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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. continued |
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| NATA Publishes Regulatory Report On California's Regulation Of Flight Schools |
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NATA has published a regulatory report on proposed rules issued by the Bureau of Private Post Secondary Education in California. These rules, prompted by the passage last year of Assembly Bill 48, will regulate the operation of flight training facilities. All flight training operations, including independent certified flight instructors (CFIs), will be required to comply with the provisions of these rules, including such provisions as the requirement for producing and printing a “college catalogue” type of document. Flight training facilities have until August 1 to comply with these rules, including paying a $5,000 application fee and submitting audited financial statements from 2009, or they will no longer be permitted to operate in the state. Other provisions of the proposed rules include:
- Only CFIs with three years of experience in flight will be allowed to instruct students, unless they can demonstrate an equivalence of other experience factors
- All flight training facilities will be required to submit a $1,000 annual fee and 0.75% of their gross revenue to the state
- Flight training facilities’ curriculums must receive approval from the state
These proposed rules are open to public comment until June 7, 2010. Additionally, the Bureau of Private Post Secondary Education will hold a public comment forum on these proposed rules in Sacramento, CA, on June 7, 2010.
NATA is very concerned about the negative impact these regulations would have on flight training and urges all impacted members to submit comments.
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| Security Directive: No-fly List Recheck Notice |
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| On May 5, 2010, the Department of Homeland Security changed its no-fly list update policies as a result of the Times Square Plot. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) will require aircraft operators to check the no-fly list within two hours of being electronically notified of additions or changes. Previously, aircraft operators were required to re-check the list within 24 hours.
Currently, the TSA general aviation principal security inspectors are reaching out to the general aviation community to ensure that aircraft operators are aware of these new policy updates.
All questions regarding this update should be addressed to NATA Director of Regulatory Affairs Jacque Rosser.
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| DHS Issues Guidance On Reporting And Recordkeeping For Flight Schools Participating In SEVIS |
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Last week, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) released a policy guidance document on recordkeeping and reporting for flight schools that participate in the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP). The document provides guidance on what a designated school official must report in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) to reflect student status accurately, minimize data fixes on student records, avoid unnecessary student reinstatements and prevent on-site reviews at his or her school. Tips are provided for reporting requirements by the following thresholds:
- Initial reporting for F and M students
- Recurring Reporting for F and M Students
- Transfer of an F student
- Transfer of an M student
- Specific event reporting for F and M students
The full DHS policy guidance document is available from NATA by clicking here.
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| NATA Calls On FAA To Review Navigational Database Rule |
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| In May 1996, the FAA classification of the navigational database update process as preventative maintenance occurred with the issuance of a final rule. At that time, the majority of navigational databases required removal of the unit from the instrument panel and, in some cases, disassembly of the unit itself. It was the intent of this final rule to adapt federal regulations to the current state of modern technology. As a result of the 1996 revisions, the FAA classified the update process as preventative maintenance allowing, by way of 14 CFR 43.3(g), pilots in a Part 91 environment to perform the database update process. However, pilots operating aircraft under Part 135 were prohibited from performing these updates.
Today, the navigational database update process, due to technological advances, has changed from a complex procedure occasionally requiring parts removal and/or disassembly to a more user-friendly, plug-and-play type of process. In an attempt to account for the simplicity provided by these modern navigational databases, several of NATA’s Part 135 on-demand charter members have petitioned the FAA for an exemption from 14 CFR 43.3(g) as it relates to 14 CFR 43 Appendix A (c)(32). These petitions are based upon the economic hardship and safety concerns that arise from scheduling aircraft to be at locations where adequate maintenance facilities are available. Unfortunately, the petitions have been denied. NATA is now calling on the FAA to review their position and revise the regulation so that navigational database updates are no longer classified as "preventative maintenance."
NATA submitted a letter to the FAA’s Flight Standards Service, asking the FAA to review the rule and its exemption process. A copy of this letter may be viewed here.
If you have questions, please contact NATA Manager of Regulatory Affairs Dennis Van de Laar.
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| Aviation Industry Urges Congress Not To Modify AARF Standards |
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| NATA joined the aviation industry in a joint letter to U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Chairman James Oberstar (D-MN) and Ranking Member John Mica (R-FL) as well as U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation Chairman John D. Rockefeller (D-WV) and Ranking Member Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX) urging their opposition to any language in the final version of legislation to reauthorize the FAA that would make changes to the current aircraft rescue and fire fighting (ARFF) standards. R. 1586, the FAA Air Transportation Modernization and Safety Improvement Act, which passed the House on March 19, 2009, contained a provision that would force airports of all sizes to comply with controversial National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) requirements that would inevitably increase the cost for airports and airlines and jeopardize commercial air service to small communities.
To comply with NFPA standards, airports of all sizes would be required to increase the number of fire fighters and add additional facilities without any evidence that these changes would improve the safety of those airports. The cost requirement for meeting NFPA standards would force airports to divert their limited funding resources from safety and airport improvement projects.
Aviation industry stakeholders, including airlines, pilot organizations, airports, the FAA and fire fighters, participated in an aviation rulemaking advisory committee (ARAC) on the FAA ARFF standards and have requested that Congress allow the FAA to work with aviation stakeholders through the ARAC process to ensure that proper standards are reached.
