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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.
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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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| NATA’S 2009 Air Charter Summit And FBO Leadership Conference Delivered Positive Messages For Business Aviation |
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NATA’s 2009 Air Charter Summit and FBO Leadership Conference delivered hard-hitting information, expert guidance and insightful answers focused exclusively for on-demand charter and FBO audiences last week. Positive attitude, up-ticks in business, and a sense of aviation community were underlying themes of both events.
Participants heard directly FAA and Transportation Security Administration leadership about current initiatives such as the large aircraft security program, badging, safety management system implementation, Part 135/125 Aviation Rulemaking Committee, employee screening and noise restrictions.
The increasing frequency of criminalization of aircraft accidents, who can be held responsible in the event of litigation and how to respond were fodder for one of the sessions. This was followed by a lively discussion led by FAA representatives and aviation attorneys on the different views of enforcement actions and how consistently the policies are followed. Tuesday evening ended with a toe-tapping, table-slapping performance by the Capitol Steps.
Attendees received inspiration and encouraging insight during Wednesday’s program. George Mason University’s Head Basketball Coach Jim Larranaga delivered a riveting breakfast presentation about his winning formula of attitude, commitment and class that resonated throughout the rest of the sessions.
John Rosanvallon, president and CEO of Dassault Falcon Jet, Peter Bunce, president and CEO of General Aviation Manufacturers Association and Joe Lombardo, president of Gulfstream Aerospace, later provided some promising insight on the current state and future prospects of general aviation manufacturing. Lombardo reported that Gulfstream Aerospace is experiencing initial signs of stabilization, they continue to be committed to new technology and product development, and they are encouraged by the extraordinary collaboration within the industry. Rosanvallon mentioned Dassault Falcon Jet’s recent improvement in business, current focus on new aircraft models and efficiency, and a modest loss of employees with no current forecast for further layoffs for the rest of 2009.
Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association President Craig Fuller briefed the participants on the “General Aviation Serves America” campaign. Fuller also participated on a panel about working with the mainstream media to rebut public outrage over the perceived misuse of business aircraft. One suggestion from this session is to pitch positive economic recovery and job creation stories to the local press as a method to counter these negative public perceptions. Fuller explained that the General Aviation Serves America campaign was designed to be a vehicle for these messages to reach the public and political audiences at-large.
Brian Grubb from the Ritz-Carlton Leadership Center captivated and engaged an audience of FBO leaders and challenged them to do the same to their customers by anticipating their unexpressed wishes and going beyond the expected. The Ritz-Carlton training model of always reaching for the gold, striving for more than just satisfying a customer’s needs and fostering team spirit in an effort to improve constantly is key to what can only be described as – legendary service.
"NATA’s Air Charter Summit and FBO Leadership Conference provided unparalleled venues for Part 135 and FBO members to learn about current legislative and regulatory issues directly from government leaders, generate new ideas to reinvent and recharge their businesses, and discover methods to reinvigorate positive public perception of our noble industry," NATA President James K. Coyne stated. “We were especially pleased and encouraged by the attendees’ enthusiasm in this challenging year.”
"We were also thrilled to have the opportunity to bestow NATA Industry Excellence Awards on several of business aviation’s finest visionaries, including Dick Van Gemert and Jim Ballough," Coyne added.
Visit the events calendar at www.nata.aero frequently for more details on next year’s events as well as workshops, seminars and other training opportunities.
Members may view the programs and several of the presentations by visiting www.nata.aero/acs and www.nata.aero/fbolc. | |
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| Support General Aviation Serves America Today!!! |
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| Recently, NATA became a partner and major contributor of the General Aviation Serves America campaign that was introduced in late April by the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA). The General Aviation Serves America campaign was created by AOPA to highlight the importance of the general aviation industry to the U.S. economy in the wake of potential new taxes and security restrictions.
NATA is asking its members to support this critical new initiative in three ways.
- NATA is asking its FBO members to showcase General Aviation Serves America educational materials at their facilities. These educational materials will include brochures, posters and a promotional video. To request a General Aviation Serves America FBO packet, please contact Eric R. Byer on the NATA staff.
- NATA is asking its members to contribute directly to the General Aviation Serves America campaign by clicking here.
- NATA members wishing to host a fundraising event featuring AOPA President Craig Fuller and/or NATA President James K. Coyne may do so by contacting Eric R. Byer on the NATA staff.
