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Topics in this Issue:
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 Airline Services Council To Meet July 28-29, 2011 To Discuss Ground Handling Entities Becoming Regulated By The Federal Government |
The NATA Airline Services Council will meet from July 28-29, 2011, in Herndon, Virginia, to discuss whether ground handling companies should become regulated by the federal government. This special meeting comes as a result of discussions during the May 16-17, 2011 meeting where attendees highlighted some of the potential benefits of ground handlers becoming regulated parties under the Transportation Security Administration and the Federal Aviation Administration.
Information on the NATA Airline Services Council, can be found by clicking here.
For more details, please contact Eric Byer on the NATA staff.
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Chairman’s Message -- Handling Emergencies |
Handling an emergency can be a stressful situation. When things are going from bad to worse is not the time to start figuring out what to do. A way to overcome the confusion is thinking through the proper actions ahead of time, when time isn’t of the essence.
Thinking about how to handle a crisis can be accomplished in two steps. First, develop sequential checklists of the things that a person in that situation should think about and do. Second, after you have these done, do “table top” exercises ahead of time so personnel are familiar with the checklists and have thought through their steps while the situation isn’t critical.
For example, do you have a tornado or tsunami checklist? Until this year, it may have seemed absurd to worry about such things, but if you’ve got checklists for even those kind of emergencies, then “simple” things like accidents and injuries should be easy to walk through.
You will need to figure out who should be the key players to “manage” the simulated emergency. It shouldn’t just be management. If you have a dispatch office or secretary who might take a call, then make sure they are involved. You don’t want to have a crisis on your hands and find out about it hours later because you finally found the sticky note left on your desk.
Have one person that “facilitates” the exercise. The facilitator will pass out inputs at the appropriate time. These can be in the form of typed notes as if different agencies or people call and provide information. A word of caution here! Be sure that any communication includes the words “Exercise Input.” You don’t want to be responsible for a real life practice disaster because someone misunderstood and thought something bad really happened.
And of course, make sure your key players are aware of the proper books and checklists they should use when the crisis is for real.
The time to think about a crisis and how you handle an emergency is before it occurs. Checklists and a few good training ”table top” exercises will get everyone thinking on the same page.
Jack Evans
ASC Chairman
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NLRB Proposed New Rules For “Quickie” Union Elections |
Last week, the National Labor Relations Board proposed new rules that would expedite the election process for unions by rejecting long-standing rights for companies. According to the Wall Street Journal, the rules would “set shorter time limits for hearings and filings, robbing employers of preparation time. The regulations would also strip companies of the right to litigate some issues—such as whether certain employees (supervisors) qualify to vote—until after an election. They'd also curtail employers' abilities to challenge pre-election rulings the agency makes against them, since those challenges also take time.”
To read more about these new rules, please click here.
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Congress Passes 20th Extension Of FAA Reauthorization |
Congress approved the twentieth short-term extension that will give lawmakers until July 22 to complete action on a long-term Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reauthorization bill. The extension will allow FAA programs to continue while conference negotiations proceed on a final version of the legislation. The U.S. House of Representatives approved their bill H.R. 658, the FAA Reauthorization and Reform Act of 2011 on April 1, 2011, and the Senate passed their bill S. 223, the Air Transportation Modernization and Safety Improvement Act on February 17, 2011. The extension is now awaiting President Obama’s signature and will be signed into law marking the 20th extension of this law since 2007.
House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Chairman John Mica (R-FL) last week cast doubt on Congress's ability to move long-term funding legislation for the FAA. Chairman Mica stated that passage of the bill will be harder to achieve because the new Representatives have “little interest in providing more funds for the FAA.” But leadership in both sides of Congress have stated that they are willing to do whatever it takes to complete a final FAA bill without the need for another extension.
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Congressional Committee Reports On Private Screening Vs. Federal Screening Model |
The U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure released a report on the Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) airport passenger security screening models. The report demonstrates that the private-federal screening option known as the Screening Partnership Program (SPP) is the most cost-effective screening model. The report further illustrates that the all-federal screening model is more costly and less efficient.
The Aviation Transportation Security Act of 2001 (ATSA), which created the SPP, was signed into law following the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. The SPP was established to allow TSA-certified contractors, under federal supervision and regulation, to conduct passenger and baggage screening at airports. The law provided that airports could “opt out” of all-federal screening and utilize private screening contractors.
To read a summary of the committee report and its recommendations, please click here.
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House Approved Fiscal Year 2012 Homeland Security Appropriations Bill |
On June 2, 2011, the U.S. House of Representatives approved a bill that would provide the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) $40.6 billion in discretionary funds for fiscal year 2012 (FY12). Lawmakers voted 231-188 to approve the FY12 Homeland Security appropriations bill. President Obama requested $43.2 billion for the DHS. The department’s current budget is $41.8 billion.
