NATA News

On July 20^th, the FAA issued a final rule, Changes to the Application Requirements for Authorization to Operate in Reduced Vertical Separation Minimum Airspace. The agency states, “This action revises the FAA’s requirements for an application to operate in Reduced Vertical Separation Minimum (RVSM) airspace and eliminates the burden and expense of developing, processing, and approving RVSM maintenance programs.” NATA submitted comments to the NPRM on July 27, 2015, and recommended the agency adopt the proposed changes since the need for revision is long overdue. “RVSM requirements are now fully integrated by design into aircraft, as evidenced by airframe Original Equipment Manufacturers’ (OEMs) providing maintenance support information in the maintenance manuals,” stated NATA’s Director of Regulatory Affairs, John McGraw. McGraw added, “The OEM-provided maintenance program already contains necessary RVSM tasks to ensure operators appropriately maintain RVSM system(s) along with the other aircraft systems.” The final rule becomes effective on August 19, 2016.

Last week, the FAA issued new versions of the Remote Pilot – Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems Airman Certification Standards (FAA-S-ACS-10) (previously titled Unmanned Aircraft Systems Airman Certification Standards) and the Airman Certification Standards FAQ, which are available on the Airman Certification Standards web page. The agency notes “the ACS integrates the elements of knowledge and risk management in 14 CFR part 107 for a Remote Pilot Certificate with an sUAS rating. It thus forms the comprehensive standard for what an applicant must know and consider to successfully completing each task tested on the knowledge test.” The FAA-S-ACS-10 document will be effective August 29, 2016. For more information on Unmanned Aircraft Systems and to view the complete text of the Small UAS Rule, click here.

Last week, the FAA announced U.S. airports, airline flight crews, dispatchers, general aviation pilots, and air traffic controllers will begin using new Takeoff and Landing Performance Assessment (TALPA) standards “to reduce the risk of runway overrun accidents and incidents due to runway contamination caused by weather and other factors.” The standards were produced with the help of the Takeoff and Landing Performance Assessment (TALPA) Aviation Rulemaking Committee (ARC), and acts as a “new method for airports and air traffic controllers to communicate actual runway conditions to the pilots in terms that directly relate to the way a particular aircraft is expected to perform.” Beginning October 1^st, airport operators will start reporting runway conditions using the Runway Condition Assessment Matrix (RCAM), which is displayed in a standardized format and is based off of airplane performance data provided by aircraft manufacturers.

NATA Member Phillips 66 recently named R. G. (Greg) Still as General Aviation Manager, Smith Underwood as Director, Sales General Aviation, and Charlie Schouweiler as Coordinator, Supply for General Aviation. With more than 35 years of experience, Still served in numerous management and marketing roles with Phillips 66, previously ConocoPhillips — including Branded Sales Manager, Wholesale; Manager, Wholesale Sales Mid-Con; and Director, Branded Sales in General Aviation. Underwood will report to Greg Still in his new role. After spending more than four years serving as a platoon leader for the U.S. Army, Underwood joined the now Phillips 66 organization in 1997. For nearly 20 years, Underwood has served in positions of increasing responsibility, most recently serving as Manager, Data Driven Marketing and leading the U.S. Marketing’s big data strategic initiative. In his new role, Schouweiler will be responsible for scheduling the shipment and supply of avgas to terminals throughout the U.S. Read more.

For the third consecutive year, the Aircraft Electronics Association (AEA) will randomly award five aircraft owners with $1,000 toward an ADS-B compliant upgrade during the Experimental Aircraft Association's AirVenture Oshkosh, July 25-31, in Wisconsin. "The avionics repair shop industry in the U.S. has only 41 months remaining to equip the general aviation fleet of more than 100,000 aircraft with ADS-B Out equipment," said AEA President Paula Derks. "Aircraft owners who wait to equip will face scheduling pressure and likely higher installation costs as we get closer to the Jan. 1, 2020, deadline. By awarding $1,000 to five different aircraft owners to help them become compliant sooner rather than later, the AEA hopes to send a message to owners of general aviation aircraft that the time to act and upgrade is now." Aircraft owners may enter to win one of the five $1,000 awards at AirVenture Hangar B, booth No. 2035/2036, beginning July 25. For more information, click here.

NATA Safety 1^st is pleased to bring its unique mix of technical and service training to Chesterfield, MO on August 24-25, 2016 at the Spirit of St. Louis Airport. The Safety 1^st Advanced Line Service (ALS) 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. Limited seating is available, so register now before seats are gone! Additional dates and locations for this workshop are available here.

On September 20^th and 21^st, NATA Safety 1^st will hold its new Advanced De-Icing Workshop at TAC Air in Salt Lake City, Utah. The workshop will provide instruction on safety protocols associated with de-icing procedures, advanced de-icing techniques and hands-on de-icing training. All attendees will be provided the Safety 1^st De/Anti-Icing Online Training module which must be completed in advance of the workshop. The preliminary agenda is available here. For questions regarding registration or sponsorship opportunities, contact Elizabeth Nicholson at (202) 774-1532 or enicholson@nata.aero.