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May 12, 2014 – Volume 13 Issue 19
 Known Crewmember® Checkpoints Now Open to Approved Air Charter Operators
NATA announced today at Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) the first use of the Known Crewmember® Program (KCM) by Part 135 and Part 125 Air Charter pilots. Known Crewmember® (KCM) is a risk-based screening system that enables Transportation Security Administration (TSA) security officers to positively verify the identity and employment status of flight crewmembers. The program expedites flight crewmember access to sterile areas of airports, reduces passenger-screening line congestion, enhances security, and makes airport checkpoint screening more efficient for all who depend on air transportation.
Although the KCM program expansion was announced in March, today’s KCM operations at IAD represent the first use of KCM by Air Charter pilots. TSA used the past several weeks to train TSA officers to positively identify the new badge that will be used by Air Charter pilots, verify the NATA Compliance Services (NATACS) program management system, and approve the first group of enrollees.
“NATA thanks the TSA for expanding this risk-based security measure to include qualified Part 135 and Part 125 crewmembers,” said NATA President and CEO Thomas L. Hendricks. “KCM has the potential to significantly improve the efficiency of airport checkpoint screening not only for KCM users but also the traveling public as a whole.” Visit http://www.natacs.aero/ to apply for KCM.
Industry Works With TSA to Improve Aviation Security
In a letter to Chairman John Rockefeller (D-WV) and Ranking Member John Thune (R-SD) of the Senate Commerce Committee, NATA and other aviation groups expressed support for S. 1893, the Transportation Security Acquisition Reform Act, and S. 1804, the Aviation Stakeholder Participation Act. The bills, introduced by Senator Kelly Ayotte (R-NH) and Senator Jon Tester (D-MT) respectively, emphasize the importance of streamlining the TSA acquisition process and requiring the agency to work with the private sector on issues that strengthen security within the industry. Companion bills have already been approved by the House with large bipartisan majorities.
TSA Administrator Pistole Outlines Known Crewmember® To The Senate
In a related oversight hearing before the Senate Commerce Committee, the head of the Transportation Security Administration, John S. Pistole, explained to Senators how the Known Crewmember® Program heightens the nation's security and achieves greater efficiencies in the airport screening process. According to Pistole, "The notion is not simply to try to speed things up. It is to apply some common sense policies and protocols that allow us to focus on higher risks because they're unknown or clearly the highest risks because they are the people on the terrorist watch list." Pistole continued, "The Known Crewmember® program that we have worked out with industry and pilots and flight attendants is a good example of how we buy down risk, but achieve efficiencies, and so over 90 percent of the pilots and flight attendants every week in the nation's busiest airports go through an identity-based screening that has been enabled by the airlines and the pilots' association." Working collaboratively with TSA, NATA has launched the Known Crewmember® Program for air charter carriers.
NATA Helps Member Resolve Type Certificate Issue
Although the FAA clarified its policy in 2013 regarding maintenance requirements for aircraft with a passenger seating configuration of nine seats or less (excluding any pilot seat) operated in Part 135, there are still instances when it's unclear whether this policy should apply. Learn how NATA provided regulatory support to a member and worked with the FAA to get the right documentation from the aircraft manufacture to the FAA, resulting in the aircraft being added to the certificate and maintained as intended under 135.411(a)(1). Read more here.
EASA TCO Slated To Take Effect This Month
Last week EASA moved a step closer to implementation of new certification requirements for so-called Third Country Operators (TCO). The rules will require commercial operators, including Part 135 on-demand air carriers, conducting flights to the EU to obtain the TCO authorization. EASA expects the rule to enter into force on May 26, 2014. At that time, carriers will be able to download and submit the application form to begin the authorization process.
NATA is working with EASA to ensure a smooth process for U.S.-based Part 135 air carriers. During the Air Charter Summit (June 16-18), a presentation dealing specifically with TCO application for on-demand operations is scheduled. Operators are encouraged to visit the EASA TCO information webpage. The webpage contains links to download the Acceptable Means of Compliance document, a list of FAQs, and the ability to sign up for automated emails from EASA when new information becomes available.
