|
 
February 23, 2015 – Volume 14 Issue 8
 Hendricks Discusses FAA Reauthorization at American Bar Association Forum
Appearing on Friday before the American Bar Association's Forum on Air & Space Law, NATA President and CEO Tom Hendricks joined other industry, administration and Hill leaders in discussing the upcoming FAA reauthorization. Hendricks expressed hope the legislation would focus on making the FAA more consistent in the application of regulations and more efficient with its resources, thereby reducing investment risk to aviation businesses. Responding to questions about possible changes to the FAA's funding stream and organization Hendricks responded, "No place on the planet has an ATC system like ours. While no one should be opposed to the injection of more private sector practices, it is important how we manage any changes to the agency in order to maintain a stable, safe and efficient system with access for all users."
Treasury Department Announces Temporary Relief from ACA Provision for Small Businesses
Last week the Department of Treasury announced a delay until July 1st in the enforcement of an Affordable Care Act prohibition on standalone health reimbursement arrangements. According to tax expert Tony Nitti, small employers "will not be subject to the penalty for conducting an employee reimbursement plan for either 2014 or for the period January 1st through June 30th, 2015. The employer will become subject to the penalty beginning July 1, 2015, however."
Pro Aviation Business Legislation in Illinois and Nevada
The Illinois Aviation Trades Association reports the introduction of legislation (SB1280) to expand the state's sales tax exemption on airframe parts to include engine parts. The proposal would also eliminate the current sales tax on aviation fuels in favor of an excise tax of $0.10 per gallon. Finally, it requires those funds be deposited into the Aviation Fuel Tax Fund and used only for airport related purposes as required by the FAA.
In Nevada, the state legislature is considering legislation (SB 93) designed to provide the state's aviation businesses with a partial abatement from personal property taxes imposed on an aircraft and the tangible personal property used to own, operate, manufacture, service, maintain, test, repair, overhaul or assemble an aircraft or any component of an aircraft. In addition, the legislation would provide a partial abatement from the local sales and use taxes imposed on the purchase of tangible personal property used to operate, manufacture, service, maintain, test, repair, overhaul or assemble an aircraft or any component of an aircraft.
NATA Participates in ADS-B Equip 2020 Plenary and Working Group Meeting
Last week, NATA’s regulatory affairs staff attended the monthly Equip 2020 Plenary and Working Group Meeting with industry representatives and the FAA. NATA has been participating in the ‘General Aviation Equipage Working Group’ which focuses its efforts on monitoring the equipage of ADS-B Out in the GA community as well as confronting issues relevant to availability of equipment and its installation. Prior to the meeting, the NextGen GA Fund announced its “Jumpstart GA 2020” Program which has secured an order for 10,000 L-3 Lynx NGT-1000 ADS-B units at introductory dealer pricing in hopes of accelerating rule-compliant ADS-B Out avionics implementation in the GA community. For more information, please visit www.NextGenFund.com and www.L-3Avionics.com.
DOT and FAA Release NPRM on the Use of Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (sUAS)
On February 23, 2015, the Department of Transportation and the Federal Aviation Administration published a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) relating to the operation and certification of small unmanned aircraft systems (sUAS). As stated in the NPRM, “This rulemaking proposes operating requirements to allow small unmanned aircraft systems (sUAS) to operate for non-hobby or non-recreational purposes. A small UAS consists of a small unmanned aircraft (which, as defined by statute, is an unmanned aircraft weighing less than 55 pounds) and equipment necessary for the safe and efficient operation of that aircraft.” Comments may be submitted on or before April 24, 2015.
NATA Participates in the GAJSC SAT Meeting with FAA and Industry
Last week, NATA participated in a General Aviation Joint Steering Committee Safety Analysis Team (GAJSC SAT) meeting with FAA and industry stakeholders. The GAJSC SAT focuses their efforts on researching, analyzing and developing mitigation strategies related to GA safety issues. For more information, contact Megan Eisenstein, Senior Manager of Regulatory Affairs at meisenstein@nata.aero.
NATA Maintenance Committee Recognizes Outgoing Chairman Bill Hoddenbach
NATA’s Aircraft Maintenance and Systems Technology Committee recognized outgoing Chairman Bill Hoddenbach at the Spring Meeting in San Jose. He served as committee Chair from April 2010 to September 2014 and will remain on the committee to continue providing valuable input and representation to NATA members and the industry.
SRC Aviation Achieves First IS-BAH Registration
Last week, the first International Standard for Business Aircraft Handling (IS-BAH) Certificate of Registration was issued to SRC Aviation (P) Ltd. of New Delhi, India. Kurt Edwards, Director General of IBAC, presented the certificate to Brig. M.K. Idnani, CEO of SRC Aviation, at the first BizAv India Conference in Bangalore, India. Launched in July 2014, the IS-BAH is a joint program between IBAC and NATA. Interested organizations may click here for further information.
Updated Digital NATA Aviation Resource Book & Membership Directory Now Available
In an effort to provide the most up-to-date information available, the NATA Aviation Resource Book & Membership Directory is available as a user-friendly online document. Available from any Internet browser, the digital format of NATA’s Aviation Resource Book & Membership Directory enables members to share access to this valuable resource with everyone in their operation. Members also may download the directory in Portable Document Format (PDF). Click here to access the updated NATA Aviation Resource Book & Membership Directory (login is required). Information is current as of December 2014. If you have any changes to your listing, please contact NATA at (800) 808-6282. You can also log on to the NATA website to make changes as well.
Banyan’s Corporate Chaplain Honored
Albert Beltran, Banyan’s Corporate Chaplain, was recently named 2014 Chaplain of the Year. This honor is based on demonstrated passion and excellence in fulfilling Corporate Chaplains of America’s (CCA’s) mission statement among the employees he/she serves. Read more.
Conklin & de Decker Releases 2015 State Tax Guide for General Aviation
Conklin & de Decker announces the release of their 2015 State Tax Guide for General Aviation (“State Tax Guide”). Packed full of critical tax information, the State Tax Guide is a must-have reference tool for helicopter and fixed-wing operators, accountants, dealers, brokers, aviation law professionals, and others. Read further.
Import/Export Consultant Joins Duncan Aviation Aircraft Sales Team
Dan Moody recently joined the Duncan Aviation Aircraft Sales and Acquisitions team to add his global expertise and consultant advice to the aircraft sales process. Additional information.
NATA Safety 1st Introduces a New Air Charter Workshop
NATA Safety 1st will hold its first workshop for air charter operators on April 8-9, 2015 in Long Beach, CA. Above the Clouds: Next Level Client Services is a new workshop experience tailored to provide the knowledge and skill to drive continuous improvement in customer loyalty, revenues and profits. The workshop is hosted by Airflite and presented in conjunction with ServiceElements™. Learn more.
Safety 1st Regional Advanced Line Service Workshop Takes Place In March
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 http://www.nata.aero/events.
NATA to Hold FBO Success Seminar 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!
ACSF News
The Air Charter Safety Foundation Safety Symposium is scheduled for March 10-11, 2015 and the program features sessions designed to answer the question, “How do you know you’re safe?” This year’s popular Symposium raffle includes a leather IPad/tablet travel case with docking port from Textron Aviation and other exciting items, register for the Symposium for a chance to win! Visit http://www.acsf.aero/symposium or call Bryan Burns at (703) 244-4154 to register. 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.
|