NATA News

Last week, NATA issued a legislative alert to aviation businesses across the country, urging them to contact their Senators and Congressmen in opposition to privatizing the nation’s air traffic control system. Congress is expected to begin debate on the issue this week. Aviation businesses are encouraged to visit NATA’s revamped Legislative Action Center immediately and urge your representatives and senators to oppose the airline industry proposal to create a user-fee funded air traffic control corporation. New features to the Action Center include the ability to amplify your message through social media and sharing with friends. You are the best representative of the aviation business community and your opinion carries significant weight with elected officials. Just a few keystrokes will allow policymakers on Capitol Hill to know exactly how you feel about a proposal that poses significant concerns to general aviation.

On June 20^th, NATA’s Trainer/Content Manager Steve Berry participated in Air BP’s Product Quality and Operations Seminar in Grand Rapids, MI. Berry provided attendees with an industry update on ground handling safety, the latest in the Safety 1^st redevelopment process and information on the IS-BAH (International Standard for Business Aircraft Handling) program. The one-day event included hands-on fueling procedure demonstrations and offered insight on aviation fuel filtration, product quality assurance, microbiological contamination, misfueling prevention, and fuel system maintenance. For more Safety 1^st news, please visit “The Safety Net” blog — a great place for trainers and administrators to share thoughts on safety and training issues, ask questions, share comments or even make suggestions for using Safety 1^st online training more effectively. Subscribe to “The Safety Net” to stay informed and engaged with the Safety 1^st community.

NATA-Med powered by AirDocs improves operational safety and provides inflight assistance 24/7. This brand-new Program — resourced by actual flight surgeons — was created by Harvey Watt & Company, in conjunction with former NASA/Space Shuttle Recovery Team Senior & Chief Flight Surgeons, and US Space Command/USAFR Senior Flight Surgeons. The Program delivers aid to Part 135, Part 125, Part 91 and Part 91K operators before, during and after flights:

The FAA, along with NATA and other general aviation groups, have launched a national safety campaign this flying season called #FlySafe to educate the GA community on how to prevent Loss of Control (LOC) accidents. Fatal general aviation accidents often result from inappropriate responses to unexpected inflight events. Humans are subject to a “startle response” when they are faced with unexpected emergency situations and may delay action or initiate inappropriate action in response to the emergency. The FAA offers training and preparation guidance to help reduce startle response time and promote more effective and timely responses to emergencies. Click here to learn more about responding to inflight emergencies.

On June 28^th, Conklin & de Decker Associates and NATA will hold the only tax seminar designed for commercial operators. NATA’s Senior Manager of Regulatory Affairs, Megan Eisenstein and other expert speakers will be on hand to offer operators guidance on tax issues, including: federal excise taxes, audits, depreciation and passive activity loss rules, and international fees. Attendees will also learn about 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. Thank you to our sponsors: JSSI, Priester Aviation, Priority Jet, and Taughannock Aviation.

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.

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 Winter Haven Municipal Airport plans to add 160 hangars over the next two decades. The plan is broken up into short-, mid- and long-term projects for the city commission to consider. The short-term projects are expected to be undertaken by the 2017-18 fiscal year, which starts Oct. 1. Mid-term projects are planned for 2018-19 and 2022-23. Long-term projects are slated for between 2023-24 and 2033-34. Short-term project suggestions include runway lighting, fencing, taxiway design and construction, a new terminal access road, and two jet hangars to house larger planes. "Right now, we're kind of limited with the size of the aircraft we can accommodate," Airport Director Leo Treggi said. "We have a lot of requests for people who want to relocate to Winter Haven, but we don't have the space." Future projects include three 10-unit T-hangars, additional master plan updates, and rehabilitating three taxiways and one conventional hangar with parking. Read more.