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NATA News
 NATA News

##Date##                                                                                                Volume 8 Issue 50

 

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.

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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Upcoming Events

2010 FBO Leadership Conference - San Antonio, TX - 01/25/2010

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

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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

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Topics in this Volume:
 
Ø
Ø Congress Approves Annual Appropriations Funding For FY 2010
Ø President Obama’s Proposal To Accelerate Job Growth Includes Aviation
Ø Byer’s Blog – When Did USA Today Become a Subsidiary Of The Air Transport Association?
Ø EPA To Extend Comment Period On De-ice ELG
Ø NATA Releases Video Briefing: “FLY” 
Ø Free Airport Minimum Standards Webinar This Wednesday
Ø ACSF Publishes Charter Safety Review
Ø Executive Fliteways, Million Air Dallas, And Sun Air Jets Make ACSF Industry Audit Standard Registry
Ø NATA Names Busch As Environmental Committee Chairman
Ø 2010 FBO Leadership Conference Brochure - Now Available!
Ø Environmental Compliance Seminar At Spring Training
Ø NATA Weekly Survey
Ø Quick Facts On Aviation Fuel Quality Control
   

 

Congress Extends FAA Reauthorization Legislation, Yet Again
The glimmer of hope that existed in the past few weeks about final passage of long-term legislation to reauthorize the FAA in the U.S. Senate has been extinguished. On December 10, 2009, the U.S. Congress passed legislation to continue funding the FAA through March 31, 2010. H.R. 4217 continues aviation taxes and revenues to all the federal programs of the FAA through March. The FAA has been operating under a series of extensions since its authorization expired in 2007. The current extension expires December 31. 

H.R. 4217 provides $2 billion in contract authority for the Airport Improvement Program through the end of March to enable airports to move forward with safety and capacity projects. When legislation to authorize the FAA is annualized, this amount is usually close to $4 billion. In addition, H.R. 4217 extends the aviation excise taxes that are necessary to support the Airport and Airways Trust Fund, a substantial portion of the FAA’s budget. 

The U.S. House of Representatives passed a re-authorization bill in May, but the Senate did not complete its version of the bill due to a full calendar consisting mainly of health care reform legislation.

 

 
Congress Approves Annual Appropriations Funding For FY 2010
Last week, the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate agreed on a final conference report titled Consolidated Appropriations legislation (H.R. 3288) that included five unfinished appropriations bills for Fiscal Year 2010, including the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT).  Congress passes annual appropriations bills to set the budget authority for each federal agency, which is separate from reauthorization.

Conferees agreed on $77 billion for the DOT, including $15.992 billion for the FAA, a 3.4 percent increase over FY 09. The FAA’s largest account is the operations budget, which includes the Airport and Airways Trust Fund reduced from $5.238 billion to $4 billion. An increase was given to the general fund share of the FAA’s budget, $5.3 billion.

For the fifth year in a row, the Airport Improvement Program was funded at the same level of $3.515 billion. 

A detailed legislative report on this bill will be available at www.nata.aero shortly.

 

 
President Obama’s Proposal To Accelerate Job Growth Includes Aviation
Last week, President Obama laid out some of the steps he believes will help businesses start hiring again and help put Americans back to work. One of the steps included investing in America's roads, bridges and infrastructure, including additional investment in highways, transit, rail, and aviation infrastructure. President Obama’s multi-layered jobs plan includes spending up to $50 billion in additional funds on transportation infrastructure programs, with the goal of obligating that money to specific projects within the next year.

White House officials have said the money to fund infrastructure investments could come from savings from the financial rescue program, which cost less than anticipated. Earlier this year, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act set aside $48 billion for the Department of Transportation (DOT) to spend. Most of the funds went into highway and bridge projects, airport repairs, yet-to-be-awarded funds for high-speed passenger rail, and grants for projects of special importance. The DOT has to date paid out less than $7 billion but has obligated over $31 billion.

Speaking about his new proposals, Obama said, “We’re proposing a boost in investment in the nation’s infrastructure beyond what was included in the Recovery Act, to continue modernizing our transportation and communications networks. These are needed public works that engage private sector companies, spurring hiring across the country.” White House aides said the project spending would again include highways, transit, rail, aviation and water transport systems. One said it would also set aside “a significant amount” for “merit-based” construction such as intermodal projects that draw in investments from other parties as well.

