Newsletters


Return to list
NATA News
 NATA News

##Date##                                                                                 Volume 9 Issue 10

 

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.

 

 
 
 
 
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Want to advertise in NATA News?  Click here for more information.

 
Upcoming Events

FBO Success Seminar -Las Vegas, NV - 03/15/2010

Environmental Compliance Seminar -Las Vegas, NV - 03/15/2010

Line Service Supervisor Training -Las Vegas, NV - 03/15/2010

NATA Safety 1st Trainer -Las Vegas, NV - 03/15/2010

Search for National Air Transportation Association

Professional Line Service Training 

 

PLST Online provides the most up-to-date training available for line service specialists – 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Line service supervisors can conduct the new PLST Online training anytime and from anywhere there is access to the Web.  continued

Back to top

139 Fire Safety Training Online

This training not only meets and exceeds the requirements of 14 CFR 139.321 but also allows you to interact with other students in a group learning environment, receive the very latest NFPA news, watch live training presentations and much more.

Visit Website  

Back to top


 

 
 
 
 
 
Topics in this Volume:
 
Ø
Ø NATA Launches Newark Flight Crew Safety Training
Ø ACSF Symposium Reinforces Industry Safety Record Improvement
Ø Senate Finance Committee Approves Tax Structure For FAA Programs
Ø Court Rules FAA Must Release Blocked Tail Numbers
Ø NTSB To Release Safety Study On Glass Cockpits In Small Aircraft
Ø House Introduces Legislation To Reauthorize The NTSB
Ø NATA Partners With The Ohio Regional Business Aviation Association
Ø Byer’s Weekly Blog: Let Your Voice Be Heard On April 21!
Ø Spring Training Begins Next Week In Vegas!
Ø NATA Training Times Social Media Survey
Ø Aviation Industry Association Heads To Appear At Upcoming CABA Event
Ø Deadline Approaching To Submit Compensation Data
Ø March 15  Is The Deadline For Updates To Membership Directory
Ø Weekly Web Survey
Ø Aviation Fact Of The Week

 

Napolitano To Introduce New Obama Administration Nominee For TSA Administrator Position Today
U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano today will introduce former U.S. Army Major General Robert A. Harding as the next nominee for administrator of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA).  His nomination comes after the failed nomination of Erroll Southers, who withdrew his name from consideration after Senate Republicans raised concerns about screener unionization.

Harding was the director of operations for the U.S. Army’s Southern Command as well as the director for operations for the Defense Intelligence Agency during the Clinton administration.

“The void at the top of the TSA’s leadership structure with the lack of a permanent administrator has lasted too long,” stated NATA President James K. Coyne.  “While we know little about Mr. Harding, NATA and its membership continue to stand ready to work with TSA officials to ensure that security for America’s aviation businesses is reasonable, measured and appropriate.”

 

 

 
NATA Launches Newark Flight Crew Safety Training
NATA's Safety 1st program together with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey have launched NATA’s Safety 1st Flight Crew Briefing for Newark Liberty International Airport, a customized online training tool that provides pilots and other flight crew members flying into and out of Newark Liberty International Airport free access to critical safety information about the airport, including its location, layout, operations, regulations, and safety and security procedures.

With incredible clarity and effectiveness due to its extensive use of interactive graphics, NATA’s Safety 1st Flight Crew Briefing presents pilots with views of runway incursion hot spots, scenarios representing common pilot errors, security procedures, and other information that is critical to safe aircraft operations.

The Newark Liberty International Airport training tool is available to any interested person at no charge by visiting: www.airportflightcrewbriefing.com/newark.

NATA launched the Safety 1st Flight Crew Briefing for Teterboro Airport in June 2008. Since the training tool’s inception, more than 250,000 "hits" have been recorded. “We are thrilled at the industry's acceptance, use and promotion of this effective educational and safety tool," remarked NATA President James K. Coyne. “The Newark Liberty International Airport module is a critical addition to this aviation safety initiative because the airport sees such varied types of aircraft traffic. We are also confident the Newark briefing will make great strides to prove the airport’s commitment to safety to flight crews and members of the surrounding community as the Teterboro module has done.”

