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The report unfortunately misses the mark in that it fails to provide meaningful information on the root cause and scope of the FAA regulatory interpretation inconsistencies and lacks an insightful analysis on how aviation businesses are impacted by those inconsistencies every day. Consequently, the report serves only to highlight, again, that there is a problem. The following key failures in the report prevent it from being a useful tool in identifying a path to a long-term solution:

• The GAO report does not provide any empirical data on the scope of inconsistent regulatory interpretation.
• The report falls short in its attempt to categorize the types of circumstances in which inconsistent regulatory interpretations occur.
• The report does not explore or evaluate the impact on certificate holders of a local inspector's preference or opinion on how to meet regulatory requirements when previously the certificate holders' current process was approved by another inspector.
• The analysis omits the key causes of problems in certification and approval processes in flight standards. Those were identified by an expert panel as FAA culture, lack of accountability, rulemaking and guidance development process.
• Implementation of the top two recommended solutions to the issues involved with the certification and approval process - a change in FAA culture (increased accountability) and universal acceptance - was not explored.
• The GAO's recommended actions are so vague and non-specific as to be only marginally effective in addressing the core problem.

The report does highlight, as has been known, that the industry believes there are problems in the FAA's processes related to certification and approvals. Before these problems can be addressed, a comprehensive evaluation to determine the full extent of this problem, including sufficient data to categorize variations by identifiable events within the certification and approval process, is necessary.

"When the association conducted its review on the impact the lack of FAA standardization is having on the aviation industry, it was clear that respondents were spending an inordinate amount of time and resources complying with varying regional and local regulatory interpretations," NATA President James K. Coyne stated. "The GAO report does not address these issues as we hoped it would."

"Make no mistake about it, the lack of standardization on regulatory interpretations is a continuing and mounting challenge for the aviation industry," Coyne concluded. "This report does not address this ongoing concern, NATA will continue to make this issue one of the association's top priorities in 2011 and beyond to ensure that standardization becomes a reality for our industry."

NATA's Safety 1st has released an online De/Anti-icing Training Module to complement its Professional Line Service Training (PLST) Online Training. NATA's Safety 1st De/Anti-icing module is designed specifically for the general aviation industry to familiarize line service specialists with the responsibilities of their job and give an overview of the skills necessary for safe aircraft departures in winter weather.

Included in the training are de/anti-icing best practices and procedures, vivid videos and photos to help shape understanding, resources such as current FAA holdover tables, quizzes throughout to reinforce major concepts and a final exam to ensure comprehension - all combined in a thorough online package for consistent training of the de-icing crew.

What's covered in the de/anti-icing training module?

• Introduction: reviews the crucial reasons for de-icing and the effects of icing on aircraft flight.
• De-icing and Anti-icing Fluids: covers the different types of fluids, their characteristics and their primary usage.
• De-icing and Anti-icing Application: covers specifics on when and how to apply the different fluid types.
• De-icing and Anti-icing Safety: discusses personal protective equipment requirements and procedures for the safe operation of your de-icing equipment.
• De-icing Procedures: discusses techniques to de-ice aircraft effectively and best practices to follow.
• Anti-icing Fluid Application: stresses what to do and what NOT to do when applying anti-icing fluids.
• Final Preparations For Departure: covers your responsibilities as well as what to expect from the flight crew after de/anti-icing and prior to aircraft departure.

"NATA's Safety 1st developed this online de/anti-icing module in response to our members who have asked for general aviation specific training to fulfill their winter weather needs," said NATA Director of Safety and Training Amy Koranda. "In the past, our members have turned to de/anti-icing training suited for the airlines and it just doesn't fit the bill for our industry."

NATA's Safety 1st Online Training such as this de/anti-icing module is comprehensive - everything needed to train, test and track line specialists is included in convenient online modules. Pricing for the online training is based on a sliding scale.

To view a demo of NATA's Safety 1st De/Anti-icing Training Module and access a link to order, including our special discount offering, visit www.nata.aero/onlinetraining. 

"At NATA, Safety 1st is not just a name, it is a mission. We continue to set the industry standard in safety by developing convenient, cost effective training in best practices and procedures specific to our members' needs," added NATA President James K. Coyne.

