NATA News

• Congress Averts A Government Shutdown; Payroll Tax Undecided
• NATA Comments On Rule To Allow Pilots To Update Navigational Data Bases
• NATA Participates In DHS Aviation Security Advisory Committee Meeting
• Excise Taxes For 2012 Announced
• Louisiana Governor Declares December “General Aviation Appreciation Month”
• Past NATA Business Scholarship Recipient Flies Through India And Thailand
• 2012 Event Catalog To Arrive By Mail Soon
• NATA Releases Q1 Webinar Schedule
• NATA Flight Data Center -- Brought To You By FltPlan.com
• NATA Offices Closed In Observance Of Christmas Holiday

Last week, Congress passed a $915 billion omnibus appropriations bill for fiscal year 2012, avoiding a potential government shutdown for the third time this year. Congress worked throughout the weekend on a deal to extend the payroll tax holiday and unemployment benefits, but reached no resolution. Negotiations have focused on how to pay for the bill, including a controversial provision that would open the Keystone XL pipeline that could potentially create thousands of jobs and help our nation become less dependent on foreign oil. Democrats are opposed to this provision because the administration wanted to wait until after the election to make a decision. The Senate-passed version of the payroll tax bill only extends the tax for two-months, while House Republicans want a one-year extension. An agreement on the measure could be reached today. Congress is expected to adjourn once the bill is completed.

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Today, NATA submitted formal comments to the FAA on the agency’s Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM); Pilot Loading of Navigation and Terrain Awareness Database Updates. The NPRM proposed allowing all certificated pilots to perform updates to the navigational databases of certain aircraft avionics systems. The current regulations classify the update of certain navigational databases as preventative maintenance, meaning pilots can perform the task only on aircraft operating under Part 91. Current regulations also require that preventative maintenance tasks for air carrier aircraft, such as those operated under Part 135, be performed by certificated mechanics or certificated repair stations.

NATA published a Regulatory Report on the NPRM when it was published in October 2011 that noted that the NPRM was only applicable to “self-contained, front-instrument panel-mounted and pedestal-mounted air traffic control (ATC) navigational system database[s].” Additionally, the following restrictions would apply to pilots performing those updates:

• Systems that required disassembly of the unit were excluded
• The database must be contained in a field-loadable configuration and imaged on a medium that contains files that are non-corruptible upon loading, and where integrity of the load can be assured and verified by the pilot upon completing the loading sequences.
• Records of when such database uploads have occurred, the revision number of the software, and who performed the upload must be maintained.
• The data to be uploaded must not contain system operating software revisions.

NATA’s comments expressed the association’s general agreement with the proposed rule change. Technological advancement has made the update of navigational databases no more complex than the insertion of a memory card into everyday electronics such as a digital camera. NATA, however, did provide substantive comments asking the FAA to make adjustments to the proposed regulatory text to help ensure that the regulation remains flexible enough to accommodate future advances in technology.

Click here to read NATA’s full comments on this NPRM.

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Last week, the Aviation Security Advisory Committee (ASAC), chartered by Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano, met for the first time since its previous charter expired in 2009. NATA Director of Regulatory Affairs Michael France is an appointed member of the committee and participated in the meeting. The purpose of the committee is to advise the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) of issues of aviation security.

In a press release issued by the TSA shortly after the conclusion of the meeting, TSA Administrator John Pistole commented, “I appreciate the new Aviation Security Advisory Committee members’ service and dedication to helping TSA strengthen its layered approach to aviation security and I am confident that TSA and the broader traveling public stand to benefit from these meetings and the committee members’ experience, expertise, and counsel.” The press release commented on several of the items discussed at the meeting, “During the meeting, committee members discussed ASAC’s charter and by-laws, formed working groups, and settled on topics for future meetings. In addition to the status of general aviation and air cargo initiatives, TSA representatives updated participants on several new screening concepts being tested at select airports as part of TSA’s risk-based security approach, including the TSA Pre✓™ prescreening initiative, the Known Crew Member initiative designed to expedite airline pilots screening, and the expanded use of behavior detection in airports around the country.”

Click here to read the full TSA ASAC press release.

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The Internal Revenue Service recently announced increases on fees for federal excise taxes on aviation.

For 2012, the following rates are applicable:

• Domestic segment fee -- $3.80
• International segment -- $16.70
• Fee for domestic segments beginning or ending in Hawaii or Alaska -- $8.40. 

Should you have questions about these changes, please contact Jacqueline Rosser, NATA’s Director of Regulatory Affairs.

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On Friday, December 9, Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal’s issued a proclamation declaring December as “General Aviation Appreciation Month” in the state. NATA joins the aviation industry in recognizing Governor Jindal’s support of general aviation and the industry’s significant contribution to our nation’s economy.

NATA President and CEO James K. Coyne commended the Governor’s dedication, stating that the recognition of general aviation in the state shows its importance to the local, as well as national, economies. “Across the country, general aviation supports local economies, law enforcement, medical care, and serves as a resource for countless other important services. Governor Jindal and Louisiana have joined a long list of states in distinguishing just how important and vital this industry is.”

Louisiana serves nearly 5,000 general aviation aircraft at its 74 airports and employs 7,985 people. General aviation contributes $2.05 billion annually to the state’s economy, making the state the 7th in the nation in terms of the importance of aviation to its economy.

