NATA News

The letter states that “the current system of aviation excise taxes has proven to be a stable and efficient source of funding for our aviation system. Furthermore, we believe that user fees will place an undue administrative burden, and associated costs, on system users – particularly small businesses and general aviation users.” 

To view the letter, please click here.

To view NATA’s Press Release, please click here.

NATA originally submitted comments questioning the rational and purpose of the rule changes when they appeared in a 2007 NPRM. The final rule issued by the FAA in August did not address those comments. After consulting with NATA’s Flight Training Committee and others in the training industry on the effects of these changes, NATA Government and Industry Affairs staff began a series of discussions with FAA staff on the problems with the final rule as published. These discussions led to last week’s release of a corrections document.

The corrections made by the FAA allow a level C flight simulator to be used for all training and testing for an additional pilot rating if the applicant meets one of the following:

• Holds a type rating in a turbojet airplane of the same class of airplane, and that type rating may not contain a supervised operating experience limitation;
• Has 1,000 hours of flight time in two different turbojet airplanes of the same class of airplane;
• Has been appointed by the U.S. Armed Forces as pilot-in-command in a turbojet airplane of the same class of airplane;
• Has 500 hours of flight time in the same type of airplane; or
• Has logged at least 2,000 hours of flight time, of which 500 hours were in turbine-powered airplanes of the same class of airplane for which the type rating is sought.

Pilots who do not meet any of the above prerequisites may still complete all training and testing for an additional rating in a flight simulator if they accept a 25 hour supervised operating experience (SOE) requirement being placed on their rating. Pilots not wanting an SOE and not meeting the above prerequisites must then complete a practical test in the aircraft.

NATA is pleased with the FAA’s cooperation in addressing these issues. NATA has released a regulatory report, which is available to members here, that details the changes made in the corrections document. The published version of the corrections document can be viewed here.

In recent months, there has been a misguided sense of panic in some entities within the federal government and the mainstream media about Part 135 on-demand air charter safety. Byer’s latest blog post examines the underlying causes, some steps that should be put in motion to understand our industry’s risks better, educate consumers and improve safety, and the important roles of NATA and the Air Charter Safety Foundation in setting the record straight.

Click here to view Byer's Blog.

Why should my airport invest in an airport Flight Crew Briefing module?  

• Avoid negative media coverage and protect your airport’s reputation.
• Demonstrate that you are proactive in the prevention of incidents and accidents.
• Help create positive connections in aviation and local communities by promoting good neighbor noise and security policies.
• Prove your safety and security commitment.
• Be the #1 authority for local airport safety information.

Click here for a pdf about NATA’s Safety 1st Flight Crew Briefings or contact Russ Lawton at rlawton@nata.aero for more information. Visit http://www.airportflightcrewbriefing.com/teterboro/ to view the Teterboro Flight Crew Briefing module.

Visit Us At The AOPA Aviation Summit In Tampa,
November 5-7

The 2010 Line Up:

• FBO Success Seminar
• NATA Safety 1st Trainer Seminar (Train the Trainer)
• Environmental Compliance Seminar
• Line Service Supervisor Training Seminar (LSST)

For more information and to register for the seminars, please go to www.nata.aero/springtraining, www.twitter.com/nataaero, or search for National Air Transportation Association on Facebook.

What are the long-term implications for the industry, in general, and your business, specifically? How will you do business in this new environment? Who will tomorrow’s customers be and how will you reach them? What is the value of relationship-building in a recession? How can you foster those relationships? How much more change can you expect? The 2010 FBO Leadership Conference will address these questions, and more!

Monday, January 25, 2010
12:00 noon - 1:45 p.m. – Welcome Luncheon & Keynote Address

2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. – The Future of Health Care & Impact on Small Businesses

3:15 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. – Building Business Partnerships in a Recession

5:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. – President’s Reception & Party

Tuesday, January 26, 2010
8:00 a.m. - 9:15 a.m. – Leadership Breakfast

9:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. – Airport & Community Relations

10:45 a.m. - 11:45 a.m. – How To Market Your Business At NBAA’s Schedulers & Dispatchers Conference

Register today at www.nata.aero/fbolc.

The following topics will be covered:

• Strengthen your corporate culture
• Learn practical techniques to improve safety and security
• Discover how safety systems can benefit your bottom line
• Understand implementation hurdles before beginning a new safety initiative
• Find out how to use safety audits as a tool to improve your operations

Visit www.acsf.aero/symposium for more information or to register.

Question:
Should President Obama dispense with the inclusion of a new user fee for general aviation in his FY 2011 budget after 118 Members of the U.S. House of Representatives wrote to him recently opposing such a proposal?

Participate in survey.