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 Byer’s Blog: Remember The Impact Of TFRs Come November 6 |
NATA Vice President of Government and Industry Affairs Eric R. Byer this week encourages you to remember the impact TFRs have on your business when you step into the polling station to cast your vote on November 6.
Click here to read Byer’s blog.
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NATA has published the results of its 2012 survey of general aviation service employee compensation. The 2012 Compensation Report includes salaries and benefits for pilots, line-service personnel and maintenance technicians.
Employee compensation is broken down by geographic region of the country, by the company's gross sales, by size of the town or city in which the company is located and by the number of employees in the company. In addition to pilots and maintenance technicians, the report includes compensation for inspectors and line service and customer service representatives, among others.
Association Research Inc., a leading economic research firm based in Rockville, Maryland, conducted the salary study. For privacy reasons, none of the individual responses are provided to NATA.
The 2012 Compensation Report is provided at no cost to NATA members who participated in the study. For non-participating members, the charge is $130 and $310 for non-NATA members.
A copy of the 2012 Compensation Report may be purchased on the NATA Web site under Products and Services and by clicking on Publications.
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| FAA Releases Study On GA Airports’ Roles In NAS |
Last week, the FAA announced that it had completed an 18-month study on the various roles general aviation (GA) airports play in the national airspace system (NAS). The study, General Aviation Airports: A National Asset, took a look at the over 3,000 GA airports, heliports and seaplane bases that are currently listed in the National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems (NPIAS) with an eye towards identifying and categorizing the many different and diverse functions those airports perform.
The study identifies the following four categories as the primary roles that a GA airport can play:
- National airports give communities access to national and international markets
- Regional airports connect communities to statewide and interstate markets
- Local airports provide access to intrastate and interstate markets
- Basic airports link communities with the national airport system and support general aviation activities
In addition to identifying these four categories, the study places 2455 existing GA airport within one of those groupings.
While the FAA says the purpose of the study will be to “help the FAA, state aeronautical agencies, and airport sponsors make planning decisions,” the agency notes that this “study does not affect an airport sponsors’ eligibility to receive federal funding, and does not remove any airports from the federal five-year planning document called the National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems.”
Click here to view General Aviation Airports: A National Asset.
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On May 16, members of the U.S. House of Representatives’ Committee on Homeland Security Subcommittee on Transportation Security heard testimony from federal agency officials and industry stakeholders on the successes and pitfalls of security surrounding U.S. airports. Subcommittee Chairman Mike Rogers (R-AL) opened the hearing with a reiteration of the importance of protecting the nation’s air transportation system and securing our airports through the “coordination and cooperation” of industry and federal stakeholders.
Agency officials John Sammon, assistant administrator of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), and Charles Edwards, acting inspector general of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), presented to the subcommittee findings from the recently published Inspector General (IG) Report that show that the TSA is not accurately reporting potential breaches, partly because there is no clear and accurate definition of what constitutes a breach and no comprehensive oversight program to report them. The report concludes that only 42 percent of potential breaches were reported to TSA Headquarters, and of those, only 21 percent of the cases received responses. According to the inspector general, the lack of reporting potential breaches makes it difficult for the agency to spot and fix dangerous weaknesses in the system.
Chairman Rogers and the subcommittee were disturbed by the report’s findings, and insisted that the TSA follow up the report by providing the subcommittee with a clear definition of what constitutes a breach as well as an outline of a comprehensive oversight program detailing the directions on how to report a breach and where the complaint goes. Chairman Rogers stated that he will be following up with TSA Administrator John Pistole, demanding that all breaches be reported to TSA Headquarters and that a process be implemented for accurately recording reports.
To view Chairman Rogers’ opening statement and follow-up remarks, as well as to read all witness testimonies, click here.
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| NATA’s New Weekly Regulatory Update |
NATA’s addition of a weekly regulatory update provides members with an up-to-date account of the most recent changes taking place in Washington D.C. Relevant updates from the FAA, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Department of Homeland Security are compiled each day from the Federal Register. The latest notices, rules and proposed rules can now be found in a single source by clicking here.
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| Line Service Supervisor Training (LSST) Seminar – Successful Learning And Fun In Windsor Locks |
The weather outside was gloomy, but that didn’t affect our LSST attendees at the New England Air Museum in Windsor Locks. They enjoyed a combination of continuing education mixed with fun team-building activities both days.
Class began with Dr. Todd Dewett’s leadership stories that wove thought provoking illustrations of “what would you do” and how that knowledge helps to create great leaders by knowing who you are and staying true to yourself. Later, Reed Fuller of World Fuel Services gave a comprehensive technical review that included great real world ideas to implement to ensure that great quality control is really being done. Ending the first day, Walter Chartrand of Epic Aviation challenged supervisors to live a safety culture rather than giving it lip service and spoke on the importance of customer service and advising them to step back and assess how their customers view their operation.
