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NATA is the National Air Transportation Association
Founded in 1940, NATA aggressively promotes safety and the success of aviation service businesses through its advocacy efforts before government, the media and the public as well as by providing valuable programs and forums to further its members’ prosperity. |
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Professional Line Service Training |
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PLST Online provides the most up-to-date training available for line service specialists – 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Line service supervisors can conduct the new PLST Online training anytime and from anywhere there is access to the Web. continued |
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139 Fire Safety Training Online |
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This training not only meets and exceeds the requirements of 14 CFR 139.321 but also allows you to interact with other students in a group learning environment, receive the very latest NFPA news, watch live training presentations and much more. |
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Pre-Employment Screening Exam |
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NATA is offering the first pre-employment screening exam specifically for line service technicians and FBO customer service specialists.
With predecessor exams already in use at more than 900 companies worldwide, NATA has adapted the most cost effective and revealing pre-employment testing and post employment testing available for FBO use. |
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| Association Releases Comprehensive LASP Comment Tool |
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| Last week, the NATA released its new Large Aircraft Security Program (LASP) Membership Comment Tool that members can use to draft and submit their comments on the proposed rule. Comments are due no later than February 27, 2009.
"Commenting on federal regulations can be complicated and time consuming to say the very least," stated NATA President James K. Coyne. "By providing this document, we are giving our members specific topical guidance that will eliminate confusion and help them submit detailed comments on this proposal."
Stating that the association will provide its own comprehensive set of comments in February, Coyne underscored the importance of member input on a rule that continues to worry many in the general aviation industry.
"The LASP proposed rule continues to concern our members on many fronts," concluded Coyne. "It is important that our members review our LASP Membership Comment Tool so that we identify for the Transportation Security Administration specific issues with the proposed rule and, just as important, possible resolutions, thereby forcing the TSA to address those concerns."
NATA members can also use the LASP Membership Comment Tool as a discussion aid during one of the five remaining TSA-hosted public meetings regarding the rulemaking.
The remaining LASP public meetings are:
- 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
A copy of the NATA LASP Membership Comment Tool is available for members to download from the association's LASP Issue Page. | |
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| Airports Impacted By LASP Finally Named |
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| The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has published a list of the airports potentially impacted by a proposal to require certain facilities to have security programs. The airport security program proposal is contained in the Large Aircraft Security Program (LASP) Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM).
In the NPRM, the TSA states that all reliever airports and a number of other airports that "regularly serve scheduled or public charter operations in large aircraft" would be required to implement the newly proposed airport "partial program." The TSA did not specifically define how these airports would be identified nor list the airports they believe met the regularly served standard, which left many airport managers wondering whether their airport was impacted.
Last week, the TSA posted on its Web site a listing of all airports it contends would need the new airport security program.
NATA is concerned that the TSA has still not stated what objective criteria were used to determine which airports fall into the "regularly served" category. The association believes that in order for airports to provide meaningful comment on the application of this security program it is necessary to know what specific, objective criteria the TSA intends to use to define an airport as being regularly served by scheduled or public charter operations.
Download the TSA list of airports impacted by the LASP NPRM.
NATA members are encouraged to learn more about the LASP and submit comments, if appropriate. Numerous resources are available on the LASP Resource Page. | |
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| New Acting FAA Administrator Appointed |
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| Lynne A. Osmus was appointed by President Bush earlier this month as acting administrator for the FAA. Osmus will assume the acting administrator post effective January 16. Osmus takes over for departing FAA Acting Administrator Bobby Sturgell.
Osmus has been the FAA's assistant administrator for security and hazardous materials since July 2003. Osmus has been with the FAA since 1979. She was appointed to be the deputy associate administrator of the FAA's Civil Aviation Security Program just three months prior to the 9/11 attacks and then led the FAA's transition of the security programs to the Transportation Security Administration.
Since November 2008, Osmus has also been the "transition executive" for the Obama Transition team. This position reunited Osmus with former FAA Administrator Jane Garvey, whom she served as Chief of Staff.
