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NATA is the National Air Transportation Association
Founded in 1940, NATA aggressively promotes safety and the success of aviation service businesses through its advocacy efforts before government, the media and the public as well as by providing valuable programs and forums to further its members’ prosperity. |
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Professional Line Service Training |
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PLST Online provides the most up-to-date training available for line service specialists – 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Line service supervisors can conduct the new PLST Online training anytime and from anywhere there is access to the Web. continued |
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139 Fire Safety Training Online |
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This training not only meets and exceeds the requirements of 14 CFR 139.321 but also allows you to interact with other students in a group learning environment, receive the very latest NFPA news, watch live training presentations and much more. |
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| Update For May Committee Meetings |
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| The NATA Committee Meetings, to be held at the Westin Alexandria Courthouse Square, begin Wednesday, May 13. The NATA room block cut-off at the Westin Alexandria has passed and currently the hotel is sold out of all guest rooms. For your convenience, NATA provides the following information on a hotel nearby:
Hilton Alexandria Old Town
1767 King Street
Alexandria, Virginia
Tel: (703) 837-0440
This hotel is located on King Street and Diagonal Road, a 5- to 10-minute cab ride or a 10- to 15-minute walk from the Westin Alexandria. Rates begin at $299. Please contact the Hilton directly for rates and to make your reservation.
The dress code for all committee meetings is business casual. Suggested dress for the Day on The Hill congressional visits is business attire.
A package of talking-points and a schedule of appointments will be provided by May 11 via email to those attending the Day on The Hill congressional visits. | |
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| Association Participates In Second Round of LASP Meetings With TSA |
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| Last week, NATA and other industry groups participated in a second meeting with Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officials to discuss alternative proposals to the existing Large Aircraft Security Program (LASP) proposed rulemaking that was introduced last fall.
The association and other industry groups continue to work with the TSA to ensure that appropriate security measures are incorporated while recognizing the many unique characteristics of the general aviation community.
NATA submitted its comments on the LASP in late February. Those comments can be viewed by clicking here.
The association's LASP Issue Page may be viewed by clicking here.
Members with questions about this process may contact Eric Byer on the NATA staff. | |
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| Details Of President Obama’s Fiscal Year 2010 Budget Released |
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| On Thursday, May 7, 2009, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) released the Budget Appendix for fiscal year 2010 (FY10), one week after Congress approved a $3.4 trillion budget. The budget contains all of the funding details for each agency and program within the federal government. In addition, the budget contains $17 billion in funding cuts across approximately 120 federal programs, which accounts for a savings of less than 1% that Obama claims will help reduce the deficit during his term as president. He also called on Congress to reinstate pay/go rules requiring spending increases to be offset by equal spending cuts.
Agencies important to NATA members such as the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) both received an increase in budgetary resources for FY10. More specifically, the DOT will receive an increase in total budgetary resources, from $71.4 billion in FY09 to $73.25 billion in FY10. Of the nearly $16 billion provided for the FAA, $865 million is set aside for the NextGen air traffic control system. The budget also includes $180 million, a $9 million increase, for research and development to improve safety and expand capacity, which NextGen is intended to accomplish. The obligation limitation on Airport Improvement Program (AIP) grants remains the same at $3.515 billion. Other provisions of note in the budget are:
- Funds provided for reimbursement to fixed base operators for financial losses incurred as a result of September 11, 2001, will be rescinded as the remaining balance in this account ($4 million of the $17 million) is not needed (according to OMB,) and transferred to another account.
- The FAA may not use funds to implement any regulation that would promulgate new aviation user fees not specifically authorized by law.
- Continuation of War Risk Insurance coverage is extended through the Federal Aviation Administration Extension Act of 2009, which extended the requirement to provide insurance coverage through September 30, 2009. The Budget contains no policy recommendation for the aviation insurance program and displays baseline funding for the program in 2010. The Secretary of Transportation is authorized to limit an air carrier's third-party liability to $100 million, when the Secretary of Transportation certifies that the loss was from an act of terrorism.
The DHS's budget includes $42.7 billion in discretionary spending, compared to $40.1 billion Congress enacted for FY09. $5.3 billion is provided for the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) in FY10, $4.75 billion was appropriated for FY09.
The budget proposes $5.3 billion in discretionary and mandatory resources for the TSA's aviation security activities. Of this amount an estimated $2.3 billion is financed by offsetting collections from passenger security fees, air carrier security fees, and user fees supporting civil aviation security services. Included in the offsetting collections amount is $20 million in user fees for air cargo, general aviation at the Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, Secure Identification Display Area checks, and the Certified Cargo Screening and Large Aircraft Security programs.
