NATA News

Late last week, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) announced his intent to bring S. 223, the Senate’s version of a long-term FAA reauthorization bill, to the Floor today for consideration. S. 223, the FAA Air Transportation Modernization and Safety Improvement Act, is currently being reviewed by NATA staff. The association will provide an overview to all members this week.

For more information, please contact Kristen Moore on the NATA staff.

TSA Proposes Moving Up Date For 100% Screening Of Inbound Cargo

Recently, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), in a letter to the freight forwarding and international shipping community, proposed moving the date for 100% screening of all inbound, international cargo shipped on passenger airliners from 2013 to December 31, 2011. The TSA intends the proposed change to be implemented by way of an update to air carrier standard security programs.

In the announcement to the shipping community, the TSA explains, "Recent global events have proven that there is a compelling need to attain the 100% goal sooner than originally suggested. (D)ata provided by industry… indicates that air carriers are currently screening a high percentage overall of cargo inbound to the United States. Many air carriers…are already at or close to 100% screening of air cargo inbound to the United States."

The TSA also indicated that it will accept comments on the proposed 100% screening date from industry for 30-45 days. The full letter from the TSA to freight forwarders and the international shipping community is available here.

President Obama Issues Executive Order Calling For Greater Scrutiny Of Regulation

In a Wall Street Journal op-ed recently, President Obama announced his signing of a new Executive Order requiring agencies to exercise greater scrutiny of existing and new federal regulations. "This order requires that federal agencies ensure that regulations protect our safety, health and environment while promoting economic growth. And it orders a government-wide review of the rules already on the books to remove outdated regulations that stifle job creation and make our economy less competitive. It's a review that will help bring order to regulations that have become a patchwork of overlapping rules," wrote the President.

The Executive Order, titled Improving Regulation and Regulatory Review, contains the following seven sections:

• General Principles of Regulation
• Public Participation
• Integration and Innovation
• Flexible Approaches
• Science
• General Provisions

NATA is pleased to see the administration acknowledge the significant negative impact burdensome and inflexible regulations can have on businesses. The effect this new Executive Order will have on regulations issued by the FAA and Transportation Security Administration remains to be seen. NATA will work closely with federal agencies in the coming weeks to identify issues with existing and new regulation that pose an undue burden on aviation businesses.

Recently, NATA conducted a webinar on aviation fuel quality control for general aviation facilities. The webinar was based upon the 2011 revision of NATA’s publication Refueling and Quality Control Procedures for Airport Service and Support Operations. One of the topics addressed in the webinar was fuel tank sampling, a key item in any quality control regimen.

Fuel tank sampling is the process of drawing an amount of fuel from a storage tank for the purpose of evaluating its contamination level. Part of that process is continuing to remove fuel from the tank after the evaluation has been made if any contaminates are observed. By drawing fuel until no contaminates remain, technicians ensure that any contaminates or water that find their way into a tank are removed on a regular schedule.

One misconception that has permeated the industry is that, because the sampling process removes all contaminates from the tank, a finding of contaminates should not be noted on recordkeeping forms. This couldn’t be more incorrect. The purpose of rating a sample drawn from a storage tank and recording the results is to create a record of contaminates found over time. This allows a technician to notice changes, such as finding more water than usual after a heavy rain. Being able to compare findings to a recorded history allows the technician to identify possible breakdowns or failures in fuel handling equipment.

The next meeting of the NATA Airline Services Council will take place on Friday, February 18, from noon to 1:30 p.m. via conference call. A complete agenda for this call will be sent to members this week.

For more details, please contact Eric Byer on the NATA staff.

In the next issue of Grand Handling International, firm Associate Anneris Pena discusses Chapter 15 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code in more detail. With the bankruptcy of Mexicana, we faced what I suspect is the future of airline bankruptcies, foreign airlines declaring bankruptcy and coming back leaner and meaner. In the end, handling companies willing to provide services to Mexicana will receive their post-petition charges and possibly a small payment toward pre-petition claims.

Does this development mean that handling companies should be amenable to working with a bankrupt foreign airline in the hope that it will be a future customer once it comes out of bankruptcy? No. Chapter 15 allows a creditor to see Court intervention to assure that the airline provides some assurances on paying for post-petition services as a condition to receiving an automatic stay and an order requiring service contracts to continue. In the Mexicana case, three handling companies joined together, shared costs and ended up with a reasonably good result – not perfect, but bankruptcy is not a perfect solution for anybody. But, it is the best way to resolve issues when finances are dire and the end of a business is near.

To learn more about Ground Handling International, please click here.  

Representative John L. Mica (R-FL), chairman of the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, announced chairmen, vice chairs and membership of the Subcommittee on Aviation for the 112^th Congress.

"The message from the voters in November was clear. The committee must find ways to create jobs, cut waste in government, and do more with less," Chairman Mica stated. "This important work begins at the subcommittees, and I am confident these experienced chairmen and members will provide dedicated, effective leadership as the subcommittees work to improve our nation’s infrastructure in a fiscally responsible manner."

In addition, Representative Nick J. Rahall (D-WV), ranking member of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, released the roster of Democratic Members and announced that the Democratic Caucus of the Committee had selected Subcommittee Ranking Members for the Subcommittee on Aviation.

"Democrats stand ready to work with Republicans to make the necessary investments that will fuel our economy and keep America on the road to recovery. I look forward to working with Chairman John Mica and the Members of the Committee as we create jobs and get Americans back to work," Ranking Member Rahall said.

