NATA News

• Cain, Mica Highlight Successful NATA Aviation Business Roundtable
• Aviation Industry Coalition Sends Unified Message To Congress On User Fees
• New Customs Fees Begin THIS WEEK!
• House Votes To Prohibit EU Emissions Trading Scheme On U.S. Commercial Aircraft
• Join NATA President and CEO at Upcoming Focus Group In Seattle
• Register Now For Emergency Response Planning Webinar
• USAIG 2nd In A Series Of NATA Safety 1st Workers’ Compensation Webinars –Slips And Falls
• November FBO Success Seminar: Fuel Summit 2011 – Hurry, only a few seats left!
• Last LSST This Year – Don’t Miss It Or Special Offer Extended!
• Join One Of NATA’s Member Committees Today 

NATA’s annual Aviation Business Roundtable once again brought key executives in the industry together with some of the most influential decision makers in Washington, D.C. The two-day event (October 24-25) consisted of high-level meetings to discuss critical financial and political issues affecting the aviation business community.

“This time each year, NATA assembles panels and presenters to help us understand the most important issues that our industry faces,” stated NATA President and CEO James K. Coyne. “From the changing landscape at many airports to the uncertain prospects for regulatory and fiscal reform in Congress and within the administration, the discussions that unfold help all of us design our collective response to the chaos and complexity that is modern day Washington.”

The 2011 Aviation Business Roundtable lineup of speakers was highlighted by a keynote speech by Republican Presidential Candidate Herman Cain, and also included:

• A congressional aviation outlook session and breakfast with Congressman John Mica (R-FL), chairman, U. S. House of Representatives Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.

• An opening session with J. Randolph Babbitt, administrator, Federal Aviation Administration.

• Business perspective luncheon with Washington’s own Ted Leonsis, owner of multiple area sports teams, including the Washington Capitals.

• OEM industry roundtable panel, including Joe Lombardo, executive vice president, Aerospace Group, General Dynamics, John G. Rosanvallon, president and CEO, Dassault Falcon Jet Corporation, and Pete Bunce, president and CEO, General Aviation Manufacturers Association.

• Aviation industry roundtable panel led by NATA President and CEO James K. Coyne with Marion C. Blakey, president and CEO, Aerospace Industries Association, Todd Hauptli, senior executive vice president, American Association of Airport Executives and Edward M. Bolen, president and CEO, National Business Aviation Association.

• An industry forecast by Michael Boyd, president, Boyd Group International, Inc.

• General Aviation Infrastructure & Investment Coalition panel discussion with Michael Scheeringa, president, Signature Flight Support, Greg Arnold, president and CEO, Truman Arnold Companies, Clive Lowe, vice president, business development, Atlantic Aviation and Jim Hopkins, vice president, sales & charter, Landmark Aviation.

“The presence of NATA’s members at this event sends a message to the policymakers present at the roundtable. It gives us a forum to express our anger at radical new user fee proposals. It demonstrates our commitment to stand with others in the aviation community against misguided attacks against our industry, and especially against our customers. And it helps us declare that jobs in aviation are no less important than those in any other industry,” added Coyne.

Please click here to view the 2011 Aviation Business Roundtable program.

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The aviation industry coalition consisting of nearly 30 organizations issued a press release opposing tax increases that were proposed by President Obama as part of a debt-reduction plan that the Congressional Super Committee is now considering. Two new initiatives the Super Committee is considering imposing on airlines and their passengers and general aviation would lead to significant job loss across all sectors of the industry and the nation.

The initiatives consist of adding a new $100 departure tax or user fee on all flights, and doubling the existing passenger security tax to $5 per one-way trip in 2012, then tripling the tax to $7.50 by 2017. The coalition of airlines, general aviation, manufacturers, consumer organizations and labor groups is sending a unified message to Congress to reject the proposed taxes.