2014 NATA Air Charter Summit Covers Pilot Employment Concerns
NATA’s annual Air Charter Summit will take place June 16-18, 2014, at the Washington Dulles Marriott in Dulles, VA. Online registration, session descriptions and housing reservations are now available at http://www.nata.aero/acs. A highlight of the Summit is the “Pilot Employment Concerns” session led by Eileen Gleimer of Crowell & Moring and Paul Lange of Law Offices of Paul A. Lange, LLC. Properly managing your pilots requires more than an understanding of relevant FAA rules. Federal laws grant whistle-blower protections to pilots believing they were terminated for reporting safety or non-compliance issues. Air charter operators have been ordered to pay damages, back wages and re-hire pilots. Aging pilots present additional management complexities, particularly for international flight operations. Get details on the risks these issues present and strategies to mitigate them.
NATA will once again host a raffle and auction in support of the Veterans Airlift Command (VAC) at the Summit's BBQ Dinner on Tuesday night. Please contact Amy Hornaday at ahornaday@nata.aero to donate items for the VAC raffle and auction.
Fall Committee Meetings Take Place September 15-16
The NATA 2014 Fall Committee Meetings start on Monday, September 15, 2014 with meetings and a networking reception and conclude on Tuesday, September 16, 2014 following a half-day of meetings at the Hilton Savannah DeSoto Hotel in Savannah, GA. Registration is available online or through a printable registration form. Please confirm your attendance for the meetings before Tuesday, August 26, 2014.
NATA compiles relevant updates from the FAA, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Homeland Security each day from the Federal Register. You may view the latest notices, rules and proposed rules in a single source. While this week’s Federal Register (May 2-8, 2014) did not include items relevant to our members, please check back next week.
Elliott Aviation Hires Randy Soutiere as Vice President of Operational Support – Appoints Ed Chevrestt VP of Operations
Elliott Aviation, a leader in many aviation services, today announced the hire of Randy Soutiere as Vice President of Operational Support. In his new role, Soutiere will oversee several departments including engineering, quality control, customer support, lean manufacturing, parts and FBO services. The newly created position is part of an organizational restructuring that appoints Ed Chevrestt to the new position of VP of Operations. Click here to read further.
McKinney Air Center Ranks #1 in FltPlan's 2014 Pilots' Choice Awards
McKinney Air Center, the fixed-base operator (FBO) located at McKinney National Airport (KTKI) near Dallas, has been ranked #1 among the top 50 U.S. FBOs in the 2014 Pilots' Choice Awards survey by FltPlan, the largest flight-planning service in North America.
NATA also congratulates the other top U.S. FBO regional winners:
Northeast U.S., Meridian, Teterboro Airport (KTEB);
Southeast U.S., Banyan Air Service, Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport (KFXE);
Southwestern U.S., X Jet, Denver's Centennial Airport (KAPA);
Northwest U.S., Yellowstone Jet Center, Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport MT (KBZN);
North Central U.S., Million Air St. Louis, Spirit of St. Louis Airport (KSUS);
East Central U.S., Atlantic Aviation, Chicago Midway International Airport (KMDW)
Click here for the entire article.
West Star Aviation Named Top Dealer For 2013
West Star Aviation received the Aircell 51,000 Five award, which recognizes the highest-performing companies within the global dealer and distributor network of Aircell, the business aviation group of Gogo Inc. Click here to read further.
ACSF News
The Air Charter Safety Foundation is pleased to announce that the 3M flight department is the first Part 91 operator to join the ACSF. ACSF also welcomes the Air Charter Association of North America (ACANA), a non-profit organization that fosters the air charter industry by promoting best practices and professionalism by educating consumers about the benefits of private aviation, as a new member. Save the date for next year’s Air Charter Safety Foundation Safety Symposium. The symposium is scheduled for March 10-11, 2015. Visit http://www.acsf.aero/ for Air Charter Safety Foundation News.
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