 |
Top News
State Advocacy Network News
Events
Member News
 FAA Delays Tower Closure Date |
Last week, the FAA announced its decision to delay the closure of 149 federal contract towers until June 15th. According to the FAA press release:
“This additional time will allow the agency to attempt to resolve multiple legal challenges to the closure decisions. As part of the tower closure implementation process, the agency continues to consult with airports and operators and review appropriate risk mitigations. Extending the transition deadline will give the FAA and airports more time to execute the changes to the National Airspace System.”
Click here to read the FAA's press release.
Back to Top
The National Air Transportation Association (NATA) opposes a highly anticipated aviation user fee proposal expected to be included in the Obama Administration's fiscal year 2014 budget submission to the Congress later this week. The user fee would require all air transportation providers (commercial airlines and general aviation operators) to pay a $100 per-flight fee.
Last week, 223 Members of Congress, including U.S. House of Representatives Aviation Subcommittee Chairman Frank LoBiondo (R-NJ), Ranking Member Rick Larsen (D-WA), and GA Caucus Co-chairs Sam Graves (R-MO) and John Barrow (D-GA), sent a letter to the President opposing the per-flight user fee.
Congress and the aviation industry are unanimously opposed to the imposition of an aviation user fee. Over the past five years, Members of Congress in the House and the U.S. Senate and industry coalitions and aviation associations sent numerous letters to the administration to reiterate that per-flight user fees will cripple the general aviation industry and the small businesses it represents. The most recent letter concluded by asking that this idea be abandoned once and for all.
User fees would devastate small businesses and organizations around the country that depend on general aviation. The imposition of a user fee would also be detrimental to the many states with little or no commercial airline service where general aviation plays an integral economic role.
“Establishing a per-flight user fee would have enormous negative economic consequences on the general aviation industry,” said NATA President and CEO Thomas L. Hendricks. “We believe the current method of collecting revenues through a per-gallon fuel tax is the most stable, efficient, and equitable source of funding for the Federal Aviation Administration.”
Back to Top
| NATA Announces Annual Meeting And Election Of NATA Officers |
The association will hold its annual meeting of members on April 22, 2013, at 11:15 a.m. in Grand Ballroom 5, Second Floor of the Renaissance Capital View in Arlington, Virginia. The purpose of the meeting is the election of directors, the approval of amendments to the NATA Bylaws, and to address other issues as properly may come before the members.
The NATA Board of Directors, acting as a Nominating Committee of the Whole, nominated the following individuals:
Clara Bennett
Andrew Priester
Gregory Schmidt
Members may submit other names for nomination by writing to the President, NATA, 4226 King Street, Alexandria, Virginia 22302.
Back to Top
Last week, NATA submitted its formal comments to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) on the proposed rules affecting emergency locator transmitters (ELT) broadcasting solely on 121.5 MHz. The commission proposed a prohibition on the manufacture, importation and sale of these ELTs. The proposed rules also consider a prohibition on the further use of 121.5 ELTs.
In its comments, NATA requested that the FCC withdraw this rulemaking as the association believes it conflicts with existing law and does not meet the requirements of the Administrative Procedures and Regulatory Flexibility Acts.
Click here to read NATA’s comments to the FCC.
Back to Top
| NATA Announces Recipients Of The 2013 AMT Employer Recognition Awards |
NATA is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2013 AMT Employer Recognition Awards. The association presents these awards annually to companies that employ aviation maintenance technicians (AMT) and provide a minimum number of hours of new or recurrent training to those AMTs on an annual basis. Award winners receive either a one, three or five star award depending on the percentage of employed AMTs receiving the minimum training.
For 2013, three companies received the one star award, four companies received the three star award and 24 companies received the five star award. "I commend all of the 2013 AMT Employer Recognition Award winners for their dedication to training and to fostering their employees' success," said NATA President and CEO Thomas L. Hendricks. "These companies have shown that they value well-trained, competent AMTs and deserve to be recognized as leaders in our industry."
The full list of 2013 AMT Employer Recognition Award winners is available at http://www.nata.aero/Awards/AMT-Award.aspx. NATA presented the 2013 award for training that occurred during calendar year 2012.
Back to Top
| NATA State Advocacy Network Aims To Protect Member Interests At The State And Local Levels |
NATA’s State Advocacy Network (SAN) is an effort that aims to increase awareness of state and local issues among the general aviation 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 is 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 arising problems and need more information, contact the State Advocacy Network via email at SAN@nata.aero or by calling (800) 808-6282.
