The idea of space tourism has been in our minds for decades, however it was not until 1984 that a person other than military or government employed traveled into space. Charles D. Walker's expedition marks the infusion of private capital and space exploration. (Blum, 2016) Later, in 1998, Space Adventures was founded becoming the first company to send citizens into space. The passengers of these adventures were wealthy as it charged anywhere from $20 million to $40 million, a 10 day trip in zero gravity at the International Space Station was included. Two of the biggest hurdles in this industry are money and safety. It is a no-brainer that money would be an issue here since most people do not just have $20 million lying around to be spent. I bring up safety as a second issue because there have been accidents resulting in death. NASA use to have Space Flight Participant program where citizens could partake in missions without scientific or government means. One of their shuttles, Challenger, disintegrated not long after takeoff killing all seven crew members. NASA cancelled all programs afterwards. As of now, the first reusable rocket ship was landed making history on November 23, 2015 as an economic game changer. (Blum, 2016)
The commercial space industry is regulated by the Commercial Space Launch Act of 1984. It authorizes the Department of Transportation along with the FAA Office of Commercial Space Transportation to oversee, authorize and regulate launches and reentries. (Regulations, n.d.)They are mainly to protect the general public and property on the ground. I do feel that these rules are appropriate for where the industry stands today but as it progresses further the regs will have to change.
Technology is increasing at such a rapid pace that I definitely think it will be accessible to the general public, school field trips and all. However, it is going to be a decently long road. Slowly but surely the price will go down and more and more people will have access but until there is a real demand for it, it is going to remain an option for few people.
The basic requirements to work in the space tourism industry are similar to those of a civilian pilot. A bachelor's degree from an accredited institution, at least 1,000 hours pilot in command time in a jet aircraft and the ability to pass a NASA space physical, like our medicals. Some of the specific items are corrected 20/20 in each eye, blood pressure of 140/90 measured in a sitting position and a height between 62 and 75 inches. (NASA, 2004)
Blum, S. (2015, November 25). The Space Tourism Timeline. Retrieved October 21, 2016, from https://www.inverse.com/article/8528-the-space-tourism-timeline
NASA. (2004, January 29). Astronaut Requirements: Commander and Pilot Astronaut Duties. NASA. Retrieved from http://www.nasa.gov/audience/forstudents/postsecondary/features/F_Astronaut_Requirements.html
Office of Commercial Space Transportation - Regulations. (n.d.). Retrieved October 21, 2016, from http://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/ast/regulations/
Friday, October 21, 2016
Saturday, October 8, 2016
Cargo Industry and the new Flight Rules/Duties
On February 12, 2009 Colgan Air flight 3407 crashed in Buffalo, New York killing 50 people. The main cause of this accident was fatigue and as a result, new and improved rules were implemented by the FAA. One of the old rules was that requirements for domestic, international and unscheduled flights were all different and now there is no difference between the types of operations, the new rules apply to all. Pilots must now sign a document confirming that they are "fit for duty" and are not allowed to fly if any sign of fatigue is reported. The flight duty period has more strict limits based around the number of flight segments along with the start of the duty day. One of the most important changes was the rest period which was at least 9 hours, minimum 8. The new rule states that the rest period is 10 hours, with the opportunity for at least 8 uninterrupted hours of sleep. (Houston, 2016) Also, the maximum flight time during the day is 9 hours and 8 for night flying.
Cargo operations are exempt from these new rules. They currently fly under old rules not requiring as much rest, permitting longer duty times and flying beyond 8 hours. I feel that the main reason for these rules not being implemented into cargo carriers is money. The FAA said it would cost the industry $550 million to implement them all around, outweighing safety benefits. However, Bill Trent, general counsel for the Independent Pilots Association, says that they overstated by at least $235 million. (Carroll, 2014) Another reason for this I feel is public perception. The public sees no need to alter the rules because there are not nearly as many people whose lives can be endangered should an accident occur.
I do think that cargo carriers should be under these new regulations. Fatigue is still an issue with those pilots as well as passenger pilots. There was an accident of a UPS Airbus A300-600 at Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport in Alabama where both pilots were killed. At the NTSB hearing, the transcript of conversation showed that both pilots complained of being fatigued. One of them even said "It should be one level of safety for everybody," (Carroll, 2014) and I couldn't agree more. I realize that money is a huge factor in this but who are we to say that just because their aircraft is full of packages and not people there lives alone are less significant.
This could impact my career in a positive way by making it much safer for me to fly, having more rest and what-not. However, it could be harmful to my career. The more money that they are spending to implement the new rules means the less money they have for employees and they may need to downsize. It could even result in some companies having to shut down.
Carroll, J. R. (2014, March 13). UPS pilots urge more rest for cargo crews. Retrieved October 08, 2016, from http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2014/03/13/ups-pilots-urge more-rest-for-cargo-crews/6402615
Houston, S. (2016, March 1). FAA final rule on pilot duty and rest requirements. Retrieved October 08, 2016, from https://www.thebalance.com/faa-final-rule-pilot-duty-and-rest requirements-282927
Cargo operations are exempt from these new rules. They currently fly under old rules not requiring as much rest, permitting longer duty times and flying beyond 8 hours. I feel that the main reason for these rules not being implemented into cargo carriers is money. The FAA said it would cost the industry $550 million to implement them all around, outweighing safety benefits. However, Bill Trent, general counsel for the Independent Pilots Association, says that they overstated by at least $235 million. (Carroll, 2014) Another reason for this I feel is public perception. The public sees no need to alter the rules because there are not nearly as many people whose lives can be endangered should an accident occur.
I do think that cargo carriers should be under these new regulations. Fatigue is still an issue with those pilots as well as passenger pilots. There was an accident of a UPS Airbus A300-600 at Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport in Alabama where both pilots were killed. At the NTSB hearing, the transcript of conversation showed that both pilots complained of being fatigued. One of them even said "It should be one level of safety for everybody," (Carroll, 2014) and I couldn't agree more. I realize that money is a huge factor in this but who are we to say that just because their aircraft is full of packages and not people there lives alone are less significant.
This could impact my career in a positive way by making it much safer for me to fly, having more rest and what-not. However, it could be harmful to my career. The more money that they are spending to implement the new rules means the less money they have for employees and they may need to downsize. It could even result in some companies having to shut down.
Carroll, J. R. (2014, March 13). UPS pilots urge more rest for cargo crews. Retrieved October 08, 2016, from http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2014/03/13/ups-pilots-urge more-rest-for-cargo-crews/6402615
Houston, S. (2016, March 1). FAA final rule on pilot duty and rest requirements. Retrieved October 08, 2016, from https://www.thebalance.com/faa-final-rule-pilot-duty-and-rest requirements-282927
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