Several aircraft operators are requiring their flight crewmembers to complete the Teterboro Airport course as part of their pilot training.

"We have noticed a widespread interest in NATA’s Safety 1st Flight Crew Briefings as word of their importance has traveled to industry conferences and events. Crewmembers and pilots of all experience are discovering that they have much to gain through the Teterboro briefing and they've asked when more will be offered. We are pleased to make the Newark training available at this time and report that the FAA and other airport operators are interested in facilitating the development of additional modules," Coyne said. Airports or aircraft operators interested in developing a similar module should contact NATA Vice President of Government and Industry Affairs Eric R. Byer at ebyer@nata.aero.

View NATA’s Safety 1st Flight Crew Briefings by clicking here.

 

 
ACSF Symposium Reinforces Industry Safety Record Improvement
Last week, the Air Charter Safety Foundation (ACSF) hosted its 2010 Air Charter Safety Symposium, a unique event for the on-demand and shared aircraft ownership industry.

Nearly 100 on-demand and shared aircraft ownership leaders gathered at the symposium to discuss current and emerging safety challenges and initiatives and learn how to foster a healthy safety culture.

Charlie Priester, chairman of the Air Charter Safety Foundation, began the symposium with a potent reminder of why the foundation and symposium were created in the first place – life is precious. Priester stated, “Nothing is more important than the safety of our customers and staff – a fact that is supported by the commitment to safety demonstrated by ACSF members and those in attendance.”

Symposium Highlights

  • James Ballough, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) special assistant to the associate administrator for aviation safety, noted that Part 135 industry accidents have decreased as a result of technology improvements and industry cooperation with initiatives such as NATA’s Safety 1st Flight Crew Briefings. Ballough said, “The future is NextGen, SMS and continual safety recommendations including standardization and the review of Part 135 certificates or lack thereof.”
  • Lindsey McFarren, president of McFarren Aviation Consulting, offered practical advice for mitigating security concerns. McFarren said that general aviation security should always be kept in perspective and must be approached with common sense – a topic she also addressed in a recent article in NATA’s Aviation Business Journal.
  • In an afternoon session, Flight Safety Foundation’s Jim Burin presented statistics on business aircraft safety and listed controlled flight into terrain (CFIT), approach and landing, loss of control and human factors as the prime areas of concern for the foundation. He said that loss of control has replaced CFIT as the highest risk area, but overall business jet accidents have declined over the last decade.
  • Dr. Don Arendt, SMS program manager for the FAA dispelled some misconceptions regarding safety management systems (SMS) and discussed emerging issues with SMS implementation. Arendt addressed the FAA’s position on SMS implementation and noted that there are presently no FAA-authorized procedures to accept or approve SMS programs, as the FAA has made no rule on SMS implementation within the United States. Some barriers to successful SMS implementation include operators viewing SMS as a traditional safety program instead of a safety management system, disengaged top management, and poor documentation and integration.
  • Ken Gray, director of operations, Executive Fliteways, capped off the first day by sharing his company’s SMS and audit experience. Among Gray’s suggestions for easing SMS implementation and the audit experience is to begin both with comprehensive documentation and implementation of a system of measurement to ensure that you are actually performing the procedures set forth in the documentation. Gray recommended the ACSF pre-audit checklist as an invaluable tool in this process as well as the AVSiS software for safety event reporting and benchmarking. Gray said, “The easiest lessons to learn are those learned by others. We can successfully improve industry safety with honest reporting.” 
  • The Honorable Christopher Hart, National Transportation Safety Board vice chairman, began his session stating, “Safety and productivity can be improved simultaneously, if done right.” Collecting, understanding and sharing data is imperative to an operator’s SMS. Hart noted that there was a 65% decrease in the fatal accident rate between 1997-2007 due to proactive safety information programs and system think – all participants working collaboratively, using data to identify problems, prioritize problems, develop solutions and evaluate interventions. 
  • An effective and efficient automated risk assessment tool, RA Check was launched by the NATA on the last day of the symposium. RA Check combines a highly comprehensive FAA-endorsed risk assessment tool with the automation necessary to make its use quick, easy, and accurate. Visit www.nata.aero/racheck for more information and a 30-day free trial.

