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September 23, 2013 – Volume 12 Issue 28
 NATA Meets with Department of Treasury and IRS Officials
Representatives of the NATA working group, including Marian Epps from Epps Aviation, Nel Stubbs from Conklin & de Decker, and representatives of NBAA met with Department of Treasury officials on September 9th to again discuss the imposition of Federal Excise Taxes (FET) on aircraft management services.
Previous meetings resulted in the current suspension or stay on FET as they apply to aircraft management services until the IRS issues a new notice or ruling that is clear and precise. The IRS auditors are continuing to do factual development but no 30-day letters or 886-A’s will be issued as those would be determinations of the issue. However, any other matter in the audit, that is unrelated to this one – if it does exist, will still continue on its normal course. The working group continues to provide factual information to Treasury and IRS officials to help them reach an informed decision. It remains uncertain as to the timing of a final decision by the Treasury Department. We will keep you updated.
House Passes Bill to Keep Government Operating – Outlook Unclear
On Friday, September 20th, the U.S. House of Representatives passed, 230-189, legislation known as a Continuing Resolution (CR) that would fund the Government at $986.3 billion through December 15th. The CR would be a straight extension of current spending levels. The sequester (automatic spending cuts) remains in place. Sequestration is expected to have a significant impact on FAA operations and the contract tower program. The House passed CR also includes language to permanently and fully defund Obamacare. The Senate is expected to strip the health care provision and send the bill back to the House. If an agreement is not signed into law by midnight on Monday, September 30th, the government will shut down. In addition, the federal government is expected to reach the debt limit cap of $16.7 trillion in mid-October, which could result in debt default if the limit to borrow funds is not increased. Additional provisions that could be attached to legislation to increase the debt limit cap is still under consideration.
NTSB Issues Final Rule Pursuant to Pilot’s Bill of Rights and Seeks Further Comment
As required under the Pilot’s Bill of Rights law, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) published a Final Rule on September 19th, with immediate effect, that finalized amendments to its Rules of Practice for the NTSB’s review of certificate actions by the FAA.
The Final Rule also included a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) that seeks to require the FAA to provide its Enforcement Investigation Report (EIR) to each respondent in emergency enforcement cases. Comments on the NPRM are due by October 21st. NATA, on behalf of its membership, intends to provide a comment to the NPRM. NATA requests that its members provide comments to John McGraw, NATA’s Director, Regulatory Affairs by no later than October 10, 2013. To learn more about the Final Rule and the NPRM, please click here.
NATA Applauds General Aviation Caucus Announcement
NATA issued the following statement regarding the announcement that more than half of the U.S. House of Representatives have joined the General Aviation Caucus. The announcement was made on Friday by House General Aviation Caucus Co-Chairs Sam Graves (R-MO) and John Barrow (D-GA).
“The National Air Transportation Association continues to be impressed with the efforts of the House General Aviation Caucus and the bipartisan leadership of Representative Sam Graves and Representative John Barrow,” NATA President and CEO Tom Hendricks said. “NATA has also encouraged its member companies across the country to reach out to their respective congressional representatives to join the Caucus. We are so pleased to see that their efforts have paid off as well as the growing influence that the Caucus brings inside the halls of Congress to advocate for our industry."
FAA Final Rule on Flight Instructor Renewal and Medical Certificate Replacement
The FAA published a final rule that allows the successful completion of the CFI practical test to fulfill the requirements of the biennial flight review. This includes the renewal, reissuance or additional ratings to a flight instructor certificate. The rule also allows replacement airman and medical certificates to be requested online. The rule comes into effect on November 15.
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 may view the latest notices, rules and proposed rules in a single source by clicking here.
Aviation Business Roundtable Program Update
NATA’s Aviation Business Roundtable takes place November 13-14, 2013, in Arlington, Virginia. The Roundtable assembles business executives from all segments of the aviation community and provides a unique opportunity to discuss important and relevant issues with key Administration officials including NTSB Member Earl F. Weener, Ph.D., FAA Administrator Michael Huerta and TSA Administrator John Pistole, Members of Congress, and other top industry leaders. The program will begin Wednesday, November 13, at noon with a luncheon and conclude Thursday, November 14, at noon. Additional agenda details will be provided in the coming weeks. Click here for more information.
Fall LSST Seminar – Last LSST of 2013
NATA Safety 1st is launching an updated version of its popular Line Service Supervisor Training (LSST) seminar this fall. The Line Service Supervisor Training now includes hands-on fire extinguisher training. Your supervisors will arrive home with the knowledge to teach your other employees. To view the LSST promotional video, please visit NATA’s Events Page. On-site registration is available.
Aviation Management Workshop – A Practical Foundation for Leaders & Managers
NATA Safety 1st is launching a new Aviation Management Workshop this fall. This new workshop is designed to provide a practical foundation for improving your performance as a leader and manager and help you be more effective. The Aviation Management Workshop takes place September 25-26 in Indianapolis, Indiana in conjunction with the Fall Committee Meetings. To learn more, please visit NATA’s Events Page. On-site registration is available.
NATF Announces 2013 Navigate Your Future Scholarship Recipient
The National Air Transportation Foundation (NATF) is proud to announce that Matthew Groh, a freshman at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana, is the recipient of the 2013 Navigate Your Future Scholarship.
The Navigate Your Future Scholarship was established in 2012 as an annual scholarship awarded to one college student each year to help them further their education in aviation-related fields. The scholarship applicant must be enrolled in an accredited college or university and have aspirations to become a pilot in either general or commercial aviation.
NATA State Advocacy Network Aims To Protect Member Interests at the State and Local Levels
NATA’s State Advocacy Network (SAN) is an effort that aims to increase awareness of state and local issues among the general industry and highlights ongoing state legislation, events and opportunities for NATA members to raise issues or pose questions or concerns for association and industry assistance.
As you know, aviation businesses are confronted with a host of issues including airport and land use, security, taxation, aircraft noise and emissions, and other priorities that arise. Volunteers of the network will play an important role in the association’s efforts to stimulate and encourage greater involvement among its members with the goal being to build a strong network to defeat unwarranted policies. The network’s web site has been used as a platform to gain awareness and support for issues facing members and their businesses and provides news and updates on ongoing state legislation.
If your business or state is experiencing local industry problems that require the association’s support, to view a list of SAN volunteers, or if you hear of problems that may arise and need more information, contact the State Advocacy Network via email at SAN@nata.aero or by calling (800) 808-6282.
Phillips 66 Contributes to Colorado Flooding Relief Efforts
Phillips 66, an energy manufacturing and logistics company, will contribute $250,000 to the American Red Cross to assist in the relief efforts following the devastating flooding in Colorado. Click here to read more.
Teterboro Airport gets $1M for Runway Project
The federal government agreed on Monday to pitch in $1 million to build a stretch of collapsible concrete at the end of a Teterboro Airport runway to stop wayward jets. Click here to read more.
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