NATA News

NATA congratulates member companies recognized in the 2016 Pro Pilot PRASE Survey. Recently, Pro Pilot released the results of the survey that asks respondents to score FBOs in the following categories: line team, customer service representatives, facility, amenities, promptness and efficiency, and value for price. The list of top-rated U.S. FBOs is led by NATA members that are also Safety 1^st participants. Click here to view the full survey report.

Last week, the FAA released a final rule, “Aviation Training Device Credit for Pilot Certification.” The rule aims to relieve “burdens on pilots seeking to obtain aeronautical experience, training, and certification by increasing the allowed use of aviation training devices.” Under the final rule, student pilots are now allowed to log up to 20 hours in flight simulators compared to the current 10 hours. It is important to note the FAA is revising 61.65 to include a specified allowance of 10 hours for basic training devices and 20 hours for advanced training devices in Part 61 (combined use not to exceed 20 hours) for the instrument rating. The FAA is also revising appendix C to Part 141 to include a specified allowance of 25% of creditable time in basic training devices and 40% of creditable time for advanced training devices under Part 141 (not to exceed 40% total time) for the instrument rating. The FAA states “these actions are necessary to bring the regulations in line with the current capabilities of aviation training devices and the needs and activities of the general aviation training community and pilots.” The rule is effective May 12, 2016.

This week, the FAA is hosting the Unmanned Aircraft Symposium on April 19^th-20^th in conjunction with NATA member, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, Florida. The Symposium will be a forum for the UAS industry and stakeholder community to provide input and feedback directly to FAA personnel on topics related to UAS integration. Keynote speakers include FAA Administrator Michael Huerta and Deputy Administrator Michael Whitaker. The following discussions will take place at the Symposium:

McCreery Aviation Co. — the largest full service general aviation company in South Texas specializing in Aircraft fueling and hangar, Maintenance, Parts, Avionics, Air Charter & Air Ambulance, Flight Training and Aircraft Sales — is often the first point of contact for aircraft arriving in McAllen from all over the United States and Mexico. Established in 1946, Mac and wife Ardath McCreery opened a flight school in Mercedes, TX and relocated their fledgling business to McAllen, TX in 1948. “Our past has brought us to where we are now, and we owe it all to the courage and faith of our founders who’s dreams came to fruition when they created McCreery Aviation. But in order to thrive and grow, we must keep our sights to the future and we pride ourselves in adapting to the changing demands without ever compromising the high level of service our customers have become to expect. With the help of our team of dedicated teammates and loyal customers, we couldn’t possibly be more excited about continuing that trend into our seventh decade!” stated Bob McCreery, President of McCreery Aviation Co. Read more.

Last week, World Fuel Services announced that the Air Elite^® Network officially welcomed its 52^nd Diamond Service FBO to the network, Skylink Services, located at Larnaka International Airport (LCLK) in Larnaka, Cyprus. Operating as the only FBO facility at Larnaka Airport, Skylink Services provides professional ground handling services to business and general aviation customers in Cyprus. With 18 years of experience, professionalism and personalized service, the 24/7 FBO has built a strong reputation as the FBO of choice for VIPs, celebrities and business travelers alike. The 17,000 square foot facility is managed by a dedicated, multilingual staff whose main goal is to provide visiting passengers and crew exceptional service with an emphasis on discretion. “Skylink’s extraordinary ability to grow their business and build their excellent reputation has established them as the premier FBO in Cyprus. We are excited to welcome Skylink Services to the Air Elite Network and we look forward to working closely with the Skylink team to help them achieve their business’s goals and to grow the network in their region and around the globe,” said John Rau, World Fuel Services’ Executive Vice President, Global Aviation & Marine. For more information, click here.

NATA Safety 1^st is pleased to bring its unique mix of technical and service training to Augusta, GA on May 11-12, 2016 at Augusta Regional Airport. The Safety 1^st Advanced Line Service (ALS) Workshop is a two-day training event designed to provide the knowledge and skills needed to make your line service team succeed and become new leaders within your company. Register now before seats are gone! Additional dates and locations for this workshop are available at www.nata.aero/events.

In celebration of NATA’s 75^th Anniversary, the association is offering $400 off the registration fee for The Essentials of Hangar Subleasing: From Risk to Revenue. The one-and-a-half-day management development program covers the delicate balance between customer service, risk mitigation and revenue optimization in subleasing hangar space to aircraft operators. Facilitated by industry-experts FBO Partners on behalf of NATA, this course will teach best practices, strategies and negotiation skills essential in hangar subleasing, and provide an immediate and quantifiable return for attendees. The seminar takes place May 10^th and 11^th in Augusta, GA. To view the program agenda, click here. For more information, please visit http://nata.aero/Events/Essentials-of-Hangar-Subleasing.aspx.