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 March 14, 2016 — Volume 15, Issue 11 
 
  This Week's Top Stories 


NATA Applauds Introduction of Senate FAA Reauthorization Legislation Excluding ATC Privatization

On March 9th, the Senate Commerce Committee introduced S. 2658, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Reauthorization Act of 2016 to reauthorize the FAA through September 30, 2017. The bipartisan proposal does not include the ask of some major airlines to separate air traffic control from the agency’s safety function and operate it through a user fee-funded corporation. In a statement shortly after its introduction, NATA President and CEO Thomas L. Hendricks praised the proposal, “The legislation reflects NATA’s stated desire at the outset of this debate, that Congress build upon the work begun in the last reauthorization bill to improve the consistency of FAA decisions across its offices and regions, continue to streamline the FAA certification process to better reflect today’s pace of innovation, and assist the agency in operating as efficiently as possible.”  The Senate Commerce Committee will consider the legislation on Wednesday, March 16th.


 


FAA Releases NPRM to Overhaul Safety Certification Standards for Small Airplanes

Today, the FAA published a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to amend its airworthiness standards for normal, utility, acrobatic, and commuter category airplanes by removing current prescriptive design requirements and replacing them with performance-based airworthiness standards. According to the FAA, the NPRM is based on industry recommendations and aims to help reduce the time it takes to get safety enhancing technologies for small airplanes into the marketplace while also reducing cost. The NPRM states, “The proposed standards would also replace the current weight and propulsion divisions in Part 23 with performance- and risk-based divisions for airplanes with a maximum seating capacity of 19 passengers or less and a maximum takeoff weight of 19,000 pounds or less. The proposed airworthiness standards are based on, and would maintain, the level of safety of the current Part 23." Comments are due on or before May 13, 2016. For more information, please contact Megan Eisenstein at meisenstein@nata.aero.

 


Short-Term FAA Reauthorization Extension Introduced in House

Last Thursday, March 10th, House Transportation Committee Chairman Bill Shuster (R-PA) and Ways and Means Committee Chairman Kevin Brady (R-TX) introduced HR 4721 – The Airport and Airway Extension Act of 2016, a short-term extension of FAA programs through July 15, 2016 and a long-term extension of its key revenue provisions through March 31, 2017. Current authority for FAA programs and taxes expires March 31st. The extension comes a day after the Senate Commerce Committee introduced the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2016 to reauthorize the FAA through September 30, 2017 (see above) and a month after the House Transportation Committee approved the Aviation Innovation, Reform and Reauthorization (AIRR) Act which would fund the FAA through September 30, 2022. “While both the House and Senate continue efforts to move each bill forward, we need to pass an extension to ensure that the FAA and the federal aviation programs remain fully funded and functional,” Chairman Shuster said in a press statement.

 


NTSB Joins the Fight Against Misfueling


Last week, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) joined the effort to prevent incidents of misfueling with the release of two Safety Alerts: Line Personnel: Fueling Matters (SA-051) and Pilots: Fueling Mistakes (SA-050). Both of these NTSB Safety Alerts specifically reference NATA’s Safety 1st Misfueling Prevention Program and emphasize the important steps for preventing misfueling outlined in the program. In the nearly two months since NATA released the Safety 1st Misfueling Prevention Program, almost 1,500 users have completed the free awareness training. The Safety 1st Misfueling Prevention Program outlines a few simple steps pilots, line service professionals, FBO customer service representatives and managers can take to dramatically reduce the risk of misfueling. The Misfueling Prevention Program can be found at: www.preventmisfueling.com. For updates on misfueling prevention and other Safety 1st programs, please follow the “The Safety Net” blog.



 
  Industry News
 


Aviation Safety Action Program (ASAP), Voluntary Disclosure Reporting Program (VDRP) and the New Compliance Philosophy

 

On March 10th, the FAA issued a new Notice 8900.352 as supplementary information to address the change in Compliance Philosophy. The notice calls for the removal of Administrative Action as a required outcome for accepted voluntary disclosures under the VDRP, and eliminating the Administrative Action and the Enforcement Decision Process (EDP) tool. Read More.

 
 
 
 


JS Firm Releases Hiring Trends Survey for 2016

 

MJSfirm.com, an aviation only job website, released their Hiring Trends Survey for 2016. Jeff Richards, JSfirm.com Operations Manager said, "It's no surprise to us that aviation professionals are in high demand. Regarding number of job postings, JSfirm.com experienced our best January ever.” Survey highlights include:

- 448 aviation companies across various sectors were surveyed
- 85% will hire in 2016
- 76% are projecting growth in 2016
- Maintenance Technicians, Avionics and Pilots are in high demand

Survey results can be found at http://www.jsfirm.com/2016hiring.asp.