A bio on Osmus can be reviewed by clicking here. | |
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| NATA President Urges 535 Members of Congress to Support Aviation Infrastructure |
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| President-elect Barack Obama and Congress continue to work on a second economic stimulus package that could exceed $775 billion over two years, including nearly $300 billion in business and individual tax cuts. While it is widely known that transportation infrastructure is going to be a part of this package, NATA is fighting to ensure that aviation infrastructure is a part of the deal.
NATA President James K. Coyne sent a letter to all 535 Members of Congress requesting support for aviation infrastructure funding in the economic stimulus package.
"The delay of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2007 has halted critical infrastructure projects that are essential to our airports' ability to generate economic benefits and essential to safety and security at our nation's airports. The most critical investment is modernization of the air traffic control system (NextGen), vitally important to the U.S. economy. NextGen addresses the impact of air traffic growth by increasing the capacity of the national airspace system by improving efficiencies, increasing safety, and reducing the environmental impact of emissions," Coyne stated.
Congress is expected to address the economic stimulus package as soon as President-elect Obama is inaugurated on January 20, 2009.
NATA's efforts on aviation infrastructure were recently picked up in USA Today. To view this article, please click here.
The association strongly encourages its members to contact their Members of Congress in support of aviation infrastructure funding. To learn how, click here to view the Action Call. | |
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| House and Senate Committee Announcements |
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| Shortly after the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate convened for the 111th Congress, both Democrats and Republican steering committees announced committee changes and additions.
House Democrats added Representative Ben Ray Lujan (NM) and Ann Kirkpatrick (AZ) to the Committee on Homeland Security. Additionally, Representatives Solomon Ortiz (TX) and Phil Hare (IL) will join the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure including new members Mark Schauer (MI), Betsy Markey (CO), Dina Titus (NV), Parker Griffith (AL), Thomas Perriello (VA) Michael McMahon (NY), John Boccieri (OH) and Harry Teague (NM). Transportation and Infrastructure subcommittee assignments will be announced in the coming weeks.
Despite ethics troubles, House Democrats kept Charlie Rangel (NY) as chairman of the influential House Committee on Ways and Means while Dave Camp (R-MI) will take over as the ranking member. Ways and Means Committee Republicans lost eight members of the committee due to retirements and electoral losses, so they replenished their ranks by adding six members, Ginny Brown-Waite (FL), Geoff Davis (KY), Dave Reichert, (WA), Charles Boustany, (LA), Dean Heller (NV), and Peter Roskam (IL).
On another exclusive committee, two GOP seats were filled on Appropriations; Representative Tom Cole (R-OK) the former head of the National Republican Congressional Committee, and Rep. Steven LaTourette (R-OH).
In the Senate, Daniel Inouye (D-HI) will lead the Committee on Appropriations, taking the gavel from the longest serving senator, Robert Byrd, (D-WV). Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX), former Senate Aviation Subcommittee chairman will be the ranking member of the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
To learn who your Members of Congress are, please visit NATA's Legislative Action Center. | |
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| NATA Files Amicus Brief On FAA Revocation Appeal |
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| Last week, NATA and the National Business Aviation Association jointly filed an amicus brief with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) providing the industry's perspective on an FAA enforcement action against NATA member Air Trek. In 2008, the FAA issued an emergency order of revocation against the Part 135 operator. During the hearing with the Administrative Law Judge, the majority of the agency's allegations were dismissed and the revocation was reduced to an indefinite suspension (pending Air Trek's correction of a few items). The FAA appealed to the NTSB. During the appeal Air Trek's air carrier certificate will remain suspended. NATA viewed this appeal as an opportunity to weigh-in with the NTSB on the association's view that this case is indicative of a growing trend of non-cooperation and a lack of good faith on the part of certain offices in the FAA in their exercise of enforcement powers against Part 135 operators. | |
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| Beta Testing Of New Air Charter Audit Standard Complete |
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| The Air Charter Safety Foundation (ACSF) has announced the achievement of a significant milestone in the process toward full industry-wide deployment of the foundation's Industry Audit Standard. During December 2008, two air charter operators and a shared ownership operator were included in a beta test of the audit program.