Look for NATA's Legislative Report on the FY 2010 Budget that will be posted on www.nata.aero later this week.
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| House Ways And Means Committee Holds Hearing On FAA Reauthorization |
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| The U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Ways and Means reviewed the financial status of the Airport and Airway Trust Fund on May 7, 2009. Aviation-related excise taxes are deposited into that fund and used to help finance the U.S. air transportation system. Committee Chairman Charles Rangel (D-NY) commented in his opening statement that "the FAA, Airport and Airways Trust Fund and the aviation excise taxes have been operating under temporary extensions for more than a year and a half; the committee intends to act on this matter so that we can avoid the need for yet another temporary measure." The majority of these taxes are set to expire on September 30, 2009, unless Congress acts to extend them.
Testifying before the committee, House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Chairman James Oberstar (D-MN) stated, "I believe that the programs we have authorized can be funded by existing aviation excise taxes, coupled with a reasonable General Fund contribution that is consistent with what the industry has requested, and a relatively small increase in revenue derived from general aviation fuel taxes. While I believe that general aviation should pay somewhat more, I do not believe that the airlines should pay less than what they are paying now. Airlines will receive by far the most benefit from NextGen-related capital investments, which will make airlines more efficient and more profitable. Airlines stand to save billions of dollars annually from fuel savings, more reliable block times and other efficiencies provided by NextGen."
Subcommittee on Aviation Chairman Jerry F. Costello (D-IL) highlighted the broad support for a multi-year reauthorization bill among the supporters, the airlines, airports, general aviation, and state aviation officials. "I believe that Trust Fund revenues, coupled with additional revenue from the recommended GA fuel tax rate increases, and a reasonable General Fund contribution, will be sufficient to provide for the historic capital funding levels required to modernize the air traffic control system, Costello said."
Both Chairmen Oberstar and Costello recommended that the Committee on Ways and Means increase the general aviation fuel tax rate from 21.8 cents per gallon to 35.9 cents per gallon and increase the aviation gasoline tax rate from 19.3 cents per gallon to 21.4 cents per gallon. This increase is identical to legislation reported by Ways and Means in 2007 and was passed by the House on September 20, 2007.
The last witness to testify was Deputy Director of the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) Robert A. Sunshine, who stressed the importance of the legislation to the air transportation system. He stated that "the current financing system provides limited incentives to air carriers and general aviation flyers to use the system efficiently in congested areas--but structured differently, by linking the taxes paid by users of the system to the cost of providing air traffic control services, the financing system could help to reduce the potential for increasing congestion and delays."
Under both CBO's baseline projections and H.R. 915, the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2009 funding for the FAA would continue to exceed aviation-related revenues if current taxes were extended, which contributes to the federal deficit.
The following witnesses testified before the committee and voiced their support for increasing fuel taxes:
- The Honorable James L. Oberstar (D-MN), Chairman, Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. To view Chairman Oberstar's written testimony, please click here.
- The Honorable John L. Mica (R-FL), Ranking Member, Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
- The Honorable Jerry F. Costello (D-IL), Chairman, Subcommittee on Aviation, Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. To view Costello's written testimony, please click here.
- The Honorable Thomas E. Petri (R-WI), Ranking Member, Subcommittee on Aviation, Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
- Robert A. Sunshine, Deputy Director, Congressional Budget Office
Earlier this year, the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure approved a new FAA reauthorization bill, H.R. 915, for fiscal years 2009-2012. This hearing examined the current condition of the Trust Fund to help the Committee on Ways and Means consider the financing provisions that expire later this year. | |
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| House Homeland Security Committee Marks Up TSA Reauthorization Bill |
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| Last week, the U.S. House of Representatives Subcommittee on Transportation Security and Infrastructure Protection held a mark-up hearing for HR 2200, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Authorization Act.
According to the opening statement of Chairwoman Sheila Jackson-Lee (D-TX), the bill is part of Committee on Homeland Security Chairman Bennie Thompson's (D-MS) plan to pass authorizing legislation for the Department of Homeland Security. This would be the first time since the department was formed in 2002 that Congress had passed such legislation.
