| Topics in this Volume
 Bill Providing Relief To California Flight Training Industry Becomes Law |
NATA is pleased to announce that California Governor Jerry Brown has signed Senate Bill 619 into law as Chapter 309. SB 619 was introduced by State Senator Jean Fuller, sponsored by NATA and supported by many in the industry. SB 619 provides relief to many of the flight training facilities that were facing burdensome regulation from the California Bureau of Private Postsecondary Education (BPPE). With the signing of SB 619, flight training providers and flight training programs that pose no financial risk to students are exempted from the BPPE’s regulations.
The fight for relief began in early 2010 after the California legislature included flight training in the BPPE’s regulatory authority with the passage of Assembly Bill 48. Flight training providers were never included in the development of and debate over this bill and the result was regulation that threatened to harm flight training in the state severely.
“While we wish this long process could have been avoided in the first place through inclusion of flight training providers in the legislative process, today’s signing of SB 619 speaks volumes about the power of our industry when we all stand up and work together,” said NATA President and CEO James K. Coyne.
“Today’s signing of this bill marks the end of a long battle to ensure that California flight training remains a vibrant contributor to our state economy. I am proud to have worked alongside NATA and many others in the flight training industry in passing this legislation,” commented Senator Fuller, a pilot and author of the legislation.
Under the new law, flight training providers and programs that do not require upfront payment of fees in excess of $2500 and also do not require students to enter into contracts of indebtedness are exempted from regulation by the BPPE.
Back to Top
| Obama Proposes GA User Fee As Part Of Deficit Reduction Proposal |
As part of the administration’s economic growth and deficit reduction plan, President Obama has proposed a $100 per-flight fee on general aviation aircraft that use the air traffic control system. The administration estimates that this “user fee” would raise roughly $11 billion over 10 years. Private aircraft are being targeted by the administration because they believe these aircraft’s share of the costs are not equal to that of commercial air carriers as users of the air traffic control system.
The aviation industry is united in defending itself against this proposal that would be detrimental to the general aviation industry, domestic manufacturing, small businesses, and our economic recovery. The aviation industry alone employs nearly 1.3 million workers and contributes more than $1.2 trillion to the U.S. economy.
In the past, general aviation user fees have been proposed by various administrations, both Republican and Democrat, and Members of the U.S. House of Representatives have repeatedly and overwhelmingly opposed them. Congress has supported the current system of aviation excise taxes, which are a stable, efficient, and equitable source of funding. Industry has even advocated for an increase in aviation fuel taxes as a means to support the aviation trust fund further. Per-flight user fees have crippled the general aviation industry in other countries, and the ramifications of such fees would be devastating in the U.S.
The Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction has held two private meetings to begin discussion on their proposal. This week, a public meeting is expected. Of the twelve committee members, we are hopeful for support in removing the user fee proposal.
Back to Top
| Inside Washington Blog |
NATA Vice President of Government and Industry Affairs Eric R. Byer’s latest blog focuses on President Obama’s campaign for change.
To read Byer’s blog, please click here.
Back to Top
| Idaho Governor Declares September “Aviation Appreciation Month” |
NATA joined aviation industry organizations in commending Idaho Governor C. L. “Butch” Otter for declaring September “General Aviation Appreciation Month.” Across Idaho, general aviation generates $429 million in economic impact annually and is home to 119 public-use general aviation airports, which serve more than 5,050 pilots and 4,020 general aviation aircraft.
Selena Shilad, executive director of the Alliance for Aviation Across America (AAAA) stated, “We are very excited to have Governor Otter and Idaho join the growing list of states that have recognized the value of general aviation, and we would like to thank the Idaho Aviation Association for their support during this process.”
James K. Coyne, NATA president and CEO, stated, “For communities across the United States, general aviation serves as a vital lifeline in terms of supporting local economies, a strong manufacturing sector, law enforcement, medical care, and a host of important services and resources. This proclamation recognizes the economic impact this industry has both in Idaho and across the United States.”
To view the proclamation, visit the Alliance Web site here.
Back to Top
Special Offer – Buy The Fuel QC Manual, Receive Fuel QC Webinar Recordings FREE
Benefit From Expert Advice On Fuel QC Questions - Save $148.50 |
NATA's summer series of webinars has ended, but it doesn’t mean your team can’t benefit from our industry experts and the latest tips, techniques and knowledge they give on Fuel Quality Control and how to put it into practical use. We are offering all four webinar recordings for FREE with the purchase of the updated Refueling and Quality Control Procedures for Airport Service and Support Operations. This special is a great value of only $195 for all five references (a savings of $148.50). Look below for recaps of each webinar.
