NATA News

• AmeriCares
• International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC)
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• American Red Cross
• Global Giving
• www.jdc.org

Members may also contribute via text message by clicking here.
Members interested in providing supplies or services are encouraged to reference AERObridge, an organization whose mission is to assist in times of catastrophic emergency by coordinating donated aircraft to provide a powerful, immediate response to disaster. To learn more about AERObridge, please visit www.aerobridge.org.

Last week, NATA submitted its formal comments to the FAA on the agency’s proposed rules to require air carriers certificated to operate under Part 121 (14 CFR 121) to implement a safety management system (SMS). These air carriers would be required to develop and implement an SMS that complied with the new proposed Part 5 of the federal aviation regulations.

NATA’s interest in this rulemaking stemmed from FAA’s statement, in the preamble of the proposed rule, that “although this proposal extends only to part 121 operators, the FAA has developed these general requirements with the intent that in the future, they could be applied to other FAA-regulated entities, such as part 135 operators, part 145 repair stations, and part 21 aircraft design and manufacturing organizations and approval holders.”

NATA’s comments focused on ensuring that the FAA’s vision for required SMS programs would be compatible with any possible extension to other types of certificated entities. NATA addressed:

• FAA’s multiple SMS rulemakings
• Scope and Effect of SMS regulation
• SMS Compliance and Enforcement
• FAA Guidance to Inspectors on SMS Compliance
• FAA’s Cost-Benefit Analysis

Click here to view NATA’s comments to the proposed Part 121 SMS rule.

Click here to view the proposed Part 121 SMS Rule.

NATA has joined forces with over 20 aviation industry groups in support of a provision applicable to foreign repair stations included in H.R. 658, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Reauthorization and Reform Act of 2011. The coalition group has met with nearly 40 Members of the U.S. House of Representatives over the past two weeks in support of the provision that considerably improves oversight of civil aviation aircraft maintenance at foreign repair stations and protects more than 120,000 American jobs.  The provision requires the FAA to adopt a risk-based approach to repair station inspections and to implement important Inspector General recommendations to improve the flow of safety information. In addition, the language requires the U.S. Department of Transportation to implement a drug and alcohol testing program for foreign repair stations that is consistent with the laws of other countries while acceptable under U.S. standards. The provision will ensure that aircraft flying around the world can be repaired and maintained in a timely and safe manner. The coalition’s efforts to support this provision are based on the concern that amendments could be made to the provision when the bill is brought to the floor of the House in late March. 

Beginning in 2009, Congress claimed that eliminating routine FAA inspections of European maintenance endangered safety. The previous House bill to reauthorize the FAA contained a provision mandating FAA overseas inspections, which would have violated the pending safety agreement with the European Union (EU). Just this week, the U.S. and the EU announced that an air-safety pact could be reached by May 1, 2011, which would not only improve aviation oversight but save millions of dollars annually by eliminating duplicate efforts. Under the deal, U.S. and EU air-safety agencies will recognize each other's inspections and analysis, which would allow the FAA and the European Aviation Safety Agency to share information and avoid duplicating efforts.

On Tuesday, March 8, U.S. Representative Kevin Brady (R-TX), along with a bi-partisan group of U.S. House of Representatives lawmakers, introduced a bill to stimulate job creation by modernizing, strengthening and permanently enacting Research and Development (R & D) tax credits. H.R. 942, The American Research and Competitiveness Act of 2011 will strengthen the tax credit from 14 percent to 20 percent.

"Innovation drives America’s future,” said Congressman Brady, a senior member of the House Committee on Ways and Means and the author of The American Research and Competitiveness Act of 2011. “To keep from falling behind our global competitors and to make sure America is the first choice for R & D jobs, we need to modernize the tax credit, strengthen it to encourage companies to make greater investment in research and jobs and make the credit permanent so businesses have the confidence to make long-term investment decisions here in the United States.”

