NATA News

More than 200 industry leaders will come together for NATA's A Capital Week for Aviation Business in Washington to take part in a variety of events, including the FBO Leadership Conference (March 28-29) and new FBO Managers Workshop: Influencing Your Airport Commission (March 27-28). All events will be held at the Hyatt Regency Washington on Capitol Hill. Whether you register for one event, stay for all or send a team to divide and conquer, you will not want to miss this most important week to express the vital significance of aviation businesses to the community and to the nation’s economy, and to gather the latest intelligence regarding the current state and future prospects of the industry. 

The schedule below highlights all NATA’s A Capital Week for Aviation Business events. Click here for more information on NATA’s A Capital Week for Aviation Business events, housing details and registration instructions, or call (800) 808-6282 to register by phone.

Back to Top 

NATA is calling on its members to contact their Members of Congress and urge them to write to the IRS in opposition of efforts to impose commercial taxes on fees charged for aircraft management services.

Recently, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) issued a memo articulating a legal opinion justifying expanding the scope of operations covered by commercial taxes to include private general aviation operations when those operations involve the owner utilizing a company providing aircraft management services. In the past, the IRS has consistently considered operations conducted with the assistance of an aircraft management company to be private and subject to noncommercial taxes. 

Click here to review the NATA Action Call for more information on this issue and how you can contact your Members of Congress.

Back to Top

In a ruling last week, a federal district judge upheld a rule promulgated by the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) requiring employers subject to the National Labor Relations Act to post a notice informing employees of their right to organize and providing contact information for the NLRB. While the ruling struck down several portions of this rule, the central component, the requirement to post the notice, was upheld.

NATA recommends its member companies download or order a copy of the poster and post it by April 30, 2012, in the location where other employee communications are posted. For more information on this rule or to download a poster, visit the NLRB Web site by clicking here.

Back to Top

 

NATA has produced two publications that will assist its members in navigating two areas of upmost importance in general aviation. These publications were created with the help of general aviation industry experts. 

To purchase NATA's publications, please click here. If you have questions, please contact Jess Hammett at jhammett@nata.aero or 703-845-9000.

NATA Negotiating Aviation Agreements: A Guidebook for Building And Protecting Your Business - The purpose of this guidebook is to serve as a resource for fixed base operators and specialized aviation service operations doing business at general aviation airports. It is not intended to provide legal or business advice but, instead, to identify and discuss certain legal, business, and insurance issues that arise in negotiating agreements to provide aeronautical services at airports.

NATA Community Relations Toolkit - ATA recognizes the need for airports to expand community outreach efforts to airport neighbors and key stakeholders. This handbook has been developed to provide a guideline for community relations efforts.

To purchase NATA's publications, please click here.

Back to Top

The U.S. House of Representatives Committee on the Judiciary approved a bill to provide immediate relief to small businesses and freeze the implementation of significant regulations by the Obama administration. H.R. 4078, the Regulatory Freeze for Jobs Act of 2012, which was introduced by Congressman Tim Griffin (R-AR), puts a moratorium on new significant regulations until the national unemployment rate stabilizes at or below six percent.

Judiciary Committee Chairman Lamar Smith (R-TX) stated that in 2011 “the Obama administration's agenda had over 200 'economically significant' new rules, each of which typically affect the American economy $100 million or more each year.” H.R. 4078 is tailored only to stop unnecessary regulations. The bill contains reasonable exceptions for significant regulations that are necessary to protect health and safety, for national security, to enforce criminal laws or to implement trade agreements.

Back to Top

The U.S. House of Representatives is expected to introduce a three-month extension of highway programs before the legislation expires on March 31. The chamber will continue to work toward agreement on H.R. 7, the American Energy and Infrastructure Jobs Act of 2012, including a longer-term bill.

House Republicans have proposed increased domestic oil and gas drilling to help pay for transportation needs. The House has yet to consider the bill on the floor. The U.S. Senate last week passed a two-year highway bill, S. 1813, which is backed by President Obama.

NATA is continuing to work with both the House and Senate on inclusion of a provision to repeal fuel fraud.

Back to Top

Last week, U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation Chairman John D. Rockefeller (D-WV) held a hearing on the safety oversight of commercial aviation. Rockefeller stated that “the reason the United States is recognized for its outstanding safety record is because we are constantly striving to make even the smallest safety improvements.”

Following the tragic accident of Colgan Flight 3407, which occurred outside of Buffalo, New York, the investigation revealed safety concerns in the national air transportation system such as pilot flight and duty time regulations for Part 121 air carrier that had not been updated in decades. To address these safety concerns, Congress passed the “Airline Safety and Federal Aviation Administration Extension Act of 2010.” The bill included provisions to improve pilot training, implement Safety Management Systems (SMS), update pilot flight and duty time regulations, and promote better reporting of safety issues. 

