracking is of some concern.

You Can Fly Challenge tops its goal

More than $2.8 million was contributed by more than 5,000 individual donors to the 2019 AOPA You Can Fly Challenge. The 2019 challenge exceeded expectations and the Ray Foundation voted to increase its matching grant to $2.5 million. In total, more than $5.3 million in new funding was provided for You Can Fly.

FAA urges ICAO to address erosion of ‘manual’ piloting skills

Flightglobal reports that the FAA has concerns about pilots who cannot handle the aircraft when the automation fails. Some pilots have inadequate manual flying skills. The FAA believes ICAO standards and guidance need to evolve as automation continues to expand. Daily bulletins are available from ICAO’s 40th Assembly in Montreal September 24 through October 4, 2019.

Boeing, Embraer Deal Faces EU Scrutiny

The European Commission wants to look at Boeing’s plan to take a controlling interest of Embraer’s commercial business, despite previously approving Airbus’ purchase of the Bombardier CSeries.

Bowdoinham man severely injured in helicopter crash at Sanford airport

A Robinson R44 helicopter crashed at the Sanford, Maine airport. Pilot Jack White, 50, was transported to the hospital with “severe injuries.”

Boeing omitted safeguards on 737 MAX that were used on military jet

A system similar to MCAS is used on the KC-46 tankers, but for a different reason: to compensate for load changes. The tanker version, however, uses two AOA indicators instead of one on the 737 MAX.

USAF Reviewing Training After MAX 8 Crashes; KC-46 Uses Similar MCAS

The Air Force is watching to see if there are any implications for the KC-46.

Stealthy no more? A German radar vendor says it tracked the F-35 jet in 2018 — from a pony farm

German radar-maker Hensoldt claims to have tracked two F-35s for 150 kilometers following the 2018 Berlin Air Show in Germany in 2018. The TwInvis system passive radar system uses existing electromagnetic energy from radio and TV broadcast transmitters and evaluates their echoes when reflected by an object.

Delta is buying 20% of LATAM, Latin America’s largest airline

LATAM Airlines, formerly LAN Airlines S.A. and Lan Chile, is a OneWorld Alliance member. Delta Air Lines is planning to take a 20% stake in the airline for $1.9 billion says they’ll spend $350 million to expand the partnership. LATAM will be exiting the OneWorld alliance. No word if they will join SkyTeam led by Delta.

Delta lifts ban on emotional support animals on long flights, but pit bulls are still barred

Delta lifted its ban on emotional support animals on flights longer than eight hours. This puts them back in compliance with the Department of Transportation. However, Delta continues to ban pit bulls, even though breed bans are not allowed.

Mentioned

Collings Foundation Wings of Freedom Tour

454 Bits & Pieces XVIII

We have a collection of aviation topics this episode: A flight in a Robinson R-44, a look at residential airparks, the General Atomics MQ-1C Gray Eagle UAS, imaging instruments for aviation maintenance, US Air Force F-35A avionics and a walk around the aircraft, the Commemorative Air Force, honoring the Women Airforce Service Pilots, and using a portable ADS-B receiver.

Bits & Pieces

As long-time listeners know, when our recording day falls on a major U.S. holiday, we forgo our usual format and instead bring you a collection of pre-recorded segments from the co-hosts, and from our listeners and contributors. That’s the case this episode.

Segments

The segments that make up this episode [with start times]:

Our Main(e) man Micah talks with helicopter pilot and Airplane Geeks listener Ernie Eaton at the Hampton Airfield Cafe after their flight in Ernie’s Robinson R44. [2:27]

Ernie Eaton’s Robinson R-44.

Ernie Eaton and our Main(e) Man Micah.

Bill Armstrong, developer and partner at Big South Fork Airpark, explains what it is like to live in a residential airpark community, and what to consider when you are looking for that lifestyle. [13:14]

Residential airpark living. Photo courtesy Big South Fork Airpark.

Airplane Geeks reporter-at-large Launchpad Marzari speaks with Captain Richards, Company Commander, F company 227 Aviation Battalion, and Sergeant Elbert about the General Atomics MQ-1C Gray Eagle UAS. [24:27]

General Atomics MQ-1C Gray Eagle UAS. Photo courtesy General Atomics.

