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June 22, 2015 – Volume 14 Issue 25
 NATA Concludes Successful Aviation Business Conference
NATA’s inaugural Aviation Business Conference concluded last Thursday with more than 100 aviation business professionals gathering in our nation's Capital to discuss the latest industry trends and the potential impacts of regulatory and legislative policy changes. Conference attendees participated in two Capitol Hill events where a bi-partisan group of aviation policymakers, including the leaders of the General Aviation Caucuses and House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, spent time with attendees discussing issues affecting their operations.
Conference participants also heard from FAA Associate Administrator Eduardo Angeles on the state of airport funding, interacted with a panel comprised of airport operators and aviation businesses, and were updated on the state of NextGen, Part 135 compliance and maintenance regulations, and safety topics such as industry standards and emergency preparedness and response. The Chairman of the powerful House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, Chairman Bill Shuster (R-PA), concluded the conference with a briefing on the pending FAA reauthorization, including his proposal to separate FAA Air Traffic Control from the agency's regulatory processes. “From Ed Gillespie’s opening remarks to Chairman Shuster’s closing session on FAA reform, we received positive feedback from attendees on the conference’s new format," said NATA President Tom Hendricks, "We are appreciative to our members, key government officials and industry experts for coming together to advance the interests of all aviation businesses."
NATA Elects New Board of Directors Members and Changes to Board Governance
Also part of the Aviation Business Conference was the NATA annual Membership Meeting. Andy Priester, President and Chief Executive Officer, Priester Aviation in Wheeling, IL, was selected as Chair of the NATA Board of Directors. The association also named Marty Hiller, Owner and Partner, Marathon Jet Center in Marathon, FL, as Board Vice-Chair. In addition, NATA also elected two new members to its board of directors: Scott Owens, Senior Vice President, McClellan Jet Services in McClellan, CA and Jeff Ross, President and Chief Executive Officer, Ross Aviation in Denver, CO. “The NATA Board of Directors comprises the finest leaders representing all areas of general aviation business," said NATA President and CEO Thomas L. Hendricks. "The association will benefit tremendously from the vast experience of these aviation business leaders. We appreciate their support, willingness to serve, and commitment to advancing safety and prosperity in the aviation business community."
NATA Members’ Support of the Veterans Airlift Command Tops Previous Years
NATA’s Aviation Business Conference carries on the aviation community’s tradition of support for the Veterans Airlift Command (VAC) through a popular raffle and auction. This year, the VAC donations exceeded $83,000 in value, nearly twice the amount raised in 2014. The Veterans Airlift Command is a charitable organization that provides free air transportation to wounded warriors, veterans, and their families for medical and other compassionate purposes. Summit participants heard from Staff Sergeant Brian Mast who gave a moving presentation that included how the VAC has aided in his recovery. “We are always gratified by the generosity of our members in supporting the Veterans Airlift Command. In addition to their financial gifts, our members volunteer throughout the year by flying missions and donating flight hours to this outstanding organization. We are honored to support those who have given so much for our freedoms,” said NATA President and CEO Thomas L. Hendricks.
NATA Aviation Business Conference Reviews Changes in State Tax Laws
Among the many updates provided to attendees at the 2015 NATA Aviation Business Conference was an important discussion on changes in state tax laws, including a recently approved, NATA supported, initiative in Texas to clarify the application of sales and use taxes to private aircraft in Texas. Nel Stubbs, Vice President and Owner at Conklin & de Decker, provided attendees with breaking information on tax changes in approximately 18 states including Nevada, where an NATA supported change in tax abatements was approved in the days leading up to the Aviation Business Conference. Stubbs will cover these and other important tax matters commercial owners need to know at the Commercial Operators Tax Seminar, July 14th-15th at the Westfields Marriott in Chantilly, VA.
Fractional Operators Eye International Expansion
NetJets, which already has operations in the U.S., China and Europe, is considering further expansion into markets such as South America, Canada and Mexico, according to Chuck Suma, Senior Vice President of Global Asset Management. The move is in response to customers' increasingly far-reaching travel needs, Suma told attendees at last week’s NATA 2015 Aviation Business Conference in Washington, D.C. The changing demand is also reshapinging the fleet dynamic, he said. At one time the fleet composition could be described as a pyramid, with light aircraft forming the base. Now the super-midsize category is poised to dominate. The shift is prompting NetJets to re-evaluate its long-range fleet, Suma said, adding the company might decide on new requirements shortly. Read more.
EPA Proposes to Regulate Pollution from Airplanes
On June 10th, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released a proposed endangerment finding that would conclude that greenhouse gas emissions from commercial airplanes contribute to climate change and harm the public. A formal regulation to limit airplane emissions is expected to follow and will likely align with ICAO rules due early next year. U.S. airplanes account for 11 percent of the transportation sector's carbon emissions, or approximately 29 percent of the world's airplane carbon emissions, but account for only three percent of the country’s total greenhouse gases. Any rulemaking activity proposed by the EPA, would not be completed until 2018. Read more.
NATA’s Q2 Aviation Business Journal is Available Online
The second quarter Aviation Business Journal includes a member profile on Executive Jet Management and articles on the Industry Excellence Award recipients, negotiating contracts, managing pilot well-being, NextGen, adequately insuring your business and more. Click here to read.
FAA and GA Community Launch Fly Safe Campaign
The FAA and general aviation (GA) groups, including NATA, launched the Fly Safe national safety campaign to educate the GA community on how to prevent Loss of Control accidents this flying season. Read more.
Fort Worth FBO Rocks the IS-BAH
After being in operation less than two years, American Aero at Meacham International Airport in Fort Worth, Texas, became the first FBO certified under the new International Standard for Business Aircraft Handling (IS-BAH). Adding to American Aero’s first is that the “Cowtown” FBO is actually the first in the Western Hemisphere to hang an IS-BAH certificate on their wall. An FBO in India also recently gained its IS-BAH certification. Read further.
High School Students Receive Hands-on Experience at Auburn University's First Aviation Camp
Auburn University hosted its first aviation camp for rising 9th through 12th grade students to provide them hands-on experience exploring the different career paths in aviation, attending lectures with guest speakers, going on field trips and participating in simulator, aircraft and flight line activities. While the aviation camp has assisted in university recruiting, it has also focused on reinforcing camper interest in science, technology, and engineering. The 2015 aviation camp combined faculty and staff from Auburn's Aviation Center, Auburn University Regional Airport, the Harbert College of Business and the Samuel Ginn College of Engineering in order to help further student interest in the aviation field. John McGraw, NATA Director of Regulatory Affairs, chairs the Auburn Aviation Management Advisory Board and serves on the center’s steering committee and Aerospace Engineering Advisory Council. Read further.
NATA Flag Pins for Veterans Project – Pledge Your Support with 16 Other Member Company 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, Bakersfield Jet Center by Loyd’s 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.
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!
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
Last week, ACSF announced that The Berkeley Group LLC, dba NV Jets, Las Vegas, Nevada is the newest company to join the ACSF. For more ACSF news, visit www.acsf.aero.
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