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June 5, 2017 — Volume 16, Issue 23 |
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| This Week's Top Stories |
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NATA Responds to Trump Administration Proposal to Corporatize the Nation’s ATC: Doesn't Make America Great Again
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Today at a White House event, President Donald Trump described the nation’s current air traffic control system as “stuck in the past,” and threw his full support behind the airline proposal to create a corporatized air traffic control system. The Administration has developed a set of principles for reforming air traffic control to be used to amend related legislation approved last year by a House committee. That legislation required charter operators to pay for use of the air traffic control system through yet-to-be determined user fees.
NATA President Martin Hiller was quick to respond stating, “It’s difficult to see how one 'Makes America Great Again' by emulating foreign air traffic control systems that are smaller and demonstrably less safe than our own... Corporatizing air traffic control further limits the public’s ability to address issues of concern, removes transparency in ticket costs and undermines general aviation.” General aviation groups, including NATA, later shared their concerns with the President in a joint industry letter.
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NATA Members Convene Amidst Strong Association and Conference Growth
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NATA convenes its third annual Aviation Business Conference at the Hyatt Regency Capitol Hill this week. Attendance at the annual event continues to grow, driven in part by an agenda addressing the issues currently challenging the aviation business community and mounting concerns over proposals to corporatize the nation’s air traffic control system.
Senator Joe Donnelly (D-IN) will welcome attendees to the conference on June 6th and the next day NATA members will meet with Senate offices to discuss the upcoming FAA reauthorization legislation.
The NATA annual awards luncheon will recognize, among others, former FAA Associate Administrators Peggy Gilligan and Eddie Angeles and present its highest awards to long-time aviation business leaders Todd Duncan and Edward Kilkeary, Sr. Read more.
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IG Report Critical of Check Pilot Oversight
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In a report issued last week, the DOT’s Inspector General (IG) criticized the FAA’s ability to ensure air carrier check pilots meet standards for approval and are subjected to sufficient oversight by the agency. While the report appears to focus on airline check pilots, it is likely that the concerns raised and solutions implemented will also impact check pilots at Part 135 operators.
The FAA largely concurred with the IG’s recommended actions. The NATA Air Charter Committee, meeting this week in Washington, D.C., will discuss this report and other issues impacting the Part 135 industry with FAA representatives attending the meeting.
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NATA 2017 Aviation Business Conference Sponsors and Exhibitors
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NATA would like to thank our sponsors and exhibitors for contributing to the success of this year’s conference: Aeroplex/Aerolease Group, Air BP, Air Charter Guide, Atlantic Aviation, Aviation Management Consulting Group, Conklin & de Decker, Duncan Aviation, Executive Jet Management, Fargo Jet Center, Jet Aviation, Napa Jet Center, NATA Compliance Services, Pentastar Aviation, Phillips 66, Priester Aviation, Porter County Regional Airport, Pulsar Informatics, Ross Aviation, Safety 1st, Signature Flight Support, Solairus Aviation, Universal Weather & Aviation, WellVia, and World Fuel Services.
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| Association Highlights |
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NATA Partners with WellVia to Provide Telehealth Services to Members
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Last week, NATA announced a partnership with WellVia, a nationally recognized Telehealth leader, to bring its cutting-edge wellness and nonemergency medical care services to the aviation business community. NATA members across the U.S. now have the opportunity to participate in a program with round-the-clock access to board-certified physicians for nonemergency care via mobile app, web, or phone. “WellVia will offer NATA members a first-of-its-kind healthcare solution that leverages state-of-the-art technology, to make quality care more accessible and affordable. We are pleased to offer our membership a program that benefits their employees and aids in their retention,” stated Timothy Obitts, NATA Executive Vice President. Learn more.
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Digital Version of the 2017 2nd Quarter ABJ Available
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NATA’s 2017 Q2 Aviation Business Journal is now available online. Highlights from this issue:
- Member Profile – Priority Jet: A Wholesale Charter Focus, An Industry Advocate
- Spotlight: NATA Industry Excellence Awards Recipients
- Building the FBO Terminal of Tomorrow
- Ground Handling Safety for Aircraft Operators
- Jeopardy! Goes to Aircraft Maintenance
- Aircraft Management Fees Susceptibility to Federal Excise Tax
Click here to read.
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FAA Issues Legal Interpretation on Receiving Functions Under Part 120
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On May 30th, the FAA issued a legal interpretation in response to a request made by NATA and other industry stakeholders on the applicability of Part 120 drug and alcohol testing rules to individuals performing tasks associated with receiving articles for stock. The agency’s legal interpretation is in agreement with NATA and other industry stakeholders’ understanding that the purpose of the receiving process is to simply verify the incoming parts are what they purport to be and that these tasks are not required maintenance and therefore are not safety-sensitive functions under Part 120.
