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NATA News
 NATA News

##Date##                                                                                                Volume 7 Issue 51

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.

 

   

 
 
 

 
Upcoming Events

Environmental Compliance Seminar - January 20

Line Service Supervisor Training - January 20/21

NATA Safety 1st Trainer - January 22

 

Professional Line Service Training 

PLST Online provides the most up-to-date training available for line service specialists – 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Line service supervisors can conduct the new PLST Online training anytime and from anywhere there is access to the Web.   
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139 Fire Safety Training Online

fire

This training not only meets and exceeds the requirements of 14 CFR 139.321 but also allows you to interact with other students in a group learning environment, receive the very latest NFPA news, watch live training presentations and much more.

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Pre-Employment Screening Exam

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NATA is offering the first pre-employment screening exam specifically for line service technicians and FBO customer service specialists.

With predecessor exams already in use at more than 900 companies worldwide, NATA has adapted the most cost effective and revealing pre-employment testing and post employment testing available for FBO use.

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Topics in this Volume:
 

 

Republican Representative Ray LaHood Selected As Secretary Of Transportation

Retiring GOP Member of the U.S. House of Representatives Ray LaHood (R-IL) was named by President-elect Obama on Friday as his nominee to become the next U.S. Secretary of Transportation. LaHood has been a leading advocate for improving the state of Illinois’ transportation infrastructure, including improving local airports by securing funds for new airport construction and expansion, while also working with local officials to increase air service.

 

LaHood, a moderate Republican, served as the longtime chief of staff to former House Minority Leader Bob Michel (R-IL) before winning the seat in his own right upon Michel's retirement in 1994. LaHood served on the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure from 1995 to 2000. From 2001 to the present, LaHood served on the powerful House Committee on Appropriations.  LaHood is the second Republican to join the President-elect’s Cabinet. 

 

View NATA’s press release.

 

View a complete biography on Congressman LaHood.

TSA Announces Public Meeting Schedule For Large Aircraft Security Program
In the December 18th edition of the Federal Register, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officially unveiled its public meeting schedule for the Large Aircraft Security Program (LASP). The meetings announcement comes after the TSA extended the comment period on the proposed rule during the NATA's Aviation Business Roundtable early last month. The new deadline for industry to submit comments is February 27, 2009.

The notice states that there will be five meetings, all in the month of January, that will take place in major metropolitan areas. The specific dates, times and locations for these meetings follow:

  • January 6, 2009 - Westchester County Airport (HPN), Building 1 Airport Road, White Plains, NY 10604
  • January 8, 2008 - Renaissance Concourse Hotel Atlanta Airport, One Hartsfield Centre Parkway, Atlanta, GA 30354
  • January 16, 2009 - Crowne Plaza Chicago O'Hare Hotel & Conference Center, 5440 North River Road, Rosemont, IL 60018
  • January 23, 2009 - Burbank Airport Marriott Hotel & Convention Center, 2500 North Hollywood Way, Burbank, CA 91505
  • January 28, 2009 - Conference Center, Hilton Houston Hotel--North Greenspoint, 12400 Greenspoint Drive, Houston, TX

All meetings will start at 9:00 a.m. local time with registration commencing at 8:00 a.m.

View a complete copy of the Federal Register notice.

The association appreciates TSA efforts in coordinating these important meetings and strongly encourages all of its members to participate. These meetings will be on a first-come-first-served basis, so members are encouraged to arrive at 8:00 a.m. or earlier to ensure that their voices can be heard.

NATA members will also be provided with a set of talking points that can be used during these public meetings. That information will be sent to all members shortly.

View NATA's Large Aircraft Security Program Issue Web Page, complete with the association's initial analysis and press release, along with a copy of the proposed rule and many other supporting documents.

For additional information, please contact Eric Byer

NATA Congratulates Senator Rockefeller On Chairmanship
NATA President James K. Coyne last week congratulated Senator John D. Rockefeller (D-WV) for being selected chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation.

