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July 24, 2017 — Volume 16, Issue 30 |
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| This Week's Top Stories |
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House Appropriators Approve FAA Funding, Include NATA Recommended Provisions
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Last week, the House Appropriations Committee approved legislation to provide the FAA with $16.6 billion in FY2018. The legislation includes language highlighting several issues brought to the Committee’s attention by NATA, including:
- Repair stations: requesting the FAA look at streamlining the certificate process for MROs with multiple locations.
- Part 135 impact study: directing the FAA to update its study of the Part 135 community. The last available data was from 2011.
- Small business pilot opportunities: reporting to the Committee on ways the agency can streamline the Single Pilot Part 135 air carrier certificate process, an important part of creating new business opportunities and providing additional career paths for pilots.
NATA President Martin Hiller thanked House Appropriators “for rejecting the Trump Administration’s proposal to short-fund the agency.” Hiller continued, “The Committee-approved legislation provides an additional $434 million above President Trump’s request, continuing the trend by Congress of providing the FAA with supplementary funding, averaging 103% of the agency’s request over the last ten years alone. This demonstrates yet again the congressional budget process is not a legitimate justification for privatizing the nation’s air traffic control system.”
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House Battle Over Privatization of ATC Continues
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The battle over whether to privatize the nation’s air traffic control system remains intense. NATA's lobbying on Capitol Hill indicates Members of Congress want to hear from their district’s aviation businesses before voting — making it critical that you continue to engage with lawmakers through the industry advocacy hotline 855-265-9002 or by utilizing NATA’s Legislative Action Center.
Writing in The Brunswick News, NATA Board Member Larry Wade observed that ATC privatization has “killed GA in other parts of the world” and urged rejection of the proposal stating, “The U.S. has the most sophisticated, congested, yet safest ATC system in the world…Don’t fix what’s not broken.”
This is the final week before the House recesses for its traditional August break. The House Republican Leadership has not yet scheduled a vote on the 21st Century AIRR Act, legislation to privatize the nation’s air traffic control system, potentially leaving its fate open until Congress returns in September. Leading privatization supporters Reps. Bill Shuster (R-PA) and Sam Graves (R-MO) are reaching out directly to local general aviation stakeholders in key congressional districts in an attempt to bypass the opposition of NATA and 129 other general aviation associations. No Member of Congress’ position can be taken for granted, making it critical for aviation businesses to continue to engage with their elected representatives.
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NATA Argues CBP Gen Dec Form Unnecessary, Duplicative
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Last week, NATA submitted comments challenging whether the General Declaration Form 7507, required by CBP for international commercial departures and arrivals, remains necessary. Federal laws require mandatory data collections to gain approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). The General Declaration is currently undergoing a periodic OMB review and CBP is asking for approval to continue using the form.
NATA explained that data collected on Form 7507 has been, for passenger carriers, superseded by requirements to submit passenger, crew, aircraft and air carrier data using CBP’s Electronic Advance Passenger Information System (eAPIS). Since filing manifests via eAPIS renders the data collected on Form 7507 duplicative, NATA recommends that OMB require CBP to rely upon the eAPIS data rather than continue to collect the General Declaration form.
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RSVP for NATA’s Air Charter Operators Town Hall | August 3 in Dallas/Ft. Worth
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NATA’s August 3rd Air Charter Operators Town Hall is open to all Part 135 operators. Join your colleagues from across the Dallas/Ft. Worth region for a day of networking and industry updates. This event brings aviation businesses together to discuss shared concerns and interact with the association’s Air Charter Committee. Topics will include discussion of regional matters, as well as legislative and regulatory updates. Attendance is free and includes lunch. RSVP is required.
August 3, 2017 | 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. CDT
Dallas/Ft. Worth Air Charter Operators Town Hall
Sponsored by: Alliance Aviation Services
Alliance Aviation Services
2221 Alliance Blvd., Suite 100
Fort Worth, TX 76177
Phone: (817) 890-1000
Click here for other upcoming town halls.
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| Association Highlights |
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NATA’s Certified CSR Seminar Room Block Ends August 7th
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On August 22-23, NATA will hold its popular Certified CSR Program at Hyatt Regency O’Hare 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 marginal customer transactions into a fulfilled client transformations. To review the agenda, click here.
Make your hotel reservations online now, as limited hotel rooms are available under the NATA room block, which ends August 7th. Once the room block is sold out, the room rate will increase. Reserve your seat today. This seminar previously sold-out in April.