The ACSF Industry Audit Standard (IAS), announced last year, is a revolutionary program built from the ground up to set the standard for the independent evaluation of an air charter operator's and/or shared ownership company's safety and regulatory compliance, and incorporates Safety Management System (SMS) evaluation. NATA is a founding member of the ACSF and NATA President James K. Coyne also serves as the ACSF President.
ACSF, along with trained and accredited auditors, conducted three separate audits. One charter company was a mid-size operator in the Northeast and the other was a large operator in the Southwest. The shared ownership company was also an operator in the Southwest. Although the final results of the evaluations are on-going, ACSF expects to issue formal announcements recognizing these three operators as the first ACSF-Evaluated, Registered Operators.
"These audits not only validated the compliance and safety program implementation progress of the operators, but also demonstrated the success of the IAS as an effective measurement tool," explained ACSF President James K. Coyne.
Importantly, key FAA officials observed the conduct of two audits and indicated their satisfaction with the ability of the IAS to assure standardization and consistency with the FAA's voluntary SMS implementation guidance.
"ACSF has made an extensive investment to create a comprehensive audit where both operators and their customers can be assured of process integrity and transparency. The outcome of these beta audits validates our procedures, and I look forward to a full launch of the program later this month," Coyne concluded.
ACSF anticipates accepting operator requests to schedule an IAS review beginning in late January.
Learn more about the ACSF IAS at www.acsf.aero/audit. | |
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| NATA Air Charter Operators Encouraged To Attend Safety Symposium |
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| NATA encourages its air charter members to attend the 2008 ACSF Air Charter Safety Symposium. The Air Charter Safety Foundation (ACSF) is hosting its second annual safety symposium at the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) in Ashburn, VA, just west of Washington, DC on March 3-4, 2009.
The Air Charter Safety Symposium will examine safety trends and provide thoughtful discussion on emerging safety issues confronting the industry. Over the two-day event, registrants will enjoy presentations from experts from the NTSB, Flight Safety Foundation, FAA, and leading air charter and fractional ownership companies.
More information is available in the 2009 Air Charter Safety Symposium program brochure or online at www.acsf.aero/symposium. | |
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| Association Announces Partnership With New Aviation Fuel Research And Optimization Software Provider |
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| NATA President James K. Coyne last week announced a partnership with Scheduling Sidecar Inc. (SSC), a new fuel research and optimization program that complements flight planning software.
This powerful suite works alongside an operator's existing trip scheduling program to provide flight planners additional data to plan trips cost effectively. This data includes contract fuel availability and the operator's specific negotiated contract fuel pricing at single or multiple destination. SSC automatically provides cost saving fueling options at alternate airports near flight destinations, allowing trip schedulers to plan a trip efficiently. SSC also provides valuable information regarding participating FBOs, including their pricing, amenities and participation in programs such as NATA's Safety 1st training.
Scheduling Sidecar will be officially unveiled next week at the National Business Aviation Association's 20th Annual Schedulers & Dispatchers Conference in Long Beach, CA. SSC Founder Andy Priester will be in attendance to discuss this innovative new program at the NATA booth (#917).
"Using Scheduling Sidecar over traditional methods of fuel research and procurement increases operational efficiency and reduces costs. It also provides the convenience of easy fuel ordering, from any Internet accessible location and for multi-airport trips, with a single click," explained Priester.
Scheduling Sidecar enables operators to:
- Order from anywhere with Internet access, even the cockpit.
- Search and sort though your contract fuel prices available at your preferred destinations.
- Control and upload your data ensuring information is up to date.
- Find other airports in the area with cost effective fuel options.
- Order fuel for your entire trip with one click, even at multiple airports.
- Map and find cost effective fuel stops on long legs.
- View valuable information about FBOs including "Safety 1st" participation to help you make an informed FBO choice.
- Track your fuel purchases and produce reports showing how much you have saved.
- Coming - Find a true fuel planning solution for each flight itinerary and each specific aircraft type. SSC's Fuel Optimizer examines fuel price, gallons to waive ramp fees and tankering parameters, as well as calculates the most cost effective trip fuel solution.
