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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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| Urgent Alert For All TFSSP And PCSSP Operators! |
| Action Required By This Wednesday |
| The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is requiring every operator subject to the Twelve-Five Standard Security Program (TFSSP) or Private Charter Standard Security Program (PCSSP) to take two specific steps to ensure on-going access to the TSA Webboard.
Very shortly, the TSA will purge its user access lists. Anyone NOT verified by an operator as having and continuing to need access will be deleted from the system. These persons will no longer have access to the Webboard.
TSA has informed NATA that operators must complete these mandatory steps by Wednesday, May 19, 2010.
First, each TFSSP or PCSSP operator should create a list including each employee having a username that allows him/her to access the Webboard and send that information to the operator’s assigned principal security inspector (PSI) as soon as possible. Each person's full name and associated username must be listed in the email to the operator's PSI.
Second, operators should contact all persons within their company who have access and ask them to log into the Webboard and update their personal profiles. To locate the profile page, click "Options" at the top right of the Webboard screen, then select "My Profile" from the list of options presented. TSA officials have requested that users place their company name in the field marked "Country" as there is not a specific field for company name. Users should use the actual company name to which the TFSSP or PCSSP was issued, not DBAs or any other related business name. This will help ensure that legitimate users are not inadvertently deleted. Be sure to hit the "Save" button when updates are completed.
NATA encourages operators to complete the requested actions as soon as possible. A complete listing of PSIs, with a geographic list of responsibility and email addresses, is available on the Webboard.
Please contact NATA Director of Regulatory Affairs Jacqueline Rosser with questions.
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| TSA Issues Guidance For Passenger Name Check SD |
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| Following a request from NATA, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has released a special procedure for operators covered under the agency's Twelve-Five Standard Security Program (TFSSP) and other similar programs to comply with a Security Directive (SD) published earlier this week. The SD deals with procedures for the timely checking of passenger names against government watch lists. When originally published, the SD caused great concern among smaller carriers. The alternative means of compliance released last week provides covered operators with a method of compliance that better reflects the operations of smaller air carriers.
Operators with the TFSSP are urged to visit the program's Internet Webboard and review the new guidance. Those operators not covered by a TSA security program are not affected by the SD or the new guidance.
Please contact NATA Director of Regulatory Affairs Jacqueline Rosser with questions.
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| NATA Releases Survey And Action Call On California Regulation Of Flight Schools |
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| As reported in previous editions of NATA News, the State of California is in the process of including flight training providers in regulations issued by the Bureau of Private Post Secondary Education (BPPSE). These regulations were intended to protect students from predatory education providers, but when they are applied to the flight training industry they will create an unbearable economic situation.
The proposed regulations issued by the BPPSE are currently open for public comment until June 7th. As part of its comment development process, NATA has released a survey designed to gather detailed information about the possible effects of the regulations on California flight training providers. Including data on the negative effects the proposed regulations will have on flight training facilities will help make NATA’s comments to the BPPSE more effective. The association asks that all flight training facilities located in California click here to complete the survey.
Additionally, NATA has released an action call that provides detailed information to assist companies in developing their own comments on the proposed regulations. While NATA will be submitting formal comments on behalf of its membership, the importance of individual flight training companies cannot be over stressed. NATA’s Action Call on the proposed California regulations affecting flight training can be viewed here.
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| Registrations Involving Non-U.S. Citizen Trusts Once Again Being Processed |
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The FAA recently halted issuance of new aircraft registrations where the registration was to be held by an owner trust with a non-U.S. citizen as the trust beneficiary. This type of registration has been used for decades, with the knowledge and approval of the FAA. It is often used when a U.S. company does not qualify as a citizen but the company seeks to own and operate aircraft in the U.S.
Late last week, the FAA indicated that these registrations could be processed again. The FAA will follow the same process in issuing registrations for trusts that was in place prior to April 30, 2010, when the restrictions began.
NATA, as part of a diverse industry coalition, alerted the FAA to the dangers posed by modification to the current policy permitting non-U.S. citizen trusts to register aircraft in a letter delivered last Monday. Click here to view the industry letter to the FAA.
Late last week the FAA responded that while the agency has concerns about these registrations that they will continue to be permitted while changes are considered. Click here to view the FAA letter.
