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September 21, 2015 – Volume 14 Issue 38
 NATA Announces Purchase of Independent Fixed Base Operators Association
On Thursday, NATA announced the purchase of the Independent Fixed Base Operators Association (IFBOA). Announcing the purchase, NATA President and CEO Tom Hendricks stated, “The addition of IFBOA is a win for everybody, helping NATA better serve smaller independent operators and creating opportunities to attract new members. NATA is particularly appreciative of the efforts of IFBOA founder John Wraga and his team in providing value to the IFBOA membership. This purchase will ensure the aviation business community speaks with a unified voice through NATA's advocacy efforts in Washington, D.C., and elsewhere.”
Aviation Business Roundtable Highlight: TSA Administrator Peter Neffenger
NATA is pleased to announce that TSA Administrator Peter Neffenger is confirmed to speak at the Aviation Business Roundtable. Administrator Neffenger will share his priorities as Administrator, as well as his perspective on the evolution of transportation security. Peter Neffenger was confirmed by the U.S. Senate in June as the Transportation Security Administration’s sixth administrator. He leads a workforce of nearly 60,000 employees, security operations at nearly 450 airports throughout the United States, the Federal Air Marshal Service, and shared security for highways, railroads, ports, mass transit systems and pipelines. Under his leadership, TSA will continue to evolve as a risk-based, intelligence-driven counterterrorism agency dedicated to protecting the U.S. transportation systems. Click here for full bio.
NATA’s Aviation Business Roundtable annually brings together the industry's senior business executives to discuss important and relevant issues with key government officials and other top industry leaders. The Aviation Business Roundtable begins Tuesday, October 20th, at 8:00 a.m. and concludes that evening with a dinner address by top political analyst Charlie Cook. Please contact Rebecca Mulholland at rmulholland@nata.aero, to register for the Aviation Business Roundtable or if you have questions. The deadline for the Roundtable hotel room block is Friday, September 25th.
NATA and Euro Jet Form Strategic Training Partnership
Last week, NATA and Euro Jet Intercontinental announced the formation of a strategic training partnership. Euro Jet is teaming up with NATA to help fulfill Euro Jet’s goal of offering a high standard of service by utilizing Safety 1st training in its ground handling agent network. Since 2007, NATA Safety 1st has provided line service and safety training to over 25,000 individuals. The addition of Euro Jet to the Safety 1st program emphasizes the value of this industry recognized, standard-based training to aviation business around the globe and marks another milestone in the international expansion of the Professional Line Service Training (PLST) program. Read further.
FAA Issues Legal Interpretation to Clarify Whether a Repair Station May Issue an Airworthiness Release on Behalf of an Air Carrier
On September 14th, the FAA issued a Legal Interpretation to clarify whether an FAA-Certificated Repair Station may Issue an Airworthiness Release on Behalf of an Air Carrier Operating under 14 C.F.R. Parts 121 or 135 (§§ 121.709 and 135.443). A link to all of the FAA’s interpretations can be found on NATA’s Aircraft Maintenance and Systems Technology Committee Page.
FAA Accepting Comments On Draft Weight & Balance AC
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is accepting comments on draft Advisory Circular 120-27F, “Aircraft Weight and Balance Control.” This AC provides aircraft operators, including on-demand air carriers and fractional program managers, with detailed guidance on how to develop and receive FAA approval for a weight and balance control program. Comments on Draft AC 120-27F are due by October 19, 2015. A copy of draft AC 120-27F, and other draft ACs open for comment, are available at http://www.faa.gov/aircraft/draft_docs/afs_ac/.
FAA Issues Reminder – Child Restraints Prohibited In Oblique Seating
FAA Information for Operators (InFO) 15011, “Use of Child Restraint Systems (CRS) in Oblique Seats” reminds aircraft operators that CRSs are not permissible in an oblique seat. Regulations in parts 91, 121, 125 and 135 allow use of a CRS in forward-facing seats, defined as seats that are installed up to an 18 degree angle from the aircraft centerline. CRSs are not tested in oblique seats (those installed at a greater than 18 degree angle, up to a 28 degree angle) and therefore the use of a CRS in those seats is not in compliance with the regulations.
NATA Participates in ADS-B Equip 2020 Plenary and Working Group Meeting
Last week, NATA’s regulatory affairs staff joined other industry and FAA representatives at the Equip 2020 Plenary and Working Group Meeting. NATA participates in the “General Aviation Equipage Working Group,” which focuses 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. The next Equip 2020 Plenary and Working Group Meeting is scheduled for December 10th, 2015. For more information, please contact Megan Eisenstein, Senior Manager, Regulatory Affairs at meisenstein@nata.aero.
NATA Participates in Airman Certification Standards Aviation Rulemaking Advisory Committee (ACS ARAC) Meeting
Last week, NATA’s regulatory affairs staff attended an ACS ARAC meeting. The ACS Working Group is responsible for the implementation of the ACS, which will replace the preceding Practical Test Standards (PTS) to reach a more systematic approach to airman certification. The ACS advances the PTS by adding the aeronautical knowledge and risk management elements needed to support each PTS Task. The committee reviewed the ACS deployment plan, and discussed the progress on standards, guidance, testing, processes, and agency/industry outreach efforts. The next ACS ARAC meeting is scheduled for January 5-6, 2016 in Washington, D.C. For more information please contact Megan Eisenstein at meisenstein@nata.aero.
Resources! Resources! Resources!
The latest SafetyNet blog post highlights valuable resources available to PLST Online trainers/administrators. Subscribe to the blog to stay up-to-date on the Safety 1st program.
Duncan Aviation Hosts Free NextGen Seminar
Operators are invited to join Duncan Aviation's Mark Francetic and many of the company's channel partners on Thursday, October 22nd, for a free NextGen seminar at the Southern Museum of Flight in Birmingham, Alabama. Focusing on the mandates for ADS-B and FANS 1A, Francetic and representatives from Rockwell Collins, Satcom Direct, Honeywell Aerospace, Universal Avionics, Garmin, L-3 Aviation Products and GoGo Biz, will present practical information about the certified equipment that is available now for business aircraft. Read more.
FltPlan’s New Map Builder Lets Users Create Custom Maps
FltPlan has added a web-based Map Builder that takes the route from a flight plan and displays all of the user-defined layers and options on a single map. Map Builder allows users to build a single, custom map for their route using 12 background maps, 12 map layers (including Airports and Fuel Prices), 6 weather layers (including Winds Aloft, SIGMETs/AIRMETs layers), and additional route viewing options. With an array of customizable features, FltPlan users can build the map that they would like to view. The Map Builder, along with helpful instructions, can be accessed from any Navigation Log on the FltPlan.com website.
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 Associated Aircraft Group, headquartered in Wappingers Falls, NY has been added to the ACSF Industry Audit Standard (IAS) Registry, and CTP Aviation, Hayward, CA has renewed its status on the ACSF IAS Registry. The next Air Charter Safety Symposium takes place March 8-9, 2016. Visit www.acsf.aero for more ACSF news.
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