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 Support Fuel Fraud Tax Repeal In Highway Reauthorization Bill |
The U.S. House of Representatives is scheduled to vote on H.R. 7, legislation to reauthorize the Federal Highway Administration the week of February 27. NATA is working to get a provision included in the bill that would repeal the onerous fuel fraud tax.
The fuel fraud provision, which was originally included in the 2005 Highway Bill, changed the collection of taxes for non-commercial aviation jet fuel and required the funds to be deposited into the Highway Trust Fund. This diversion of aviation fuel tax revenue has cost the Airport and Airway Trust Fund approximately $50 million annually since the bill’s enactment and is anticipated to cost another $500 million over the next ten years. In addition, the process of filing for the 2.5-cent-per-gallon refund with the IRS has put an undue burden on aviation businesses although there is no substantial evidence to prove that fuel fraud is taking place.
NATA has encouraged its members to contact their Members of Congress in support of this important provision. To learn more about the action call and to get involved, please click here.
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The long-delayed FAA reauthorization bill, H.R. 658, the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012, became public law on February 14, 2012. The legislation provides nearly $16 billion per year to the FAA through fiscal year 2015, and authorizes $3.35 billion annually for the Airport Improvement Program. Final legislation allows the agency to operate without the uncertainty experienced through 23 short-term operating bills over the past five years.
To view NATA’s Legislative Report on the bill, please click here.
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| Read Inside Washington Blog Post -- President’s Fiscal Year 2013 Budget Is Fish Wrap Yet Again |
NATA Vice President of Government and Industry Affairs Eric R. Byer today issued a blog, in David Letterman fashion, citing the reasons why the President’s FY 2013 budget is dead on arrival and should be considered fish wrap.
Click here to read this blog post in its entirety.
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Last week, U.S. House Representative Mike Pompeo (R-KS) spoke on the House floor defending general aviation and opposed the President’s budget that includes a user fee on general aviation and reduces the bonus deprecation schedule for aircraft.
Rep. Pompeo recently launched a Web site to gather signatures for a letter petitioning President Obama on the importance of the general aviation industry. Help make a difference today by signing the petition and encourage others to do the same.
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| FCC Blocks LightSquared’s Proposed Network |
Last week, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) issued a press release, rejecting the implementation of a nationwide wireless network that would threaten to interfere with global positioning system (GPS) technology. A study conducted by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration revealed that “there is no practical way to mitigate the potential interference” of LightSquared’s high-speed network with GPS devices.
Last year, the FCC granted LightSquared a conditional approval to move forward pending the results of testing the company’s network with GPS bands. The company argued that it was the responsibility of the GPS industry to build receivers that transmitted via designated frequencies and that the testing conducted was severely flawed.
The network implementation has been opposed by industries and organizations that rely heavily on GPS systems, including farming, military, construction and aviation. The FAA issued a report acknowledging that it would take more than 10 years for the industry to develop, test and implement modified GPS equipment in every commercial and private aircraft in the nation.
The test report concludes that there are no mitigation strategies that solve interference issues and provide LightSquared with the adequate deployment of the network and that too much time and money is required for GPS-based industries to replace and implement new technology.
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In comments to the FAA, NATA supported a direct to final rule that will allow qualified Part 135 operators to conduct lower-than-standard takeoffs at military and foreign airports if they have received the proper Operations Specification (OpSpec).
The regulatory language currently at § 135.225 (f) limits operations to standard takeoff minimums at military airports and airports outside the United States.
By making the change to § 135.225 (f), the FAA will be able to allow Part 135 operators that have obtained OpSpec C079 to use that authority at military and foreign airports.
NATA’s comments supported the immediate adoption of the proposed rule and noted that the rule change was consistent with requirements for Parts 91 and 121.
The rule change is slated to take effect on February 27, 2012.
More information on this issue is available in NATA’s Regulatory Report.
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Congress recently passed legislation, H.R. 658 the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012, to reauthorize the FAA for four years, the first bill since the expiration of the previous long-term bill in September 2007. H.R. 658 includes a number of provisions important to NATA members. Join us on Tuesday, February 21, 2012, as NATA staff run through the aspects of the bill that impact the membership. This one-hour webinar is FREE for NATA members.
Speakers:
Eric Byer, NATA Vice President, Government and Industry Affairs
Jacqueline Rosser, NATA Director, Regulatory Affairs
Kristen Moore, NATA Director, Legislative Affairs
Date/Time: Tuesday, February 21, 2012, at 12:00 EST
Visit www.nata.aero/webinars to register.
