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NATA News - Responses Needed for GAO Survey on Retail Fuel Sales at Airports
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View HTML Version of Newsletter   May 11, 2020 — Volume 19, Issue 19 

   This Week's Top Stories 

The U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO), the investigative arm of Congress recently sent a survey to more than 3,000 NPIAS airports in the 48 contiguous states. This survey is in response to a mandate contained in the 2018 FAA Reauthorization Act.

 

The survey asks about the fuel service available at your airport, if any. Even if your airport doesn’t have any retail fuel sales, please fill out the questionnaire. In this instance, it should take less than five minutes to complete. If your airport does have retail fuel service, there will be a question about the amount of fuel sold during 2019.

 

For airports that provide the retail fuel sales at their airport, additional questions will be asked about the decision to provide fuel for sale. It will also include questions about how that fuel is provided and the amount of fuel sold in 2019. For these airports, the survey will take less than 20 minutes to complete. Your responses will provide the GAO with important information needed in order to accurately report to Congress. 

We hope that you’ll take this opportunity to provide accurate and useful information to GAO when you receive the survey. If you have questions, please reach out to the GAO contacts included on the survey. Any questions about the questionnaire can be directed to Chris Jones at 206-287-4825 or Nick Nadarski at 206-287-4797. A dedicated survey e-mail can also be used to ask questions (airportfuelsurvey@gao.gov).

 


NATA Congressional Statement Highlights State of Aviation Businesses and Recommendations for Relief

Last week, NATA submitted a statement to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation on the impacts of COVID-19 discussing the business aviation industry and outlining policy recommendations. Committee Chairman U.S. Sen. Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) convened a hearing today titled, “The State of the Aviation Industry: Examining the Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic,” to receive an update on the current status of the aviation industry, address challenges resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, and examine the implementation of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act).

 

Further, the statement recommends “Departments of Treasury and Transportation to analyze the amount of airport sponsors’ revenues that account from the lease obligations of certain tenant businesses, and then to provide a level of relief equal to that amount with the requirement that airport sponsors abate lease obligations over the term of the assistance provided.” Read more.

 

Visit NATA’s Coronavirus Resource Page.  



Register for Tomorrow’s SFAR Webinar and Next Week’s Webinar on the PPP

Over the next two weeks, NATA will host two webinars to assist aviation businesses in navigating relief programs, including FAA’s recently released Special Federal Aviation Regulation (SFAR 118) and the Small Business Administration’s Payroll Protection Program.

 

Tomorrow at 2PM EDT, NATA will hold a webinar to discuss temporary relief recently granted by the FAA for several training, checking, and testing requirements to accommodate current restrictions in place. Many operations critical to the pandemic response can continue to be operated under specific conditions. This webinar will provide an overview of the SFAR published by the FAA and afford attendees an opportunity to provide feedback and ask questions. Register here.  

 

On May 19 at 2PM EST, NATA will host a webinar featuring David Hernandez, with Vedder Price, who will address Payroll Protection Program (PPP) loan forgiveness and preparation for the first PPP reporting. Register here.

    
 


Don't Miss Out on NATA's Free Safety 1st Webinar Series this Month

The NATA Safety 1st team will host their second webinar in a series to allow for continuing education and professional development during COVID-19. The first webinar, “Fuel QC During COVID-19,” is scheduled for this Wednesday, May 13, at 2 PM EDT. Each webinar is offered at no charge and will be 30-40 minutes in length, allowing time for questions at the end.
 
Join your colleagues and members of the Safety 1st Team each Wednesday in May at 2:00 p.m. Eastern as they explore the following topics:

-       Building individual skills in development and training

-       Safety 1st Training Center

-       Structured training model

 

Register here or, if you have any questions or suggestions for future topics, please contact Safety 1st at safety1st@nata.aero. If you missed the first informative webinar, you can view the recording at no charge after completing a simple online registration.

 

 
   From the FAA:
 


Help the FAA Provide Accurate Information on Aviation Activity and Safety

 

The 42nd annual General Aviation and Part 135 Activity Survey (GA Survey) is underway! The FAA’s annual GA Survey is the only government source of information on the general aviation fleet, the number of hours flown, and the ways people use general aviation aircraft. The data helps determine funding for infrastructure and service needs, assess the impact of regulatory changes, and measure aviation safety. If you are selected to complete this year’s survey, you should have received a postcard invitation to participate. You can complete the survey online, or submit the survey form that was mailed to you in the enclosed postage-paid envelope. Your responses will be used for statistical purposes and will not be published or released in any form that would reveal an individual participant. If you have any questions, please contact survey manager Tetra Tech toll-free at 1-800-826-1797 or email infoaviationsurvey@tetratech.com. Previous years’ survey results can be found here.

 
 
   Association Highlights:
 
 

Laura Sobeski has joined the NATA team as a marketing intern. This fall she will be entering into her senior year at the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University, where she is majoring in television, radio, and film and minoring in marketing and psychology.

 

She is delighted to seize the opportunity to learn from the NATA team and witness the inner workings of a leading organization in aviation service. She looks forward to applying her marketing curriculum to this hands-on experience and vice-versa, as she continues her education this fall. She also looks forward to transforming her room into a personal office, and eventually meeting many of the members of the team and association soon.

 

During this internship, she would like to validate her enthusiasm for the marketing field and be supplied with a newfound network and set of skills that she will utilize going forward in her professional career.
 