The association is pleased that the agency has decided to process these registrations again. Members of the coalition will continue to meet with the FAA to address the concerns that led to the moratorium. NATA will remain engaged in the coalition efforts and will continue to update members as new information becomes available. |
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| New Climate And Energy Legislation Introduced |
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| On May 12, 2010, U.S. Senators John Kerry (D-MA), chairman of the Committee on Foreign Relations, and Joseph Lieberman (I-CT), chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, introduced a major climate and energy bill titled the American Power Act. The legislation attempts to reform our country's energy economy by reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 17 percent by 2020 and 80 percent by 2050. The bill imposes a national set of emissions standards that would override two state-run cap-and-trade emissions programs already in existence. According to the bill’s sponsors, the targeted reductions and investments in alternative fuels and energy efficiencies could reduce U.S. dependence on foreign oil up to 40 percent by 2030. The funding mechanism for achieving these goals entails charging very large companies a certain price for the amount of carbon they produce. Beginning in 2013, electric utilities and oil companies would be brought under a pollution cap while heavy industrial producers would be brought into the system in 2016.
The transportation industry along with the oil companies were given different terms for their carbon payment. Those terms include purchasing allowances beginning in 2013 on a quarterly basis and at the market price, allowing the industries to buy only the amount of permits they need instead of speculating their consumption over the course of a year. Allowances will be assessed each quarter for refined products including aviation fuel. The transportation sector is prohibited from trading carbon allowances.
In response to the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, the legislation would allow states to ban oil drilling within 75 miles off their coasts. States that permit drilling could share approximately 40 percent of the oil profits, but 13 percent of that profit is mandated to be used on conservation projects.
While the U.S. House of Representatives passed the American Clean Energy and Security Act last year, the American Power Act differs from the House version in that consumers will be eligible for far more energy tax refunds and credits. NATA will provide its members with a legislative analysis of the bill this week.
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| Congress Passes Resolution Commending GA Relief Efforts In Haiti |
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| The U.S. Senate and the U.S. House of Representative General Aviation Caucus co-chairman Senators Mark Begich (D-AK) and Mike Johanns (R-NE) and Representatives Vernon Ehlers (R-MI) and Allen Boyd (D-FL) have passed S. Con. Res. 61 and H. Con. Res. 272 in their respective chambers. The concurrent resolutions were introduced on April 29, 2010, recognizing the general aviation industry and its contributions to the relief efforts in Haiti following the January 12 earthquake that ravaged the island nation.
More specifically, the resolutions highlight the specific accomplishments general aviation has made such as 4,500 relief flights in the first 30 days after the earthquake, most of which were fully paid by individual pilots and aircraft owners. General aviation aircraft were vital to the response effort, bringing in cargo and supplies, and transporting passengers. In addition, these aircraft were able to transport medical personnel to areas outside Port-Au-Prince, which larger aircraft could not serve.
To view the Haiti resolution, please click here.
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| Aviation Stakeholders Request Involvement In NextGen Decisions |
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| In a letter to FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt, NATA joined the aviation industry requesting more involvement in the decision-making process affecting the National Airspace System (NAS) as the agency moves toward implementation of NextGen.
The coalition letter states, “Because of the potential impact on the safety and efficiency of operations at local airports, we believe it is imperative that all stakeholders are involved as the FAA develops its plans. Moreover, local communities and those who use and work in the NAS should be afforded the opportunity to provide input into these decision-making processes.”
To view the industry letter, please click here.
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| Senate Approves Two-Year NTSB Reauthorization |
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| Last week, the U.S. Senate passed S.2768 by voice vote that would authorize$196 million from fiscal 2011 through fiscal 2012 for the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). The bill was approved by the Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation in November as a five-year reauthorization, but the Senate modified the bill through a substitute by Byron L. Dorgan (D-ND) and Commerce Chairman John D. Rockefeller (D-WV).
The legislation would allow the agency to impose and collect fees, refunds, reimbursements and advances as appropriate for activities, services and facilities it provides. It also would prohibit the NTSB and related agencies from publicly disclosing records related to an ongoing investigation, with some exceptions. In addition, the bill would give the agency specific authorization to seize recording devices from civil aircraft and maritime accidents.
The U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure approved its version (HR 4714) on March 3, 2010. The House measure would authorize $484 million for the agency from fiscal 2011 through fiscal 2014.
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| U.S. House Committee Hearing Held On Infrastructure Funding |
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| Last week, the members of the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Ways and Means Select Revenue Measures Subcommittee met with fellow colleagues, mayors, governors and finance executives to discuss proposals to create infrastructure banks, financing mechanisms that may increase or decrease tax revenues and impacts on the federal debt. The message was clear: providing federal assistance for roads, bridges, transit, passenger train, and federal buildings not only improves the American quality of life, but also helps create good jobs and strengthens the national economy. As Subcommittee Chairman Richard Neal (D-MA) stated, “The best way to have a good idea is to have a lot of ideas.” The time is now to explore alternate ways of funding much-needed, transformative transportation projects despite the U.S.’s nearly $2 trillion infrastructure deficit.
