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April 20, 2020 — Volume 19, Issue 16 |
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| This Week's Top Stories |
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As aviation businesses explore the safest, most-expedient paths forward for their employees and customers, NATA is assisting by facilitating these discussions as part of a COVID-19 task force focused on the Part 135 community.
“This task force will complement the important work being done by NATA’s Safety Committee in addressing operational safety concerns during the course of the pandemic and those that may lie ahead as restrictions throughout the country are lifted. NATA is pleased to serve as the bridge that unites these vital segments in ensuring the best possible operational flow for flight crew and ground-handling service professionals,” stated NATA Senior Vice President Ryan Waguespack.
Among the goals of the Part 135 COVID-19 Task Force are developing best practices for keeping flight crews safe, aircraft sanitation, and minimizing contact between the flight crews and ground-handling service professionals. If your director of safety and/or director of operations would like to participate on the task force, please contact Ryan at ryanw@nata.aero.
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SAFO 20009, COVID-19: Updated Interim Occupational Health and Safety Guidance for Air Carriers and Crews
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The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is continuously working with the National Air Transportation Association, the industry, and other government agencies to provide the latest guidance for operations during COVID-19. On Saturday, the agency released the following:
SAFO 20009, COVID-19: Updated Interim Occupational Health and Safety Guidance for Air Carriers and Crews
According to the guidance, this SAFO cancels and replaces SAFO 20003 and provides updated interim occupational health and safety guidance by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the FAA for air carriers and crewmembers regarding Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). The CDC and FAA are providing this additional occupational health and safety guidance for air carriers and their crews to reduce crewmembers’ risk of exposure to COVID-19 and decrease the risk of transmission of COVID-19 on board aircraft and through air travel.
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Business Aviation Advisor Podcast Recording | “Something’s Borrowed, Someone’s Blue”
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Social distancing makes travel via business aircraft more appealing than ever and only adds to the temptation to pay to “borrow” a friend’s aircraft. However, while we remain preoccupied with staying separate, the FAA and IRS remain on alert for folks paying to use a privately-operated Part 91 aircraft. Paying even just the expenses for a non-commercial aircraft flight constitutes illegal charter. That puts both your wallet and your safety at risk and carries some very significant financial penalties!
NATA’s Ryan Waguespack and
David Norton of Shackelford, Bowen, McKinley & Norton, LLP discuss how violating FAA and IRS regulations can compromise your safety and result in seven-figure government fines. Listen here.
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New Small Business Relief Program Resource
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NATA is pleased to provide access to a calculator that can be used for informational purposes to determine the amount of an SBA Paycheck Protection Program loan that may be considered forgiven. SBA Loan Forgiveness Calculator – this resource is for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional and/or financial advice.
According to SBA guidance, these loans will be fully forgiven if the funds are used for payroll costs, interest on mortgages, rent, and utilities (due to likely high subscription, at least 75% of the forgiven amount must have been used for payroll). Loan payments will also be deferred for six months. No collateral or personal guarantees are required. Neither the government nor lenders will charge small businesses any fees. Forgiveness is based on the employer maintaining or quickly rehiring employees and maintaining salary levels. Forgiveness will be reduced if full-time headcount declines, or if salaries and wages decrease. Additional information on this SBA program and others can be found here or on NATA’s Coronavirus Resource Page.
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| At the Agencies: |
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Additional Medical Resources and Updates Published
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Last week, FEMA and Harvey Watt & Co. issued medical facts and guidance to assist infrastructure sectors during the pandemic. FEMA published COVID-19 Pandemic: Personal Protective Equipment Preservation Best Practices – a document summarizing government guidance and best practices currently being implemented across the United States for COVID-19 response. While tailored to the healthcare sector, many of these strategies can be applied to other sectors with similar PPE requirements.
In addition, Harvey Watt & Co. has produced periodic special editions of their Aviation Medical Bulletin to update readers on time-sensitive medical updates and warnings from the Centers for Disease and Control (CDC) and World Health Organization (WHO) regarding COVID-19. The most recent edition can be read, in full, here.
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Association Highlights:
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Aramark, NATA’s member uniform services provider, is currently gauging interest with its Strategic Client base regarding available supplies. They recently gained access to a supply chain of non-contact thermometers which your company may find useful for gauging employees temperatures as they come to work.
