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March 23, 2015 – Volume 14 Issue 12
 NATA Provides Congress With Views On Air Traffic Control Reform
Tomorrow, the House Aviation Subcommittee will hold a hearing to review "Options for FAA Air Traffic Control Reform." NATA President and CEO Thomas L. Hendricks will submit a statement supporting the injection of more private sector practices into the FAA but cautioning, "it is important how we manage any changes to the agency in order to maintain a stable, safe and efficient system for all users." Hendricks is particularly wary about the possible impact some proposals could have on general aviation describing them as "de facto ‘leaps of faith’ that would put general aviation's fate in the hands of undefined management structures or leave unresolved its contributions to the system.”
NATA Continues Efforts to Protect GA In New York Area
NATA is working with members and other industry stakeholders to respond to an FAA proposal to impose restrictive slot limits on unscheduled operations at JFK and EWR airports. NATA believes the information provided by the agency is insufficient justification for its proposal and strongly encourages members to review the proposed rule and submit comments by May 8th in opposition to the proposed limits on unscheduled operations. Contact Jacque Rosser at jrosser@nata.aero for more information. Read more.
NATA Calls For Contract Tower Funding
NATA joined other major aviation groups last week in a letter to the House and Senate Appropriations Committees in support of funding for the FAA Contract Towers Program. The groups requested $154.4 million to fund the program in FY2016, an amount sufficient to maintain operations at all current contact towers and applicable new facilities that FAA expects to add to the program by the end of the next fiscal year. By requesting the funding be specifically provided for in the upcoming Transportation Appropriations bill, the program is protected from possible agency cuts. The groups highlighted the fact the program has been providing "cost-effective and essential air traffic safety services since 1982" and currently comprises 252 smaller airports in 46 states. "Together these 252 towers handle approximately 28 percent of all air traffic control tower (ATCT) aircraft operations in the U.S. but only account for about 14 percent of FAA’s overall budget allotted to ATCT tower operations. More importantly, the safety and efficiency record of the FAA Contract Tower Program has been validated numerous times by the DOT Inspector General, as well as by FAA safety audits."
Operator Alert Targets Committed-to-Stop Landings
Last week, the FAA issued an Information for Operators (InFO) calling attention to the importance of establishing a point, during landing, where a go-around or aborted landing procedure will not be initiated and the only option will be bringing the aircraft to a stop. InFO 15003 asks operators to develop related procedures and incorporate them in their training programs.
Changes to FAA’s Policy for Issuing Airworthiness Certification of Products and Articles
In early February, the FAA issued a revision to Order 8130.2, the FAA’s policy for issuing Airworthiness Certification of Products and Articles. The publication, 8130.2H effective March 31, 2015, provides procedures for accomplishing original and recurrent airworthiness certification on aircraft and related products and articles. Some of the policy changes include: clarification of the terms “original” and “recurrent” as they relate to airworthiness certification approvals, changes to the certification and operation of aircraft under the Experimental Purpose of Exhibition or Air Racing, and changes to several sections related to the issuance of operating limitations.
NATA Continues Support of VAC at 2015 Aviation Business Conference
NATA will once again highlight the important work of the Veterans Airlift Command (VAC) in 2015 at its Aviation Business Conference. The VAC is a charitable organization that provides free air transportation to wounded warriors, veterans, and their families for medical and other compassionate purposes. In previous years, NATA held a dinner, auction and raffle to help support the mission of the VAC at its annual Air Charter Summit. We are pleased to broaden the reach of this event by offering it at our Aviation Business Conference. NATA thanks Michael Grossmann and Castle Aviation for their continued support of VAC and NATA’s Veterans Airlift Command Fundraiser Reception and Dinner. Congratulations to Michael for recently completing his 24th VAC mission.
NATA Hosts General Aviation Joint Steering Committee (GAJSC) Meeting
On March 19th, NATA hosted the GAJSC meeting at its headquarters in Washington, D.C. to continue focus on advancing general aviation safety through ‘data-driven risk reduction efforts.’ Committee members, comprised of industry and government representatives, reviewed the status of the Safety Enhancements (SE) from the Loss of Control (LOC) and System Component Failure – Powerplant (SCP-PP) working groups and discussed recent general aviation safety data.
