|
2012 AIR CHARTER SUMMIT REACHES NEW HEIGHTS
Alexandria, VA, June 13, 2012 - This week, the National Air Transportation Association (NATA) hosted one of its most successful Air Charter Summits. Attendance increased over the past two years' events, the Part 135 community found out about new NATA products and programs designed specifically for them, and NATA helped raise funds and awareness for the Veterans Airlift Command.
In the opening ceremony, long-time NATA staff member Jacqueline E. Rosser was presented the NATA President's Award for her many contributions to NATA members and staff over the past 15 years. NATA members also saluted James K. Coyne's 18 years of service as NATA's president and CEO with a tribute video. Coyne said, "We have a lot to look forward to as an industry. Looking back, I am most happy about the friendships that my wife Holly and I have made over the years." Walt Fricke, CEO, chairman and founder of the Veterans Airlift Command (VAC) shared information about his organization and thanked NATA for its support over the past two years.
The Tuesday agenda included a Federal Aviation Administration regulatory review, a special announcement from NATA on a new training product, and sessions on Part 135 training concerns, guidance for developing emergency response plans and common legal questions posed by operators.
Tuesday night's barbeque featured a raffle in support of the VAC that raised nearly $15,000. "NATA and its members are incredibly proud to support such a fine organization as the Veterans Airlift Command," stated Coyne. "We greatly appreciate all that Walt Fricke and his volunteer network do to assist American soldiers injured in combat."
Members can learn more about the VAC by clicking here. The raffle would not have been made possible without the generous contributions of the following organizations:
- Jet Solutions
- TAC Air
- Signature Flight Support
- SolutionsAir
- NATA Compliance Services
- Atlantic Aviation
- ARAMARK Uniform Services
Wednesday's schedule included sessions on the expansion of excise taxes to aircraft management fees and international operations as well as a Transportation Security Administration update.
NATA announced a new Web-based program specifically for the Part 135 community called Aircraft Flight Coordinator Training (AFCT). AFCT is a certification program that provides core flight coordinator knowledge with an emphasis on safety. AFCT will be available soon and may be pre-purchased at a discount until July 31, 2012, by contacting safety1st@nata.aero.
NATA released two new publications in conjunction with the Air Charter Summit. An update of the Chartering An Aircraft: A Consumer Guide To Help You Fly Smarter and the Will-Not-Carry Operator Hazardous Materials Training Manual are now available on NATA's Web site. The charter consumer guide is a free publication available by download. The Will-Not-Carry Operator Hazardous Materials Training Manual is a downloadable and easily customizable publication.
"This year's Air Charter Summit provided a platform to launch several exciting new products and services specifically for the Part 135 community and to share the latest intelligence on pressing issues," stated Coyne. "I thank our members and Air Charter Summit attendees for their generous support of the VAC and make a personal commitment to help continue the good work of the VAC."
# # #
NATA, the voice of aviation business, is the public policy group representing the interests of aviation businesses before Congress and the federal agencies.
|