Senator Rockefeller had previously been chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation's Subcommittee on Aviation Operations where he worked diligently on the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2007. Rockefeller's leadership facilitated a compromise between the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation and the Senate Committee on Finance that omitted user fees from the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2007 and, as an alternative, provided a fair tax increase on jet fuel, a solution NATA supported.

"NATA and others in the general aviation community were extremely appreciative of Senator Rockefeller's leadership in forging a compromise on the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2007. Unfortunately, the Senator's tireless work didn't reach the Senate floor for consideration, but we look forward to working with him in the 111th Congress to ensure that this legislation is completed," Coyne stated.

FAA Rule Gives DC ADIZ Permanent Status
The FAA has published regulations establishing the Washington, DC Special Flight Rules Area (DC SFRA). This area has been commonly referred to as the DC ADIZ.

The DC SFRA final rule establishes a permanent set of regulations governing flight operations for Washington, DC airspace.

View NATA's complete regulatory report on the DC ADIZ becoming permanent.

View the NATA Issue Page on the Washington, DC ADIZ.

ACTION NEEDED: New Air Quality Regulations For Ground Support Equipment
The California Environmental Protection Agency has issued new air quality regulations, via the Air Resources Board ARB, for ground support equipment (GSE) at airports. The new rule has placed an unexpected burden on the ground handling community in California, and the rule's promulgation is equally concerning to NATA members in other states who may face similar regulations in the future.

The ARB was established to work with the public, the business sector and local governments to find solutions to California's air pollution problems. Specifically, ARB is responsible for maintaining healthy air quality, conducting research into the causes of and solutions to air pollution, and systematically attacking the serious problems caused by motor vehicles, which are the major causes of air pollution in the state.

The ARB has taken measures to reduce emissions from automobiles and trucks in the state and recently announced a stricter focus on off-road vehicles and equipment which includes GSE at airports. This group, referred to as Off-Road Large Spark-Ignition (LSI) Equipment, is intended for gasoline and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) fueled vehicles and equipment. Diesel-fueled vehicles are also regulated, but under a separate rule. The off-road engines covered under this rule only include engines that are greater than 25 horsepower, but this will likely include almost all GSE.

For more information and how to act, please click here.

Shortly after NATA sent this notice to members, ARB posted a program advisory to the Off-Road LSI Equipment Web site.

The advisory states that ARB will allow operators of airport GSE to exclude gasoline-fueled GSE from the non-forklift fleet average calculation for determining compliance with the January 1, 2009 fleet average emission level standard.

The ARB has also posted a link to the amendments that were adopted at its November 21, 2008 hearing for new LSI engines of one liter or less. These amendments include more stringent exhaust emission standards and evaporative emission standards.

View the program advisory and amendments.

NATA Sends Letter To Congress In Support Of Aviation Infrastructure Funding
Members Encouraged to Contact Congress in Support of Aviation Infrastructure Funding
NATA President James K. Coyne recently sent a letter to Congressional leadership requesting support for aviation infrastructure funding in the next economic stimulus package. "The delay of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2007 has halted critical infrastructure projects which are essential to our airports' ability to generate economic benefits and essential to safety and security at our nation's airports," Coyne wrote. According to the FAA, $600 million in aviation infrastructure projects within the Airport Improvement Program alone would permit essential ready-to-go projects such as taxiway rehabilitation and widening, apron construction and rehabilitation, airport rescue and firefighting equipment and facilities, and public access roads to proceed without further delay.

The impact of inadequate infrastructure could prove more costly than investment in infrastructure. A significant increase in air traffic congestion is one factor felt by most of the traveling public. In 2007, 1.8 million flights were delayed, the highest number reported by the Department of Transportation. If infrastructure improvements aren't made by 2014, flight delays will increase by 62% and cost approximately $170 billion.

