Squawk 7700

📖 The Scoop

"Squawk 7700 is a timely, eye opening, must read aviation autobiography. The author, Pete Buffington, tells us of the not so glamorous side of aviation and what it takes to become an airline pilot. Growing up in the Midwest and learning to fly at a countryside Iowa airport, Buffington describes the sacrifices, focus, and emotions of being a young aviator. After several grueling years working as a flying instructor and flying airfreight, Buffington ends up flying for a regional airline after being sent to San Juan, Puerto Rico as a flight crew base. Immediately Buffington discovers the challenges of the regional airline industry and provides a descriptive, harrowing experience from inside the cockpit of an ATR42 as a First Officer. Buffington returns to the Midwest to rediscover his love of aviation as a pilot. His life story brings him full-circle to discover deeper meaning to life while exposing the aviation industry from the inside. His personal experiences provide insight to a deeper understanding of why recent accidents like Colgan Air Flight 3407 and Comair Flight 5191 can occur. Peter Buffington, author, has been a licensed commercial pilot for 15 years. He holds a Bachelors of Science degree in Aeronautical Sciences from the University of North Dakota and is currently employed as a Software Quality Analyst in the Midwest. He flies for pleasure outside of work. Peter has logged more than 2500 hours total flying time in countless aircraft makes and models. Peter began writing the first edition of Squawk 7700 in October of 2000, completion was in May of 2001. The first edition was published by Morris Publishing in July 2001. Two months after publishing the first edition, the events of 9-11-2001 unfolded forever changing the airline industry. Peter's motivation in publishing his personal story was his desire to see change in the regional airline industry. The regional airline's hiring practices, corner-cutting, and Pay-For-Training were pushing the moral and ethical envelope. Peter knew by publishing his story many aspects of the the airlines daily operations would be exposed. Nearly 10 years passed since publication of the first edition. Two recent air disasters motivated Peter to publish a second edition of Squawk 7700. The crashes of Comair Flight 5191 in Lexington, Kentucky and Colgan Air 3407 in Buffalo New York. Shortly after the US Airways Flight 1549 incident in New York, Peter and Jeff Skiles began working together to see that changes were implemented in the way regional airlines hired pilots, and to expose the daily lifestyle of a regional airline pilot. Jeff Skiles was called to testify before congress on numerous occasions in 2009. Jeff explained why change was urgently needed in the regional airline industry. On July 30th, 2010, the U.S. House and Senate Passed the FAA Safety Bill setting forth new pilot hiring minimums and training requirements. On August 1st, 2010 the POTUS signed the FAA Safety Bill HR 5900"--Publisher's description.

Genre: Transportation / General (fancy, right?)