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March 21, 2016 — Volume 15, Issue 12

This Week's Top Stories

NATA Praises Senate Committee’s Swift Action on Bipartisan FAA Reauthorization Legislation

On Wednesday, March 16^th, the Senate Commerce Committee easily passed S. 2658, the Federal Aviation Administration Reauthorization Act of 2016, bipartisan legislation extending FAA programs through September 30, 2017. Unlike its House counterpart — opposed by NATA — the Senate bill does not establish a user fee-funded air traffic control corporation. In a press release, NATA President and CEO Thomas L. Hendricks thanked the Committee for their swift action, “We strongly support the legislation’s approach to making the FAA and its programs more effective and hope the full Senate will take up and approve this legislation in April.”

Congress Extends FAA Programs and Taxes Until July 15^th

Facing a March 31^st expiration, Congress is poised today to extend the authorization for FAA funding and taxes until July 15, 2016, giving both chambers additional time to complete a long-term reauthorization bill. The extension was not without controversy as the Senate rejected the House’s attempt last week to extend aviation taxes for one year and instead resynched the authorization of FAA programs with its taxes. The Senate version of the FAA reauthorization (see adjacent article) could be considered by the full Senate in early April. NATA opposes the House version of the reauthorization that proposes to create a user fee-funded air traffic control corporation and urges members to contact their Representatives and Senators at www.nata.aero/nocorporation.

NATA’s Safety 1^st Launches Online Training Programs for HAZMAT and Regulated Garbage Handling

Responding to member input, NATA expanded its Safety 1^st online suite of programs with brand-new training for the handling of HAZMAT/dangerous goods and regulated garbage. NATA’s Safety 1^st Regulated Garbage, HAZMAT Will-Carry, and HAZMAT Will-Not-Carry programs are specifically designed for FBOs, charter operators, flight crews, and ground personnel. The programs will provide the insight and knowledge needed to educate your employees and customers on the do’s and don’ts of transporting dangerous goods and properly disposing of garbage from international flights. Verify which USDA and DOT training requirements are met by NATA’s training at http://nata.aero/Safety-1st/Education-and-Training.aspx . For updates on HAZMAT, Regulated Garbage and other Safety 1^st programs, please follow the “The Safety Net” blog.

NATA and Industry Groups Drive Part 135 Training Changes

Last week, NATA issued a press release highlighting recommendations the Air Carrier & Contract Training Working Group (AC & CT WG) developed for the FAA to modernize training for Part 135 air carriers. The AC & CT WG, led by NATA’s Director of Regulatory Affairs, John McGraw, also includes NATA members Reynolds Jet, Jet Logistics, FlightSafety International and CAE. The group “urges the FAA to align regulations under Part 135 and Part 142 to reduce administrative inefficiencies, develop a standardized training curriculum model for 135 operators and to develop scenario-enhanced recurrent (SER) training and checking for 135 operators.” John McGraw added, “The industry has been looking for training reform for quite some time. These recommendations will help pave the way for sweeping changes in on-demand air carrier training.” For more information, please contact Megan Eisenstein at meisenstein@nata.aero.

From the FAA

FAA Incorporates NATA’s Recommendations to Amend the FAA’s Flying Club Policy

On March 15^th, the FAA released a Policy Statement regarding a petition to amend FAA interpretations concerning flying club operations at federally obligated airports. Last August, NATA submitted comments on the proposal and the FAA incorporated NATA’s recommendations into the final policy which will emphasize three points:

Flying clubs should at no time hold themselves out as fixed based operators, flight schools or as businesses offering services to the general public.
CFIs and mechanics should be permitted to receive either monetary compensation or discounted/waived regular club member dues but not both.
Flying clubs must not indicate, in any form of marketing and/or communications, that they are a flight school and flying clubs must not indicate in any form of marketing and/or communications that they are a business where people can learn to fly.

The final policy becomes effective April 4, 2016. Please do not hesitate to contact Megan Eisenstein at meisenstein@nata.aero to discuss possible policy violations.