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| Events |
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Don’t Miss the Commercial Operators Tax Seminar | June 28 in Scottsdale
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Conklin & de Decker Associates and NATA continue to 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
- Depreciation and Passive Activity Loss Rules
- International Fees
Are you concerned with recent audits by the IRS on management and charter management companies relating to the application of the commercial FET to owner flights and management fees? This seminar will provide insight on this and other IRS opinions and how to prepare and survive an IRS audit. For the seminar agenda, click here. Register today!
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Registration Now Open for NATA Certified Trainer Course and Certified CSR Program
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On July 18-19, NATA is bringing back its in-person Certified Trainer Workshop. The workshop will be held at Sporty’s Pilot Shop in Cincinnati, OH. The trainer course will provide your employees with invaluable tools that empower them to make a measurable difference in your organization. To register or for more details, click here.
On August 22-23, NATA will hold its popular Certified CSR Program in Chicago, IL. The two-day seminar will provide attendees with valuable knowledge and skills to create successful customer service experiences. Attendees will also learn how to deal with disgruntled customers and turn a marginal customer transaction into a fulfilled client transformation. Reserve your seat today, this seminar previously sold-out in April.
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Register for Upcoming Advanced Line Service Workshop | August 1-2 in Dallas/Ft. Worth
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Register today for an upcoming Advanced Line Service Workshop. The next ALS workshop will be held on August 1-2 at Alliance Aviation Services in Ft. Worth, TX. ALS workshops are designed for Line Service Professionals, both experienced or relatively new to the industry. This workshop also assists managers, owners and even customer service representatives with knowledge and skills that will help them excel in their respective areas.
The registration fee is only $225/person for this two-day event and space is limited. Register here, download the registration form or view more upcoming ALS Workshop dates.
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Build a Better Safety Management System | NATA Ground Handling Safety Symposium September 26-27 in Ashburn, VA
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The NATA Ground Handling Safety Symposium is a new annual event developed by the NATA Safety Committee to promote safety at FBOs and other businesses utilizing general aviation ground handling. Held September 26-27 at the NTSB Training Center in Ashburn, Virginia, the symposium is designed for safety professionals, directors of safety, line service managers or operations managers — anyone who is responsible for making sure that aircraft are handled safely.
The theme of this year’s program is Building a Better Safety Management System and includes: The Big Picture, Safety Management & IS-BAH; Practical Approaches to Risk Assessment; Safety Promotion and Your Organizational Culture; Safety Reporting & Employee Buy-In; The Intersection of Safety & Service; Emergency Response Basics for FBOs; and Data & General Aviation Ground Handling. The registration fee is $295/members and $370/nonmembers. Click here for more information or to register.
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| Member Spotlight |
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JetSuite Debuts New Aircraft Management Program
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Last month, JetSuite released a program designed to lessen the cost of ownership for single-aircraft owners. The growing demand in JetSuite’s charter flights and expansion in their SuiteKey program led to the offering of three different aircraft management options: RedStripe, GreyStripe, and WhiteStripe.
- RedStripe enables JetSuite primary access to aircraft for revenue service, while making the plane available for planned trips by the owners on a scheduled basis. JetSuite absorbs all operational costs, including crew salaries, training, insurance, management fees and maintenance.
- GreyStripe allows owners to outsource the maintenance oversight and compliance with DOT Part 135 regulation and make their aircraft available to JetSuite as desired. JetSuite sends its own crew to pick up the airplane, fly it for revenue and return it to the owner at the end of the time block.
- WhiteStripe is a more traditional option, outsourcing the complete operation to JetSuite while retaining owner control of the availability of the aircraft. The aircraft is available for JetSuite to use for its own revenue service whenever the owner chooses to make it available.
“Owners can now enjoy JetSuite’s unparalleled level of service and operations while maximizing utilization and greatly reducing their costs,” said Alex Wilcox, CEO of JetSuite, Inc. Along with the cost benefit, owners within the program will also have access to the JetSuite owned and operated fleet. For more information, visit www.jetsuite.com.
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Air Trek, Inc. Among Second-Stage Businesses Competing to Earn Prestigious Honor
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Air Trek, Inc. was among the first round of 2017 Florida Companies to Watch finalists recently announced by GrowFL. The awards event - now in its seventh year - honors 50 select second-stage companies from throughout the state of Florida for developing valuable products and services, creating quality jobs, enriching communities, and broadening new industries throughout Florida. Chosen from a candidate pool of more than 800 nominations, the finalists collectively represent $598 million in annual revenue and employ 3,200 full-time equivalent employees. The Florida Companies To Watch program consists of two rounds of selections. Finalists now advance to the second round, where they will be further evaluated based on their performance in the marketplace, innovative products, services or processes, philanthropy and empowered employees. Read more.
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