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March 6, 2017 — Volume 16, Issue 10 |
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| This Week's Top Stories |
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Bipartisan Letters to Senate Commerce and DOT Urge Opposition to ATC Overhaul
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On February 28th, the bipartisan leadership of the Senate Appropriations Committee wrote the Senate Commerce Committee opposing the development of any FAA authorization legislation separating air traffic control from the FAA. Senate Appropriations Committee leaders praised the results of NextGen initiatives noting that “the progress already being made to synchronize investment from government and industry related to safety, equipage, training operational changes and overall integration would be lost.” Appropriators also disputed the notion advanced by airlines that the current budget process cannot keep up with air traffic control funding needs, pointing out that since 2008 Congress has funded air traffic functions at 99% of the requested amount. Separately, Senators Jerry Moran (R-KS) and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) sent a letter last week to Department of Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao encouraging a dialogue “of national consensus” with all aviation system stakeholders to work towards improving the current air traffic control system “in a way that benefits all users, communities, as well as our nation’s defense and security requirements,” and not risk disrupting system safety or hindering NextGen implementation.
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Aviation Subcommittee Holds Hearing on the State of American Airports
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Last week, the House Aviation Subcommittee convened a hearing with airport stakeholders to discuss the challenges and opportunities associated with building a globally competitive 21st century aviation infrastructure. Subcommittee Chairman Frank LoBiondo (R-NJ) discussed the importance of general aviation airports to our nation’s airport infrastructure, noting that “these airports may be small, but they play a vital role in connecting remote communities, providing emergency services, fostering small business development, and teaching a new generation how to fly.” Ranking Member Rick Larsen (D-WA) highlighted the importance of gaining headway on funding shortfalls in order to make U.S. airports more efficient and more competitive stating, “This committee must encourage investment at airports, large and small, and keep airport funding in mind in the development of a long-term, comprehensive FAA reauthorization bill this year.” On Wednesday, March 8th, the House Aviation Subcommittee will convene its third hearing, “Building a 21st Century Infrastructure for America: Air Transportation in the United States in the 21st Century.” NATA member NetJets will be among the witnesses.
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NATA Submits Comments Supporting Company Instructors, Check Pilots
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NATA submitted comments on FAA draft Notice N 8900.CKP, “Regulatory Requirement to Provide Enough Flight Instructors and Check Pilots/Check Flight Engineers.” The association noted that many Part 135 operators have difficulty obtaining company check pilots, often being informed by their local FAA inspectors their business doesn’t have enough aircraft or pilots to be eligible for a check pilot thus leaving these operators reliant upon the FAA for training and checking events. As FAA resources for training and checking are expected to remain limited, an emphasis on approving certificate holder instructors and check pilots will improve the timely availability of FAA resources in those instances where they are still needed. Helpfully, the draft guidance makes no mention of surpassing a certain threshold of aircraft or pilot numbers to have a check pilot or instructor authorized. NATA believes that this guidance, once finalized, will be useful for operators to ensure that FAA officials authorize instructors and check pilots when the carrier presents qualified individuals.
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| Association Highlights |
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NATA Opposes Oregon Legislation Prohibiting the Use of Aviation Fuels Containing Lead After Jan. 1, 2022
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Last week, NATA wrote the Chairman of the Oregon Senate Environment and Natural Resources Committee opposing Senate Bill 115 — legislation to prohibit the selling, dispensing or use of aviation fuels that contain lead or lead compounds after January 1, 2022. NATA Executive Vice President Bill Deere stated, “general aviation and local airports serve as vital lifelines for communities across Oregon, aiding in business and job growth, and supporting law enforcement, medical care, disaster relief, firefighting and nearly every aspect of public safety…the approach proposed by SB 115 to the complex issue of fuel replacement will have a detrimental impact on Oregon’s economy.” Enactment of this legislation will ground thousands of piston-powered aircraft in Oregon, create significant job loss in the state’s general aviation business community and undermine our national aviation system.
