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May 26, 2014 – Volume 13 Issue 21
 NATA Supports Tiberi Bonus Depreciation Legislation
On Thursday, May 22nd, Representative Pat Tiberi (R-OH) introduced legislation to make permanent the immediate expensing of 50% of new investments in equipment and software. “The legislation’s permanent extension of 50% expensing for new equipment and software will create certainty for NATA member companies to make immediate capital investments in the U.S. economy,” stated NATA President and CEO Thomas L. Hendricks. The legislation could be considered by the House Ways and Means Committee as early as this week. Click here to view NATA’s statement in support of the Act.
House Appropriators Approve FY2015 FAA Spending
On Tuesday, May 20th, the full House Appropriations Committee approved for floor action the Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development Appropriations bill for fiscal year 2015 that will begin on October 1, 2014. The bill provides $15.7 billion to the FAA for next year, $446 million above the administration’s request. Less well known, but important to NATA members, is a report prepared by the Committee that accompanies the legislation and provides greater detail on the spending levels for individual FAA programs as well as expressions of congressional interest and required reports on a variety of aviation related subjects including contract towers, certification and general aviation fuels. Read more.
NATA Continues its Work in Support a of Renewing Bonus Depreciation
On Tuesday, NATA, the U.S. Chamber, NAM and other 149 associations wrote Senators urging them to take-up and quickly approve the EXPIRE Act legislation that would extend bonus depreciation for 2014 and 2015. On Thursday, Representative Pat Tiberi (R-OH), Chairman of the Ways and Means Subcommittee on Select Revenue Measures, introduced legislation that would make permanent the immediate expensing of 50% of new investments in equipment and software. NATA immediately offered its support and the legislation may be taken up by the full House Ways and Means Committee as this week.
NATA and IBAC Launch Global Ground-handling Standard
NATA and the International Business Aviation Council (IBAC) announced the creation of the International Standard for Business Aircraft Handling (IS-BAH), a set of global industry best practices for business aviation ground handlers that features at its core a safety management system (SMS). The IS-BAH follows the long established structure of the International Standard for Business Aircraft Operations (IS-BAO) Program and incorporates the NATA Safety 1st Ground Audit Program. As one global industry code of best practices, IS-BAH will provide standardization to handlers and operators around the world to meet the coming SMS requirements from the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). IBAC aims to make the IS-BAH Manual and Implementation Guide available for purchase on July 1, 2014. Please check either the NATA website or the IBAC website for more information as it becomes available.
NATA Submits Comments to FAA's Draft AC on Engine Time in Service Interval Extensions
Last week, NATA submitted comments to the FAA's draft AC 120-MTSE entitled, "Best Practices for Engine Time in Service Interval Extensions." The draft AC explains the background of engine time in service intervals as well as the FAA regulatory requirements for time limitations and time in service intervals for engine overhauls. The AC is intended to provide aircraft operators with information on the best practices for an engine time in service interval extension program and how to obtain an engine time in service interval extension. The AC and the comment sheet can be found here.
2014 NATA Air Charter Summit Housing Deadline Extended
NATA’s annual Air Charter Summit will take place June 16-18, 2014, at the Washington Dulles Marriott in Dulles, VA. Online registration, session descriptions and housing reservations are available at http://www.nata.aero/acs. NATA will once again host a raffle and auction in support of the Veterans Airlift Command (VAC) at the Summit's BBQ Dinner on Tuesday night. Please contact Amy Hornaday at ahornaday@nata.aero to donate items for the VAC raffle and auction. The housing deadline has been extended to June 3, 2014, please make your reservations.
The 2014 Air Charter Summit Topics Include:
• Meet Your Regulators
• Security Issues Affecting Charter Operators
• Complying with New EASA TCO Requirements
• What's Next with NextGen
• TFSSP Compliance Session
• Taking Control of Your Reputation and Relationships
• Pilot Employment Concerns
• Working with CBP
• Safety, Security & Operations Solutions for Air Charter Operators
Conklin & de Decker and NATA to Hold Annual Tax Seminar in Van Nuys, CA, August 5–6, 2014
Conklin & de Decker Associates, Inc. and NATA are pleased to announce that they are partnering again this year to offer the Commercial Operators Tax Seminar, entitled, “Back to Basics.” This year’s Tax Seminar will be held in Van Nuys, California on August 5-6, 2014. Click here for additional details.
Signature Flight Support Off to A Great Start For “NATA Flag Pin for Veterans Project”
NATA is working with industry to raise donations for nationally recognized veterans organizations through the “NATA Flag Pins for Veterans Project.” NATA congratulates Signature Flight Support for their early support of the project and latest tallied donation totaling more than $6,000. NATA members are asked to participate by displaying American-made flag pins in their operations with signage suggesting a donation of at least $1.00 per pin. The funds for this project will be collected periodically through a fund established by NATA (NATA-Flag Pin Project). The project collection period is May 2014 and through October 2014 culminating in a check presentation to the veterans organizations. Click here for project details. Please contact Shannon Chambers at schambers@nata.aero to participate and help give back to our veterans.
Known Crewmember® Program Taking Off
The first use of Known Crewmember® (KCM) access points by the Part 135 community was announced earlier this month. Since that time, NATA and NATACS have heard positive feedback from pilots on the efficiency that KCM is bringing to their operations. Several Part 135 air carriers have already been approved to participate in the KCM program with more in queue for TSA approval. Operators can find and submit applications for KCM at the NATACS website http://www.natacs.aero/.
NATA Headquarters Closed in Observance of Memorial Day
NATA Headquarters will be closed today, May 26, 2014, in observance of Memorial Day. The association thanks all of our men and women serving in the U.S. military, past and present, and wishes everyone a safe and enjoyable holiday.
NATF Awards Scholarships
The National Air Transportation Foundation (NATF) would like to congratulate this year’s scholarship recipients: Tyler Wilson, Alovia Dudek, Shane Fisher and Brian Nissel. To read more about these four aspiring aviation professionals and the NATF scholarships, please click here.
ACSF News
Save the date for next year’s Air Charter Safety Foundation Safety Symposium. The symposium is scheduled for March 10-11, 2015. Visit http://www.acsf.aero/ for Air Charter Safety Foundation News.
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