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February 2, 2015 – Volume 14 Issue 5
 NATA on Fiscal Year 2016 FAA Budget Proposal
Today the Obama Administration released its FY2016 budget proposal. The Administration is proposing to fund the FAA at a level of $15.8 billion. The proposal also includes the repeal of depreciation rules designed to encourage the purchase of general aviation aircraft. "NATA is pleased that the Administration recognizes the important mission of the FAA by proposing significant increases for FAA operations, system modernization and research; however it will be a heavy lift for the aviation industry. Among other things, the President’s overall discretionary budget proposal, including the FAA, is well above the caps required by law and these increases will face a very skeptical Congress, said NATA President Tom Hendricks. "We also appreciate the Administration removing a proposal from previous budgets to impose user fees on general aviation activity. However, we will continue to vigorously oppose revising the tax treatment for the purchase of business aircraft. It adversely impacts aviation businesses that are known for creating highly-skilled, good paying jobs at a time when we must continue to build economic momentum. NATA and its members will continue to work with our aviation industry colleagues and congressional leaders to ensure it is not enacted into law."
FAA Accepts NATA Recommendations On Screening for Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)
Last week the FAA responded to industry input on the OSA issue by releasing a Fact Sheet – Sleep Apnea in Aviation. The FAA Office of Aerospace will implement new guidance for Aviation Medical Examiners (AMEs) in the Guide for Aviation Medical Examiners on March 2, 2015 that will not disqualify a pilot on BMI alone or require an OSA evaluation. As stated in the Fact Sheet, “The FAA is not changing its medical standards related to OSA. The agency is revising the screening approach to help AMEs find undiagnosed and untreated OSA.” NATA, along with other industry stakeholders and members of Congress, had expressed concerns to the FAA over proposed guidance on OSA. The proposed guidance would have required treatment for pilots with a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or more and in turn would have grounded those pilots until further treatment had been completed.
NATA and Members Discuss Response to NY Area Slot Proposal
Last week NATA staff met with members directly impacted by the FAA’s proposal to impose slot restrictions on unscheduled operations at John F. Kennedy International (JFK) and Newark Liberty International (EWR) airports. Members have expressed great concern with FAA's proposal to limit unscheduled operations to one per hour at EWR, two per hour at JFK and to maintain the existing three slots per hour at LaGuardia Airport (LGA). Currently unscheduled operations, including Part 135 on-demand and Part 91 general aviation operations, are not subject to any hourly limits at JFK and EWR. The association’s Air Charter Committee will continue discussions on the proposal at their winter meeting this week. NATA intends to submit comments advocating on behalf of the membership prior to the comment deadline of April 8, 2015.
Hendricks Visits Embry-Riddle, Meets with Leadership
Last week, NATA President & CEO Tom Hendricks visited Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and discussed partnership opportunities with the university’s leadership. Hendricks met with ERAU President John Johnson, College of Aviation Dean Tim Brady and College of Business Dean Michael Williams, among other university executives, to discuss ways in which NATA can become more involved with Embry-Riddle and provide its students opportunities to participate in NATA programs and events. Click here for more information on student membership opportunities with NATA.
NATA Staff in San Jose This Week
NATA staff will be on hand in booth #1511 at the Schedulers & Dispatchers Conference this week. NATA has many new programs from the Safety 1st Digital Emergency Response Program to the NATA Workers’ Compensation Insurance Program™, so stop by to find out more about the benefits to your business.
Everything You Could Ever Want to Know About Fuel Handling
Indiana Aviation Organizations Meet with State Leadership on Importance of General Aviation Businesses
NATA Airport Business Committee Chair Andi Montgomery, of Montgomery Aviation, joined other Indiana aviation businesses at a conference with the Indiana State Assembly and Secretary of Commerce to educate the lawmakers on the importance of general aviation to the state’s economy and competitiveness. At the “Day at the Statehouse” conference, the organizations emphasized the importance of attracting aviation businesses to Indiana and discussed the industry’s successes. For more information on the conference, click here.
ARGUS Releases 2014 Business Aircraft Activity Review & Q1 2015 Forecast
Business aviation flight activity soared in 2014. TRAQPak data indicates that 2014 flight activity posted its best year since 2008, up 2.0% from 2013. Flight activity had a great start in the first half of 2014, with gains of 1.6%, but an even stronger performance in the second half of the year with a 2.4% increase from July through December 2014. All four quarters in 2014 grew from their respective quarter in 2013, with Q4 leading the way, up 2.8% from Q4 2013. Q1, Q2 & Q3 2014 finished up 1.1%, 2.1% & 2.0% in that order from 2013. Looking ahead to 2015, TRAQPak analysts estimate that there will be a 2.1% overall increase in flight activity for Q1 2015 (over 2014). Read more.
Banyan to Host iPad Takes Flight EFB Challenge
Banyan Pilot Shop will host MyGoFlight’s iPad Takes Flight! EFB Challenge – Connected Flight Edition Seminar. This seminar is designed to advance the use of iPads and tablets as an Electronic Flight Bag (EFB) and a connection to information and on-board navigational systems during all phases of flights. Read more.
Landmark Aviation Appoints Chief Information Officer
William McLemore has been appointed Vice President and Chief Information Officer (CIO) at Landmark Aviation. William will oversee Landmark Aviation’s technology infrastructure.
Safety 1st Certified Trainer Program a Success - Register Now for Second Course Beginning in August
The first NATA Safety 1st Certified Trainer Program (CTP) began on January 28th and is a great success with 40 students in attendance. The CTP is comprised of six instructor-led, online classes that provide the foundational knowledge and skills required to be an effective trainer. These classes are approximately an hour and a half in length and occur over a three month period. As an online course, the CTP saves participants time away from work and the cost of travel typically associated with in-person seminars and training classes. The course is derived from basic learning and on-the-job training theory and includes practical implementation strategies that allow attendees to have an immediate positive impact on training and morale. Registration for the next course beginning in August is now open. For more information, visit http://www.nata.aero/events.
NATA to Hold Two Events in Las Vegas this March
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 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!
NATA Safety 1st is pleased to bring its unique mix of technical and service training to Las Vegas on March 11-12, 2015. The Safety 1st Regional Advanced Line Service Workshop 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.
ACSF News
Read the latest ACSF blog post highlighting a session from the Air Charter Safety Foundation Safety Symposium lineup. The symposium is scheduled for March 10-11, 2015. This year’s theme is “How do you know you’re safe?” ACSF also announced the dates for its ACSF Auditor Workshop (March 11-12, 2015, immediately following the symposium). Visit http://www.acsf.aero/ for Air Charter Safety Foundation News.
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