Latest news with #McKeen
Scoop
5 days ago
- Climate
- Scoop
Safety Improves From AKL Incident Learnings
Press Release – NZALPA The New Zealand Air Line Pilots' Association (NZALPA) has reviewed the report just released by the Transport Accident Investigation Commission (TAIC), providing learnings from the Auckland Anniversary Weekend 2023 runway excursion of an Air New Zealand Boeing 777 at Auckland International Airport. NZALPA President Andrew McKeen, also a 787 Pilot, said that the severe weather that Auckland experienced that evening was significant and the rainfall recorded during the aircraft's approach and landing no doubt contributed to the incident. 'We acknowledge the lessons identified by TAIC and appreciate the range of actions Air New Zealand has undertaken as a result,' says President McKeen. 'NZALPA supported TAIC in their investigation as their intent is always to prevent similar accidents and incidents occurring. 'New Zealand-trained pilots learn their profession in a geographically and meteorological challenging environment. The most important thing that comes out of any investigation, for both our members and for the safety of the travelling public, is that we understand and share those learnings. 'In NZALPA's 80 years of representing professional pilots in New Zealand, we have found that taking the time to together gather all facts and analyse all relevant information has assisted aviation in becoming the safest form of transportation in the world,' President McKeen says.
Scoop
5 days ago
- Climate
- Scoop
Safety Improves From AKL Incident Learnings
The New Zealand Air Line Pilots' Association (NZALPA) has reviewed the report just released by the Transport Accident Investigation Commission (TAIC), providing learnings from the Auckland Anniversary Weekend 2023 runway excursion of an Air New Zealand Boeing 777 at Auckland International Airport. NZALPA President Andrew McKeen, also a 787 Pilot, said that the severe weather that Auckland experienced that evening was significant and the rainfall recorded during the aircraft's approach and landing no doubt contributed to the incident. 'We acknowledge the lessons identified by TAIC and appreciate the range of actions Air New Zealand has undertaken as a result,' says President McKeen. 'NZALPA supported TAIC in their investigation as their intent is always to prevent similar accidents and incidents occurring. 'New Zealand-trained pilots learn their profession in a geographically and meteorological challenging environment. The most important thing that comes out of any investigation, for both our members and for the safety of the travelling public, is that we understand and share those learnings. 'In NZALPA's 80 years of representing professional pilots in New Zealand, we have found that taking the time to together gather all facts and analyse all relevant information has assisted aviation in becoming the safest form of transportation in the world,' President McKeen says.
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
How movies like ‘The Final Reckoning' accurately depict DoD assets
DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) — Have you ever wondered how some of your favorite movies nail their depictions of U.S. Military personnel and other governmental agencies? Well, a big support to filmmakers is the entertainment liaison office for a corresponding agency. Lt Col Gina 'Flash' McKeen, director of the United States Air Force and United States Space Force Entertainment Liaison, says that the process is one that allows productions to get the details right by consulting Department of Defense (DoD) assets. 'So our role in the entertainment liaison office, and it's the same for all branches of the service, in the Air Force One, which is where I work, we help connect any entertainment media project to official assets that are that are belonging to the DoD,' said McKeen. 'So essentially, if you have an Air Force story or a Space Force story, a production company would reach out and request support,' McKeen explains. That support could be a script consultation to clarify terminology and ensure it's being used correctly or more extensive, like orchestrating a time for the production to be at a base to record official Air Force assets. Speaking specifically about the USAF and USSF Entertainment Liaison Office specifically, McKeen says that 'Mission Impossible: The Final Reckoning' is one such movie to reach out for help. 'They were able to film Air Force aircraft doing their actual mission,' said McKeen. 'So, you'll see that in the film. We also got to bring in advisors, actual special operators to the film set, to be special military experts for the actors so that they could get everything right.' Those individuals made checks on terminology used in the film, advised how one would act in the given scenario (no spoilers), how their uniform would look, how their equipment would be worn, etc. Nolan's 'The Odyssey' shot entirely on IMAX film cameras 'So it's really mutually beneficial. They get production value, credibility, realism, and we get authentic depictions of our military,' McKeen said. Before a film production crew can get consultation from an entertainment liaison (related to DoD assets), the specific office will consider the following: Reliability and credibility with financing and distribution. Depiction of the DoD asset (Ex: a military member does something wrong, there must be an equal level of accountability depicted as well). After this review process, the liaison office will work with the production to take advantage of real base operations. 'So say they wanted to get footage of an F-35 flying and they needed to have it flying in front of mountains. They could tell us that, and then we could say, 'well, there's going to be F-35 missions happening in this location around this time. These are planned training flights. Would you like to come record those?' And if that works out for them, then we do all the extra stuff to give them access,' said McKeen. This includes drafting a production assistance agreement with the production, which is a correspondence on what will be provided by the DoD on behalf of the production. This service has been offered in some capacity since the late 1940s, although things have evolved over the years. The USAF and USSF Entertainment Liaison Office has been in operation as it is now for 30 to 40 years. For more information about the USAF and USSF Entertainment Liaison Office, click here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Vancouver Sun
