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July 13, 2015 – Volume 14 Issue 28
 NATA Discusses FAA Reauthorization, Asks Pilots to Sharpen Their Pencils
On Saturday, NATA President and CEO Tom Hendricks joined other GA association heads at a pilot town hall meeting in Tarkio, MO, hosted by House General Aviation Caucus Co-Chairman Sam Graves (R-MO). The pilot town meeting was held in conjunction with the 12th Annual WingNuts Flying Circus Air Show and Fly In at the Gould Peterson Memorial Airport (K57). Hendricks briefed an overflow crowd on the state of aviation business and prospects in the upcoming FAA reauthorization bill for creating an air traffic control corporation. Sharing NATA's concerns with such a proposal's ability to harm general aviation, Hendricks asked the crowd to keep their pencils "sharp and ready" as lawmakers prepare to unveil the draft ATC corporation legislation.
NATA, U.S. Chamber and Others Ask Key Senators for Action on Investment Tax Legislation
On Thursday, 19 major business associations, including NATA, the U.S. Chamber, and GAMA, asked members of the Senate Finance Committee to action on pro-investment legislation. The associations noted that "As our economy continues to recover, continued uncertainty about bonus depreciation is discouraging investment in the United States and, in some cases, keeping companies on the sidelines. This impacts both companies that make investments and companies that manufacture capital equipment." NATA is part of a business association effort to make bonus depreciation and increased Section 179 expensing a permanent part of the tax code. Senate Finance Committee action on tax extenders could take place as early as July 21st.
GA Groups Voice Concerns With ATC Corporatization at TRB Symposium
Last week, the Transportation Review Board conducted a day long symposium on ATC corporatization. While the event focused on purported benefits of corporatization, general aviation representatives were given a brief opportunity to highlight the potentially detrimental impact corporatization poses to general aviation. “I think the current system works very well for GA and I think we would like to keep that, obviously. If something isn’t broken I don’t think we should tamper with it,” stated Jim Coon, AOPA Senior Vice President of Government Affairs and Advocacy. NATA President and CEO Tom Hendricks continues to express concern over the proposal, noting it holds profound implications for aviation businesses. “NATA will not support a user-fee funded ATC corporation, controlled in perpetuity by a board of industry insiders. Such a proposal will place general aviation in constant peril from major users of the ATC system to cost shift and deny access to airspace and airports.”
NATA Participates in PAFI PSG Meeting
Last week, NATA staff participated in a Piston Aviation Fuels Initiative (PAFI) Steering Group meeting at the FAA Technical Center in Atlantic City. FAA-industry engaged in discussions on the progress of Phase I: Lab Tests, Emissions & Toxicology Assessments; the plan and schedule for Phase II: Full Scale Engine & Aircraft Testing; and discussed next steps in addressing issues related to the transition from 100LL to unleaded Avgas. The next PAFI PSG meeting is scheduled for October 6th-8th in Washington, D.C. This week NATA will attend a follow on meeting, the “New Unleaded Avgas Deployment” with the American Petroleum Institute. For more information, please contact Megan Eisenstein at meisenstein@nata.aero.
FAA Issues Legal Interpretation of "Overhaul"
On June 30th, the FAA responded to a request for a legal interpretation of the term “overhaul.” In this interpretation, the FAA answers a specific question as to whether "a component part is deemed overhauled if it is processed only to the extent ... of the requirements of the Overhaul Manual, or other approved data, even if it is only cleaned and inspected.” Under Section 43.2(a)(1)&(2) a part is considered overhauled when it is disassembled, cleaned, inspected, repaired as necessary, and reassembled and tested. In previous interpretations the FAA has stated that not all component parts can be disassembled. For example, if disassembly is illogical or impossible, because it would destroy the part, and if a mechanic can both perform the required maintenance and confirm the adequacy of that maintenance, then disassembly is not required. In other words, there are times that an article need only be cleaned and inspected to be described in a maintenance record as “overhauled.” A link to the FAA’s General Council Legal Interpretation website can be found on NATA’s Aircraft Maintenance and System Technology Committee’s webpage.