 

 
Byer’s Blog – When Did USA Today Become a Subsidiary Of The Air Transport Association?
Byer writes about USA Today’s latest bashing of federal funding for rural airports that continues to demonstrate the publication’s ignorance and its undying devotion to the airline community.

To read Byer’s blog please click here.

 

 
EPA To Extend Comment Period On De-ice ELG
NATA has received confirmation that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will extend the public comment period for the proposed de-icing effluent limitations guideline in response to a request from the NATA, Air Transport Association, Airports Council International – North America, American Association of Airport Executives and the Regional Airline Association. The EPA’s decision has not yet been finalized in a Federal Register notice but should be published in the next two weeks. In recent conversations with EPA staff, NATA learned that the EPA plans to extend the comment period by 60 days, placing the end of the comment period in late February 2010.

The proposed de-icing effluent limitation guideline would mandate that certain technological solutions be employed at regulated airports.

To view NATA’s de-ice effluent limitation guideline regulatory report, click here.

A copy of the letter sent to the EPA requesting the comment period extension may be viewed here.

 

 
NATA Releases Video Briefing: “FLY”
The NATA has released the third video in the “Coyne’s Video Briefings” series titled “FLY.” In it, NATA President James K. Coyne asserts that the best way to get the economy moving is to start flying more and encourage others to do so as well. As we approach the 106th anniversary of the Wright brothers’ first powered flight (December 17), it is more crucial than ever to remind customers, aircraft owners, colleagues and friends that NOW is the time to start flying. The preservation of the Wright brothers’ legacy and the future of our industry depend on it.

A new video will be released every few weeks and will focus on “hot topics” and important current events affecting the association’s membership and the general aviation industry at-large.

“These video briefings allow me to speak directly to our members on current political and financial issues affecting their companies,” Coyne stated. “I will also be able to provide some candid perspective as to how these issues impact the bottom line of aviation businesses and what actions our members can take to ensure that their companies are protected from new taxes and unnecessary regulations.”  

To view “FLY,” please click here.

To view the catalog of Coyne’s Video Briefings, please click here.

 

 
Free Airport Minimum Standards Webinar This Wednesday
On December 16, NATA will continue its free webinar series with a one-hour presentation on Airport Minimum Standards hosted by NATA Director of Regulatory Affairs Michael France. The FAA recommends that all federally obligated airports create, implement and maintain comprehensive minimum standards for aeronautical service providers to ensure compliance with federal grant assurances. Topics covered during this webinar will include:
  • AIP Program and Federal Grant Assurances
  • General Contents of Minimum Standards
  • Enforcement
  • Review and Update of Minimum Standards
  • Airport Rules and Regulations

There will be a question-and-answer period at the end of the webinar. FBO managers, airport sponsors and anyone interested in understanding the importance of airport minimum standards should plan now to attend! To register for NATA’s Airport Minimum Standards Webinar, please click here.

For more information, please contact Michael France, NATA director of regulatory affairs, mfrance@nata.aero.

 

 
ACSF Publishes Charter Safety Review
The Air Charter Safety Foundation (ACSF) has released its first safety review of the Part 135 on-demand air charter industry. The Part 135 Incident/Accident Review is a comprehensive look at the factors surrounding charter incidents and accidents between 2004 and 2008.

In conducting the review, the ACSF analyzed each Part 135 on-demand event reported in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) database and identified non-revenue flights flown under Part 91 that were under the control of a certificate holder. These include maintenance, ferry, positioning and instructional flights among others. Events on Part 91 flights under the operational control of an aircraft owner were not included.

Several interesting data-points emerged in the review:

  • Approximately 65% of all revenue flight accidents, and 62% of non-revenue, occurred in visual meteorological conditions.
  • Non-revenue (i.e. Part 91) fatal accidents accounted for 28% of all non-revenue accidents while 25% of all revenue accident flights were fatal accidents.
  • Revenue accident flights involving transportation to/from oil rigs represent, on average for the five-year period, 18% of all accidents.

The ACSF refrains from drawing specific conclusions about these figures as the means to place them into proper context is dependent upon an accurate reporting of flight hours in each category. Such data is not collected by either the FAA or NTSB.

"The ACSF believes that our study provides an insight into the areas of our industry that deserve deeper evaluation to identify where higher risks actually lie. Without better data on how many hours are flown by aircraft type and mission, both government and industry are unable to make informed choices regarding interventions," explained ACSF Executive Director Jacqueline Rosser.