A growing bipartisan group within Congress opposes the administration’s burdensome tax proposal. Nearly 120 members of the House of Representatives sent a letter to congressional leadership in opposition to the $100 departure fee that would have a “devastating impact on the aviation industry and fails to achieve our shared goal of improving the economy and creating jobs.” The letter cited the crippling effect the per-flight fee will have on general aviation: “Imposing such a fee would stifle the industry, as has been the case in other countries where user fees have been put in place. General aviation is an important contributor to our economy with 1.3 million jobs and $150 billion in economic activity every year.”   

NATA President and CEO James K. Coyne stated, “The aviation industry is united in opposing the President’s $100 per-flight fee or any other “user fee” that would be detrimental to the general aviation industry, commercial airlines, 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. The industry and Congress support the current system of aviation excise taxes, which is a stable, efficient, and equitable source of funding. 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.”

To increase awareness and educate consumers and Congress, the Air Transport Association recently launched the Web site www.stopairtaxnow.com where visitors can urge Congress to reject punitive taxes on airline passengers and, at the same time, save American jobs and air service to their communities.

The industry coalition includes the following organizations:

Aerospace Industries Association
Aerospace States Association
Air Carrier Association of America
Air Line Pilots Association
Air Traffic Control Association
Air Transport Association
Aircraft Electronics Association
Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association
Association of Flight Attendants
Cargo Airline Association
Consumer Travel Alliance
Experimental Aircraft Association
General Aviation Airport Coalition
General Aviation Manufacturers Association
Global Business Travel Association
Helicopter Association International
Interactive Travel Services Association
International Air Transport Association
International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers
National Agricultural Aviation Association
National Air Carrier Association
National Air Transportation Association
National Air Traffic Controllers Association
National Association of State Aviation Officials
National Business Aviation Association
Recreational Aviation Foundation
Regional Airline Association
Transport Workers Union of America, AFL-CIO

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Since the 1980s, a fee has been imposed on the arrival of international commercial passengers by the United States Customs Service, now U.S. Customs and Border Protection. For many years, passengers from Canada, Mexico and the adjacent islands as well as passenger arrivals from any U.S. territory or possession were exempt from this fee.

The President recently signed legislation enacting a trade agreement between the U.S. and Columbia. A provision within that law (P.L. 112-42) removes many of the existing exemptions from the Customs User Fee.

Beginning on November 5, 2011, arrivals from Canada, Mexico and the adjacent islands are no longer exempt from this fee.

The Customs User Fee is $5.50 per passenger arriving in the U.S. These fees apply to all commercial passengers, including Part 135 on-demand operators. More information on this change is available in NATA’s Regulatory Report, available for review here.

Please note that in an earlier announcement regarding this fee NATA incorrectly stated the effective data as November 15. The correct effective date is November 5. NATA regrets this error.

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The U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 2594, the “European Union Emissions Trading Scheme Prohibition Act of 2011” to exclude U.S. airlines from participating in the European Union (EU) program. The measure directs the Secretary of the Department of Transportation to prohibit U.S. carriers flying to and from Europe from participating in the program if it is unilaterally imposed. It also allows other federal agencies to take steps necessary to ensure that U.S. carriers are not penalized by the EU emissions scheme. NATA signed an industry letter supporting the H.R. 2594.

The EU insists that it will enforce a new law that imposes an emissions cap-and-trade program on airlines flying to and from Europe, despite angry opposition from the U.S. Congress. Starting January 1, 2012, the EU plans to include all airlines flying to and from its 27 member countries in its cap-and-trade program. This plan will eventually force the carriers to pay for their emissions of carbon dioxide, a so-called greenhouse gas that contributes to global warming and could cost U.S. airlines $3.1 billion between 2012 and 2020. The restrictions are designed to encourage airlines to switch to cleaner fuels or economize on fuel consumption. 

Earlier this month, Europe’s top court rejected a complaint by U.S. and Canadian airlines that the legislation breaches international law. The bill now goes to the U.S. Senate, where there is currently no companion legislation. 