It is important that NATA members reach out to their Members of Congress in support of aviation infrastructure funding. To learn how, click here to view the Action Call.

View a copy of the NATA letter.

NetJets' Wunderlich Appointed NATA Environmental Committee Chairman
NATA President James K. Coyne last week announced the selection of Eric Wunderlich of NetJets Aviation as chairman of the association's Environmental Committee. Wunderlich replaces Traver Gruen-Kennedy of DayJet Corporation.

Wunderlich reports to the NetJets Office of the Chairman and is responsible for planning and directing all aspects of NetJets environmental work in the U.S. as well as coordinating efforts with colleagues in Europe. Prior to coming to NetJets in February 2008, Wunderlich was a business development manager for the Trulite fuel cell unit of Standard Renewable Energy in Houston, Texas. Wunderlich earned his B.A. in communications from the University of Michigan and was a member of the 1996 Olympic Swimming Team and a former American and World Record Holder.

View the entire press release on Wunderlich's appointment.

For more information on the NATA Environmental Committee, please click here.

NATA's Line Service Supervisor Training (LSST) Seminar - New Format For 2009
Gain confidence in handling day-to-day interactions with the right amount of power and influence through the new LSST Seminar format.

This seminar, specifically designed for Line Service Supervisors, provides the training you need to become more proficient in strategic planning, supervising staff, motivating others, communicating and coaching a team. This high-impact, high-energy seminar includes guided group debates, role playing, interactive games and various case studies designed to take you to a new level of leadership. You will also take part in self-assessments to explore your strengths and weaknesses and their effect on your management style.

Local firefighters will assist with a live fire demonstration. You will learn proper extinguishing techniques and achieve certification in accordance with 14 CFR Part 139 fire safety training in the heat of a real fire.

As an attendee, you will:

  • Share your challenges and triumphs with colleagues and speakers
  • Discover your strengths and weaknesses through invaluable self-assessments
  • Learn to promote safety and synergy through teamwork
  • Instill a culture based on trust, partnership, and respect at your FBO
  • Begin interacting more positively with your employees, other supervisors and senior management
  • Review the technical information crucial to performing your job
  • Ensure top-notch customer service at your company
  • Make your FBO more efficient by learning how to engage and motivate your staff
  • Discuss various legal compliance issues to help prevent lawsuits

Register now to experience new and updated line service supervisor training!

January 20-21, 2009
Houston, Texas
Click here to register.

February 17-18, 2009
Durham, NC
Click here to register.

Visit the events calendar at www.nata.aero for more information and for additional dates and locations.

NATA Weekly Survey
NATA recently launched a new weekly survey as part of an effort to obtain more information from our members in order to serve their daily needs better. These surveys will range from specific policy topics to programs and products and services that the association provides or should provide. The association strongly encourages members to take a few short moments to review and complete this online survey in each week's edition of NATA News.

Week #4:

1. How do you think your company will fair financially in 2009?

    • Up
    • Not sure
    • Down
    • Down significantly

Click here to participate in survey.

Aviation's Effect On The Environment - Did You Know?
NATA's quick facts on the aviation industry's effect on the environment are designed to ensure that members take every step necessary to minimize the effect aviation has on the environment while recognizing all those good initiatives the industry has taken to reduce global warming.

Fact #38:

According to a recent report issued by the U.S. Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, more than 650 international scientists concur that man-made global warming claims are inaccurate.

Click here to view the full report.

Happy Holidays From NATA

NATA's offices will be closed on Thursday, December 25, and Friday, December 26.

The office will also be closed on Thursday, January 1, 2009.
Normal office hours resume on Friday, January 2, 2009.

NATA's Board and Staff Extend Season's Greetings and Best Wishes for a Happy and Prosperous New Year!  

Visit us anytime at  www.nata.aero

National Air Transportation Association
4226 King Street
Alexandria, VA 22302
Phone: (800)808-6282
Fax: (703)845-0396

 
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