NATA News

The most recent long-term FAA reauthorization act, the Vision 100–Century of Aviation Reauthorization Act (P.L. 108-176), expired on September 30, 2007. Although the House and Senate passed FAA reauthorization bills this year, the final bill is being delayed in the Senate due to a provision that would significantly increase the number of long-distance flights at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA). The provision is strongly opposed by Members of Congress and Senators who represent the Washington, D.C. metropolitan region. They argue it would create a burden on DCA by creating congestion at terminals and that it would siphon passengers away from Washington Dulles International Airport. 

Without a long-term FAA bill, major aviation projects such as NextGen and the jobs they would create remain on hold. It is uncertain whether the opportunity for final passage of the bill will present itself after the federal elections.

The U.S. House of Representatives passed the final version of the Small Business Lending Fund Act of 2010 (H.R. 5297) that includes a provision to allow bonus depreciation tax incentives on equipment purchases in 2010, including general aviation aircraft purchases and components as well as engines and avionics. Aircraft purchased before the end of 2010 must be placed into service by the end of 2011 to receive bonus depreciation.

Bonus depreciation allows a business to accelerate 50 percent of the depreciable value of a capital investment in the first year instead of spreading it out over five years and is a proven tool for increasing aircraft sales. More importantly, this legislation will help foster new aircraft sales as the general aviation industry continues to recover from difficult economic circumstances.

Five weeks remain until Election Day, and it appears we will likely see big changes to the current political landscape. Governors in 37 states are up for re-election this year. Currently 20 seats are held by Democratic incumbents and 19 by Republican incumbents. Of the Democratic-held governorships, 8 are held by incumbents who are term-limited, while 4 others are voluntarily choosing not to seek election or re-election. Of the Republican-held governorships, 8 are held by incumbents who are term-limited, while 4 others are voluntarily choosing not to seek re-election, and incumbent Nevada Governor Jim Gibbons was denied re-nomination by losing the Republican primary.

NATA has developed an interactive map highlighting the 2010 gubernatorial races. To track the 2010 gubernatorial races, please click here.

On September 22, 2010, members of the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure heard testimony from various representatives of the aviation industry concerning residential through-the-fence (RTTF) agreements at public airports. On September 9, 2010, the FAA issued a revised policy proposal in the Federal Register stating that RTTF agreements already established at public-use airports would require more oversight and new RTTF access at airports would be prohibited.

Testifying before the committee, NATA President James K. Coyne stated, “NATA agrees with the FAA that the primary issue for not allowing new RTTF agreements is to ensure the future utility of federally funded airports. Investments in airports, made through the Airport Improvement Program or through federal surplus property grants, are intended to enhance the flexibility of airports to meet the future needs, in both capacity and type of operations, of the National Airspace System. Due to the intrinsic nature of residential properties, as compared to commercial properties, RTTF agreements limit the flexibility of airport sponsors to expand according to the needs of the community. NATA believes that the FAA has made an overwhelming case for prohibiting new RTTF agreements, and supports its proposal.”

Representative Sam Graves (R-MO), a proponent of RTTF, introduced H.R. 4815 with hopes of finding a compromise to the RTTF issue. “I firmly believe residential TTF agreements can safely and efficiently coexist with GA airports now and in the future,” Graves stated. “I also believe the federal government should protect its investments. However, I don’t think the agreements we are discussing today adversely or without exception affect an airport’s authority, its ability to operate, or the FAA’s ability to protect its investment.”

Representative James Oberstar (D-MN), Chairman of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, stated that it is important “for all sides to find common ground and to ensure that the policy that emerges from the FAA’s September 9 proposal reflects both the nation’s interest in maintaining a healthy, functioning airport system” and the interests of those who view RTTF as a way to enjoy their land and hobby.

NATA believes that the FAA has proposed a policy that well serves the long-term interests of public-use airports, airport businesses and the public. “Any attempt to override that policy by statute could result in unintended consequences that damage the future of the airport as well as the future of all grant assurances,” Coyne concluded.

