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 FAA Grants Comment Period Extension Request For Repair Station Rule |
Last week, the FAA granted a request for a 90-day extension on the public comment period for the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) affecting the rules governing repair stations certificated under Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulation, Part 145. NATA, along with a number of other associations, had asked for a 90-day extension on the comment period to allow more time for analysis of the proposed rule changes and to gather information about how those changes would impact the industry. Under the issued extension, the new deadline for public comments to the NPRM is November 19, 2012.
NATA is working closely with members of its Aircraft Maintenance and System Technology Committee in drafting the association’s comments. NATA members who would like more information on the NPRM or to express concerns with the proposed changes may contact NATA Director of Regulatory Affairs Michael France at mfrance@nata.aero.
Click here to view the NATA Regulatory Report on the repair station NPRM.
Click here to view the full repair station NPRM.
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The Air Charter Safety Foundation (ACSF) has officially gone live with its aviation safety action program (ASAP) for on-demand air charter operators. The demonstration program currently has two charter operators under the jurisdiction of the FAA Minneapolis Flight Standards District Office, and will eventually expand to other charter operators in the FAA Great Lakes Region.
An ASAP is a reporting program that allows employees of participating air carriers, fractional managers and repair station certificate holders to identify and report safety issues to management and to the FAA for resolution, without fear that the FAA will use reports accepted under the program to take legal enforcement action against them or that companies will use such information to take disciplinary action. Through such reporting, all participants have access to valuable safety information that might not otherwise be obtainable.
To read the full ACSF Press Release, click here.
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The FAA has issued flight advisories that outline the Temporary Flight Restriction Zones (TFR) for the Tampa and Charlotte areas during the Democratic and Republican National Conventions. The flight advisory lists the type of prohibited flight operations as well as gateway instructions for aircraft arriving at one of the approved airports.
A detailed version of the flight advisories can be found on the FAA Web site.
Click here to view the Flight Advisory for the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Florida.
Click here to view the Flight Advisory for the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina.
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AC 120-109, published by the FAA in early August, provides guidance for the training and testing of pilots for unexpected activations of stall warnings and stick pushers. Prior to practicing the maneuver, pilots should have a full understanding of the factors that contribute to a stall as well as the stall warnings that occur in the specific airplane used for training. While performing the maneuver, the advisory circular suggests recovering from a stall at the first indication by reducing the angle of attack or according to the aircraft manufacturer.
The advisory circular recommends that training in stick pusher-equipped aircraft be completed in a flight simulation training device. Training should continue until the pilot’s recognition and response time to the stick pusher activation is within acceptable limits.
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| New Report: Sequestration Detrimental To Aviation |
A recently released study, Economic Impacts of FAA Budget Sequestration on the U.S Economy, conducted by the Aerospace Industries Association (AIA) and Econsult Corp. estimates that budget cuts to FAA operations due to sequestration could force the aviation community to lose more than 132,000 jobs, seep $80 billion a year from the nation’s gross domestic product, and drastically decrease the freight capacity, nearly 2 billion pounds, from the already fragile air cargo system. The forecasted loss in output to the nation’s economy could reach $9.2 to $18.4 billion, with $2.7 to $5.4 billion lost in wages in salaries according to the study.
The association and consulting group held a release meeting on August 13 with industry stakeholders to discuss the devastating effects that sequestration could cause to aviation. Special guest former Secretary of Transportation and Congressman Norman Mineta praised the efforts of AIA to bring this issue to light, producing a report that Congress can review before the issue is reviewed in the nation’s fiscal year 2013 budget. “If sequestration is not stopped, it will be by far the most devastating budget cut to the FAA in its 54 years. Putting the agency at risk is incomprehensible,” Mineta said.
AIA President and CEO Marion Blakey pointed out in a press release that the devastating effects of sequestration will negatively impact implementation of the Next Generation Air Traffic Control System (NextGen), delaying it by at least a decade. Currently scheduled for a 2025 release date, implementation of NextGen is forecasted to provide more than $281 billion in net benefits, save 27 million hours in flight delays and reduce 216 metric tons of emissions. “Under sequestration, the air traffic control system will be hobbled for decades, leaving travelers, shippers and our economy in the lurch,” stated Blakey.
