There is also annual recurrent training required for the Citation X type rating. If you let it lapse and never seek to renew it your pilot qualification in that type expires. See FAR 61.58.
Yeah, Socal, but we've only had GPS since 1994 -- meaning this is just the second full sunspot cycle we've experienced in the satnav era. Since we're are planning to base our entire air traffic control system on GPS, I'd say this is worth talking about.
Dubai is hostile toward the U.S.? Then why do we sell them F-16s, Apaches and Black Hawks? According to our own State Department: "The UAE contributes to the continued security and stability of the Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz. It is a leading partner in U.S. counterterrorism efforts, providing assistance in the military, diplomatic, and financial arenas since September 11, 2001." Doesn't sound like a "hostile nation" to me.
Remember, the FAA wanted to keep these reports private, but that all changed after the Hudson ditching. The FAA will probably end up having to compel pilots to report bird strikes to the NTSB, with that information filed in the accident/incident database under the pilot's name and tail number. I'm guessing it'll take one more high profile bird strike accident for it to happen.
Sad, sad story.
@DaveEnglish: I've already read quotes from an NTSB investigator elsewhere saying the airspace redesign will be looked at. And CFIT is listed as a probable cause in lots of NTSB reports, usually along with other information such as some failure of the pilot or sometimes undetermined reasons. And obviously that the crash happened at night will be considered in the investigation.