The most notable changes to the bill during floor proceedings were the significant reductions in state and local homeland security grant programs. The bill provides $1.7 billion for those programs, while the Obama administration requested about $3.8 billion for them. The Senate, which has not yet taken up the bill, will likely restore a good portion of funding for those grant programs. Lawmakers also defeated two amendments from Representative Justin Amash (R-MI) that would have prohibited the Transportation Security Administration from buying new full-body scanning machines for the nation’s airports. However, lawmakers approved an amendment from Representative Todd Rokita (R-IN) that would prohibit the department from using money to give airport screeners collective-bargaining rights.
House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Chairman John Mica (R-FL) offered an amendment that was approved to limit the amount that can be spent on airport screeners to $2.7 billion. To read the press release from the Committee on Homeland Security on the bill, click here.
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Congress Continues Quest To Reduce Unfair Government Competition With Private Business |
The U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 2017, Homeland Security Appropriations Act for fiscal year 2012, which included an amendment sponsored by Representative Pete Sessions (R-TX) that would allow public-private competition for the provision of commercial activities by placing a moratorium on A-76 competitions within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). In describing his amendment, Rep. Sessions stated, "I am pleased that the House has recognized the need for our government to encourage market competition so we can improve service, lower costs and deliver the best services to the American people. By allowing A-76 cost competitions between the public and private sector, DHS can bring the best value to our nation's hardworking taxpayers regardless of which sector wins the competition."
This provision included in H.R. 2017 is a positive step forward as NATA works with Members of Congress to garner support for H.R. 1474 and S. 785, the Freedom from Government Competition Act. This bill is important to the association as we work to protect aviation businesses from unfair competition from the federal and state governments. This week, Representatives Paul Broun (R-GA), and Steven Palazzo (R-MS) signed on as co-sponsors of this legislation. There are now 15 co-sponsors of H.R. 1474, including Representatives John Duncan (R-TN) Roscoe Bartlett (R-MD), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Mike Coffman (R-CO), Sam Graves (R-MO), Ralph Hall (R-TX), Vicky Hartzler (R-MO), Randy Hultgren (R-IL), Steven LaTourette (R-OH), Donald Manzullo (R-IL), David McKinley (R-WV), Dennis Ross (R-FL), Pete Sessions (R-TX), Lynn Westmoreland (R-GA), and Don Young (R-AK). In the U.S. Senate, Senators John Thune (R-SD), John Barrasso (R-WY), James Inhofe (R-OK), Johnny Isakson (R-GA), and Pat Roberts (R-KS) have co-signed S. 785.
It’s imperative to have as many co-sponsors of the bill as possible in order for Congress to consider the legislation. NATA members are being asked to contact their Members of Congress through the legislative action center to request they co-sponsor the Freedom from Government Competition Act. Urge your Members of Congress to support the bill today.
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| NATA Comments On Proposed 139 Airports SMS Rule |
Recently, NATA submitted its formal comments on the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) that would create a requirement for airports certificated under Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Part 139 (Part 139), to develop and implement a Safety Management System (SMS). The SMS proposed in the rulemaking would extend to aircraft movement and non-movement areas on the airside of the airport, including exclusive use ramp space leased by airport tenants such as fixed base operators, flight schools and maintenance facilities. Under this proposal, airport management would be required to assume the primary responsibility for safety on these tenant ramps. According to the FAA, that responsibility would extend to “issues including employee safety, ground vehicle safety, and passenger safety to the extent they are related to aircraft operations.”
In its comments, NATA expressed significant concern over the impact this proposal could have: “Under this proposal, the FAA firmly inserts the airport operator into a tenant’s business operations.[For example] if, in the airport’s sole determination, a proposed change, such as staffing levels, is determined to present a risk, the airport could prohibit that change.” NATA requested that the “rulemaking be modified to exempt from the airport’s SMS oversight areas exclusively leased for use to tenant businesses.”
In addition to the issue of SMS implementation on tenant ramps, NATA commented on the following topics:
- Multiple SMS standards
- Regulatory authority of an SMS standard
- Need for approval of an airports SMS
- Inspector guidance and training
Click here to read NATA's full comments on www.nata.aero.
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Committee Hears Testimony On Small Businesses Competing With The Federal Government |
The U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Small Business, Subcommittee on Contracting and the Workforce held a hearing titled “Insourcing Gone Awry: Outsourcing Small Business Jobs.” The committee heard from small business owners who have had contracts with the federal government that were lost to federal agencies deciding to perform the work internally that they had previously contracted out. The small businesses argued that the total cost of a federal agency’s insourcing their work is more costly. Also testifying before the subcommittee was the American Federation of Government Employees, AFL-CIO. Currently, there is no statutory or regulatory definition of insourcing, which is the conversion of work performed by private sector contractors to work performed by public sector employees through the hiring of additional public sector employees. It is understood that not all functions of government need to be carried out by federal employees and that contractors provide some goods and services. Congress and the President have always questioned when work should be performed by federal employees and when it should be performed by a contractor. However, most would agree that “inherently governmental” functions should be performed by federal employees. Unfortunately, there isn’t a clear definition of this term.
