Editor’s Note: This story originally appeared on ByDanJohnson.com.
FAA proposed regulation has powerfully captured the attention of many pilots. Pilots have tons of questions. We have some answers. Everyone has a lot to read.
Overall, FAA’s Modernization of Special Airworthiness Certification (MOSAIC) regulation proposal has been warmly received as it opens the door to more capable aircraft that a sport pilot can fly. That’s good, but the document has problems, too. Following are four examples.
MOSAIC’s language invigorated many readers when the Notice of Proposed Rule Making (NPRM) expressed support for a sport pilot certificate holder to fly at night, with proper training and a logbook endorsement. Yet the proposal refers to other FAA regulations requiring BasicMed or an AvMed. If you must have a medical, you are not exercising the central privilege of a sport pilot certificate. Why suggest that a sport pilot can do things that are blocked by other regulations? This conflict should be resolved.
Another opportunity gap involves aerial work. We’re pleased the Light Aircraft Manufacturers Association (LAMA’s) request was included, but it requires a commercial certificate to fly for compensation, and this requirement eliminates powered parachutes and weight shift trikes, for which no commercial certificate is available. This is discriminatory and should be fixed.
Maintenance experts have lots of questions; see the video at bottom.
ASTM standards writers raised questions about the value of noise regulations included for no present gain, “requiring solutions before the problem exists.” This appears to have political motivations.
You may find other aspects of MOSAIC that urge you to comment. If so, you may find the following helpful.
MOSAIC Study Guide
I can’t imagine anyone genuinely enjoys studying MOSAIC. The NPRM encompasses many pages in dense language; it’s tedious to review.
It just got a lot easier, thanks to Roy Beisswenger. [Beisswenger is founder and proprietor of Easy Flight]
Beginning in 2014—well before MOSAIC existed—Beisswenger and I spent years advocating on behalf of the LSA industry and the pilots that fly those light aircraft to the FAA. Beisswenger was the lead author on several white papers LAMA submitted to support each of its requests. They went over so well with the FAA that they are mentioned in the footnotes.
As you will see in the attached PDF study guide, Beisswenger has done a monster amount of work in reformatting the documents so that you can walk through it and find what you want much easier.
Beisswenger also addressed specific comments I had, whereupon studying one section, the FAA refers to another, and then to another. Before long, you forget where you started and struggle to retrace your steps. You also need internet access to study the FARs published outside the NPRM. The continuous back-and-forth makes studying the document slow, yet the clock is ticking on public comments. At this writing we have just over 60 days left.
Reviewing the NPRM is far easier with this PDF study guide because of the bookmarks, links, and backlinks, plus already-highlighted text which shows what current FARs could be changed plus some lightly-colored text that illustrates where the FAA will insert new language.
MOSAIC will still take a significant effort to review carefully, but Beisswenger made the task much easier and faster.
The Magic of Bookmarks
If you open the study guide with Adobe Acrobat on almost any device or computer—or if you use Preview on Apple laptops/desktops—you will gain access to the bookmarks (look for a small icon in the upper right of a tablet or a smart phone; in Preview, show the Table of Contents. On both, use the triangles to drop down further and further). Bookmarks are your navigation friend, helping you jump to places of interest or study.
Beisswenger even embedded back buttons on some pages when reviewing the FARs. This helps readers not get lost in their investigations.
Of course, within Acrobat (or Preview), you can search for specific text.
I observe for you that such ease of review was not possible when the SP/LSA regulation was released in 2004 (three years before the iPhone was introduced).
When reviewing MOSAIC I recommend you follow aspects of particular interest to you rather than try to absorb the whole thing.
However deep you go, Beisswenger made it much easier.
When you are ready to comment to FAA, use this link. We’ll have more advice on commenting as soon as possible but here’s some basic tips:
- Keep your remarks to a purpose; ask for something.
- Make specific requests.
- Reference language when changes are needed.
- Be constructive; no ranting.
- Be original; use your own words.
To see MOSAIC comments already made, use this link.
More About MOSAIC
John Zimmerman, president of Sporty’s, thought our conversation in this edition of the “Pilot’s Discretion” podcast conveyed a lot of good information (audio—42 minutes). John was an excellent interviewer.
