NATA News

Reminder! New FET Rates Take Effect
January 1, 2009

Every year, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announces rate increases for those taxes that are indexed to inflation.

It is important to note that as of publication, the current FAA funding mechanism has not been reauthorized by Congress but it has been extended through March 31, 2009. Therefore, the IRS has established these new rates only until the current extension expires.

New rates have been established for the following fees:

Domestic passenger segment fee:  $3.60 per passenger
International facilities fee:  $16.10
Alaska/Hawaii fee:  $8.00

For additional information on these taxes and fees, review NATA's Regulatory Report.

As required by law, every year the FAA reviews the number of positive results from mandatory drug and alcohol testing programs in prior years to determine the random testing rate for the coming year. 

The random drug testing rate will remain at 25 percent for 2009. Additionally, the random alcohol testing rate will remain at 10 percent for 2009. These rates are the lowest allowed by law.

NATA encourages operators to review their programs to ensure compliance with these testing requirements.

Click here to review NATA’s Regulatory Report.

The safety alert states that leading-edge de-ice boots should be activated as soon as icing is encountered, unless the aircraft flight manual or the pilot's operating handbook specifically directs not to activate them. 

The full alert “Activate Leading-Edge Deice Boots As Soon As Airplanes Enter Icing Conditions” is available for download by clicking here.

Congress drafted legislation earlier this month to provide loans for the automakers that included language mandating aircraft divestment as well as prohibited future aircraft ownership or leasing. The legislation despite having bipartisan support was unable to pass the U.S. Senate. However, the terms of the loan released by the U.S. Treasury includes similar language that states, “Each party shall demonstrate that it has taken all reasonable steps to divest itself of aircraft or aircraft interest and shall not acquire or lease any such aircraft or interest in such aircraft.”

The terms of the loans can be viewed here.

The notice states that there will be five meetings, all in the month of January, that will take place at major metropolitan areas. The specific dates, times and locations for these meetings follow:

• January 6, 2009 – Westchester County Airport (HPN), Building 1 Airport Road, White Plains, NY 10604

• January 8, 2009 – Renaissance Concourse Hotel Atlanta Airport, One Hartsfield Centre Parkway, Atlanta, GA 30354

• January 16, 2009 – Crowne Plaza Chicago O’Hare Hotel & Conference Center, 5440 North River Road, Rosemont, IL 60018

• January 23, 2009 – Burbank Airport Marriott Hotel & Convention Center, 2500 North Hollywood Way, Burbank, CA  91505

• January 28, 2009 – Conference Center, Hilton Houston Hotel—North Greenspoint, 12400 Greenspoint Drive, Houston, TX

All meetings will start at 9:00 a.m. local time with registration commencing at 8:00 a.m.

A complete copy of the Federal Register notice can be viewed by clicking here.

The association appreciates TSA efforts in coordinating these important meetings and strongly encourages all of its members to participate. These meetings will be on a first-come-first-served basis, so members are encouraged to arrive at 8:00 a.m. or earlier to ensure that their voices can be heard.

To view NATA’s Large Aircraft Security Program Issue Web Page, complete with the association’s initial analysis and press release, along with a copy of the proposed rule and many other supporting documents, please click here.

For additional information, please contact Eric Byer.

The ARB was established to work with the public, the business sector and local governments to find solutions to California’s air pollution problems. Specifically, ARB is responsible for maintaining healthy air quality, conducting research into the causes of and solutions to air pollution, and systematically attacking the serious problems caused by motor vehicles, which are the major causes of air pollution in the state.

The ARB has taken measures to reduce emissions from automobiles and trucks in the state and recently announced a stricter focus on off-road vehicles and equipment which includes GSE at airports. This group, referred to as Off-Road Large Spark-Ignition (LSI) Equipment, is intended for gasoline and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) fueled vehicles and equipment. Diesel-fueled vehicles are also regulated, but under a separate rule. The off-road engines covered under this rule only include engines that are greater than 25 horsepower, but this will likely include almost all GSE.

