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January 26, 2015 – Volume 14 Issue 4
 NATA and A3P Technologies Launch Emergency Response System
NATA, in partnership with A3P Technologies, have launched the Safety 1st Digital Emergency Response System®. The System is a cutting-edge digital tool that allows aviation businesses to prepare for, and respond to, emergency situations with an unparalleled level of effectiveness. Utilizing a business' existing or custom developed emergency response plan, but unlike a paper manual, it places contact lists, emergency checklists and enhanced communications tools in the hands of decision makers when they need them most through their smartphones, tablets and PCs. It also provides automated text, email and voice notifications to key staff in the event of an emergency situation and acts as the digital command center for coordinating response. Additional information is available at www.nata.aero/safety1st or contact NATA Safety 1st at safety1st@nata.aero or 202-774-1535 for more information or to schedule an online demo.
NATA Member Discusses Certification Processes and Regulatory Consistency Before Key Congressional Committee
Last Wednesday, the House Transportation Committee held its first hearing of the 114th Congress examining the FAA’s progress in reforming its certification processes. NATA member Duncan Aviation appeared as a witness representing the general aviation community. Committee Chairman Bill Shuster (R-PA) opened the hearing noting that, “too often, we are seeing unnecessary regulatory burdens that do not serve to improve actual aircraft safety. It seems to be process…simply for the sake of process. Products and technologies that can actually enhance aircraft safety are often caught in a bureaucratic maze, substantially delaying their implementation and realization of safety benefits.” Duncan Aviation’s President and CEO Aaron Hilkemann focused on the impact that inconsistent application of FAA policies and procedures can have on aviation businesses and the FAA's planned actions to address it. Commenting on both the FAA's certification and regulatory consistency efforts, Dr. Gerald Dillingham, from the GAO’s Civil Aviation Issues Office, told the Committee that “While FAA has made some progress, it is too soon for GAO to determine whether FAA’s planned actions adequately address the recommendations.”
NATA Requests Additional FAA Support For Affordable ADS-B Options
On Friday, NATA and 13 other GA associations wrote to the FAA requesting the agency's technical standards office assign its highest priority to working with the GA community to ensure the certification of affordable ADS-B solutions in advance of the 2020 equipage requirement. "Affordable equipage is an important matter to aviation businesses whether their business model relies on utilizing GA aircraft or providing services to the GA community in areas where ADS-B transponders will be required," said NATA President and CEO Tom Hendricks. "To its credit the FAA, through its Equip 2020 initiative, recognizes this challenge and we appreciate their thoughtful approach to addressing this issue. However, with the equipage deadline rapidly approaching, we want to ensure the agency’s technical standards office makes addressing this challenge its top priority.”
NATA Welcomes Appointments of House and Senate GA Caucus Co-Chairs
Representatives Sam Graves (R-MO) and Marc Veasey (D-TX), along with Senators Joe Manchin (D-WV) and John Boozman (R-AR), were named last week as the co-Chairmen of the House and Senate General Aviation Caucuses. NATA President and CEO Tom Hendricks congratulated the new caucus leaders stating NATA “looks forward to working with these well known general aviation leaders to advance the agenda of one of the largest and most influential caucuses in Congress,” Click here and here to read NATA’s related statements.
NATA Members to Discuss FAA's New York Area Slot Proposal
The FAA recently published a proposal to restrict unscheduled operations by implementing additional slot restrictions at both John F. Kennedy International (JFK) and Newark Liberty International (EWR) airports. NATA is concerned about the impact these new restrictions could have on aircraft operators and the FBOs located at the impacted airports. NATA’s Air Charter Committee will discuss this proposal and help develop the association’s response at its upcoming meeting on February 2nd in San Jose, California. Read more.
