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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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| California Flight Training Issue Update |
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| When the California legislature returns from summer recess in early August, it will take up two active bills, AB 1140 and AB 1889, that offer a delay in compliance from the rules issued by the Bureau of Private Postsecondary Education (BPPE) for flight training facilities.
The language of AB 1140 offers an 18-month delay for all institutions engaged in flight training. AB 1889 offers a 12-month delay only for institutions certified by the FAA to provide flight training. Both bills include a provision that requires the legislature to hold informational hearings during the delay period to examine the appropriateness of regulating flight training.
The legislative effort currently underway to get these bills, or others, through the legislature is vital to the continued existence of flight training in California. AB 48, the statute that authorizes the BPPE to issue regulations, was passed last year without the guidance and input of the flight training industry. The result of that oversight is regulations that are not well suited to providing oversight to an industry as diverse and unique as flight training.
In the coming weeks flight training providers in the state will need to rally support for whichever bill looks to have the best chance of implementation. NATA and its lobbyist will continue to work throughout the summer for the passage of a bill delaying compliance and giving the industry the opportunity to explain to the legislature why the current regulations cannot be used to regulate flight training. | |
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| FAA Considering Change To Part 91 Reimbursement Policy |
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The FAA has published a proposed legal interpretation that would revise the existing broad prohibition on reimbursement for aircraft use when the aircraft is used for personal travel by senior company officials.
The proposed interpretation would allow reimbursement for personal travel under certain conditions for specified executives.
A 1993 FAA interpretation, known as the “Schwab Interpretation,” generally prohibited reimbursement under §91.501(b)(5) for personal travel. Personal trips were deemed to be outside the scope of the company’s business.
The proposed interpretation would revise that prohibition under certain, specific conditions. If finalized, a company would be permitted to receive reimbursement if a senior executive is required to alter personal travel plans or is recalled from a personal trip because of a company emergency or in rare cases even when there is not an emergency in play for a particular flight leg.
Businesses would be required to maintain a listing of those company officials whose positions within the company routinely require them to change travel plans within a short period of time and to keep records of flights to which this new interpretation is applied.
The FAA is accepting comments on the proposed interpretation through August 9, 2010. NATA encourages members interested in this issue to review the complete document and submit comments.
Download the proposed interpretation, which includes information on submitting comments.
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| FAA Changes DC Area Flight Rules |
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The FAA has revised rules for operations within the DC Special Flight Rules Area (SFRA). Procedures for loss of radio contact and filing of flight plans, implementation of a speed limit of 180 knots, and clarification of the requirement to have a functioning two-way radio are all addressed in new NOTAMs issued by the agency.
All pilots who conduct operations, particularly operations under Visual Flight Rules, should ensure they are familiar and comply with the NOTAMs.
Additional information is available in the FAA Press Release on the changes and in the NOTAMs.
FAA Press Release
NOTAM FDC 0/9477
NOTAM FDC 0/9463
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| Operators Encouraged To Incorporate Upset Recovery Training |
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The FAA is encouraging all operators to incorporate applicable sections of the Airplane Upset Recovery Training Aid into pilot training programs.
In FAA InFO 10010, “Enhanced Upset Recovery Training,” the agency explains that loss of control continues to be the leading cause of fatal accidents over the last twenty years. In 1998, a government and industry group developed the Airplane Upset Recovery Training Aid. Although the aid is primarily focused on the larger aircraft used by airlines, the FAA believes the training is nonetheless valuable for all types of turbine aircraft operators.
The Airplane Upset Recovery Training Aid is available for download.
The FAA recommends operators review the training aid, customize it to specific aircraft and operator procedures, and incorporate it into pilot training programs.
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| Christiansen Named New ACSF Chairman |
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 The Air Charter Safety Foundation (ACSF) is pleased to announce the selection of James C. Christiansen, vice president of sales for the U.S. central region of Hawker Beechcraft Corporation, as the new ACSF Chairman.
Christiansen is the former vice-chairman of the ACSF and is proud to serve now as its chairman. His impressive and diverse background in the aviation field, from his early start as a U.S. Army aviator flying helicopters, to charter sales representative, sales manager, vice president of sales and eventually president, makes him the ideal candidate for this position.
