NATA News

"My concern is that this important government agency, which I helped establish by law after 9-11, has become a bloated, poorly focused and top-heavy bureaucracy. Unfortunately, TSA does not perform as well as it should to ensure our nation's transportation security."

Representative Mica went on to address the importance of the TSA's role in evaluating possible threats, saying, "Without the proper focus and attention to changing threat assessments and the establishment of adequate standards to address those threats, TSA will always be reacting to the last terrorist event and not preparing for the next mode of terrorist attack."

The full op-ed is available on the Orlando Sentinel Web page by clicking here.

U.S. Congressmen Jerry Costello (D-IL) and Thomas Petri (R-WI), senior members of the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure have sent a bipartisan letter including 116 signatures to President Barrack Obama urging him not to include aviation user fees in the fiscal year 2012 budget.

Representative Costello said he favors maintaining the current mechanism of fuel taxes to support the aviation trust fund. "This is an issue that we have had bipartisan agreement on in recent years, and there is no reason to reconsider it. I will not support a budget or an FAA reauthorization bill that includes user fees," he said.

The president's budget is expected to be released the second week in February. 

Representative John L. Mica (R-FL), chairman of the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, announced chairmen, vice chairs and the membership of the Subcommittee on Aviation for the 112th Congress. 

"The message from the voters in November was clear. The committee must find ways to create jobs, cut waste in government, and do more with less," Chairman Mica stated. "This important work begins at the subcommittees, and I am confident these experienced chairmen and members will provide dedicated, effective leadership as the subcommittees work to improve our nation's infrastructure in a fiscally responsible manner."

In addition, Representative Nick J. Rahall (D-WV), ranking member of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, released the roster of Democratic Members and announced that the Democratic Caucus of the Committee had selected Subcommittee Ranking Members for the Subcommittee on Aviation. 

"Democrats stand ready to work with Republicans to make the necessary investments that will fuel our economy and keep America on the road to recovery. I look forward to working with Chairman John Mica and the Members of the Committee as we create jobs and get Americans back to work," Ranking Member Rahall said.

Majority (Republican) Aviation Subcommittee Members

Thomas E. Petri (WI), Chairman
Chip Cravaack (MN), Vice Chair
Howard Coble (NC)
John J. Duncan, Jr. (TN)
Frank LoBiondo (NJ)
Sam Graves (MO)
Jean Schmidt (OH)
Tom Reed (NY)
Frank Guinta (NH)
Randy Hultgren (IL)
Blake Farenthold (TX)
Billy Long (MO)
Patrick Meehan (PA)
Stephen Fincher (TN)
Steve Southerland (FL)
James Lankford (OK)
John Mica (FL), (ex officio)

Minority (Democratic) Aviation Subcommittee Members

Ranking Member: Jerry F. Costello (IL)
Russ Carnahan (MO)
Daniel Lipinski (IL)
Peter A. DeFazio (OR)
Bob Filner (CA)
Eddie Bernice Johnson (TX)
Leonard Boswell (IA)
Tim Holden (PA)
Michael E. Capuano (MA)
Mazie Hirono (HI)
Steve Cohen (TN)
Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC)
Nick J. Rahall (WV) (ex officio)

For a complete list of the full Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, please click here.

The first hearing of the Subcommittee on Aviation on the upcoming Federal Aviation Administration Reauthorization legislation, which the committee expects to release out of committee before the end of February, is tentatively scheduled for the week of February 7, 2011. 

• Provide NATA members with a dependable long-term market for Workers' Compensation Insurance;
• Structure the program 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 (good experience return); and
• Make joining the program as easy as possible. 

The NATA program 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 program's inception.  

Click here to view the online brochure or have your agent/broker check with USAIG at (212) 859-3988.

U.S. Congressmen Sam Graves (R-MO) and John Barrow (D-GA) will serve as co-chairman of the caucus. It is the goal of Reps. Graves and Barrow, 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.

The caucus intends to hold regular meetings on issues affecting general aviation, including legislation to reauthorize the FAA, the pending release of the revised rule on the Large Aircraft Security Program, and issues involving aviation security.

NATA released an action call to its members in January asking for their support by requesting their Member of the U.S. House of Representatives to join or re-join the General Aviation Caucus.

The U.S. Senate General Aviation Caucus has not been reinstated at this time; however, it is expected to be in the coming weeks.

The current jet fuel tax imposed by California is two cents per gallon of jet fuel sold or used by a fuel dealer. Assembly Bill 81 (AB 81), introduced in the California Assembly on January 4 by Assemblyman Jim Beall (24th district), proposes lowering that tax by 50% to one cent per gallon. No action has yet been taken on this bill, and final passage would require a majority vote from both houses of the California legislature. Due to the economic enabling effect of general aviation, NATA is supportive of the proposed bill and will monitor its status in the coming weeks.

U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation Chairman John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV (D-WV) has announced his priorities and goals for the committee in the 112th Congress. Chairman Rockefeller stated, "I look forward to working with my colleagues to tackle issues that are critical to America's future. In the new Congress, I will continue my fight to promote high-tech job creation and competitiveness, and keep Americans safe, secure, and on the move. I intend not only to complete a number of top priorities that I began in the 111th Congress, but also take on a number of new challenges Americans are facing every day."

