NATA News

• The Honorable Asa Hutchinson, former under secretary of the Department of Homeland Security
• Richard L. Aboulafia, vice president, analysis for Teal Group Corporation.

If you need even more information about the event, you may visit www.nata.aero/fbolc to view the recording of NATA President James K. Coyne's conference update from last week.

Don't miss the best opportunity of 2010 to network with industry leaders, colleagues and customers - in just a few information-packed days and in one convenient location. NATA's FBO Leadership Conference takes place January 25-26 immediately preceding NBAA's Schedulers & Dispatchers Conference in San Antonio, Texas. Get the most for your travel dollar. Visit www.nata.aero/fbolc for more information or to register TODAY!

The proposed rule would establish a new Part 1554 titled "Aircraft Repair Station Security" that would require any repair station, foreign or domestic, certificated under 14 CFR Part 145 to carry out a standard security program (SSP). The SSP would be required to describe:

• Access controls for the facility, aircraft and/or aircraft components
• Measures for identifying individuals with access to the facility, aircraft and/or aircraft components
• Procedures for challenging unauthorized individuals
• Security awareness training for employees
• The name of the facility's designated security coordinator
• A contingency plan
• The means to verify employee background information

NATA has produced a regulatory report and membership comment tool that can be viewed by members at www.nata.aero.

Click here to view the repair station security NPRM.

Click here to view the notice of comment period extension.

NATA Vice President Eric Byer and Director of Regulatory Affairs Michael France were joined by AEA Vice President Richard Peri during the hour-long webinar, which focused on topics such as:

• Repair Station Security NPRM Overview
• Comment Areas in the NPRM
• Developing and Submitting Comments

Over 70 NATA and AEA members attended the webinar and were able to ask questions of the hosts after the completion of the presentation. A video of the webinar and a copy of the presentation are available at NATA's Web site here.

"No one understands the value of general aviation more than the state of West Virginia," Governor Manchin said. "General aviation is a life-line for small communities and essential for our state."

"Governor Manchin is one of general aviation's more steadfast supporters," said NATA President James K. Coyne. "Of all the 50 states that make up our great country, Governor Manchin is one of six Governors who is not only a pilot but also understands the value of general aviation and the impact it has on the state," Coyne said.

General aviation contributes $616 million to West Virginia's economy annually. "Aerospace employment increased by nearly 600 jobs between 2000 and 2005, making it one of the fastest-growing sectors of the West Virginia economy, the West Virginia Development Office stated.

The Alliance for Aviation Across America, the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, and the National Business Aviation Association also participated in the proclamation ceremony.

To view the Alliance press release, please click here.

http://www.aviationacrossamerica.org/Press_Release_Detail.aspx?id=21421

Each year, NATA presents seven awards to the exceptional individuals and companies that have helped to improve the general aviation community. The recipients of five of these awards are chosen based upon NATA member-submitted nominations.

These awards cover five categories:

• The Airport Executive Partnership Award recognizes an airport manager for outstanding efforts to nurture the relationships between aviation businesses and airport operators.

• The Aviation Journalism Award identifies a journalist, writer, or publication that excels in consumer education or editorial support that is beneficial to the general aviation industry.

• The Excellence In Pilot Training Award recognizes an individual or organization that has made outstanding contributions in safety, professionalism, leadership, and excellence in the field of pilot training.

• The FAA Customer Service Excellence Award recognizes an FAA facility or facility staff member who represents the highest degree of customer service and elevates the quality of interaction between the FAA and aircraft maintenance and repair facilities, Part 135 certificate holders, airport service organizations, and flight schools.

• The ATP/NATA General Aviation Service Technician Award acknowledges the exceptional performance of a licensed airframe and power plant mechanic or radio repairman who has practiced his or her craft for a period of 20 or more years.

All nominations for these five awards must be received by NATA no later than February 26, 2010. A nomination form is available by clicking here. Members may also obtain a nomination form by calling the NATA headquarters at 800-808-6282 or by e-mailing Celeste Clark.

