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 FAA Releases Interim Policy Guidance On Land Use In An RPZ |
The FAA has released interim policy guidance on compatible land use within a designated Runway Protection Zone (RPZ). The agency’s memorandum states, “The FAA Office of Airports (ARP) has identified the need to clarify our policy on land uses within the Runway Protection Zone (RPZ). This memorandum presents interim policy guidance on compatible land uses within Runway Protection Zones (RPZ) to address recurrent questions about what constitutes a compatible land use and how to evaluate proposed land uses that would reside in an RPZ.”
This policy will serve as guidance to regional and district airport offices until the FAA Office of Airports has completed a more comprehensive policy. This policy requires regional and district airport offices to coordinate with ARP-400 (National Airport Planning and Environmental Division) when determining if any of the following land uses within a specific RPZ are compatible:
- Buildings and structures
- Recreational land use
- Transportation facilities
- Fuel storage facilities
- Hazardous material storage
- Wastewater treatment facilities
- Above-ground utility infrastructure, including any type of solar panel installations
Click here to review the Interim Policy Guidance on Land Use Compatibility in an RPZ.
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| U.S. One Step Closer To Avoiding EU ETS Participation |
On September 22, 2012, the U.S. Senate passed S. 1956: the European Union Emissions Trading Scheme Prohibition Act, legislation that would prohibit U.S. aircraft operators from participating in the European Union Emissions Trading Scheme (EU ETS). The bill was co-sponsored by Senators John Thune (R-SD), Claire McCaskill (D-MO) and eleven others. Earlier this year, the U.S. House of Representatives passed similar legislation. Both bills must be brought together into one comprehensive bill that will be voted on by both chambers before going to President Obama for his signature.
Under the EU ETS, operators of U.S. aircraft would be forced to participate in a scheme set to regulate aviation emissions. The scheme was launched in 2005 to combat climate change, and it is a major pillar of the EU climate policy. In 2012, all civil aviation operators that land in or depart from the EU were mandated to participate.
In September, NATA co-signed a letter with other national aviation associations that was sent to President Obama, asking for his support in opposing the inclusion of international aviation under the EU ETS. The letter described the efforts of the U.S. and the International Civil Aviation Organization in developing a global framework for addressing aviation greenhouse gas emissions.
“NATA applauds the efforts of the Senate in developing a bill that would combat this unfair, intrusive, burdensome and expensive scheme,” stated NATA President and CEO Tom Hendricks. “It is important that the U.S. has no participation in this scheme so as to protect our industry’s, and ultimately our nation’s, independence, jobs and ability to develop economy-boosting systems in the future.”
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| Mica Reviews NextGen Program Management |
The U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee on Aviation held a hearing on September 12 to review the management and status of the FAA’s Next Generation Air Transportation Program (NextGen).
Subcommittee Chairman Tom Petri (R-WI) highlighted that the FAA has not taken the necessary steps required by the FAA Modernization and Reform Act to improve NextGen accountability, and referenced the Department of Transportation Inspector General (DOT IG) report that focuses on concerns over NextGen implementation delays. The chairman acknowledged that the FAA has made progress, but said that challenges for the agency lay ahead before a system “that is safer, less impacted by weather conditions, better for the environment, and more consistent with fewer delays” can be implemented.
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Chairman John Mica (R-FL) emphasized the importance of structured and efficient movement towards NextGen implementation. He stated that NextGen is “an international contest that will determine who controls the world market, is important for jobs, and is an important economic opportunity for the future of aviation in the nation and across the world.”
The subcommittee heard testimony from FAA Acting Administrator Michael Huerta, DOT Inspector General Calvin Scovel, Government Accountability Office Director Gerald Dillingham, and DOT Deputy Secretary John Porcari. Witnesses from the aviation industry included Sue Baer, director of aviation at the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, David Barger, president and CEO of JetBlue Airways, Ed Bolen, president and CEO of the National Business Aviation Association, and Paul Rinaldi, president of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association. To view their testimonies and listen to the comments from Chairmen Petri and Mica, click here.
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| Epps Addresses Detrimental Impact Of User Fees At Congressional Hearing |
On September 12, NATA Treasurer Marian Epps testified before the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Small Business on the detrimental impact of user fees. The hearing, titled “User Fees in the Aviation Industry: Turbulence Ahead,” focused on the effects of a slower economy on small businesses that support the aviation community and the negative impact the proposed user fee would have on these businesses in a time of recovery. Epps was joined by Martha King of King Schools, testifying on behalf of the National Business Aviation Association, Brad Pierce of Restaurant World, testifying on behalf of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, and Kenneth Button, Professor for George Mason University’s School of Transportation, Policy, Operations and Logistics.
“In a time when general aviation businesses are looking to spur economic and job growth, the imposition of a user fee would decimate small businesses around the country that depend on general aviation,” stated Epps. “User fees would significantly impede general aviation in the United States for a variety of reasons, including a reduction in general aviation activity and the imposition of an administrative burden as user bills are typically generated after the flight. “
In NATA’s press release, the association’s President and CEO Tom Hendricks reiterated the statement from Epps that a proposed user fee would negatively impact the industry’s contribution to the nation’s exports and competitiveness in world markets. “It would also create a federal collection bureaucracy that would require additional funding and manpower, a counterproductive effort,” Hendricks stated.
To view Epps’ testimony and committee remarks, click here.
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| FAA Extends Comment Period On Revised RTTF Policy |
The FAA issued a correction on its previously published draft policy regarding Residential Through-the-Fence (RTTF) agreements at federally obligated airports. The correction, which did not make any substantive changes in the draft policy, added a docket number that was omitted from the original Federal Register publication. Due to the issuance of the correction, the FAA extended the public comment period on the document, which was scheduled to close on August 31, to September 14.