Some of his achievements from the late 80s to early 90s include managing a fleet of approximately 70 aircraft as president for Jet Aviation Business Jets and serving as president for Executive Jet Aviation of Columbus, Ohio. He was subsequently recruited by the Rockefeller family to be president of its aircraft management company, Wayfarer Ketch, located in White Plains, New York.
While at Wayfarer, Christiansen and his team started StarShares, a new fractional aviation company. Wayfarer was eventually sold to TAG, and a 50/50 partnership with Cessna was formed that created CitationShares. Christiansen was a member of the board of directors of CitationShares.
In 2001, Christiansen re-joined Executive Jet, now known as NetJets Inc., to undertake the project of bringing the NetJets fractional aircraft ownership product to existing corporate flight departments for supplemental lift. He was promoted to president of NetJets Aviation in January 2007.
Christiansen has been very active in the aviation community. In 2002, he finished his tenure as NATA’s chairman of the board. He was also chairman of the Fractional Ownership Aviation Rulemaking Committee that developed the new FAR Part 91K to regulate fractional operators.
In March 2010, Christiansen was appointed vice president of sales, central U.S. at Hawker Beechcraft, where he currently manages a sales team responsible for the sale of Hawker jets in the central U.S.
“Jim has been an invaluable member of the ACSF Executive Committee, and I am delighted to see him in this new role,” said ACSF President James K. Coyne. “With his knowledge and experience as a leader in the charter industry, I have no doubt that he will support and sustain the foundation’s ongoing and future activities.”
Click here to read James C. Christiansen’s full bio. | |
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| Burns Named ACSF Executive Director |
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 The Air Charter Safety Foundation (ACSF) is pleased to announce the hiring of Bryan Burns as the foundation’s new executive director. Burns takes over for Jacqueline Rosser, who has resumed her full-time duties as NATA’s director of regulatory affairs. Burns assumes his new position with the ACSF effective July 6.
Burns has 28 years of experience in the fixed base operator (FBO) industry. Prior to joining the ACSF, he was the general manager for Signature Flight Support at the Washington Dulles and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airports, where he was responsible for all daily operations. Under his successful management, Signature Flight Support at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport was rated the #1 FBO in the nation for four consecutive years by Pro Pilot Magazine.
“We are pleased to announce the addition of Bryan to the ACSF staff,” stated ACSF Chairman Jim Christiansen. “His strong financial management background and leadership qualities will be a great asset to the ACSF.”
Previously, Burns served as the vice president of Jackson Hole Aviation, where he managed 35 employees in line service, customer service, aircraft maintenance and properties. While there, he reduced expenses by 15% yet enhanced all services, amenities, and facilities. He developed a strong partnership with the local airport board and improved ranking/score in the Aviation International News survey year after year. He has held similar positions with other FBOs.
Burns holds a Bachelor of Science in Air Commerce/Transportation Technology from Florida Institute of Technology in Melbourne, Florida. He has excellent leadership, financial, operations, customer service and people management skills.
“The ACSF and its membership are quite fortunate to have someone with Bryan’s experience assuming the executive director position,” concluded Christiansen. “I look forward to working with him as we build a solid safety foundation that fosters the improvement and awareness of safety in the charter world.”
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| Preview NATA’s Commercial Operators Tax Seminar |
| July 22 Webinar at Noon EDT |
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The NATA Commercial Operators Tax Seminar (August 17-18 at the Omni Severin Hotel in Indianapolis, IN) covers taxes that commercial operators face every day in their operations, such as Federal Excise Taxes, Fuel Taxes, Sales & Use Taxes, Personal Property Taxes, Income Taxes, International Fees and more. For a closer look at this popular seminar, NATA’s Jacqueline Rosser will host a preview webinar on July 22 to go over the benefits and give audience members a chance to ask questions about the agenda and speakers. Click here to register for the July 22 preview webinar to be held at Noon EDT.
Agenda Topics:
How FARs Impact Charter Management Agreements
Creating Charter Management Agreements
Application of Federal Excise Taxes & Enforcement
The World of Charter Brokers
Fuel Fraud
Like-Kind Exchange
Those Other International Fees
Impact on Costs When Placing an Aircraft on Part 135
Issues That Aircraft Owners Face
State Tax Planning
Speakers:
Brandon Battles
Owner, Conklin & de Decker
Eileen Gleimer
Partner, Crowell & Moring LLP
Tobias E. Kleitman
President & Founder, Time Value Property Exchange, Inc.
