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 Sequestration Update |
On March 1st, across-the-board spending cuts (commonly known as sequestration) took affect requiring Federal departments and agencies to reduce their respective budgets by 5% due to the larger budget battle going on between Congress and the Obama administration. As a result, the FAA must begin to cut nearly $627 million from its budget this fiscal year. The FAA is in the process of sending its employees 30-day notices regarding furloughs, over 200 tower closures, and reductions in other air traffic programs. According to the FAA, any FAA employee furloughs or tower closures will not begin to take place until early April. NATA continues to work with stakeholders to help the FAA find other areas to absorb these reductions without impeding safety.
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The Federal Aviation Administration announced last week that it is beginning the second phase of its General Aviation Airports Study. The first phase of the study, completed in mid-2012, attempted to categorize the critical and diverse roles that general aviation (GA) airports play within our National Airspace System. The completion of phase 1 resulted in the development of four new categories of GA airports; national, regional, local, and basic but also found over 400 GA airports that did not fit into any of those categories. During phase two of the study the FAA will work with airport sponsors, state aeronautic divisions and the industry in general to gather more data on the role these unclassified airports play. The FAA anticipates updating the original study report with an addendum based upon the result of the phase 2 investigation by the end of this year.
Click here for more information on the GA Airports Study.
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| FCC Extends Comment Period on 121.5 ELT Rulemaking |
At the request of NATA, GAMA, AOPA and EAA, the Federal Communication Commission (FCC) has extended the comment period on its rulemaking proposal to prohibit the manufacture or sale of 121.5 MHz ELT’s. The FCC rulemaking also contemplates a ban on the use of 121.5 MHz ELT’s. Comments on the FCC rulemaking are now due by April 1, 2013 and reply comments are due by May 2, 2013.
In 2010, satellite monitoring of 121.5 ELT signals was discontinued leading the FCC to conclude that “requiring a transition [away from 121.5 MHz ELT’s] would promote aviation safety.” In this rulemaking, the FCC seeks input on the impact a ban on the manufacture, sale and use of the ELT’s would have on aircraft operators, particularly small businesses.
Click here to read the full FCC rulemaking.
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In the coming months, temperatures will increase as the seasons begin to change. Rising temperatures mean the weather will become more volatile and thunderstorms will pose a threat to aircraft operators. Last month the FAA published AC-0024C to raise awareness to prevent accidents caused by thunderstorms. The guide provides critical detail on types, phases, and dangers caused by storms. The document reminds pilots and operators of the use and limitations of radar for detecting hazardous weather.
Click here to read Advisory Circular AC-0024C.
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| Weekly Regulatory Update |
NATA compiles relevant updates from the FAA, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Homeland Security each day from the Federal Register. You can now find the latest notices, rules and proposed rules in a single source by clicking here.
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| Georgia Association Urges State’s U.S. Representatives To Oppose User Fee Proposal |
In mid-February, the Georgia Business Aviation Association (GBAA) sent a letter to the state’s 14 U.S. Representatives and both U.S. Senators urging them to reject the Obama administration’s proposed $100 per-flight user fee.
“General aviation continues to serve as an essential element of our national transportation system,” David Small, GBAA Chairman, stated in the letter. He explained that the best way for the industry to contribute necessary revenues to the federal government would be through a per-gallon fuel tax, as the recent economic downturn has severely impacted the industry and “[t]he proposed per-flight tax would aggravate an already bad satiation and cause irreparable damage to this vital industry.”
The letter expressed general aviation’s willingness to contribute to the national government in a fair and straightforward way. It is important for Congress and the administration to understand that general aviation businesses are eager to work with and educate them at every level of government on the industry’s impact.
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| Congressional Reception Featured At Aviation Business & Legislative Conference |
This April, NATA will offer a new conference, featuring the association’s Congressional Reception. The conference will take place Monday, April 22, Tuesday, April 23, with the reception immediately following on Tuesday evening.
NATA’s Aviation Business & Legislative Conference provides important advice, access and information to give your business a competitive edge and to provide insights into what is happening in Washington that could impact your bottom line. For the first time, you will have an opportunity to join your industry peers at NATA’s new Congressional Reception on Capitol Hill, a “can’t miss” opportunity to connect with Members of Congress and to communicate the vital importance of your business to the Nation’s economy.
The many highlights of this year’s conference include NATA’s Industry Excellence Awards Dinner and Presentation as well as several other social and networking opportunities. Join your colleagues in honoring industry pioneers and leading influencers and catch up on the latest aviation business buzz.
Rounding out the event’s activities is NATA’s Spring Committee Meetings, which take place on the Wednesday. Committee meetings are open to all regular NATA members interested in the association’s ongoing activities.
Please don’t miss what will be D.C.’s premier aviation business and policy event designed to advance the priorities of aviation businesses across the board. Click here to register.
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NATA Safety 1st Spring Training Week begins next Monday in Las Vegas. Spring Training is a mix of three seminars designed to give your business a leading edge heading into the season!
FBO Success Seminar is designed for FBO owners, operators and managers to learn how to make the business more profitable while saving money, increase efficiency and improve bottom line performance. John Enticknap and Ron Jackson of the aviation consulting company, Aviation Business Strategies Group, and Leonard Kirsch from McBreen & Kopko, a law firm that specializes in aviation business, teach the seminar.
For line service supervisors and managers, Spring Training week has Line Service Supervisor Training (LSST) Seminar and Safety 1st Trainer Seminar. LSST covers technical aspects of line service supervision, top-notch customer service, management essentials, as well as tips for creating a healthy safety culture through teamwork. Safety 1st Trainer focuses on employees in trainer positions. This seminar includes instruction on creating and effectively presenting lesson plans, increasing student engagement, and all of the necessary skills to make these employees more effective line service supervisors and teachers.
There is still time to register for Spring Training. Don’t miss this opportunity to improve your business through each level of management. Click here for more information or to register.
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NATA Workers' Compensation Insurance Program™ Fact Of The Week
Dividend Plans Pay Big Returns |
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Individual Dividend Plans are based on your company’s loss ratio. With low losses, Dividend Plans can pay maximum returns.
All Dividend Plans are not created equal. Some are based on a group’s performance versus your individual company’s performance, and some pay the full dividend payout in months while others can take years. Be sure to ask what the maximum dividend amount is for your company and when the dividend will be paid back to you.
Have your agent contact our Workers’ Compensation Insurance program administrator, Beacon Aviation Insurance Services, at http://www.beaconais.com for assistance with this or any of your other insurance needs.
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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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