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NATA is the National Air Transportation Association
Founded in 1940, NATA aggressively promotes safety and the success of aviation service businesses through its advocacy efforts before government, the media and the public as well as by providing valuable programs and forums to further its members’ prosperity. |
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Professional Line Service Training |
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 PLST Online provides the most up-to-date training available for line service specialists – 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Line service supervisors can conduct the new PLST Online training anytime and from anywhere there is access to the Web.
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139 Fire Safety Training Online |
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This training not only meets and exceeds the requirements of 14 CFR 139.321 but also allows you to interact with other students in a group learning environment, receive the very latest NFPA news, watch live training presentations and much more. |
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| Senator Lautenberg Requests Hearing On Air Charter Safety |
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| U.S. Senator Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ) sent a letter to Senator Byron Dorgan (D-ND), Chairman of the Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation Subcommittee on Aviation Operations, Safety and Security, requesting a hearing on the safety of “on-demand” aircraft.
In response to concerns resulting from a small private plane collided with a helicopter over the Hudson River, Lautenberg stated that “this deadly crash highlights concerns not only with the specific airspace above the Hudson River, where pilots must navigate the busy skies through a tactic known as “see and avoid,” but also with on-demand aircraft safety more generally.” In addition, Lautenberg cited a report issued by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Inspector General last month that NATA recently reported failed to present an accurate picture of the Part 135 regulatory environment.
While it’s inevitable that a hearing will take place, NATA is working on a response to Senator Lautenberg and the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation to weigh in on the scope of the hearing.
View Senator Lautenberg's press release and a copy of the hearing request letter. | |
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| NATA Responds To Misplaced Media Focus |
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| Following the recent mid-air accident over the Hudson River, significant media scrutiny has been placed on the airspace in which general aviation aircraft operate in the New York City area, and correlations have been drawn between the fact that the helicopter involved belongs to a commercial air tour operator and the recent report issued by the Department of Transportation (DOT) Inspector General (IG) criticizing oversight of on-demand operations, such as air tours.
In a press release issued last week, NATA expressed concern over the media’s reaction. NATA President James K. Coyne explained, “There is much work to be done by the National Transportation Safety Board investigators to determine the facts of what happened. Regulators and elected officials should reflect upon the outcome of the investigation rather than react to hypothetical scenarios.”
NATA explained that the characterization of the airspace as devoid of regulation is inaccurate. The airspace being referred to as “uncontrolled” only indicates that there is no active radar-based control of flights and operations in this airspace are still subject to numerous regulatory requirements.
Further, the association noted that while the IG report highlighted the differences between regulation and oversight of the airlines and on-demand operations it failed to acknowledge the necessity of differing regulations due to the fact that on-demand operations comprise a vast number of mission profiles and include nearly every size and type of airplane and helicopter.
“Certainly the NTSB will look at all facets of the operation of both the airplane and helicopter to determine what facts may be relevant to the investigation. But, until the NTSB releases their findings, I believe it is imperative that we follow the advice of Mayor Bloomberg and avoid unnecessary speculation,” Coyne’s comments concluded. | |
| FAA Responds to Towns Attempts to Ban Flight Training at X59 |
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As reported in previous editions of NATA News the Florida town of Grant-Valkaria has attempted to ban flight training activities at Grant-Valkaria Airport (X59). X59 is located in the town of Grant-Valkaria, however, the airport is owned and operated by the county of Brevard. The county received the airport from the federal government in the late 50’s and conditions of the conveyance require that no unjust discrimination against aeronautical service providers occur. The town proposed a zoning ordinance earlier this year that would prohibit any flight training activities from being based at X59. NATA responded to the proposed ordinance with a letter to the mayor of Grant-Valkaria.
“NATA believes that the town of Grant-Valkaria does not have the authority to regulate aeronautical activities at Valkaria Airport. Even if the Town did have this authority, an outright ban of one class of aeronautical activity will certainly be deemed unjust by the FAA and courts. By considering resolution 2009-03, the town is choosing a course of action to address its concerns that will ultimately lead to FAA and judicial intervention. A cursory review of applicable case law clearly shows that resolution 2009-03 will not stand.
NATA takes seriously threats to general aviation and has worked closely with the FAA Airports Office and airport sponsors to defend airports and aviation business from unjust attacks. NATA is asking that the town of Grant-Valkaria withdraw resolution 2009-03. “
Despite the information provided by NATA and other groups, the town passed the proposed ordinance on June 1st of this year. A law firm representing the town also asked the FAA to comment on the ordinance. On August 7th the FAA formally responded to the ordinance passed by the town with a 14 page letter to the law firm representing the town. The FAA found that:
“the Town, as a non-proprietor, has no legal authority to use its police powers to regulate the type of aeronautical businesses that may be permitted to lease space at the Airport nor may the Town regulate the types of flight operations that can be conducted at the Airport, including determining whether airport users are based or transient.”