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Judy Rice, the 2009 recipient of the NATA Business Scholarship, is a true scholarship success story. On December 13, 2011, Judy and CarolAnn Garratt started their adventure of flying CarolAnn’s Mooney from Muscat, Oman, into the northern half of India with a final landing in Thailand.

Judy’s main goal of this flight will be to learn how best to prepare for her own future global flight. Her second goal will be to connect classrooms across the nation, as well as in India, sharing her passion for aviation while incorporating STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) education. You can visit www.thinkglobalflight.com for more information regarding Judy’s first flight through India and her planned future global flight.

The National Air Transportation Foundation will be accepting applications for the Learn to Fly Scholarship and NATA Business Scholarship until December 30, 2011. For additional information, please visit www.nata.aero/scholarships.

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The 2012 NATA Educational Opportunities and Meetings catalog will soon arrive by mail. To make sure that you are on the list to receive a copy in the mail, click here to send an email to Linda Pylant with your name and contact information. You can preview a pdf version by clicking here. In the meantime, you can view more details and access links to register at www.nata.aero/events.

NATA 2012 Spring Training Week – March 5-8 In Vegas
NATA is pleased to host our 4th annual Spring Training Week in conjunction with the Cygnus Aviation Expo in Las Vegas. Spring Training is an aviation industry educational camp featuring all-star seminars designed to enhance safety practices, provide major league knowledge and help you coach your team to a winning season. NATA’s Spring Training Week provides all-star skill-building and conditioning for your whole team.

Visit www.nata.aero/springtraining for more information on Spring Training Week.

2012 FBO Leadership Conference At NATA’s Capital Week For Aviation Business
March 28-29
Hyatt Regency on Capitol Hill
Washington, DC

The 2012 NATA FBO Leadership Conference offers preeminent opportunities for managers and executives of fixed base operations to tap into a wealth of industry knowledge. NATA is pleased to present political and industry forecasts from top leaders, a security update direct from the Transportation Security Administration, expert industry panels to discuss the latest developments in general aviation issues, various opportunities to network and much more.

The 2012 FBO Leadership Conference will address these issues and more:

• Find out how to communicate effectively with your airport commission.
• Discover what you can do to foster positive community relationships.
• Hear the latest on general aviation security, including developments in the repair station security rule.
• Learn how to adapt Disney best practices for strategic growth in your own business.
• Find out what the implications of the federal regulations on avgas will mean for your business’ future.
• Create new business connections by attending FBO Leadership Conference social events and other NATA Capital Week for Aviation Business proceedings.

Who should attend:

• FBO Owners and Operators
• FBO Presidents, CEOs and COOs
• FBO General Managers
• FBO Department Managers and Managers-in-Training
• Senior Staff of Airports offering FBO Services
• Airfield Managers
• Operation Managers
• Directors of Marketing
• Sales Managers
• Fuel Sales Managers
• Regulatory Managers

Visit www.nata.aero/fbolc for more event details and a link to register today!

Take a look at our 2012 events catalog for more information on these and other upcoming events. Preview a pdf version by clicking here.

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Register today at www.nata.aero/webinars
NATA’s new E-learn program is designed to enhance your education from the convenience of your site. E-learn includes several webinars specially priced at $49.95 as well as free policy and event preview webinars. The registration rate for the scheduled webinars includes participation for one computer/connection in the live webinar, a copy of the presentations and any additional materials. These 60-minute webinars complement NATA’s networking Summit, Conference and seminars by bringing experts on the hottest topics to you throughout the year. Archived webinar recordings along with a pdf of the presentation slides may be purchased by clicking here.

Upcoming 2012 Webinars:
2012 Negotiating Aviation Agreements Webinar $49.95
We will explore standard customer and vendor agreements used in FBO, Part 135 and Part 145 operations at airports, including key terms and conditions, and pointers on how to negotiate favorable terms. We will also discuss indemnity issues and how this one issue can make or break your business.

Speaker: Leonard Kirsch, Esq., McBreen & Kopko
Date/Time: January 26, 2012, at 12:00 EST

2012 How to Mitigate Fines from TSA, CBP, FAA, EPA Webinar $49.95
The federal government is looking to fine collection as a revenue source, and it is becoming increasingly difficult to negotiate down fines. This webinar will discuss how to analyze violations, how to defend and/or mitigate violations and, most importantly, what steps you can take to ensure that you are prepared so the next time you are violation-proof.

Speaker: Lisa Harig, Esq., McBreen & Kopko
Date/Time: February 23, 2012, at 12:00 EST

2012 Dealing with Hazardous Materials $49.95
Everything we do in aviation involves the use of hazardous materials. This seminar will discuss the obligations imposed by OSHA, EPA, FAA, Customs, and state and local governments on the purchase, storage, use and disposal of hazardous substances.

Speaker: Lindsay McGuire, Esq., McBreen & Kopko
Date/Time: April 26, 2012, at 12:00 EST

Visit www.nata.aero/webinars to register for any of these webinars and for frequent updates to the 2012 webinars schedule.

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In an effort to provide information on how the industry is performing, NATA has partnered with FltPlan.com to provide the following information to its members.

Top 10 airports by GA Takeoffs and Landings

Top 10 GA Aircraft By Flight Plans Filed  

Source: FltPlan.com

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NATA offices will be closed on Friday, December 23, in observance of the Christmas holiday. NATA’s Board of Directors and staff wish all members a happy holiday season!

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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.