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September 17, 2018 — Volume 17, Issue 37 |
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| This Week's Top Stories |
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NATA Announces Leadership Transition: Welcoming Gary Dempsey as its New President
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Last Friday, NATA announced that Marty Hiller will resign from his role as NATA’s President. NATA appreciates Hiller’s contributions over the years both as a board member and as President. In the press release, NATA’s Board also welcomed Gary Dempsey as the association’s new President. Dempsey most recently served as Jet Aviation’s Vice President of Sales America, where he was responsible for forming and leading the company’s aviation sales team. He was also a member of NATA’s Board of Director’s for six years, serving as Board Chair in 2014.
“The Board and executive team recognize the incomparable benefits that decades of industry experience and years of NATA board leadership affords in ensuring how to best direct the association and serve the unique needs of its membership. We welcome Gary and congratulate Marty on all his success while serving as NATA President,” stated Jeff Ross, President of Ross Aviation and NATA’s current Board Chair.
Dempsey stated, “Under Marty’s leadership, the association is on a good track for providing invaluable services to aviation businesses. I look forward to continuing his legacy of listening to our members and delivering on their needs in this vital aviation sector.” Dempsey will assume his role as President on October 1, 2018.
Read AIN’s exclusive about NATA’s leadership transition from Marty Hiller to the association’s new President.
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FAA Reauthorization Extension Likely as September 30th Deadline Approaches
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With just over a week of legislative business days left before reauthorization of FAA authority expires, Congressional transportation leaders are working hard to find a compromise and pass a comprehensive long-term reauthorization bill to fund the agency and its projects for the next few years. The holdup has been in the Senate, where an unprecedented amount of amendments – as well as a controversial trucking provision – have stalled progress of S. 1405; the House passed its FAA bill, H.R. 4 in April.
Last week, it was announced that the House will consider a revised FAA bill that includes agreed upon language by both chambers in an effort to speed up the conference process and pass a comprehensive bill by the September 30th deadline.
However, the House is out of session this week, leaving only a few days for Congressional approval and passage into law by President Trump. Both sides are still considering language related to the Department of Homeland Security interference on threatening drones, FAA regulation of model aircraft and other issues, and a short-term extension is all but expected.
Follow NATA’s social media channels for up-to-date information on progress of the FAA reauthorization legislation, or contact Rebecca Mulholland, Director of Legislative Affairs, at rmulholland@nata.aero with any questions.
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DOT Regulates Air Charter Brokers
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Regulations published today by the Department of Transportation (DOT) impose new requirements on air charter brokers and air taxi (air charter) operators. The final rule, titled “Increasing Charter Air Transportation Options,” establishes a regulatory framework intended to strengthen legal protections afforded to air charter customers and addresses recommendations made by the National Transportation Safety Board. The DOT acted upon many of the recommendations submitted by NATA during the proposed rule’s comment period, but ultimately declined to adopt a formal registration for air charter brokers. The rules will take effect on February 14, 2019.
A key provision is the establishment of “air charter brokers” as a new class of regulated indirect air carriers. Regulations for the brokers include specific oversight for those brokers acting as agents of charterers, direct air carriers or brokers acting in their own right to hold out, sell or arrange air transportation. Brokers, under the new Part 295 (14 CFR 295), are required to make certain disclosures to charter customers prior to entering a contract and within a reasonable amount of time if certain changes occur, are subject to provisions for issuing refunds, and may not engage in specific activities the Department has determined are unfair and deceptive. Likewise, air taxi operators holding DOT Part 298 authority (14 CFR 298) must provide similar consumer disclosures, are subject to refund provisions and prohibited unfair and deceptive practices are also specified.
NATA and its Air Charter Committee are reviewing the rule and anticipate providing additional compliance guidance to the members. Please direct any questions on this rule to Senior Advisor for Regulatory Affairs Jacqueline Rosser.