ACSF President James K. Coyne summed up the event, saying, “Instilling a robust corporate safety culture takes a concerted, organized and sincere effort – an effort supported by the ACSF membership, safety programs and initiatives.”

Presentations from the symposium will be made available to the public on the ACSF Web site at www.acsf.aero/symposium.

 

 
Senate Finance Committee Approves Tax Structure For FAA Programs
Last Thursday, the U.S. Senate Committee on Finance met to discuss S. 1451, the Federal Aviation Administration Reauthorization Act to approve the finance provisions included for all FAA programs. The committee approved the measure, which is the final hurdle before the bill can be taken to the senate floor. It does appear that the end is in sight for FAA reauthorization legislation in the senate; however, Senate rules allow any U.S. Senator to put a hold on the bill at any time. It’s still unknown whether the bill will be a two- or three-year authorization for the FAA. After final passage in the Senate, the bill’s next hurdle will be conference negotiations between both chambers before the legislation is final and signed by the president to become public law. NATA remains optimistic that the bill will become law this year. 
 

 
Court Rules FAA Must Release Blocked Tail Numbers
Last week, District Court Judge Rosemary Collyer ruled that the FAA, in response to a Freedom of Information Request (FOIA), must release the list of aircraft registration numbers (tail number) participating in the Block Aircraft Registration Request (BARR) program. The ruling does not require the agency to release real-time flight data, historical data or operator names.

The BARR program allows aircraft operators to have information regarding their aircrafts’ movements blocked from release to publicly available sources such as aircraft-tracking Web sites. This ability to block the publicly available data on aircraft movement is a vital security component of many aircraft owners’ operations.

It is unknown at this time if the ruling will be appealed.

 

 
NTSB To Release Safety Study On Glass Cockpits In Small Aircraft
On Tuesday, March 9, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) will hold a public board meeting to review the results of a recent study on the safety effects of glass cockpits being incorporated into small aircraft. A recent press release from the NTSB noted:

“In 2000, almost all new single-engine light airplanes were manufactured with conventional analog flight instruments. Today almost all new light planes come equipped with digital flight display avionic systems, also known as "glass cockpits." The enhanced function and information capabilities of these systems represent a significant change and potential improvement in the way general aviation pilots monitor information needed to control their aircraft.”

The NTSB initiated this study to determine if the integration of glass cockpits into small aircraft provided any additional safety benefit. The public meeting will be held in Washington, DC but will also be webcast and archived for review on the NTSB Web site. NATA will provided its members with an overview of the results and recommendations from this study

The live NTSB public board meeting may be viewed here.

 

 
House Introduces Legislation To Reauthorize The NTSB
The U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure chairman introduced legislation to reauthorize the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) last week. The following day, the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure held a hearing to address the legislation, which passed by a majority vote.

The NTSB was last authorized on December 21, 2006, and that authorization (H.R. 5076) expired on September 30, 2008. The introduced bill includes a few additions such as a mandate for the Government Accountability Office to report on improvements in the NTSB’s use of individuals representing a party involved in an accident investigation. In addition, the bill delegates authority to the United States Coast Guard for maritime casualty investigations; however, the coast guard retains the full authority of the NTSB. 

Finally, the legislation authorizes the NTSB to be funded at the following levels; $117 million in 2011; $120 million in 2012; $122 million in 2013; and $124 million in 2014. The timeline for final passage of the bill in the U.S. House of Representatives is unknown at this time.

 

 
NATA Partners With The Ohio Regional Business Aviation Association
In an effort to provide its members with more grassroots support for general aviation issues, NATA has partnered with the Ohio Regional Business Aviation Association (ORBAA) to provide each organization’s members more leverage in tackling state and federal issues respectively. ORBAA’s mission is to promote business aviation in Ohio. Having only been established for a few years, the association has installed new leadership, revamped its goals, and made great progress in Ohio. NATA looks forward to the collaborative effort with ORBAA and its members. For more information on NATA’s efforts on state issues, or if you are a member of a state association you would like to bring to the attention of NATA, please contact Kristen Moore at kmoore@nata.aero or by calling (703) 845-9000.

