NATA was saddened to hear of the passing of Michael “Mick” Pittard. Pittard owned Hoosier Air Sales, which was later known as Indianapolis Aviation; Kokomo Aviation; and the FBO at Lafayette Airport, which became Purdue Aviation. Pittard also founded the commuter airline Direct Air and the on-demand air charter operator Aviation Charter Services. After graduating from North Central High School in Indianapolis and serving two years in the Navy, Pittard earned a degree in accounting from Ball State University in 1967.
In accordance with Article VI, Section 3 of the NATA Bylaws, the annual meeting of members will be held in conjunction with NATA’s Committee Meetings, Day on the Hill, and Air Charter Summit on June 21, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. Eastern. The meeting will take place during a luncheon at The Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center in National Harbor, MD. The purpose of the meeting is for the election of directors and other issues as properly may come before the members. Please send your RSVP to attend the Annual Meeting to Jillian Williams at jwilliams@nata.aero. Separate registration for the Day on the Hill and Air Charter Summit is required.
The last day and time to complete training in the current LMS is June 26th at 23:59 CDT. The current LMS will remain online for records-only access through June 28th, before going dark until July 1st to prepare for the launch of NATA’s new LMS.
Last month, another incident of Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) contaminating jet fuel occurred at an FBO in the Southwest United States reminding us of the importance of diligence and training in mitigating this very real threat. In this latest report, the affected aircraft lost both engines before making a dead-stick landing approximately 280 miles away. Even though no injuries were reported, the risks for more catastrophic results remain high. Since 2017, the 5 reported incidents of DEF contamination of jet fuel have resulted in multiple in-flight engine failures and significant damage to aircraft fuel systems and engines. Miraculously, none of these cases have resulted in an aircraft crash…YET. Remember, DEF contamination is preventable.
The National Air Transportation Association (NATA) issued the following statement on Billy Nolen’s decision to step down as Acting Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
The National Air Transportation Association (NATA) announced today that the application period for the 2023 Aviation Maintenance Technician (AMT) Employer Award Program is now open through July 15, 2023.
Wednesday, March 22, 2023
Today, the FAA issued a SAFO informing the aviation community that several highly visible and notable recent events demonstrate the need for continued vigilance and attention to mitigation of safety risks. This SAFO applies to all aircraft operations conducted under Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) Parts 91, 91 subpart K (Part 91K), 121, 125, 129, and 135.
The National Air Transportation Association (NATA) announces a call for nominations to acknowledge the individuals, offices, and organizations demonstrating excellence in their fields and the highest levels of customer service to the general aviation community.
NATA COO Keith DeBerry and Vice President of Regulatory Affairs Alan Stephens provided a voice for aviation businesses and 135 operators at the FAA Aviation Safety Summit in McLean, VA on March 15.
National Air Transportation Association (NATA) President and CEO Curt Castagna testified today before the House Aviation Subcommittee to discuss solution-focused proposals that secure a vibrant future for general aviation. In the testimony, NATA highlights the critical importance of FAA Reauthorization legislation that will maintain the security and increase the resiliency of the National Airspace System while refining the focus and improving the efficiency of its regulatory agency.