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Top News
Member News
Events
 Congress To Resume Consideration Of The Highway Bill |
This week, the U.S. House of Representatives is scheduled to vote on H.R. 7, legislation to reauthorize the Federal Highway Administration. As you know, NATA is working to get a provision included in the bill that would repeal the onerous fuel fraud tax. The fuel fraud provision, which was originally included in the 2005 Highway Bill, changed the collection of taxes for non-commercial aviation jet fuel and required the funds to be deposited into the Highway Trust Fund. This diversion of aviation fuel tax revenue has cost the Airport and Airway Trust Fund approximately $50 million annually since the bill’s enactment and is anticipated to cost another $500 million over the next ten years. In addition, the burdensome process of filing for the 2.5-cent-per-gallon refund with the IRS has put an undue burden on aviation businesses although there is no substantial evidence to prove that fuel fraud is taking place.
Aviation Week published an article last week highlighting the issue and the association’s efforts to repeal the fuel fraud provision. To learn more about NATA’s legislative action call on this provision, please click here.
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In this week’s policy playbook blog, NATA Director of Regulatory Affairs Michael France addresses a recently released Government Accountability Office report and the so-called fuel fraud tax.
Click Here To Visit NATA’S Policy Playbook Blog
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| Aviation Security Advisory Committee Announces Its Leadership |
The Aviation Security Advisory Committee (ASAC), chartered by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) earlier this year, announced its leadership last week. The committee voted to make Carter Morris, senior vice president of transportation security policy at the American Association of Airport Executives, the ASAC chairman and Bill Cason, director of security for the Coalition of Airline Pilots Associations (CAPA), the committee vice-chairman.
“Morris and Cason bring strong backgrounds in aviation to the table that will be invaluable assets in leading the committee,” said Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Administrator John S. Pistole. “I am confident that their vision for the future of the Aviation Security Advisory Committee will be key in advising TSA as it moves forward with a more intelligence driven, risk-based approach to aviation security.”
The ASAC was chartered by DHS Secretary Janet Napolitano to provide input to the TSA on aviation security issues. NATA Director of Regulatory Affairs Michael France serves as a member of the committee.
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| Host A Congressional Tour Of Your Facility |
Members of the U.S. Senate and the U.S. House of Representatives, in addition to spending a lot of time in Washington, spend valuable time in their states and districts during scheduled congressional work periods and recess periods.
Members of Congress use recess opportunities to visit with constituents, making this the perfect time for NATA members to invite their Senators and Representatives to tour their facilities. A tour of your facility is a valuable way to inform key congressional leaders on the principal issues confronting our national air transportation system while allowing you to address other issues affecting your business. This one-on-one interaction will give Members of Congress and their staff a better understanding of the value of America's aviation businesses and airline services companies. Host a tour today!
To learn more about how to host a Congressional tour, please click here.
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| NATA Staff Responsibilities And Issue Areas |
In a continuing effort to expand its support of policy issues, safety training and member services important to aviation businesses, NATA has developed a new "Responsibilities and Issue Areas" white paper to ensure that member companies know whom to contact at the association with questions or concerns. All NATA staff can be contacted via the association toll free number at (800) 808-NATA or via email utilizing the NATA staff directory.
If members identify an issue or area that is not covered in this white paper, please contact Eric R. Byer, NATA's vice president of government & industry affairs.
The NATA staff thank all of its members for their continued support!
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NATA has announced its 16th Annual "Day on the Hill" event to be held on Thursday, March 29. This event is your opportunity to meet with Members of Congress in both the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate to discuss important legislative issues affecting your aviation business and the general aviation industry.
Over the past few years, NATA has achieved many legislative successes including final passage of legislation reauthorizing the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) which included provisions such as requiring the FAA to address inconsistent regulatory interpretations, ensuring funding for research of an alternative unleaded aviation gasoline and studying Part 135 operations to track industry data. These successes are due to NATA members creating lasting connections with their Members of Congress. Day on the Hill is your chance to create those connections and lay the groundwork for future legislative successes, both for the association and your aviation business.
Your participation on March 29 is critical to informing Congress how your business is being affected by the President's proposed $100-per-flight user fee on aviation and how other policy decisions could limit the use of general aviation. Let's remind Congress that small businesses are the backbone of the aviation industry and are indispensable components of this nation's economy and that Congress must understand their value when considering legislation. Your participation is essential to our legislative success on Capitol Hill. This opportunity is also open to non-NATA member companies. So, invite your business associates to help advocate for the general aviation industry.