The Clean Energy Future Is Arriving Faster Than You Think
The United States is pivoting away from fossil fuels and toward wind, solar and other renewable energy, even in areas dominated by the oil and gas industries.
By David Gelles, Brad Plumer, Jim Tankersley, Jack Ewing, Leo Dominguez and
This seminar will address two essential questions: How can the art of film advance the causes of science? How do communities use media to support their environmental activism? Based in Kenya, students will be trained in digital video production, screenwriting, and editing, and will produce a series of short and long documentaries. Filming will entail numerous trips into the field, interviewing, and recording. The seminar will help students begin to understand crucial international development issues, e.g., water, wildlife, and land use, and how to communicate memorably about them through video.
During their college years, many students take advantage of their school's study abroad program. These types of programs allow students to spend one (or more) semesters in a foreign country, while continuing to take classes.
This is an amazing opportunity to travel to a new place and engage in practical learning, beyond what you'll find in textbooks.
If your study abroad semester is coming up, or if it is something you think you'd like to do in the future, here are ways to make the most out of your time.
Traveling to a different country through your school's travel abroad program can be a great addition to your college years. (iStock)
INTERNATIONAL DESTINATIONS YOU CAN VISIT THIS SUMMER FOR THE ULTIMATE VACATION
- Write down goals
- Get your travel documents in order early
- Figure out your financials
- Begin to learn the language of the country you'll be living in
- Research the country ahead of time
- Keep a travel journal during your stay
- Make friends, both within your program and locals
- Embrace every opportunity that comes your way
- Push yourself to be extroverted
1. Write down goals
Take time to write down the goals you have before you leave. If writing isn't really your thing, you can also make a vision board to display your goals in photographs.
HOW TO AVOID INTERNATIONAL ATM FEES
Before you go, jot down goals you want to accomplish while you are away. (Andia/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)
Whether you write down just a few key items, or you have a long list, writing goals early can help remind you of the things you want to accomplish while you are on your trip. Also, these goals are not the only ones you can have. You can always add more to your list during your travels.
2. Get your travel documents in order early
Travel documents can take a long time to get prepared, so it's vital to gather them as soon as you can, rather than scrambling at the last minute.
The main documents you'll need are a passport and a visa, depending on the length of your program.
3. Figure out your financials
You likely won't be making income while you are studying abroad, so you'll want to save up money beforehand that will have you covered while you're away.
6 AIRLINE TRAVEL TIPS FROM EXPERTS IN THE INDUSTRY
Create a budget for yourself to follow while you are in another country. (iStock)
The sooner you decide you'll be studying abroad, the better, since you'll be able to work extra hours before you leave and start putting money aside.
This will also be an important time to make a budget, so you aren't overspending during the semester. Create a rough budget to stick to before you leave, and then make any adjustments necessary once you get there.
4. Begin to learn the language of the country you'll be living in
Studying abroad is a great opportunity to learn a new language. You'll get a better grasp of the language once you spend time around people using it, but it will be helpful to begin learning the basics before you go.
5. Research the country ahead of time
If you are heading to a place you've never visited, or spent minimal time in, you'll want to conduct basic research on the country before you leave.
Research on the country you are visiting so you'll know what to expect when you arrive. (iStock)
TRAVELING SOON? 5 SMART TECH STEPS TO TAKE BEFORE YOU HIT THE ROAD
Do research to determine landmarks and sights you want to see while you're abroad and find some information on the laws and proper etiquette in the foreign country.
6. Keep a travel journal during your stay
Once you arrive, get in the habit of writing in a journal at the end of each day. Write down everything you did, what you learned and what you're looking forward to. You'll be thankful you kept a journal to look back on after your trip. Also, take lots of pictures and create a scrapbook of your journey.
If writing really isn't your thing, another option is to create a video diary of your trip, where instead of writing, you take a short clip on your phone or camera each day talking about what you did. You can combine this with pictures and videos of you exploring so you can show everyone back home.
7. Make friends, both within your program and locals
Studying abroad affords you opportunities to meet many new people, both students in your program and locals.
Locals can teach you so much about the country and can also help you learn the language.
