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December 15, 2014 – Volume 13 Issue 50
 Congress Approves Spending Bill to Fund FAA for FY2015
On Saturday evening the Senate approved, 56-40, the $1.1 trillion federal spending bill that will fund most government agencies, including the FAA, through September 2015. The House narrowly approved the bill, 219-206, on Thursday. Known as the “Cromnibus,” the massive spending bill combines 11 of the 12 appropriations bills for FY2015, including the bill that funds the FAA. The legislation also extends funding for the Department of Homeland Security for three months. The legislation provides the FAA with $15.72 billion, roughly $440 million over the Administration request. The bill contains funding for NextGen implementation, rejects Administration user fee proposals as well as addressing other NATA priorities.
“We commend Congress for acting on this important legislation that will fund the FAA for the balance of the fiscal year,” stated NATA President and CEO Thomas L. Hendricks. “Taking such action funds important priorities such as NextGen and removes the budgetary uncertainty the agency faces when operating under short-term funding bills. We deeply appreciate the hard work put into this legislation by the House and Senate Appropriations Committees including their recognition of the need for continued efforts to streamline the certification process and improve the consistency of regulatory interpretation. We look forward to our continued work with the Committees on these important issues.”
Congress Names Members To Key Transportation Committees
As the Senate wraps up the lame-duck session of the 113th Congress, reorganization continues for the upcoming Congress. Last week Transportation Committee Chairman Bill Shuster (PA) welcomed a dozen new Republican members to the Committee including pilot member of Congress Todd Rokita (IN). On the Senate side, Senator John Thune will serve as Chairman of the Senate Commerce Committee that has jurisdiction over the FAA. Joining Senator Thune as new members of the Committee will be Senators Dan Sullivan (AK), Jerry Moran (KS), Cory Gardner (CO) and Steve Daines (MT). On the Democratic side, Senator Bill Nelson (FL) was named as the Ranking Democratic Member and new Democratic Senators joining Nelson on the Committee are Tom Udall (NM), Joe Manchin (WV) and Gary Peters (MI).
NATA Continues Work With FAA Over CVR Requirement Confusion
The FAA recently issued a legal interpretation that is contrary to the long-standing application of Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) requirements and is causing confusion about the circumstances in which a CVR is required. Regulations require Part 135 turbine powered aircraft configured for six or more passengers to have a CVR whenever two pilots are required by certification or operating rules (§ 135.151). The new interpretation focuses on airplanes that are single-pilot certified and which are operated, with FAA approval (typically through Operations Specification A015) with an eligible autopilot under § 135.105, in lieu of the Second In Command (SIC) that would otherwise be required by § 135.101.
The FAA has consistently applied the rule such that single pilot operations do not require a CVR. The new legal interpretation takes a position in conflict with the regulatory intent and historical application of the CVR rule.
NATA staff is engaged with the FAA to reach a resolution as quickly as possible. NATA believes it would be helpful to provide information on the number of Part 135 operators and aircraft that are potentially impacted by any change in the rule’s application. If you are a Part 135 operator potentially affected by this interpretation, please email NATA’s Megan Eisenstein meisenstein@nata.aero with your company information and the number of aircraft that meet all of these qualities:
- Multi-engine, turbine powered
- Configured for 6 or more passenger seats
- Do not currently have a CVR that meets the requirements of § 135.151
- Operate under the provisions of § 135.105 (i.e., autopilot in lieu of SIC)
NATA is Moving - Please Note NATA’s New Address
Effective January 2, 2015, NATA’s address will be 818 Connecticut Avenue, NW, Suite 900, Washington, D.C. 20006. Please make note of our new address and plan to visit when you are in the area.