NATA members having questions about the association’s involvement in supporting the General Aviation Serves America campaign may contact Eric R. Byer on the NATA staff. | |
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| ACSF Industry Audit Standard Gains Momentum |
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| Support for the Air Charter Safety Foundation’s (ACSF) Industry Audit Standard is growing within the industry. Since the program became available earlier this year, the Industry Audit Standard (IAS) has experienced rapid growth that has put the IAS on the path toward fulfilling its goal of being the single measure of safety and compliance for air charter and shared aircraft ownership companies.
IAS Sets The Standard
The ACSF IAS is the only audit program on the market today that comprehensively evaluates both an operator’s Safety Management System (SMS) and its Part 135 regulatory compliance. The IAS is designed to position an operator, through a single audit, to gain world-wide recognition of its SMS program. The IAS is also the only program that evaluates operators every 24 months rather than annually, minimizing the administrative burden on operators and program managers.
Operators Have Embraced IAS
Beginning with the first full ACSF audit, conducted at Jet Solutions, LLC, industry support has only grown. Last March, ACSF was pleased to announce it reached an agreement with Executive Jet Management to be the exclusive provider of independent audits for their charter vendors. At this time, there are more than 30 audits scheduled over the next 12 months and new operators are contacting ACSF to learn more and schedule their own audit.
Auditors Have Joined With ACSF
ACSF audits are managed by the foundation and performed by companies whose auditors have completed ACSF IAS training. All audits are scheduled with ACSF, which then assigns an audit company to complete the IAS. These well-respected and established aviation audit firms have joined with ACSF:
BlackBird Aero Services
CharterX/Wyvern
Morten, Beyer & Agnew
R. Dixon Speas Associates
Simat, Helliesen & Eichner, Inc. (SH&E)
ACSF Launches Registry Database
When the operator successfully completes the IAS, the ACSF recognizes them as an IAS Registered Operator. These operators are provided with the IAS Registered Operator logo to use on their Web site and marketing materials. Access to the registry to verify an operator’s status and confirm key details is available at www.acsf.aero/registry. | |
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| Jet Solutions Is First Industry Audit Standard Registered Operator |
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| The Air Charter Safety Foundation (ACSF) announced last week that Jet Solutions, LLC of Richardson, Texas, was the first operator to complete the Industry Audit Standard and achieve Registered status with the ACSF.
The ACSF Industry Audit Standard (IAS) is a revolutionary audit program developed by the foundation to set the standard for the independent evaluation of an air charter or shared ownership company’s safety and regulatory compliance.
The IAS is the only audit program on the market today that comprehensively evaluates both an operator’s Safety Management System (SMS) and its Part 135 regulatory compliance. The IAS consists of a rigorous review of an operator’s processes and procedures, and regulatory compliance, as well as the operator’s implementation of and adherence to an SMS.
Jet Solutions L.L.C. is one of the largest FAR Part 135 on-demand air carriers in the world, having operated over one million hours since establishment in 1995 with an unblemished safety record. “We are proud to have successfully completed the ACSF audit and to be recognized as the first operator to do so,” said Dennis Keith, president and owner of Jet Solutions. “The process provided a valuable review of our regulatory compliance procedures and the health of our safety management system. Our registration demonstrates the continuing efforts of all our employees to develop higher standards, and is a natural next step beyond our ISO registrations of the past. Not only will Jet Solutions be proud to market our Industry Audit Standard (IAS) registration, we encourage other operators to meet the audit standards. In the future, we will look for IAS registration when contracting operators to support our supplemental lift needs. Their registration will let us know exactly the standards to which they operate.”
ACSF makes its operator registry and key company details available at no charge so verification of IAS registration is quick and easy. Charter consumers can view the registry at www.acsf.aero/registry.
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| European Union Emissions Trading Scheme Update |
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| NATA released an update on the European Union’s (EU) Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) last week. ETS is the EU’s carbon “cap and trade” program that began in 2005 and will require aircraft operators to purchase emissions allowances beginning in 2012. The update covers eligibility, including which U.S.-based operators will be required to participate, and upcoming compliance dates. The final directive including aviation activities in ETS was published in January 2009 and the first compliance date is just over two months away. All U.S.-based aircraft operators who fly to, from or between EU airports are encouraged to review the update, and contact their EU administering state as soon as possible to ensure they meet all compliance deadlines for ETS.