NATA will update it is members once the town of Grant-Valkaria responds to the FAA’s opinion.
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| ABJ Third Quarter Issue – Read All About It |
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If you haven’t already received the third quarter issue of ABJ, your copy is in the mail. Here is a look at what is inside:
- Your Rights When The FAA Comes Knocking
What do you do when the FAA comes knocking? Have you thought about it in advance? Do you have a plan? Regardless of what certificates you hold and the nature of your business, the basic advice is the same .
- Member Profile: Total Airport Services
When Total Airport Services marks its fifth anniversary in November, it will, in reality, represent more than 30 years of cumulative experience in the air carrier and airport services business by company cofounders Jack Evans and Denny Eichenbaum. Learn more about the Simi Valley, Calif.-based company in this quarter’s Member Profile.
- Public Relations For Business Jet Charter: Six Essential Lessons
How did business aviation fall so quickly in the public eye? What can you do about it today, and what can you do to inoculate yourself against future image challenges? The answers lie in the successes of recent years as well as in some basic steps to develop an ongoing public relations program.
- Striving For Number One Using The Ritz-Carlton Leadership Model
The key to the host of awards recently won by Texas Jet is an increased focus on customer Service program. At the heart of the program is a training partnership with the Ritz-Carlton Leadership Center.
Also,
- NATA 2009 ACS/FBOLC Report
- Guidance For International Operations
- Fire Code Changes And Your Business
And More….
Click here to view this issue as a pdf, visit the ABJ archive, or find information about advertising in the next ABJ. | |
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| Advanced Line Service Supervisor Training Seminar – Learn More |
| Free Webinar August 26 |
| Have you attended more than one LSST? Are you an experienced Line Service Specialist? Do you want to advance your career? Want to keep up with the latest best practices?
Find out what the ALSST Seminar is all about August 26. Frank Surface and Walter Chartrand will host a free webinar to give you a chance to get to know them, provide a closer look at the agenda topics and answer your questions about the program. Find out more about why this seminar is a must-attend event. The special August 15 discounted registration rate will be extended for those interested in learning more during the webinar.
Invitations to attend the free August 26 ALSST Preview Webinar will be sent shortly. To ensure that you are included on the invitation list for this webinar, please send an email to webinars@nata.aero.
Or click here to register for the September 23-24 seminar now. | |
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| Commercial Operator Tax Seminar Eases Confusion |
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| Charter operators have to contend with a convoluted maze of Federal Aviation Regulations (FARs), as well as federal, state and local tax issues. Adding to the confusion is the additional tax complexity of Part 135 charter flying versus Part 91 owner flying. Throw in charter broker flights and it’s no wonder operators can feel overwhelmed.
Who needs to pay tax on what charges and to whom are the taxes owed? How often are they paid and who collects? These are all questions for which simple answers are hard to find, so Conklin & de Decker and NATA have put together this informative two-day tax seminar to cover it all.
The Commercial Operator Tax Seminar is September 23-24 in San Antonio, Texas, at the Westin Riverwalk.
The Commercial Operators Tax Seminar covers the entire range of today's tax and regulatory issues confronting business aircraft management companies and charter operators. This seminar answers the complex questions regarding federal excise taxes, state taxes, international fees, FARs and IRS regulations so attendees walk away with real clarity on all these issues!
The Tax Seminar is a must-attend for all commercial aircraft operators and management companies, whether they serve as the director of operations, CFO or controller. This seminar will be extremely helpful to anyone who has an aircraft on a Part 135 certificate or is considering doing so. Additional details, including scheduled speakers, agenda and registration are available on the Commercial Operators Tax Seminar event page. | |
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| NATA’s Safety 1st Flitebag – Safety News For Air Charter Operators |
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| NATA’s quarterly newsletter, the Safety 1st Flitebag, is well-known for tackling articles on current and emerging safety challenges pertinent to the air charter industry. If your organization prides itself in keeping up with the latest industry best practices and safety, you won’t want to miss this issue or any others.
What’s In NATA’s Safety 1st Flitebag 3rd Quarter 2009 Issue?
- Does Your Organization Have System Safety?
