NATA News

The NFPA is widely recognized as the authority for the development and implementation of building fire codes. For the general aviation industry, NFPA 409 provides building fire codes for all aircraft hangars in most jurisdictions throughout the United States. Specifically, general aviation entities adhere to fire code requirements for Group II hangars (hangars that are over 12,000 square feet with hangar doors 28 feet high or less) and Group III hangars (hangars that are less than 12,000 square feet) under NFPA 409.

To view the Report on Proposals for NFPA 409:  Standard on Aircraft Hangars, please click here.

To learn more about NFPA 409: Standards on Aircraft Hangars, please click here.

NFPA 409 currently mandates that aircraft hangar owners incorporate foam fire suppression systems that require an enormous amount of water in addition to foam in the development of new aircraft hangars and that water be collected in a cistern or other safe containment device. These two requirements already place a huge financial burden on aircraft owners, equaling the cost of the aircraft hangar itself by some estimates. New technical changes to this mandate make these requirements even more onerous to small businesses that have aircraft hangars. The NFPA 409 code is also incredibly complicated according to experts and is interpreted differently throughout the country.

NATA quickly launched an aggressive grassroots campaign requesting that the NFPA extend the comment deadline (March 6, 2009) for these new technical changes so the general aviation industry would have ample time to review, prepare and submit its concerns.

Late last Friday, NATA received confirmation from the NFPA that it has agreed to meet with general aviation industry representatives at NFPA Headquarters in Quincy, MA to discuss the process by which the industry can craft a petition for the development of a new building fire code for general aviation hangars. A date and time for this meeting will be determined shortly.

NATA members wishing to participate at this meeting may contact Eric Byer via email at ebyer@nata.aero or by phone at (703) 575-2043.

Also, the NFPA has strongly encouraged NATA members to submit a membership application to join the NFPA Technical Committee, which evaluates and makes proposals on building fire codes before presentation to the NFPA Standards Council. The deadline to submit an NFPA Technical Committee membership application is this Friday, January 30, 2009. NATA members interested in submitting an application may do so by clicking here.

NATA greatly appreciates the support its members provided in writing to the NFPA to ensure that our industry is heard on this important issue. As a courtesy to NFPA, members are encouraged not to send extension request letters at this point.

Once the NFPA meeting has taken place, a petition will then be developed requesting the development of a new building fire code for general aviation aircraft hangars. When this petition has been finalized, members will be encouraged to email the NFPA supporting the petition.

For more information, please contact Eric Byer.

Last week, the White House released a memorandum from Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel directing all federal agencies to have President Obama’s appointees or designees review and approve any pending or new regulations. The memorandum specifically states that all proposed and final rules that have been sent to the Office of the Federal Register must be withdrawn pending review.

Many NATA members have contacted association staff asking the status of the Large Aircraft Security Program because of this new memorandum. In talking with TSA officials, NATA has learned that the January 28th public meeting and the February 27th comment deadline remain unaffected by this memorandum. NATA will continue to monitor this situation and alert members with the latest developments.

NATA members are still strongly encouraged to submit comments on the LASP by the February 27th deadline utilizing the association’s LASP Membership Tool, which is available for download from the association’s LASP Issue Page.

Members having questions about this new policy should contact Eric Byer.

While sitting before the commerce committee, Senators asked LaHood numerous questions related to his position on earmarks, and his view on transportation policy for the future such as how the department will distinguish itself from its predecessors. He also said he would select an FAA administrator who will resolve a stalemate between the agency and the air traffic controllers union over labor costs.

NATA President James K. Coyne congratulated Secretary LaHood last week and is eager to meet with the secretary on the critical issues facing general aviation.

To view NATA's press release, please click here.

A complete biography on Congressman LaHood can be viewed by clicking here.

Elected in 2002 and then re-elected in 2006 as governor of Arizona, Napolitano was nominated by President Obama on December 1, 2008, to serve as secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security after serving on the Obama-Biden Transition Project. Napolitano has an impressive resume, serving as U.S. Attorney, State Attorney General and Governor in immediate succession.