This year's Day on the Hill event will focus on the following legislative priorities:
- The Freedom from Government Competition Act
- Repeal of the Fuel Fraud Provision
- Opposition to Aviation User Fees
- Aviation Security (temporary flight restrictions, foreign repair stations, Large Aircraft Security Program)
- FAA Standardization
- General Aviation Caucus Support
Click here to view the Schedule of Events.
Click here to view the 2012 Policy Priorities.
Don't miss this opportunity to ensure that the voices of America's aviation businesses are heard on March 29, 2012!
More than 150 industry leaders will come together for NATA's A Capital Week for Aviation Business in Washington for a variety of events, including the Day on the Hill Luncheon and Congressional Visits (March 29) and NATA Annual Meeting and Election of NATA Officers (March 29). All events will be held at the Hyatt Regency Washington on Capitol Hill.
Other NATA A Capital Week for Aviation Business events:
Please note: Make sure you book your room by Friday, March 2, to ensure you are able to secure the special NATA rate.
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Find Out More About NATA's Safety 1st Ground Audit Standard
Free Webinar On March 1 |
NATA Safety 1st has established the NATA Safety 1st Ground Audit Program and the guidelines to create a consistent operational safety standard for fixed base operators, airports, and other service providers while increasing the overall safety level of these operations. This webinar will give an overview of the guidelines, the reason for the standard and a general review of objectives.
Speakers:
Lindsey McFarren, McFarren Aviation Consulting
Elizabeth Nicholson, Manager, Safety 1st Programs
Date/Time: March 1, 2012, at 12:00 EST
Click here to register.
Click here for full list of upcoming webinars. Back to Top
NATA's Spring Training Week will get into full swing in Las Vegas on Monday and Tuesday (March 5-6) with its popular Line Service Supervisor Training Seminar. The event continues with NATA’s FBO Finance Fundamentals Seminar (March 6-7), Safety 1st Trainer Seminar (March 7) and Environmental Compliance Seminar (March 8), the only one offered in 2012. NATA's Spring Training Week will once again be held in conjunction with the Cygnus Aviation Expo (March 7-9). Stop by NATA's registration desk (North Hall, second floor, meeting room #N218 Foyer) to say hello and to participate in drawings for a chance to win one of two gift cards.
In the meantime, you can participate at home by answering this sports trivia question: Name two sports figures who have participated in NATA’s events as guest speakers over the past five years.
The first person to email the correct answer to jhammett@nata.aero will get an NATA Adidas golf shirt (value $45). Additional shirts can be purchased at the NATA store for $29.99.
Seminar spaces are filling fast, please visit www.nata.aero/springtraining for more details and to register online today. Spring Training seminars take place at the Las Vegas Convention Center. Access to the Cygnus Aviation Expo is included with registration for any NATA Spring Training seminar.
Cygnus Aviation Expo Hall Only Pass
Alternatively, an expo hall only pass is also available for the Cygnus Aviation Expo. The expo hall only pass is $15 through February 29; on March, 1 the price is $30. The pass includes access to the exhibit hall, select educational programs (listed below) and the networking reception on March 8, from 5:00 – 6:30.
General interest
- ASK THE INVESTIGATOR - with former NTSB investigator John Goglia
- FBO / Airport-Based Business
- LEVERAGING PART 16 VIOLATIONS: A legal perspective
- LEASES: The Foundation of the Business vs. the Interests of the Airport
- MARKETING AND SOCIAL MEDIA: New ways to reach (and service) the customer
Maintenance
- “ACTIVELY ENGAGED”: What Does FAA's Recent Clarification Mean for IA Renewals?
- UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS: An Emerging Industry
- FBO/MRO ROUNDTABLE: Challenges Facing Multi-Faceted Service Businesses
Ground Support:
- Going Green At US Airways Express
- Taking A Different Road To Green GSE
- Making The Switch From Diesel GSE To Electric GSE
Vendor Theater Presentation
- Important Advances in Aviation Fuel Handling – Velcon Filters, LLC
Visit www.cygnusaviationexpo.com for more information and to register today.
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Upcoming Events
NATA E-Learn Webinars
Click here to view a listing of archived webinar recordings.
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. National Air Transportation Association
4226 King Street
Alexandria, VA 22302
Phone: 800-808-6282
Fax: 703-845-8176
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