Key priorities for the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation in the 112th Congress include focusing on creating jobs, economic security and growth while bolstering our infrastructure through necessary investments in our nation's aviation infrastructure and air service development. Always a top priority for Chairman Rockefeller is homeland security wherein he intends to reinforce constructive advancements to Transportation Security Administration screening and improve security for all modes of transportation. However, Rockefeller did state that improving security for general aviation and air cargo are a top priority. In the past, NATA has opposed some of the chairman's ideas on how better to secure general aviation aircraft. 

NATA's 2011 FBO Leadership Conference takes place February 7-8 immediately preceding NBAA's Schedulers & Dispatchers Conference in Savannah, Georgia. This is a must-attend event for FBO leaders to meet with their customers and find out about the opportunities and challenges facing the industry.

The first day conference agenda items include:

• General Aviation Leadership Luncheon

Learn the latest developments from the general aviation industry's top leaders as the community looks to rebound in 2011 from the recession.

• Political Leadership Session

With Republicans picking up the majority in the U.S. House of Representatives as well as a number of state governorships, how will the political landscape change in 2011 and what impact will these changes have on general aviation?

• General Aviation Security Update

As the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) continues to consider unveiling a new supplemental rule to the Large Aircraft Security Program, don't miss this opportunity to learn what the TSA's general manager of general aviation security has slated for this and other key issues in 2011.

• Get The Most Out Of NATA's Safety 1st & Workers' Compensation Programs

USAIG President and CEO David McKay will begin by reviewing the types of losses NATA Workers' Compensation Program participants are having and will identify key areas where a renewed focus could have the greatest impact on the safety of your operation. NATA Director of Safety and Training Amy Koranda will cover best practices for incorporating industry standard safety programs such as NATA Safety 1st Professional Line Service Training, Operational Best Practices and a wealth of additional management and safety training resources into your operation and how to encourage staff engagement to address these key safety areas.

• End day one of the FBO Leadership Conference discussing the day's events, catching up with friends and relaxing at the Leadership Reception at the Westin.

To view the full program agenda, catch the preview video or register for the conference today, visit www.nata.aero/fbolc.

NATA has submitted its formal comments on FAA Docket No FAA-2010-1060, Policy Clarifying Definition of "Actively Engaged for Purposes of Inspector Authorization." This notice of proposed policy, issued on November 5, 2010, is intended to modify Flight Management System Order 8900.1 to clarify the definition of actively engaged as it pertains to receiving and renewing an inspector authorization (IA). The stated purpose is to aid aviation safety inspectors (ASI) in identifying individuals with sufficient experience to hold an IA based on their work activity during the prior two years. While NATA understands and appreciates the FAA's intent to seek consistency, the association believes that the proposed language severely limits the availability of an IA to qualified individuals and is concerned that:

• Many A&Ps who currently hold maintenance supervisory positions would be unable to retain their IA.
• Individuals with an IA would be lost due to this policy change.

In its comments, the association stated, "NATA would like to request that the FAA considers its comments in developing the final policy change in order to alleviate a negative impact on Repair Stations, FBOs and A&Ps nationwide, while providing acceptable means for the agency to determine IA eligibility."

To view NATA's comments, please click here.

A copy of the notice of proposed policy can be found here.

The 2011 revision is a complete rewrite that includes full-color photographs and a new easy-to-read format. "Refueling and Quality Control Procedures for Airport Service and Support Operations" is referenced in FAA advisory circular (AC) 150/5230-4A, Aircraft Fuel Storage, Handling and Dispensing on Airports as an authoritative source for "information about fuel safety, types of aviation fuels, fueling vehicle safety, facility inspection procedures, fueling procedures, and methods for handling fuel spills."

The goal of this guide is to provide airport fuel service providers a comprehensive, easy-to-understand review of the many complex standards and requirements for the handling of aviation fuel. 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 webinar, held last week and hosted by NATA Director of Regulatory Affairs Michael France, provided attendees an overview of aviation fuel quality control policy, procedures and inspections for general aviation fuel service facilities. A recorded version of the webinar is available by clicking here.

The 2011 revision of the guidebook Refueling and Quality Control Procedures for Airport Service and Support Operations is available to purchase now atwww.nata.aero/store. The cost of the guidebook is $195 for NATA members and $250 for non-members.

NATA will host its third annual Spring Training event February 21-24, 2011, coinciding with the Cygnus Aviation Expo in Las Vegas, Nevada. Spring Training is a combination of three independent NATA seminars in one location: the Line Service Supervisors Training Seminar, the Safety 1st Trainer Seminar and the Environmental Compliance Seminar.

Still wondering how attending NATA's Spring Training week would benefit you or your company? Click here to read a blog post from an insider, NATA Director of Regulatory Affairs Michael France, who also has a line service manager credential on his resume.

In his blog, France discusses attending his first NATA Line Service Supervisor Training (LSST) seminar. He talks about how the seminar helped him build contacts and understand more about the industry. "It was during that first seminar that I made the decision that general aviation and FBO operations were more than just an industry, they were my industry," writes France.

For a preview video of Spring Training hosted by France and NATA Director of Safety and Training Amy Koranda, https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/815767696. For more information on Spring Training Week, please visit www.nata.aero/springtraining.