By Rémi Thirion, Vice-President TNT Airways

This article summarises the main developments that have happened in TNT Airways since the last edition of our Cockpit Flash.

TNT has finally decided not to sell the two 747-400 anymore and they are already thinking “post-2017” when the 747 contract with Emirates is supposed to end.

New iPad

Each TNT Airways Pilot has received a company iPad. All the aircraft have been equipped with a mounting device to attach it. Company documentation updates are downloadable on the iPad via a specific application (AirWatch SCL). TNT has chosen the application “Jeppesen FliteDeck Pro” as digital enroute and approach chart tool. The next steps will be the inclusion of the roster directly inside iCal application and the ability to compute take-off and landing performances using the Boeing iPad application instead of the existing aircraft though book. The deployment started in May and the test period should end after 6 months.

Change of CEO

M. Nicky Terzakis, TNT historical CEO, announced during the last company council that he would be leaving the company at the end of 2014. He will be replaced by Mr. Marc Bolline, the current financial director.

E-learning

TNT airways has taken the lead in the development of e-learning systems in Belgium. Although we believe that this practice has many advantages for both management and pilots, it seems that we will need to closely monitor how it is implemented in practice. In addition to technical issues that need to be solved (e.g. the program cannot be run on the company iPad and is so heavy that it takes a lot time before loading), there is one fundamental issue: the Management considers that e-learning should not be planned in the pilots’ roster. BeCA and the unions believe, however, that it should be considered as duty, as any other “traditional” training. We are therefore in close contact with the management about this issue.

Failure during simulator check

Recently, two TNT pilots were grounded with their salary suspended after a failure during a simulator check. The reason of the failure appeared to be fatigue. After discussions with union representatives (supported by BeCA), management agreed to pay back the salaries, as every pilot should be allowed a single failure on a simulator check ride without being financially penalized. A complete procedure is under discussion to take care of such events in a balanced manner.