NATA’s ETS update is available here.
NATA’s original EU ETS white paper is available here.
For more information on ETS, please contact NATA Manager of Regulatory Affairs Mike France. | |
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| Nebraska Senator Introduces Small Airport Relief Act Of 2009 |
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| Working to support rural Nebraska airports, Senator Ben Nelson (D-NE) last week introduced the Small Airport Relief Act of 2009 that would ensure that current federal funding levels for rural airports remain stable during the economic downturn. Without legislation, multiple Nebraska airports stand to lose a significant amount of funding if they fall below the 10,000 enplanements threshold required to qualify for $1 million in federal assistance through the Airport Improvement Program (AIP) in 2009. The Senator wrote the FAA about the same funding issue last week.
“Rural airports are an economic engine for the communities they serve,” said Senator Nelson. “This legislation will keep Nebraska’s rural airports upgraded, modern, and safe. Rural airports are counting on these funds. These tough times are, hopefully, temporary and rural airports shouldn’t be penalized by losing funds they need for runway work, security upgrades or other improvements to remain modern and up to date.
In Nebraska, the airports in Scottsbluff, Kearney, and North Platte could be affected by the temporary moratorium to the AIP funding formula. Airports in a number of other rural states such as Alaska and Kansas could be affected by the formula as well. Senator Nelson is seeking cosponsors for his legislation.
Senator Nelson has a long history of supporting rural airports in Nebraska. He introduced a successful bill following the post- 9/11 air passenger decline that extended AIP funding to airports that dipped below the enplanements threshold. Nelson also introduced legislation in the 110th Congress to require the Department of Transportation to work with the Governor or appropriate state transportation officials to determine the most common route traveled to a medium or large hub airport when determining Essential Air Service airport qualifications, which are used to determine federal funding eligibility. In the 110th and 109th Congresses, Nelson co-sponsored legislation to repeal a program that would have resulted in a 10% reduction in funding to certain rural airports.
To view NATA’s legislative report on this bill, please click here. | |
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| Obama To Nominate Deborah Hersman As Chairman Of NTSB |
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| President Obama announced last week that he will nominate Deborah Hersman as chairman of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). As a board member of the NTSB since June 2004, Hersman has served as the NTSB’s representative at 15 accidents, including the fatal crash of a regional jet in Lexington, KY, the collision of a container ship with the San Francisco Bay Bridge, and the crash of a private airplane into a New York City building. Hersman has chaired a number of public events hosted by the NTSB, including public hearings on two significant aviation accidents. Before joining the NTSB, Hersman was a senior professional staff member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation from 1999 to 2004 where she was responsible for the legislative agenda and policy initiatives affecting surface transportation issues, including economic and safety regulation of railroads, trucks, buses, pipelines, and hazardous materials transportation. Prior to that appointment, she served as staff director and senior legislative aide to Congressman Bob Wise of West Virginia from 1992 to 1999. Hersman received undergraduate degrees from Virginia Tech and a Master of Science in Conflict Analysis and Resolution from George Mason University in Virginia. Hersman’s nomination is subject to Senate confirmation.
To read Hersman’s full biography, please click here. | |
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| NATA Releases Airport Sponsors Guide To Minimum Standards |
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As a value added benefit to its membership, NATA has released its 2009 revision of its Airport Sponsors Guide to Minimum Standards and Airport Rules & Regulations. The guide is a comprehensive review of all federal guidance on the creation, implementation and revision of airport minimum standards and covers such topics as:
- History of federal aid to airports
- Federal Grant Assurances
- Evaluating the airport environment
- Airport sponsors rights
- Exclusive Rights
- Airport rules & regulations
The 2009 revision of the Airports Sponsors Guide to Minimum Standards and Airport Rules & Regulations has been completely rewritten and is designed to present airport sponsors with a thorough review of the important concerns when developing and implementing minimum standards. This revision also focused on reorganizing topics and presenting them in an easy to read and understand format.
The guide will be an important resource for airport sponsors trying to ensure sustainable growth and increased service levels at their airport. Airport commercial service providers will also find this guide invaluable as a tool to understanding the many issues surrounding minimum standards.