ServiceElement’s Christine Hill kicked off day two with a discussion of management essentials, employee engagement and coaching skills. Attendees then participated in small group discussions sharing experiences on how they handle different scenarios. NATA Director of Regulatory Affairs Mike France wrapped up the day with a fire safety review to complement NATA’s Safety 1st 14 CFR Part 139 Section 321 online fire safety training.
You may view team challenge photos from NATA’s LSST Seminar in Windsor Locks by clicking here.
NATA plans to hold LSST and Safety 1st Trainer seminars in Dallas, Texas, in September. We look forward to having your line managers and supervisors join us!
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| Nebraska Governor Declares May 2012 General Aviation Appreciation Month |
On May 17, 2012, organizations from across the aviation industry welcomed news that Nebraska Governor Dave Heineman has declared May 2012 as “General Aviation Appreciation Month.” According to the Alliance for Aviation Across America, general aviation in Nebraska has an annual economic impact of $721 million and supports over 5,000 jobs.
NATA President and CEO James K. Coyne praised the governor’s efforts to bring awareness to Nebraska and the country on the importance and impact of general aviation to a state’s economic, community, and business development.
To view the Alliance for Aviation Across America’s press release and to read the proclamation, click here.
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A new session at this year’s Air Charter Summit is called “Is it legal?” The session will feature questions from operators, who want to make sure they’re on the right side of things, submitted to a panel of attorneys to help answer questions about things like selling individual seats on a chartered aircraft and the carriage of medical oxygen for passengers. Attendees can get a perspective on what’s coming and get practical guidance on things that are happening today.
NATA’s Air Charter Summit brings the air charter community together for a series of sessions on working within the Part 135 regulatory landscape and other pressing business issues as well as unique networking and educational opportunities. The summit will take place June 11-13 at the Westfields Marriott Washington Dulles in Chantilly, Virginia. New this year, the summit will feature a BBQ and raffle to benefit the Veterans Airlift Command.
A limited number of rooms are available for $199 per night. Contact Diane Gleason at dgleason@nata.aero to make your reservations.
Click here for more information on summit activities and links for housing and event registration.
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| Market Your FBO Without Breaking Your Budget |
Don’t Miss Thursday’s Webinar: 2012 How To Market Your FBO With Little Or No Out-of-Pocket Expense! $49.95
There are plenty of ways to attract new customers to your FBO without breaking your budget or robbing your kids’ piggy bank. During this webinar, we’ll discuss various ways to market your FBO with little or no out-of-pocket expense.
Speakers: Ron Jackson, The Jackson Group
John Enticknap, Aviation Business Strategies Group
Date/Time: May 24, 2012 at 12:00 EST
Click Here to Register
June Webinars:
2012 The Most Important Question To Ask A Customer $49.95
During this webinar, we’ll discuss ways to determine your SQ (Service Quotient) score. Similar to what an IQ score reveals about a person, an SQ score can reveal a lot about your FBO and how well you are meeting the needs of your customers. We’ll discuss ways to benchmark your customer service efforts and reveal to you to secret question you should always ask a customer.
Speakers: Ron Jackson, The Jackson Group
John Enticknap, Aviation Business Strategies Group
Date/Time: June 28, 2012, at 12:00 EST
Click here to register.
2012 Tax Webinar FREE
During this webinar, we’ll discuss The Commercial Operators Tax Seminar (August 7-8, 2012, at Scottsdale Plaza Resort in Scottsdale, Arizona.) that covers taxes that commercial operators face every day in their operations, such as federal excise taxes, fuel taxes, sales and use taxes, personal property taxes, income taxes, international fees and more. For a closer look at this popular seminar, NATA's Jacqueline Rosser and Conklin & de Decker's Nel Stubbs will host a preview one hour webinar on June 28 to go over the benefits and give the audience a chance to ask questions about the agenda and speakers.
Speakers: Jacqueline Rosser, NATA
Nel Stubbs, Conklin & de Decker
Eileen Gleimer, Crowell & Moring, LLP
Date/Time: June 28, 2012, at 1:00 EST
Click here to register
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| NATF Announces New Scholarship |
The National Air Transportation Foundation (NATF) is pleased to announce the Navigate Your Future scholarship, the newest addition to the foundation’s scholarship program. This scholarship is offered to a graduating high school student continuing his or her education in the general aviation industry.
The scholarship applicant must be a graduating high school student planning a career in the general aviation field and accepted into an aviation-related program at an accredited college or university.