The Fuel QC webinar series includes:
Recording of June 29 Webinar - 1st in Series
Fuel Receipt Procedures by Reed Fuller with Ascent Aviation and The Basics of Aviation Fuel Filtration And Mandatory Specifications by Frank Clark with Facet International.
Attendees asked, "Where can we get publications such as ATA-103, EI-1581, 1582 and ASTMs for avgas and jet?," “Do I have to do an API Gravity test; the truck driver said I didn't need to do one since he did it at the terminal?” and “What is the best way for me to check to make sure our employees are doing their QC checks?" and more....
Recording of July 20 Webinar - 2nd in Series
If You Didn't Write It Down, Did You Actually Do It by Walter Chartrand with Air BP Aviation and Contaminants In Fuel And How To Detect Them by Frank Clark with Facet International.
NATA's Quality Control (QC) webinar was well received by more than 15 FBO locations attending to hear Walter Chartrand, Air BP Aviation, and Frank Clark, Facet International, discuss "If you didn't write it down, did you actually do it?" and contaminants in fuel and how to detect them. Chartrand stressed that when you perform your QC checks you must write them down; otherwise, how can you prove you did them? Chartrand also had sage advice on the use of wing decals, nozzles, forms/online recordkeeping and the key to maintaining a sharp QC attitude. Clark covered the leading causes of contamination and what your operation can do to prevent or stop future occurrences.
Attendees posed many pertinent questions such as, "When is the best time to sump tanks?" and "Our hydrant carts were contaminated by surfactants but our fuel trucks were not (loaded from rack off same fuel system); what are the suspected causes for the contamination?" and more....
Recording of August 3 Webinar - 3rd in Series
The Straight Scoop On Additives by Carl Hammonds with Hammonds Companies and Filtration And Separation Options by Frank Clark with Facet International.
NATA's Quality Control (QC) webinar was attended by more than 17 FBO locations to hear Carl Hammonds, Hammonds Technical Services, and Frank Clark, Facet International, talk about fuel additives and filtration and separation options. Hammonds reviewed the common myths and popular theories of fuel additives and set the record straight for attendees on how to deal best with contamination. Clark reviewed filter/separator specifications and the separation processes involved.
Several interesting questions were posed the speakers, including "Is an airplane that has been treated for microbial activity safe to fly?" and "I currently have monitor vessels on the Jet-A discharge from storage in my tank farm, can I continue to use these vessels or must I change to filter/separator vessels?" and more....
Recording of August 17 Webinar – 4th in Series
An Aircraft Operator's View Of QC by Trace Talley with Flight Options and Filter Equipment Maintenance Procedures: How And Why - What ATA-103 Requires by Frank Clark with Facet International.
At the webinar, attended by more than 16 FBOs, attendees asked, “On my fuel storage tank at the Farm, I do not have a gauge to verify what is the rate of flow; how can this be verified, Frank?,” “You mentioned EI 6th Edition for filter elements. Is there a 6th edition only for Monitors, or is there now a 6th edition for Filter/Separators as well and Trace?” “Does Flight Options share standards, and how would we get available copies?” and more....
Visit NATA’s online store to purchase the updated Refueling and Quality Control Procedures for Airport Service and Support Operations, and the webinar series recordings will automatically be sent pending order processing completion. Allow two to three business days.
Back to Top
NATA Safety 1st Updated Online Module – De/Anti-icing
See What is New |
Winter weather training programs like NATA’s Safety 1st De/Anti-Icing module are designed to familiarize your line service specialists with the responsibilities of their job and give an overview of the skills necessary for safe aircraft departures. The De/Anti-icing training module was first released in 2010 and viewed by nearly 120 students in preparation for the icy season. NATA Safety 1st recently rolled out updates for the season. If you are not familiar with the online module, click here for an information sheet with screen captures that will give you an idea of what the training looks like and what is covered. To see a demonstration video of the training, please click here. 
Back to Top
Get The Most From Your NATA Membership
Keep your membership information up-to-date |
NATA recently completed a phone campaign to update membership demographic and contact information so we can continue to provide you with the best service possible. Now, we’d like to ask you to help us keep the information current by regularly visiting the profile update area of our Web site.
All members have the ability to update their own personal information, and the primary contact at each location can update information for the company, keeping listings of his or her company’s products, services and employees current. The information you provide is what is seen by others who access the online membership directory. The directory, which can be searched by company name, individual, city, state, or products and services, is most often used by others as a Buyer’s Guide to locate vendors, so keeping it up-to-date and accurate can be a huge benefit to your business. The link to update your profile appears in the log-in box once you have successfully logged onto NATA’s Web site.
For more information on how to make the most of the membership directory and the profile update area, please visit the Membership tab on the NATA homepage or click here. If you have additional questions or need assistance, contact Linda Pylant at lpylant@nata.aero.
Back to Top
|