Studying abroad can introduce you to many new people you would not have met otherwise. (iStock)
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8. Embrace every opportunity that comes your way
Studying abroad is a once in a lifetime opportunity, so take advantage of the experience at hand. Visit everything you wanted to visit, spend time fully embracing the culture and learn as much as possible.
9. Push yourself to be extroverted
While this is easier said than done, take studying abroad as a chance to be extra extroverted and eager to learn.
If you sit back and wait for things to come to you, you're probably not going to have the experience you imagined. Ask questions, be present and enjoy every minute.
A waterfall cascades into a pool in East Maui. Alexander & Baldwin and its subsidiary, East Maui Irrigation Co., have wrapped up a long-awaited final environmental impact statement as the companies seek a long-term lease to divert water from East Maui. DLNR photos
Alexander & Baldwin and its subsidiary East Maui Irrigation Co. have wrapped up a long-awaited environmental study that the companies need in order to seek a long-term lease to divert water from East Maui streams.
Filed last week, the final environmental impact statement is for a proposed water lease for Nahiku, Keanae, Honomanu and Huelo license areas, around 33,000 acres of state-owned land. The study is part of a process in which the companies are seeking a long-term, 30-year lease approval from the state Board of Land and Natural Resources to develop, divert, transport and use government-owned waters, along with the right to be on those state lands to perform maintenance and repairs for existing roads and trails used in connection to EMI’s aqueduct system, according to the study.
The lease would allow water to continue being delivered to Maui County Department of Water Supply customers mainly Upcountry, along with the Kula Agricultural Park, and continued delivery to the Nahiku community. It would also allow for the continued provision of water to approximately 30,000 acres of agricultural lands in Central Maui for Mahi Pono’s diversified agricultural operations, the study said.
The maximum amount of water that can be diverted while meeting the state’s requirements for stream flows within the license area is estimated to be 87.95 million gallons per day, according to the study. The EMI system also diverts an additional 4.37 mgd from the point that it leaves the license area at Honopou Stream and collects water from streams on privately owned land to its last diversion at Maliko Gulch. Of the total 92.32 mgd of surface water that would be conveyed through the system, 7.1 mgd would go toward Upcountry customers and the Kula Agricultural Park, while 85.22 mgd would be potentially available for Central Maui agricultural fields.
In October, Mahi Pono reported to the BLNR that it would need about 32.3 million gallons a day of East Maui water, largely for Central Maui farming needs.
Water flows through East Maui Irrigation Co.’s system. Regardless of whether it gets a lease to divert water from East Maui, EMI must still modify its structures to restore flow to certain streams. DLNR photo
The final version of the study comes after years of legal battles pitting Na Moku Aupuni O Ko’olau Hui, a group of taro farmers and Native Hawaiian practitioners, against A&B, the state and county over revocable water permits that were being renewed annually by the state.
East Maui taro farmers and supporters who have long criticized the permits said more than 100 years of diversions to irrigate former sugar cane fields Upcountry and in Central Maui have killed their crops and have called for studies be done on the environmental impacts of the diversions. In 2016, a bill passed by the state Legislature required lessees such as A&B to put together an environmental impact statement.
“A&B’s final EIS is long overdue,” said Ashley Obrey, a staff attorney at Native Hawaiian Legal Corporation, which has been representing the kalo farmers and Native Hawaiian practitioners in its legal challenges against A&B and the state. “We intend to take a deep dive into the document to ensure it adequately addresses our comments on the DEIS (draft environmental impact statement), complies with the letter and spirit of HRS (Hawaii Revised Statutes) chapter 343 and properly accounts for the needs of our clients and the East Maui community.”
Chapter 343 of Hawaii state law covers environmental impact statements.
In 2019, the Native Hawaiian Legal Corporation submitted a 14-page letter to the Board of Land and Natural Resources regarding its concerns on the draft EIS.
Concerns included having full disclosure of every single diversion along the EMI system, including photographs and descriptions as to how the diversion operates, as well as its precise location and how much water it diverts. Other requests included amounts of water proposed to be taken from each stream daily, maps that show every stream in East Maui, as well studies on the potential impacts of diversions on kalo growing and on flora outside of the licensed areas.