The applicant must submit along with his or her completed application the letter of acceptance from the college or university and a personal statement discussing his or her general aviation career aspirations, education plan, flight training goals and two or more reasons why he or she should be chosen for this scholarship.
The NATF is dedicated to promoting general aviation careers through the many scholarships offered. It annually recognizes aviation enthusiasts and encourages development in the general aviation industry. For more information about this scholarship or any of our other scholarship opportunities, please visit our Web site.
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Special Offer On NATA’s Newest Publications
FBO Managers Resource Kit Offers 20% Discount |
NATA recently released new editions of its Negotiating Aviation Agreements guidebook and Community Relations Toolkit, and in late 2011 released an update of its Refueling and Quality Control Procedures for Airport Service and Support Operations guidebook. Each publication not only contains essential guidance on important business issues, but also provides templates, samples and other practical resources to put to work in your operation now.
NATA is offering the three books separately or together as an FBO Managers Resource Kit. The FBO Managers Resource Kit offers the best discount price for these publications, but you may still purchase them individually. The FBO Managers Resource Kit price is $600 for members and $880 for non-members- a 20% discount on published rates.
You may visit the NATA Store to purchase NATA publications. If you have questions, please contact Jess Hammett at (800) 808-6282.
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| ACSF Presented Latest Airport SMS Requirements At Wisconsin Aviation Conference |
Air Charter Safety Foundation (ACSF) staff made two presentations regarding upcoming FAA requirements for safety management systems (SMS) at the 57th annual Wisconsin Aviation Conference.
ACSF Director of Safety Management Russ Lawton and ACSF President Bryan Burns spoke at a luncheon with 250 attendees that included airport managers, staff and commissioners; representatives of flight departments, on-demand charter operators, and FBOs; and federal and state aviation officials from across the state of Wisconsin. “New regulations that will mandate SMS implementation at FAA Part 139-certificated airports will be coming soon,” said Lawton. “Wisconsin has nine Part 139 airports that will be affected by the new requirements, and it’s important to start developing plans for SMS implementation before the new rule becomes effective in 2013.”
Lawton outlined the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) requirements emphasizing safety accountability and continuous improvement. “Even non-certificated airports can benefit from SMS by developing comprehensive risk management programs,” he explained.
Lawton also briefed flight department managers and on-demand charter operators on international SMS requirements and what is required for compliance. The attendees were presented with the ACSF Industry Audit Standard as a tool for measuring conformance with international SMS requirements.
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| ACSF And FltPlan.com SMS Seminar Draws Record Attendance |
The Air Charter Safety Foundation (ACSF) in partnership with FltPlan.com recently held a one-day informational seminar on Safety Management Systems (SMS) in Southbury, Connecticut, that featured former FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt. The seminar focused on the basics of SMS, current and future regulatory requirements, and tips on how to develop and implement a company-wide SMS.
The 68 attendees, who traveled from as far away as the Dominican Republic and California, included representatives of flight departments, on-demand air charter operators, fractional aircraft management companies, and FBOs.
"We are extremely pleased with the overwhelming interest in learning more about SMS and its implementation," said ACSF President Bryan Burns. "The response and comments from the attendees clearly indicated a desire to know how SMS can benefit their companies."
The attendees heard a presentation from former FAA Administrator Babbitt that underscored the importance of implementing SMS. "We must move forward with SMS to ensure our continued good safety record in the U.S. aviation industry," said Babbitt.
Another seminar is planned for July. The location and details when available will be listed on the events section of the ACSF Web site and at FltPlan.com .
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| New NATA Benefit: What Does HD Supply Have For NATA Members? |
HD Supply has everything from lighting to janitorial products, paint and sundries to eyewash stations, HVAC to hardware, and window coverings to walkie talkies. HD Supply even carries hospitality supplies like linens, towels, soaps and flat screen televisions. Members will also find hearing protection, ramp cones and other safety items. Anything you may need for maintenance, repair and operation of your buildings and grounds, it’s all in their catalog.
HD Supply ships directly to you next day freight free in most parts of the country - saving you time and money by not having to leave your business.
As a member of NATA, you receive the lowest checked price in the HD Supply catalog, no matter what quantity you buy. This represents a savings of up to 11-14% off of their core catalog prices.
Browse Catalog 61 online for great deals by clicking here. Don’t have a catalog? Call 1-800-431-3000 to place orders and request a free catalog.
Use Source Code BCY for 10% off your first order and mention you are an NATA member.
Questions? Call Jawaun Hightower with HD Supply at 1-800-431-3015 ext. 2570
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NATA E-Learn Webinars
Click here to view a listing of archived webinar recordings.
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.
National Air Transportation Association
4226 King Street
Alexandria, VA 22302
Phone: 800-808-6282
Fax: 703-845-8176
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