According to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), and the Government Accountability Office (GAO) cost savings of up to 30% can be achieved when implementing competitive sourcing public-private cost comparisons to commercial activities performed by the federal government. The small business committee has committed to develop policies and procedures that protect taxpayer interests, increase efficiencies, and promote small business job creation.
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Expert Guidance On Fuel Quality Control
Don’t Miss this Summer’s Webinar Series |
NATA's summer series of webinars is led by a panel of industry experts to help ensure that your team is equipped with the latest tips, techniques and knowledge on Fuel Quality Control. Learn how to put Fuel Quality Control into practical use. You may purchase single webinars or receive special pricing on packages to access the entire series. See below for a special offer only available until June 29.
The Fuel QC webinar series lineup includes:
June 29, 2011, 1300-1400 Eastern
The Basics of Aviation Fuel Filtration And Mandatory Specifications by Frank Clark with Facet International and Fuel Receipt Procedures by Reed Fuller with Ascent Aviation
July 20, 2011, 1300-1400 Eastern
Contaminants In Fuel And How To Detect Them by Frank Clark with Facet International and If You Didn't Write It Down, Did You Actually Do It by Walter Chartrand with Air BP Aviation
August 3, 2011, 1300-1400 Eastern
Filtration And Separation Options by Frank Clark with Facet International and The Straight Scoop On Additives by Carl Hammonds with Hammonds Companies
August 17, 2011, 1300-1400 Eastern
Filter Equipment Maintenance Procedures: How And Why - What ATA-103 Requires by Frank Clark with Facet International and An Aircraft Operator's View Of QC by Trace Talley with Flight Options
Visit www.nata.aero/webinars to view individual webinar and package pricing and to register today.
Special Offer - available until June 29, 2011
Buy the Refueling and Quality Control Procedures for Airport Service and Support Operations and get FREE access to NATA's Summer E-learn Quality Control Webinar Series!
The Summer E-learn Fuel Quality Control Webinar Series not only provides expert tips and techniques for proper use of the QC manual, it also supplies new information on the following topics:
- The Basics of Aviation Fuel Filtration & Mandatory Specifications
- Contaminants in Fuel & How to Detect Them
- Filtration & Separation Options
This guidebook and webinar series package is only $195 for NATA members and $250 for Non-members (a savings of $198). Hurry before this offer ends on June 29, 2011. Once your guidebook purchase has been processed, you will automatically be entered into the system for the webinar series. Check your email for a webinar confirmation. Orders for the guidebook can be placed online at www.nata.aero/store.
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Support Congressional Candidates Essential To General Aviation
Join NATAPAC Today! |
In the past, NATA successfully contributed to Members of Congress who have proven their leadership in supporting general aviation. NATAPAC supports congressional campaigns of Members who look out for the interests of aviation businesses, regardless of party affiliation! With political fundraising and campaign activity at an all time high, we cannot afford to allow other interest groups to define the issues that will impact our members.
To stay informed about NATAPAC, fill out the authorization form located in the NATAPAC brochure today. NATA must ask for permission to solicit its members, as required by law. Because NATA is a not-for-profit 501(c)(6) organization, we must obtain written approval from NATA’s member companies before soliciting contributions for NATAPAC. Completing and returning the form in no way requires you to make a contribution; however, signing the authorization form allows you to stay informed of congressional candidates NATAPAC supports and contribute to NATAPAC if you choose.
To view the NATAPAC brochure, including authorization form, please click here.
Additional information regarding NATAPAC can be found at www.nata.aero/natapac.
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Sign-Up To Receive NATA’s Weekly Political Update |
NATA offers its members a political update on specific items that the U.S. House of Representatives, the U.S. Senate and the White House are working on each week. This weekly update provides detailed information on hearings, legislation that was introduced or debated in committee, and any issue that NATA is following within Congress or the White House. The update’s purpose is to provide members a more comprehensive view of the legislative matters on which the association is working. The Weekly Political Update is sent out via email only to NATA members who request to receive it. To view past weekly updates, please click here. If you wish to receive these updates, please click here.
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2011 NATA Airline Services Council Brochure Now Available For Member Use |
NATA recently updated and published its NATA Airline Services Council brochure. This brochure provides information on the latest activities that the council is undertaking, including issues, meeting schedule and member listing.
Members interested in receiving professionally printed hard copies of this brochure may contact Eric Byer on the NATA staff.
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New NATA ASC Logo Available For Member Use |
NATA has created a new NATA Airline Services Council logo that members can use on company stationery, publications and their Web site. The association recently provided members with two types of logos that members can use as appropriate. Members wishing to secure the new logo may do so by contacting Eric Byer.
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