Thomas E. Petri (WI), Chairman
Chip Cravaack (MN), Vice Chair
Howard Coble (NC)
John J. Duncan, Jr. (TN)
Frank LoBiondo (NJ)
Sam Graves (MO)
Jean Schmidt (OH)
Tom Reed (NY)
Frank Guinta (NH)
Randy Hultgren (IL)
Blake Farenthold (TX)
Billy Long (MO)
Patrick Meehan (PA)
Stephen Fincher (TN)
Steve Southerland (FL)
James Lankford (OK)
John Mica (FL), (ex officio)

Ranking Democratic Member: Jerry F. Costello (IL)
Russ Carnahan (MO)
Daniel Lipinski (IL)
Peter A. DeFazio (OR)
Bob Filner (CA)
Eddie Bernice Johnson (TX)
Leonard Boswell (IA)
Tim Holden (PA)
Michael E. Capuano (MA)
Mazie Hirono (HI)
Steve Cohen (TN)
Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC)
Nick J. Rahall (WV) (ex officio)

For a complete list of the full Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, please click here.

Last Thursday, U.S. Senate Republicans and Democrats announced committee assignments for the 112^th Congress. The most notable change was the addition of six freshman Republican senators to the Senate Committee on Appropriations. Senators Ron Johnson (R-WI), Mark Kirk (R-IL), Dan Coats (R-IN), Roy Blunt (R-MO), Jerry Moran (R-KS), and John Hoeven (R-ND) will be seated on the committee. No new Democrats will join the committee because of a shift in membership ratios.

Another change worth highlighting is the addition of Senators John Thune (R-SD), Tom Coburn (R-OK), and Ben Cardin (D-MD) to the Senate Committee on Finance.

To view the list of Senate Democratic committee assignments, please click here.

To view the list of Senate Republican committee assignments, please click here.

U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Homeland Security Chairman Peter King (R-NY) and Ranking Member Bennie Thompson (D-MS) announced subcommittee assignments for members of the 112^th Congress. "The subcommittees and their members will be critical to the important work of the committee on Homeland Security," King stated.

Throughout the session, the Subcommittee on Transportation Security will work with the Transportation Security Administration to examine strategies to ensure a safer transportation system, including security on commercial passenger, air cargo, and general aviation aircraft. The implementation of access controls and technology for secure entry to airports will also be addressed.

For a complete list of the majority members of the Committee on Homeland Security, please click here.

For a complete list of the minority members of the Committee on Homeland Security, please click here.

Each year, NATA presents seven awards to the exceptional individuals and companies that have helped to improve the general aviation community. The recipients of five of these awards are chosen based upon NATA member-submitted nominations.

The Airport Executive Partnership Award recognizes an airport manager for outstanding efforts to nurture the relationships between aviation businesses and airport operators.

The Aviation Journalism Award identifies a journalist, writer, or publication that excels in consumer education or editorial support that is beneficial to the general aviation industry.

The Excellence In Pilot Training Award recognizes an individual or organization that has made outstanding contributions in safety, professionalism, leadership, and excellence in the field of pilot training.

The FAA Customer Service Excellence Award recognizes an FAA facility or facility staff member who represents the highest degree of customer service and elevates the quality of interaction between the FAA and aircraft maintenance and repair facilities, Part 135 certificate holders, airport service organizations, and flight schools.

The ATP/NATA General Aviation Service Technician Award acknowledges the exceptional performance of a licensed airframe and power plant mechanic or radio repairman who has practiced his or her craft for a period of 20 or more years.

• Airport Executive Partnership Award – Eric Frankl, executive director, Blue Grass Airport 
• Aviation Journalism Award – AINalerts 
• Excellence In Pilot Training Award – Arlynn McMahon, director of training and marketing, Aero-Tech Aviation 
• FAA Customer Service Excellence Award – South Florida Flight Standards District Office 
• ATP/NATA General Aviation Service Technician Award – Pat James, field service engineer, Cessna Aircraft Company

All nominations for these five awards must be received by NATA no later than March 18, 2011. The nomination form is available by clicking here. Members may also obtain a nomination form by calling the NATA headquarters at 800-808-6282 or by e-mailing Celeste Clark.

It’s not too late for your organization to participate in the 2011 NATA Aviation Maintenance Technician (AMT) Employer Recognition Program. In response to many requests, we have extended the application deadline until Friday, February 4^th.

This new award program was established by NATA to show its continued support for the advancement of training within the aviation maintenance community. The NATA Aviation Maintenance Technician Employer Recognition Program is open to any full-time aircraft, components maintenance, or repair business or Part 91, 121, 125, 127, 129,133, 135, 137, 141, 145, or 147 entity that conducts aviation maintenance. The program awards aviation maintenance organizations that encourage and support aviation maintenance technician training.

For a detailed program description, go to www.nata.aero/amtaward.

The application and list of your company’s qualified training/technicians may be submitted via fax to 703/845-8176 or completed and submitted online by sending the application form to Dennis van de Laar at dvandelaar@nata.aero (preferred).

NATA has partnered with ARAMARK Uniform Services to provide its members access to a discounted uniform rental and leasing solution. This money- and time-saving membership benefit was negotiated to provide added value to your membership.

NATA members may now take advantage of these valuable and convenient savings:

• 20% off rental and lease uniform rates

• 20% off facility services (mats, towels, mops, restroom supplies, etc.) 

To learn more about ARAMARK and the products and services that are available, please click here.

To set up a meeting with an ARAMARK representative to review your uniform and facility services needs, please call Tania Allaire at (818) 973-3906 or send an email to Tania.Allaire@uniform.aramark.com.

Please mention source code # 197336.