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On October 31, at 9:30 a.m. (PST), NATA President and CEO James K. Coyne will hold a Focus Group Meeting at Galvin Flying Services at Boeing Field (KBFI) in Seattle, Washington.

The purpose of the recently initiated focus group is to collect information on NATA membership experiences and to solicit ideas for new programs. During the two-hour discussion, participants will be asked to complete questionnaires related to their NATA membership experiences and point out the association’s strengths and weaknesses. Each participant will receive a $100 NATA gift certificate for their time and effort in participating.

“It is important to meet with our members to get a better sense of what NATA can do for them,” states Coyne. “With the change in the economy come different needs, and this personal approach is the best opportunity for our members to make those needs known.” 

For more information about the meeting and to participate, contact Rebecca Mulholland at (703) 647-6407 or rmulholland@nata.aero.

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On November 10 at noon, NATA will present a one-hour webinar covering aviation emergency response planning (ERP). For only $49.95 your entire staff will have the opportunity to prepare your facility in the event of an emergency. Register now for the NATA Webinar by visiting www.nata.aero/events/webinars.aspx.

The session will discuss the following key areas:

1. Why do you need an ERP?
2. What should your ERP look like?
3. How do you know your ERP will work?
4. What should you do if something bad happens?
5. Lessons learned from "The Real World"
6. Q&A

The webinar will be led by Dave Hewitt of Hewitt and Company. Hewitt is a trained and experienced accident investigator and has over 20 years of experience in leading emergency response planning and execution for both small and large operations.

Registration for this webinar is $49.95 per location and includes a copy of presentation materials and link to a recording of the webinar. Register now for the NATA Webinar by visiting www.nata.aero/events/webinars.aspx.

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USAIG's webinar, Slips and Falls, is the second in a series of webinars that highlights losses that NATA Safety 1st Workers’ Compensation Program participants have experienced. The webinar series began with USAIG's Dave McKay reviewing lifting and straining accidents. The second webinar, lead by John Matthews and Vic D’Avanzo, will discuss slips and falls, and the resulting injuries that workers’ compensation insurance participants have experienced.

USAIG will discuss the statistics from two categories of slips and falls as well as falls from elevations. Matthews and D’Avanzo will delve into real-world case studies, review the accident circumstances and provide commentary on what can be done to prevent these accidents in the future with resources and available training.

Take an hour out of your day to keep your employees safe, reduce insurance and loss claims/costs and maximize your good experience return as an NATA Safety 1st Workers’ Compensation Plan participant. Join USAIG and NATA on November 22 from 1:00 – 2:00 PM eastern. Click here to register for this free webinar.

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The FBO Success Seminar: Fuel Summit 2011 was developed for FBO owners, operators, general managers and other key employees to explore the dynamics of an ever changing marketplace and offer strategies to help improve an FBO’s bottom line. The focus of the Atlanta seminar is on increasing fuel sales while maintaining the highest possible margins. Click on the links below to hear what Tina Gillis & Lisa Kessler of FltPlan.com and Andrea & Dan Montgomery of Montgomery Aviation have to say about this valuable seminar.

FltPlan.com Talks About What Makes NATA's FBO Success Seminar Such a Success
Visit the 2011 FBO Success Seminar page and click on the link below the video player to find out what long-time NATA supporters, FltPlan.com’s Tina Gillis and Lisa Kessler, have to say about NATA’s FBO Success Seminar. FltPlan.com has been a sponsor of this event from the very beginning and continues its support with the upcoming seminar in Atlanta on November 8-10. NATA Director of Safety and Training Amy Koranda interviews Gillis and Kessler about why they feel that this is one of NATA’s most important seminars.

Click here to listen to some of the most important reasons for attending this November.  