On November 17, members of the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation heard testimony from Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Administrator John S. Pistole as he laid out the agency's priorities in response to recent security and privacy issues. Those priorities include improving the TSA's counterterrorism focus through intelligence and cutting-edge technology, supporting the TSA workforce, and strengthening the TSA's relationships with stakeholders and the traveling public.

Since his swearing in this past July, Pistole has vowed to lead the TSA "through the next stage in its development as this young agency matures into a high-performance, world-class organization." In addition, Pistole stated that "to defeat the past and recent threats against our country, we must take every precaution to ensure that our screening of cargo and passengers is thorough and well-accepted in order to produce a transportation system that is safe and fair to those who use it." 

Committee Chairman John Rockefeller (D-WV) agreed, stating, "We must take appropriate action to close any security loopholes, while making sure our global transportation system continues to move people, freight, and goods in an effective manner." He acknowledged that the TSA has enormous responsibilities and multiple missions, but that it must remain flexible and well-resourced in its response to potential threats.

More than 70 aviation business leaders met with key political, policy and financial experts to discuss a number of critical issues affecting the aviation community, including the results of the 2010 mid-term elections, the economy, jobs, taxes, safety and security. An exclusive tour of the 89th Airlift Wing at Andrews Air Force Base concluded the event.

"It is clear from this year's increase in attendance that the NATA Aviation Business Roundtable continues to provide real value to our participants," stated NATA President James K. Coyne. "From leaders on Capitol Hill and at the Transportation Security Administration to those within our own industry, this year's Roundtable provided a robust platform for our attendees to learn the latest economic, security and legislative issues that will affect their businesses in 2011 and beyond."

Highlights from this year's event included:

• An industry overview from NetJets Chairman and CEO David L. Sokol, including his thoughts on NetJets' recent purchase of Marquis Jet and of 125 Embraer Phenom 300s.
• A post-2010 mid-term election analysis by acclaimed political analyst Stuart Rothenberg. During this review, Rothenberg highlighted that Republicans won 36 of the 48 seats in the U.S. House of Representatives held by Democrats that were carried by Senator John McCain (R-AZ) during the 2008 presidential election.
• TSA Administrator John Pistole's overview of the latest security developments affecting the general aviation community.
• Hawker Beechcraft Chairman & CEO Bill Boisture's review of the challenging economic and political climate that the general aviation manufacturing industry has faced over the last three years as well as this community's outlook for the future.
• Congressman Sam Graves' (R-MO) outlook as to what legislative issues Republicans will undertake once they take over the majority in the U.S. House of Representatives in 2011. It is anticipated that Graves, as the lead Republican on the House Committee on Small Business, will become chairman in 2011.
• U.S. Senate Subcommittee on Aviation Operations, Safety and Security Chairman Byron Dorgan's (D-ND) review of the challenges in passing a long-term FAA reauthorization bill.
• Pharmaceutical Research & Manufacturers of America President John Castellani's analysis of the challenges America's businesses have seen since the beginning of the economic recession.

The goal of this guide is to provide airport fuel service providers a comprehensive review of the many complex standards and requirements for the handling of aviation fuel in a way that is easy to understand. The incorporation of full-color photographs adds to the usefulness of the 2011 revision as a teaching tool for new and seasoned fuel handling technicians alike.

The 2011 revision is expected to be available for delivery in mid-December. The regular price for the guide is $150 for NATA members and $250 for non-members. However, NATA members placing a pre-order on or before December 3, 2010, can receive this invaluable guide book for only $130.  Don't miss your opportunity to get this industry-leading guide for a pre-publication price! Click the link below to order now!

Pre-order your copy of NATA's Refueling and Quality Control Procedures for Airport Service and Support Operation now!

The 4th Quarter edition of Aviation Business Journal, the official publication of the National Air Transportation Association and the only journal dedicated to the business of NATA member constituencies has been released and should be arriving in mailboxes shortly. The full 4th quarter edition and past copies are available in PDF format by clicking here. 

This edition of the journal spotlights Mazzei Flying Service, and has articles on health care reform, California's flight training saga, family-owned/operated aviation businesses, and regular feature articles such as the President's Message and Inside Washington.

If you have a story idea you would like to see covered in a future edition of Aviation Business Journal, please contact Linda Pylant at lpylant@nata.aero.