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Our guest is the president and founder of Flying Eyes, a maker of eyewear for pilots and others, who also happens to be involved in setting up the airport each year at Burning Man, then taking it all down. In the news, we look at the impact of a U.S. Government shutdown on aviation, TSA formally ending the unloved Large Aircraft Security Program, the carrier with the most legroom, Boeing’s overtures to Embraer, the Emirates A380 order, and new support animal rules at Delta. Also, our Main(e) Man Micah looks back at Apollo 1 and how it shaped NASA.
Guest
Dean Siracusa
Dean Siracusa is the president and founder of Flying Eyes, and an SEL/IFR rated pilot with more than 2,200 hours. Dean owned and flew a rare Meyers 200, and he operates the Meyers Aircraft Owners Association website.
Dean is involved in building Black Rock City Municipal Airport (88NV) each year for the annual Burning Man event in Nevada’s Black Rock Desert. After the temporary metropolis dedicated to community, art, self-expression, and self-reliance is taken down, the airport is likewise removed and the desert returned to its natural state. Burning Man 2018 takes place August 26 – September 3.
In 2012, Dean designed, engineered, patented, and began manufacturing Flying Eyes eyewear. He realized the need for specialty sunglasses that are comfortable with helmets and aviation-style headsets. He also created Eyes That Fly, where you can locate eye doctors near you who are also pilots and thus understand the unique needs of pilots.
Flying Eyes eyewear
Dean is a bit of a serial entrepreneur and founded the Transtock, Inc. stock photo agency that specializes in transportation imagery. He also founded Siracusa Productions to create images and commercials primarily for the automotive industry, including manufacturers such as Toyota, Lexus, Volkswagen, Ford, Mercedes-Benz and many others.
Dean received a bachelor’s degree from the prestigious Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, California. While a student, Dean worked at Road & Track Magazine, later becoming the magazine’s sole staff photographer traveling the world shooting prestigious brands.
The Impact of a Government Shutdown on Aviation
We look at the impact on aviation of a U.S. Government shutdown due to the lack of a funding bill. We find the government functions that keep operating and those that shut down:
- DOT Plan for Appropriation Lapse
- Operations During a Lapse in Annual Appropriations, Plans by Operating Administration [PDF]
- Why airlines keep flying during government shutdown
- What the Government Shutdown Means for GA
Aviation News
A Decade Later, TSA Officially Drops LASP
In 2008, the TSA issued a Notice of Proposed Rule Making (NPRM) for the Large Aircraft Security Program (LASP). The proposed security program that would have required security threat assessments for aircraft weighing more than 12,500 pounds.
The Airline with the Most Legroom Is This Little-Known Carrier
The Mexican low-cost carrier Interjet provides 34 inches of seat pitch across all its planes. By contrast, the average economy seat pitch on American, Delta, and United is 30 to 31 inches.
Boeing Seeks Embraer Control, With Defense Safeguards
Exclusive: Boeing willing to preserve Brazil’s ‘golden share’ in Embraer deal
Competition Begins for Production Site of Boeing’s NMA
The Brazilian government does not want to see complete control of Embraer move out of the country, and especially wants to retain it’s “golden share,” which gives the government veto power over certain decisions. Reportedly, Boeing is looking at sourcing engineering work and possibly production in Brazil. For a history of past Boeing interest in Embraer by Dominic Gates, see Boeing’s bid to buy Embraer could see Brazilian engineers work on the 797
Airbus Has Won Its Game of A380 Chicken with Emirates
Last week we commented on a statement from COO John Leahy that if Airbus couldn’t work out a deal with Emirates, the company would have to shut down the A380 program. Well, Airbus and Emirates have done a deal for 20 firm and 16 option superjumbo jets valued at $16B at list price.
British Airways in Talks Over New A380 Order
“Informed sources” have told Bloomberg news that British Airways talking with Airbus about the purchase of new A380-800s to use for high-demand flights at London Heathrow.
Delta reins in emotional support animals with new guidelines
With everything from comfort turkeys and gliding possums known as sugar gliders, to snakes and spiders being used as emotional support animals, Delta is taking a stand with new rules that require additional documentation. Report by Mary Kirby at Runwaygirl Network.
The Fire, or Apollo 1 – The Predicted Disaster
Our Main(e) Man Micah takes a look back at “The Fire” in Apollo 1 and how it shaped NASA.
Apollo 1
Mentioned
Photo by Max Trescott.
Brian and Carlos offer a short debrief following the celebration of the 200th episode of the Plane Talking UK podcast.
Anderson Aviation Services Inc.
Sturm Friederike – Grandiose Pilotenleistung am Airport Düsseldorf bei bis zu 110 km/h Seitenwind
After leading electric car adoption, Norway now aims to lead electric flight
Credit
Intro music courtesy Brother Love from his Album Of The Year CD. Outtro by Bruno Misonne from The Sound of Flaps.
Max and Court are pleased to bring you an interview with Dr. Alfred Kahn, the father of U.S. airline deregulation. Dr. Kahn led the push for airline deregulation during the late 70’s and has been called on for airline industry advice ever since. Dr. Kahn is the only guest we’ve had on the Airplane Geeks with his own Wikipedia page.
