| Topics in this Volume
 Aviation Industry Seeks Final Rule On Repair Station Security |
The aviation industry sent a unified letter to U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano requesting that the department work with the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and other federal agencies to finalize a rulemaking on repair station security by the end of the year. This rulemaking is the direct result of congressional mandates contained within the 2003 Vision 100 – Century of Aviation Reauthorization Act, and the 2007 Implementing the Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act. The former act required the TSA to issue “final regulations to ensure the security of foreign and domestic aircraft repair stations” within 240 days while the latter act specifically prohibits the FAA from certifying any new non-domestic repair stations after August of 2008 if the TSA had not yet promulgated the required regulations.
“The United States has long been the world leader in aviation, and American aircraft and parts remain one of our key exports with aerospace contributing positively to our nation’s balance of trade. The extensive delay in promulgation of a final rule regarding repair station security has a negative impact on our industry and the U.S. economy. American companies seeking to expand their markets overseas are hindered relative to foreign competitors due to the inability to get new repair stations certified,” the letter states.
The public comment period for the notice of proposed rulemaking closed in February 2010, and work on a final rule has been ongoing for the past 21 months. The publication of a final rule will enhance security and also remove a regulatory roadblock that is currently damaging American companies.
Back to Top
| Super Committee Fails To Reach Agreement On Deficit Reduction |
The Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction, also known as the super committee, tasked with achieving at least $1.5 trillion in budgetary savings over 10 years through spending cuts or tax revenue, announced just two days before their November 23rd deadline that they had not reached a deal on their intended task of reporting recommendations to Congress on deficit reduction measures. The super committee was created on August 2, 2011, by the U.S. Congress under the compromise debt ceiling bill or Budget Control Act of 2011. The Budget Control Act also mandated that if the super committee or Congress failed to act by December 23, 2011, automatic across-the-board spending cuts, split between defense and non-defense spending, including Medicare would go into effect. The defense budget stands to lose the most funding, $600 billion in cuts beginning January 2013,but Congress has declared they will block the funding cuts before they are scheduled to go into effect through additional legislation for fear of severely hurting our national defense. President Obama has made it clear that he will veto any legislation that would amend the Budget Act.
In dueling opinion editorials in USA Today, U.S. House of Representatives Speaker John Boehner(R-OH)and U.S. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) discuss their perspectives on why a deal was not reached. Boehner blames President Obama and Democrats in Congress for insisting on dramatic tax hikes on American job creators, which would be detrimental to our nation’s economy. Meanwhile, Reid blames conservative anti-tax activist Grover Norquist for the failure, saying the Republicans sought to expand President Bush’s tax cuts while not meeting Democrats half way on any tax increases.
U.S. Representative Jeb Hensarling (R-TX), co-chairman of the super committee, declared that philosophical differences between Democrats and Republicans were to blame for the super committee's failure. Hensarling wrote in an op-ed in The Wall Street Journal that neither party could bridge the gap between two dramatically competing visions of the role government should play nor the fundamentals of job creation and economic growth. He blamed the Democrats' unwillingness to negotiate and said Republicans were willing to increase taxes if Democrats would agree to pro-growth tax reform. “They were unwilling to agree to anything less than $1 trillion in tax hikes,” he wrote, “and unwilling to offer any structural reforms to put our health care entitlements on a permanently sustainable basis.”
An adjournment date has not been set for the 112th Congress. Over the next few weeks, both parties will likely continue to propose additional deficit reduction measures that will have little support or risk a veto threat from the president.
Back to Top
| GAO Report Shows Improvements Can Be Made To TSA |
The Government Accountability Office (GAO) recently released a report, Transportation Security Information Sharing: Stakeholders Generally Satisfied but TSA Could Improve Analysis, Awareness, and Accountability, in which it assessed 335 aviation, rail and highway stakeholders who stated that the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) could improve on their information distribution by providing more guidance on implementation of security measures in response to threats. The quality of what is circulated could be improved as well, the report found.
U.S. Representative Bennie Thompson (D-MS), ranking member of the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Homeland Security, was disappointed in the results of the report, blaming the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for not taking the necessary actions to assure that relevant and critical information is available in a timely manner to every stakeholder in the transportation sector.
Recommendations made as a result of the GAO report include:
- A more actionable analysis of TSA information products so stakeholders can adopt security measures that reflect them
- Constant communication between the TSA and industry stakeholders to make sure they are receiving pertinent safety and security information and to promote awareness of rules implemented as a result of the Homeland Security Information Network Critical Sectors portal (the primary means by which the DHS distributes security information)
- A more thorough process by which the TSA defines and documents programs, activities, roles and responsibilities pertaining to information that is shared and distributed amongst industry stakeholders
The TSA has agreed to the recommendations made in the GAO report, has gone through the process of revising its threat level report, from low to high, and is working to provide better documentation of trends, tactics, techniques and procedures for improving countermeasures in its reports. The agency is also working on better ways of distributing security information products and role clarifications and responsibilities for information sharing internally and industry-wide.
Back to Top
| Call For Nominations - 2011 NATA Industry Excellence Awards |
NATA announces a call for nominations to acknowledge the individuals, offices, and organizations demonstrating excellence in their field and the highest level of customer service to the general aviation community.
Each year, NATA presents seven awards to the exceptional individuals and companies that have helped to improve the general aviation community. The recipients of five of these awards are chosen based upon NATA member-submitted nominations.
