| Topics in this Volume
 NATA Members Participate In Congressional Roundtable |
U.S. Representative Tom Petri (R-WI), chairman of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, Subcommittee on Aviation, and Representative John Duncan (R-TN) invited industry representatives to participate in a roundtable discussion on issues involving fixed base operators (FBOs) and the airport community. The roundtable took place on Wednesday, June 15, 2011, and included NATA Vice President for Government and Industry Affairs Eric R. Byer, as well as representatives of two NATA member company FBOs representing the General Aviation Infrastructure and Investment Coalition (GAIIC). The GAIIC comprises FBOs for which the primary goal is to develop “best practice” standards between FBOs and airports to allow further investment in airport infrastructure by providing long-term leases. Representing the GAIIC was Michael Scheeringa, president, Signature Flight Support, and Greg Arnold, president and CEO, Truman Arnold Companies (TAC Air). Also in attendance were Michael J. Landguth, president and CEO, Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport Authority, and Jane Q. Calderwood, vice president government and political affairs of Airport Council International – North America (ACI-NA). Bruce Carter, director of aviation, Quad City International Airport, and Brad Van Dam, vice president, American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE). Other U.S. Representatives in attendance to witness the discussion were Sam Graves (R-MO), Jean Schmidt (R-OH), James Lankford (R-OK), Michael Capuano (D-MA) and Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX).
Mr. Scheeringa and Mr. Arnold discussed the impact of short-term leases at airports on investment in general aviation facilities. Short-term leases inhibit an FBO’s ability to take advantage of normal commercial tax rules that incentivize investment and economic growth. Many airport operators understand that encouraging private sector investment in facilities, such as general aviation hangars, means offering lease terms that best enable FBOs to utilize tax advantages that long-term leases provide. Unfortunately, not all airport operators recognize this important need for infrastructure investment, which inhibits investment and the potential to create jobs. Both Rep. Petri and Rep. Duncan requested that NATA, GAIIC, ACI-NA and AAAE work together to continue the dialogue that began with the roundtable and asked to be informed of any progress made in discussions between the industry groups.
Rep. Duncan also spoke about legislation he sponsored, H.R. 1474, the Freedom from Government Competition Act that would reduce unfair government competition with private sector businesses. NATA supports this legislation as many of its members find themselves competing with airport operator FBO facilities built with state and federal grant funds. Request that your Member of Congress support this legislation.
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| Inside Washington Blog |
NATA Vice President of Government and Industry Affairs Eric R. Byer’s latest blog discusses last week’s Congressional Roundtable on the importance of private sector investment at America’s airports.
To read Byer’s blog, please click here.
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Support Congressional Candidates Essential To General Aviation
Join NATAPAC Today! |
In the past, NATA has been successful in contributing to Members of Congress who have proven their leadership in supporting general aviation. NATAPAC supports congressional campaigns of Members who look out for the interests of aviation businesses, regardless of party affiliation! With political fundraising and campaign activity at an all time high, we cannot afford to allow other interest groups to define the issues that will impact our members.
To stay informed about NATAPAC, fill out the authorization form located in the NATAPAC brochure today! NATA must ask for permission to solicit its members, as required by law. Because NATA is a not-for-profit 501(c)(6) organization, we must obtain written approval from NATA’s member companies before soliciting contributions for NATAPAC. Completing and returning the form in no way requires you to make a contribution; however, signing the authorization form allows you to stay informed of congressional candidates NATAPAC supports and contribute to NATAPAC if you choose.
To view the NATAPAC brochure, including authorization form, please click here.
Additional information regarding NATAPAC can be found at www.nata.aero/natapac.
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Confused By Air Charter Taxes? COTS Has Answers!
Preview this Popular Seminar for Free June 22 |
COTS is the Commercial Operators Tax Seminar. A two-day seminar presented by NATA and Conklin & de Decker, COTS provides operators with detailed information on federal excise taxes (FET), how those taxes intertwine with FAA operational regulations, tips for surviving an FET audit and other key tax issues.