City of Newport Request Expressions of Interest to Operate the Newport, Oregon Municipal Airport
The City of Newport, Oregon is seeking Expressions of Interest from potential vendors to evaluate the possible operation of the Newport Municipal Airport through a contractor/concession agreement with the City of Newport. The contractual/concession operations may include all general maintenance activities, fixed base operations, and customer services and development services at the airport. The City of Newport would provide oversight for all construction activities at the airport. To view the complete Request for Expressions of Interest, visit the city’s website at www.newportoregon.gov. The deadline for submission of Expressions of Interest is noon on Wednesday, February 4, 2015. For additional information, contact Spencer Nebel, City Manager, at s.nebel@newportoregon.gov or by telephone at 541.574.0603.
2015 FBO Success Seminar has Even More to Offer
NATA’s FBO Success Seminar takes place March 9-10, 2015 in Las Vegas. The NATA FBO Success Seminar is for FBO owners, operators, general managers, new managers, finance personnel and other key FBO employees who are interested in building a more successful FBO. This popular industry seminar, now in its sixth year, will offer attendees new FBO management techniques, essential operational and service knowledge, and a networking forum for sharing experiences and best practices.
The FBO Success Seminar will be held in conjunction with the GSE Expo Worldwide and attendees will receive a complimentary registration to attend to the Expo. In addition, attendees will also receive a free copy of the new book, FBO Survival. 10 Tips to Keep Your Operation Lean, Mean & Profitable – a $49.95 value. Register today!
Safety 1st Regional Advanced Line Service Workshop – Las Vegas, NV
NATA Safety 1st is pleased to bring its unique mix of technical and service training to Las Vegas on March 10-11, 2015. This two-day training event is designed to provide the knowledge and skills needed to make your line service team succeed and become new leaders within your company. Register now! Additional dates and locations for this workshop are available at www.nata.aero/events.
Jet Aviation Creates Global Client Relations Position and Announces Two Leadership Team Appointments
Jet Aviation has appointed Gary Dempsey as senior vice president for the newly created position of Customer Care Worldwide. Dave Paddock will succeed Dempsey as the head of U.S. Aircraft Services as Senior Vice President and General Manager. Both appointments are effective January 2015. Read more.
Aircraft Management and Private Jet Charter Specialist Key Air Announces its New Vice President, Director of Operations
Key Air, a leading national provider of best-in-class aircraft management and worldwide executive jet charter services is proud to announce the addition of aviation veteran Chris Hand to its executive management team as the new Vice President, Director of Operations. Additional details.
Ohio Governor Declares December “General Aviation Appreciation Month”
Ohio Governor John Kasich recently signed a proclamation declaring December 2014 as “General Aviation Appreciation Month.” Across the Buckeye state, general aviation contributes nearly $5.5 billion to the state’s annual economy. The 98 general aviation airports throughout Ohio account for $1.7 billion in economic activity annually and support nearly 143,000 jobs. “Across Ohio, general aviation and community airports help businesses connect with their customers and suppliers, and provide opportunities to compete globally and reach new markets,” stated NATA President and CEO Thomas L. Hendricks. “NATA and our member companies in Ohio thank Governor Kasich for his continued support of general aviation.”
Duncan Aviation To Provide Avionics Support in Vail
Duncan Aviation and Vail Valley Jet Center have teamed to provide avionics services to operators requiring assistance and services at Eagle County Regional Airport in Vail, Colorado. Beau Hawkins, a Duncan Aviation avionics technician with the Duncan Aviation satellite avionics location in Denver, will be available to provide avionics services to operators at Eagle County Airport. Hawkins has 13 years of avionics experience, two of them with Duncan Aviation.
Safety Foundation Updates Accident Statistics
The Air Charter Safety Foundation (ACSF) recently completed a safety review of its Industry Audit Standard (IAS) registered Part 135 and fractional jet operators, a segment that flew 616,777 flight hours between 2009 and 2013. The review, conducted by Robert E. Breiling Associates, identified a single ground event during the five-year period. ACSF IAS-registered Part 135 and fractional jet operators experienced an accident rate of 0.162 accidents per 100,000 flight hours, according to ACSF and NTSB accident data. For all other Part 135 and fractional jet operators during the same five-year period, the accident rate was 0.54 accidents per 100,000 flight hours.
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