To view a copy of the industry letter, please click here.
| Chevron General Aviation Undergoes Restructuring |
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Last week, Chevron announced new changes to its general aviation business. Effective June 1, 2010, Chevron- and Texaco-branded aviation fuels will only be marketed in the following states:
- Alabama
- Arizona
- California
- Florida
- Georgia
- Idaho
- Louisiana
- Mississippi
- Nevada
- Oregon
- Texas
- Utah
- Washington
Chevron will now utilize its major distributor, Hiller/Air Petro, to sell aviation fuel to the general aviation marketplace in these states.
Chevron will withdraw from marketing Chevron- and Texaco-branded aviation fuels in approximately 200 locations.
“After an extensive review of our general aviation business, we are changing our business model,” said Keith Sawyer, Chevron’s General Aviation General Manager. “We are aligning our aviation marketing assets with our manufacturing (refining) system to focus on the areas where our supply reliability is strongest.”
To view Chevron’s press release on this restructuring, please click here.
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| Ten Federal Primary Elections Slated For May |
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| This month, ten states will hold federal primary elections, including Nebraska, West Virginia, Arkansas, Kentucky, Oregon, Pennsylvania and Idaho. Last week, three battleground states – Ohio, Indiana, and North Carolina - that swung for then-candidate Barack Obama in 2008 - held closely watched Senate and House primaries that could either solidify the Democratic Party's gains or contribute to a Republican rebound in 2010.
In Indiana, former Senator Dan Coats (R) won a three-way GOP Senate primary last Tuesday to earn a run against Representative Brad Ellsworth (D) for the seat being vacated by Democratic Senator Evan Bayh. In neighboring Ohio, Lieutenant Governor Lee Fisher defeated Jennifer Brunner in the race for Democratic Senate nomination. Fischer will face former Representative Rob Portman (R) in November. Voters in North Carolina also had their say in a contested Senate primary; however, Cal Cunningham and Elaine Marshall did not secure a majority vote, thus a runoff election will be held on June 22, 2010. The winner will face Senator Richard Burr (R) in November.
To view other notable primary races, click here to view NATA’s 2010 Primary Election Page.
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| Read NATA President’s Latest Capitol View Blog: Aviation…Harrison Ford’s On-screen and Offscreen Love |
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| Last week, NATA President James K. Coyne published a blog post highlighting the impact Harrison Ford has had on general aviation and how NATA member companies can get involved with the GA Serves America campaign. To read the NATA Capitol View Blog, please click here. |
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| 2010 Compensation Survey Now Available |
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| NATA has released its 2010 annual survey report of general aviation service employee compensation. The report includes salaries and benefits for pilots, line-service personnel and maintenance technicians.
Employees’ compensation is broken down by geographic region of the country, by the company’s gross sales, by size of the town or city in which the company is located and by the number of employees in the company. In addition to pilots and maintenance technicians, the report includes compensation for inspectors, line service, and customer service representatives, among others.
Association Research Inc., a leading economic research firm based in Rockville, Maryland, conducted the salary study. For privacy reasons, none of the individual responses are provided to NATA.
The report is provided at no cost to NATA members who participated in the survey. The downloadable pdf version is available at a cost of $125 for non-participating NATA members and $299 for non-NATA members. There is an additional $25 charge to receive a hardcopy of the report.
A copy of the report may be purchased on the NATA Web site at www.nata.aero in the NATA Store.
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| Create Better Leaders |
| Michael France Discusses Benefits of LSST Seminar |
| NATA Director of Regulatory Affairs Michael France recently outlined the vast benefits of attending the Line Service Supervisor Training Seminar in a preview webinar. He reviews what the seminar is, the skills that are covered in the agenda, why you should attend, the speaker lineup and more.
France speaks from experience with a certified line service supervisor credential on his resume. He says, “I have known for years the tremendous value of this seminar in improving the productivity, customer service skills and safety of line service staff.” Hear more about what he has to say about the seminar in a recording of the webinar.
The next LSST Seminar is the last in the Northeastern region and will take place May 19-20 in Windsor Locks, CT. Don’t miss it! Click here for more seminar details and to register today.
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| FAA Safety Briefing Focuses On NextGen |
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| The May/June 2010 issue of FAA Safety Briefing focuses on the wide range of safety benefits of the FAA's Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen) and how NextGen will bring more efficient navigation, more effective communications, and greatly improved surveillance capabilities. Articles address ADS-B, performance-based navigation, the safe integration of unmanned aircraft systems, and more.
The link to the online edition is: http://www.faa.gov/news/safety_briefing/.
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| DASSP Briefing To Be Held At Air Charter Summit |
| Register Today For Summit To Be Held June 7-9 |
| Operators are encouraged to attend an optional session following the main Air Charter Summit events on June 8 to learn more about the DCA Access Standard Security Program (DASSP) application and flight processes. In addition to gaining access to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA), the program has several other benefits of which many operators are unaware. Are you a TSA-approved DASSP operator or are you missing out on potential revenue? Join Lindsey McFarren, former TSA official, to learn more about this evolving program.
NATA’s Air Charter Summit takes place June 7-9, 2010, at the Westfields Marriott in Chantilly, VA. This year’s summit has a robust agenda with issues that touch on all facets of the Part 135 and 91k communities, including state taxes, federal excise taxes, the economic forecast for the industry, an FAA regulatory update with the agency’s top leadership, charter brokering, the latest on the Large Aircraft Security Program, a flight, duty and rest update as well as a fractional ownership leadership session. Plus, plan to attend the recently added DASSP briefing on Tuesday. Click here to register.
Make sure to take advantage of the discounted room rate of $149/night that expires May 17 - a savings of $60 per night. The summit hotel room block is filling fast. Call the Westfields Marriott today – 703/ 818-0300!
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