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September 22, 2014 – Volume 13 Issue 38
 Congress Approves Legislation Avoiding a Government Shutdown
Late last week Congress adjourned to begin campaigning in advance of the mid-term elections. Before leaving Washington, Congress approved legislation to fund the government through December 11th. The legislation also contained other provisions including one to arm and train rebels in Syria, additional funding to fight the Ebola epidemic and a nine month extension of the Export-Import Bank. For the FAA it means funding – for the moment at least – below the increased levels recommended for FY2015 by the House and Senate Appropriations Committees. Congress will return in mid-November for a "lame duck" session. The duration and issues which will be considered during the lame duck will turn on the results of the general election – particularly the battle for control of the Senate.
NATA Supports Petition to Correct Error in Rulemaking on 14 CFR section 145.221
Today, NATA joined other industry groups, including AIA, AEA, ARSA, A4A, NACA and GAMA, in petitioning the FAA to make a correction to the Final Repair Station rule issued August 14, 2014. While the FAA accepted all of NATA’s recommendations during the comment phase, the final rule deleted the word "serious" in section 145.221 addressing the reporting of service difficulties. NATA and the other petitioners requested reinsertion of the word, arguing otherwise repair stations would be required to report any defect regardless of criticality. Read more.
NTSB Study Highlights Importance of Knowing Medication Impact
The NTSB recently adopted a study on the prevalence of drug use by pilots involved in aircraft accidents. The study found an upward trend in the use of potentially impairing medications and illicit drugs. Although the study did not conclude the use of the medications or illicit drugs were causal to the accidents reviewed, it should serve as a reminder to pilots and others in the aviation environment to consider the possible impact a prescription or over-the-counter medication could have on their performance.
For example, the most common impairing drug seen in the study was a sedating antihistamine (diphenhydramine) found in many cold and allergy medications. As a result, the NTSB issued a related safety alert urging pilots to consult medical professionals to learn about the potentially impairing impact of any drug prior to flying while under the influence of that medication. The complete report will be available in several weeks. An abstract is available here.
NATA Joins Industry Effort to Protect Integrity of AIP Grant Assurances Process
Last week, NATA joined AOPA, GAMA and NBAA on a letter to the Senate Commerce Committee concerning proposed legislation to release the St. Clair Regional Airport, in St. Clair, MO, from its grant assurances. The letter points out there is already a process established by statute for the closure of airports that have received federal funding and requests the established FAA process move forward with a decision on St. Clair. Read letter.
NATA Welcomes Megan Eisenstein to its Government and Industry Relations Team
NATA is pleased to announce that Megan Eisenstein accepted the position of Senior Manager, Regulatory Affairs effective September 8, 2014. She reports directly to John McGraw, Director Regulatory Affairs. Megan is responsible for monitoring executive branch agency activities, analyzing and drafting responses to regulatory proposals, and representing the association on government and industry working groups. She also serves as NATA staff liaison to the Flight Training Committee.
Prior to accepting this position, Megan worked for a Part 135 air charter operator in a charter sales capacity where she was responsible for worldwide charter sales of super-mid and heavy jet aircraft. She also worked for an international aviation consulting firm where she was responsible for the administration and management of the firm’s aviation safety auditing programs for Part 121 and Part 135 operations. Megan graduated from Syracuse University with a degree in Geography and has a Master of Business Administration degree in Aviation Management from Dowling College. She is a Private Pilot working toward her Instrument Rating.
NATA to Participate in Aviation Outreach Event for Grade School Kids
NATA will represent our industry at an event sponsored by the Aero Club Foundation of Washington. The event takes place on September 23rd at the D.C. location of Signature Flight Support. Approximately 500 students are expected to participate to learn more about the different aspects of aviation. The Foundation is proud to offer support to advance aviation education and help prepare tomorrow’s leaders in the aviation and aerospace industries. If you would like to support the Foundation, please contact them at (703) 327-7082.
Aviation Business Roundtable Highlight: Perspectives on the Potential for Corporate Tax Reform
NATA welcomes Jon Traub, managing principal of the Tax Policy Group of Deloitte Tax LLP’s Washington National Tax Group, to the Aviation Business Roundtable speaker lineup. Jon leads a team that identifies, evaluates and monitors legislative proposals and interprets the practical issues surrounding the application of tax proposals on behalf of Deloitte’s clients. Previously Jon served as staff director for the Committee on Ways and Means of the U.S. House of Representatives. During his tenure as Staff Director, Jon was responsible for developing legislative policies and strategy on issues in the Committee’s jurisdiction, including taxes, healthcare and trade. Jon will share his perspectives on the potential for corporate tax reform.
NATA’s Aviation Business Roundtable assembles business executives from all segments of the aviation community and provides a unique opportunity to discuss important and relevant issues with key government officials and other top industry leaders. The Roundtable will begin Wednesday, November 5, at noon with a luncheon and conclude Thursday, November 6, at noon. Registration for this event is $2,000 and is extended to senior level executives. Please contact Rebecca Mulholland, Executive Assistant to the President and CEO, at rmulholland@nata.aero or (703) 647-6407, to register for the Aviation Business Roundtable or if you have questions.
Read the Latest Safety Net Blog Posts on Two Recent Events
NATA Safety 1st held its Aviation Management Workshop in Savannah and the first U.S. Fundamentals of IS-BAH Workshop in Atlanta. Visit the Safety Net Blog to read two new blog posts on these events. Don’t forget to subscribe to the blog to receive the latest posts directly to your inbox.
IS-BAH Standards are a Great Enhancement, Says ExecuJet
ExecuJet Group FBO director Mark Abbott praised the recently developed International Standard for Business Aircraft Handling (IS-BAH), a set of best practices for business aviation ground handlers through a safety management system (SMS). Read more.
Fargo Jet Center Expands Award Winning Services to Minneapolis/St. Paul Market
Exclusive Aerospace LLC an affiliate of Fargo Jet Center (FJC), announced the expansion of its award winning services to the Minneapolis market through purchasing the assets of Premier Jet Center at Flying Cloud airport (KFCM) in Eden Prairie, MN. Flying Cloud is one of the main corporate airports serving the Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota market. Read more.
Jet Aviation Opens FBO/MRO at Vienna Airport
Jet Aviation expanded its global MRO and FBO network with the addition of a new facility at Vienna International Airport. The company recently signed agreements with Gate V and Fame Executive Aviation, the previous MRO and FBO service providers at the field, to establish Jet Aviation Vienna. Click here to read further.
ACSF News
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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