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January 19, 2015 – Volume 14 Issue 3
 NATA Announces Strategic Relationship with IFBOA
NATA and the Independent Fixed Base Operators Association (IFBOA) have announced a strategic long-term relationship in our efforts to better serve general aviation businesses. This relationship will provide expanded benefits to general aviation businesses of all sizes and will provide a stronger voice for industry before federal and state legislators and regulators.
NATA is very pleased to work with IFBOA’s management team in expanding our collective outreach to the independent operator market. Both associations provide a wide array and highly effective suite of services and benefits for members. This strategic alignment will greatly benefit the interests of the general aviation community and ensure a more cohesive voice for aviation businesses on key policy issues.
Over the coming months, IFBOA and NATA will release more information regarding this strategic relationship. Read more.
House Transportation Committee to Examine FAA Certification Processes: Duncan Aviation to Represent Industry
On Wednesday, the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure will hold a full committee hearing to review the FAA’s steps towards reforming and streamlining the agency’s regulatory certification processes. NATA member company Duncan Aviation will represent the industry alongside the Boeing Company. As previously reported by NATA, the association has been working closely with the FAA to bring regulations in line with the current needs and activities of the general aviation community. NATA looks forward to continued discussions with House and Senate leaders to develop an FAA reauthorization bill that concentrates on issues that affect general aviation businesses, including the need to streamline the certification process and improve the consistency of regulatory interpretation.
Click here for more information on witness testimony, background information, and to watch the hearing via livestream.
Senate Confirms Leadership of Key Transportation Committees
As the 114th Congress begins its work on transportation legislation, including the FAA reauthorization and its annual appropriation, more key Senate leaders have been named to the committees and subcommittees with jurisdiction over aviation issues. The Senate Commerce Committee, tasked with developing the FAA reauthorization, will be led by Chairman John Thune (R-SD) and Ranking Member Bill Nelson (D-FL) and will work with Aviation Subcommittee Chairman Kelly Ayotte (R-NH). Senator Thad Cochran (R-MS) has been named Chairman of the Appropriations Committee, working alongside Ranking Member Barbara Mikulski (D-MD). The Senate Transportation Appropriations Subcommittee, responsible for developing the FAA's annual funding bill, will be led by Chairwoman Susan Collins (R-ME) and Ranking Member Jack Reed (D-RI).
FAA Withdraws Direct Final Rule Regarding Aviation Training Devices (ATD)
The FAA is withdrawing a direct final rule published on December 3, 2014 regarding aviation training devices. The rule would have enabled pilots seeking to obtain aeronautical experience for an instrument rating to credit a maximum of 20 hours of instrument time in an approved ATD under §61.65. Current regulations remain in effect as of January 15, 2015; therefore, no applicant for an instrument rating under Part 61 may credit more than 10 hours of instrument time in an ATD toward the minimum aeronautical experience requirements required to take the practical test. Further information on the withdrawal of the direct final rule can be found in the Federal Register.
NATA Submits Letter to FAA Over CVR Requirement Confusion
Last week, NATA submitted a letter to the FAA Chief Counsel expressing concern over a recently issued legal interpretation contrary to the long-standing application of Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) requirements. That legal interpretation is causing confusion about the circumstances under which a CVR is required. Regulations require Part 135 turbine powered aircraft configured for six or more passengers to have a CVR whenever two pilots are required by certification or operating rules (§135.151).
The new interpretation focuses on airplanes that are single-pilot certified and which are operated, with FAA approval with an eligible autopilot under §135.105, in lieu of the Second in Command (SIC) that would otherwise be required by §135.101. The FAA Flight Standards Office has consistently applied the rule such that single pilot operations do not require a CVR. The recent interpretation conflicts with the regulatory intent and historical application of the CVR rule.
NATA continues to engage with the FAA to reach a resolution as soon as possible. Members impacted by the CVR interpretation who are encountering problems should contact Megan Eisenstein, Senior Manager, Regulatory Affairs (meisenstein@nata.aero).
Register for the Safety 1st Certified Trainer Program by January 23rd
NATA Safety 1st launched the Safety 1st Certified Trainer Program (CTP) this month. The CTP is comprised of six instructor-led, online classes that provide the foundational knowledge and skills required to be an effective trainer. These classes are approximately an hour and a half in length and occur over a three month period.