Max recorded a call with Liam Hanna, a product specialist with Olympus Europe in Germany. Olympus Europe provides test, measurement, and imaging instruments for the aviation industry. Liam explains the different types of borescopes, how they are used and inspector training requirements, technology advancements that have been made, and dealing with a shortage of inspectors using live inspections and remote experts. Be sure to see the Olympus Application Photo Gallery for a great selection of videoscope and borescope images and videos. Max’s favorite is the High Pressure Turbine Movie, where the laser-drilled cooling holes are clearly visible. [38:12]

Jet engine turbine blade inspection. Photo courtesy Olympus Industrial Measurements.

At the Chino Air Show, Brian talked with listener Matt Haines about the 60th Anniversary of the Planes of Fame Airshow [1:04:23]; with Staff Sgt Alexandra Dougherty, an avionics specialist for the US Air Force F-35A [1:06:30]; and with Colonel Eddie Bentley of the Commemorative Air Force in front of the beautifully restored C-53. The Commemorative Air Force operates the world’s largest collection of Flying WWII Airplanes. [1:11:47]

Launchpad Marzari spoke with Allison Hoyt about the Commemorative Air Force’s Rise Above: WASP program. The CAF Rise Above program provides young people with real-world examples of how courage, self-confidence, and perseverance can allow them to triumph over the adversity they face in their own lives. The WASP program looks to encourage young women to become involved in aviation. [1:15:15]

Using a portable ADS-B receiver, often connected to an iPad, is a low-cost way for pilots to display nearby traffic. However, the displays can be misleading, as they often don’t show the most important traffic, which is the traffic closest to the plane with the portable ADS-B receiver. Max Trescott talked about the limitations of these devices in a recent episode of his Aviation News Talk podcast, and we have that segment for you here. [1:19:42]

Our Main(e) man introduces an interview with F-35 pilot Captain Roar conducted by Brian, Carlos, and Micah at Wings Over Pittsburgh 2017. In the interview, they discuss the transition from the F-15E Strike Eagle and low military flying in the UK. Capt. Roar mentions the Mach Loop we talked about a few episodes ago and describes the 3 different F-35 versions. We also hear about high G flight. Following that, Capt. Roar takes Brian, Carlos, and Micah on a walk around the F-35. [1:30:31]

The F-35A at the 2017 Wings Over Pittsburgh Airshow. Photo by Carlos Stebbings, Plane Talking UK Podcast.

Video

Wings Over Pittsburgh 2017

Carlos and Matt from the Plane Talking UK Podcast pulled together a video presenting many of the faces at the Wings Over Pittsburgh air show. Have a look and see how many (sunburned) people you recognize from Airplane Geeks, the Airline Pilot Guy Show, the Plane Talking UK Podcast, as well as friends of the podcasts.

Credit

Intro music courtesy Brother Love from his Album Of The Year CD. Outtro by Bruno Misonne from The Sound of Flaps.

AirplaneGeeks 401 Aviation Accidents as Emergent Properties of Complex Systems

We explore aviation accidents as emergent properties of complex systems, and discuss: the Southwest Airlines Pilots’ Association complaints about pilot wages, a survey on frequent flier rewards programs, an NPRM that would change FAR Part 61, third class medical reform in yet more legislation, and a two seat Robinson R44. David has an onfire history segment and Rob talks TSA.

Guest

Captain Shem Malmquist has a broad aviation experience ranging from teaching aerobatics and instructing in a wide variety of both general aviation and transport aircraft, to academic research and safety investigation.

Captain Shem Malmquist, FRAeS

We talk with Shem about improvements that have made air travel safer, and the gaps we now face for identifying problems that might arise in the future. Shem explains how aviation accidents currently present themselves as interactions of complex components. Resilience engineering is an example of a different approach to how we look at complex accidents. We discuss flight simulators, mitigating lithium battery risk, and autonomous vehicles, including both manned and unmanned aircraft.

Shem worked as an instructor and evaluator on several transport aircraft and has served as flight crew on the Embraer EMB-110, Shorts 360, B-727, DC-8, B-747 and MD-11. He continues to work a full flight schedule, mostly international long haul flights.

Shem has been part of the Air Line Pilot Association’s (ALPA) National Charting and Instrument Procedures Committee (CHIPS), and he was selected by his airline to be the chairman of both the airline’s Safety Committee and the Aircraft Design and Operations Committee.

