NATA News

All modes of transportation were discussed, including general aviation (GA). Senator Sam Brownback (R-KS) spoke out of concern for the Large Aircraft Security Program (LASP) and its effects on GA. Senator Brownback stressed that the LASP in its current form would hinder the GA industry and would not be beneficial for security in this sector of the aviation industry.

Committee Chairman John Rockefeller (D-WV) said, “Both Congress and the administration must balance important but competing needs – maintaining an efficient flow of commerce while ensuring no terrorists can enter our country by land, sea, or air. I understand this balance, and I am committed to do all we can in Congress to make sure it is achieved.”

To view witness testimony or read more information on the hearing, please click here.

This hearing came together as a result of the U.S. House of Representatives passage of H.R. 3371, the Airline Safety and Pilot Training Improvement Act of 2009. Currently, the Senate does not have companion legislation to H.R. 3371 but as a result of the hearing will likely produce a bill early next year.

To read NATA’s Legislative Report on H.R. 3371, please click here.

“The FAA’s current fatigue rules are universally believed to be out of date. We can and must do better; new policies are long overdue,” said Committee Chairman John Rockefeller (D-WV).

“I am encouraged that the FAA has formed an Aviation Rulemaking Committee (ARC) to develop recommendations, and unlike past efforts this one has reached a consensus on several critical changes. I look forward to having the agency finally issue new rules in the near future,” Rockefeller said.   

“This hearing examines the important issue of aviation safety and pilot fatigue, and what can be done to ensure the flight crews are well rested and prepared. I want to make certain the FAA moves forward expeditiously on bringing their time and duty rules into the 21st century. And the FAA must do the necessary work to ensure any rules or guidelines address the systemic problems in our national air transportation system that contribute to fatigue,” Senator Byron L. Dorgan (D-ND), chairman, U.S. Senate Subcommittee on Aviation Operations, Safety, and Security said.

• Requiring pilot-in-command proficiency checks for pilots of all turbojet-powered aircraft
• Removing the 10-hour complex aeronautical experience from commercial pilot certification and replacing it with 10 hours of “advanced” instrument training
• Revising the definition of complex aircraft to include aircraft with full authority digital engine controls (FADEC), flaps and retractable landing gear
• Allowing for the concurrent application for a private pilots license and instrument rating
• Establishing a combined private pilot / instrument rating course for Part 141-approved flight schools

NATA’s Flight Training Committee has been a proponent of removing the 10-hour complex aircraft aeronautical experience requirement from commercial pilot certification for several years. NATA has advanced this position in response to changes in the industry including an aging single-engine complex aircraft fleet and the fact that aircraft manufactures have stopped producing single-engine complex aircraft that are suitable for flight training.

The FAA will now begin the process of reviewing the public comments to this NPRM and evaluating the appropriateness and effectiveness of the proposed rule changes before issuing a final rule. NATA’s comments on this NPRM may be viewed here.

1. Part 91 subpart F - Large and Turbine-Powered Multi-engine Airplanes and Fractional Ownership Program Aircraft
2. Part 125 – Airplanes having a seating capacity of 20 or more passengers or a maximum payload capacity of 6,000 pounds or more
3. Part 135 – Commuter and on-demand operators

NATA has produced a regulatory report, available here, that details the changes made by this final rule.

• AIP Program and Federal Grant Assurances
• General Contents of Minimum Standards
• Enforcement
• Review and Update of Minimum Standards
• Airport Rules & Regulations

There will be a question-and-answer period at the end of the webinar. FBO managers, airport sponsors and anyone interested in understanding the importance of airport minimum standards should plan now to attend! To register for NATA’s Airport Minimum Standards Webinar, please click here.

For more information, please contact Michael France, NATA director of regulatory affairs, mfrance@nata.aero.

Pilots and line service personnel can learn nearly 25 hand signals that foster better understanding and encourage everyone to work together to protect aircraft on the ramp. Many veteran pilots and line personnel have previewed this material and found that there were a number of important and highly useful hand signals they were unfamiliar with, but now have learned due to this training. Do you know them all, or better yet, does your line staff consistently and professionally communicate using these standardized signals and best practices?

As your partner in safety, Happy Training and Happy Holidays from all of the NATA staff!

The marketing and customer service decisions you make in a challenging economic environment can mean the difference between positioning your business to gain market share and setting it up for failure. Great customer service is a necessity for consumers, not a nicety -- but alone, it is not enough to elevate your business. In order to prosper in any economic environment, the ability to form lasting relationships with your customers and win-win partnerships with vendors is non-negotiable. The Ritz-Carlton Leadership Center is a pioneer in teaching others how to delight customers with the unexpected and how to incorporate service excellence seamlessly into company culture. Brian Grubb will discuss the essential leadership and service skills necessary to help secure your business' financial future.

Session sponsored by: 

NATA's 2010 FBO Leadership Conference
NATA is pleased to present a great opportunity for its members by holding its 2010 FBO Leadership Conference on January 25-26 in San Antonio. Business leaders now can enhance their Schedulers & Dispatchers Conference experience by meeting with their customers and learning about the latest challenges and opportunities facing their industry.
 
The 2010 FBO Leadership Conference will address these questions, and more:

• What are the long-term implications of change 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?

NATA President James K. Coyne hosted an FBO Leadership Conference Preview Webinar on December 1. Click here to view a recording and hear additional program details.

For more information (including housing information) or to register, visit www.nata.aero/fbolc 

Since joining NATA in March, France has been responsible for handling issues that affect the association’s FBO and general aviation airport members as well as all environmental matters. In addition to those membership segments, France has also taken responsibility for flight training issues and is currently working towards obtaining his private pilot’s license.

“Mike has been a fantastic addition to the NATA Government Affairs team,” stated Eric R. Byer, NATA vice president of government and industry affairs. “He has taken on all of the issues we hired him for and then some, including some very technical flight training matters.”

France, who attended Ball State University, previously worked with Volo Aviation in Manassas, VA, as a quality control and training coordinator. During his tenure at Volo Aviation, France was responsible for regulatory compliance issues and the development of operational manuals. Prior to Volo Aviation, France worked as the lead line service technician/quality control inspector for Next Flight Aviation in Manassas, VA.

"Mike’s ability to research and address issues, in addition to developing relationships with key federal officials, has made him one of our shining stars at NATA,” explained Byer. “Mike has now also started training to obtain his private pilot’s license, a life-long dream and in invaluable experience when representing our members on flight training issues.”

"We are truly fortunate to have someone of Mike’s caliber representing our membership and have seen a tremendous impact in advancing our regulatory agenda over the last several months,” concluded Byer.

Seminar Benefits:

• Discover your strengths and weaknesses through self-assessments
• Learn to promote safety and synergy through teamwork
• Instill a culture based on trust, partnership and respect
• Analyze the technical information crucial to performing your job
• Make your FBO more efficient by learning how to engage and motivate your staff

Among The Topics To Be Covered:

• Attendee Self Assessments
• Creating A Healthy Safety Culture
• Leadership and Supervisor Essentials
• Legal Compliance As A Leader
• Employee Engagement / Effective Communication
• Line Service Supervisor Technical Review
• Simple Steps To Ensure Top-Notch Customer Service
  

NATA’s Spring Training Week…
NATA is pleased to host our second annual Spring Training Week in conjunction with the Aviation Industry Expo. This year’s Spring Training consists of several major league seminars designed to answer questions about the business climate, advance the skills of FBO owners, general managers, line service specialists and supervisors as well as enhance the success of their operation in any economic environment:

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

Question:
Has your business begun to implement a Safety Management System?

Participate in survey.