Four amendments were considered by the committee, one of them offered by Congressman Pete Olson (R-TX) that required the TSA to establish a negotiated rulemaking committee before final approval of the Large Aircraft Security Program (LASP). The amendment was withdrawn after Chairwoman Jackson-Lee agreed to hold a hearing in the coming months on the LASP. The bill passed the subcommittee without opposition. | |
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| NATA Issues Action Call On Badging Security Directive At Airports |
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| Recently, NATA issued an action call to its membership requesting they write Members of Congress concerning a new security directive (SD) issued by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). In December 2008, the TSA issued an SD to the directors of airports serving commercial air carriers mandating that any individual requiring unescorted access to the airport operations area (AOA) of an airport regulated by the TSA under Part 1542 that is served by commercial air carriers must apply for and receive airport-issued identification media. This requirement expands the airport identification process to include individuals such as FBO employees, private aircraft owners, general aviation maintenance providers, flight instructors, flight school students, and other airport tenants needing unescorted access to the AOA.
NATA is concerned that the TSA has chosen to use an SD to promulgate regulations affecting a broad category of previously unregulated individuals. Due to the large number, and varied interests, of the general aviation pilots, service providers and aircraft owners who will be affected by this SD, NATA believes that it is imperative that the TSA approach the issue of securing the AOA of commercial airports by issuing a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking. By following the federal rulemaking process, the TSA will enable those affected by the proposed rule to voice their concerns and offer suggestions on the best methods for securing the AOA.
To view NATA's Action Call, please click here.
Please contact Mike France, mfrance@nata.aero, or Kristen Moore, kmoore@nata.aero, for more information. | |
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| Los Angeles World Airports Considers Increased Fees And Noise Restrictions At Van Nuys |
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| In an attempt to close budget gaps that have persisted at Van Nuys Airport (VNY), Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA), which owns and operates the four airports in southern California, has proposed increasing airport fees. Van Nuys airport has suffered from budget gaps that have ranged between ½ and 9 million dollars over the past 17 years. Until now the gaps have be filled with surplus funds from Los Angles International, a practice that was deemed reasonable by many airlines because lower prices at VNY attracted many smaller aircraft away from LAX. LAWA has recently increased its concession fee on aviation fuel sold at VNY from 3 cents/gallon to 11cents/gallon. In addition LAWA is considering developing better administrative practices to collect landing fees that were instated in the early 1990s. Some estimates say that enforcement and collection of landing fees could raise as much as $4 million per year. Many VNY tenants and aircraft operators question the idea of raising the cost of doing business at VNY in the middle of a recession that has already cost some operators 30-40 percent of their revenue.
In addition to increased fees, LAWA Board of Directors voted on May 4 to recommend that the Los Angeles City Council approve a phase-out program that would ban all aircraft that emit more than 77 dBa on departure by 2016. This ban on aircraft would be implemented without an FAA-approved Part 161 study. LAWA claims it is able to do this because the program was first considered in 1990 prior to the adoption of the Airport Noise and Capacity Act.
The combined effect of limiting aircraft access and increasing fees on airport users during an already painful recession has the potential to drive aircraft to other southern California airports. NATA is currently reviewing the situation at VNY and will be providing its members with more details in the near future. | |
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| Get The Updated GA Facts In NATA's Downloadable Reference Book |
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| NATA has updated its popular fact book titled General Aviation in the United States. This publication was produced by the association for its members, the media, government, and the general public as a tool to help illustrate general aviation's importance to the U.S. transportation system and economy.
General Aviation in the United States provides an in-depth review of the NATA membership segments as well as other important components of the general aviation and airline services industry. This handy reference also contains information on a number of U.S. government agencies that affect the day-to-day operation of aviation businesses, and features several charts containing vital general aviation and business aviation statistics on fuel consumption, fractional ownership companies, active pilots, airports, and much more.
"NATA's fact book is one of the many helpful resources available to aid our members in educating community and government leaders about the value of our industry as a critical component to the American economy," NATA President James K. Coyne stated.
Copies of this new publication are free and can be downloaded via www.nata.aero.
Click here to download your free copy of General Aviation in the United States now!
Members who have questions regarding this publication may contact Linda Pylant or Shannon Chambers. | |
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| Lisa Stark And Bill Garvey On Countering Negative Public Perception Of GA |
| June 10, NATA Air Charter Summit and NATA FBO Leadership Conference Session |
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Public and political leadership outrage over perceived misuse of business aircraft has stigmatized the aviation industry. As the White House, Capitol Hill and the mainstream press continue to scrutinize the use of corporate aircraft, learn from some of the media's most savvy journalists at the NATA Air Charter Summit and NATA FBO Leadership Conference how the general aviation industry can counter these public perception issues.