They want to know if this item is of interest to your company and how many units you would like. Thank for your input. They will know within a few days when/if this product will be available to offer and based on your response, our NATA contact will minimally seek to “reserve” them for you. They also periodically have access to hand sanitizer, masks, and gloves.
Please contact Nahir Colon-Rivera at Aramark directly if you are interested in purchasing or have any questions.
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AMT Awards and Industry Excellence Awards Nomination Deadline Extended
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Tuesday, August 4 is the new deadline to submit your nominations for the 2019 Industry Excellence Awards and the 2020 Aviation Maintenance Technician Employer Award Program. Each year, NATA presents awards to the exceptional individuals and companies that have helped to improve the general aviation community. The recipients of these awards are chosen based upon NATA member-submitted nominations. NATA will share information on the presentation of these awards at a later date. For descriptions of each award, please click here.
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NATACS Anti-Drug and Alcohol Misuse Prevention Program Management
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NATA Compliance Services (NATACS) can help manage your Anti-Drug and Alcohol Misuse Prevention Program. They are dedicated to helping clients develop programs that provide accurate, fast, and reliable solutions for a safe and compliant drug-free workplace. Acting as your Third-Party Administrator (TPA), NATACS is your One Stop Solution for your drug and alcohol program needs including company policy templates, program set-up, assistance with regulations, and administration.
If you are interested in learning more about NATACS’ Anti-Drug and Alcohol Misuse Prevention Program Management Services, they offer a free Drug Program Manager webinar. To register for the next webinar, click here!
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Membership Spotlight:
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Atlantic Aviation Cares During Uncertain Times
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Atlantic Aviation is dedicated to find ways to care for one another and our communities during these uncertain times. We find ourselves distanced from those we love, and the elderly community. It’s this community that has been isolated from social connections while we all practice social distancing. Atlantic Aviation wants to turn this into a positive and give back to our community by partnering with Go Rentals and donating to Meals on Wheels. "Seniors need us now more than ever and this fund will give local programs the resources they desperately need to keep seniors safe amid COVID-19. Meals on Wheels programs are on the front lines every day, focused on doing all they can to keep older Americans safe and nourished in communities across the country.” Read more.
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Aeroplex/Aerolease Group Donates Protective Equipment to Local Health Care Workers
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The Aeroplex/Aerolease Group supported their local Dignity Health - St. Mary Medical Center by donating protective equipment for health care workers. The group stated, “we appreciate the heroes on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic and their tireless efforts to serve the City of Long Beach. It takes a village and every little bit helps.” Read more.
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Ross Aviation Begins Aircraft Disinfection Services
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Ross Aviation has added aircraft cabin disinfecting services at some of its FBOs, considering the current Covid-19 pandemic. While the Denver-based company has ramped up its infectious disease safety precautions chain-wide, it has retained aircraft cleaning specialist David Allen Certified to advise and train its staffers on the disinfection process, starting at its facilities in Scottsdale, Arizona and Sarasota, Florida. “We’re pleased to not only be able to offer these capabilities for the well-being of our customers, but also to help keep our team members, who are essential front-line workers, healthy and productive during the downturn in flight activity,” said Ross CEO Brian Corbett. Read more.
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Phillips 66 Bolsters the Front Lines With $3 Million Commitment to Relief Efforts
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Phillips 66 has announced it will contribute $3 million to COVID-19 relief efforts across the United States and in the United Kingdom. Of this, $1 million will be directed to the Greater Houston COVID-19 Recovery Fund and $500,000 to the Houston Food Bank. The remaining funds will be distributed to frontline organizations that are responding to the pandemic within communities where Phillips 66 operates, providing essential support for first responders, food banks, health care and other critical organizations serving vulnerable populations. “The global spread of the COVID-19 pandemic has had an indelible impact on every aspect of our lives and finding ways to assist those in need is more important than ever,” said Greg Garland, Chairman and CEO of Phillips 66. “As the world navigates this unprecedented crisis, it’s important that we stay focused on the health and safety of our employees, our families and our communities. We are steadfastly committed to helping our neighbors by increasing access to personal protective equipment and other resources for those on the front lines who are meeting immediate needs.” Read more.
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