09-05-2025
- Vancouver Sun
B.C.'s best summer swimming spots, according to a new book
In 2018, Alex McKeen and George Harwood Smith were newcomers to B.C. who shared a love of swimming outdoors. The duo leaned in to that appreciation to get to know their new home province. Now, McKeen, a journalist originally from Ontario, and Smith, an arts curator originally from the U.K., have co-authored Swimming Holes and Beaches of Southwestern British Columbia. The detailed guide features 100 of their favourite places to take an outdoor dip in Greater Vancouver, the Fraser Valley, the Sea to Sky Corridor, the Sunshine Coast, Central Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands. Discover the best of B.C.'s recipes, restaurants and wine. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of West Coast Table will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. By Alex McKeen and George Harwood Smith Greystone Books | 272 pp | $26.95 While the book covers spots you can visit year round, having it arrive in time for summer seems particularly perfect. The idea for the guide came from Smith's long-standing habit of buying guidebooks about swimming in any new country he visits, using them as a template for where he would travel. 'I thought it was a fantastic way to start exploring a new place. So I thought, let's get a swimming guidebook and use it to travel around,' said McKeen. 'Much to my surprise, there was no such book at that point. So George and I started discussing writing one from the moment we met in 2018.' Having previously written a feature on her 20 favourite swimming locations for The Toronto Star, McKeen knew that there was a lot of interest in the topic. The two authors were able to use reader contributions to begin their swimming trips and set about discovering the lakes, creeks, ponds and ocean spaces perfect for swimming around the province. Along with their editors, the duo developed a concise and thorough method of documenting each dip. Every entry includes information ranging from travel directions, length of swim, water depth, difficulty level and other valuable information, such as parking, washrooms, picnic areas and proximity to primary highways, road quality and more. 'We kept a big, shared Google document and tried to visit a new place to swim every week and took a lot of notes and photos,' she said. 'After a few years, we had enough material for a book. It also proved to be a really healthy thing to do during the pandemic, since we weren't travelling beyond B.C.' Along with the details of every swimming location and type of swim, the book has suggestions about how to extend your experience with additional information on hiking trails and overnight camping. Areas of significant cultural history are also highlighted. While those who swim have probably been in a lake or the ocean on many occasions, even experienced swimmers can run into trouble. The B.C. Coroners Service reported 101 deaths from accidental drownings in 2023. The summer months from May to August were the most common times for these fatalities to occur. A swimming instructor for the past decade, McKeen made sure that being water smart was a focus of the book. Everything from cold-water shock to pre-swim safety checklists are included in the opening chapters — and there is a lot to learn about safe swims. The top safety tip: Always swim with a buddy. 'In Victoria, where I am, the ocean temperature doesn't vary that much seasonally, so you have to have the same kind of plan for getting in and out safely, warming up quickly and so forth all year,' said McKeen. 'One of the dangers of swimming that people don't think about is being prepared at their skill level even in places that seem very popular and family oriented. You should always follow a checklist.' Along with getting essential gear like a swim float to increase your visibility to boaters, or water shoes to handle rough terrain, McKeen and Smith also include best practices for environmentally responsible swimming. Like hiking or camping, the motto is to leave no trace. Another nice touch to the guide are the best-of lists for everything from long swims to clothing-optional to cold water dips. The authors wanted to be sure to include their favourites for all to enjoy. 'It doesn't surprise me at all that there were so many places to swim in British Columbia,' said McKeen. 'Look at a map of the province, the lakes, rivers and ocean and there is a ton of water out there to enjoy. I would encourage anyone to start viewing bodies of water, even the ones you don't see as swimming locations, as potential ones.' Swimming Holes of Southwestern British Columbia takes in some of the most popular destinations in the lower part of the province. McKeen hopes that it can serve as a model for travel across the rest of B.C., as well. The authors created the best-off lists using their notes and personal experiences at each swimming spot. Here are their favourites for sunset swimming. • Crescent Beach • Miracle Beach • Montague Harbour • Phipps Point • Rathtrevor Beach • Ross Bay • Third Beach • Vesuvius Bay • Wreck Beach sderdeyn@