For example, during the five-year period examined, cargo flights accounted for 112 accidents and there were 128 passenger flight accidents. Without having accurate flight hours for each type of mission, it is impossible to determine whether these accidents represent a frequency proportional or disproportional to their actual exposure. Commenting on the inclusion of non-revenue flights in the review, Rosser explained, "Early on we made the decision to include Part 91 flights that were under the certificate holder's control. ACSF members have stated that the safety impact and risks for these flights are not well known within the industry. The charter operator is just as responsible for the safety of these flights as for those operated for-hire. It is imperative that we better understand the frequency and severity of these types of accidents so we can endeavor to improve operational safety overall, not just when passengers or cargo are onboard."

The Part 135 Incident/Accident Review will be updated annually as new information becomes available. Copies of the report are being delivered to every ACSF member. Non-members may order a copy of the publication for $25. Call ACSF at 888-723-3135 to place an order.

 

 
Executive Fliteways, Million Air Dallas, And Sun Air Jets Make ACSF Industry Audit Standard Registry
The Air Charter Safety Foundation (ACSF) last week announced the addition of three companies to the ACSF Industry Audit Standard (IAS) Registry: Executive Fliteways of Ronkonkoma, NY; Million Air Dallas of Addison, TX; and Sun Air Jets of Camarillo, CA. These operators join Jet Solutions, LLC and Bombardier Flexjet, the first to complete the IAS audit and achieve Registered status with the ACSF.

"Sun Air Jets is pleased to have successfully met the standards of the Air Charter Safety Foundation audit. The ACSF has raised the bar for safety in our industry and Sun Air is proud to be one of the first to comply with that high standard," said Stephen Lassetter, president & COO, Sun Air Jets, LLC.

The ACSF IAS is a revolutionary audit program developed by the foundation to set the standard for the independent evaluation of an air charter or shared ownership company's business systems, safety and regulatory compliance.

The IAS is the only audit program on the market today that comprehensively evaluates both an operator's Safety Management System (SMS) and its Part 135 regulatory compliance. The IAS consists of a rigorous review of an operator's processes and procedures, and regulatory compliance, as well as the business' implementation of, and adherence to, an SMS.

"I am very proud of our employees at Million Air Dallas who worked hard to earn the ACSF Registry. Our efforts in meeting the new higher standards show that safety is our number one priority for our clientele and owners," said Robert Schmidt, director of operations for Million Air Dallas.

Operators and charter consumers are enthusiastic about this independent evaluation, and industry support for the program continues to grow. Twenty-four audits were completed this year, and approximately thirty more are scheduled for 2010.

"Executive Fliteways is proud to have received ACSF certification of its Safety Management System (SMS). We have long recognized the value of an SMS as a means to improve the quality of the services we provide as well as to establish a method to evaluate our safety procedures continuously. We look forward to the time when all Part 135 operators have joined the ACSF Registry," stated Kenneth S. Gray, director of operations, Executive Fliteways, Inc.

With the deployment of the ACSF IAS, the charter consumer can be assured that audited and registered operators are compliant with the highest standards of safety and compliance. Customers should look for the ACSF IAS-registered logo and encourage their preferred charter provider to participate in the program. 

The ACSF makes its operator registry and key company details available at no charge, so verification of IAS registration is quick and easy. Charter consumers can view the registry at www.acsf.aero/registry

 

 
NATA Names Busch As Environmental Committee Chairman
In a December 10, 2009 press release, NATA announced that Avfuel Corporation Vice President of Supply and Business Development Owen Busch has been named chairman of the NATA Environmental Committee.

In his current role, Owen oversees Avfuel Corporation’s global supply chain supporting a network of over 600 branded aviation fuel dealers and hundreds of additional fuel locations accessible to general and commercial operators worldwide. Owen holds a Bachelor of Science in Aviation Business Administration from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, Florida, and a Masters of Business Administration from the Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, Michigan. He is currently based at Avfuel’s corporate headquarters in Michigan.

“Under Owen’s leadership we expect that the Environmental Committee will continue to provide direction to the association on environmental affairs, including finding innovative ways for our members to be industry leaders in environmental responsibility” said NATA Director of Regulatory Affairs Michael France.

The entire press release is available here.

 

 
2010 FBO Leadership Conference Brochure - Now Available!
Developed for the leading executives and managers of fixed base operations, the annual FBO Leadership Conference features nationally recognized experts who provide the latest intelligence, tactics and strategies to maximize success. The 2010 sessions will focus on change and relationships.