“NATA is very pleased with the introduction of H.R. 942 and its potential to spur growth in research and development, something that is important in today’s economy. We must continue to provide the necessary funds for job creation and technological stimulation as the general aviation industry prepares for NextGen modernization and implementation. We look forward to Congress approving this very important bill,” stated NATA President James K. Coyne.

The Air Charter Safety Foundation (ACSF) will hold its annual safety symposium on March 15-16 at the NTSB Training Center in Ashburn, Virginia. The symposium is the premier event focusing on safety in the on-demand air charter and shared aircraft ownership industry. The 2011 symposium will not only provide the essential information for developing a successful safety business plan, but it will also show you how to put this knowledge to practical use.

The 2011 Air Charter Safety Symposium will also include a walk-through of the TWA 800 reconstruction. TWA 800 is the Boeing 747 that exploded mid-air and crashed on July 17, 1996, in the Atlantic Ocean after departing John F. Kennedy International Airport. All 230 people on board were killed. A reconstructed portion of the TWA 800 fuselage is housed at the NTSB Training Center as an educational tool for accident investigators and aviation safety professionals.

The symposium provides a rare opportunity for attendees to learn the value of reconstruction in the prevention of future accidents. The reconstruction is not available to the general public, but may be viewed by attendees as part of the educational experience. The National Transportation Safety Board’s (NTSB) Paul Schuda will conduct tours during the lunch hour on March 15.

Other safety topics that you will not want to miss:

• Safety Overview by The Honorable Deborah A.P. Hersman, Chairman, NTSB
• SMS Update
• Building a Positive Safety Culture in Your company
• Emergency Preparedness – Panel Discussion
• FAA Update - Accident Prevention/Investigation
• TWA 800 - Walk Through
• Keynote by John Allen, Director of Flight Standards, FAA
• and much more....

Visit the ACSF's Web site at www.acsf.aero/symposium to download the full conference brochure with session descriptions.

Some of the questions to be answered during this one-hour webinar:

• Have you ever been confused about why some flights to Canada are taxed as domestic and others are international?
• Are you unsure of whether to apply FET to landing fees or overnight expenses for the crew?
• Do you know if hospitals, universities and other non-profits are exempt from FET?
• Are you sure you are claiming the proper fuel credit?
• Do you know why sometimes you should receive a 20-cent-per-gallon credit and other times it is 17.5 cents?

If you're looking for the answers to these questions and more, you need to attend NATA's newest Webinar "FET Overview for Air Charter Operators" on Wednesday, March 23, from noon to 1:00 p.m. EST.

Among the Topics to be Covered:

• Commercial and Noncommercial FET rates
• Items subject to and exempt from FET
• Operations exempt from FET
• Fuel credits
• IRS Forms and Publications

Speaker
Jacqueline Rosser, director of regulatory affairs, NATA

Registration
Click here to register now. Registration for this webinar is $49.95 per location and includes a copy of presentation materials and link to a recording of the webinar.

• Safety
• Aviation Fuels
• Fuel Handling Equipment
• Quality Control and Fuel Testing Procedures
• Equipment Inspections and Maintenance
• Operational Procedures
• Fuel Spills
• Training
• Resources

FAA advisory circular (AC) 150/5230-4A, Aircraft Fuel Storage, Handling and Dispensing on Airports references this publication 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."

Click here to view several sample pages from the manual.

This guidebook is offered to NATA member companies at a special rate. Secure your copy today.

Orders can be placed online at www.nata.aero/store.

NATA’s Line Service Supervisor Training Seminar will once again take place at the New England Air Museum in Windsor Locks, Connecticut, on May 24-25. This seminar, specifically designed for Line Service Supervisors, provides the training you need to become more proficient in strategic planning, supervising staff, motivating others, communicating and coaching a team. This high-impact, high-energy seminar includes guided group debates, role playing, interactive games and various case studies designed to take you to a new level of leadership. You will also take part in self-assessments to explore your strengths and weaknesses and their effect on your management style.

Don’t miss the chance to attend the LSST in Windsor Locks. Click here for more details and a link to register.

