NATA News

Today, the FAA and DOT withdrew the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) intended to “replace the FAA’s Orders limiting scheduled operations at JFK, EWR, and LGA with a long-term comprehensive approach to slot management at these airports.” When the NPRM was released in January 2015, NATA stated that the proposed rule would negatively impact Part 135 and fractional operators, and did not consider the opportunity costs for businesses servicing general aviation aircraft. The FAA and DOT announced slot controls are no longer needed at EWR and “…changes in market conditions and operational performance, and particularly the potential impact of EWR’s change in status, the Department is withdrawing the NPRM to allow for further evaluation of these changes. Withdrawal of this NRPM (80 FR 1274, January 8, 2015) does not preclude the agency from issuing future rulemakings on this issue, nor does it commit the agency to any course of action in the future.”

On May 12^th, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) released a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) titled “Regulatory Relief: Aviation Training Devices; Pilot Certification, Training, and Pilot Schools; and Other Provisions.” The proposed rule aims to “…reduce or relieve existing burdens on the general aviation community…The proposed changes include increases in the use of aviation training devices (ATDs), flight training devices (FTDs), and full flight simulators (FFSs); expanding opportunities for pilots in part 135 operations to log flight time, allowing an alternative to the complex airplane requirement for commercial pilot training, and permitting pilots to credit some of their sport pilot training toward a higher certificate.” The NPRM also highlights the need to incorporate advanced technologies into flight training. The FAA states, “this rulemaking also would address changing technologies by accommodating the use of technically advanced airplanes as an alternative to the use of older complex single engine airplanes for the commercial pilot training and testing requirements.” Comments are due on or before August 10, 2016.

Last week, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced its plans to expand part of its UAS Focus Area Pathfinders Initiative to focus on “detecting and identifying unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) flying too close to airports.” The FAA signed Cooperative Research and Development Agreements (CRDAs) with three companies — Gryphon Sensors, Liteye Systems Inc. and Sensofusion — in an effort to identify and address the reports of unauthorized UAS operations in and around airports. The FAA, along with other government partners, including the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), will work with the companies to “study how effective their respective technologies are, while ensuring they do not interfere with the safety and security of normal airport operations.”

The City of Los Angeles has awarded Jet Aviation a 30-year lease to establish an FBO facility at Van Nuys Airport. Jet Aviation will offer FBO services at its 17-acre site in an interim terminal once the Los Angeles World Airports grants operational control, which is expected in the next few months. The company’s long-term plans include building a 10,000 square foot LEED Silver certified FBO terminal and two 40,000 square foot hangars and associated back shop and office space. The full service FBO will offer domestic and international handling, complete line service, executive conference rooms, crew lounge, flight planning room, business center, and 24/7 guarded airport and ramp. The newest addition to Jet Aviation’s global FBO network will be the company’s eighth facility in the Americas. In addition, Michael McDaniel was appointed as the FBO director for Jet Aviation Van Nuys reporting to John Langevin, VP of FBO Operations North America. McDaniel brings more than 36 years of experience in the aviation industry and served as general manager in his previous position. For more information, click here.

Alerion Aviation recently announced its new office opening at Teterboro Airport, the fourth location for the rapidly expanding aviation charter and management firm. Teterboro is the busiest airport in the U.S. for business aviation and caters exclusively to private aviation traffic. The Alerion office at Teterboro will be fully-staffed to provide service in the New York metro area. The new location will also handle charter sales, dispatch and maintenance support. “Teterboro is recognized around the world as the crossroads for private jet aviation,” stated Robert Seidel, CEO of Alerion Aviation. “It is an important addition to our Alerion facilities in New York, Los Angeles and South Florida — the top three markets for private aviation in the U.S. We are very excited to have established a base at Teterboro to handle management of our 18 aircraft fleet.” For more information, click here.

On July 13^th, Conklin & de Decker Associates, Inc. and NATA will once again offer the only tax seminar designed for commercial operators. The Commercial Operators Tax Seminar looks at tax issues that you face every day in your operations including: federal excise taxes, state taxes, audits, international fees, and depreciation and passive activity loss rules. For the seminar agenda, click here. To register or sponsor the tax seminar, click here.

The Air Charter Safety Foundation (ACSF) is pleased to announce that Reno Flying Service of Reno, Nevada is the newest company to join the ACSF. Along with 135 other companies, Reno Flying Service now supports the ACSF’s vision to enable on-demand air charter providers, corporate flight departments and fractional program managers to achieve the highest levels of safety in the aviation industry. 

Learn more and join the ACSF today.