 
 
 
   
 


Help the FAA Provide Accurate Information on Aviation Activity and Safety

 

The 38th annual General Aviation and Part 135 Activity Survey (GA Survey) for reporting on calendar year 2015 is underway! The FAA’s annual GA Survey is the only government source of information on the general aviation fleet, the number of hours flown, and the ways people use general aviation aircraft. The data helps to determine funding for infrastructure and service needs, assess the impact of regulatory changes, and measure aviation safety. If you are selected to complete this year’s survey, you should have received a postcard invitation to participate. You can complete the survey online, or a survey form will be mailed to you along with a postage-paid envelope. Previous years’ survey results can be found hereYour responses are confidential. The survey manager, Tetra Tech, is an independent research firm that conducts the GA Survey on behalf of the FAA. The information will be used only for statistical purposes and will not be published or released in any form that would reveal an individual participant. If you have any questions, please contact Tetra Tech toll-free at 1-800-826-1797 or email infoaviationsurvey@tetratech.com.

 
 
  Association Highlights
 


All Part 135 & 91 Operators Can Utilize NATA’s FAA Medical Certification Services Program

 

All Part 135 and 91 operators and their pilots are eligible for NATA’s FAA Medical Certification Services Program. Administered by Harvey Watt & Co., this program was previously available only when combined with insurance products or through airlines for their pilots. Benefits include:

- Unlimited confidential access for an operator’s pilots to doctors and nurses
- A subscription to Harvey Watt’s monthly Aviation Medical Bulletin
- Expert representation in submitting documents to the FAA, responding to FAA inquiries, expediting recertification case reviews, appeals and presenting cases to specialty FAA board hearings


Click here to learn more.
 
 
 
  Member Spotlight
 


Cleveland Municipal Airport Authority Requests Proposals for FBO, Air Charter, MRO and More!

 

The Cleveland Municipal Airport Authority is seeking interested businesses or individuals looking to support Cleveland TN Regional Jetport (KRZR). Operation opportunities are available for the following services: Aircraft Maintenance Operator, Aircraft Avionics Maintenance Operator, Aircraft Flight Training Operator, Fixed Based Operator and Air Charter Operator. In addition to a significant tourism and manufacturing presence, the atmosphere of growth is evident at Cleveland Regional Jetport as well. The Cleveland Regional Jetport is Tennessee's newest and fastest growing Airport. Since opening in January of 2013, the number of based aircraft grew from 30 to a projected 65 upon the completion of the second set of Tee Hangers next month. Fuel sales increased from an annualized 132,000 gallons in 2013 to in excess of 190,000 gallons in 2015. KRZR also features a 5,500-foot runway — with plans to extend to 6,200 feet — dual GPS Approaches, and an amazing FBO facility. For more information, click here.

 
 
  
 


Jet Aviation to Acquire AvJet Corporation

 

Jet Aviation is set to expand its aircraft management and charter services on the U.S. West Coast with the acquisition of Avjet Corporation — a global jet charter and management company based in Los Angeles, CA. “Avjet’s 37-years of experience in aircraft management and charter services and impressive fleet of 45 aircraft makes it the perfect complement to Jet Aviation’s operations,” said Senior Vice President and General Manager of Jet Aviation U.S. Aircraft Services David Paddock. “This acquisition will also provide excellent benefits for Avjet’s customers by providing access to Jet Aviation’s global network of service facilities." Avjet’s current chairman and CEO Marc Foulkrod will continue to own and operate the Avjet sales and brokerage division under the name Avjet Global Sales. The closing of the acquisition is subject to certain governmental approvals, including relevant airport authorities. For more information, click here.

 
 
 
  Events
 


Safety 1st Regional Advanced Line Service Workshop | Windsor Locks, CT

 

NATA Safety 1st is pleased to bring its unique mix of technical and service training to Windsor Locks, CT on April 6-7, 2016 at the New England Air Museum. The Safety 1st Advanced Line Service Workshop is a two-day training event 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.

 
 
  
 


Early Bird Registration for the 2016 Aviation Business Conference Ends in April

 

NATA's 2016 Aviation Business Conference will take place June 8th-10th at the Hyatt Regency Washington on Capitol Hill. The conference will kick off with a reception Wednesday evening, June 8th and the conference will conclude Friday afternoon, June 10th. Early bird registration will run through Friday, April 8th. Please visit http://nata.aero/Events/2016-Aviation-Business-Conference.aspx to register and save today!

 
 
 
  ACSF News 
 


ACSF Symposium Roundup

 

The Air Charter Safety Foundation (ACSF) just completed its ninth annual Air Charter Safety Symposium at the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) Training Center in Ashburn, Virginia. The two-day gathering drew 22 sponsors and 115 people, including aviation executives, directors of operations, chief pilots, safety officers, risk managers and schedulers.


 
 

 

 


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