799 Doomsday Planes
Korean Air 747s will become the new doomsday planes, the new ATC rest rules have been delayed by the FAA, Breeze flight attendants voted to join the union, a United jumpseat pilot has upset some Southwest pilots, the GA flyover in DC was a success, Boeing employees were found to have falsified 787 Dreamliner inspection records, Airbus hasn\u2019t leveraged an advantage in light of Boeing\u2019s woes, and airlines sue the DOT over a new rule requiring the disclosure of fees.\n\n\n\nAviation News\n\n\n\nFormer Korean Air 747s Slated To Become USAF Doomsday Planes\n\n\n\nKorean Air has confirmed the sale of five of its 747-8s to Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC), which is building the new Survivable Airborne Operations Center (SAOC) aircraft, also referred to as \u201cdoomsday planes.\u201d The USAF states:\xa0\n\n\n\nThe E-4B "Nightwatch" serves as the National Airborne Operations Center and is a component of the National Military Command System for the President, the Secretary of Defense, and the Joint Chiefs of Staff.\xa0\n\n\n\nIn case of national emergency or destruction of ground command and control centers, the aircraft provides a highly survivable command, control, and communications center to direct U.S. forces, execute emergency war orders, and coordinate actions by civil authorities.\n\n\n\nSNC acquired five Boeing 747-8s from Korean Air. The current E-4B aircraft are based on the 747-200. SNC specializes in aircraft modification and integration as well as space technologies.\n\n\n\nFAA Delaying the Start of ATC Rest Rules\n\n\n\nThe new FAA ATC rest requirements require controllers to have at least 10 hours off between shifts and 12 hours off before a midnight shift. The rule was to have taken effect by mid-July. However, the FAA has delayed those requirements while it talks to the National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) union. FAA Air Traffic Organization Chief Operating Officer Timothy Arel hopes to reach a joint rest period agreement for the 2025 schedule "or sooner where feasible."\n\n\n\nFlight attendants at this Utah airline just voted \u2018overwhelmingly\u2019 to unionize\n\n\n\nMore than 76% of the roughly 600 Breeze Airways flight attendants voted to join the Association of Flight Attendants. AFA international president Sara Nelson said \u201cWe are inspired by their solidarity and thrilled to welcome them to our AFA family. Our labor movement is growing. Everywhere.\u201d See: Breeze Flight Attendants Vote Overwhelmingly to Join the Flight Attendant Union.\n\n\n\n\u201cBreeze Flight Attendants organized for a union and a contract due to ongoing issues with constantly-changing work rules, substandard pay for time on the job, inadequate hotel accommodations, insufficient work hours, and inconsistent and disrespectful treatment from management.\u201d\n\n\n\nAmerican Airlines is Issuing \u2018Poverty Verification Letters\u2019 For New-Hire Flight Attendants Because Their Wages Are So Low\n\n\n\nNearly One in Ten Alaska Airlines Flight Attendants Have Experienced Homelessness in the Past Year and Over a Third Have Been Forced to Use a Food Bank\n\n\n\nPoverty verification letters are being sent to some new-hire flight attendants based in expensive areas.\n\n\n\nAirline Feud Escalates: United Pilots Barred From Southwest Airlines Jump Seats After Controversial Incident\n\n\n\nThis stems from an incident where a \u201crelatively new\u201d United pilot reported some \u201cinadequacies\u201d to the FAA after jumpseating on a Southwest flight.\n\n\n\nAOPA\u2019s General Aviation Flyover in DC\n\n\n\nVideo: LIVE DC Flyover - AOPA's National Celebration of General Aviation\n\n\n\n\nhttps://www.youtube.com/live/vpSaYYcljIk?si=7eb13EFMVeUZUx4o\n\n\n\n\nFAA is investigating Boeing for apparent missed inspections on 787 Dreamliner\n\n\n\nBoeing voluntarily disclosed to the FAA that some B787 Dreamliner inspections may not have been performed, but were signed off as completed. The inspections are intended to verify adequate bonding and grounding at the wing-fuselage joint.\n\n\n\nIn a statement to NPR, the FAA said it's also investigating "whether Boeing completed the inspections and whe...