NATA News

For more information, please contact Kristen Moore on the NATA staff.

U.S. Representatives Sam Graves (R-MO) and John Barrow (D-GA) re-established the General Aviation Caucus in the U.S. House of Representatives for the 112th Congress. The caucus is open to all House Members despite party affiliation and committee assignments. In the previous Congress, the caucus had over 125 members. It is the goal of Reps. Graves and Barrow, the caucus co-chairmen, along with general aviation industry groups including the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, Experimental Aircraft Association, General Aviation Manufacturers Association, National Air Transportation Association, National Business Aviation Association, Alliance for Aviation Across America, Air Care Alliance, Commemorative Air Force, Recreational Aviation Foundation, Antique Aircraft Association, and International Council of Air Shows, to ensure that the caucus has a large membership to draw upon to highlight important issues facing the general aviation industry. 

In just a few short weeks of being re-established, the general aviation caucus is garnering attention among Members of Congress and their staff. Currently, there are 45 members of the caucus. The ultimate goal is to exceed 150 members, which is why we’re asking NATA members to call upon their Member of Congress in the U.S. House of Representatives and request that they join the General Aviation Caucus.  

The 2011 NATA FBO Leadership Conference will be held at the Savannah Westin Harbor on February 7-8. Here are the top five reasons to attend:

5. Savannah - A place this rich in history, character and natural beauty offers some unforgettable scenes. Click here to see just a few of the unique things you can see in Savannah.

4. Inspiration – NATA President James K. Coyne, National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) President Edward M. Bolen and Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association President Craig Fuller kick off the conference with a leadership luncheon on Monday. On Tuesday morning, pilot and PGA golfer Bobby Clampett shares his winning business and life strategies at breakfast. Find out what is in store for general aviation in 2011, and gain inspiration to lead your business with confidence.

3. Insight – Learn how to maximize your Safety 1st and Workers' Compensation programs and find out how to plan for maximum productivity at NBAA's Schedulers & Dispatchers Conference. Experts from NATA, USAIG and NBAA will lead sessions on how to narrow your focus on these topics and get the best return for your time and effort.  

2. Knowledge - Sessions on the 2011 political landscape, general aviation security, the future of aviation gasoline and airport minimum standards provide information on what to expect regarding these issues and how to protect your business interests.

1. Connections - The FBO Leadership Conference provides many business and social occasions to network with colleagues. NATA is pleased to once again present a great opportunity for members by holding its 2011 FBO Leadership Conference on February 7-8 in Savannah, Georgia, in conjunction with NBAA's Schedulers & Dispatchers Conference. Business leaders can enhance their FBO Leadership Conference experience by meeting with their customers and learning about the latest challenges and opportunities facing our industry.

Visit www.nata.aero/fbolc for more information and to register today!

Last week, NATA submitted comments to the FAA urging the agency not to alter existing interpretations of Part 135 pilot rest and duty rules. Rather, NATA suggested that the agency should initiate efforts to revise the rules via the rulemaking based upon the recommendations submitted by an industry/FAA working group.

Existing FAA interpretations of the § 135.267(d) look-back rest requirements for on-demand operations stipulate that it is permissible to have the duty day extend beyond the originally planned time if reasonably unforeseen events, such as late arriving passengers or cargo, occur. Through a Notice of Proposed Interpretation published last year, the FAA announced its desire to eliminate those interpretations and essentially create a maximum hard duty limit of 14 hours. Pilots could only exceed the 14-hour limit if an unforeseen delay were to occur after “wheels up” of the final flight segment. The FAA bases their new proposed interpretation on prior interpretations related to Part 121 operations.

NATA explained that the FAA is incorrectly correlating the Part 121 rules to Part 135 and that the establishment of a hard duty limit, where one previously did not exist, amounts to a new requirement that requires rulemaking. NATA and other industry participants recommended a comprehensive set of crew flight, duty and rest rules during the Part 135 Aviation Rulemaking Committee. Establishment of a hard duty limit was one recommendation, but it was balanced by a host of other regulatory changes. The FAA has never responded to that recommendation.

Click here to review NATA’s comments.

The City of Santa Monica’s efforts to ban certain types of aircraft from using the city-owned airport has once again received a judicial rebuke. On January 21, the Ninth District Court of Appeals in Washington, DC, denied a request from the City of Santa Monica appealing a lower court ruling that upheld the FAA’s decision that the ban would violate federal law.

“The FAA's final agency decision, which concluded that [Santa Monica’s] ban on Category C and D aircraft from [using the] airport was inconsistent with [the city’s] contractual obligations to the federal government was not arbitrary, capricious, an abuse of discretion or otherwise not in accordance with the law,” wrote Chief Justice David Sentelle. “The petition for review is denied.”

The City of Santa Monica has long contended that category C and D aircraft, aircraft with approach speeds greater than 121 knots, pose a safety concern due to the location of residential areas near the airport. Despite its vocal concerns over safety, the city has repeatedly refused solutions proposed by the FAA, rather favoring a complete ban on certain aircraft activity.