Safety & Health Training For Ground Operations Seminar – Only One In 2011
NATA’s Safety & Health Training for Ground Operations (OSHA 10 HR) will be offered once this year on May 26-27 immediately following NATA’s popular LSST Seminar in Windsor Locks, Connecticut. NATA’s OSHA 10-Hour Course has been specifically designed for all employees with safety and health responsibilities. Attendees will be introduced to Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and general industry policies, procedures and standards, as well as gain a working knowledge of OSHA regulations. Our instructor will provide real-world OSHA guidance and aviation case studies. Attendees will be provided audit and checklist templates as well as the knowledge to implement and improve their facility compliance programs. Participants will receive a course completion certificate from NATA as well as a course completion card from OSHA.

Seminar Topics:

• Gain in-depth knowledge of safety and health concepts
• Obtain a working knowledge of OSHA regulations as well as general industry policies
• Increase your awareness of the link that exists between risk and safety
• Review and take back a practical checklist that will increase your ability to perform your day-to-day duties safely
• Learn correct safety procedures and standards

Click here for more details and a link to register for NATA’s OSHA 10-Hour Course.

Visit www.nata.aero/event.aspx for information on future NATA events.

NATA is pleased to announce the launch of the new and improved RA Check version 2.0. This online tool combines a highly comprehensive FAA-endorsed risk assessment tool with the automation necessary to make its use quick, easy, and accurate.

Since its inception last year, RA Check has fulfilled a vital role in safety management programs with the perfect combination of sound safety risk assessment methodology and convenient automation features. Safety and compliance tools such as RA Check are greatly improving the business balance between safety and productivity.

“So far, more than 100 companies have utilized RA Check to make over 300,000 automated safety checks, and today this tool becomes even more convenient and accommodating with its second major release,” said NATA Director of Technology Initiatives David Vernon.

The new version of RA Check includes several enhanced features:

• RA Check can now also be used as a stand-alone tool without integrating with Computing Technologies for Aviation's Flight Operating System (FOS).
• It is now possible to customize criteria settings - operators can set parameters to their own specifications and even eliminate and add criteria as necessary.

The key benefits of RA Check include:

• Streamlines processes -

• Automates the criteria of the Turbine Aircraft Operators Subgroup (TAOS) Flight Risk Assessment Tool formula and returns an Online response.
• Can still integrate with CTAs (FOS) limiting manual data entry.
• Automatic and user-generated email alerts for risk assessment reports and risk factor questionnaires that may be viewed and addressed on your Smart Phone.
• Raises situational awareness by focusing only on factors that pertain to each particular flight.
• Alerts crewmembers to proactive safety measures for a particular flight.
• Reduces training time, standardizes results and removes subjectivity.
• Sets realistic operational thresholds.
• Takes the most comprehensive Risk Assessment methodology and makes it as easy to implement as the most basic of models.

Jet Aviation, based in Teterboro, New Jersey, is a user of the system. “Risk assessment is not new to our operation, but RA Check’s automation makes it a good fit for us,” said Jet Aviation Vice President of Flight Logistics Matt Feinstein. “The RA Check interface is easy, web-based, and integrated with our scheduling system, three factors that have led to quick acceptance by crewmembers and other employees who use the system.”

The program is developed, hosted, and managed by NATA. A free 30-day trial registration and further information are available online at www.nata.aero/racheck. 

NATA Board of Directors member Kurt Sutterer joined the West Star Aviation, Inc Board of Directors effective February 15, 2011.

“Kurt brings a deep, broad and respected knowledge of the aviation industry to our board of directors and will help shape the growth of West Star Aviation,” stated West Star Chief Executive Officer Robert E. Rasberry. “His industry management experience, involvement with respected aviation associations like NBAA, along with his role as Chairman of NATA for the 2009 term will certainly add a measurable value to our executive level guidance team.”

“During my tenure at Midcoast, West Star was always a strong and innovative competitor,” stated Sutterer. “Now, I look forward to assisting them in their growth and continued recognition as one of the best service providers in aviation.”

To read more, click here.