NATA Joins Other Aviation Groups to Oppose Duplicative, Unnecessary “Influencing Parts” Rulemaking
On July 7th, NATA joined six other aviation trade associations requesting Congress refrain from mandating a duplicative and unnecessary FAA rulemaking pertaining to the identification and marking of “influencing parts.” The letter points out to lawmakers that "the current regulatory framework (including rules and related guidance) dealing with all aircraft parts, particularly “life-limited” and so-called “influencing parts,” has a proven safety record." It further notes that "self-interested parties are targeting the alternative parts industry by pursuing anti-competitive policies that will increase costs for private aircraft owners and operators, small and large businesses, air carriers, repair stations and the flying public. Any effort to limit competition and safety improvements by imposing new, duplicative regulations will only result in greater expenses to the aviation sector and its customers."
NATA’s Tom Hendricks Recognized on the Top 40 Association Leaders List
Jet Aviation Signs Exclusive Preferred Partner FBO Alliance Agreement with Sheltair
Jet Aviation and Sheltair, two leading FBO providers in the Americas, are launching a preferred partner alliance that will offer advantages to customers across its FBO networks in the U.S. The alliance will heighten the FBO experience through favored hospitality services, personalized interactions and additional rewards programs. The companies are working together to share best practices and leverage combined purchasing power. Read more.
Commercial Operators Tax Seminar Starts Tomorrow – Limited Seats Available Onsite
NATA and Conklin & de Decker are holding their Commercial Operators Tax Seminar in Chantilly, VA on July 14-15, 2015. This Seminar is held every year and is truly the only Seminar designed for Charter Management companies. The Commercial Operators Tax Seminar covers taxes that you, the commercial operator, face every day in your operations. Are you concerned with the IRS Chief Counsel Advisory relating to the application of the commercial FET to owner flights and management fees? This seminar will provide insight on this and other IRS opinions and how to prepare and survive an IRS audit. In addition, a comprehensive review of the Federal Aviation Regulations, Ops Spec A008 and language that should be included in charter/management and management agreements will be provided on the first day. Limited seats are available onsite. For more information, click here.
NATA Flag Pins for Veterans Project – Pledge Your Support with 16 Other Member Company Participants
NATA’s Flag Pins for Veterans Project’s 2015 campaign began Memorial Day and runs through October 2015. Project participants are asked to display American-made flag pins in their operations with signage suggesting a $1.00 donation per pin, or make a direct donation to the project. Last year’s campaign raised more than $30,000 for veterans organizations. So far, Atlantic Aviation, Bakersfield Jet Center by Loyd’s Aviation, Batten International Airport, Harbour Air Services KTVC, Hill Aircraft, Jet Aviation, Keystone FBO Services, Landmark Aviation, Million Air, Montgomery Aviation, Inc., Pentastar Aviation, Napa Jet Center, NATA, NATA Aviation Legal Services, Signature Flight Support and Transplant Transportation Services, Inc. have signed on to support the enduring sacrifices of our Nation’s veterans. For more information, click here or contact Shannon Chambers at schambers@nata.aero to participate.
Safety 1st Certified Trainer Program - Second Course Begins in August
The final NATA Safety 1st Certified Trainer Program (CTP) for 2015 will begin in August. 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 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 is open. For more information, click here.
Final Safety 1st Regional Advanced Line Service Workshop in 2015 Takes Place in Fort Lauderdale
Following on the success of the Wheeling, IL Advance Line Service Workshop, NATA Safety 1st is pleased to bring its unique mix of technical and service training to Fort Lauderdale, FL on October 20-21, 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. This is the last Advanced Line Service Workshop in 2015. Don’t miss out, register now!
ACSF News
The Air Charter Safety Foundation (ACSF) is pleased to announce that Rectrix Aviation, Concord, MA is the newest company to join the ACSF. Visit www.acsf.aero for more ACSF news.
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