The draft RTTF policy was made necessary by language in the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 (FMRA) that overruled the agency's prohibition of RTTF access at general aviation airports. While allowing RTTF access agreements at general aviation airports, the FMRA requires that RTTF access may only be provided by a written agreement between the airport and property owner that includes:
- Payment of access fees to the airport of an amount similar to what other airport users pay
- A requirement that the property owner must pay for and maintain the infrastructure used to access the airport
- A prohibition on providing commercial services from a property subject to the RTTF agreement
- A requirement that the property owner prohibit other adjoining property owners from accessing the airport through his or her RTTF access point
NATA strongly supported and lobbied for the inclusion of these restrictions in the final FMRA language to ensure that RTTF access points would not become a means for off-airport commercial aeronautical service providers to gain an unfair economic advantage over on-airport service providers.
The FAA draft policy outlines the agency's interpretation of these restrictions and includes the FAA's assertion (with which NATA concurs) that the FMRA languages provides for agency review of all general aviation airport RTTF access agreements to ensure compliance with the FMRA limitations.
Click here to view the FAA's Draft Revised Policy On RTTF Access
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| NATA Aviation Business Roundtable Speakers Announced |
NATA’s annual Aviation Business Roundtable, November 12-13, 2012, in Arlington, Virginia, features FAA Acting Administrator Michael P. Huerta, Transportation Security Administration Administrator John S. Pistole, Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association President and CEO Craig Fuller, and National Business Aviation Association President and CEO Ed Bolen.
Also featured as a speaker at the Aviation Business Roundtable is Olympic Hall of Famer and aviation businessman Bruce Jenner. Jenner, owner of Bruce Jenner Aviation, has attended previous NATA events and is an advocate for aviation business.
Most recently, The Honorable Sean O’Keefe, Chairman of the Board & CEO of EADS North America and The Honorable Deborah A.P. Hersman, Chairman of the Transportation Safety Board have been added to the list of speakers that will be featured at the upcoming Aviation Business Roundtable.
The Roundtable is a two-day meeting assembling the top business leaders from all segments of this country’s aviation community to meet with key federal and congressional officials. Attendees include chief executives from airline services providers, manufacturers, charter operators, fuel companies, fixed base operators, flight training facilities, and fractional aircraft ownership organizations. Nearly 100 of your fellow aviation professionals attended in 2011. Please mark your calendar, and plan to attend this premier event.
The program will begin November 12 at noon and conclude November 13 by 2:00 p.m. Additional agenda details will be provided in the coming weeks. The registration fee is $2,000, and this invitation is extended to all senior level executives.
Events will take place at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel, Pentagon City. A block of guest rooms has been secured, and attendees are responsible for making their own hotel reservations. Please contact the hotel directly.
Ritz-Carlton Hotel
1250 South Hayes Street
Arlington, VA 22202
General Hotel Telephone: (703) 415-5000
Reservations Telephone: (800) 241-3333
Please contact Diane Gleason, director of meetings and conferences, at dgleason@nata.aero or (703) 575-2050, to register for the Aviation Business Roundtable or if you have questions.
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| NATA State Advocacy Network Aims To Protect Member Interests At The State And Local Levels |
NATA’s State Advocacy Network (SAN) is an effort started in January 2012 that aims to increase awareness of state and local issues among the general industry and highlights ongoing state legislation, events and opportunities for NATA members to raise issues or pose questions or concerns for association and industry assistance.
As you know, aviation businesses are confronted with a host of issues, including airport and land use, security, taxation, aircraft noise and emissions, and other priorities that arise. Volunteers of the network will play an important role in the association’s efforts to stimulate and encourage greater involvement among its members with the goal being to build a strong network to defeat unwarranted policies. The network’s website has been used as a platform to gain awareness and support for issues facing members and their businesses and provides news and updates on ongoing state legislation.
If your business or state is experiencing local industry problems that require the association’s support, to view a list of SAN volunteers, or if you hear of problems that may arise and need more information, contact the State Advocacy Network via email at SAN@nata.aero or by calling (800) 808-6282.
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| NATA 2012 Electronic Membership Directory Is Now Available |
Click here to access the NATA 2012 Aviation Resource Book & Membership Directory.
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| Support Congressional Candidates Essential To General Aviation – Join NATAPAC Today |
An election year is upon us, which means there is no time like the present to inform congressional candidates of the vital role of aviation businesses to our nation’s economy. User fees on general aviation are an ongoing issue, this time in the form of a $100-per-flight fee that will likely be included in the President’s fiscal year 2013 budget proposal.
NATA supports Members of Congress who have maintained a leadership role on issues important to NATA members by contributing to their congressional campaign. Through NATA’s Political Action Committee (NATAPAC), we are able to contribute to the congressional campaigns of Members of Congress who support aviation businesses, regardless of party affiliation. We must work harder than ever to ensure that Congress does not accept the President’s user fee proposal or target general aviation unfairly with negative policies.
We need your contributions to NATAPAC today! No contribution is too small; however, political action committee requirements prohibit more than $5,000 annually to a single PAC. In order to contribute to NATAPAC, all members must complete a brief solicitation authorization form that then allows NATAPAC to ask for contributions. This is a quick and easy process. To download and complete this form, please click here and return the form via fax to (703) 845-8176 to the attention of Rebecca Mulholland on the NATA staff.
To learn more about NATAPAC, please visit www.nata.aero/natapac.
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Events Calendar
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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.
National Air Transportation Association
4226 King Street
Alexandria, VA 22302
Phone: 800-808-6282
Fax: 703-845-8176
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