"With a recession comes serious financial belt-tightening," stated Coyne. "During these difficult economic times, NATA continues to look for opportunities for the association's membership to reduce costs while maximizing efficiency. As part of this effort, NATA is pleased to announce this new partnership with Scheduling Sidecar."
To learn more about Scheduling Sidecar, please visit www.schedulingsidecar.com. | |
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| NATA Delivers Opportunities To Help You Keep Your 2009 Education And Training Resolutions |
| Start Off The Year With One Of Three January Sessions In Houston, TX |
| Environmental Compliance Seminar, January 20
The NATA Environmental Compliance Seminar for Aviation Facilities is the only event that focuses solely on environmental compliance issues confronting FBOs and general aviation airports. With pressure mounting from the media, the federal government and the public at large, this seminar is designed to ensure that FBOs and general aviation airports are complying with environmental mandates that affect their daily operations.
Line Service Supervisor Training Seminar, January 20-21
This seminar, specifically designed for Line Service Supervisors, provides the training you need to become more proficient in planning, supervising staff, motivating others, communicating and coaching a team. The program 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.
NATA Safety 1st Trainer Seminar, January 22
NATA's newly updated Safety 1st Trainer Seminar delivers the in-depth instruction necessary to make you a more effective line service supervisor and instructor.
In this seminar, now in a new one-day format, you will learn how to engage an audience, increase student memory retention, effectively present curriculum, and identify verbal and nonverbal cues, as well as learn many other valuable training skills. NATA's Safety 1st Trainer also includes instruction on the industry's benchmark program for initial and recurrent training of line service specialists -; known as PLST or Professional Line Service Training. This new seminar was designed specifically to enhance PLST program training via cutting-edge teaching techniques.
February Training In Durham, NC
NATA will offer its Line Service Supervisor Training Seminar on February 17-18 in Durham, NC. Please make note of the new dates.
NATA's Education Week At Aviation Industry Expo, Las Vegas, March 9-11
NATA is partnering with the Aviation Industry Expo (AIE) to bring you an information-packed week of workshops, training seminars, product and service displays, networking opportunities and motivational events designed specifically to improve the performance and profitability of your aviation business and decrease expenses.
The association will host a variety of seminars and workshops to provide each attendee multiple learning opportunities during NATA's Education Week. These educational offerings will be led by nationally known industry experts, who will share the latest intelligence tactics and strategies to boost employee performance, ensure safety, increase customer service satisfaction and, ultimately, improve your company's bottom line.
The Aviation Industry Expo, the only trade show focused on ground support, FBO/aviation services and aircraft maintenance, will bring together over 400 exhibitors to display the most relevant products and services for your business needs. Take time between seminars to access the latest technology products and services, experience hands-on equipment demonstrations and attend networking opportunities on the AIE show floor.
Stephen Hopson will deliver an inspirational keynote address on overcoming obstacles in the pursuit of success. Hear how he persevered to become the first instrument-rated deaf pilot and then went on to encourage others to realize their dreams and achieve success despite overwhelming odds.
Click here to view a clip of Stephen Hopson.
NATA's Education Week Opportunities:
Visit the events calendar at www.nata.aero for schedule and registration information. | |
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| NATA Weekly Survey |
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| NATA recently launched a new weekly survey as part of an effort to obtain more information from our members in order to serve their daily needs better. These surveys will range from specific policy topics to programs and products and services that the association provides or should provide. The association strongly encourages members to take a few moments to review and complete this online survey in each week's edition of NATA News.
Week #7:
Do you believe Congress should prohibit the auto manufacturers, banks and other entities receiving funding as part of the federal bailout from utilizing general aviation aircraft?
Click here to participate in survey. | |
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| Aviation's Effect On The Environment - Did You Know? |
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| NATA's quick facts on the aviation industry's effect on the environment are designed to ensure that members take every step necessary to minimize the effect aviation has on the environment while recognizing all those good initiatives the industry has taken to reduce global warming.
Fact #41:
In November 2008, FedEx announced that by 2020 it plans to reduce carbon emissions from its aircraft fleet by 20%.
To read the complete article on this story, please click here. | |
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