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November 16, 2015 – Volume 14 Issue 46
 NATA Urges Congressional Highway Bill Conferees to Retain Fuel Fraud Provision
Today, NATA President Tom Hendricks wrote to members of the House and Senate drafting the final version of the multi-year highway funding bill requesting a House passed provision requiring the Government Accountability Office to study the impact of the so-called “fuel fraud” provision be retained in the final legislation. The provision was added to the House version of the highway bill by Representative Mike Pompeo (R-KS) during floor debate. Hendricks told conferees, “The proposed study is important to understanding the full impact of this provision on revenues deposited into the Airport and Airway Trust Fund.” Since 2005, federal excise taxes on the sale of non-commercial jet fuel to the general and business aviation fleets have been diverted into the Highway Trust Fund. An overly bureaucratic refund mechanism may be preventing subsequent transfer to the aviation fund from the majority of general and business aviation jet fuel sales because non-commercial end users are not permitted to apply for the refund themselves.
NetJets Wins Important Case Blocking Imposition of FET to Aircraft Management Services
On Thursday, the U.S. District Court, Southern District of Ohio, ruled in favor of NetJets and granted their motion of summary judgement to dismiss the Internal Revenue Service's attempt to collect $9.7 million in FET on aircraft management services provided to charter clients between April, 2005 and June, 2009. In its ruling the Court found “…the Government failed to provide EJM with precise and not speculative notice of EJM’s potential tax collection….Without adequate notice, it would be unfair to hold EJM secondarily liable for taxes owed by its customers.” Bipartisan legislation supported by NATA has been introduced in both the House and Senate clarifying that aircraft management services are not subject to air transportation taxes.
Tom Hendricks to Discuss State of the Industry at NBAA 2015
NATA President and CEO Tom Hendricks and staff will be on hand at NBAA 2015 this week in Las Vegas, N.V. — meeting with member companies and participating in industry events. All conference attendees are invited to a presentation by Tom at 2:30 p.m. on Wednesday, November 18th on “NATA and the State of the Aviation Industry.” The presentation is part of a series that will take place throughout the week at the Stevens Aviation booth N1321.
2016 Excise Tax Rates Announced
The IRS recently announced the 2016 rates for certain commercial transportation federal excise taxes and fees that are subject to annual inflationary adjustment. For transportation in calendar year 2016, the Domestic Segment Fee remains at $4.00, the International Facilities Fee increases to $17.80 per passenger and the fee for transportation beginning or ending in Alaska or Hawaii remains at $8.90 per passenger. The 7.5% tax on amounts paid for passenger transportation and the 6.25% rate for cargo are not indexed to inflation and remain unchanged. The changed rates are detailed on page 20 of IRS Revenue Procedure 2015-53.
NATA Industry Excellence Awards Nominations Are Open
NATA announces a call for nominations to acknowledge the individuals, offices, and organizations demonstrating excellence in their field and the highest level of customer service to the general aviation community. Each year, NATA presents awards to the exceptional individuals and companies that have helped to improve the general aviation community. The recipients of these awards are chosen based upon NATA member-submitted nominations. To review the award categories and award nomination form, click here. For more information, please contact Karissa Uko at kuko@nata.aero.
Don’t Miss Out — Celebrate NATA’s 75th Anniversary with Special Advertising Opportunities
NATA will kick off its 75th Anniversary celebration with the 4th quarter issue of the Aviation Business Journal (ABJ). To help mark the occasion, this special edition issue will feature discounted advertising space rates for messages honoring the commitment of NATA and its members to the aviation business industry. Advertising in the Journal allows your message to reach thousands of aviation business Owners, CEOs, Chairmen, Principals, and Presidents. To take advantage of this exceptional opportunity, contact Shannon Chambers at (202) 774-1516 or schambers@nata.aero. These advertisements will be available on a first-come first-served basis. The closing date for advertisements is November 20th. Reserve your space in the 4th quarter Anniversary kick off issue of ABJ before time runs out.
NATA Business Scholarship — Now Accepting Applications
The NATA Business Scholarship is granted to employees of regular or associate NATA members who are continuing their education to further their skills in FBO or charter management, maintenance facilities or flight schools. For more information about this scholarship or any other scholarships provided by the National Air Transportation Foundation, please visit our web page.
ExecuJet Earns First IS-BAH Certification in Africa
NATA would like to congratulate two new IS-BAH registered companies: ExecuJet Munich, Switzerland and ExecuJet Lanseria, South Africa! Click here to read about their accomplishment. To get more information about the IS-BAH program, please visit www.nata.aero/safety1st.
Napa County Airport Tower (APC) Honored for Excellence and Safety Focus
The Napa County Airport’s ongoing safety commitment has been formally recognized with the 2015 Air Traffic Organizations Outstanding Air Traffic Facility Award Level. This national award honors the high degree of efficiency and dedication of facility personnel in executing their daily responsibilities of expeditious air traffic movement, preservation of life and property and public service. Only three airports were recognized with this year’s Outstanding Air Traffic Facility Award with Napa being the only recipient within the Level 4-6 airport category. NATA Member, Napa Jet Center, provides FBO services to aircraft visiting the airport and Mark Willey, Napa Jet Center CEO, commended the FAA staff stating, “The entire team at Napa Jet Center values the excellence demonstrated day in and day out by the Napa Tower professionals.” To read the full release, click here.
2016 Aviation Business Conference — Early Bird Registration Opens December 1st
NATA's 2016 Aviation Business Conference will take place June 8th-10th at the Hyatt Regency Washington on Capitol Hill. The conference will kick off with a reception Wednesday evening, June 8th and the conference will conclude Friday afternoon, June 10th. Early bird registration will open December 1st and run through Friday, April 8th. Mark your calendar now and look for upcoming registration details!
ACSF News
Registration is now open for the 2016 Air Charter Safety Foundation Safety Symposium at the NTSB Training Center in Dulles, VA on March 8–9, 2016. The event theme is Safety: A Smart Investment for a Rich Future and will touch on the following subjects: system safety, reducing risk, safety metrics and much more. Visit www.acsf.aero/symposium for more information and to register online today!
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