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December 8, 2014 – Volume 13 Issue 49
 Congress Expected to Adjourn This Week
The lame duck session of congress is expected to adjourn this week after addressing several must pass items of interest to aviation. Read more.
FAA Publishes New Rule on Aviation Training Device Credit for Pilot Certification
On December 3rd, the FAA published a new rule that takes effect January 20, 2015, and will allow pilots to credit a maximum of 20 hours of instrument time in an approved aviation training device (ATD) toward the requirements for an instrument rating under 14 CFR §61.65. Devices that only qualify as basic aviation training devices (BATDs) will be authorized for a maximum of 10 hours of instrument time.
In 2009, the FAA issued a rule that placed a 10-hour limit on training devices, but due to advanced technology development and capability in training devices, the FAA has now authorized an increase in use of ATDs. NATA has been discussing the issue with the FAA since the 2009 rule was issued and had asked to be able to take maximum advantage of capabilities of the new devices. As stated in the new rule by the FAA, “These training devices have proven to be an effective, safe, and affordable means of obtaining pilot experience. These actions are necessary to bring the regulations in line with current needs and activities of the general aviation training community and pilots.”
Don’t Miss These NATA Awards Deadlines
NATA is pleased to announce that applications for the 2015 Aviation Maintenance Technician Employer Award Program are available. This award program is designed to recognize companies that employ aviation maintenance technicians (AMT) and encourages and supports AMT training. The award is based on the percentage of AMTs employed by a maintenance organization that participate in qualified training events. Applications for the 2015 Aviation Maintenance Technician Employer Award Program will be accepted through January 30, 2015. For more information on the program, or to download an application packet, click here.
NATA is also accepting nominations for its awards acknowledging the individuals, offices, and organizations demonstrating excellence in their field and the highest level of customer service to the general aviation community. 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 and include the following categories:
• Airport Executive Partnership Award
• Excellence In Pilot Training Award
• FAA Service Excellence Award
• ATP/NATA General Aviation Service Technician Award
• New this year: The Safety 1st Certified Line Service Professional Award recognizes the achievements of certified line service professionals on an annual basis thereby raising awareness of the positive impact that they have on safety, service and business success.
All nominations for these awards must be received by NATA no later than January 9, 2015. 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 Elizabeth Nicholson. The awards will be presented during the NATA Industry Excellence Awards presentation lunch in June 2015.
2015 Air Charter Safety Symposium Keynote - Al Gorthy
Register now for the 2015 Air Charter Safety Foundation Safety Symposium at the NTSB Training Center in Dulles, VA. The Symposium will take place March 10-11, 2015. Call 1.888.SAFE.135 to register. ACSF is pleased to announce that Al Gorthy, Captain USN (retired) will keynote the 2015 symposium.
Maintaining conscious attention is mentally demanding and undoubtedly diminishes over time because of fatigue. Improving attention skills is more complicated than just simply asking aircrew to ‘pay more attention.' When the boundaries of attention are tested the risk of mistakes are magnified. The challenge is to identify where and how to apply appropriate techniques to intervene and preclude our attention span from waning. Reducing the likelihood of runway incursions and excursions is dependent on the situational awareness and attentiveness of pilots and controllers and the time available to take action….often times only a matter of seconds. This presentation will reveal the precursors of incursions and excursions and provide attention control techniques to keep your mind focused on the task at hand.
Al’s background includes twenty six years of active duty service in the US Navy where he flew as an operational pilot in the A-7, A-4, F-5 and F/A-18. He made two combat deployments during the Vietnam conflict and served on a total of eight different aircraft carriers during his Navy career.
As a subject matter expert on runway incursions and excursions he has been working in the field of surface safety since 2001. Al works directly and routinely with the Federal Aviation Administration Air Traffic, Airports and Flight Standards Divisions on critical issues effecting surface safety. He analyzes data on human factors, airport geometry, cockpit and ATC procedures and recommends initiatives to mitigate known risks. He has accumulated over 5000 flight hours, 600 carrier landings and holds an ATP.
Spring Committee Meetings Take Place in San Jose – Register Now
NATA’s Spring Committee Meetings are scheduled for February 2, 2015. The meetings will precede the NBAA Schedulers & Dispatchers Conference in San Jose, CA. Room registrations must be made through NBAA’s room block.
2015 FBO Success Seminar Has Even More to Offer
NATA’s FBO Success Seminar takes place March 9-10, 2015 in Las Vegas. The NATA FBO Success Seminar is for FBO owners, operators, general managers, new managers, finance personnel and other key FBO employees who are interested in building a more successful FBO. This popular industry seminar, now in its sixth year, will offer attendees new FBO management techniques, essential operational and service knowledge, and a networking forum for sharing experiences and best practices.
The FBO Success Seminar will be held in conjunction with the GSE Expo Worldwide and attendees will receive a complimentary registration to attend to the Expo. In addition, attendees will also receive a free copy of the new book, FBO Survival. 10 Tips to Keep Your Operation Lean, Mean & Profitable – a $49.95 value. Register today!
Safety 1st Regional Advanced Line Service Workshop – Las Vegas, NV
NATA Safety 1st is pleased to bring its unique mix of technical and service training to Las Vegas on March 10-11, 2015. This two-day training event is designed to provide the knowledge and skills needed to make your line service team succeed and become new leaders within your company. Register now! Additional dates and locations for this workshop are available at www.nata.aero/events.
EJM Anticipates China Aircraft Management
Receipt of its air operator certificate (AOC) from the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) paved the way for NetJets to begin offering aircraft management services in addition to charter, through its Executive Jet Management (EJM) unit. Operating in that country as NetJets China Business Aviation Ltd., the enterprise is a joint venture among Columbus, Ohio-based NetJets and private-equity firm Hony Capital and Fung Investments. Read more.
Augusta Regional Airport Provides Holiday Entertainment for Travelers
As holiday travelers make their way through the terminal at Augusta Regional Airport, they'll see the sights and sounds of the season. There will be holiday performers and hidden elves, and Santa will be stopping by for a few visits. Further details.
Showalter Flying Services Selling To Texas Company
Showalter Flying Services, which has operated at Orlando Executive Airport for nearly 70 years, is being bought by a Plano, Texas, company. Read more.
Distinguished Aviation Veteran Joins Sales Team
ARGUS International, Inc. (ARGUS) is pleased to welcome Michael Volpe as the new Regional Sales Manager for the Eastern half of the United States, as well as Eastern Canada. Volpe will be responsible for selling ARGUS and PRISM (Professional Resources In System Management) SMS products and services to customers in his region. Read further.
Message from ACSF President Bryan Burns
You may have noticed that the ACSF website is currently offline. Our service provider was one of many across the internet that were attached and disrupted. They are working to resolve the issue and will have us back up as soon as they can. In the meantime, please don’t hesitate to call us 888-723-3135 if you have any questions or concerns.
Thanks for your patience and understanding,
Bryan Burns
President
Air Charter Safety Foundation
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