Associated Press
06-05-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Clear View Advantage Launches Strategic Website Services for New Hampshire Businesses
New 'Clear View Websites' offering challenges industry norms with transparent pricing, long-term support, and built-in visibility tools for small-town success. 'We're not just handing off a pretty homepage. We're building the foundation for long-term visibility and trust, in a way that's clear and doable.'— Amanda McKeen LITTLETON, NH, UNITED STATES, May 6, 2025 / / -- Just months after launching its widely praised Online Reputation Management services, Clear View Advantage is expanding its support for North Country businesses with the launch of Clear View Websites — a new website design and support offering that brings clarity, long-term value, and visibility to rural entrepreneurs. The new service, created by strategist and Clear View Advantage founder Amanda McKeen, disrupts the standard website model by addressing what she calls 'the quiet pain points' faced by small-town business owners: High upfront costs that make quality websites inaccessible Lack of clarity around pricing and deliverables Websites that look good but don't actually help customers find or trust the business According to a 2024 report by Small Business Majority, nearly half (48%) of small business owners say the biggest factor holding them back from building a website is the lack of time and resources. An additional 36% cite a lack of knowledge as a major barrier—especially among BIPOC and women entrepreneurs. In rural areas, the problem is even more acute. 'I kept hearing the same thing from clients and community members,' said McKeen. 'They either couldn't afford a website, or they had one that wasn't doing them any favors. Most local business owners are doing the hard work of showing up for their communities, but their websites weren't showing up for them.' Clear View Websites were built to change that. Designed specifically for small businesses in Northern New Hampshire and beyond, Clear View Websites offer: Flat-rate, transparent pricing (no hourly billing or vague proposals) Custom design by professional partners with local roots Strategic structure for search visibility and online trust from day one Optional monthly support plans for content updates, photo edits, and security maintenance Most website packages focus on visuals and leave strategy, visibility, and trust-building as afterthoughts — if they're addressed at all. Clear View Websites flip that approach, putting long-term results at the core of every build. Each site includes search-friendly content structure, clear navigation, and tools to help businesses rank in Google, show up in directories, and earn customer confidence. This new offering builds on McKeen's reputation for systems-first thinking and clarity-driven strategy. After managing global online reputation campaigns at a leading reputation firm, McKeen returned to her roots in the North Country with a mission: to help local businesses be seen, trusted, and found online. 'A website shouldn't just sit there,' McKeen said. 'It should support your business long after launch. We're not just handing off a pretty homepage. We're building the foundation for long-term visibility and trust, in a way that's clear and doable.' Meeting Business Owners Where They Are Clear View Websites are offered in three tiers: Essentials, Growth, and Custom. All tiers include foundational SEO, strategic content structure, and clear navigation to support customer action. Clients can also opt into the Clear View Website Support Plan, which provides ongoing help without needing to master new platforms or pay unpredictable hourly fees. In keeping with the company's mission, the websites are priced to be accessible while still delivering the long-term tools many small businesses lack. McKeen partners with local professional designers to deliver designs that are both beautiful and deeply functional. What Clients Are Saying 'In just three weeks, she completely changed how Littleton Fitness shows up online—getting us listed in over 60 top directories, fixing the website experience, and making sure we actually show up at the top of Google searches. And it wasn't just theory or empty promises—she delivers real results,' said Mari Myers, owner of Littleton Fitness. Part of a Bigger Movement This launch comes on the heels of Clear View Advantage's growing momentum in the region. In early 2025, the company launched the White Mountains Directory, a free regional listing platform that now features more than 200 local businesses and nonprofits. That effort revealed just how many small businesses are still flying under the radar online. 'Visibility isn't just a nice-to-have anymore,' McKeen said. 'It's a survival tool. With Clear View Websites, I'm offering something that finally bridges the gap between affordability and true strategic impact.' Learn More or Get Started Small business owners can explore website packages, book a free consult, or learn more about Clear View Advantage services at: About Clear View Advantage Clear View Advantage is a strategic consulting firm based in Littleton, New Hampshire. Founded by Amanda McKeen, the company helps small businesses simplify operations, strengthen online visibility, and create sustainable growth through personalized support. Services include Online Reputation Management, Website Strategy & Design, and regional visibility through the White Mountains Directory. Amanda M McKeen Clear View Advantage LLC +1 603-991-6146 [email protected] Visit us on social media: LinkedIn Instagram Facebook YouTube X Other Legal Disclaimer: EIN Presswire provides this news content 'as is' without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.
