NATA News

The FAA has announced the 2016 random drug and alcohol testing percentage rates for aviation employees covered by federal drug and alcohol testing regulations. For the period of January 1, 2016, to December 31, 2016, the random drug testing rates are:
• Drug testing = 25% of safety sensitive employees
• Alcohol testing = 10% of safety sensitive employees

These rates remain unchanged from 2015 and reflect the lowest rates permitted under the law. More information on drug and alcohol testing programs is available from the FAA Drug and Alcohol Testing Program webpage.

The FAA published a draft revision to the data approval advisory circular AC 43-210A that is open for comment until 1/7/16. This advisory circular describes a standardized procedure for requesting approval of technical data associated with major alterations or major repairs for certificated products. It also provides information that can help distinguish whether a proposed repair or alteration requires a field approval, and explains how to obtain such an approval (including a field approval checklist). Email comments to Briona.CTR.Brown-Calhoun@faa.gov.

Today, the FAA released the aircraft registration process for owners of small unmanned aircraft (UAS) weighing more than 0.55 pounds and less than 55 pounds including payloads. The FAA states, “Registration is a statutory requirement that applies to all aircraft. Under this rule, any owner of a small UAS who has previously operated an unmanned aircraft exclusively as a model aircraft prior to December 21, 2015, must register no later than February 19, 2016. Owners of any other UAS purchased for use as a model aircraft after December 21, 2015 must register before the first flight outdoors.” Owners are able to register their UAS through a web-based system at www.faa.gov/uas/registration. The registration fee is $5; however, the FAA is waiving this fee for the first 30 days from December 21, 2015 to January 20, 2016. For more information on the registration process and the rule, click here.

NATA’s regulatory affairs staff joined other industry and FAA representatives last week at the Equip 2020 Plenary and Working Group Meeting. NATA participates in the “General Aviation Equipage Working Group,” which focuses on monitoring the equipage of ADS-B Out in the GA community as well as confronting issues relevant to availability of equipment and its installation. For all the latest information and news on the January 1, 2020 ADS-B Out mandate, please visit the FAA’s Equip ADS-B website. The next Equip 2020 Plenary and Working Group Meeting is scheduled for March 18, 2016. For more information, please contact Megan Eisenstein at meisenstein@nata.aero.

Last week, NATA staff participated in several meetings related to the development of unleaded aviation fuel through the Piston Aviation Fuel Initiative (PAFI). On Monday, the Technical Advisory Committee (TAC), who reports to the PAFI Steering Group (PSG), met to discuss the status of Phase I and next steps for Phase II. On Tuesday afternoon, the PSG held a meeting where FAA and industry engaged in discussions on the progress, plan, and schedule of Phase I: Lab Tests, Emissions & Toxicology Assessments and next steps for Phase II which includes full scale engine and aircraft testing. Phase II testing is scheduled to occur toward the end of 2016 into 2017 and 2018. The next PAFI Steering Group meeting is scheduled for early February, 2016 in Dallas, Texas. For more information, please contact Megan Eisenstein at meisenstein@nata.aero. 

Eagle Creek Aviation Services has completed the purchase of Montgomery Aviation's three North-Central Indiana locations. It includes the fixed base operations (FBO), flight school, and maintenance facility at Indianapolis Executive Airport (TYQ), the FBO at the Frankfort / Clinton County Airport (FKR), and the FBO at the Grissom Aeroplex (GUS).  The Montgomery Aviation name will remain for the time being and customers can expect to see the same friendly faces on the line and behind the counter supporting customer needs.

Cutter Aviation finalized the purchase of Atlantic’s FBO at Phoenix, Deer Valley (Arizona) Airport December 8th, 2015. During the consolidation, Cutter will operate from both facilities (Cutter and former Atlantic) as the provider of FBO services at Deer Valley Airport. The acquisition of the Atlantic facility builds Cutter’s current operational presence at Deer Valley and allows it to expand services and facilities. Future plans include building new hangars as well as a modern, welcoming FBO facility offering superior customer amenities for passengers and crews.

Early Bird Registration for the 2016 Aviation Business Conference Is Now Open
NATA's 2016 Aviation Business Conference will take place June 8^th-10^th at the Hyatt Regency Washington on Capitol Hill. The conference will kick off with a reception Wednesday evening, June 8^th and the conference will conclude Friday afternoon, June 10^th. Early bird registration will run through Friday, April 8^th. Please visit http://nata.aero/Events/2016-Aviation-Business-Conference.aspx to register today! 

Upcoming Safety 1^st Events, Click Here
Advanced Line Service Workshop in Anchorage, Alaska - February 14-15, 2016
FBO Success Seminar in New Orleans, Louisiana - March 8-9, 2016
Advanced Line Service Workshop in Dallas, Texas - March 15-16, 2016

ACSF Symposium
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!