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FY2019 Transportation Appropriations Legislation Stalled in Conference Negotiations: Continuing Resolution Likely
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Last week, House and Senate conferees met to negotiate the transportation appropriations bill, H.R. 6147, ahead of the September 30th deadline, but failed to complete their work due to numerous policy disputes. The minibus legislation – which also includes FY2019 funding for the Departments of Agriculture, Financial Services and General Government, and Interior and Environment – includes many provisions opposed by Democrats. As for transportation appropriations, while several policy provisions still need to be hashed out between House and Senate negotiators, budgetary allotments have been determined, including $71.1 billion in total budgetary resources for the Department of Transportation in FY2019. More information specific to the FAA is forthcoming and will be released in the coming weeks.
Unless differences can be resolved before the end of the fiscal year, a continuing resolution (CR) will be needed to fund the Department of Transportation and other agencies who have not received FY2019 funding by September 30th. Congressional spending leaders recently released a plan to prevent a partial government shutdown by attaching language to fund the government through December 7th to a minibus that includes funding for the Departments of Education, Labor and Health; Health and Human Services; and the Pentagon. An agreement on the Education/Labor/HHS minibus and included CR language is imminent.
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| Association Highlights |
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CrewID® Offers Free Security Awareness Training
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Following its latest release on August 21, 2018, CrewID® now offers clients Security Awareness Training.
First, the company must be vetted in order to use CrewID®; therefore, there is a nominal one-time registration fee. Once registered, access to the Security Awareness Training is free for all Company employees enrolled in CrewID®.
CrewID® is chartering a course towards a more secure environment by delivering credentials that are easily verified and tools that aid in security awareness, at no additional cost.
The Security Awareness Training digital certificate can only be viewed on the verification page of a CrewID® badge-holder. Michael Sundheim, CEO of CrewID®, states: “There are ongoing efforts to connect this industry with verifiable ID credentials that present digital training certificates. This includes cooperation with other service providers that promote and enhance security, such as maintenance training, safety training, ground security training, etc.”
Click here to read the latest CrewID® release.
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Industry News
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USDOT Calls for Government/Industry Collaboration to Address Pilot and Mechanic Workforce Shortage
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This week, Department of Transportation (DOT) Secretary Elaine Chao spoke at two industry events on the importance of government and industry collaboration to address the pilot and mechanic workforce shortage plaguing the industry.
At Airlines for America’s Commercial Aviation Summit, Secretary Chao noted the need for more skilled pilots and aviation technicians, and discussed an agency program to support veterans interested in becoming pilots. The Secretary also noted her concerns with current aviation workforce development issues and encouraged partnership between the agency and stakeholders to address this key issue.
The following day, Secretary Chao addressed the industry at the FAA Aviation Workforce Symposium, stating that the decline in pilots and skilled personnel goes far beyond what the government alone can do. “It is incumbent on all of us to find a solution,” the Secretary emphasized, calling on industry and government to work together to create a path forward to address this issue comprehensively and collaboratively.
To learn more about the shortage of aviation maintenance technicians and encourage your elected officials to support legislation that brings awareness to the issue, visit NATA’s Legislative Action Center.
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Events
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Thank You to NATA’s Aviation Leadership Conference Sponsors | Sponsorship and Registration Available
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Join NATA and your colleagues for the November 6-7 Aviation Leadership Conference (ALC) in Washington, D.C. The ALC is the premier event focused on senior aviation leaders like you — featuring opportunities for executives to tap into a wealth of industry knowledge from business and government policy experts. The event also offers many opportunities to network and engage in meaningful discussions on enhancing business operations and addressing industry issues. The program begins with a welcome reception on Tuesday, November 6 at 6:00 p.m. and continues on Wednesday, November 7 with a full day of sessions and a concluding networking reception that evening.
Thank you to our current sponsors for supporting this year’s ALC: Avfuel, Boca Raton Airport Authority, Jet Aviation, Lynx FBO, Pentastar Aviation, Phillips 66, Priester Aviation, Ross Aviation, Solairus Aviation and TAC Air. Sponsorship opportunities are still available, starting at $300.