The awards will be distributed during the 2010 NATA Day on the Hill and Spring Committee Meetings to be held in the Washington, DC area on April 20-22, 2010, as well as the 2010 NATA Air Charter Summit to be held in Chantilly, VA, on June 7-9, 2010.

Please click here to view NATA's 2010 Legislative Priorities.

When additional legislation is introduced that is supportive of or problematic for the general aviation industry, NATA will keep its members apprised.

Let's hope 2010 is the year for final passage of FAA Reauthorization Legislation.

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 and 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.

Benefits of Attending:
NATA's Spring Training Week provides the business skills and conditioning necessary for improved performance in 2010 and for years to come. Attendees will discover:

• What's next…
• An all-star team of dynamic speakers, industry experts and talented panelists to help attendees understand what lies ahead for the aviation industry.
• What should be done now to prepare for what is next…
• Continuing education, skills training, networking and fresh ideas are the most effective tools for preparing aviation professionals of all levels for what the future holds.
• What can be done to ensure long-term success…

Spring Training Seminars:

• FBO Success
• Line Service Supervisor Training
• Environmental Compliance
• NATA Safety 1st Trainer

Visit www.nata.aero/springtraining for more information.

Numerous sponsorship opportunities are still available for NATA's 2010 FBO Leadership Conference to be held in San Antonio, TX, January 25-26. For more information on remaining opportunities, click here.

NATA's Sponsorship Opportunities Are Designed With You In Mind:

• Achieve high visibility
• Gain meaningful access to your customers
• Build brand loyalty
• Drive sales
• Get a return on your dollar

Sponsorship Benefits:

• Every sponsor will be listed in brochure/program materials distributed to event attendees.
• NATA will provide signage for all sponsors.
• A company logo will be shown on items sponsored, such as tote bags, lanyards, and giveaways specific to each event.
• Sponsors may also be eligible for discounts on event registration, based on sponsorship amount.

Please contact Diane Gleason, NATA director of meetings & conferences, with any questions and/or to confirm your sponsorship at dgleason@nata.aero or (703) 575-2050.

NATA also offers numerous advertising opportunities to fit any budget. Advertising with NATA offers high visibility, optimum value, and direct access to more than 5,000 industry executives throughout the world. Opportunities are available to advertise on the www.nata.aero Web site, in any of NATA's electronic newsletters and in the quarterly Aviation Business Journal. For more information, please contact Linda Pylant at (703) 845-9000 x112 or click here.

As the voice of business aviation, NATA provides you the latest information on issues that affect your business. Through the www.nata.aero Web site, you have member-only access to a comprehensive, up-to-the-minute issue database of safety, regulatory and legislative resources. To view these resources, select the "Issues" button on the left-side navigation of the home page. The resource pages are organized by topic and contain issue background, historical information, releases on the latest developments, links to other resources and NATA's key staff contact. If you prefer to view the issue resources by release type and date, visit the Legislative and Regulatory Information tab on the Government Affairs page. Either way, you can stay advised on recent developments and NATA's latest actions to help ensure a secure future for our members.

The Government & Industry Affairs staff is always available to answer questions or address concerns. Please click here to view NATA staff contacts and the issue areas for which they are responsible.

Participate in survey.

"With patient safety now a central theme in American medicine, the medical community has turned to the aviation industry for ideas. CRMs, developed in the late 1970s... have helped make flying the safest form of transportation..."

The study was conducted at Strong Memorial Hospital of the University of Rochester where the cross-industry training occurred. The training program included a regularly scheduled six-hour course called "Lessons from the Cockpit," developed with the chief medical officer, chief safety officer, nurses, anesthesiologists and a surgeon/general aviation pilot. According to the article, the study found:

"Medical personnel who used procedural checklists modeled after preflight checklists used by airplane crews were more likely to report safety-related incidents and feel empowered to address safety issues"

More information and the full article can be found at www.medpagetoday.com.