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NATA is the National Air Transportation Association
Founded in 1940, NATA aggressively promotes safety and the success of aviation service businesses through its advocacy efforts before government, the media and the public as well as by providing valuable programs and forums to further its members’ prosperity.
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Professional Line Service Training
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PLST Online provides the most up-to-date training available for line service specialists – 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Line service supervisors can conduct the new PLST Online training anytime and from anywhere there is access to the Web.
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| NATA Kicks Off 70th Anniversary Of Service |
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| The turbulence of 2009 has vividly confirmed the immense importance of our association and community to the industry's past and to your business' future as we embark on 2010, NATA's 70th anniversary of service.
Some of the issues impacting general aviation at NATA’s inception in 1940 are not so very unfamiliar to us now – private aviation businesses in America were under attack from all sides. The White House and the U.S. Army were making plans to ban all private aviation for the duration of "the national emergency." The public was very apprehensive about air safety, inflamed by nearly hysterical coverage of aviation disasters in the press. The unemployment rate was over 14 percent, tax rates had climbed to record highs, and business investment and consumer purchasing power remained depressed. NATA was formed late that year by a network of supporters across the country to protect the private aviation industry and help it prosper.
As in the beginning and for the past 70 years, NATA remains on the front lines of Capitol Hill in defense of the rights and freedoms of aviation businesses. The association continues to develop and provide access to many valuable resources and opportunities for its members to be seen and heard within the community and throughout the country:
- NATA's FBO Leadership Conference - January in San Antonio, Air Charter Summit - June in Washington, and Spring Training Week - March in Las Vegas all provide courses, seminars and Q & A sessions for participants to learn from industry experts, consultants, government officials, and technical specialists, as well as forums for informal, unplanned learning from peers that take place in these settings.
- NATA's Day On The Hill is an annual opportunity for members to discover how politics will affect aviation business.
- NATA recently launched a new series of free and low-cost webinars covering timely topics like minimum standards, ramp safety and security issues.
- The association offers a panel of staff and member issues experts to help answer questions about the myriad rules and regulations confronting operations. Member-based committees play an important role in achieving an effective and progressive NATA and are a vital part of the association's operations.
- NATA's Web site, social media channels, Aviation Business Journal and newsletters serve up downloadable publications, informational blog posts, up-to-the-minute reports, educational articles, archived webinar recordings and helpful links to FAA documents as well as additional forums for networking and learning – a wealth of information at your command.
- NATA is a means to connect to a huge network of men and women working in companies like yours. Their ideas, their imagination, and their curiosity help to create new opportunities for every business.
In a recent Web poll, 100% of NATA member respondents indicated that they believe business will be better in 2010 than 2009. That belief, and the knowledge behind it, is power. And with that power is the momentum to make 2010 more than just "not as bad as last year."
Together, we can make 2010 a year of growth. On behalf of the NATA Board of Directors and staff, we would like to thank you for your continued support as we celebrate an important milestone in the association's history.
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| Association Establishes Haiti Resource Page |
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NATA has established a Haiti Resource Page to provide members with information on how they can help in the rescue effort. The page lists many sites that are accepting donations for the rescue efforts and victim assistance. NATA encourages members to submit photos or stories of their efforts by emailing them to Linda Pylant. Click here to visit the page.
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| NATA Reflects On 2009 Legislative And Regulatory Accomplishments |
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The first term of a new presidential administration always brings interesting changes; however, 2009 brought new things and more of the same in legislation and regulation affecting general aviation. The U.S. Congress has yet to pass comprehensive legislation to reauthorize the FAA, while the U.S. House of Representatives passed climate change legislation with record-breaking speed. NATA has highlighted the many issues that were addressed this year before the Congress and federal agencies.
Please click here to view NATA's 2009 Legislative and Regulatory Accomplishments.
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| NATA Releases 2010 Legislative Priorities |
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| NATA has established a preliminary agenda for the second session of the 111th Congress. While some of the legislative priorities remain the same, there are a few additions.
Please click here to view NATA's 2010 Legislative Priorities.
NATA will keep its members apprised as additional legislation is introduced that is supportive of or problematic for the general aviation industry.
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| EPA Formally Extends Comment Period For De-ice Effluent Limitation Guidelines |
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| The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has, at the request of the NATA, Air Transport Association (ATA), Airports Council International - North America (ACI-NA), American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE) and the Regional Airline Association (RAA), reconsidered its earlier denial of a comment period extension and decided to extend the comment period of the proposed Deice Effluent Limitations Guidelines to February 26, 2010.
The EPA has finalized this decision with a notice in the Federal Register, available here.