Back to Top
Aviation Business And Legislative Conference Session Highlight
Legislative and Regulatory Sessions |
Legislative Session
Key senior Capitol Hill staff from the U.S. Senate and the U.S. House of Representatives, including those from transportation, appropriations, and tax-writing committees, as well as top aides to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and House Speaker John Boehner will be on hand to discuss a variety of aviation and political issues. Topics of discussion will include the legislative agenda for the 113th Congress and issues affecting general aviation in particular. Bringing together some of the most senior and respected Capitol Hill aides in Washington, this session promises very insightful and informative discussion.
FAA Regulatory Updates
Key FAA regulators will lead focused breakout sessions providing updates on agency activities. Breakout sessions to discuss FAA activities related to air charter and airports will give you direct access to FAA regulatory decision-makers. Each session will include an update followed by an opportunity for attendees to ask questions. Don’t miss this chance to get to know the FAA professionals that oversee and implement the regulations that guide your business.
To view the Aviation Business and Legislative Conference brochure or to register, visit www.nata.aero/ablc.
Back to Top
In an effort to provide the most up-to-date information available, the NATA 2013 Aviation Resource Book & Membership Directory will be offered once again as a user-friendly online document. In order to ensure that the directory is accurate and up-to-date, we ask that you please take a few minutes to look over your company’s online listing. To review your company information, click here.
The format of NATA’s 2013 Aviation Resource Book & Membership Directory will enable members to share access to this valuable resource with everyone in their operation. The option to click on advertisements and Internet addresses of members will be available, and searching the directory will be easier via a clickable member index. Members will also be able to download the directory as a pdf.
If you have any changes to your listing, please contact NATA at (800) 808-6282 or email membership@nata.aero. You can also log on to the NATA website to make changes.
Back to Top
| NATA Workers’ Compensation Insurance Program™ – Members Get Answers |
NATA and Beacon Aviation Insurance Services hosted a webinar last Thursday for members with questions about the NATA Workers’ Compensation Insurance Program™. John Cunningham, President, Bob McManus, Vice President, and Dick Woodall, Director Sales & Marketing at Beacon answered questions about the new program, how it is different from previously offered Workers’ Compensation Insurance programs, how to get a quote and switch providers, and more.
Click here to view the recorded webinar for free.
If you were not able to participate in the webinar but have questions about the program, please visit www.beaconais.com/NATA.
Back to Top
| NATA Addresses Ramp Safety At NTBAA Safety Show-Down |
Last week, NATA Director of Safety & Training Michael France addressed the issue of ramp safety at the North Texas Business Aviation Association’s (NTBAA) First Annual NTBAA Safety Show-Down in Dallas, Texas. France addressed the need for ground handling facilities to establish standard operating procedures, a comprehensive training program and a thorough program to ensure aviation fuel quality.
The NTBAA was founded in 2008 and “is made up of [north Texas] flight operations, manufacturers and associated business aviation vendors, suppliers, and service providers, and it creates a platform to interact with policy makers and officials whose decisions affect this industry.”
Click here for more information on the NTBAA
Back to Top
| NATA Member Recognized By Department Of Defense |
The U.S. Department of Defense recently recognized West Star for their continued support of their National Guard and military reserve forces employees. This recognition comes from West Star’s commitment to the support of troops as they are called into action and their willingness to prepare and integrate the individuals back into their team upon the employees’ return. Retired Colonel Lou Brackett, the Employer Outreach Coordinator for the State of Colorado, presented the award on Wednesday, March 27, 2013.
West Star remains committed to supporting their active and veteran military employees by holding their positions while they are away on duty, providing continued insurance benefits, and allowing vacation and sick days to continue to accrue and be paid to the employees’ families. In addition, West Star GJT sends periodic care packages to the troops and continues to involve their families in any company events while the employees are away.
“While we are committed to the support of all of our employees, we recognize that this support is extremely important in welcoming troops home and reintegrating them back into our team, and we take that very seriously,” said Dave Krogman, General Manager, West Star Aviation, Grand Junction. “We are honored to be recognized by the Department of Defense and will continue to support our troops every way we can.”
Click here to read the full press release.
Back to Top
|
|
|
|
|
|
NATA E-Learn Webinars
Click here to view a listing of archived webinar recordings.
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
|
|