Commenting on Secretary Napolitano's confirmation, Coyne stated, "I congratulate Secretary Napolitano on being confirmed by the Senate and look forward to working with her on critical issues facing general and commercial aviation, including the Large Aircraft Security Program, the Certified Cargo Screening Program and other aviation security matters."

"NATA's members play a critical role in this nation's air transportation system," Coyne concluded. "We welcome the opportunity to work with the new secretary and her staff in developing security protocol that are appropriate and risk-based while ensuring that the economic impact on the aviation businesses implementing these changes is balanced."

One of Secretary Napolitano's first acts was to issue five action directives that essentially require a department-wide review of all its activities. Below is an excerpt of what is required of the Transportation Security Administration:

• Transportation security. TSA is directed to provide a review to the Secretary of the current strategies, plans and programs for security of the air, surface, and maritime transportation sector, to include a side by side comparison of the threat environment, resources and personnel devoted to each transportation sector. TSA shall coordinate, as necessary, with all pertinent components and offices in DHS, as well as with all relevant outside bodies and advisory councils. An oral report is due Jan. 28.

To view all five action directives issued by Secretary Napolitano, please click here.

Former Republican presidential nominee Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) will join the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions, the Committee on Energy and National Resources, and the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. McCain will leave the Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation but remain on the armed services and Indian affairs committees.

According to Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) Sens. John Cornyn (R-TX) and Michael Enzi (R-WY) will join the Committee on Finance.

For the first time, operators holding the DCA Access Standard Security Program (DASSP) are eligible to apply for access to restricted airspace during the event.

Any DASSP operator wishing to arrive or depart during the restricted period is required to apply for a waiver at least 96 hours in advance by using the electronic waiver system at https://waiver.c3.faa.gov. Operators will be required to comply with all elements of the DASSP, including departure from an approved gateway airport, for all waiver-approved operations.

More information is available in the FAA NOTAMS.

Currently, three Super Bowl-related NOTAMs are available:

9/0355 Tampa, FL, Sunday, February 01, 2009, through Monday, February 02, 2009 UTC

9/0354 Tampa, FL, Sunday, February 01, 2009, through Monday, February 02, 2009 UTC

9/0347 Tampa, FL, Sunday, February 01, 2009, Local

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 Award recognizes an airport manager for outstanding efforts to nurture the relationships between aviation businesses and airport operators.

The Aviation Journalism Award identifies 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 Award recognizes 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 Award recognizes a Federal Aviation Administration (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 - Ray Bishop, airport director, Jackson Hole Airport

•Aviation Journalism Award - Matt Thurber, senior editor, Aviation International News

•Excellence In Pilot Training Award - Susan Parson, special assistant, General Aviation and Commercial Division, FAA

•FAA Customer Service Excellence Award - Portland, Maine Flight Standards District

•ATP/NATA General Aviation Service Technician Award - Greg Coile, avionics technician, Business Jet Access

All nominations for these five awards must be received by NATA no later than April 1, 2009. The complete nomination package is available by clicking here. Members may also obtain a nomination package by calling the NATA headquarters at 800-808-6282 or by e-mailing Celeste Clark.

The awards will be distributed during the 2009 NATA Air Charter Summit to be held in the Washington, DC area this June.

The flight was reportedly brought down by the ingestion of birds in both engines. Pilots prepare for such incidents through comprehensive initial and recurrent training as well as simulated emergency exercises.

FBO line service supervisors and staff require similar training in order to prevent and prepare for any danger on the line, including fire safety training.

NATA offers many ways to receive the crucial and FAA-required 14 CFR Part 139 fire safety training at our LSST, ALSST and LST Boot Camp seminars as well as on our PLST Online (http://www.nata.aero/plst) and www.139firesafetytraining.com sites.

Attendees can even receive hands-on fire extinguisher training at most of the aforementioned seminars. At seminars during which live demos are not possible, simulated exercises will be substituted. Experiencing a fire in a controlled environment is essential in developing proper extinguisher technique.

