NATA News

NFPA 409 currently requires automatic foam fire suppression systems on all aircraft hangars larger than 12,000 square feet. This requirement presents a substantial additional cost to the development of general aviation hangars. In addition, the committee recently proposed requiring all new aircraft hangars under 12,000 square feet to have automatic fire suppression systems installed.

NATA is requesting that the NFPA create a new standard that more adequately addresses the needs of general aviation hangars.

Click here to read Mr. Coyne’s statement to the committee.

• A new definition of “facility.”
• A new definition of “loading/unloading racks.”
• Provision of a new streamlined approach for smaller facilities.
• Amendment of the facility diagram requirement.
• Amendment of the integrity testing requirement.

This extension includes only the December 2008 changes, the date of compliance for the 2006 SPCC rule changes remains July 1, 2009.

To learn more about SPCC requirement and compliance dates, please click here.

In January 2009, the Council of the European Union published Directive 2008/101/EC, which formally included aviation activities in the EU’s Emissions Trading Scheme. The directive provides a template that individual member states must incorporate into their existing ETS regulations.

Beginning in 2012 and depending on the actual regulations that the EU member states create, U.S.-based aircraft operators may have to purchase European Union Emissions allowances when flying to, from or between any EU airports. Failure to obtain the proper credits could lead to significant civil penalties, including the impounding of aircraft. NATA staff have reviewed Directive 2008/101/EC and created a white paper outlining the proposed requirements of ETS on the general aviation industry.

Click here to read the association’s white paper on the EU’s Emissions Trading Scheme.

Last week, industry representatives sent a follow-up letter to John Sammon, TSA’s assistant administrator for Transportation Sector Network Management that can be reviewed by clicking here.

The association and other industry groups continue to work with the TSA to ensure that appropriate security measures are incorporated while recognizing the many unique characteristics of the general aviation community.

NATA submitted its comments on the LASP in late February. Those comments can be viewed by clicking here.

The association’s LASP Issue Page may be viewed by clicking here.

Members with questions about this process may contact Eric Byer on the NATA staff.

Regulations published last year require all private aircraft arriving or departing the United States to submit an electronic passenger and crew manifest via the Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) Electronic Advance Passenger Information System (eAPIS). The eAPIS Internet application is already widely used by the on-demand air charter industry to comply with commercial operator manifest requirements.

Compliance with the manifest requirement is mandatory for any covered operations on or after May 18, 2009. This requirement applies to every private aircraft regardless of weight or passenger capacity.

The CBP is allowing private operators to establish accounts and file eAPIS manifests on a voluntary basis prior to the compliance date. Extensive information about setting up an eAPIS account, including a downloadable guide and online tutorial, are available at the CBP eAPIS resource page.

NATA has obtained an important clarification for air charter operators that manage aircraft for owners under Part 91 and also use those same aircraft for Part 135 operations. According to CBP officials, the Part 135 operator’s eAPIS account should not be used for filing manifests for owner flights conducted under the owner’s operational control under Part 91. As these flights are under the control of the owner, a separate eAPIS account for the Part 91 owner-operated flights must be created to ensure proper compliance.

Affected operators not already voluntarily submitting reports are encouraged to begin familiarizing themselves with eAPIS to ensure a smooth transition once the May compliance date arrives.

NATA will host the 2009 Spring Committee Meetings and Day on The Hill visits in three weeks, May 13-14. Member-based committees play an essential role in achieving your goals to promote general aviation effectively and stay current and active on the new regulations and policies in effect and proposed by government agencies. We encourage every committee member to attend these information-packed meetings and the Day on the Hill congressional visits. Please click here for the latest agenda details and registration information.

The May Committee Meetings will take place at the Westin Alexandria, Courthouse Square in Alexandria, Virginia. Please contact the hotel directly at (703) 253-8600 and provide the code “NATA” to secure your reservation. The cut off date to receive the discounted group rate of $249 is TODAY!!! Please contact Diane Gleason, director, meetings and conferences, with any questions or assistance you may need to register for the May Committee Meetings or to reserve your hotel space. Diane may be contacted by phone at (703) 575-2050 or via email at dgleason@nata.aero.

• FAA regulatory issues with Dennis Pratte, Manager, Part 135 Air Carrier Operations Branch, FAA, Don Arendt, Manager, Flight Standards SMS Office, FAA and Hooper Harris, Acting Director, Office of Accident Investigation, FAA, and James K. Coyne, President, NATA.
• General aviation security initiatives with John Sammon, Assistant Administrator, Transportation Sector Network Management, TSA.
• Protecting your crews and executives from criminal liability with David Rimmer, Sr. Vice President, Excel Aire Service and Kent Jackson, Partner, Jackson & Wade, L.L.C.
• Curbing the media and public attack on business aviation with William Garvey, Editor, Business & Commercial Aviation, and Lisa Stark, Correspondent, ABC News.
• Your rights in responding to enforcement actions with Gregg Winton, Aviation Law Experts, Dana Carr, Air Trek Inc., and Paul Lange, Esq., Lange & Associates.
• Future of GA manufacturing, sales and delivery with a panel of the world’s top general aviation manufacturing executives.
• Preparing for success in the new economy with Richard VanGemert, Sr. Vice President, Jet Aviation, William Haberstock, President & CEO, Million Air – Salt Lake City, James C. Christiansen, President, NetJets, and James K. Coyne, President, NATA.

Visit www.nata.aero/acs for descriptions of these sessions, housing information and registration details.

The following topics will be covered:

• Ritz-Carlton caliber customer service and marketing with Brian Grubb, Corporate Director, The Ritz-Carlton Leadership Center.

• FAA airports issues with Catherine M. Lang, Acting Associate Administrator for Airports, FAA.
• TSA aviation security directives with Douglas Hofsass, General Manager, Commercial Aviation & Airports, TSA.
• How to be an aviation ambassador – GA Serves America Campaign – with Craig Fuller, President, Aircraft Owners & Pilots Association.
• Future of GA manufacturing, sales and delivery with a panel of the world’s top general aviation manufacturing executives.
• Curbing the media and public attack on business aviation with William Garvey, Editor, Business & Commercial Aviation, and Lisa Stark, Correspondent, ABC News.
• Impact of NFPA 409 building codes on your business with James Doctorman, Chairman, NFPA Airports Facilities Committee, The Boeing Company, Mercer Dye, Dye Aviation Facilities Inc., and Bob Showalter, Chairman, Showalter Flying Service, and James K. Coyne, President, NATA.

Visit www.nata.aero/fbolc for descriptions of these sessions, housing information and registration details.

The 2009 Air Charter Summit and 2009 FBO Leadership Conference will be held back-to-back this year to give you more options. Come for one event, stay for both or send a team to divide and conquer. Volume and combo event discounts are available. Contact Diane Gleason at dgleason@nata.aero or (703) 575-2050 for help with questions or to register multiple attendees from the same company at the volume discount rate.

Click here to find out how you can reach your target audience and demonstrate your commitment to higher learning by supporting a session.

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Fact:
The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, this week, has awarded a $19.9 million contract to Logos Technologies to research the development process for second-generation jet biofuel.

Second generation biofuels are produced from agricultural residues and non-food crops, which allows them to achieve similar lifecycle green house gas emission reductions without the drawbacks of first generation biofuels, such as resultant higher food prices. Many technological hurdles still remain before second generation biofuels can be used as a commercial fuel source.

Click here to learn more about second generation biofuels.