NATA News

Last week, NATA Director of Legislative Affairs Rebecca Mulholland served as a panelist at the International Aviation Womens Association (IAWA) General Aviation Women’s Leadership Forum in Boca Raton, FL. Mulholland briefed the audience on NATA’s successes in 2017 and discussed aviation business’ legislative challenges for 2018, reiterating the importance of continued outreach to elected representatives in opposition to ATC privatization. Mulholland also discussed other important issues in the FAA reauthorization bill — including potential proposals to further restrict aircraft registrations and to eliminate the barrier between private and commercial pilots and flights — and answered questions about Congress’ perception of the ADS-B 2020 mandate. For more information about IAWA, visit www.iawa.org.

Last week, NATA kicked off its 2018 Advanced Line Service (ALS) Workshop training series at Gateway Aviation Services in Mesa, AZ. The two-day event included sessions on motivation and leadership techniques, customer service best practices, misfueling prevention and the impact of human factors on aviation ground handling. Guest speakers Rick Spencer of Facet Filters and Reed Fuller of World Fuel Services also instructed attendees on aviation fuel filtration and quality control. The Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport Fire Department provided hands on fire-extinguisher training during the workshop. 

Due to the large number of aircraft expected for Super Bowl LII™, the FAA has announced special traffic management procedures for arrivals and departures in the Minneapolis area. The FAA is not imposing a slot requirement; however, all aircraft will require an FBO ramp reservation for arrivals and departures in the days preceding and following the event. Operators planning flights to airports in the vicinity between January 31 and February 6, 2018 should contact their preferred FBO to secure space as soon as possible. Operators should also remember that the TSA typically announces flight restrictions 3-5 days prior to the game.

Click here for a list of Minneapolis area airports impacted by the Super Bowl LII™ NOTAM.

NATA’s FBO Success Seminar returns by popular demand! Join your colleagues March 6-7, 2018 at Atlantic Aviation | Miami-Opa Locka to learn new FBO management techniques, gain essential operational and service knowledge and connect with fellow attendees at a networking forum. This seminar is designed for FBO owners, operators, general managers, new managers, finance personnel and other key FBO employees who are interested in building a more successful FBO. Attendees will hear from industry experts John Enticknap and Ron Jackson, who have decades of experience in FBO services, marketing and training. Seats fill quickly, register today!

NATA's 2018 Annual Meeting and Aviation Business Conference takes place June 12-14, 2018 at the Grand Hyatt Washington. The conference kicks off with a reception Tuesday evening and concludes Thursday afternoon. Early bird registration is now open and runs through Friday, April 6, 2018 — save $95!

Sponsorship opportunities are available starting at $250. For more information, please visit www.nata.aero/abc.

In 2017, the Boca Raton Airport Authority completed several substantial renovations to the Air Traffic Control Tower, including updates to the roof, HVAC, bathroom plumbing, cab plumbing and certain fire line valves. This year, the tower will enter the second phase of work, replacing the windows and repairing millwork and fixtures in the cab and training/break room. “Since the Tower began operations in 2000, it has played a vital part in the airport’s role as a premier general aviation facility,” said BRAA Executive Director and NATA Board Member Clara Bennett. “Phase II will ensure that it remains a cornerstone of our operations.” This final phase of improvement is expected to be completed in the Fall. Read more.

In its 2017 “Security Guidelines for General Aviation Airports and Users,” the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) states that airports may want to consider card identification systems for their employees. In its latest blog post, NATA Compliance Services explains the importance of employee identification to GA security. Read more.

Register now for the 2018 Air Charter Safety Foundation Safety Symposium at the NTSB Training Center in Ashburn, VA. The event takes place March 13-14, 2018. The Symposium is the annual gathering of the air charter and business aviation industry where current and emerging safety challenges are reviewed and discussed. This year’s theme is "Promoting the Highest Levels of Aviation Safety.” For more information, please click here.