NATA News

Last week, approximately 100 aviation executives and industry experts gathered in Washington, D.C. for NATA’s Aviation Leadership Conference. The Conference opened with welcoming remarks from NATA President Marty Hiller, who presented FAA Administrator Michael P. Huerta with its Distinguished Public Service Award — recognizing his contributions to the business aviation community. Huerta provided attendees with insight on the current state of the nation's air transportation system and ongoing efforts to improve regulatory consistency across the FAA's regions and offices. Another conference highlight included an FAA reauthorization update from U.S. House of Representatives Rick Larsen (D-WA) and Steve Russell (R-OK). NATA also tackled the issue of pricing of aeronautical services with a panel featuring AOPA’s General Counsel Ken Mead, AAAE’s EVP for Government and Industry Affairs Joel Bacon, fuelers and FBOs. Conference attendees also heard from CNN Commentator Matt Lewis, Teal Group’s Richard Aboulafia, Bombardier’s Leo Knaapen, an MRO/OEM panel, and the FAA’s Office of Aviation Safety. 

NATA will soon call for nominations to acknowledge the individuals, offices, and organizations demonstrating excellence in the general aviation community. Each year, NATA presents awards to the exceptional individuals and companies that have helped to improve the general aviation community. The recipients of the Industry Excellence Awards are chosen based upon NATA member-submitted nominations. The Aviation Maintenance Technician Employer Award program is open to any full-time aircraft and/or components maintenance or repair business or other entity that conducts aviation maintenance and supports aviation maintenance technician (AMT) training. Stay tuned for more information or contact Karissa Uko at kuko@nata.aero. 

The National Air Transportation Foundation (NATF) is currently accepting applications for: The Pioneers of Flight Scholarship, The Dan L. Meisinger Sr. Memorial Learn to Fly Scholarship and The NATA Business Scholarship. Multiple awards are available from $1,000 to $2,500 with application deadlines in November and December 2017. For more information or to complete your application, click here.

Save the date for NATA’s 2018 Aviation Business Conference. Next year’s conference will take place June 12-14 at the Grand Hyatt Washington in D.C. Mark your calendar and look for upcoming registration details!

Cutter Aviation — a third-generation, family-owned business — is celebrating its 90-year anniversary. In 1928, the company was started by William P. Cutter under the name Cutter Flying Service. Cutter Flying Service began by offering much-needed air charter to reach areas and businesses scattered across New Mexico, Arizona and Texas. Cutter Aviation has since added aircraft maintenance, line and fuel services, and aircraft sales to its offerings. To read more history about Cutter Aviation, please click here.

Last week, the Port of South Louisiana Executive Regional Airport in Reserve, Louisiana commemorated the official opening of its first transient hangar. “The new hangar demonstrates Port of South Louisiana’s commitment to making the Executive Regional Airport a full-service airport,” said Executive Director Paul Aucoin. “The new hangar, along with our other improvements, allows us to be very competitive and we will continue to make additional improvements to attract more aircraft.” The self-funded $739,000 project began construction in the summer of 2016. KAPS’ newest addition will allow the airport to better serve the needs of general aviation and corporate aircraft. “It’s the first hangar constructed on the airfield that is operated by the Port of South Louisiana, which is why it is affectionately referred to as ‘Hangar 1.’ Others on the field are privately-owned,” said Vincent Caire, Airport Director. Read more.

On November 8^th, Air BP supplied biojet to its customers at Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD/KORD) in support of the “Fly Green Day” initiative taking place at the airport. This effort is also part of the company’s broader commitment to a lower-carbon future. “We anticipate that through this promotion we will inspire more of our customers to use lower-carbon fuels,” said Air BP CEO Jon Platt. The event was organized by U.S. advanced renewable fuels company Gevo, Inc., in collaboration with Chicago O’Hare International, to help boost the commercialization of biojet. Air BP worked with Gevo to bring a demonstration batch of biojet produced from bio-isobutanol (an alcohol derived from renewable feedstocks) to customers at the airport. Air BP was responsible for blending the aviation biofuel supplied by Gevo with regular Jet A fuel and certifying its quality. The fuel will be supplied by Air BP to its customers through the main fuel hydrant system at the airport. Read more.

Register now for the 2018 Air Charter Safety Foundation Safety Symposium at the NTSB Training Center in Ashburn, VA. The event takes place March 13-14, 2018. The Symposium is the annual gathering of the air charter and business aviation industry where current and emerging safety challenges are reviewed and discussed. This year’s theme is "Promoting the Highest Levels of Aviation Safety.” For more information, please click here.