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 NATA Comments On OSHA Applicability To Aircraft Cabin |
Since 1975, the FAA has exercised sole authority over the regulation of aircraft, to include the cabin environment. In December 2012, the FAA announced a proposed policy statement saying that the agency intended to permit the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to apply certain regulations to employees working in aircraft cabins.
The FAA requested comments on the draft policy that would require, for the first time, compliance with OSHA regulations for persons whose work environment includes duties within an aircraft cabin while it is in operation. This dramatic shift would expand applicability of certain OSHA rules to any person working within the aircraft cabin, without regard to the type of operation. Therefore, this action could pose significant compliance costs on Part 135, Part 91 and Part 91K operations.
The FAA expressed that it expected to permit application of OSHA rules for bloodborne pathogens, hazard communications and hearing conservation, and other regulations once it was determined that their application would not pose a threat to aircraft operational safety.
On January 22, 2013, NATA submitted comments to the U.S. Department of Transportation strongly disagreeing with the FAA’s planned effort to cede authority to OSHA. NATA’s comments provided several specific reasons why the action was ill advised. In particular, NATA asserted that any effort to impose OSHA requirements is rulemaking and, therefore, requires completion of all rulemaking procedures to include an economic impact analysis, consideration of alternatives, and appropriate opportunities for notice and comment.
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Safety 1st participants are taking advantage of NATA's new Supervisor Online training released the beginning of January. The supervisor training includes eight online modules: Line Service Supervision & Training Management; General Fuel Servicing; Fuel Farm Management; Refueler Safety; Personal Protective Equipment; Hazard Communication; Fire Prevention and Evacuation; and Fire Safety. In addition to the online modules, participants receive a line service supervisor training guide containing training resources, lesson plans and trainer guidance to help support training.
When the online course is complete, course certificates meet the 14 CFR Part 139 Section 321 (e)1 supervisor fire safety training requirements as authorized by the FAA. NATA’s Safety 1st team talked with one seasoned supervisor who said, “This training is great! I’m so glad it is now online, giving us another way to certify with great materials for training others at our FBO.”
Further details on this training are available by clicking here.
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| FCC Proposed Rule Affecting 121.5 MHz ELTs |
Last week, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) published a proposed rule that could affect users of aircraft with installed 121.5 MHz aircraft emergency locator transmitters. The FCC is considering “prohibit[ing] the certification, manufacture, importation, sale or use of 121.5 MHz ELTs” now that those units are no longer satellite monitored. The FCC clarifies that while considering a prohibition on the continued use of 121.5 MHZ ELTs this proposal would only cover the certification, manufacture, import or sale of 121.5 MHz ELTs. The commission notes that this rule would provide a benefit to safety by mandating a transition to the new satellite monitored 406 MHz ELTs.
The FCC has asked for comment on the impact of such a prohibition on small businesses, ways to mitigate such impact and the proposed time frame for imposing a prohibition on the certification, manufacture or sale of 121.5 ELTs. Public comments are due to the FCC by March 1, 2013. NATA staff is currently reviewing the proposal and will provide formal comments on behalf of the association.
Click here to read the proposed FCC Rule.
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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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| Illinois Governor Announces $9 Million Investment In Illinois Airports |
On January 23, 2013, Illinois Governor Pat Quinn and Illinois Department of Transportation Secretary Ann Schneider announced a $9 million investment program that will create hundreds of jobs and improve 19 airports across the state. The investment, set to be part of the state’s State-Local Airport Improvement Program for Fiscal Year (FY) 2013, will restore aging infrastructure, improve ease of access for travelers and businesses and economically improve development opportunities at airports around Illinois.
Specific improvement projects include terminal and taxiway rehabilitation, aircraft parking ramps and entrance roads and the modification of airport parking lots. Funding for the program comes from Governor Quinn’s $7.3 million capital program Illinois Jobs Now! as well as a local match of $1.6 million.
“Airports are a local economic engine for communities, regional trades and professional services, and are essential to making sure Illinois remains competitive in today’s growing economy,” stated Governor Quinn in a press release. The Governor sees the investment as an opportunity to strengthen Illinois’ position as a national leader in infrastructure.
To view an Economic Impact Study of the contributions Illinois’ airports provide to the state’s economy, click here.
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| Does Your State Legislature Have A General Aviation Caucus? |
As February begins, most state legislatures are in full swing. Much like the federal government, state governments rely on constituent input on legislation and have committees and caucuses to inform members about the importance of issues affecting their community. General aviation has a presence in every state, city, and county, and it is important that state legislators understand the significance the industry has on many facets of their districts and across the state.
Most recently in Texas, state representative John Kuempel (R-District 44) announced the creation of the Texas General Aviation Caucus to promote general aviation’s contributions to Texas’ economy and constituents. Representative Kuempel, who will chair the caucus, stated that he looks forward to exposing his colleagues to aviation issues affecting their districts of which they may not have been aware.