As an instructor-led, online course, the CTP saves participants time away from work and the cost of travel typically associated with in-person seminars and training classes. The course is derived from basic learning and on-the-job training theory and includes practical implementation strategies that allow attendees to have an immediate positive impact on training and morale.
Registration for the Safety 1st CTP is open until January 23rd, with the first class scheduled for January 28th. Registration is $650 for NATA members. For more information and to register, visit www.nata.aero/events.
NATA to Hold Two Events in Las Vegas this March
NATA’s FBO Success Seminar takes place March 9-10, 2015 in Las Vegas. The NATA FBO Success Seminar is for FBO owners, operators, general managers, new managers, finance personnel and other key FBO employees who are interested in building a more successful FBO. This popular industry seminar, now in its sixth year, will offer attendees new FBO management techniques, essential operational and service knowledge, and a networking forum for sharing experiences and best practices. The FBO Success Seminar will be held in conjunction with the GSE Expo Worldwide and attendees will receive a complimentary registration to attend the Expo. In addition, attendees will also receive a free copy of the new book, FBO Survival. 10 Tips to Keep Your Operation Lean, Mean & Profitable – a $49.95 value. Register today!
NATA Safety 1st is pleased to bring its unique mix of technical and service training to Las Vegas on March 11-12, 2015. The Safety 1st Regional Advanced Line Service Workshop is designed to provide the knowledge and skills needed to make your line service team succeed and become new leaders within your company. Register now! Additional dates and locations for this workshop are available at www.nata.aero/events.
NATA's offices are closed in observance of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. NATA's offices will reopen at 9:00 a.m. on January 20th.
World Fuel Services Appoints Jorge L. Benitez To Board
World Fuel Services Corporation (NYSE: INT) today announced that it has appointed Jorge L. Benitez to the Board of Directors of the company. Read more.
Nominations Deadline for 2014 NATA Industry Excellence Awards is Friday
NATA is accepting nominations for its awards acknowledging the individuals, offices, and organizations demonstrating excellence in their field and the highest level of customer service to the general aviation community by January 23, 2015. Each year, NATA presents seven awards to the exceptional individuals and companies that have helped to improve the general aviation community.
The recipients of five of these awards are chosen based upon NATA member-submitted nominations and include the following categories:
• Airport Executive Partnership Award
• Excellence In Pilot Training Award
• FAA Service Excellence Award
• ATP/NATA General Aviation Service Technician Award
• New this year: The Safety 1st Certified Line Service Professional Award recognizes the achievements of certified line service professionals on an annual basis thereby raising awareness of the positive impact that they have on safety, service and business success.
All nominations for these awards must be received by NATA no later than January 23, 2015. The nomination form is available by clicking here. Members may also obtain a nomination form by calling the NATA headquarters at 800-808-6282 or by e-mailing Elizabeth Nicholson. The awards will be presented during the NATA Industry Excellence Awards presentation lunch in June 2015.
NATA’s New Workers’ Compensation Insurance Program is Administered by AirSure Limited
NATA recently announced a new Workers’ Compensation Insurance Program that rewards safety by making it possible for participating members to enjoy an annual return on insurance payments whenever annual premiums collected for the program exceed the administrative and claims costs for an individual year.
The program is administered by AirSure Limited, one of the world’s largest providers of insurance brokerage services for the aviation industry. AirSure Limited created the first NATA Workers’ Compensation Insurance Program™ and served as its original administrator for more than 30 years. During that time, financial returns to participating members (called Good Experience Returns) averaged 19.3%.
NATA will contact its membership in the coming weeks to answer questions and provide additional information on the new program, including how to immediately qualify and participate. If you have any questions, please contact Anne Salemmo, Program Administrator of AirSure Ltd. at asalemmo@airsure.com or (321) 751-3197, or Tim Obitts, Senior Vice President for Business Development, Membership & General Counsel of NATA at tobitts@nata.aero or (202) 774-1504.
ACSF News
The full program is available for the Air Charter Safety Foundation Safety Symposium. The symposium is scheduled for March 10-11, 2015. This year’s theme is “How do you know you’re safe?” ACSF also announced the dates for its ACSF Auditor Workshop (March 11-12, 2015, immediately following the symposium). Visit http://www.acsf.aero/ for Air Charter Safety Foundation News.
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