NATA Hosts Consistency of Regulatory Interpretation (CRI) Aviation Rulemaking Committee (ARC) Meeting
Last week, NATA hosted a meeting with industry and government representatives for an implementation update on the CRI ARC recommendations. The FAA provided an update on activities to improve the consistency of regulatory interpretations within the FAA’s Flight Standards Service (AFS) and Aircraft Certification Service (AIR). The CRI ARC plans to hold a teleconference in June to discuss the ongoing efforts the agency is making to improve on regulatory interpretation inconsistencies.
NATA Participates in ADS-B Equip 2020 Plenary and Working Group Meeting
NATA’s regulatory affairs staff attended the monthly Equip 2020 Plenary and Working Group Meeting last week with industry representatives and the FAA. NATA continues to participate in the “General Aviation Equipage Working Group” which focuses its efforts on monitoring the equipage of ADS-B Out in the GA community as well as confronting issues relevant to availability of equipment and its installation. Prior to the meeting, FreeFlight Systems announced on March 16th its “Equip-It 2020” program which offers ADS-B equipment for light GA aircraft. According to FreeFlight’s website, “Equip-It 2020 features the product line, RANGR Lite, in two configurations – an ADS-B Out (only) system, FDL-978-TXL list priced at $1,995, and an ADS-B In/Out system, FDL-978-XVRL for $3,695.” For more information, please visit www.freeflightsystems.com.
Avflight FBO Chain Continues to Grow With Grand Forks Expansion
Avflight Corporation has added another location to its portfolio of fixed base operators with the purchase of GFK Flight Support located on the Grand Forks International Airport in North Dakota. Read more.
Executive Jet Management Earns 10th Consecutive Best Charter Service Award
In its July issue, featuring the tabulated results of its annual PRASE (Preferences Regarding Aviation Services and Equipment) survey, Professional Pilot magazine recognized Executive Jet Management (EJM), as “A Best Charter Service” for the tenth consecutive year. Executive Jet Management is a leading provider of worldwide private jet charter and aircraft management services. Read more.
Air Elite® Network Reaffirms Commitment to Customer Service
World Fuel Services’ Air Elite Network of Diamond Service FBOs has announced two scheduled Air Elite-customized courses in 2015 through The Ritz-Carlton Leadership Center. By benchmarking The Ritz-Carlton’s legendary customer service philosophy, these courses reaffirm the Network’s commitment to customer service excellence. Air Elite FBOs understand the importance of consistency for each arrival and departure experience and benchmarking these best-in-class practices ensures that service standards are maintained for all customers. Read further.
2015 Aviation Business Conference - Save Now with Early Bird Registration!
The Air Charter Summit + Aviation Business & Legislative Conference
NATA is combining the best of the Air Charter Summit with the best of the Aviation Business & Legislative Conference into one industry-wide event – the NATA 2015 Aviation Business Conference. NATA’s new conference provides important advice, access and information to give your aviation business a competitive edge and to provide insights into what is happening in Washington that could impact your bottom line. A highlight of this all-inclusive event is NATA’s Congressional Reception on Capitol Hill, a “can’t miss” opportunity to connect with Members of Congress and to communicate the vital importance of aviation businesses to the Nation’s economy. One event also means more opportunities to catch up with your business associates. Registration is now open, don’t miss our early bird conference pricing by clicking here.
NATA Safety 1st Introduces a New Air Charter Workshop
NATA Safety 1st will hold its first workshop for air charter operators on April 29-30, 2015 in Long Beach, CA. Above the Clouds: Next Level Client Services is a new workshop experience tailored to provide the knowledge and skill to drive continuous improvement in customer loyalty, revenues and profits. The workshop is hosted by Airflite and presented in conjunction with ServiceElements™. Learn more.
ACSF News
Last week, ACSF completed its eighth annual Air Charter Safety Symposium at the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) Training Center in Ashburn, Virginia, after setting records for attendance and sponsorships. The two-day gathering drew 110 people, including aviation executives, directors of operations, chief pilots, safety officers, risk managers and schedulers. The conference also attracted a record 23 sponsors. ACSF also welcomed Bohlke International Airways (BIA), St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands, as the newest company to join as a member. Visit www.acsf.aero for more ACSF news.
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