To view NATA’s Press Release, please click here.

To find out more about ORBAA, please click here.

 

 
Byer’s Weekly Blog: Let Your Voice Be Heard On April 21!
This week, NATA Vice President of Government and Industry Affairs Eric R. Byer discusses the importance of member involvement at NATA’s Day on the Hill event on April 21. Click here to view this week's blog. To view all of Byer's Inside Washington blogs click here.

 

 

 
Spring Training Begins Next Week In Vegas!
Put On Your Best Game Face
The Aviation Industry Expo in Las Vegas is the ideal location for line service technicians to learn the latest training and industry best practices and to take part in activities designed to boost them to a new level of leadership.

The Aviation Industry Expo (March 16-18), the only trade show focused on ground support, FBO/aviation services and aircraft maintenance, will bring together over 300 exhibitors to display the most relevant products and services for your business needs. Take time between seminars to access the latest technology products and services, experience hands-on equipment demonstrations and attend networking opportunities on the AIE show floor. Visit NATA Booth #7025 to participate in the Spring Training Week Batting Challenge for a chance to win a Wii!

Returning attendees know that one key to FBO success is lasting relationships. NATA’s 2010 Spring Training Week (March 15-17) and particularly its FBO Success Seminar is host to many opportunities to develop business relationships and friendships that transcend the comprehensive 3-day event. This year to foster the information sharing and relationship building aspects of this seminar further, NATA has added an industry roundtable and reception as well as scheduled three other popular seminars to take place during Spring Training Week.

Build career knowledge, confidence and success with NATA's Line Service Supervisor Training Seminar in Las Vegas. The LSST contains the most comprehensive technical line service and supervisory skills training in one place and at one time. This course also satisfies 14 CFR Part 139 Section 321 for fire safety training certification – an FAA requirement of line service supervisors to be completed every 24 calendar months. With the addition of new speakers and topics, this seminar has something to offer for every line service supervisor.

Also offered at Spring Training Week is NATA’s newly updated Safety 1st Trainer Seminar. Attendees will gain a thorough understanding of the importance of training, how to develop the right training program, and the keys to successful training as well as participate in group learning and practice opportunities. Also, included in this seminar are tips and techniques to teach your supervisor how to maximize the benefits of the PLST Online program in your operation.

The NATA Environmental Compliance Seminar for Aviation Facilities is the only event that focuses solely on environmental compliance issues confronting FBOs and general aviation airports. George S. Gamble, PE, 2G Environmental, LLC will cover a number of topics including, SPCC Regulations, Storm Water Permitting and Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plans, Waste Issues and Underground Storage Tanks. New this seminar, NATA Director of Regulatory Affairs Mike France will also provide a brief overview of legislative and regulatory issues that could affect our industry.

All of these valuable educational opportunities and much more await you in fabulous Las Vegas from March 15-18! Visit www.nata.aero/springtraining for more information and a link to register.

 

 
NATA Training Times Social Media Survey
Social Media is gaining popularity throughout the business world as an effective tool for communicating with employees, customers, prospects, industry contacts, vendors and members of the press as well as the community. Twitter and Facebook are also great resources to gain new ideas and keep up with what others are doing.

As NATA plans for future webinar and seminar topics, we would like to know if Social Media is something your company takes part in or would like to take part in and if there are aspects of Social Media about which you would like to learn more. Please click the link below to participate in a short survey. Also, let us know if there are other topics you would like to see covered. Thank you in advance for your time.   

Click here to take part in the survey.

Follow NATA on Twitter at www.twitter.com/nataaero or become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/nataaero.

 

 
Aviation Industry Association Heads To Appear At Upcoming CABA Event
NATA President James K. Coyne will join with NBAA President Ed Bolen and GAMA President Pete Bunce at an upcoming Centennial Airport Business Association (CABA) event in April to promote CABA’s “Aviation Saves…” program. The luncheon, to be held at X Jet FBO in Englewood, CO, on April 28, will provide CABA members the opportunity to hear from the three association presidents about the latest issues affecting general aviation. This event is sponsored by CABA, which was formed in 1994 to support the growing need for advocacy from aviation businesses in and around Centennial Airport.