Fires may be sudden and can come from a variety of sources. Recent stories shared on the www.139firesafetytraining.com site included instances of fires started by engine exhaust, a visitor's cigarette and faulty wiring in the dash of a ground vehicle.

Don't rely on miracles to keep your staff, customers and operation safe from accidents and incidents such as these. Be prepared by equipping your staff with the training, experience and confidence needed to handle any emergency. Don't put it off…enroll today.

The next two Line Service Supervisor Training Seminars are scheduled for February 17-18 in Durham, NC and March 9-10 in Las Vegas during Education Week at the Aviation Industry Expo.

Register now to attend the Air Charter Safety Symposium March 3-4, 2009!

The 2009 Air Charter Safety Symposium, on March 3-4, 2009, at the NTSB Training Center in Ashburn, Virginia, will feature several industry experts who will brief attendees on the emerging safety issues confronting air charter operators and fractional ownership program. Among the scheduled sessions are:

Selling SMS To Corporate
NTSB Member and well-known safety expert Robert Sumwalt will draw on his prior experience to give attendees the information necessary to gain support for development of a Safety Management System from their businesses executives.

State of Safety
2008 was a challenging year for safety in the Part 135 industry. NTSB Member Deborah Hersman will review the industry's overall safety record, highlight the key trends being tracked by the NTSB and provide insight into the challenges ahead.

Beyond the Hype  - Addressing Real Security Threats
Separating theory and speculation from fact, this session will highlight the true security threats facing operators and explain practical measures that businesses of any size can adopt to mitigate security concerns.

ASAP Implementation
NetJets Aviation has successfully implemented an Aviation Safety Action Program (ASAP). Learn from their experience in starting an ASAP, from implementation to the successful results of the program, to help you develop your own program.

Family Disaster Assistance Planning
Learn the fundamentals of why and how to prepare your own family disaster assistance program. Following the loss of TWA Flight 800 in 1996, legislation requiring airlines to develop a robust program to ensure proper treatment of victims and their families was passed. While these plans are not required for air charter and managed aircraft, the need to prepare for such events is critical.

Announcement of ACSF Top 10 Safety Action Items, including briefings on:

• SMS Implementation
• Risk Assessment Tools
• Safety Consequences of Unstable Approaches

Visit the ACSF Safety Symposium Web site for more information.

Early Bird registration rates are still available!

Register now to secure your seat at the premier safety event for the air charter industry.

www.acsf.aero/symposium

The association will host a variety of seminars and workshops to provide each attendee multiple learning opportunities during NATA's Education Week. These educational offerings will be led by nationally known industry experts, who will share the latest intelligence tactics and strategies to boost employee performance, ensure safety, increase customer service satisfaction and, ultimately, improve your company's bottom line.

The Aviation Industry Expo, the only trade show focused on ground support, FBO/aviation services and aircraft maintenance, will bring together over 400 exhibitors to display the most relevant products and services for your business needs. Take time between seminars to access the latest technology products and services, experience hands-on equipment demonstrations and attend networking opportunities on the AIE show floor.

Stephen Hopson will deliver an inspirational keynote address on overcoming obstacles in the pursuit of success. Hear how he persevered to become the first instrument-rated deaf pilot and went on to encourage others to realize their dreams and achieve success despite overwhelming odds.

Click here to view a clip of Stephen Hopson.

NATA's Education Week Opportunities:

• Aviation Legal Compliance Workshop
• Environmental Compliance Seminar
• Line Service Supervisor Training Seminar
• Keynote Address by First Deaf Instrument-Rated Pilot, Mr. Stephen Hopson
• Aviation Management - Innovation Through Technology
• Service Excellence Customer Satisfaction Workshop
• Financial Management Tools and Techniques for Aviation Service Businesses
• NATA Safety 1st Trainer Seminar
• Safety and Health Training for Ground Operations and Risk Management

Visit the events calendar at www.nata.aero for schedule and registration information.

For more information, please contact Eric Byer.

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