The 2010 FBO Leadership Conference will address these questions, and more:

  • What are the long-term implications of change for the industry, in general, and your business, specifically?
  • How will you conduct business in this new environment?
  • Who will tomorrow’s customers be and how will you reach them?
  • What is the value of relationship-building in a recession?
  • How can you foster those relationships?
  • How much more change can you expect?

New For Next Year 
The FBO Leadership Conference will be held at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center in San Antonio immediately preceding NBAA's Schedulers & Dispatchers Conference. The close proximity of these two events will enable business leaders to meet with their customers and learn about the latest challenges and opportunities facing the industry.

Click here for a PDF of the brochure.

 

 

 

 



Click here to register on NATA's Web site.


Click here for a PDF of the registration form.

 

 
Environmental Compliance Seminar At Spring Training
March 15, Held In Conjunction With AIE
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. With mounting pressure from the media, the federal government and the public at-large, this seminar is designed to ensure that FBOs and general aviation airports are complying with environmental mandates that affect their daily operations.

Why attend:

  • Increase awareness of all applicable regulations
  • Ensure compliance with new environmental mandates
  • Avoid negative press and costly errors
  • Discuss best management practices
  • Review procedures, equipment and requirements

Who should attend:

  • FBO Owners / General Managers
  • Aviation / Airport Managers 
  • Regulatory Compliance Managers 
  • Environmental Compliance Managers

What will be covered:

  • Spill Prevention, Control And Countermeasures (SPCC) Regulations And The New Changes That Will Take Effect On November 10, 2010
  • Storm Water Permitting And Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plans
  • Newly Proposed EPA De-Icing Requirements
  • Waste Issues (hazardous waste, universal waste, waste oil and waste fuel)
  • Underground Storage Tanks
  • EU Emission Trading Scheme – Current Requirements In Europe And What To Expect In The Future For The U.S.

Speaker:
George S. Gamble, PE
2G Environmental, LLC

Gamble is a 1981 graduate of Virginia Tech with a degree in Chemical Engineering and has an MBA from Augusta State University in Georgia. He has corporate experience in the chemical industry as well as the environmental consulting industry and has been a registered professional engineer since 1992. In January 2004, Gamble formed 2G Environmental, LLC with a focus on the EPA Regulations for Spill Prevention Control and Countermeasures or SPCC. He has prepared SPCC Plans or related projects on over 100 aviation facilities ranging from FBOs to corporate aviation facilities. Other aviation activities include environmental training, environmental due diligence, storm water permitting, Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plans, OSHA compliance and recordkeeping, and other environmental consulting. In addition to his extensive aviation experience, he has also prepared SPCC Plans for several trucking/transportation facilities, warehouse facilities, retail facilities, and industrial facilities across the southeast. 

Visit www.nata.aero/springtraining for more information on this seminar and the other events to be held at NATA’s Spring Training Week in Las Vegas, March 15-17.

 

 
NATA Weekly Survey
NATA’s weekly surveys are part of an effort to obtain more information from our members to serve their daily needs better. These surveys range from specific policy topics to programs, products and services that the association provides or should provide. The association strongly encourages members to take a few moments to review and complete the online survey in each week’s edition of NATA News.

Question:
Do you believe that another delay by Congress in approving a multi-year FAA reauthorization bill is slowing down long-term airport development?

Participate in survey.

 
 

 
Quick Facts On Aviation Fuel Quality Control
One of the most important, but often misunderstood, areas of aviation safety is fuel quality control. Quality of fuel is one of the few areas in aviation that is not directly regulated by the FAA or other governmental agency. Instead, the policies and procedures that are used to ensure fuel quality are industry standards that have been developed in response to issues and indirect regulation. This new feature of NATA News, quick facts on Aviation Fuel Quality Control, will provide NATA members an insight into those policies and procedures that ensure that fuel delivered to aircraft is clean, dry and on-specification.

Quality Control of aviation fuel is a system of overlapping checks, equipment design factors and procedures that, when administered correctly, ensure that aviation fuel is suitable for use in aircraft. Perhaps the most important factor in the quality control chain is the impact of trained, experienced technicians. You will find these individuals working at FBOs, fuel farms and airports across the country. It is their dedication and experience that advances our industry’s excellent record in fuel quality. In future editions of Quick Facts on Fuel Quality Control we will explore some of the tests, procedures and equipment employed by quality control technicians to keep fuel safe for use in aircraft.

 

 

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