|
 
June 8, 2015 – Volume 14 Issue 23
 Chairman Shuster and Ed Gillespie Round Out NATA Aviation Business Conference Program
Last week, Tom Hendricks announced two exciting speakers who will open and close the NATA Aviation Business Conference, June 15th-18th. We hope you will agree their commitment to join us emphasizes the importance of your participation in the conference through to its Thursday morning conclusion. On Monday, June 15th, Mr. Ed Gillespie will be dropping by our welcome reception to kick off the conference by sharing his thoughts on the current political landscape. For those of you not familiar with Ed, he served in the White House as Counselor to President George W. Bush; on Capitol Hill as an aide to House Majority Leader Dick Armey; and as Chairman of the Republican National Committee. On Thursday, June 18th, Chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, Representative Bill Shuster of Pennsylvania will close out our conference. Chairman Shuster is the single most important driver of the debate on FAA reform, including whether to create a separate air traffic control corporation. After a thorough set of hearings and listening sessions with aviation stakeholders, including NATA, Chairman Shuster’s staff is now hard at work drafting the reauthorization legislation. This proposal will hold enormous consequences for aviation businesses. It is not too late to register.
NATA and Other Aviation Associations Fight Airport Restrictions
On Friday, NATA joined other aviation associations in a letter to House members opposing a possible amendment to the FY2016 Department of Transportation Appropriations bill to allow for the imposition of a night curfew at the Bob Hope Airport in Burbank, California. The associations reminded lawmakers that such amendments undermine the balanced process established by Congress to maintain a vibrant national airport system through the Airport Noise and Capacity Act of 1990. Action on the legislation will be completed this week and its low infrastructure funding levels have already drawn a veto threat from the Administration.
Massachusetts Considering Legislation to Repeal Tax Exempt Program
Tomorrow, the Massachusetts Joint Committee on Revenue will hold a public hearing on a number of business related pieces of legislation including S.1453, section 21 of which would consider a transfer of an interest in an aircraft to be considered a transfer of tangible personal property. The sale and purchase of aircraft is currently tax exempt in Massachusetts and passage of the bill will provide neighboring states a competitive advantage. Massachusetts members are urged to contact their state legislators in opposition to the bill. For more information contact MBAA.
FAA SOUTHERN AND SOUTHWEST REGIONS SIGN ACSF ASAP MOU
On Thursday, the Air Charter Safety Foundation (ACSF) announced that both the FAA Southern and Southwest Regions have signed the memorandum of understanding (MOU) that allows charter operators, corporate flight departments and fractional program managers to participate in the Air Charter Safety Foundation’s Aviation Safety Action Program (ASAP). The ACSF-managed ASAP program is already approved in the FAA Eastern, Great Lakes, and Western-Pacific Regions. ACSF anticipates adding the Northwest Mountain Region in the near future. Read more.
NATA Flag Pins for Veterans Project – Welcomes Signature Flight Support, Montgomery Aviation and Napa Jet Center Back as Participants
NATA’s Flag Pins for Veterans Project’s 2015 campaign began Memorial Day and runs through October 2015. Project participants are asked to display American-made flag pins in their operations with signage suggesting a $1.00 donation per pin, or make a direct donation to the project. Last year’s campaign raised more than $30,000 for veterans organizations. So far, Atlantic Aviation, Batten International Airport, Harbour Air Services KTVC, Hill Aircraft, Jet Aviation, Keystone FBO Services, Landmark Aviation, Million Air, Montgomery Aviation, Inc., Pentastar Aviation, Napa Jet Center, NATA, NATA Aviation Legal Services, Signature Flight Support and Transplant Transportation Services, Inc. have signed on to support the enduring sacrifices of our Nation’s veterans. For more information, click here or contact Shannon Chambers at schambers@nata.aero to participate.
NATA Member Benefit Spotlight – NATA Aviation Solutions
NATA Aviation Solutions is the consulting arm of NATA available to those NATA members looking for assistance with company-specific, tactical issues from a cadre of proven industry experts with many years of experience with our regulators. NATA Aviation Solutions complements the policy-level, strategic industry advice and advocacy provided by NATA as an ongoing membership benefit.
Commercial Operators Tax Seminar Takes Place July 14-15 in Chantilly, VA
NATA and Conklin & de Decker Associates, Inc. continue to offer the only tax seminar for commercial operators. The Commercial Operators Tax Seminar covers taxes that you, the commercial operator, face every day in your operations. Are you concerned with the IRS Chief Counsel Advisory relating to the application of the commercial FET to owner flights and management fees? This seminar will provide insight on this and other IRS opinions and how to prepare and survive an IRS audit. In addition, a comprehensive review of the Federal Aviation Regulations, Ops Spec A008 and language that should be included in charter/management and management agreements will be provided on the first day. Register today!
Duncan Aviation Holds Free NextGen Seminar, Complete With Equipment Information
Mark Francetic, Duncan Aviation’s regional avionics sales manager, is hosting another seminar on Tuesday, June 30th, at the Chicago Hilton in Northbrook, Ill. Read further.
Waukegan National Airport Lands Tower Service Award
Airport officials announced last week that Waukegan National has earned the 2015 Willie F. Card Contract Tower Service Award. Handed out by the American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE) and the U.S. Contract Tower Association (USCTA), the award honors "a demonstrated level of customer service excellence to aviation users and dedicated outreach to the local community, and having a documented system in place to measure safety and customer service performance of the contract tower to the local aviation users." Read more.
2015 Aviation Business Conference - Don't Miss Out!
The Air Charter Summit + Aviation Business & Legislative Conference
NATA is combining the best of the Air Charter Summit with the best of the Aviation Business & Legislative Conference into one industry-wide event – the NATA 2015 Aviation Business Conference. NATA’s new conference provides important advice, access and information to give your aviation business a competitive edge and to provide insights into what is happening in Washington that could impact your bottom line. One event also means more opportunities to catch up with your business associates. Register by clicking here. Sponsorship opportunities are available, contact Elizabeth Nicholson at enicholson@nata.aero.
Take the First Step Toward IS-BAH Registration
Do not miss the upcoming Fundamentals of IS-BAH Workshop at NATA's Headquarters in Washington, D.C. on June 19th, immediately following NATA's Aviation Business Conference. This workshop is a required element of IS-BAH registration and is presented by the International Business Aviation Council (IBAC) and hosted by NATA. If your business is considering IS-BAH registration, one company individual must attend a Fundamentals of IS-BAH Workshop. The registration fee is $500 per attendee. Seating is limited, so be sure to register today! In order to obtain the maximum benefit from attendance at the IS-BAH Workshop, participants are encouraged to purchase a copy of the IS-BAH manual to review during the workshop. The IS-BAH can be obtained from the NATA website.
Third Safety 1st Regional Advanced Line Service Workshop Takes Place in Chicago
NATA Safety 1st is pleased to bring its unique mix of technical and service training to Chicago, IL on July 7-8, 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, seats fill up quickly for this popular workshop!
ACSF News
ACSF announces the selection of Greg Kinsella, Base President-Washington, DC, of Jet Linx as Chairman, and Joe Salata, Vice President-Flight Operations, of Flight Options as Vice-Chairman. For more ACSF news, visit www.acsf.aero.
|