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November 3, 2014 – Volume 13 Issue 44
 NATA Participates in ADS-B Meeting with FAA and Industry
Last week, NATA joined 46 industry groups and corporations at a meeting with the FAA to discuss the barriers to equipping the civil aviation fleet with new NextGen avionics by the January 1, 2020 deadline. A working group called Equip 2020 was created to work with industry to identify barriers delaying equipage and to find ways to resolve those issues. The working group will be led by the NextGen Institute and according to FAA Deputy Administrator Mike Whitaker, a speaker at this week’s NATA Aviation Business Roundtable, “This is an important milestone for a core NextGen technology that will revolutionize the national airspace system by providing a more accurate view of aircraft location, increasing safety and efficiency. The FAA laid the ADS-B infrastructure, and now the Equip 2020 group will work together to help ensure the fleet is equipped with this technology so we can utilize the benefits it brings.” Read more.
Final Agenda for This Week’s Aviation Business Roundtable
The final agenda for the 2014 Aviation Business Roundtable is now available. The 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. This year’s exciting speaker lineup includes U.S. Secretary of Transportation Anthony Foxx, noted industry and political analysts Richard Aboulafia and Stuart Rothenberg, Acting NTSB Chairman Christopher Hart, FAA Deputy Administrator Michael Whitaker, and closing thoughts from the Honorable Norman Y. Mineta.
Click here to view the full agenda.
There is still time to register for this important event. 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. Events will take place at the Hyatt Regency Washington on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. Please make your reservations now.
FAA Issues Keystone Turbine Services, LLC Legal Interpretation on “Work Away” Issue
On October 24th, the FAA’s General Council’s office issued a legal interpretation to Keystone Turbine Services, LLC, after the repair station was denied authorization by their local Flight Standards District Office (FSDO) to allow the repair station to perform work away from it’s fixed repair station location. The question regarding whether a repair station can perform maintenance away from a fixed location and the application of the word "temporary" as found in 145.203 has long plagued the repair station industry. While the legal interpretation is in response to one repair station’s question, it lays the groundwork for the FAA to revise its policy on the “work away” issue. To read the interpretation, click here.
New Safety Net Blog Post
FAA Revising Rules for Portable Oxygen Concentrators
Air Charter operators should take note of a recent FAA Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) that will alter the approval process for portable oxygen concentrators (POC) intended for passenger use while on board an aircraft.
Currently, passengers may bring on board a POC for personal use if it is specifically listed in Special Federal Aviation Regulation (SFAR) 106. The FAA has determined that requiring individual review by the agency for each model of POC is no longer necessary. Instead, the NPRM proposes to require POC manufacturers to affix a label certifying compliance with applicable standards, including approval from the Food & Drug Administration to sell the device.
The NPRM would change §135.91 to include information regarding acceptance of POCs and eliminates SFAR 106. FAA is accepting comments on the NPRM through November 18, 2014.
Save the Date for ACSF's Safety Symposium
Save the date for next year’s Air Charter Safety Foundation Safety Symposium. The symposium is scheduled for March 10-11, 2015. This year’s theme is “How do you know you’re safe?” Visit http://www.acsf.aero/ for Air Charter Safety Foundation News.
Spring Committee Meetings Take Place Preceding NBAA’s Schedulers & Dispatchers Conference – Book Your Hotel Now
NATA’s Spring Committee Meetings are scheduled for February 2, 2015. The meetings will precede the NBAA Schedulers & Dispatchers Conference in San Jose, CA. Room registrations must be made through NBAA’s room block.
NATA’s 2014 Flag Pins for Veterans Project is Coming to a Close
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. This year’s program is coming to a close and we would like to thank our participants for their generous support.
If you have not done so already, please send the donations to the NATA-Flag Pin Project fund (NATA-Flag Pin Project, 4226 King Street, Alexandria, VA 22302). We will make an announcement on the 2014 donations next week.
Flexjet, Flight Options Realign
Nearly a year after acquiring fractional ownership operator Flexjet from Bombardier, Directional Aviation Capital is realigning its fractional aircraft ownership businesses, positioning Flexjet as a more premium brand that sells shares in new aircraft and returning Flight Options back to its roots as a value proposition that sells shares in pre-owned aircraft. Read more.
Crosswinds: Get it Straight
Are you prepared for the weather this flying season? As you prepared for a crosswind landing? “Crosswinds: Get it Straight” 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.
Signature Flight Support to Acquire Wiggins Airways FBO at Manchester Airport
Signature Flight Support, a BBA Aviation company, announced that it has agreed to acquire the FBO assets of Wiggins Airways, Inc. from Ameriflight, LLC at Manchester – Boston Regional Airport (MHT) in Manchester, New Hampshire. Additional details here.
ACSF News
The Air Charter Safety Foundation (ACSF) is pleased to announce that Omni Air Transport is the newest charter operator to join the ACSF. Last week, ACSF also announced the selection of Mark Larsen, senior manager of safety & flight operations at the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) to the ACSF Board of Governors. Visit http://www.acsf.aero/ for Air Charter Safety Foundation News.
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