William Garvey, Editor-in-Chief, Business & Commercial Aviation
Garvey is Editor-in-Chief of Business & Commercial Aviation. Previously, he served as Managing Editor of Aviation Week Television. Before joining the McGraw-Hill Companies, he was the top editor for both Flying and Professional Pilot magazines, as well as a member of the senior editorial staff at Reader's Digest. He managed communications for FlightSafety International. He has authored or co-authored three aviation books, was an essayist for National Public Radio, wrote aviation documentaries for The Discovery Channel, and served as host of "Aviator's World," a cable television series. During his stewardship at Business & Commercial Aviation, the monthly magazine has received dozens of awards for editorial excellence. Garvey is an active pilot with a commercial license; he also holds multi-engine, instrument, seaplane and glider ratings.
Lisa Stark, Correspondent, ABC World News
Lisa Stark was named a correspondent for ABC News in 1994. In her current position, she specializes in reporting on federal agencies, covering the Food and Drug Administration, FAA, National Transportation Safety Board, the Department of Transportation and the Transportation Security Administration. She also reports on the Federal Communications Commission, Federal Trade Commission, Consumer Product Safety Commission and others. She reported extensively on the bombing in Oklahoma City, the crash of TWA Flight 800, the space shuttle Columbia disaster, the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, and the Firestone tire crisis.
Stark joined ABC News in 1993 as Washington correspondent for "NewsOne," ABC's affiliate news service. In that capacity, she reported on the Rodney King and O.J. Simpson trials, the Midwest floods, and the funerals of former President Richard Nixon and Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis.
The Air Charter Summit, June 8-10, and the FBO Leadership Conference, June 9-11, offer in-depth analysis of legislative and regulatory issues, an update on security initiatives, expert assessment of the near- and long-term prospects for aviation businesses, and guidance on urgent business tactics such as countering the negative public perception of general aviation. | |
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| Air Charter Summit and FBO Leadership Conference Update |
| Hotel Discount Deadline Approaching And A Few Sponsorship Opportunities Still Available |
| The May 18 hotel discount deadline for the Air Charter Summit and FBO Leadership Conference is fast approaching. NATA has secured a room block at the Westfields Marriott. A discounted rate of $190, plus tax per night for single/double occupancy applies. To ensure your reservation receives NATA's discounted rate, please visit www.nata.aero/fbolc or www.nata.aero/acs and use the reservations link to book your accommodations online or call the hotel directly by May 18. The Westfields Marriott is located just 7 miles from Washington Dulles International Airport.
Demonstrate your support of the two most important aviation business events of the year by securing one of the last few available sponsorship opportunities. You may also opt to display your products or services to a highly targeted FBO and Part 135 audience with one of our table top displays.
FBO Leadership Conference Sponsors:
Air BP Aviation Services
Avfuel Corporation
Jet Aviation - Teterboro
Landmark Aviation
NATA Compliance Services
Phillips 66
Signature Flight Support
Universal Weather & Aviation, Inc.
USAIG
Air Charter Summit Sponsors:
Air Charter Safety Foundation
Avfuel Corporation
CharterX/Wyvern
Chevron Global Aviation
Crowell & Moring
Duncan Aviation
Jackson & Wade, L.L.C.
Jet Aviation - Teterboro
Jet Solutions, Inc.
Million Air - Salt Lake City
NATA Compliance Services
Phillips 66
Priester Aviation
Silverstone Group
Universal Weather & Aviation, Inc.
USAIG | |
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| Environmental Fact of the Week |
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| NATA's quick facts on the aviation industry's effect on the environment are designed to ensure that members take every step necessary to minimize the effect aviation has on the environment while recognizing the initiatives the industry has taken to reduce global warming.
NATA is currently developing, in cooperation with Carbon Neural Plan, the Clear Skies Program. Clear Skies is designed to give NATA members the tools they need to track their energy usage and thus green house gas (GHG) emissions. Clear Skies will also give members the option of purchasing verified carbon offsets to offset a portion of their companies' GHG emissions.
So, what is a carbon offset? Basically, a carbon offset is a method in which a company or an individual can account for their GHG emissions by investing in programs that will reduce the amount of carbon dioxide in our atmosphere. By purchasing enough offset, an entity can be said to be carbon neutral, meaning their investment in offsets is removing as much carbon dioxide from our atmosphere as they are contributing.
While it is not the goal of Clear Skies to have NATA members become carbon neutral, it will be an effective tool for members concerned about their impact on the environment. In the coming week, NATA will be releasing a survey to its members on the most effective methods for tracking energy use. Completing this survey will allow NATA staff to have the data needed to construct an effective and easy to use energy tracking tool.
For more information on Clear Skies, please contact:
Mike France
NATA Manager, Regulatory Affairs
mfrance@nata.aero | |
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