For 2011, COTS is in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, on August 23 - 24. Early registration is now available.
All sessions are designed to answer the questions most commonly faced in an on-demand operation and provide attendees with clear, concise guidance to take back to the office.
NATA and Conklin & de Decker know that those involved in the air charter industry often have numerous tax questions. This is why ample question-and-answer time is provided to make sure everyone has the opportunity to have their unique situation addressed.
You can learn more about COTS by participating in a free one-hour webinar on June 22 at noon. Join speakers and co-hosts Nel Stubbs of Conklin & de Decker and Jacqueline Rosser of NATA as they provide an overview of the many topics covered during the seminar. Click here to register for the June 22 preview webinar.
For more information about the Commercial Operators Tax Seminar on August 23-24, including how to register, please visit www.nata.aero/taxseminar.
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NATA's Safety 1st Introduces A New Summer Webinar Series On Fuel Quality Control
Special Offer by June 29 |
NATA's summer series of webinars is led by a panel of industry experts to help ensure that your team is equipped with the latest tips, techniques and knowledge on Fuel Quality Control. Learn how to put Fuel Quality Control into practical use. You may purchase single webinars or receive special pricing on packages to access the entire series. See below for a special offer only available until June 29.
The Fuel QC webinar series lineup includes:
June 29, 2011, 1300-1400 Eastern
The Basics of Aviation Fuel Filtration And Mandatory Specifications by Frank Clark with Facet International and Fuel Receipt Procedures by Reed Fuller with Ascent Aviation
July 20, 2011, 1300-1400 Eastern
Contaminants In Fuel And How To Detect Them by Frank Clark with Facet International and If You Didn't Write It Down, Did You Actually Do It by Walter Chartrand with Air BP Aviation
August 3, 2011, 1300-1400 Eastern
Filtration And Separation Options by Frank Clark with Facet International and The Straight Scoop On Additives by Carl Hammonds with Hammonds Companies
August 17, 2011, 1300-1400 Eastern
Filter Equipment Maintenance Procedures: How And Why - What ATA-103 Requires by Frank Clark with Facet International and An Aircraft Operator's View Of QC by Trace Talley with Flight Options
Visit www.nata.aero/webinars to view individual webinar and package pricing and to register today.
Special Offer - available until June 29, 2011
Buy the Refueling and Quality Control Procedures for Airport Service and Support Operations and get FREE access to NATA's Summer E-learn Quality Control Webinar Series!
The Summer E-learn Fuel Quality Control Webinar Series not only provides expert tips and techniques for proper use of the QC manual, it also supplies new information on the following topics:
- The Basics of Aviation Fuel Filtration & Mandatory Specifications
- Contaminants in Fuel & How to Detect Them
- Filtration & Separation Options
This guidebook and webinar series package is only $195 for NATA members and $250 for Non-members (a savings of $198). Hurry before this offer ends on June 29, 2011. Once your guidebook purchase has been processed, you will automatically be entered into the system for the webinar series. Check your email for a webinar confirmation. Orders for the guidebook can be placed online at www.nata.aero/store.
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Fall Committee Meetings To Be Held In Conjunction with NBAA Convention
Plan to Attend October 9, 2011 in Las Vegas |
NATA’s Fall Committee Meetings will be held October 9 in conjunction with the NBAA 64th Annual Meeting & Convention in Las Vegas. Plan ahead when you make your hotel and travel arrangements for NBAA’s Convention.
Sunday, October 9
12:00 noon - 5:00 p.m. Air Charter, Aircraft Maintenance & Systems Technology, Airports, Business Management, and Safety & Security Committee meetings.
If you have questions, please contact Celeste Clark at cclark@nata.aero or Diane Gleason at dgleason@nata.aero or (800) 808-NATA.
Meeting Location:
Hilton Las Vegas
3000 Paradise Road
Las Vegas, NV 89109
Hotel room reservations can be made directly through the NBAA Convention Housing Web site. NATA will not arrange for a separate room block or rate.
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