The final EIS also factors in the 2018 decision to restore 17 East Maui streams to full or near-full capacity. The state Commission on Water Resources Management established interim in-stream flow standards to protect farming, cultural practices and habitat in the area. Many of EMI’s stream diversions need to be modified to restore the streams, a requirement that needs to be met regardless of whether the companies secure a water lease.
While the proposed water lease would have a 30-year term, the commission requirement and associated benefits to the kalo growing areas, communities and environment would not be affected by the lease term, and flow standards will not change unless revised by the water commission, the final EIS said.
The study added that if the permits are granted, no significant impacts are anticipated to existing or potential future taro farming in East Maui due to the required flow standards. Taro cultivation will occur in existing/historical taro cultivation areas and not in new areas, given the barriers of terrain and economic challenges of initiating new taro farms.
The Board of Land and Natural Resources has 30 days from the date of submission to decide whether to accept the final environmental impact statement. The Land Division anticipates the BLNR will consider whether to accept it at the board’s Aug. 13 meeting.
Public testimony can be submitted and the agenda for the meeting will be posted on Aug. 6, the DLNR said in a news release.
Testimony can be sent to the Land Board secretary by fax at (808) 587-0390, Attn: Board Members; emailed to blnr.testimony@hawaii.gov; or mailed to Department of Land and Natural Resources, Attn: Board Members, 1151 Punchbowl St., Room 130, Honolulu, HI 96813.
To view the final EIS, see dlnr .hawaii.gov/ld/ab-emi-feis-for-the-proposed-lease-for-the-nahiku-keanae-honomanu-and-huelo-license-area/.
* Melissa Tanji can be reached at mtanji@mauinews.com.
- Shovels hit the dirt during the groundbreaking blessing with Kurt Ebner (from left) and Brent Ryhlick of Chick-fil-A Inc., Central Maui Rep. Justin Woodson, Mike Hensley of Chick-fil-A, Maui County Mayor Michael Victorino, Danielle Jackson and Chuck Rice of Chick-fil-A, Matt Gilbertson of MGA Architecture, Jackie Jags of Chick-fil-A and Brad Espedal of Arita Poulson General Contracting on Wednesday. Chick-fil-A Inc. photos
- A rendering shows the future Chick-fil-A at the Puunene Shopping Center in Kahului. Chick-fil-A Inc. photo
- A waterfall cascades into a pool in East Maui. Alexander & Baldwin and its subsidiary, East Maui Irrigation Co., have wrapped up a long-awaited final environmental impact statement as the companies seek a long-term lease to divert water from East Maui. DLNR photos
- Water flows through East Maui Irrigation Co.’s system. Regardless of whether it gets a lease to divert water from East Maui, EMI must still modify its structures to restore flow to certain streams. DLNR photo
- Chick-fil-A hosted a private groundbreaking blessing ceremony led by Kahu Kalani Wong for its first Hawaii restaurant, Chick-fil-A Maui in Kahului. Chick-fil-A Inc. photo
- Chick-fil-A and elected officials gather for a groundbreaking ceremony for the restaurant chain on Wednesday morning in Kahului. The Maui News / KEHAULANI CERIZO photo
- The Maui News / MATTHEW THAYER photo
- Melissa Agtunong (left) and Shirley Blackburn, co-chairs of the county’s school supply drive, stand beside crayons, pencils, notebooks and other supplies that county employees helped collect for students in July. MAUI COUNTY photo
Overview
i. Up to 14hrs in a single booking
ii. Spaces are bookable up to 7 days in advance
iii. Available study spaces highlighted in blue; unavailable study spaces highlighted in red.
iv. Variety of study spaces available
o Silent
o Quiet
o Group
o Desktop/PC
v. Accessible and charging icons displayed
How to Book a Study Space Guide
In some areas you need to book a study space. All students are welcome to use the LibCal software to create a booking and reserve a study space during the busy test period. Spaces are bookable up to seven days in advance but must be made in advance of entry and you must check-in within 30mins of the start time to confirm your attendance. Bookings default to 1-hour slots but users can increase this to suit.
