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October 6, 2014 – Volume 13 Issue 40
 Mexico Announces APIS Filing Requirement Changes
The Mexican government recently changed the process for filing Advanced Passenger Information System (APIS) manifests. General aviation operators flying to or from Mexico have been required to file APIS manifests since January 1, 2014, through a third-party flight planning provider. Operators may now submit APIS manifests directly to the Instituto Nacional de Migración (INM) via email using an approved Excel spreadsheet. The Mexican government expects to have an online resource for filing manifests available in about six months. Timing for the manifest submission has also changed. Operators must submit an initial manifest within 24 hours of the flight and again within 30 minutes of the estimated time of departure.
New Safety Net Blog Post - Vigilance
Read the latest Safety Net blog post by Director of Safety and Training Michael France called, “Vigilance.”
Alabama Governor Proclaims October 2014 as “General Aviation Appreciation Month”
On Wednesday, October 1, 2014, Alabama Governor Robert Bentley declared October as General Aviation Appreciation Month. In the proclamation, Governor Bentley recognizes the importance of general aviation to Alabama’s citizens, communities, businesses and economy. General aviation, Governor Bentley states, “is critical to industrial and economic recruitment efforts” as well as to the retention and expansion of businesses across Alabama. In July, Auburn University announced the expansion of its aviation programs by establishing a center aimed at supporting instruction, research, outreach and support of the aviation and aerospace industries. For more information on Auburn University’s efforts, click here.
Icing: Don’t Let It Drag You Down
Are you prepared for the weather this flying season? As we head into fall, focus on your pre-flight plan for changing weather conditions. “Icing: Don’t let it drag you down” is the latest topic in the “Got Weather?” safety campaign sponsored by the FAA and general aviation stakeholders. We encourage our members to visit http://www.faa.gov/go/gotweather to get weather-related fast facts and links to partner videos, safety seminars, quizzes, proficiency programs, online training, case studies, and more.
NATA Flag Pins for Veterans Project – NATA Welcomes Napa Jet Center and North American Air Charter as Project Participants
NATA is working with industry to raise charitable donations for organizations supporting America's veterans. The NATA Flag Pins for Veterans project demonstrates the general aviation community’s appreciation for their highly distinguished legacy of unwavering patriotism and sacrifice. It's not too late to participate. While the project launched this May, it will not conclude until the end of October, culminating in a check presentation to the veterans organizations.
NATA members can participate in two ways:
First, by displaying American-made flag pins in their operations with signage suggesting a donation of $1.00 per pin. Each company should secure their own supply of flag pins. You may find suggested pin and display box sources as well as language for signage using this link.
In addition, direct donations to the NATA-Flag Pin Project fund are welcome and count toward project participation. Donations should be sent to (NATA-Flag Pin Project, 4226 King Street, Alexandria, VA 22302). Please email your commitment to the project to Shannon Chambers at schambers@nata.aero to be listed as a participant.
NATA invites project participants to join us for a photo opportunity at 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday, October 22 at the Beacon Aviation Services booth (#4093) at NBAA's annual convention in Orlando. Please email schambers@nata.aero if you are able to take part in the photo opportunity.
Air Traffic Control - The Case for Privatization
The upcoming reauthorization of the FAA will see a lively debate on whether the federal budget process and the constraints of operating under current federal procurement rules merits the creation of alternative management and funding structures for our nation's air traffic control system. NATA is pleased to announce that its upcoming Aviation Business Roundtable will feature two acknowledged experts on ATC privatization, Robert W. Poole and J. David Grizzle, who will share their perspectives on this important issue.
Robert W. Poole, Jr. is the Director of Transportation Policy and Searle Freedom Trust Transportation Fellow for the Reason Foundation. Editor of monthly Reason Foundation e-newsletters on airport and air traffic control policy issues, Mr. Poole was among the first to propose the corporatization of the U.S. air traffic control system, and his work in this field has helped shape proposals for a U.S. ATC corporation.
J. David Grizzle, CEO of Dazzle Partners LLC, is the former Chief Operating Office of the Federal Aviation Administration and possesses unparalleled knowledge of the nation's air traffic control system. He is currently studying, on behalf of the Business Roundtable, whether air traffic control might be more safely and efficiently conducted in some organizational configuration other than its current structure as part of the FAA, and if so, what a preferred structure would look like, and would it make sense economically.
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 5th, at noon with a luncheon and conclude Thursday, November 6th, 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.
Mark Your Calendar for Spring Committee Meetings
NATA’s Spring Committee Meetings are scheduled for February 2, 2015. The meetings will precede the NBAA Schedulers & Dispatchers Conference in San Jose, CA. More details to follow.
Meridian Names Johnson as Director of Business Development
Airport-based FBO/MRO and aircraft charter and management firm Meridian named Greg Johnson as director of business development. Johnson has 15 years of business aviation experience in strategic planning, operations, aircraft management, acquisition/sales and marketing. Click here to read more.
Cutter Aviation Honored as One of the Top 50 at Phoenix Business Journal's 20th Annual ACE Awards in Arizona
Cutter Aviation, the oldest continually family-owned and operated FBO in the United States, has received two Arizona Corporate Excellence awards, ACE 2014. Cutter Aviation has been recognized among the Top 50 Arizona's largest private companies and also as one of the fastest growing companies in Arizona. The top 50 list, is compiled each year by the Phoenix Business Journal. Arizona Corporate Excellence (ACE) Awards selects winners on the basis of revenue, innovation and community impact. Read more here.
FltPlan Celebrates 15th Anniversary
Flight planning service provider FltPlan is now supporting more than 150,000 aviation professionals and private pilots as it celebrates its 15-year anniversary. “Over that time we’ve made thousands of pilots lives easier,” said Ken Wilson, president of FltPlan, who developed the flight planning program as a college project and has seen it grow to where pilots file more than 5 million flight plans annually and account for about 70% of all U.S. N#-registered flight plans filed. Click here for more.
AVSEC World Conference Takes Place in October
AVSEC World 2014 will focus on creating a sustainable Aviation and Border Security System. It will look at the need for greater flexibility in regulation, recognition of measures between countries and the alignment of border and aviation security – an imperative for the future. The event takes place October 27-29, 2014 at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Washington, D.C. Click here for more details.
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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