The room block ends Friday, October 12th, hotel room availability and discounted rate pricing are limited. For more information or to register, please visit www.nata.aero/alc.
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Let Your Voice Be Heard | NATA Industry Town Halls and Air Charter Forums
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NATA Industry Town Halls provide aviation business leaders across the region the opportunity to sit down together and discuss the challenges, risks and opportunities within our industry — including regional matters and a legislative and regulatory update.
September 25 | Epps Aviation | Atlanta, GA
November 15 | Banyan Air Services | Ft. Lauderdale, FL
Date TBA | Jet Aviation | Bedford, MA
NATA Air Charter Forums allow attendees to discuss issues impacting the Part 135 community, including illegal charter, federal excise taxes, the pilot shortage, FSDO relationships and more.
October 30 | Wing Aviation | Houston, TX
November 1 | Solairus Aviation | San Jose, CA
RSVP is required for both the town halls and forums, lunch is included complimentary courtesy of sponsors AirSure Limited and Gogo Business Aviation!
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Member Spotlight
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Bakersfield Jet Center Awarded IS-BAH Registration
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Last week, Bakersfield Jet Center announced its completion of the International Standard for Business Aircraft Handling (IS-BAH) registration. The full service FBO offers aircraft fueling, maintenance, parts, storage, charter, aircraft sales and management. IS-BAH is a set of global industry best practices for business aviation ground handlers that features, at its core, a safety management system (SMS), follows the long-established structure of the International Standard for Business Aircraft Operations (IS-BAO) Program and incorporates the NATA Safety 1st Ground Audit Program. Learn more about IS-BAH here.
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Sheltair to Expand to Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport (KBJC)
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Sheltair Aviation has entered into a long-term lease agreement with Jefferson County, Colorado to construct and operate a full-service FBO and hangar structure at KBJC. This will be Sheltair’s first corporate location west of the Mississippi. Phase One development plans include a new 10,000 square foot FBO facility, a new 35,000 square foot hangar and a new fuel farm on 10 acres. Forthcoming plans also include the development of an additional 25 acres of aviation related space.
Jerry Holland, founder chairman and CEO of Sheltair, stated, “Our newest corporate address in Colorado reflects the natural progression of a company that carefully studies the market, identifies communities that embrace general aviation, considers the role of airports in supporting regional economies and the vision of local officials. Based on these criteria, it was easy to conclude that Sheltair wanted to be at Rocky Mountain Metro Airport.” Click here to read more.
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Marathon Aviation Associates (KMTH) Join Avfuel-Branded Network
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Marathon Aviation Associates at Florida Keys Marathon International Airport (KMTH) recently joined Avfuel’s network of branded FBOs. As the only KMTH operator, supervising both Marathon General Aviation and Marathon Jet Center, Marathon is considered the premier destination location with 30 percent of traffic flying in to nearby resorts. With that said, KMTH is the most convenient choice in Florida’s southernmost area for final destinations and stopover traffic alike. “This is an exciting time for Marathon Aviation Associates,” said Marty Hiller, the company’s President. “We look forward to serving our customers with enhanced services and amenities through our partnership with Avfuel and our upcoming developments, making Marathon an ideal choice for their island vacation or mainland stopover.” Click here to read more.
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| ACSF News |
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Boutique Air Joins the Air Charter Safety Foundation (ACSF)
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Recently, the Air Charter Safety Foundation (ACSF) announced that Boutique Air is the newest member to join ACSF. Along with over 178 other businesses, Boutique Air supports the foundation’s vision to enable on-demand air charter providers, corporate flight departments and fractional program managers in achieving the highest levels of safety in the aviation industry. “We are pleased to welcome Boutique Air to the foundation,” said ACSF President Bryan Burns. “With the emphasis on obtaining high-level safety data, records and statistics, Boutique Air has substantially narrowed the list of its approved network down from the many charter operators in the marketplace today.”
For further information, go to www.acsf.aero.
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Q2 2018 Issue
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