Third-Time Attendees, Andrea And Dan Montgomery, Talk About The Benefits Of Attending The FBO Success Seminar
See what long-time NATA FBO Success Seminar attendees Andrea and Dan Montgomery of Montgomery Aviation have to say about why they will attend this seminar a third time in Atlanta, Georgia, on November 8-10. Koranda interviews the Montgomerys about why they feel that this is one of NATA's most valuable seminars, time and time again.

Click here to listen to some of the most important reasons for attending this November.  

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NATA’s Line Service Supervisor Training (LSST) seminar will conclude the year in Atlanta, Georgia, on November 7-8. If you haven’t yet renewed your supervisory fire safety certification (14 CFR Part 139.321), this is your last chance before our next LSST in 2012. Additionally, there is a special offering: if you sign up on or before November 6, you will receive a free copy of NATA’s Refueling and Quality Control Procedures for Airport Service and Support Operations – a value of $195. Copies will be handed out at the seminar.

Take less than a minute to view Dr. Todd Dewett’s video invitation to the LSST in Atlanta, November 7-8, by visiting NATA's 2011 LSST page. Dr. Dewett is one of the most popular and knowledgeable speakers at the seminar. Other popular speakers include Reed Fuller, Walter Chartrand, Amy Koranda and Michael France.

We look forward to seeing you in Atlanta!

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Member-based committees play an important role in achieving an effective and progressive NATA and are a vital part of the association’s operations.

There are basic purposes to utilizing a committee and advantages to be gained. Bringing together a cross section of member knowledge and experience, an effective committee can generate qualified group judgment and continuity of thinking. To the NATA staff liaison, it provides constructive guidance and direction.

The committee’s ability to provide direct member involvement ensures that NATA truly represents its members. And the committee is both a classroom and a proving ground for developing better informed and more knowledgeable members who could in the future serve on the association’s board of directors. NATA has several committees that are described below:

• Air Charter Committee: tasked to promote the interests of the association’s members holding on-demand Part 135 air carrier certificates by addressing regulatory and legislative issues and industry problems. Staff Liaison – Jacque Rosser (jrosser@nata.aero)
• Aircraft Maintenance and System Technology Committee: works in a cooperative and constructive manner with Congress and the Federal Aviation Administration in the monitoring and promulgation of regulatory and legislative language and procedures affecting aviation maintenance and operations. Staff Liaison – Mike France (mfrance@nata.aero)
• Airports Committee: responsible for studying and recommending policy concerning existing and proposed regulations and legislation affecting airport occupancy. Staff Liaison – Mike France (mfrance@nata.aero)
• Business Management Committee: formed to develop programs and services that assist NATA members in improving their company’s management, operations and financial performance and provide on-going oversight of NATA member- service programs. Staff Liaison – Daniel Gurley (dgurley@nata.aero)
• Environmental Committee: formed to develop programs designed to assist member companies in minimizing their impact on the environment. Staff Liaison – Mike France (mfrance@nata.aero)
• Flight Training Committee: formed to assist member flight- training organizations in improving their operations in the areas of safety and security, customer satisfaction, competitiveness, quality of training, viability and profitability. Staff Liaison – Mike France (mfrance@nata.aero)
• Safety and Security Committee: formed to assist NATA members in the development of safety and security measures appropriate to their operation, airport and lines of business. Staff Liaison – Amy Koranda (akoranda@nata.aero)

Committee membership is available to any employee of a NATA member company in good standing. For question on individual committees, or to apply for membership, please contact the staff liaison for the committee in which you are interested. 

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11/07/2011 - Atlanta, GA
Line Service Supervisor Training

11/08/2011 - Atlanta, GA
FBO Success Seminar

03/05/2012 - Las Vegas, NV
2012 Spring Training

03/28/12 - Washington, DC
FBO Leadership Conference

NATA E-Learn Webinars

11/10/2011 - NATA Emergency Response Plan Webinar

11/22/2011 - NATA and USAIG Slips & Falls Webinar