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| NATA Provides Comments On FAA Through-The-Fence Guidance |
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Last month, NATA provided comments to the FAA on the draft Compliance Guide Letter 2009-1, Through-the-Fence and On-Airport Residential Access at Federally Obligated Airports. The draft Compliance Guide Letter, when finalized, will provide guidance to FAA Airports Compliance staff on airport sponsors' responsibilities and requirements regarding through-the-fence (TTF) agreements and on-airport residential access.
The draft guide letter explains that the FAA does not generally support or encourage TTF agreements as they often can lead to grant assurance violations by airport sponsors. For the few situations where the FAA feels that TTF agreements are acceptable, the guide letter provides a detailed list of provisions that should be included in the agreement.
NATA's comments generally support the FAA position, but ask the agency to cooperate closely with industry stakeholders to ensure that the prohibition of residential TTF agreements does not harm certain federally obligated airports.
A copy of the draft Compliance Guide Letter can be viewed here.
A copy of NATA's comments is available here.
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| TSA Extends Comment Period On Repair Station Security Rule |
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The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has formally extended the comment period on its Part 145 Aircraft Repair Station Security Rule by 30 days. This extension will give the public until February 19, 2010, to submit comments on the proposed rule to the agency.
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 implement 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.
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| Instant Access To Legislative And Regulatory Information |
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One of NATA's key functions is to represent its members' interests to the government. The Government and Industry Affairs staff monitors Congress and the FAA and lets you know what new legislation and rules are in the works, how they will affect your business and what you can do about it. They lobby on your behalf, providing expert testimony to Congress and working with our Political Action Committee, to ensure that your business' future is secure.
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 issues 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.
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| Washington State Eye's "Wealthy" Aircraft Owners For Tax Increase |
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In a recent article posted on crosscut.com, author Austin Jenkins reveals that Speaker of the Washington State House of Representatives Frank Chopp believes that a new excise tax on the owners of private aircraft may help solve the state's budget issues:
"Speaker Chopp told me about a plan to charge an annual excise tax for privately owned airplanes similar to what boat owners' pay. He said he doesn't think "wealthy" aircraft owners deserve a break when public education is being cut."
NATA has discussed the matter with staff from state Senator Cheryl Pflug's office and confirmed that, while no official bills or resolutions have been released proposing a new tax at this time, the idea is being discussed in the legislature. Sen. Pflug's office also informed NATA that the Senator (who is an active general aviation pilot) does not support any increase in taxes on aircraft ownership. To use to battle any future proposed tax increase, Sen. Pflug recently encouraged the Washington Pilots Association membership to provide her with information and data on the economic impact and volunteer efforts of pilots in maintaining state-owned airports.
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| Loudoun County, Virginia, Opposes Tax Increase On Aircraft |
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| NATA President James K. Coyne along with representatives from Landmark Aviation and Signature Flight Support met with members of the board of supervisors of Loudoun County, Virginia, earlier this month. The board had sought to increase the personal property tax on aircraft by 4,000% from $.01/$100 to $0.40/$100. After much discussion with the local airport commission and others, the increase was reduced to $.02/$100. The board heard further opposition to any tax increase and understood the implications would be loss of jobs and no revenue gain for the county, which resulted in the board voting against the measure.
To read NATA's blog titled "Implications of a Personal Property Tax on Aircraft", please click here.
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| NATA Announces Call For Nominations For 2009 NATA Industry Excellence Awards |
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NATA has announced a call for nominations to acknowledge the individuals, offices, and organizations demonstrating excellence in their field and the highest level of customer service to the general aviation community.
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 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.
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 in the Washington, DC area on April 20-22, 2010, as well as the 2010 NATA Air Charter Summit in Chantilly, VA, on June 7-9, 2010.
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| NATA Applauds West Virginia Governor For Continued Support Of General Aviation |
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| Earlier this month, NATA participated in a ceremony at the state capitol in Charleston, West Virginia, for Governor Joe Manchin's proclamation highlighting the importance of the general aviation industry to West Virginia and its economy. In addition, Governor Manchin declared the month of January "General Aviation Appreciation Month."
"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 governors of the 50 states that make up our great country, Governor Manchin is one of six who is not only a pilot but also understands the value of general aviation and the impact it has on the state."
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.
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| NATA's Spring Training Week - Prepare Your Team For A Winning Season! |
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| 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.
Cultivating success depends on many factors, including fostering a dedicated and highly skilled staff, ensuring compliance with regulations, nurturing a fully integrated safety culture, and securing a clearly defined game plan to keep ground operations on the path to continual prosperity.
Spring Training Seminars:
Visit www.nata.aero/springtraining for more information.
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