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October 5, 2015 – Volume 14 Issue 40
 Aviation Business Roundtable Takes Place October 20th
The full agenda for the 2015 Aviation Business Roundtable is now available. This year’s exciting speaker lineup includes TSA Administrator Peter Neffenger, noted industry and political analysts Richard Aboulafia and Charlie Cook, Under Secretary of Transportation for Policy The Honorable Peter Rogoff, and Chief NFIB Economist Dr. William Dunkelberg.
NATA’s Aviation Business Roundtable annually brings together the industry’s senior business executives to discuss important and relevant issues with key government officials and other top industry leaders. The Aviation Business Roundtable begins Tuesday, October 20th, at 8:00 a.m. and concludes that evening with a dinner address by leading political analyst Charlie Cook. Please contact Rebecca Mulholland at rmulholland@nata.aero, to register for the Aviation Business Roundtable or if you have questions.
Aircraft Management Services Legislation Seeks To Prevent Double-Taxation
On September 30th, Senators Sherrod Brown (D-OH) and Rob Portman (R-OH) introduced S.2092, legislation which clarifies that aircraft management services are not subject to air transportation taxes. The Brown-Portman bill is the companion legislation to H.R. 3608 introduced in the House last week by Representative Pat Tiberi (R-OH). The legislation is in response to a March 2012 IRS Chief Counsel opinion that concluded aircraft owners employing aircraft management services and allowing the use of the aircraft for occasional charter operations should assess the 7.5 percent commercial ticket tax on amounts paid for those management services. “Clarifying that aircraft management services are not subject to federal air transportation taxes will prevent the double-taxation of aircraft owners who seek to defray the costs associated with ownership through the chartering of aircraft,” stated NATA President Thomas L. Hendricks in a press release.
Congress Clears Bills To Continue Government and FAA Funding
Last week, Congress approved legislation to continue funding the federal government through December 11th. Separately, Congress also approved legislation extending the FAA’s current authorization until March 31, 2016. NATA has taken an in-depth look at the issues surrounding the federal budget debate and explains why it is possible the nation will again find itself at the budget precipice in December. The six month extension of the FAA's current authorization was expected and allows Congressional leaders additional time to develop consensus on an FAA reauthorization bill.
NATA Submits Comments on Order FS 8000.AFSGDD, Flight Standards Service Guidance Document Development
Last week, NATA submitted comments on a FAA Flight Standards Service (AFS) Order on guidance development. The Order was drafted by the FAA in response to a Consistency of Regulatory Interpretation Aviation Rulemaking Committee (CRI ARC) recommendation to “Develop Instructions for FAA Personnel with Policy Development Responsibilities.” NATA, an active member on the CRI ARC, supported the agency’s action in providing policy and guidance to AFS personnel that develop, update, or change AFS directives and advisory circulars (AC). NATA also stressed the need for the FAA to consider training its AFS employees who write or review policy and guidance documents. For further information, please contact Megan Eisenstein at meisenstein@nata.aero.
NATA Welcomes Committee Members to D.C. This Week
On October 6th and 7th, NATA welcomes its policy committee members to our Washington, D.C. headquarters for the 2015 Fall Committee Meetings. On Tuesday, October 6th, the Airport Business and Safety 1st Committees will meet and on Wednesday, October 7th, the Air Charter and Maintenance Committee meetings will take place. A reception will be held for all committee members on Tuesday evening.
NATA Hosts Air Carrier & Contract Training Working Group (AC & CT WG) Meeting
Last week, the AC & CT WG, led by NATA’s John McGraw, held a meeting at NATA's Washington, D.C. headquarters. The working group received a briefing from FAA and discussed the methodology and data sources for building training scenarios. The working group also concentrated its efforts on developing a work plan and timeline for the Phase II/Long Term tasking regarding the scenario-based training recommendations for the upcoming Air Carrier Training Aviation Rulemaking Committee (ACT ARC) Steering Committee Meeting scheduled for October 13th-15th. The next working group meeting is scheduled for November 18th at NBAA BACE in Las Vegas. For further details, please contact Megan Eisenstein at meisenstein@nata.aero.
FAA Publishes NPRM on FAA-Certificated Aviation Maintenance Technician Schools
Last week, the FAA published a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) in the Federal Register proposing to amend the regulations governing the curriculum and operations of FAA-certificated Aviation Maintenance Technician Schools. The NPRM outlines how the amendments are needed because the existing curriculums are outdated, do not meet current industry needs, and can be changed only through notice and comment rulemaking. Comments are due on or before December 31, 2015. For further information, please contact Megan Eisenstein at meisenstein@nata.aero.
NATA Remembers Longtime Member Don Holbert of Central Flying Service
NATA was saddened to learn of the passing of Donald Holbert, Chairman of Central Flying Service. Following his tour as a highly decorated U.S. Army helicopter pilot and platoon leader in Vietnam, Don Holbert served as Vice President of Operations at Central Flying Service, Inc. before becoming President from 1975 until 1981. He then served as Chairman of the Board after his father, Claud Holbert, stepped down. Central Flying Service, Inc. is a longtime member of NATA and early adopter of its Safety 1st Program. Last year, the association recognized the 75th Anniversary of this family-owned and operated business in the first quarter issue of the Aviation Business Journal. Read more.
EPIC and UVAir to Provide Fuel and FBO Network Branding at Toronto Pearson International Airport
Epic and UVair have been selected to provide fuel and FBO network branding to The Aerospace Centre, a new, state-of-the-art business aircraft fixed-base facility to be located on Convair Drive adjacent to runway 24L-06R at Toronto Pearson International Airport. Construction is underway on the new facility and it is expected to open in stages beginning in 2016, with full-operation expected in early 2017. Read more.
2016 Aviation Business Conference – Save the Date
Mark your calendar for NATA’s 2016 Aviation Business Conference. Next year’s conference will take place June 8-10, 2016 at the Hyatt Regency Washington on Capitol Hill. Save the date and look for upcoming registration details!
ACSF News
Save the date for the upcoming 2016 Air Charter Safety Symposium scheduled for March 8-9, 2016 at the Courtyard Dulles Town Center. To take advantage of the ACSF room block, you can make reservations by calling (800) 321-2211 or online using the following link: Book your group rate for 2016 ACSF Safety Symposium. Visit www.acsf.aero for more ACSF News.
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