Along with Coyne, those who testified before the committee were U.S. House Representative Kurt Schrader (D-OR); Catherine Lang, acting associate administrator – office of airports for the FAA; Carol Comer, aviation programs manager for the Georgia Department of Transportation; Mitch Swecker, state airports manager for the Oregon Department of Transportation; Ann Crook, airport manager at Elmira Corning Regional Airport; and Dr. Brent Blue, founder of Throughthefence.org.

To read the testimony and watch the hearing, click here.

To read NATA’s press release, click here.

Today, NATA President James K. Coyne issued a blog titled “Good Fences Make Good Neighbors” highlighting the association’s support for the FAA’s recent revised policy proposal for residential through-the-fence agreements at public-use airports.

To read Coyne’s NATA Capitol View Blog, please click here.

NATA has expected the veto of AB 1889 since its passage by the Legislature and is in the process of working to get a delay in compliance implemented by other means. NATA will issue action calls as needed in the near future to ask its membership to contact their representatives in California to support this effort.

In case you haven't heard…

NATA's acclaimed FBO Success Seminar will head to Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, October 5 - 7 for a comprehensive session with a special focus on fueling. As part of the three-day event, several major oil companies and third-party fuel brokers will participate in a lively roundtable discussion and field questions from FBO owners and operators in attendance.

The FBO Success Seminar covers a variety of issues facing FBOs, including:

• Optimizing operations and positioning for economic success
• Lowering credit card interest rates
• Minimizing insurance premiums
• Developing a favorable lease
• Positioning for sale, merger or acquisition
• FBO legal matters and pointers
• Establishing long-term profitable customer relationships
• Marketing for any size FBO
• Increasing sales and market share without affecting fuel margins

Click here to visit the FBO Success Seminar page.

Have you already made the decision to add social media to your business and marketing plan? Need to know how to increase your audience, improve productivity and enhance your use of social media channels? Developed to help take social media practitioners and professionals to the next level, this webinar covers the finer elements of planning, tools, execution, policies and standards, and monitoring.

Benefits:

• Learn the importance of integrating your social media communications
• Hear how to gain inspiration to craft your messages and blog posts
• Find out how to engage others within your organization and within the community to participate
• Discover how your Web site fits into the social media mix

Panelists:
Mark Cyphers - President, DC Web Designers
Jon Anne Doty - Charter Sales Manager at Corporate Flight Management
Danielle Tanner - Corporate Communications Specialist at Pentastar Aviation

The Social Media Strategies: Tools & Tactics for Success webinar is only $49.95 per location and takes place on September 30 from Noon to 1:00 p.m. EDT. 

Visit www.nata.aero/webinars to see the full E-learn webinars schedule or click here to register today.

NATA and AIC Title Service, LLC are making available an affordable, simple to use program that allows for re-registrations to be professionally processed and tracked using a straightforward Web interface. This new program is in response to a recently published FAA final rule that will require all currently registered aircraft to complete an aircraft re-registration according to a specific schedule over the next three years and then renew that registration every three years thereafter. The table below outlines the re-registration schedule adopted by the FAA.

Learn more about these benefits by visiting www.nata.aero/aic. The cost is just $45 per aircraft re-registration or renewal.

Last week, NATA President James K. Coyne issued two of his Capitol View Blogs. The second Capitol View Blog discusses how the tables have turned with public sector jobs becoming more coveted than private sector positions within the aviation world. To read his “Public Sector Windfall” blog, please click here.

The first Capitol View Blog titled “One Question To Ask Every Candidate” highlights what question our members can ask their congressional candidates as the mid-term elections rapidly approach. Click here to read the full post.

Also last week, NATA Director of Regulatory Affairs Michael France addressed the issue of compliance with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Spill Prevention, Control and Countermeasures (SPCC) rule via NATA’s Policy Playbook Blog. To read France’s post, “The Rule of the Game,” please click here.