Simon Williams elcome to the summer edition of The Log. Its been a funny old year so far. Six months ago, the industry was still in the doldrums, with Covidrelated restrictions all over the world. Yet here we are in July, where Im contemplating what to write while sitting at 35,0000ft over the Bay of Biscay (for the umpteenth time this year), watching the moon rise again and anticipating the imminent turnaround carnage in Spain when we land. Our industry is facing yet more challenges in a world seemingly in endless turmoil, and its tempting to wonder whats coming next. With any luck, well have a few boring years ahead to look forward to! This issue features an article on Virgin Orbit, now that the decision has been taken to begin operations from the UK. BALPAs scheduling team discusses commanders discretion, a subject that has always been important, but is worth revising given the apparent chaos of airline operations of late. Our honorary president and vice-president, the Lords Balfe and Whitty, pen articles, as does Mark Vanhoenacker, who is discussing his latest book. BALPAs legal department also describes our recent victory in an employment tribunal, in the latest stage of our campaign to outlaw some of the more nefarious practices still extant in our industry. Enjoy the issue! Picture credits, where not shown or supplied: Cover Virgin Orbit/Greg Robinson / iStock.com / Melitas / Blankstock / Solarseven / Imgorthand / Curraheeshutter / Armmy Picca / Apidechphoto / Guvendemir / V-art / Denis Joaquin Corbalan / Novikov / Stefanholm / Virgin Orbit/Greg Robinson / CC by 3.0 LIFT-OFF Duty editors welcome