My Career Path!

When first starting this course I had a very specific career path that i wanted to accomplish. Growing up around experimental aircraft, my dream has always been to work in that field. I used to always hope for a job working with the Experimental Aircraft Association. 

Throughout the senior seminar course my course my career path has not changed much, it has just become less strict. Although I would still love to acquire a job working with experimental aircraft, I now believe that I would also enjoy other aviation career choices. I want to progress my qualifications in aviation as much as possible, I want to be the best possible aviator I can be. This means that I need to experience many different facets of aviation. Although I can not give many specific examples as to why my extremely selective career choice as expanded, I can say that I believe this is because of all the different guest speakers I got to experience this year in senior seminar. All of the men and women who explained their career choices seemed very passionate and excited about what they do, which is why I believe that I would be happy with different types of careers. 

The most interesting to me blog topic I have written about so far is my blog about experimental aircraft. As I stated in that post, I believe that for non commercial purposes, you really can't beat experimental aircraft considering the "wow factor" for the price that you pay. 

Out of all the guest speakers we had during senior seminar this year, my favorite were the girls from the Detroit Metro air traffic control tower. Previously I did not have much knowledge about ATC, and after they spoke I really think I learned a lot. They both seemed to really enjoy what they do which I also appreciate. 

After graduation, I know that I may not snag my dream job right away. Knowing this, I know that as long as I stay focused and aspire to achieve, I will reach my goals eventually. I plan on soon becoming a CFI and after that I think I would enjoy teaching others to fly, sharing in my passion.

EU Emissions Trading System

     The European Union's Emissions Trading System was implemented in 2005 to put a limit on the amount of green house gases that can be emitted by factories, power plants, vehicles and anything that produces green house gases. 

     Each year, companies are allotted a certain number of coupons or allowances. These allowances represent a certain number of green house gases that the company can produce for the year. If the company uses less than the amount of allowance they have, they can then sell the remaining allowances to other companies who might go over their allowance. However, if the company produces more green house gases than their allowances dictate, they must pay a fine.

     So... how does this help the environment? Well, each year, companies allowances are lowered. This encourages companies to find more "green" ways of operation. According to the European Commission, this trading system provides the same benefits to society, at a lower cost than taxes.

     This has caused much controversy with non-European countries such as the United States. If the European Union gets it how they want it, Airlines of the United States will have to pay into this while counting emissions that are put out on flights that are enroute to Europe, not just the portion of the flight that is in European Airspace. This of course has enraged the United States government, which believes it is ridiculous for the European Union to force non-European airlines from paying while not in European airspace.

     I believe that the European Union has all the right to tax non-European airlines to fly into Europe, however it i ridiculous for them to charge while not flying in European airspace. Additionally, Europe better believe that other countries are going to counter these fees with fee of their own.

     About the aviation pollutions and green house gases. Efficient engines and aircraft are great and are a necessity of the future, however the way that the European Union is trying to force "green" is simply not right.