H.R. 2521, The National Infrastructure Development Bank Act, introduced by Representative Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) and others, would consider these ideas and finance long-term investments that help target resources to the transportation funding system. Representative Daniel Lipinski (D-IL) said that “the need for investment in infrastructure spans far beyond surface transportation projects,” and cited aviation as a key sector where infrastructure is needed. “We may even want to consider an infrastructure bank for financing projects such as the acceleration of components of the Next Generation Air Transportation System, which will increase transportation safety and efficiency,” he stated.
To view the aviation industry letter sent to Congressional leaders last fall on this subject, please click here.
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| Air Charter Summit Details And Deadlines |
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| NATA’s 2010 Air Charter Summit will take place June 7-9 at the Westfields Marriott in Chantilly, Virginia. The summit provides an important opportunity to learn about the Part 135 regulatory landscape straight from government officials. Industry leaders will also get the latest intelligence, tactics and strategies from nationally recognized experts, be inspired, find new solutions to current business and economic challenges, and network one-on-one with their peers.
Summit Preview Webinar May 21 At Noon
Join NATA Director of Regulatory Affairs Jacqueline Rosser and Vice President of Government and Industry Affairs Eric R. Byer as they discuss NATA's 2010 Air Charter Summit.
Don't miss the chance to ask questions and discover why this is a must-attend-event for Part 135 and 91k operators. Click here to register for the FREE webinar.
Discounted Hotel Room Rate Extended!
Make sure to take advantage of the discounted hotel room rate of $149/night that expires May 26 – a savings of $60 per night! The summit hotel room block is filling fast. Call the Westfields Marriott today - 703/818-0300.
Visit www.nata.aero/acs for event details and registration information.
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| Windsor Locks LSST Seminar This Week, Another In The Works For Fall |
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| Registration for the May 19-20 Windsor Locks LSST Seminar is exceeding expectations and is now closed for this event. Due to this high demand, NATA will soon announce a fall LSST Seminar date and location. We will keep you updated on future seminars, webinars and events in NATA News, eToolkit, Training Times, ABJ and the Events Calendar on the homepage of www.nata.aero. We look forward to seeing our LSST participants later this week and in the fall. |
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| Byer’s Weekly Blog: |
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| This week, NATA Vice President of Government and Industry Affairs Eric R. Byer discusses how the Department of Transportation’s new “Future of Aviation Advisory Committee” demonstrates D.C. politics at its finest.
To read Byer’s blog, please click here.
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| Weekly Web Survey |
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| Should the Department of Transportation have added more than one representative from the general aviation community to the department’s “Future of Aviation Advisory Committee?”
Participate in survey.
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| Quality Control Fact Of The Week |
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| One of the most vital techniques to ensuring high quality aviation fuel is daily sampling of all fuel storage tanks and filter vessels conducted by an experienced fuel handling technician. Sampling is a process that requires drawing a certain volume of fuel from the storage tank and evaluating it for contaminate content. The purpose of this procedure is two-fold. First, it is to ensure that any water or solid contaminates that have collected in the tank sump are removed on a regular basis. Secondly, sampling of fuel tanks provides a method to monitor changes in accumulation rates and types of contamination of storage tanks. This monitoring, when conducted on a regular basis, can provide an early indication of problems with the fuel storage system.
One issue that has developed across the industry and threatens the usefulness of daily sampling of fuel storage facilities relates to the proper method for recording the evaluation results for fuel samples during the sampling procedure. During the procedure, three distinct phases are performed: clearing the line, drawing a sample, and removal of contamination. An evaluation of contamination content is made from the sampling phase of the procedure and recorded. Some technicians in our industry are under the mistaken impression that, since after the sampling phase fuel must continue to be drawn from the storage tank until no contamination is present, the only entry that should be made into the tracking paperwork is one that indicates no contamination is present. This is false, and can actually reduce the utility of maintaining records of fuel evaluation. As mentioned earlier, one of the primary purposes of fuel sampling is to maintain a record that can be evaluated for changes in contamination content over time. Changes in contaminate content may be an indication of more serious issues with fuel stock or equipment maintenance. For that reason, the results of an evaluation of the first sample of fuel after clearing of the sampling line should always be recorded.
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