Join the weekly international ops call!

OPS CHAT is a conversation about this week’s changes and dangers affecting International Flight Ops, open to everyone!

It’s on every Tuesday at 1300 UTC.

It’s for Pilots, Dispatchers, ATC, and anyone else involved in international ops – and here are the key things we look at every week:

• New risks and changes this week affecting airspace, ATC, airports, and international ops
• The top 5 Ops Alerts published for OpsGroup members this week
• Conversation and chat
• Unsolved mysteries – unanswered questions from the Ops Group/Flight Ops slack channels.
• New member intros and group updates
• A general Q&A – bring a good Q and we’ll match it with an A.

When is it on? Tuesday at 1300 GMT/UTC/Z. That means: 6am LA (sorry!), 9am New York, 2pm London, 3pm Amsterdam. Bring a timezone appropriate drink (If you’re in a Brooklyn a coffee, if you’re in Berlin a coffee martini?) and join us for a group chat about all things ops.

OPS CHAT - register

If you’re stuck on something in particular (a pesky overflight permit for Peru, perhaps …) – ask your question and we’ll find someone that knows. For the weeks highlights, we’ll pop up a few maps and things to help show what’s happening, but mostly this is really just a chat and pretty casual. As you might have gathered.

How long is it on for? Ah, 30 minutes maybe? Or longer if things get interesting.

How do I join? You will need:

• 1x computer device (example here)
• Electrical power
• A face (because we like seeing you)
• A watch (set an alarm for Tuesday 12.59Z)
• Aaaand a Zoom registration: here.

So in short – register and then show up. Turn on your video, and take part. Easy!

Any other questions? Email the team!

Hello members,

We had a rather busy OPSCHAT call this afternoon; here is an outline of the topics discussed.
– The full call is available to replay in your Members Dashboard: OPSCHAT 01MAR Recording.
– The full text summary of the discussion points, with useful links and FAQ, is here: OPSCHAT Call Summary 01MAR.

Topics discussed:

• Russian operator ban – We clarified some of the rules regarding who specifically is affected. EU definition, impact on operators, impact on Russian passport holders, how this is already working in practice. FAQ on sanctions also uploaded.
• Russia Reroutes – Many operators looking at new routes and unfamiliar airports. Caution especially Himalyan routes if these are unfamiliar – high terrain, challenging airports. OPSGROUP preparing some specific guidance to assist
• Polish Airspace – Area of concern in south east portion of Warsaw FIR. High level of military activity. Short notice airspace closures are happening in Poland, be prepared – especially in the northern part of Polish airspace.
• Aircraft stuck in Russia – Discussion regarding leased aircraft and other foreign aircraft potentially being held in Russia.
• OPSGROUP assistance – Offer from Team to assist where possible with any operational support, information, questions – as well as #flightops or #questions in the OPSGROUP Slack channels.

Please see the full text summary and recording in the Dashboard for full details.

We are changing up our Opschats

Why? Well partly because we are tired of our own voices, but mainly because we want to hear from you!

Don’t panic

We are not going to ask people to sing, tell jokes, or entertain everyone. We are going to ask folk to bring their own ideas, questions and (aviation) topics of conversation because we think our chats should be a chance to talk about the subjects you want to talk about.

If you don’t fly regularly to the Tigray region then a 10 minute update on what is happening there might not be want you want to hear.

Maybe you are more interested in the latest change to the North Atlantic? Or maybe you have had issues finding parking at LDSP/Split and want to ask anyone if they know of an alternative?

Perhaps you are about to fly to a new airport and want some intel? Or maybe you are actually routing through Tigray soon and you do want that update…

So, what are the pressing aviation industry issues for you?

We want to hear them because OPSGROUP is about that – it is about trying to tackle those things that are making aviation less safe, less friendly, less human.It is about connecting the community and sharing the info and expertise, the experience and the ideas.

And we find that sometimes, when we stop talking and listen, that is when the best ideas are discovered.

It’s a good new look

So we invite you to our Open Mic

An OPSGROUP chat where we won’t be giving the info, or leading the conversation, but we will be asking you to offer up some comments.

We also thinking hearing what other information can we share and what else would you want to find from OPSGROUP would be interesting.

And if you don’t have answers for those then just come along for the hello, bring a beer if you like, and see if anything pops into your head.

When: June 21 at 1300 UTC (9am New York, 2pm London, 5pm Dubai, 9pm Singapore).

How to attend: Reserve your spot here! Members only. We won’t be recording these sessions, so it’s very much a “be there or be square” kinda situation 😊

What would you like to discuss? What could OPSGROUP do to help you? What’s the barrier to your next flight? Let’s talk about it, and see who else is struggling with the same thing (you’re never alone!)