You can find the step-by-step guide on how to book a study space below. If you require any further assistance, please contact us at library-environment@qmul.ac.uk
Step 1: Library Website Link
Search for ‘QMUL Library’ in your internet browser to first navigate to our Library website (https://www.qmul.ac.uk/library). Once you have navigated to the homepage, scroll down and select the ‘Book a study space’ link.
Step 2: Select a Library-Managed Space
You should be able to see an overview of the study spaces available to book. Please use the links at the bottom of the screen to select which library-managed space you would like to reserve.
Step 3: Book a Study Space
Using the dropdown lists at the top, select the location of where you would like to book a study space within the chosen
Library.
Step 4: Finding an available Study Space
Available study spaces will be highlighted in blue, and unavailable study spaces in red. Additional symbols will indicate power supply and height adjustable desks. If there is no slot available on the date and time you wish to book, please check another area from the Category drop down list. You can use the arrow buttons under the date to check availability on alternative days and times.
Step 5: Your Booking
Once you have selected your preferred time, your slot will be highlighted in yellow. Please use the drop-down list at the bottom of the screen to select how long you would like to use the study space for.
Step 6: Submitting Your Booking
Once you are happy with your booking times, scroll down and click on the button titled ‘Submit Times’.
Step 7: Identity Check
To confirm your booking, please insert your QMUL IT credentials. Your credentials are the same as your QMplus log in details (e.g., username: ab12345 and your password).
Step 8: Accept Terms and Conditions
You will be prompted with a screen outlining your booking details and the terms and conditions. Once you have read the terms and conditions, scroll to the bottom and click ‘continue’.
Step 9: Finalise Your Booking
To complete your booking, please provide the required details onscreen and click on the ‘Submit my booking’ button. An email confirmation will be sent to your QMUL email and will include a link to cancel your booking.
Step 10: Check-in and check-out.
To avoid losing your study space, don’t forget to check-in up to 15mins before the start time and up to 30mins after the start time. If you are finished using the space, you can rescan to release the booking slot for another user.
The B.S.E. in Environmental Engineering begins with fundamental courses in college writing, mathematics and science. You will also take an introduction to civil and environmental engineering course that covers computer-aided engineering and design.
During the second year, you will learn additional engineering mathematics, basic engineering mechanics and biology for engineers. Other courses introduce environmental engineering, including an associated laboratory class and environmental engineering chemistry.
Junior year coursework addresses energy and sustainability, groundwater hydrogeology and remediation, and biological processes in environmental engineering. In the senior year, you will focus on chemical fate and transport in the environment, air quality and solid waste engineering. You can also take two professional electives, which will count toward a master’s degree if you are accepted into the combined B.S.E./M.S.E. program.
In the final semester, you will complete a capstone design project for the solution of an environmental problem.
UMass Lowell is the only public research university in Massachusetts to offer an undergraduate major in Environmental Engineering.
Visit the Academic Catalog for a complete course listing and to learn more about the minor in Business Administration for Civil and Environmental Engineering.
A unique feature of the UAB Civil Engineering Program is its Study Abroad Program. Our students can complete coursework overseas while broadening their international and cultural experiences. Academic credits earned can fulfill undergraduate requirements or be applied towards the fast-track master's degree.
The department has two active study abroad programs, both of which take place in Egypt.
NSF IRES
The National Science Foundation International Research Experiences for Students (NSF-IRES) program is an opportunity for undergraduate and graduate students to work directly with Egyptian and U.S. researchers on projects related to urban sustainability. The program is open to only a limited number of students (8-10) each year, so selection is competitive. The research experience takes place primarily in Cairo over a six-week period in early summer. Research courses include building design, sustainable building materials, sustainable storm water management, and intelligent building systems. Upon returning to the U.S., students complete their projects and develop a paper for submission to conferences and professional journals. The program covers most student expenses including airfare, lodging, meals, and transportation.
Alexandria University
The summer abroad program at Alexandria University allows students to take up to 6 credit hours of courses that will apply to their civil engineering degree. The program takes place over a six-week period in early summer in Alexandria, Egypt, and is open to all students. Courses include Sustainable Architecture (3 hours) and Introductory Arabic (3 hours). The cost for lodging and meals for the program is approximately $1,000. Tuition is free. Students are responsible for airfare, though transportation costs once they arrive in Egypt are covered. The program includes day trips to Cairo, the Red Sea, and other historic sites in Egypt.