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Relevant updates from the FAA, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Homeland Security are compiled each day from the Federal Register. The latest notices, rules and proposed rules can now be found in a single source by clicking here.
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| South Carolina Declares August 13-18 As Aviation Week |
Recently, South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley declared August 13-18 as Aviation Week across the state. Governor Haley is added to a long list of governors who have recognized the importance of aviation to their state's economy, business and job development and competitiveness. South Carolina's 54 general aviation airports contribute nearly $420 million to the state's economy, produce more than 65,000 jobs, and are responsible for a payroll of $19.9 million annually according to the South Carolina Department of Commerce.
"The governor's proclamation recognizes the many aspects that aviation provides to the state's tourism, agriculture, cargo and freight shipments, business, law enforcement and medical services," stated NATA President and CEO James K. Coyne. "We applaud the governor's contribution to bring public awareness to an industry that affects every aspect of a state's growth and competitiveness."
To see if your governor has recognized general aviation in your state, click here.
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| U.S. Celebrates National Aviation Day On August 19 |
On August 19, 2012, the U.S. observed National Aviation Day in the U.S., celebrating the history and development of aviation. Beginning in 1939, President Franklin Roosevelt declared August 19 of every subsequent year to be dedicated to the recognition of the impact aviation has on our nation’s economy, job and business development and worldwide access. The day coincides with the birthday of Orville Wright who, along with his brother Wilbur, was credited for building the world’s first successful steerable airplane.
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Top Reasons To Attend September LSST And Safety 1st Trainer Seminar
Last LSST Seminar Of 2012 To Be Held In Dallas |
Dallas, Texas – Dallas is a richly diverse city; over the years it has become a melting pot of cultures and lifestyles. This important convergence of uniqueness and differences is reflected throughout the sights and sounds of the city. Dallas' authentic arts, music, food, historic landmarks and urban lifestyle all contribute to the city's makeup. NATA’s LSST, Safety 1st Trainer and FBO Success seminars will all take place in this convenient and exciting city.
Interactive LSST Seminar Format – Who says learning can’t be fun? NATA’s LSST is a high-impact, high-energy seminar and includes guided group debates, role playing, interactive games and various case studies designed to take you to a new level of leadership.
Sensational Speakers – Dr. Todd Dewitt, Reed Fuller, Christine Hill, and Mike France will be part of the September LSST speaker lineup. Knowledgeable, motivational, informative, fun, meaningful and energetic are just some of the adjectives attendees from past LSST seminars are using to describe these speakers.
Build Career Knowledge, Confidence and Success – Return to your operation armed with the techniques and knowledge you need to lead others with confidence.
Information You Can Use – Return with tips and ideas from speakers and peers to put into practice right away.
NATA’s Safety 1st Trainer Seminar – NATA’s Safety 1st Trainer Seminar will be held in the same convenient location as the LSST. NATA’s Safety 1st Trainer Seminar delivers the in-depth instruction necessary to make these employees more effective line service supervisors and teachers. In the seminar, trainers will learn how to engage a variety of students, increase learning retention, effectively present lesson plans, identify student verbal and nonverbal cues as well as many other skills. The seminar also includes instruction on the industry’s premier program for initial and recurrent training of line service specialists – known as PLST online or Professional Line Service Training. Minimize your time away from the office and travel expenses, while maximizing your line safety training.
14 CFR Part 139 Fire Safety Training Certification – Get the certification and training you need to perform your job at the highest level with all the aforementioned benefits – only in Dallas!
Click here for more details or to register for the September LSST Seminar.
Click here for more details or to register for the September Safety 1st Trainer Seminar.
Click here for more details on the FBO Success Seminar, held concurrently with the LSST and Safety 1st Seminars.
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Come to Dallas for NATA’s Fall Committee Meetings and stay for the FBO Success Seminar (LSST and Safety 1st Seminars will also be held in this one convenient location).
