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November 10, 2014 – Volume 13 Issue 45
 2014 Aviation Business Roundtable a Great Success
Last week, NATA held its 11th annual Aviation Business Roundtable in Washington, D.C. This premier event drew aviation business leaders nationwide and the strongest speaker lineup ever to discuss ongoing and emerging industry issues. Attendees interacted with U.S. Secretary of Transportation Anthony Foxx, popular industry analyst Richard Aboulafia, Acting NTSB Chairman Christopher Hart, famed political analyst Stuart Rothenberg and the Honorable Norman Y. Mineta as well as other leading industry experts from across the aviation spectrum. Click here for the final program and here for photos from the event. NATA appreciates the support of our members for this important event.
FAA Issues Correction Requested by NATA to Final Rule Regarding Repair Stations
Today the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) acted on the association's recommendation to correct the final rule for Title 14 CFR 145 Repair Stations issued on August 14, 2014. After publication, and based on information in the petition for rulemaking that NATA supported, the FAA realized that the word “serious” should remain in section 145.221 addressing the reporting of service difficulties.
NATA and other industry groups petitioned the FAA requesting a correction to the final repair station rule. NATA specifically requested reinsertion of the word "serious," arguing otherwise repair stations would be required to report any defect regardless of criticality.
“NATA is pleased that the FAA recognized the issues with omitting the word “serious” in the final rule and applauds the agency for working with us to adopt this common sense solution,” stated NATA President and CEO Thomas L. Hendricks.
Congress Returns for Lame Duck Session, Begins Focus on FAA Reauthorization
After a long recess leading up to the Midterm elections, Congress will return Wednesday for a lame duck session (when Congress meets for a session that includes members who are retiring or lost their elections). The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee plans to take advantage of this session by holding a full committee hearing on FAA Reauthorization and issues in modernizing and operating the nation’s airspace. The hearing will take place on Tuesday, November 18th at 10:00 a.m. and will be telecast live.
FAA Policy Directs States to Dedicate Fuel Taxes to Aviation
The FAA has finalized a policy statement directing states to ensure that revenue from State and local aviation fuel taxes are dedicated to state aviation programs or airport-related purposes. The policy explains that states applying for Airport Improvement Program funds are required under federal law to ensure aviation fuel tax revenues are used only for appropriate aviation-related purposes.
State and local governments have a transition period of three years to amend any laws and local ordinances to comply with the law. Governments need to prepare and share an action plan with the FAA within one year that outlines how they will ensure that any funds collected from aviation fuel taxes will be used for airport needs.
The FAA policy is available for download.
EASA Third Country Operator Authorization Application Deadline Rapidly Approaching
The application deadline for the European Aviation Safety Administration (EASA) Third Country Operator (TCO) authorization requirement is rapidly approaching. Commercial air transport (CAT) operators not based in the European Union (EU), including U.S. Part 135 operators, must complete the application process by November 26th.
Any CAT operator intending to fly to, from, or within the following locations must apply for the TCO authorization:
• the 28 Member States of the European Union
• the 4 EFTA States (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland)
• the following territories in which Regulation (EC) No 216/2008 , the so called “Basic Regulation” applies: Gibraltar, Åland Islands, Azores, Madeira, Canary Islands, Guadeloupe, French Guiana, Martinique, Réunion, Saint-Martin, Mayotte
Note: United Kingdom overseas territories are generally not EU members and therefore are not subject to the TCO requirement, with the exception of Gibraltar, which is an EU member. TCO authorization is required to fly to, from, and within Gibraltar.
NATA encourages affected charter operators to apply for the TCO authorization as soon as possible, if they have not yet initiated the process.
Operators will likely not receive TCO authorization from EASA even if they apply prior to the deadline as EASA expects full implementation to take about 24 months. Operators who have properly submitted an application prior to the deadline will be permitted to continue operations to the EU during the 24-month transition period while awaiting issuance of their TCO authorization. Operators must continue to follow national procedures of EU Member States with respect to obtaining operating permits for flights to the EU until they receive formal authorization from EASA. Operators that fail to apply prior to the deadline might NOT be permitted to conduct EU operations until they apply for their TCO authorization.
Read EASA’s FAQs and answers here.
Apply for the TCO authorization here.
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.
West Virginia Governor Signs Proclamation in Support of General Aviation
For the third year in a row, West Virginia Governor Earl Ray Tomblin has signed a proclamation in support of general aviation’s many contributions to the state’s communities, businesses, economy and competition. The proclamation, declaring October 2014 as “General Aviation Appreciation Month,” highlights the role general aviation plays in job creation and growth, effectiveness in providing access to travel points not serviced by commercial airlines, and provides businesses with opportunities to stay connected to the world’s global marketplace. In October, Mayors of Huntington, Lewisburg, Morgantown, and Parkersburg have also recognized general aviation’s role to the vitality of their towns.
Air BP Teams with RocketRoute
Aviation fuel supplier Air BP has signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) with global flight planning business RocketRoute. The collaboration will provide customers with a more efficient approach to flight preparation as information about fuel purchasing will be available within the overall flight planning process, according to company officials. Click here to read more.
Sheltair Expands Network
Sheltair Aviation has acquired FlightLevel Aviation Lakeland at Lakeland Linder Regional Airport (KLAL) in Florida. Sheltair Lakeland will operate out of a recently-constructed 3,200-square-foot terminal with approximately 54,000-square-feet of hangar and office space. Click here for further details.
FltPlan App Now Works with a Variety of ADS-B Receivers
The free FltPlan Go iPad app now works with five ADS-B (Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast) receivers: Sagetech Clarity, Dual XGPS170, Flight Data System’s Pathfinder, iLevil AW, and the Sky Radar DX. The company plans to add the same ADS-B flexibility to its FltPlan Go Android app in the near future, officials noted. Read more.
ACSF News
The Air Charter Safety Foundation (ACSF) is pleased to announce that Globaljet of Scottsdale, AZ, is the newest Part 135 charter operator to join the ACSF. Visit http://www.acsf.aero/ for Air Charter Safety Foundation News.
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