NATA Supports GAJSC Effort On Airport Cameras
NATA is participating in a General Aviation Joint Steering Committee (GAJSC) brainstorming effort on making airport weather cameras more accessible to pilots. The agency is considering how to host the nation’s airport cameras on one centralized website or other weather related site(s) to provide pilots with easy access to real time weather video. The agency is attempting to quantify how many such cameras are deployed in the lower 48 states. If your FBO currently has such airport cameras installed please contact Megan Eisenstein, Senior Manager, Regulatory Affairs (meisenstein@nata.aero).
NATA Joins Aviation Representatives in latest Equip 2020 Plenary and Working Group Meeting
On January 21st, NATA participated in the monthly Equip 2020 meetings with the FAA and other industry representatives to discuss the identified barriers and associated actions required to equip GA aircraft with ADS-B Out by the January 1, 2020 mandate. Of the four working groups, NATA has been participating in the “General Aviation Equipage Working Group” tasked with addressing issues including the availability and cost of the equipment and its installation. For more information contact Megan Eisenstein, Senior Manager, Regulatory Affairs (meisenstein@nata.aero).
NATA Participates in ACT ARC Steering Committee Meeting
Last week NATA participated in the Air Carrier Training Aviation Rulemaking Committee (ACT ARC) Steering Committee Meeting. The group discussed initiatives and recommendations from the ACT ARC working groups: Air Carrier & Contract Training Workgroup (AC & CT WG), Crew Resource Management Enhancement Workgroup (CRM WG), Education, Training & Experience Alternatives for an ATP Workgroup (ATP WG), and the Flight Path Management Workgroup (FPM WG). The AC & CT WG, led by NATA’s John McGraw, briefed the Steering Committee on the workgroup’s recommendations, all of which were then approved by the Committee. The recommendations will be sent to the Associate Administrator for Aviation Safety (AVS-1) for the FAA to review and act upon. For more information contact John McGraw, Director, Regulatory Affairs (jmcgraw@nata.aero).
FAA Addresses Long-Standing Safety Concerns Regarding Cold Temperature Altitude Corrections
The FAA has published information addressing cold temperature altitude corrections on instrument approach procedures via the Notice to Airmen Publication. The information contained in “Updated Cold Temperature Restricted Airport Guidance (GEN14001)” addresses long-standing safety concerns over cold weather altimetry errors and how pilots should make proper altitude corrections by making available a list of 14 CFR Part 97 “Cold Temperature Restricted Airports” to the aviation industry. The agency is in hopes the published notice will provide more consistency throughout the industry on how to perform the corrections.
FAA Releases AC Pertaining to Safety Management Systems (SMS) for Aviation Service Providers
The FAA released an Advisory Circular (AC 120-92B) which provides information for 14 CFR Part 121 air carriers who are required to implement SMS and aviation service providers who are looking to voluntarily develop an SMS based on requirements in 14 CFR part 5.
FAA Guidance for NAT Datalink Mandate Requirements
In response to operator inquiries, the FAA has published guidance regarding North Atlantic Tracks Datalink Mandate (NAT DLM) Phase 2A requirements effective on February 5, 2015 and options for aircraft not capable of FANS 1/A (or equivalent) operation. Click here to download the NAT DLM requirements and options document. The FAA will post this additional information to the US FAA NAT Resource Guide for US Operators as soon as possible.
Duncan Aviation Offering Free NextGen Seminars
Duncan Aviation is hosting a series of free, day-long NextGen seminars around the country this year. The seminars, designed to focus on the mandates for ADS-B and Fans 1A, will be led by Mark Francetic, Duncan's regional avionics sales manager. Francetic and Duncan Aviation’s channel partners—including Cobham, Universal, Safran Engineering Services, GoGo Business Aviation, ICG, Honeywell and L-3 —will present practical information about the certified equipment that is available now for business aircraft. Some of the seminar classes are available for IA renewal credits. Additional details.
Safety 1st Certified Trainer Program begins January 28th
The NATA Safety 1st Certified Trainer Program (CTP) beginning January 28th is full. 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 next course beginning in August will be open on January 28th. For more information, 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.
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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