- ACSF News – Industry Audit Standard Updates
- Industry News – Illegal Charters, Duty and Rest, TSA and More
- NTSB News – Bird Strike Accident & New NTSB Chairman
- Information for Operators (InFOs)
- Safety Alert for Operators (SAFOs)
Don’t leave money on the table -- take advantage of free safety information dedicated to the air charter industry.
Click here to download NATA’s Safety 1st Flitebag.
Click here to subscribe to Safety 1st Flitebag. | |
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| NATA’s Safety 1st eToolkit August Issue Features Exemplary Employees |
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| Would you like to recognize someone for a job or task well done? Has your team achieved an accomplishment worth bragging about? Do you have an employee on whom you can count to make sure work gets done right on a daily basis? It’s time to get going and do something about it now!
NATA’s Safety 1st eToolkit has a new column beginning with the August issue that will feature a special employee. Every month, we will include a brief write-up and picture of an exemplary employee. It shows them, and their peers, that a job well done is appreciated and recognized. And what better person to start with than NATA’s own, Louis Soares, Assistant Manager Safety 1st! Thanks for all you do, Louis!
What’s in the NATA Safety 1st eToolkit August 14, 2009 Issue?
- Motivation – You Are Part Of The Equation
- Reader Corner – Why Calibrate Aviators Breathing Oxygen Servicing Regulator Gauges?
- Environmental Fact -- Biojet
- Industry Updates – Minimum Standards at Airports, NATA’s Fact Book And GA Hangars
- NEW FEATURE: Job Well Done – Thanks For All You Do
- Safety Corner – Safety Messages: How Do You Communicate?
- Education Corner – NATA’s Updated Seminar Schedule For 2009
- Continuing Education
Click here for the NATA Safety 1st eToolkit August 14, 2009 issue. Thanks for reading! | |
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| NATA Newsletters Keep You Informed |
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| NATA offers several weekly and monthly newsletters to provide our members with an instant source of information as well as the opportunity to have their own news published. Archived copies of NATA’s newsletters are available online and articles are searchable at www.nata.aero.
NATA News
NATA News is released weekly and publishes legislative and regulatory updates as well as industry news about our members and registration information for NATA and Safety 1st Events.
Arrival Times
NATA Arrival Times is a monthly newsletter geared toward our general aviation airports and fixed base operators.
ASC Monthly Update
This monthly newsletter contains information useful to the NATA Airline Services Council and airline services providers.
NATA Safety 1st eToolkit
The eToolkit supports NATA's Safety 1st Management System (SMS) for Ground Operations and NATA’s Safety 1st Professional Line Service Training Program (PLST Online).
NATA Safety 1st Flitebag
The Safety 1st Flitebag supports NATA’s Safety 1st Management System (SMS) for Air Operators. This quarterly newsletter highlights known and emerging trends, environmental and geographical matters, as well as advances in operational efficiency and safety.
Advertising space is available in NATA newsletters. For more information click here.
To learn more about NATA’s newsletters or to view archived issues, please click on the Newsletters link at www.nata.aero. If you have questions or would like to subscribe to or advertise in any of NATA’s newsletters, please contact Linda Pylant at (703) 845-9000 or by email at lpylant@nata.aero. | |
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| Weekly Survey |
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| Do you believe rules for applying and collecting federal excise taxes on commercial aviation and aviation fuels are well understood by the industry?
Participate in survey. | |
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| Environmental Fact of the Week |
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| NATA’s quick facts on the aviation industry's effect on the environment are designed to ensure that members take every step necessary to minimize the effect aviation has on the environment while recognizing the initiatives the industry has taken to reduce global warming.
Early this year, the European Union (EU) Commission issued a directive that will incorporate aviation activities into the EU Emission Trading Scheme (ETS). ETS is Europe’s version of “Cap & Trade.” The scheme will require affected aircraft operators to monitor emissions on all flights to, from or between EU airports and, beginning in 2013, purchase emissions credits for those emissions.
The following important developments have occurred in the implementation of EU ETS in recent weeks:
- The EU Commission has released the final list of operator/ member state assignments click here. Any operators on this list that are subject to the commercial operator exemption are urged to contact their administering state as soon as possible.
- The EU Commission has released a consolidated version of the directive that includes aviation into ETS. The consolidated directive is available here.
- The United Kingdom has released a draft version of the regulations that will govern ETS compliance for aircraft operators assigned to the UK. The draft regulations are available The draft regulations are available here.
NATA will release an update to its membership detailing the latest available information on ETS compliance later this week.
For more information on ETS compliance, please contact Mike France. | |
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