Shortly after NATA sent this notice to members, ARB posted a program advisory to the Off-Road LSI Equipment Web site.   

The advisory states that ARB will allow operators of airport GSE to exclude gasoline-fueled GSE from the non-forklift fleet average calculation for determining compliance with the January 1, 2009 fleet average emission level standard.   

The ARB has also posted a link to the amendments that were adopted at its November 21, 2008 hearing for new LSI engines of one liter or less. These amendments include more stringent exhaust emission standards and evaporative emission standards. 

To see the program advisory and amendments, please click here.

The impact of inadequate infrastructure could prove more costly than investment in infrastructure. A significant increase in air traffic congestion is one factor felt by most of the traveling public. In 2007, 1.8 million flights were delayed, the highest number reported by the Department of Transportation. If infrastructure improvements aren’t made by 2014, flight delays will increase by 62% and cost approximately $170 billion. 

It is important that NATA members reach out to their Members of Congress in support of aviation infrastructure funding. To learn how, click here to view the Action Call.

To view a copy of the NATA letter, click here.

Compliance with the manifest requirement is mandatory for any operations on or after May 18, 2009.  This requirement applies to every private aircraft regardless of weight or passenger capacity. 

CBP is now allowing private operators to establish accounts and file eAPIS manifests on a voluntary basis prior to the compliance date. Extensive information about setting up an eAPIS account, including a downloadable guide and online tutorial, is available at the CBP eAPIS resource page.

Affected operators are encouraged to familiarize themselves with eAPIS and should consider voluntarily submitting manifests now to ensure a smooth transition once the May compliance date arrives.

For additional information, please contact Jacqueline Rosser.

• Spill Prevention Control and Countermeasures (SPCC) regulations and the new parts that will take effect in 2009
• Storm Water Permitting and Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plans
• Waste Issues (hazardous waste, universal waste, waste oil and waste fuel)
• Underground Storage Tanks (USTs)

Benefits to participants of the seminar include:

• Increase awareness of all applicable regulations
• Ensure compliance with new environmental mandates
• Avoid costly errors and negative press
• Discuss best management practices
• Review procedures, equipment and requirements
• Receive a training certificate

The seminar presenter is George S. Gamble of 2G Environmental, LLC. Gamble, a professional engineer since 1992, has a wealth of corporate experience in the chemical industry as well as the environmental consulting industry. In January 2004, Gamble formed 2G Environmental, LLC with a focus on the EPA Regulations for Spill Prevention Control and Countermeasures.

Gamble has prepared SPCC plans or related projects for over 100 aviation facilities ranging from FBOs to corporate aviation facilities. Other aviation activities include environmental training, environmental due diligence, storm water permitting, Storm Water Pollution Prevention plans, OSHA compliance and recordkeeping, and other environmental consulting.

In addition to his extensive aviation experience, Gamble has also prepared SPCC plans for several trucking/transportation facilities, warehouse facilities, retail facilities, and industrial facilities across the Southeast.

"The NATA Environmental Compliance Seminar for Aviation Facilities is a great opportunity for our members to learn the latest environmental compliance issues affecting their business," stated NATA President James K. Coyne. "When we ask our members about concerns they have with their daily operations, environmental compliance is always an issue that they want to learn more about to ensure that their organization is doing all it can to protect the environment."

Interested parties may learn more about the NATA Environmental Compliance Seminar for Aviation Facilities, including how to register, by clicking here.

Do you believe that aviation infrastructure funding should be part of the economic stimulus plan that President-Elect Obama and Congress are currently working on?

• Yes
• No

Fact #39:
Could algae be the next great aviation fuel of the future?  Some scientists think so.

Click here to read the entire article on this subject.

Normal office hours resume on Friday, January 2, 2009.

NATA's Board and Staff Extend Season's Greetings and Best Wishes for a Happy and Prosperous New Year!