 
 
   
 


Recreational Drug Sales Spike During COVID-19 | NATACS Anti-Drug & Alcohol Misuse Prevention Program Management

 

Communicate with your safety-sensitive employees about risks with using marijuana. Data from several sources show sales of marijuana have been rising since mid-March of this year as federal, state, local, and tribal authorities ordered the closures of non-essential businesses. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) states: If an employer’s policy is to remove employees from the random testing pool while on an extended absence or furlough, we believe it is a best practice to conduct a pre-employment test and have a negative result if the absence or furlough lasted longer than 60 days.

 

It is important for employers to have a consistent policy in place that addresses these situations to ensure that everyone is treated fairly. If you are interested in learning more about NATACS’ Anti-Drug and Alcohol Misuse Prevention Program Management Services, they offer a free Drug Program Manager webinar. To register for the next webinar, click here! Contact NATACS today here.

 
   
 

Aramark Gained Access to More PPE Resources

 

Aramark Uniform Services, NATA’s member uniform services provider, recently gained access to more resources for you. In addition to digital non-contact thermometers, Aramark Uniform Services additionally now has access to:


Hand Sanitizer

   -  1-gallon hand sanitizers

         -  $55.00/each; 4 per box (can be ordered individually).

   -  5-gallon hand sanitizers with spigot

         -  $299.00/each; (ordered in pallets of 4).

 

Washable Preventative Masks
These masks are non-medical grade but are reusable and launderable up to 75 washes.

   -  3-layer fabric mask with elastic ear loop

          -  Outer layer: 100% polyester

          -  Lining: Non-woven

          -  Inner layer: 100% cotton

   -  Available in black, white, red, navy

          -  $2.49/each; 50 per box

          -  $2.24/each; 1,000 per case

 

Interested parties should contact NATA’s contact with Aramark Uniform Services, Nahir Colon-Rivera, directly to purchase.

 
 
 
   Membership Spotlight:
 


Bombardier Releases Q1 2020 Financials and COVID-19 Response Measures

 

Bombardier announced its financial results for the first quarter of 2020 last week and provided an overview of the measures the company is taking to manage the business through the COVID-19 pandemic. “Bombardier is taking the right actions to manage the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Éric Martel, President and Chief Executive Officer, Bombardier, Inc. “As the crisis unfolded, we acted swiftly to protect the health and safety of our employees and support our customers to the best of our ability. We also managed our operations to reduce costs, preserve cash, and ensure sufficient liquidity to operate our business as we complete the ongoing divestitures necessary to address our balance sheet.” Notwithstanding the impact of reduced activity and travel restrictions in the second half of March due to the global COVID-19 pandemic, Bombardier reported consolidated revenues of $3.7 billion in the quarter, increasing by 8% and 5% year-over-year at Aviation and Transportation, respectively, and excluding currency translation impact. This growth was mainly driven by additional Global 7,500 deliveries at Aviation and the ongoing ramp-up of large rolling stock projects in the U.K. and Germany at Transportation.


   
 


Air BP Offers Support During COVID-19 Crisis

 

Air BP has helped the customers and communities that are dealing with COVID-19 around the globe. In the U.S., the fuel provider donated three million gallons of jet-A to customers FedEx and Alaska Airlines to assist in the delivery of medical supplies and other essential goods to areas at the greatest risk for the virus. “We are pleased to be able to play our part in supporting our communities during these difficult times,” said CEO Jon Platt. “Our commitment to safe, reliable fueling operations remains unwavering and we’re grateful for the hard work of our front-line Air BP operators who continue to enable us to meet the needs of our customers.” Read more.

 
 
 
  
 


NetJets Expands Employee COVID-19 Testing

 

NetJets has partnered with North Carolina-headquartered Cellex to make antibody testing available to its employees in the coming weeks. The program augments the fractional ownership provider’s joint initiative with its pilots’ union, NetJets Association of Shared Aircraft Pilots, to offer COVID-19 testing for free to its employees through Quest Diagnostics. The moves come as NetJets prepares for economies to begin reopening, said NetJets president of sales, marketing, and service. “We are committed to testing 100 percent of our crewmembers initially and offering ongoing testing to anyone who travels to high-risk locations, has been exposed to COVID-19, or becomes symptomatic.” Read more.

 
 
   Air Charter Safety Foundation:
 


Schubach Aviation Joins ACSF and ASAP

 

Schubach Aviation, a charter and aircraft management company in Carlsbad, CA, has joined the Air Charter Safety Foundation and its Aviation Safety Action Program. The ASAP is administered by the ACSF in partnership with the Federal Aviation Administration. Schuback Aviation’s membership enables its employees to voluntarily report significant safety concerns, non-compliance with regulations, and other unusual events. Each report is investigated, and corrective actions are determined based on a non-disciplinary approach to flight safety. "Our commitment to fostering a culture of safety is reflected in our safety record, and it’s something we always strive to build upon," said Kimberly Herrell, President and Owner, Schubach Aviation. "That's the primary reason we sought to join the Air Charter Safety Foundation. We are looking forward to enhancing our current operations and bringing this next-level safety consciousness to our valued aircraft owners and charter customers." Read more.

 
 
 
 
 


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NATA is the National Air Transportation Association. Founded in 1940, NATA aggressively promotes safety and the success of aviation service businesses through its advocacy efforts before government, the media and the public as well as by providing valuable programs and forums to further its members' prosperity. 
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