NATA will host its 2012 Fall Committee Meeting program on September 10-11 at the Wyndham Dallas Love Field in Dallas, Texas. We encourage our committee members to make their reservations soon and would like to remind all members that they are invited to attend NATA's committee meetings as guests.
Your attendance at the meetings will also enable you to meet Thomas L. Hendricks, NATA's new president. Please don't miss this opportunity to give him your personal welcome to the association. Click here to read more about Tom Hendricks.
Please register for the meetings online by clicking here or complete the appropriate participation form found at the links below and return it to Celeste Clark via email or by fax at (703) 845-8176 by September 7.
Committee Member Participation Form
Non-committee Member Participation Form
Hotel reservations must be made directly with the Wyndham Dallas Love Field. The telephone number to make reservations is (214) 357-8500.
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| Focus On Improving The Vital Parts Of Your FBO Operation At The FBO Success Seminar September 12-14 |
At the FBO Success Seminar in Dallas in September, Aviation Business Strategies Group will thoroughly examine three vital parts or functions of your FBO operations. We call it “An MRI for Your FBO.”
•M = Maximizing Profits
•R = Reducing Expenses
•I = Improving FBO Productivity & Bottom-Line Performance
This will be the first time the FBO Success Seminar is hosted at an FBO. While on-site, seminar attendees will be able to observe this award winning FBO in operation.
Included are lively round table discussions, exchange of best practice ideas and ample time to interact with other FBOs.
Click here for more details on this valuable seminar and to see special rates for returning attendees and multiple attendees from the same company.
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The Most Important Question To Ask A Customer
Don’t Miss Thursday’s Enlightening Webinar |
In this highly anticipated webinar, rescheduled for August 23, Ron Jackson of The Jackson Group and John Enticknap of Aviation Business Strategies Group will discuss ways to determine how well you are meeting the needs of your customers. They will explain what an SQ (Service Quotient) is and how it can effect your business. They’ll also discuss ways to benchmark your customer service efforts and reveal to you the secret question that you should always ask a customer.
Date/Time: August 23, 2012, at 12:00 EST
Click here to register. Registration for this webinar is $49.95 per location and includes a copy of presentation materials and link to a recording of the webinar.
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| Q3 Aviation Business Journal Now Available |
The third quarter Aviation Business Journal is in the mail and now available online by clicking here.
In this issue:
- James K. Coyne Reflects on His 18-Year Run
- West Star Aviation: Building on a Decade of Maintenance Excellence
- 2012 Buyers’ Guide – Listing of NATA associate members that provide services and products
- Air Charter Summit Wrap Up
- NATA Maintenance Perspectives
The new issue will arrive in your mailbox soon. In the meantime, please flip through online. You may also click here to view past editions.
In the fourth quarter edition of Aviation Business Journal, we will be providing our members with an opportunity to honor James K. Coyne and his contribution to NATA and the aviation business industry with discounted advertising space. To find out more about this opportunity, please contact Justin Wolfe with The YGS Group at justin.wolfe@theygsgroup.com or at (800) 501-9571 x138.
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Get Your Copy Of NATA’s Negotiating Aviation Agreements
Special Summer Sale Price Until August 31, 2012 |
NATA’s Negotiating Aviation Agreements: A Guidebook for Building and Protecting Your Business ($299 for members) is a resource for fixed base operators and specialized aviation service operations doing business at general aviation airports. Sample provisions and practical tips are included in this guidebook. There is a wealth of information contained in this updated version, but here are a few of the best reasons for ordering a copy for your operation today:
- NATA’s Negotiating Aviation Agreements has been revised to provide a comprehensive review of the issues that need to be considered when negotiating an airport lease.
- Topics covered include Contract Fundamentals, Agreements with Airport Sponsors, Service Agreements and Fuel Supply and Storage Agreements.
- Your airport lease has significant impact on the success of your business; Negotiating Aviation Agreements is a must-have for any on-airport business manager.
Click here to get your copy at the best price offered in 2012. All NATA publications are available for purchase at the NATA Store.
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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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