As Flight Duty Officer, he led several initiatives, including a volcanic ash avoidance plan, air security procedures, and a number of regulatory compliance issues. Shem completed NTSB’s accident investigation training and acted as Party Coordinator for an MD-11 accident in Newark, New jersey, and he was on the “go-team” for an MD-11 accident in Narita Japan.

Last year, Shem was a keynote speaker at FAA’s InfoShare and has presented at several International Society of Air Safety Investigators (ISASI) events. He has also authored numerous articles on various issues involving flight safety and operations covering a broad range of topics from technical to human factors.

Shem earned a Masters (MSc) degree in Human Factors in Aeronautics through the Florida Institute of Technology, and a Bachelors of Science (BSc) from Embry-Riddle University. He is an elected Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society, a full member of the International Society of Air Safety Investigators (ISASI), and a member of AIAA, IEEE, and SAE where he also serves on three committees: Flight Deck Handling Quality Standards for Transport Aircraft, Aerospace Behavior Engineering Technology, and Lithium Battery Packaging Performance.

Related Resources:

David Woods, Professor, Integrated Systems Engineering, The Ohio State University. Complexity in Human, Natural and Engineered Systems.

Sidney Dekker, professor at Griffith University in Brisbane, Australia, author on human factors and safety: Field Guide to Understanding Human Error.

Air Transport Safety Articles A collection of articles written by Shem Malmquist FRAeS.

Airline Safety and Accident Investigation Community on Facebook.

Driverless Cars and the Myths of Autonomy by David A. Mindell, MIT Professor of engineering and the history of technology, author of Our Robots, Ourselves: Robotics and the Myths of Autonomy.

News

Southwest Pilots Sue City of Chicago Over Billboard Advertising

SWAPA billboard

The Southwest Airlines Pilots’ Association (SWAPA) wanted to make a point about pilot wages on a billboard at Chicago Midway International Airport. City Hall told them they could not post their message, so the union filed suit against the city of Chicago, claiming an unconstitutional restriction on their First Amendment rights and asking for a temporary restraining order to allow the pilots to display the ad. As a result, a Judge orders Chicago to allow Southwest pilots billboard at Midway.

The Best and Worst Frequent-Flier Rewards Programs for 2016

Switchfly-Reward-Infographic-2016 The Switchfly Reward Seat Availability Survey conducted by consulting firm IdeaWorks found that for the third year in a row, free seats open for booking increased. “Overall, I think the consumer is being better served than the year before,” says Jay Sorensen, president of IdeaWorks.

Switchfly CEO Daniel Farrar said, “This survey reflects the fact that airlines can’t afford to take their customers for granted. 21st century consumers are savvy and plugged-in. They know when their loyalty programs are offering them a real value and when they are not delivering; and they don’t have time for loyalty programs that aren’t delivering, especially in such a competitive space. Increasingly, consumers expect a personalized booking, travel and reward experience. Every time a customer interacts with the brand – online, offline or mobile – the user experience must be on-point. Airlines must make this happen and ensure that zero customers have a bad experience anywhere along the booking or redemption path.”

See Southwest and airberlin Top Reward Rankings but Turkish Airlines and Air China Rise High [Ideaworks press release, PDF]

Proposed Part 61 changes would benefit GA

The FAA has published a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) that would change FAR Part 61 which governs the certification of pilots, flight instructors, and ground instructors. AOPA is supportive of the proposed changes, which include “increased use of aviation training devices (ATDs) for maintaining instrument currency, the option to use new technically advanced aircraft instead of older complex or turbine aircraft for single-engine commercial pilot training, and giving credit for hours accumulated during sport pilot training toward earning a recreational or private pilot certificate.”

Defense Bill Includes Medical Reform Language

Third class medical reform from the Pilot’s Bill of Rights 2 keeps getting into legislation: As standalone legislation in the Senate, again as part of the Senate’s FAA reauthorization bill, and now by the Senate Armed Services Committee in the National Defense Authorization Act.

FAA Approves Two-Place R44

The FAA has certified Robinson’s two-place R44 Cadet The Cadet is essentially an R44 Raven, but with the rear seats removed for more cargo space. Maximum gross weight is reduced to 2200 pounds, engine power is derated to 210 hp takeoff and 185 hp continuous.