See what previous seminar attendees had to say about the NATA Certified CSR Program.
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Associate Members: Ensure Correct Information for ABJ Q3 Buyers’ Guide
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The upcoming third quarter Aviation Business Journal includes NATA’s Buyers’ Guide and will have bonus distribution at the fall NBAA conference. Associate Members should ensure their information is correct by logging in as a member at www.nata.aero and clicking on the Membership Directory link on the Membership tab. Should you need to change your information or have questions, please contact Jake Legere at (703) 785-5886. The deadline to update your record is August 15th.
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| Industry Updates |
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FAA Transforming the Aircraft Certification Service
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This week, the Aircraft Certification Service will implement a new, functionally-aligned organizational structure. The Aircraft Certification Service Transformation is aimed at increasing the FAA’s efficiency and effectiveness. As part of the FAA’s efforts to improve its responsiveness to the U.S. aviation industry as it certificates new products, the agency is refreshing its certification strategy, investing in management systems to improve performance and the organization. Streamlining its regulations and policies will help the industry move products to market faster and retain competitiveness. Realignment is the first visible phase of the transformation process, grouping similar organizations together to create five functionally-aligned divisions while maintaining existing sub-division organizational structures. Read more about the long-term realignment strategy in the new Blueprint for AIR Transformation.
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Important Changes to ATA 103 - Standards for Jet Fuel Quality Control at Airports
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This month, Airlines for America (A4A) announced several significant changes to their ATA 103 Specification - Standards for Jet Fuel Quality Control at Airports. Among these changes is an extension of coalescer filter elements from a one-year replacement schedule to a three-year replacement schedule. Another important change is the elimination of the required monthly upstream membrane color/particle check, or “Millipore” test (downstream testing is still required monthly). For more information about the ATA 103 changes, 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 1st online training more effectively. Subscribe to “The Safety Net” to stay informed and engaged with the Safety 1st community.
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| Events |
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Register for Upcoming Advanced Line Service Workshop | September 12-13 in Lincoln, NE
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Register today for the upcoming Advanced Line Service Workshop to be held on September 12-13 at Duncan Aviation in Lincoln, NE. 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 dates for the final 2017 workshop.
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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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Million Air Locations Constructing Additional Hangar Space and Ramps
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Construction is underway at Million Air White Plains for its new 22,000 sq. ft. terminal, 50,400 sq. ft. hangar and ramp facility upgrades. The $70 million project will be completed by the end of 2018, with the FBO scheduled for third quarter 2018 and hangar by the end of 2017. The FBO will include a 6,000-sq. ft. indoor valet for passengers and flight, a barista bar, multiple fire places, and more.
Million Air Houston plans to develop a 52,000-square foot hangar. “Observing our customer’s pleasure with the service Million Air Houston’s employees provide, and our customer’s comfort in our new FBO, energizes our team to reinvest in Houston’s facilities so that more customers can make Million Air Houston their home,” said Terry Cross, Million Air’s Chief Operations Officer. The new hangar will complement Million Air Houston’s existing seven hangars and nearly 99,000 sq. ft. of hangar space. The completion date is expected to be the first quarter of 2018. One third of the hangar is pre-leased, with hangar space still available.
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Spokane Airport Planning Major Improvements
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Spokane International Airport officials are considering a $110 million expansion and renovation with construction starting as early as 2019. Proposed improvements would be a relocated and centralized baggage facility near the center of the airport, and more spaces for food and other concessions in areas outside of security. The Spokane Airport Board reviewed a resolution applying with the Federal Aviation Administration to use its existing passenger facility charge to raise some of the financing for the project. If the FAA approves, then the airport would ask its architectural team to complete up to 30 percent of the design. “We can build incrementally as we have money,” said Larry Krauter, airport CEO during a recent board study session. “The idea of the Terminal Renovation and Expansion (TREX) is to respond to growth in airline travel at the same time preserving convenience and customer service,” Krauter continued. Read more.
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| ACSF News |
ACSF Announces New Chairman and Vice-Chairman
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The Air Charter Safety Foundation (ACSF) is pleased to announce the selection of Dennis Fox, Senior Vice President of Operations at Executive Jet Management (EJM), as the new ACSF Chairman. Fox, who also serves on NATA’s Board, succeeds Joe Salata, Vice President of Flight Operations for Flight Options LLC. Additionally, Mike Graham, Director Flight Operations Safety, Security and Standardization, Textron Aviation was elected the new ACSF Vice-Chairman. Fox and Graham terms began July 1, 2017. Learn more.
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