NATA News

Last week, approximately 200 aviation professionals and executives gathered in Washington, D.C. for NATA’s third annual Aviation Business Conference. On the evening of June 6^th, Senator Joe Donnelly opened the conference with remarks on the upcoming FAA reauthorization bill. The next morning, NATA President Marty Hiller was joined by other general aviation association leaders to discuss the development of the FAA’s reauthorization legislation and the proposed air traffic control corporation. Following this session, Hiller and NATA members visited over 40 Senate offices to discuss critical industry issues, including ATC reform. Attendees then convened for the 2016 Industry Excellence Awards Lunch and Presentation, recognizing eight individuals for their contributions to the general aviation community including: Ed Kilkeary (Founder and President, L.J. Aviation), Todd Duncan (Chairman, Duncan Aviation), Peggy Gilligan (Former FAA Associate Administrator for Aviation Safety), and Eddie Angeles (Senior Assistant City Attorney, Los Angeles World Airports and Former FAA Associate Administrator for Airports). Conference sessions covered various topics for the maintenance, air charter, FBO, and airport sectors and featured industry experts and personnel from the FAA, TSA, and CBP.

Aircraft Maintenance and Systems Technology Committee
On June 6th, NATA’s Aircraft Maintenance and Systems Technology Committee, held its Spring Meeting in Washington, D.C. The committee met with Tim Shaver, Manager, of the Flight Standard Service, Aircraft Maintenance Division, AFS-300. Shaver provided members with an update on the Future of Flight Standards, a realignment of Certificate Holding District Offices (CHDOs) and the removal of regional boundaries. The committee also discussed the use of virtual return to service and the latest revision to the Major Alteration Job Aid.

Committee members also attended the Aviation Business Conference and participated on several maintenance-related panels covering the challenges of the new Flight Standards risk-based oversight system; FAA updates; Insurance, Liability, and Risk: Part 145 Repair Stations vs. Independent Maintenance Technicians; and the Impact of Technology on General Aviation Businesses.

Airport Business Committee
On June 8th, NATA’s Airport Business Committee convened at the association’s headquarters in Washington, D.C. NATA EVP Bill Deere provided a Capitol Hill update on FAA reauthorization and other industry issues impacting aviation businesses. NATA staff members Megan Eisenstein and Mike France offered insight on the status of the CBP General Aviation Working Group, the Piston Aviation Fuels Initiative (PAFI) and proposed guidance changes to NFPA 407 – Standard for Aircraft Fuel Servicing.

The meeting concluded with an update from the Education Subcommittee. Committee Chair Robb Bergeson discussed NATA’s partnership with Embry Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU). The goal is to incorporate ERAU’s certificate of training as a requirement for NATA’s Professional FBO Certificate. The Committee was also joined by Board Chair Gregory Schmidt and Board Member Curt Castagna.

Air Charter Committee
NATA's Air Charter Committee also met last week at NATA headquarters. The committee welcomed several new members including: Paul Capistrant, Assistant Chief Pilot at Solairus Aviation; Bob Rufli, Vice President of Flight Operations at Pentastar Aviation; Howard Seedorf, President and CEO of N-Jet; and Tim Sudduth, Vice President at McGriff, Seibels & Williams. The group met with two representatives from the FAA to discuss concerns and improvements to the process for requesting FAA resources to complete check rides. Jodi Baker, the Assistant Manager of the Air Transportation Division and Van Kerns, Manager, Regulatory Support Division briefed the members on improvements to the National Resource Program and planned guidance to encourage and permit operators to have their own company check pilots. The committee expressed appreciation for the FAA's efforts and discussed how to establish feedback opportunities for operators to report problems and successes in the process to obtain FAA resources for checks.

Members are encouraged to visit NATA’s revamped Legislative Action Center and urge your representatives and senators to oppose the airline industry proposal to create a user-fee funded air traffic control corporation. New features to the Action Center include the ability to amplify your message through social media and sharing with friends. You are the best representative of the aviation business community and your opinion carries significant weight with elected officials. Just a few keystrokes will allow policymakers on Capitol Hill to know exactly how you feel about a proposal that poses significant concerns to general aviation.

The 39^th annual FAA 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 general aviation aircraft usage. The data helps determine funding needs, assess the impact of regulatory changes, and measure aviation safety. If you are selected to complete this year’s survey, you can complete the survey online or submit the survey form that was mailed to you along with a postage-paid envelope. Your responses will be used for statistical purposes. For 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.

On July 18-19, NATA is bringing back its in-person Certified Trainer Workshop. The workshop will be held at Sporty’s Pilot Shop in Cincinnati, OH. The trainer course will provide your employees with invaluable tools that empower them to make a measurable difference in your organization. To register or for more details, click here.

Register today for an upcoming Advanced Line Service Workshop. The next ALS workshop will be held on August 1-2 at Alliance Aviation Services in Ft. Worth, TX. ALS workshops are designed for Line Service Professionals, both experienced or relatively new to the industry. This workshop also assists managers, owners and even customer service representatives with knowledge and skills that will help them excel in their respective areas.

Last week, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation announced it will award Lehigh Valley International Airport (LVIA) with a $6 million grant. The airport plans to build a $12 million-dollar hangar to take on new corporate tenants, the Lehigh-Northampton Airport Authority has been looking for a way to finance a 53,000-square-foot hangar to be built on the southwest part of the airfield. "This makes the project reachable," said Charles Everett Jr., authority Executive Director. "This will not only bring revenue to the airport but it will bring businesses and jobs to our community." Everett said with the grant in hand, the authority can immediately begin design and development and open a hangar large enough to handle 10 to 15 planes late next year. Read more.

ACSF is pleased to announce that Northern Jet Management has been added to the ACSF Industry Audit Standard (IAS) Registry and Worldwide Jet Charter has renewed its status on the ACSF IAS Registry. The IAS is the first and only extensive audit program specifically created for on-demand operators by a committee of Part 135 and 91K industry leaders. It is conducted every 24 months and is in-depth in its evaluation of regulatory compliance and the operator’s SMS program against both FAA and international standards. Customers should look for the ACSF IAS registered logo and encourage their preferred charter provider to participate in the program.