“The FAA remains ready, willing and able to help Santa Monica pay for installing an Engineered Material Arresting System at the airport to address the city's safety concerns,” said Ian Gregor, an FAA spokesman.

The city’s options, relating to instating the ban, now include petitioning the court for a rehearing, allowing the decision to stand or attempting to appeal the decision to the Supreme Court.

Another change worth highlighting is the addition of Senators John Thune (R-SD), Tom Coburn (R-OK), and Ben Cardin (D-MD) to the Senate Committee on Finance.

To view the list of Senate Democratic committee assignments, please click here.

To view the list of Senate Republican committee assignments, please click here.

Throughout the session, the Subcommittee on Transportation Security will work with the Transportation Security Administration to examine strategies to ensure a safer transportation system, including security on commercial passenger, air cargo, and general aviation aircraft. The implementation of access controls and technology for secure entry to airports will also be addressed.

For a complete list of the majority members of the Committee on Homeland Security, please click here.

For a complete list of the minority members of the Committee on Homeland Security, please click here.

NATA has published its annual call for nominations to acknowledge the individuals, offices, and organizations demonstrating excellence in their field and the highest level of customer service to the general aviation community.

Each year, NATA presents seven awards to the exceptional individuals and companies that have helped to improve the general aviation community. The recipients of five of these awards are chosen based upon NATA member-submitted nominations.

These awards cover five categories:

The Airport Executive Partnership Award recognizes an airport manager for outstanding efforts to nurture the relationships between aviation businesses and airport operators.

The Aviation Journalism Award identifies a journalist, writer, or publication that excels in consumer education or editorial support that is beneficial to the general aviation industry.

The Excellence In Pilot Training Award recognizes an individual or organization that has made outstanding contributions in safety, professionalism, leadership, and excellence in the field of pilot training.

The FAA Customer Service Excellence Award recognizes an FAA facility or facility staff member who represents the highest degree of customer service and elevates the quality of interaction between the FAA and aircraft maintenance and repair facilities, Part 135 certificate holders, airport service organizations, and flight schools.

The ATP/NATA General Aviation Service Technician Award acknowledges the exceptional performance of a licensed airframe and power plant mechanic or radio repairman who has practiced his or her craft for a period of 20 or more years.

Last year’s winners were:

• Airport Executive Partnership Award – Eric Frankl, executive director, Blue Grass Airport
• Aviation Journalism Award – AINalerts
• Excellence In Pilot Training Award – Arlynn McMahon, director of training and marketing, Aero-Tech Aviation
• FAA Customer Service Excellence Award – South Florida Flight Standards District Office
• ATP/NATA General Aviation Service Technician Award – Pat James, field service engineer, Cessna Aircraft Company

All nominations for these five awards must be received by NATA no later than March 18, 2011. The nomination form is available by clicking here. Members may also obtain a nomination form by calling the NATA headquarters at 800-808-6282 or by e-mailing Celeste Clark.

The awards will be presented during the 2011 NATA Day on the Hill and Spring Committee Meetings to be held in the Washington, DC area.

It’s not too late for your organization to participate in the 2011 NATA Aviation Maintenance Technician (AMT) Employer Recognition Program. In response to many requests, we have extended the application deadline until Friday, February 4th.

This new award program was established by NATA to show its continued support for the advancement of training within the aviation maintenance community. The NATA Aviation Maintenance Technician Employer Recognition Program is open to any full-time aircraft, components maintenance, repair business or Part 91, 121, 125, 127, 129,133, 135, 137, 141, 145, or 147 entity that conducts aviation maintenance. The program awards aviation maintenance organizations that encourage and support aviation maintenance technician training.

For a detailed program description, go to www.nata.aero/amtaward.

The application and list of your company’s qualified training/technicians may be submitted via fax to 703/845-8176 or completed and submitted online by sending the application form to Dennis van de Laar at dvandelaar@nata.aero (preferred).

San Diego International Airport

The San Diego County Regional Airport Authority is seeking qualifications from firms or individuals demonstrating their interest and ability to develop and operate a fixed base operation facility to serve corporate and general aviation activities at the San Diego International Airport. 

To obtain the Request for Qualifications, you must register as a vendor on the authority’s Web site at http://www.san.org/business and follow the vendor registration instructions. For this opportunity, use Business Category: 48119; Other Airport Operations. Contact Karie Webber at kwebber@san.org with any questions.

Southern Illinois Airport

Southern Illinois Airport Authority invites proposals from qualified firms and individuals to provide fixed base operator services in airport-provided facilities and with certain airport-owned equipment. An RFP package is available electronically or by mail by contacting the airport at 618-529-1721 or airport@midwest.net. Sealed proposals will be due no later than 4 p.m., local time, March 1, 2011. A non-mandatory pre-proposal meeting and tour will be held on February 15, 2011, at 10 a.m., local time. The airport authority reserves the right to accept or reject any and all proposals and to waive irregularities in the process and proposals.