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  View HTML Version of Newsletter    May 1, 2017 — Volume 16, Issue 18 
 
  This Week's Top Stories 


Trump Administration Releases Outline for Tax Reform

Last week, the Trump Administration released a two-page outline of principles to guide the development of tax reform legislation. While light on detail, the outline proposes lowering the corporate tax rate from 35% to 15% and reduce individual rates from the current seven brackets to three at 10%, 25% and 35%. The outline leaves many unanswered questions, including the treatment of future business investments.  Also unanswered is the question of its impact to the federal debt. While the proposed rate reductions may trigger economic expansion, recent tax changes impacting individual filers have been largely used to buy down debt.

 

 


Lawmakers Reach Spending Deal, Avoid Government Shutdown

 

Last evening, Congressional negotiators reached agreement on an FY2017 spending package that includes $16.4b for the FAA. The agreement, which will be considered later this week, is expected to be approved, ending any threat of a government shutdown. Under the deal, the FAA will receive $16.4b, $500m more than requested. The legislation will fully fund the contract towers program, provide greater than requested funding for alternative fuels research and more than $1 billion for NextGen modernization. To see the specific funding levels for each FAA program, click here.



NATA Urges Members to Contact Congress on ATC Corporation Proposal

Today, NATA launched its revamped Legislative Action Center, making it easier than ever to communicate with elected officials about the important issues impacting aviation businesses. Members are encouraged to visit this convenient site and urge your representatives and senators to oppose the airline industry proposal to create a user-fee funded air traffic control corporation. New features to the Action Center include the ability to amplify your message through social media and sharing with friends. You are the best representative of the aviation business community and your opinion carries significant weight with elected officials. Just a few keystrokes will allow policymakers on Capitol Hill to know exactly how you feel about a proposal that poses serious dangers to general aviation.

 
 


Hotel Rooms Are Filling Up for the 2017 Aviation Business Conference | Room Block Ends May 23rd

 

The NATA Aviation Business Conference takes place June 6-8, 2017 at the Hyatt Regency Washington on Capitol Hill. For 2017, NATA is providing conference participants an opportunity to meet with their elected representatives to discuss the issues impacting aviation businesses — particularly the airlines’ proposal to create a user-fee funded air traffic control corporation. The conference agenda covers a variety of topics impacting FBOs, airports, air charter operators and MROs. Make your hotel reservations online now, as limited hotel rooms are available under the NATA room block, which ends May 23rd. Once the room block is sold out, the room rate will increase by $100. For more information about registration and sponsorship opportunities, please visit www.nata.aero/abc.

 

 
 From the FAA
 


FAA to Reorganize Flight Standards Service and Aircraft Certification Service

 

The FAA is revamping two major branches, Flight Standards Service (AFS) and Aircraft Certification Service (AIR), to emphasize areas of expertise, rather than the traditional regional or directorate divisions. FAA officials have begun detailing the reorganization of both AFS and AIR, saying most points of contact will remain the same for industry, but the management of the structures and reporting chains will differ. “We constantly want to improve quality of the work with industry,” stated James Viola, Manager of the FAA’s General Aviation and Commercial Division. Rather than managing by geographical location, AFS will be managed by functional areas, “so we have experts from bottom to top…and work closely with industry, which is the ultimate expert,” Viola added. General aviation and Part 135 will interact with “one person” who has the expertise to make that decision, he said.


As for the certification service, the FAA has dubbed the reorganization “AIR Transformation,” and even set up a web page to explain the changes. Under the reorganization, the traditional directorate structure “goes away” and will be replaced with functional divisions. The three primary divisions involving industry interface are policy and innovation; compliance and airworthiness; and system oversight. Two other divisions, organizational performance and enterprise operations, are designed for monitoring the organization and providing the necessary resources. Read more.
 
 
 Association Highlights
 


Everyone Has a Stake in Preventing Misfuelings

The NATA Safety 1st General Aviation Misfueling Prevention Program provides awareness training for Pilots, Line Service Professionals, FBO Managers, Customer Service Representatives and more. This free, online-based awareness program is comprised of four different tracks and conforms with standards from the Energy Institute and the Safety 1st Operational Best Practices. The misfueling prevention program can be found at www.preventmisfueling.com.