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Don’t Miss Thursday’s E-learn Webinar
The federal government is looking to fine collection as a revenue source, and it is becoming increasingly difficult to negotiate down fines. This webinar will discuss how to analyze violations, how to defend and/or mitigate violations and, most importantly, what steps you can take to ensure that you are prepared so the next time you are violation-proof.
Speaker: Lisa Harig, Esq., McBreen & Kopko
Date/Time: February 23, 2012, at 12:00 EST
Price: $49.95 per location
Click here to register.
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| SAN Update: Aviation Tax Exemption Passes Florida House |
On February 15, the Florida House of Representatives passed legislation that expands exemptions from the state’s sales and use tax on labor and parts utilized in repairs on aircraft that weigh more than 2,000 pounds. House Bill 7087, the chamber’s Economic Development Bill, allows single-engine, multi-engine, and turboprop aircraft to benefit from reduced repair bills that were previously allotted to aircraft weighing 15,000 pounds or more.
Passage of the bill puts Florida amongst 32 states whose tax exemptions are boosting maintenance business and development statewide. Florida will remain competitive in its state taxes, and general aviation businesses will strengthen under the proposed new law. The state’s 509 repair stations will remain open for business and will allow pilots who visit Florida to save money on maintenance taxes.
NATA has been working with the Florida Aviation Trades Association and other industry organizations in the state to ask members to contact their Representatives in support of this important issue. Attention will now turn to the state Senate’s companion bill, SB 1384. It is currently under budget committee review.
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March 27-30, 2012, in Washington, DC at the Hyatt Regency
More than 150 industry leaders will come together one week in Washington for a variety of events, including the FBO Leadership Conference featuring the NATA Industry Excellence Awards Presentation and the new FBO Managers Workshop. All events will be held at the Hyatt Regency Washington on Capitol Hill.
Other NATA Capital Week for Aviation Business Events:
FBO Leadership Conference table-top displays as well as sponsorship opportunities for various Capital Week events are available. Contact Diane Gleason at dgleason@nata.aero to secure one.
Click here to learn more about these events and for links to register today.
Please note: To guarantee the $279/per night room rate, you must book your hotel by March 2.
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| Spring Training Week Seminar Rosters Are Quickly Filling Up...Register Today! |
NATA's Spring Training Week will get into full swing in Las Vegas on March 5-6 with its popular Line Service Supervisor Training Seminar. The event continues with the NATA FBO Finance Fundamentals – For New and Seasoned Managers Responsible for the “Bottom Line” in Aviation Services Seminar on March 6-7, NATA’s Safety 1st Trainer Seminar on March 7 and Environmental Compliance Seminar on March 8 (the only one offered in 2012). NATA's Spring Training Week will once again be held in conjunction with the Cygnus Aviation Expo (March 7-9). Spring Training seminars take place at the Las Vegas Convention Center. Meet NATA Safety 1st staff and enter to win fabulous prizes at the NATA Spring Training Week registration desk, located outside room N218 in the North Hall, Level 2 of the Las Vegas Convention Center. Seminar spaces are filling fast, please visit www.nata.aero/springtraining for more details and to register today.
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Register for February 28-29 Symposium Today!
Don’t miss out on your last chance to sign up as a NEW Air Charter Safety Foundation (ACSF) member and receive one FREE Symposium registration. Visit www.acsf.aero to find out more about the ACSF and then click the links in this article to find out more about the 2012 ACSF Safety Symposium speakers and topics.
The following ACSF Safety Symposium speakers submitted guest blog posts for the ACSF’s Charter Safety Advocate Blog on the highlighted topics:
Empowered Accountability - Rethinking Professionalism
To read the guest blog post by ACSF Safety Symposium keynote speaker Dr. Tony Kern, CEO, Convergent Performance, click here.
CRM Guidance at ACSF Safety Symposium
To read the guest blog post by ACSF Safety Symposium speaker Shannon Forrest, CRM Program Manager, FlightSafety International, click here.
Aircraft Tire Best Practices
To read the guest blog post by ACSF Safety Symposium speaker Keat Pruszenski, Manager, Customer Support Engineering, Michelin Aircraft Tire Company, click here.
Registration information for the ACSF Safety Symposium may be found at www.acsf.aero/symposium.
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| Q1 Aviation Business Journal Now Available |
The first quarter of NATA’s Aviation Business Journal is in the mail and now available at www.nata.aero or by clicking here.
In This Issue:
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| NATA Office Closed For Presidents’ Day Holiday |
NATA Headquarters is closed today in observance of the Presidents’ Day holiday. NATA offices will reopen tomorrow morning at 9:00 a.m.
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