Senior Editor

Jerry Siebenmark

Universal Weather &amp; Aviation undertook a big task last week to facilitate the delivery of one million face masks and a half-million Covid-19 test kits from China to the U.S. through the donation of Alibaba founder Jack Ma, Universal noted on a March 19 blog <a href="https://www.universalweather.com/blog/still-flying-business-aviation-making-a-difference-during-the-covid-19-epidemic/">post</a>. Leveraging its teams in China, Hong Kong, and Houston, Universal said it was able to navigate around the flight bans and restrictions that were literally expanding by the minute, including the U.S. ban on air traffic from China.

 


The March 16 effort included Universal’s logistics and regulatory experts, the latter of whom “were relentless, burning up the phones with our contacts at U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to secure the required permissions.” It also had to determine where in the U.S. the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) could take possession of the cargo that was transported by a Boeing 777.

 


It was air cargo carrier FedEx and its facility in Memphis, Tennessee, that stepped up to receive and handle the cargo. In all, Universal said the effort took nearly 100 phone calls and 72 hours of around-the-clock work to get all the flight permissions. “With literally minutes to spare, the final permissions came in, and the flight was able to successfully land,” Universal said.

News and information on safety procedures and concerns.

Universal Leverages Bizav Network for Masks, Test Kits

Universal Weather & Aviation assists in the delivery of one million masks and half a million Covid-19 test kits to the CDC.

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Kerry Lynch

News and issues relating to business, corporate and private aviation, primarily regarding turbine-engine-powered airplanes and helicopters. Subjects include aircraft, engines, maintenance, operations, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security, and training.

Wet/contaminated runways are the most common factor in runway excursions

Standards, Training Key To Avoiding Runway Excursions

Panelists at the Bombardier Safety Standdown agreed that communication is essential to safety

In Multi-generational Workplace, Communication Is Key

Chad Trautvetter

Experts to review and discuss current and emerging safety challenges

Next ACSF Aviation Safety Symposium Set for April 2025

AmyWilder

News about bills, laws, regulations and other governmental decisions affecting aviation and aerospace. Topics include FAA re-authorizations, taxes on fuel and aviation activities, environmental legislation, ICAO decisions, governmental mediation of labor conflicts and World Trade Organization disputes and decisions.

Systems, culture, and training key to preventing aviation mishaps

Ferraro's Safety Case Study: Lessons from a Not-quite Incident

News and issues concerning general aviation, specifically airplanes and helicopters powered by piston and alternative engines (i.e., non-turbine powered aircraft). Subjects include aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

Influence shapes safety culture in aviation

Michael Graham Talks Safety Culture at Standdown

Matt Thurber

Tony Kern brings his A game to the annual safety event

Hypervigilance and the Right Influence

Wichita welcomed attendees to the 28th edition of the Safety Standdown

Bombardier Safety Standdown Promotes Safety Influencers

New developments and products in avionics, specifically about aircraft electronics in the cockpit.

News and issues relating to international air transport and cargo carriers, national airlines and regional airlines, including aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

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