More information on CABA and the upcoming “Aviation Saves…” event is available from the CABA Web site, www.mycaba.org.

 

 
March 15  Is The Deadline For Updates To Membership Directory
Ensure Correct Aviation Resource Directory Listing And Get The Most From Your NATA Membership
March 15, 2010, is the deadline to provide updated information for NATA’s 2010 Aviation Resource and Membership Directory.

Members can now provide updated profile and company information at www.nata.aero to ensure:

  • Correct information in NATA’s Aviation Resource and Membership Directory
  • Up-to-date information on NATA’s online directory
  • The right people within your organization receive important information:
    • Legislative & Regulatory Reports
    • Action Calls
    • Press & News Releases
    • Seminar, Workshop & Training Information
    • Summit, Conference & Special Event Invitations
    • Webinars & Social Media Postings
  • Delivery of relevant NATA publications:
    • Aviation Business Journal
    • Aviation Resource and Membership Directory
    • NATA Safety 1st eToolkit
    • NATA Safety 1st Flitebag
    • NATA News
    • ASC Monthly Update
    • Arrival Times
    • Plane Facts
    • Training Times
  • Receipt of information about NATA’s valuable products and services:
    • Workers’ Compensation Insurance
    • Compliance Services
    • And much more…

To ensure that your information is up-to-date and accurate:  Visit www.nata.aero, login and then click on Update Your Profile to make sure that your information is up-to-date and that you get the most from your membership. Follow NATA on Twitter at www.twitter.com/nataaero and become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/nataaero.

If you need assistance, please contact Linda Pylant at lpylant@nata.aero or by phone at (800) 808-6282 x112.

 
 

 
Deadline Approaching To Submit Compensation Data
The March 22 deadline to have your information included in the NATA Annual Compensation Survey is quickly approaching. The Compensation Survey is a unique and valuable reference to help you manage your business more profitably by managing labor costs.  Association Research Inc, the independent research firm that has conducted the NATA Compensation Survey for many years, has once again created a confidential, Web-based survey.

To start the survey, click on the link below. When you go to the survey Web site, you will have to register with your e-mail address and create a password of your choosing. You can start the survey and save your work at any point. If necessary, you can always return later using your e-mail address and password to complete the survey by the deadline. Your participation greatly contributes to the success of this effort.

If you would like complete the survey off line, there will be a $25 charge.

Click the following link to start the survey: https://www.ari-surveys.com/run/natacomp10. Please contact ARI at ari@associationresearch.com with any questions about the survey.

Back to Top
 

Weekly Web Survey

Do you believe that states are attempting to tax charter and fractional operators unjustifiably to make up for budget shortfalls?

Participate in survey.

 

 
Aviation Fact Of The Week
Many general aviation facilities, including FBOs, airports, repair stations and even some chartered aircraft, have installed portable automatic external defibrillators (AED) in recent years in an attempt to prepare for medical emergencies on site. These AEDs are used to provide a lifesaving shock to an individual suffering from a serious cardiac event. Studies have shown that the proper and timely use of AEDs can significantly increase the chances for survival for individuals in cardiac arrest.

As demonstrated by a recent article from http://www.ems1.com, facility and aircraft operators where AEDs are installed must ensure that they are fully maintained to the manufactures’ specifications.

“CHICAGO — The family of a 49-year-old man who died of a heart attack after a defibrillator on the Chicago Fire engine sent to resuscitate him did not work — because the batteries hadn't been replaced — will receive $3.2 million under a settlement advanced Monday by a City Council committee.

“No one knows whether a working defibrillator would have saved [the victim]. The problem is under the law, if there's any percentage chance that a person could have survived but for the alleged negligence, that's enough to recover [damages].”

NATA recommends that any AED installation should be incorporated into a facility’s or operator’s inspection program, per the AED manufacturer’s recommendations, to ensure that the equipment is in good working order in the event of an emergency.

 

 

Visit us anytime at www.nata.aero


National Air Transportation Association
4226 King Street
Alexandria, VA 22302
Phone: (800)808-6282
Fax: (703)845-8176
 

Having trouble viewing this email?  


 

 
##TrackImpression##