 
 
 
  
 


NATA Social Media Channels | Follow Us to Get Real Time Industry News

 

NATA was built on a foundation of advocacy as the voice of aviation business. Follow aviation business issues and other important industry news in real time on NATA's Social Media channels.

 
 
 
 


Accessible and Economical | NATA Part 135/91 Training Center

 

Developed by industry experts, the NATA Part 135/91 Training Center provides online training in a standardized, easy-to-use format to train your entire team. The training library includes over 50 courses specifically designed to assist air charter, corporate and fractional operators in meeting regulatory training requirements. The system is offered by subscription with unlimited access for a fixed annual fee. Request a demo at www.nata.aero/TrainingCenter.

 
 
 
 Events
 


Limited Space Available for Upcoming Advanced Line Service Workshop | May 23-24 in Reno

 

Register today for an upcoming Advanced Line Service Workshop. The next ALS workshop will be held on May 23-24 at NATA Compliance Services in Reno, NV. ALS workshops are designed for Line Service Professionals who are experienced or relatively new to the industry. This workshop also assists managers, owners and even customer service representatives with knowledge and skills that will help them excel in their respective areas. 


The registration fee is only $225/person for this two-day event and space is limited. Register here, download the registration form or view more upcoming ALS Workshop dates.
 
 
 
 


Agenda Available for Commercial Operators Tax Seminar | June 28 in Scottsdale

 

Conklin & de Decker Associates and NATA continue to offer the only tax seminar designed for commercial operators. The Commercial Operators Tax Seminar looks at tax issues that you face every day in your operations, including:        

 - Federal Excise Taxes

 - State Taxes 

 - Audits

 - Depreciation and Passive Activity Loss Rules

 - International Fees 


Are you concerned with recent audits by the IRS on management and charter management companies relating to the application of the commercial FET to owner flights and management fees? This seminar will provide insight on this and other IRS opinions and how to prepare and survive an IRS audit. For the seminar agenda, click here. Register today!
 
 
 
   Member Spotlight
 


NATA Member Mark Oberman Receives FAA’s Prestigious Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award

 

Last week, Channel Islands Aviation Founder and Owner Mark Oberman was recognized with the FAA’s Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award. To be eligible, pilots must be a citizen and hold a U.S. Civil Aviation Authority or FAA pilot certificate, and have 50 or more years of civil and/or military flying experience. Awardees have their name, city and state added to the "Roll of Honor," which is published on the FAA's website. Oberman graduated from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and started his engineering career. In 1975, Oberman decided to combine his profession and flying hobby by launching his own company, Channel Islands Aviation at the Camarillo Airport in California. "When I first soloed in 1966, I had no idea I would still be active in private and commercial aviation in 2017 and still enjoying it," Oberman said. "I mostly fly out to the Channel Islands. There are six islands with airports or air strips, and we go into all of them. It's some of the most beautiful scenery in the country." Read more.

 
 
 
 

Florida Governor Declares April “Aviation Appreciation Month”

 

Florida Governor Rick Scott declared April 2017 as “Aviation Appreciation Month.” In Florida, general aviation airports contribute more than $7.7 billion to the state’s economy annually. According to the proclamation, “More than 8.5 percent of Florida’s Gross State Product results from businesses dependent upon aviation.” “General aviation and the businesses that rely on it are essential to Florida’s manufacturing industry, job creation and the state’s economy,” stated NATA President Marty Hiller. “NATA and our member companies in Florida applaud Governor Scott’s acknowledgement of the contributions aviation businesses make to the state.” Read more.

 
 
 
 
 


Watertown International Airport to Take on New Projects

 

Watertown International Airport officials are looking to make a few improvements to its infrastructure. The $2.7 million FAA funding request will involve reconstructing the terminal apron, removing pavement deficiencies and improving drainage and lighting. Airport Manager Grant W. Sussey said the current apron is beginning to fail, with higher aircraft loads now being parked there. “It’s at the end of its useful life and needs to be reconstructed,” Mr. Sussey said. FAA funding is also being requested to reconstruct a runway intersection so that it meets FAA standards and to purchase new de-icing equipment. The county and the state will cover 5 percent of all the costs, while the FAA funding will handle the remainder. Over the last few years, the airport has made several significant improvements, including a $3.5 million runway extension and a $700,000 terminal expansion. Read more.

 
 

 

 


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