U.S. Department of Transportation Inspector General Calvin L. Scovel stated that while the FAA has met or is on schedule to meet many of the Safety Act requirements, the agency has not met timelines for raising pilot training standards, implementing mentoring programs, providing enhanced leadership skills to captains, and increasing minimum pilot qualifications. The FAA also faces challenges in establishing a pilot records database as well as providing additional guidance and assistance to industry—especially smaller carriers—in developing and managing new safety programs.

Back to Top

Line Service Supervisor Training Seminar –Energize Your Line Team May 15-16
Energetic, awesome, interesting, engaging, enjoyable, useful, realistic, applicable are just some of the adjectives used in NATA’s seminar evaluations to describe the Line Service Supervisor Training. Attendees particularly enjoy our variety of speakers, including Walter Chartrand, Dr. Todd Dewett, Mike France, Reed Fuller, Leonard Kirsch and Christine Hill.

What are you waiting for? Come build career knowledge, confidence and success with NATA's Line Service Supervisor Training (LSST) Seminar in Windsor Locks. The LSST contains the most comprehensive technical line service and supervisory skills training in one place, at one time. This course also satisfies 14 CFR Part 139 Section 321 for fire safety training certification, an FAA requirement of line service supervisors to be completed every 24 calendar months.

Click here for more details and to register for NATA’s Line Service Supervisor Training Seminar (LSST) in Windsor Locks, CT.

NATA Safety 1st Trainer – Last Chance To Train Your Trainer This Year May 17
Are you looking to improve your training regime? Take advantage of our last “train the trainer” seminar for 2012 that will prepare your trainer and training program to be the best yet. We will discuss the keys to successful training, effective implementation of the PLST Online and have an in-depth Q & A session for all your trainer’s questions concerning best practices utilizing NATA’s Safety 1st PLST Online training.

Your trainer will enjoy Walter Chartrand’s humorous trainer tips and techniques, Mike France’s interactive lesson planning and Amy Koranda’s online best practices and tips, making his or her online experience faster and easier.

Click here for more details and to register for NATA’s Safety 1st Trainer Seminar in Windsor Locks, CT.

Back to Top

2012 Generational Strangeness: Communicating Across The Ages Webinar $49.95
April 12, 2012, at Noon EST
Communication styles are generally equated with personality, gender, and even occupation. However, intergenerational communication challenges now exist in the aviation workplace. In this webinar, we will define and discuss communication tendencies of different generations, and the challenges that occur in the workplace as a result. Participants will leave the session with solutions to solve communication challenges across the ages, thereby increasing organizational effectiveness. 

2012 NATA Safety 1st PLST Online Tips Webinar Free
April 19, 2012, at Noon EST
The NATA Safety 1st team will review the learning management system and available reports as well as introduce a new report available to trainers. Frequently asked questions from the trainers and students of the PLST program will be discussed, and live questions from participants on the webinar will be answered.

2012 Dealing With Hazardous Materials $49.95 
April 19, 2012, at Noon EST
Everything we do in aviation involves the use of Hazardous Materials. This webinar will discuss the obligations imposed by OSHA, EPA, FAA, Customs, and state and local governments on the purchase, storage, use and disposal of hazardous substances. 

To register for one of NATA’s April webinars, click here.

Back to Top

NATA's 2012 Air Charter Summit will be held June 11-13, at the Westfields Marriott in Chantilly/Dulles, Virginia. The summit provides an important opportunity to learn about the Part 135 regulatory landscape straight from industry experts and government officials. Sessions will provide you with the latest intelligence, tactics and strategies. Attendees will gain new solutions to current business and economic challenges and have an opportunity to network one-on-one with their peers.

An optional tour of the National Air and Space Museum, Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center is available June 11 from 12:00 noon - 5:00 p.m.

2012 Topics:

• Adapting to New FAA Guidance for New Hire Pilot Training
• IRS Efforts to Expand Taxes to Charter Management Agreement Fees
• New Training Offerings from NATA
• Is it Legal? Addressing Common Operator Legal Quandaries
• Understanding How Credit Card Fees Impact Your Bottom Line - And What to Do About It
• FAA Regulatory Review

Special discounted NATA room rate of $199 per night is available until May 11. Click here to book your room today.

To learn more about sponsorship opportunities for this year’s Air Charter Summit, please click here.

Back to Top

ACSF March Newsletter Available Online