See you there!

Opschat replay

• Some of the latest ops alerts: Greenland diversion fees, Suriname ATC strike, the Mali military coup, DRC volcanic ash, Russia permit tomfoolery, and the really big news about Europe starting to open up to travel again.
• We also covered the strikes coming up in Greece, UK, Paris, Portugal, and Italy.
• We discussed the recent Albania ATC farmout, and the Belarus situation (politics or risk?)
• We touched on recent Safeairspace hotspots Israel and Saudi/Yemen.
• Some new things we’re working on: Airport Lowdowns, Relief Air Wing, and Open Mic chats.

We have decided to run not one, but two Ops Chats on Tuesday November 24th!

Why two calls?

The calls have been getting bigger and bigger. So, we’re runing two so there’s more time to talk, answer questions, and make sure that if you want to get a chance to take part, you can. And also, so that you don’t have to stay up until midnight (or worse) if you’re not in the United States.

Who can join?

This is an open call. If you work in international flight ops, you’re welcome to join us.

So, when should I set my alarm for?

The date is Tuesday, November 24th.

Chat 1, the EAST-CHAT is at 10am London time. (10am London, 11am Berlin, 2pm Dubai, 6pm Singapore, or 1000Z)
Register and save your spot at ops.group/eastchat

We will have some lunch.

Chat 2, the WEST-CHAT is at 10am New York time (9 am Paris (Texas), 7 am Forks of Salmon (California, or 1500Z).
Register at ops.group/westchat

So, pick the time that suits you best and join us for a chat. Or, join us for both chats. Your choice!

What are we chatting about?

• We are getting to the end of this year, and the plan is to get out from the Covid fog and take a look at what else has been going on in 2020.
• There have been some big changes, and in case you have missed them, we will give you brief rundown of what they are.
• We will look over the “highlights” of November’s ops alerts.
• There will be a 2020 Airspace risk review looking at Conflict Zones and changes this year.

Get your questions ready

You can be nice and send these through early (email us) so we can look clever answering them, or you can put us on the spot. But we love questions so prepare some for us.

When: Thursday 23rd July @ 10am Eastern, 1400 UTC
(Thurs 7am San Francisco, 10am New York, 3pm London, 4pm Berlin, 10pm Hong Kong)

The next OPSCHAT is coming up this Thursday, and there’s definitely some stuff to talk about!

Here’s what we’ve got so for on the agenda:

• Analysis: That jet that went to Italy and got turned around.
• Risks – what might you be missing because of the Covid headlines?
• If a country need a Covid test, where do you get one before leaving?
• All the 2020 NAT changes in ten lines – and what’s coming in November.
• Staying proficient when we aren’t flying. What’s being done to keep people in the flying mindset?
• Jobs – seekers and finders.
• Relief Air Wing – how OPSGROUP can help hurricane survivors this year.
• Going to Europe – can you or can’t you?
• The KEF – STN run, backdoor into Europe?

What else would you like to see discussed? Or, is there something you’d like to present on?

What’s the barrier to your next flight? Tell us, and we’ll bring it up on the call, and see who else is struggling with the same thing (you’re never alone!)

You can already register and save your spot here.

But do please tell us what else we should talk about! We’ll update the agenda once we have expanded the list.

See you there!

Email: opschat@ops.group.

It won’t look anything like the cheesy corporate picture above, but we’re going to have a special OpsChat around Flight Operations and Covid-19, to coincide with the release of the OPSGROUP Covid-19 SuperManual.

When: Wednesday, May 13th @ 4pm Eastern, 8pm UTC
(Weds 1pm San Francisco, 4pm New York, 9pm London, 10pm Berlin, Thurs 4am Hong Kong, 8am Auckland)

We’ll focus on these areas:

• Going to work, Health Check, Illness at work, Dispatchers
• Flight Crew: Fit to fly, License, medical, keeping aircraft and crew current
• Wellbeing and Mental Health: How to find calm, Be Kind
• Aircraft cleaning and preparation, Risks: Hand Sanitizers, Dangerous Good regulations
• Aircraft Setup, Boarding, Temperature Checks, Baggage, Seating
• Wearing of PPE (Personal Protective Equipment)
• Additional Aircraft Equipment
• In flight Crew procedures: Pilots, Flight Attendants, In-flight Service
• Illness in Flight – Crew actions, Dispatch actions, Cleaning procedure
• Overnights/Layovers, Hotel guidance, Crew PPE kits
• Crew Illness away from Home base

Join us – the usual way, register here, get Zoom, and jump on at 4pm EST on Wednesday.

Have a look at the OPSGROUP Covid-19 SuperManual, we’ll get into that on the call.