Announcements for both programs are typically made in the fall. For more information please contact Andrew Sullivan at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or Paula Alvarez-Pino at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Why Study Outside the U.S.?
Many of the world's most pressing science and engineering challenges are trans-national in nature. Many of the leading scientific and engineering resources are located outside the United States. In order to remain at the forefront of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), the United States needs to nurture a globally-engaged STEM workforce capable of performing research in an international environment.
2015-2017 Programs
During the summer of 2017, eight of our undergraduate and graduate students traveled to Egypt and Germany as part of the NSF-IRES program. The trip was the third of three study away opportunities focused on the theme of Sustainable Green Building Design and Construction. This theme was selected for several reasons:
- There is a growing emphasis on energy efficiency and the protection of natural resources in the building industry.
- In many developing countries, such as Egypt, there is an acute need for affordable yet resource-efficient housing.
- Our university and the international partners have collaborated on research in this area in the past and have jointly held two international workshops directly related to this theme.
The main international host for each of the three summers been the Housing and Building National Research Center in Cairo (HBRC). HBRC is an independent government research center performing a leading role in enhancing the performance of the building, housing, and urban development sector in both the local and regional context.
The two-week program in Egypt combined education experiences with opportunities to work with mentors on their research projects. Students then traveled to Germany, where they were hosted by our partner OTH Institute in Weiden together with Europoles. During the two weeks in Germany our students attended several lectures from experts in sustainability, visited different sustainability sites, attended practical experiences at multiple research laboratories, and had the opportunity to visit diverse towns in the south of Germany (Nuremberg, Neumarkt, and Regensburg, among others).
This bestselling textbook provides an engaging and user-friendly introduction to the study of language.
Assuming no prior knowledge of the subject, Yule presents information in bite-sized sections, clearly explaining the major concepts in linguistics – from how children learn language to why men and women speak differently, through all the key elements of language. This fifth edition has been revised and updated with new figures and tables, additional topics, and numerous new examples using languages from across the world.To increase student engagement and to foster problem-solving and critical thinking skills, the book includes thirty new tasks. An expanded and revised online study guide provides students with further resources, including answers and tutorials for all tasks, while encouraging lively and proactive learning. This is the most fundamental and easy-to-use introduction to the study of language.
Overview
Are you interested in shaping our common environmental future? Would you like to help organizations become more sustainable, collect field data that informs relevant environmental decisions, or develop forward-thinking environmental policies? If you want to use your passion, knowledge and skills to promote positive change, then environmental studies might be right for you.
At Keene State, the environmental studies major offers a unique experience that includes small classes, hands-on learning via in-course field experiences, internships, student capstone projects, and undergraduate research opportunities, and a commitment to preparing students with lifelong skills in critical thinking and professional growth. Our department works closely with students to provide support for their success, and we believe in an interdisciplinary curriculum because it is critical to have a basic understanding of both human and natural systems to affect change.
Our faculty have experience in local, regional, and international environmental affairs. Local partnerships allow students to participate in solving current environmental problems such as air pollution caused by woodsmoke, ecological restoration of river systems, and climate change-related issues.
The Ashuelot River watershed and the Monadnock region provide excellent locations for field studies, with relatively undisturbed forests and wetlands in close proximity.
Program Options
Beyond the basic requirements of the major, our students have great flexibility to focus on our natural science or human dimensions courses, and choose an allied minor to broaden their learning or expand potential job opportunities. Popular minors include Geography, Safety and Occupational Health Applied Sciences, Biology, Communications, and minor in Sustainability. Many students also choose to minor in Environmental Studies or in our new Sustainability minor.
Environmental Studies Minor Options
Sustainability (Minor)
Explore innovative solutions to the degradation of nature and associated social injustices. Discover technological, social, and ethics-based approaches that can enable more harmonious and sustainable dynamics between humans and nature. Students address the essential question of sustainability: How can we best live without degrading our life-support systems, and create conditions that nurture the flourishing of other beings and future generations?