FAA Publishes Final Rule | Technical Amendment to Air Carrier Contract Maintenance Requirements

Last week, the FAA published a final rule including a technical amendment to the Air Carrier Contract Maintenance Requirements. Effective March 16, 2016, “this final rule amends the maintenance regulations for domestic, flag and supplemental operations, and for commuter and on-demand operations for aircraft type certificated with a passenger seating configuration of 10 seats or more (excluding any pilot seat). The new rules require affected air carriers and operators to develop policies, procedures, methods, and instructions for performing contract maintenance that are acceptable to the FAA, and include them in their maintenance manuals.” The technical amendment updates 14 CFR 11.201(b) to display OMB control number 2120-0766 associated with the information collection activities in the final rule.

NATA Participates in ADS-B Equip 2020 Plenary & Working Group Meeting

On March 18^th, NATA’s regulatory affairs staff met with industry and FAA representatives at the Equip 2020 Plenary & Working Group Meeting. NATA participates in the “General Aviation Equipage Working Group,” which is currently focusing on monitoring the equipage of ADS-B Out in the GA community as well as addressing privacy concerns for GA aircraft that will be flying in rule-airspace in 2020. The Working Group also received a FAA Safety Team (FAASTeam) ADS-B briefing, where industry outreach efforts were discussed to help promote and further educate the flying community on the 2020 mandate. 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 & Working Group Meeting is scheduled for June 2016. For more information, please contact Megan Eisenstein at meisenstein@nata.aero.

Association Highlights

Free Webinar for NATA Members Participating in PartnerShip®

On March 23^rd, PartnerShip® will host a free webinar, Global Aerospace Industry Trends and Opportunities in Managing Supply Chain Complexities. The program will start at 2:00 PM ET / 11:00 AM PT. NATA members can take better advantage of their FedEx services and discounts by participating in this free webinar. It will provide insight into the shipping industry and tools to help with your shipping processes. Click here to register or learn more. PartnerShip® helps you save on every inbound, outbound, and small and large shipment through its NATA Shipping Program — a free NATA Member benefit.

Member Spotlight

Lowe Aviation Company Announces Business Restructure

Lowe Aviation Company recently announced a major corporate overhaul that will see the world-class aero service center separate its renowned Fixed Based Operation (FBO) division from its Avionics and Maintenance division. Henry Lowe, owner of Lowe Aviation, will continue to own and oversee the FBO division, still known as Lowe Aviation Company. The Avionics and Maintenance division, now known as Lowe Aviation Services, will continue with a new owner — CEO & President Karl H. Gardner. "With his unparalleled expertise and commitment to excellence, I am confident that Karl will carry on the legacy of quality and integrity this company was built on," said Henry Lowe. For more information, click here.

Events

Safety 1^st Regional Advanced Line Service Workshop | Windsor Locks, CT

NATA Safety 1^st is pleased to bring its unique mix of technical and service training to Windsor Locks, CT on April 6-7, 2016 at the New England Air Museum. The Safety 1^st Advanced Line Service Workshop is a two-day training event designed to provide the knowledge and skills needed to make your line service team succeed and become new leaders within your company. Register now! Additional dates and locations for this workshop are available at http://nata.aero/Events/2016-ALS-Regional-Workshops.aspx .

Train Your Line Service and Management Teams with NATA Safety 1^stin Augusta, GA

The Essentials of Hangar Subleasing: From Risk to Revenue (May 10-11) is a one-and-a-half-day management development program that covers the delicate balance between customer service, risk mitigation and revenue optimization in subleasing hangar space to aircraft operators. Facilitated by industry-experts FBO Partners on behalf of NATA, this course will teach the best practices, strategies and negotiation skills essential in hangar subleasing, and provide an immediate and quantifiable return for an attendee.

NATA Safety 1^st is also pleased to host its popular Advanced Line Service Workshop at Augusta Regional Airport in Augusta, GA on May 11^th and 12^th. Join NATA for two valuable workshops. Register today!

Early Bird Registration for the 2016 Aviation Business Conference Ends in April

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^thand 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 and save today! Also, sponsorship opportunities for the conference are available starting at $250.

ACSF News

ACSF Symposium Roundup

Earlier this month, The Air Charter Safety Foundation (ACSF) completed its ninth annual Air Charter Safety Symposium at the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) Training Center in Ashburn, Virginia. The two-day gathering drew 22 sponsors and 115 people, including aviation executives, directors of operations, chief pilots, safety officers, risk managers and schedulers.

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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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