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NATA
Hosts GAJSC Safety Analysis Team Meeting
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On February 28th, NATA hosted the General Aviation Joint Steering Committee Safety Analysis Team (GAJSC SAT) meeting at its Washington, D.C. headquarters. Committee members, comprised of industry and government representatives, received a general aviation safety performance update from the FAA’s Office of Accident Investigation & Prevention (AVP) and reviewed the status of several Safety Enhancements (SEs). The FAA also provided an overview on the activities occurring within the Small Airplane Directorate, United States Helicopter Safety Team and the Unmanned Safety Team. In addition, the working group also discussed future draft charters and conducted a look-back project review on previous SEs.
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NATA Seeking Sponsors for 2017 Events
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NATA is currently seeking sponsors our regional town halls and other association events tailored for the air charter, FBO, and maintenance communities. NATA’s upcoming town halls are in Palm Beach, Florida; Chicago, Illinois; and Denver, Colorado — with plans to host additional events in Portland, Oregon and Seattle, Washington. All interested members are encouraged to respond. These new events are quickly gaining in popularity throughout the aviation business community — sponsorship options start at $500. These are great opportunities for companies looking for direct, in-person exposure with our members and other industry attendees. In addition to the onsite visibility of sponsoring an event, your business will be featured on the event webpage and emails, and in NATA News. If interested in sponsoring an event, please contact Karissa Uko at kuko@nata.aero or (202) 774-1513.
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| Events |
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Popular FBO Success Seminar to Take Place This Week
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On Tuesday and Wednesday, NATA and Aviation Business Strategies Group will host its 6th annual FBO Success Seminar in New Orleans, LA! Attendees will learn new FBO management techniques and gain essential aviation operational and service knowledge, while sharing experiences with new friends in the FBO industry. NATA would like to thank our seminar sponsors for their support and we look forward to seeing our attendees in New Orleans this week.
2017 FBO Success Seminar Sponsors:
AC-U-KWIK
Enterprise
World Fuel Services
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Take Your FBO Customer Service to New Heights at NATA’s Certified CSR Workshop
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On April 18-19, NATA will hold its Certified CSR Workshop in Tampa, FL. The workshop will provide attendees with valuable knowledge and skills to create successful customer service experiences. Attendees will also learn how to deal with disgruntled customers and turn a marginal customer transaction into a fulfilled client transformation. New this year, attendees may choose to spend an additional day and obtain an Aviation Food Safety Certification on April 20th. This course will cover FBO food handling best practices. Learn more and register here.
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2017 NATA Aviation Business Conference | Early Bird Registration Available
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NATA's 2017 Aviation Business Conference takes place June 6-8, 2017 at the Hyatt Regency Washington on Capitol Hill. The conference kicks off with a reception Tuesday evening and concludes Thursday afternoon. Early bird registration is now open and runs through Friday,
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| Member Spotlight |
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Lehigh-Northampton Airport Authority to Develop 300 Acres
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Lehigh-Northampton Airport Authority officials plan to develop nearly 300 acres of airport land into a business or industrial park. The authority reported that it has taken preliminary proposals from five companies and expects to choose a developer and plan by September 2017. "We're trying to identify how to develop it in the way that it can bring us lease payments for the longer term," said Charles Everett Jr., Authority Executive Director. The land is in Hanover Township, Northampton County at the north end of the main runway. Since it’s in the flight path, no homes or schools can be built on it, but it can be developed for industrial or warehouse use, Everett said. Read more.
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| ACSF News |
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2017 ACSF Safety Symposium Is Tomorrow
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This is your last chance to register! The 2017 ACSF Safety Symposium takes place March 7-8, 2017 at the NTSB Training Center in Ashburn, VA. Topics will include Reducing Risk, Emergency Response Plans, Leadership, Ground Handling and more. Register here.
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