Jacqueline Rosser
Director, Regulatory Affairs, National Air Transportation Association
Nel Stubbs
Owner, Conklin & de Decker
Click here for more information about the August 17-18 Commercial Operators Tax Seminar and for event registration.
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| NATF Scholarship Awarded To Aviation’s Finest |
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The National Air Transportation Foundation (NATF) awarded Clinton Swisse the Dan L. Meisinger Sr. Memorial Learn to Fly Scholarship and Judith A. Rice the NATA Business Scholarship.
“NATA is dedicated to promoting safety, professionalism, education and training as a means for individuals to advance their careers. Through the NATF scholarships, we annually recognize the best and brightest in aviation,” said NATA Director Safety & Training Amy B. Koranda.
The 2009 Dan L. Meisinger Sr. Memorial Learn to Fly Scholarship was awarded to Clinton Swisse, a junior at the University of North Dakota. Swisse said, “When I return to school in the fall, I will resume flight training at the John D. Odegard School of Aerospace Sciences at the University of North Dakota. I have completed the first part of my instrument training and will now be starting the second half in the coming fall.
The 2009 NATA Business Scholarship was awarded to Judith A. Rice, Aerospace Resource Center Program coordinator located on Cecil Field at the Aviation Center of Excellence of Florida State College in Jacksonville, Florida. Rice said, “I will complete my certified flight instructor rating and it will provide me the privilege of nurturing seeds, growing a new generation of aviators. The NATA Business Scholarship will provide me this opportunity, to dedicate my professional future to flight instructing.
“Judith Rice and Clinton Swisse are two highly dedicated, conscientious, and enthusiastic students of aviation. We look forward to seeing their careers soar,” said Koranda.
Click here to read the NATF Scholarship press release. Additional information on NATF Scholarships, and the recipients, can be found at www.nata.aero/scholarships.
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| Have You Checked Out NATA’s Workers’ Compensation Plan? |
| Take a Look at the Updated Brochure |
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The NATA Workers’ Compensation Plan was created in April 1975, with three specific goals in mind:
- Provide NATA members with a dependable long-term market for Workers’ Compensation insurance;
- Structure the plan in such a way that if the overall loss experience of the participating members is favorable participants would share in the return of a portion of the premium at the end of the policy year; and
- Make joining the plan as easy as possible.
The NATA plan is underwritten by USAIG (United States Aircraft Insurance Group), the nation’s largest aviation insurance organization and a division of Berkshire Hathaway. They have provided the coverage since the plan’s inception.
NATA’s Workers’ Compensation Plan is available to any member who meets USAIG's underwriting requirements for participating in the plan. NATA membership notwithstanding, USAIG can underwrite Workers' Compensation insurance only for individuals or firms directly involved in the operation, servicing, maintenance, storage, repair or sale of aircraft. While the NATA plan is available in most states, it cannot be written in Ohio, North Dakota, Washington and Wyoming. Its availability in other states may vary due to rating and tax considerations.
Click here to view the brochure or have your agent/broker check with USAIG at (212) 859-3988.
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| Survey Question |
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Do you believe Congress has a better understanding of general aviation since the GA Congressional Caucuses were created?
Participate in the survey on the homepage at www.nata.aero | |
| Environmental Fact of the Month |
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| Currently, many discussions involving environmental concerns and aviation often revolve around topics such as carbon emissions, “Cap and Trade,” lead emissions and airborne particulate matter around airports. While all of these topics are important, there is an even more basic set of environmental concerns that must be addressed by all aviation facilities.
NATA has developed a series of environmentally conscious best practices for aviation companies to assist in compliance with these basic environmental regulations. These best practices were created by an industry leading engineer who specializes in aviation environmental compliance and have been approved by the NATA Environmental Committee. The following environmental best practices are available to NATA members:
- Spill Prevention Control and Countermeasures (SPCC)
- Hazardous Waste
- Storm Water Pollution Prevention
- Used Batteries
DS
- Used Oil
- Used Fluorescent Lamps
NATA recommends that member companies customize these policies and procedures to their operation and insert them into standard operating procedure. Doing so will help members continue to minimize their impact on our environment.
NATA’s environmental best practices can be viewed here. | |
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