NATA and the State Advocacy Network encourage you to find out if your state has a general aviation caucus and to reach out to the members to remind them that general aviation is imperative for connecting people and industries that do not always have easy access to commercial airports or each other.
To find more information about your state legislature, visit http://www.nata.aero/SAN.
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| FBO Success – Meet The Speakers |
Congratulations to Aaron Thayer from The Cleveland Jet Center. Aaron is the winner of the NATA FBO Success Seminar Free Registration drawing at the Aviation Business Strategies Group booth at the Schedulers & Dispatchers Conference.
NATA’s FBO Success Seminar is one of the most popular educational events NATA has to offer. This seminar offers a great opportunity for FBO owners, managers, supervisors and finance personnel to learn tricks of the trade that will not only benefit their business financially, but also improve their image in the industry.
Meet the Speakers:
John Enticknap, Aviation Business Strategies Group
Before founding Aviation Business Strategies Group (ABSG) in 2006, John Enticknap was President of Mercury Air Centers' network of 21 FBO locations and held executive management positions with DynAir Fueling and CSX Becket Aviation. He is an ATP and CFII rated pilot with more than 7,800 flight hours, certified in both fixed and rotary wing aircraft, and is the author of 10 Steps to Building a Profitable FBO and writes an industry blog for ACUKWIK's FBO Connection: Sage Advice for the FBO Community.
Ron Jackson, The Jackson Group
Ron is Co-Founder of ABSG and President of The Jackson Group, a public relations agency specializing in aviation and FBO marketing. He held management positions with Cessna Aircraft and Bozell Advertising; is the author of "Mission Marketing: Creating Brand Value" and co-author of "Don't Forget the Cheese!" the ultimate FBO Customer Service Experience; and writes an industry blog for ACUKWIK's FBO Connection: Sage Advice for the FBO Community.
Leonard Kirsch, McBreen & Kopko
Leonard Kirsch has been representing FBOs and aviation service companies for more than 20 years. The former owners of Butler Aviation started his firm, McBreen & Kopko. He represents many FBO chains and single FBOs in day–to-day matters, acquisitions, and negotiations with airport authorities. He is also an expert on FBO competition and handles Part 13 and Part 16 administrative complaints.
Visit www.nata.aero/springtraining to register today!
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Rob Carraway, Associate Professor of Business Administration at University of Virginia and speaker at the upcoming Air Charter Safety Symposium on February 26-27, wrote a blog post for the Air Charter Safety Foundation listing some preconceived assumptions about safety leadership:
“Not being an industry expert but having observed organizations and industries for some time now, I must acknowledge that I have some preconceived assumptions about the topic of “developing a safety culture” (the topic on which I have been asked to speak) in your industry:
Assumption 1: Every corporate aviation department or fractional ownership company or any other player in this industry believes it has a safety culture. However, I suspect most are skeptical that they could be more safety conscious than they already are.
Assumption 2: All formal programs, processes or regulations developed to improve “the safety culture” are highly superficial.
But I believe there is hope. And that hope lies not in company or industry-wide structures or processes, but at the level of the individual. Culture runs deep, and is often thought of as a collective good (“our” culture). But the true impact of culture is the effect it has between the ears of its individual constituents, how it shapes what they think, say and most importantly, what they do.”
Click here to read the full blog post.
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| NATA Workers' Compensation Insurance Program™ Fact Of The Week |
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When you become a NATA Workers’ Compensation Insurance Program™ participant, Beacon Aviation Insurance will work to offer you their maximum allowable credits per state regulations and their highest available dividends plans. Beacon bases dividends on individual loss ratios, and the dividends are paid out just 10 short months after policy expiration. Additionally, special credit savings are available for Safety 1st participants!
Visit the Beacon website for more details on the program.
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| Industry Excellence Awards Nomination Deadline Approaching |
NATA annually recognizes individuals, offices, and organizations demonstrating excellence in their field and the highest level of customer service. The deadline to submit nominations for these Industry Excellence Awards is Friday, March 1. If you know of a person or organization that has helped to improve the general aviation community, be sure to submit a nomination. The five categories are:
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.
For more information on the NATA Industry Excellence Awards, as well as a nomination form, click here.
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| Aircraft Flight Coordinator Training Gaining Momentum |
Aircraft Flight Coordinator Training (AFCT), the newest online training program from NATA Safety 1st, is picking up speed in the world of flight coordinators. Specifically designed for anyone who participates in flight planning and release processes, AFCT includes training on weather, regulations, airport limitations, maintenance requirements and much more to keep employees well informed and up to date.
Why participate in AFCT?
- Is available anytime, anywhere 24/7
- Remains up-to-date with the latest information
- Includes additional reference materials
- Provides self-paced and consistent training
- Covers a broad spectrum of content
- Contains randomized exams
- Provides technical expertise supplied by Hewitt & Company LLC, ACP Jets, Chantilly Air and JetFlite International
To view the full AFCT curriculum, click here.
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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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