The Airport Sponsors Guide to Minimum Standards and Airport Rules & Regulations is available online now to NATA members at www.nata.aero or by clicking here. | |
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| NATA Partners With Wyvern Consulting To Support And Market IC Check |
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| NATA has named Wyvern Consulting the exclusive sales and support organization for the recently launched “IC Check” – the only comprehensive compliance-driven flight release system for professionally flown general aviation aircraft operations.
“The Part 121 community has been using flight releases for decades to ensure regulatory compliance and to improve safety,” said NATA President James K. Coyne. “After four years of development and testing, operators of professionally-flown general aviation aircraft now have a cost-effective and easy way to confirm and track compliance on a flight-by-flight basis.”
“We’re very excited about IC Check partnering with Wyvern to manage the ongoing support requirements and the introduction of the product to the most safety-conscience operators. Wyvern has developed an extremely comprehensive safety data platform and is backed by a knowledgeable team of support and analysis personnel,” Coyne added.
IC Check is an online application whose primary goal is to assess whether individual flights for which an operator exercises operational control are flown with a legal crew, legal passengers, legal aircraft and legal flight parameters. The system applies up to 300 algorithms to analyze the data for each trip segment and confirms compliance with all applicable Federal Aviation Regulations as well as company, customer, industry and insurance requirements.
Please click here to view the entire press release on this partnership. | |
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| June LSST And Accident Prevention Seminars To Be Held In Conjunction With FATA Annual Convention |
| Line Service Supervisor Training and Accident Prevention via Human Factors Training Seminars, June 15-17 |
| The NATA Line Service Supervisor Training (LSST) is coming to Clearwater Beach, FL, on June 15-16, 2009. This seminar, specifically designed for Line Service Supervisors, provides the training you need to become more proficient in supervising staff, motivating others, communicating and coaching a team. This high-impact, high-energy seminar includes guided group activities, role playing exercises, interactive games and various case studies designed to take you to a new level of leadership. Hear from dynamic speakers, including Dr. Todd Dewett of TVA, Inc., Reed Fuller of Ascent Aviation Group, Walter Chartrand of AirBP Aviation Services, and Dr. Mario Martinez of Service Elements, the safest, most cost effective methods to manage your line service and supervise your staff. Also, meet NATA Manager of Regulatory Affairs Mike France.
NATA's highly interactive Accident Prevention via Human Factors Training seminar will be held at the same location on June 17 to provide more bang for your traveling and training budget. This seminar has been specifically designed to enhance FBO safety by helping you identify and replace risky practices with safe ones. Proper training is key to improving the situational awareness and decision-making necessary to break the chain of events that occur prior to every accident. Tom Salmon of Crew Dynamics International, with over 35 years of experience in commercial and military aviation, focuses on safety management from a proactive perspective to help save lives, reduce injuries and benefit your bottom line. The Accident Prevention via Human Factors Training seminar will be held only once this year. Don’t miss the opportunity to discover how to ensure the highest level of line safety, while lowering your potential for risk and liability.
Click on any of the above links to find more information about each seminar or to register. You may also visit www.nata.aero and click on the Events Calendar tab to learn more about all of NATA's educational opportunities. NATA's 2009 Educational Opportunities Catalog is available for download by clicking here. | |
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| NATA Weekly Survey |
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| A recent ABC News story called into question the use of charter aircraft by members of Congress. Should members of Congress be prohibited from chartering aircraft to travel around the district or state they represent?
Participate in survey. | |
| 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.
Did you know that the fluorescent light bulbs used in many FBOs are regulated by the EPA as universal waste? Rules promulgated in the early 1990s (40 CFR 273) establish standards for universal waste management and, while most FBOs do not generate enough waste to qualify as large generators, there are simple rules for the disposal of universal waste that must be followed.
Used florescent bulbs are covered due to their mercury content. Mercury can, when not properly disposed of, concentrates in streams, lakes and rivers and can have a disastrous effect on water quality. Universal waste disposal regulations require:
- Proper storage, including labeling, of used fluorescent bulbs
- Procedures for handling of broken fluorescent bulbs
- Transportation and disposal of universal waste.
NATA members have access to NATA’s Used Fluorescent Bulbs Best Practices guide, which provides detailed information on creating a simple program for the handling, storage and disposal of used fluorescent bulbs. NATA’s Used Fluorescent Bulb Best Practices meet all EPA and state standards for the disposal of universal waste for small generators.
NATA’s Used Fluorescent Bulb Best Practices is available here. | |
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