These awards cover five categories:
The Airport Executive Partnership Awardrecognizes an airport manager for outstanding efforts to nurture the relationships between aviation businesses and airport operators.
The Aviation Journalism Awardidentifies a journalist, writer, or publication that excels in consumer education or editorial support that is beneficial to the general aviation industry.
The Excellence In Pilot Training Awardrecognizes an individual or organization that has made outstanding contributions in safety, professionalism, leadership, and excellence in the field of pilot training.
The FAA Customer Service Excellence Awardrecognizes an FAA facility or facility staff member who represents the highest degree of customer service and elevates the quality of interaction between the FAA and aircraft maintenance and repair facilities, Part 135 certificate holders, airport service organizations, and flight schools.
The ATP/NATA General Aviation Service Technician Award acknowledges the exceptional performance of a licensed airframe and power plant mechanic or radio repairman who has practiced his or her craft for a period of 20 or more years.
Last year's winners were:
- Airport Executive Partnership Award - John Bales, director of Spirit of St. Louis Airport in Chesterfield, Missouri
- Aviation Journalism Award - Jeff Burger, Convention News Co.
- Excellence In Pilot Training Award - William M. Hays, president and CEO, ATD Flight Systems LLC
- FAA Customer Service Excellence Award - Columbus Flight Standards District Office
- ATP/NATA General Aviation Service Technician Award - Eddie Stephen Taylor, Epps Aviation
All nominations for these five awards must be received by NATA no later than January 31, 2012. The nomination form is available by clicking here. Members may also obtain a nomination form by calling the NATA headquarters at 800-808-6282 or by e-mailing Celeste Clark.
The awards will be presented during the NATA Industry Excellence Awards Dinner on March 28, 2012, just preceding the NATA 2012 FBO Leadership Conference, 2012 NATA Day on the Hill, and Spring Committee Meetings to be held in the Washington, DC area on March 29-30.
Back to Top
| Disney Institute Featured At NATA’s 2012 FBO Leadership Conference |
The 2012 FBO Leadership Conference will take place in Washington, D.C. on March 28-29 during NATA’s Capital Week for Aviation Business.
The presentation by Disney Institute will focus on the impact of the current economy on the industry, how businesses plan for new strategic growth and business solutions for attendees to adapt from Disney best practices.
Attendees will take away the following from the presentation:
- Benchmark best practices of The Walt Disney Company related to quality service and people management that can be adapted.
- Learn how alignment of the organizational identity can be used in the development of any new product or service.
- Understand the use of alignment in strategic risk taking and decision making.
- Identify examples of Disney’s effort to expand its organizational identity.
- Learn the importance of providing employees with a supportive and caring environment to create pride in the organization and retain quality employees during difficult times.
Visit www.nata.aero/fbolc for event updates and a link to register.
Back to Top
| Listen To Last Week’s Insurance Webinar On Slips And Falls For Free |
NATA Workers’ Compensation Program partner USAIG hosted the second in a series of webinars addressing the types of Workers’ Compensation Insurance losses that participating members are experiencing. This webinar series follows on the heels of a study that USAIG conducted of ten years of Workers' Compensation Insurance-related accident data. USAIG is utilizing this data to address workers’ injuries and recommend training to assist in the reduction of future workplace accidents.
Last week, USAIG's John Matthews and Vic D’Avanzo discussed the statistics from two separate categories of slips and falls as well as falls from elevations. Matthews and D’Avanzo also delved into real-world case studies, reviewed the accident circumstances and provided commentary on what can be done to prevent these accidents in the future with resources and available training. For links to review both insurance webinars and access webinar resources, please click here.
For more information on the NATA/USAIG Worker’s Compensation Program, please click here.
Back to Top
| Q4 Aviation Business Journal Now Available |
The fourth quarter Aviation Business Journal is in the mail and is also now available at www.nata.aero or by clicking here.
In This Issue:
- Member Profile: L.J. Aviation
- Falsification: A Deadly Sin
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s SPCC Rule
- Municipalities Competing with Private FBOs: Fair or Foul?
- Just in Time for Winter: De/Anti-icing Training Updates
- New Column: NATA Maintenance Perspectives
- FBO Finance Fundamentals Seminar
- And much more…
The new issue will arrive in your mailbox soon. In the meantime, please flip through online. You may also click here to take a look at past editions.
Back to Top
| New NATA Sponsorship Packages Announced |
NATA’s sponsorship opportunities offer high visibility focused directly at your target audience, the aviation business community. Our event and seminar sponsorship packages are designed to help you build brand loyalty, drive sales and provide meaningful access to your customers. The number of impressions gained as a benefit of these programs makes them much more than just spending sponsorship dollars – they are true marketing tools. NATA's seminar and event sponsorship packages are ideal for reaching your audience and demonstrating your commitment to continuing education.
NATA's sponsorship opportunities are designed with you in mind.
- Achieve high visibility
- Gain meaningful access to your customers
- Build brand loyalty
- Drive sales
- Get a return on your dollar
Sponsorship Benefits:
- Every sponsor will be listed in brochure/program materials distributed to event attendees.
- NATA will provide signage for all sponsors.
- A company logo will be shown on items sponsored, such as tote bags, lanyards, and giveaways specific to each event.
- Sponsors may also be eligible for discounts on event registration, based on sponsorship amount.
Please contact Diane Gleason, NATA director of meetings & conferences, with questions and/or to confirm your sponsorship at dgleason@nata.aero or (703) 575-2050. You can click here for a detailed list of packages.
Back to Top
|