NATA News

Although the investigation into this month’s mid-air collision over the Hudson River is still on-going, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has received enough information that it is making recommendations to the FAA to alter the requirements for general aviation operations in that area.

In a letter to the FAA, the NTSB is requesting several modifications, including:

• Revision to ATC procedures related to the handling of VFR traffic that will be entering the Class B exclusion airspace
• A specific briefing to controllers and supervisors on this accident
• Emphasize to controllers the importance of remaining attentive while on duty
• Establishment of a Special Flight Rules Area (SFRA) for the Class B exclusion airspace
• Required separation between airplanes and helicopters in the SFRAs
• Required pilot training on the SFRA

The NTSB has also asked the FAA to review other similar airspace areas that might benefit from an SFRA and SFRA training.

Download the complete recommendation letter from the NTSB to the FAA.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has announced that it will make 19 safety recommendations for Helicopter Emergency Medical Services (HEMS).

According to preliminary information provided by the NTSB, the recommendations will focus on pilot training; safety management systems to minimize risk; collection and analysis of flight, weather, and safety data; flight data monitoring; development of a low altitude airspace infrastructure; and the use of dual pilots, autopilots, and night vision imaging systems (NVIS).

The recommendations follow a three-day public hearing held in early February that examined the current state of safety in the HEMS industry.

The recommendations will be released during an NTSB meeting on September 1, 2009.

NTSB meetings and hearings are generally available via webcast. Those interested in viewing the meeting should visit http://www.ntsb.gov/Events/Boardmeeting.htm for specific information on viewing the webcast.

On August 21, the FAA released a final rule making changes to 14 CFR Parts 61, 91 and 141. This final rule addresses the training, qualifications, certification and operating requirements for pilots, flight instructors, ground instructors and pilot schools. The rule is the result of the rulemaking process initiated in February 2007 with the issuance of the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) “Pilots, flight instructors, ground instructors, and pilot schools; training, certification and operating requirements.” The FAA received nearly 2000 comments, including those from the NATA, on the NPRM.

The FAA’s goal with this final rule is to “further our safety mission, incorporate international flight standards and respond to recent technological advances in aviation.” The final rule includes over 100 revision items that together incorporate a vast number of changes to the flight training environment including:

• Qualification and training requirements for pilots that use night vision goggles
• Clarifications on the use of flight training devices and flight simulators in maintaining instrument recency
• Changes in the certification requirements for private and sport pilots licenses
• Changes in the training and proficiency for instrument, commercial and ATP licenses
• Changes in the issuance of medical certificates in some instances

NATA has reviewed the rule and produced a regulatory report that is available to NATA members. This final rule becomes effective on October 20, 2009.

Download the regulatory report.

Make social media your go-to source for industry and association updates. NATA has just joined a number of our members such as Duncan Aviation, Cutter Aviation, Priester Aviation and DB Aviation as a member of the Twitter and Facebook communities.

Follow NATAaero on Twitter and become a fan of National Air Transportation Association on Facebook for an immediate pulse on association news and events and access to special offers and resources as well as information about product and service launches, member news and other news of interest.

If you or your company is a member of Twitter or Facebook, let us know. We are interested in what you are doing. Choose a link below to find NATA’s pages.

NATAaero on Twitter

Login to Facebook and search for National Air Transportation Association.

The FAA has published a Flight Advisory explaining the planned airspace and operational restrictions that will be established around Pittsburgh, PA, for the duration of the G-20 summit.

The advisory announces the creation of a TFR consisting of an inner 12-nm ring and an outer 30-nm ring. Arrivals within the 12-nm ring will be required to obtain a wavier and submit to TSA screening at a portal airport for arrivals to Pittsburgh International (KPIT) and Allegheny County (KAGC). Departures from KPIT and KAGC will be screened prior to departure. Waivers must be requested at least 96 hours in advance of the planned flight.

Operations within the 12- to 30-nm area will be required to be on an active IFR or VFR flight plan and establish and maintain two-way radio communications and will be assigned a discrete transponder code. Flight training, VFR overflights, banner towing and numerous other flight operations will not be permitted within the TFR.

Operators are strongly encouraged to begin planning ahead for any operations in the area during the TFR to ensure adequate time to account for the necessary portal airport stops and screening.

Closer to the actual event dates, the FAA will publish a NOTAM that will contain final guidance and restrictions. Download the Flight Advisory.

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) published a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) last week proposing the establishment of a new system for the public to report security concerns and issues related to aviation security, maritime, railroad, mass transit, motor carrier and pipeline transportation directly to the TSA. This provision is part of the Implementation Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act of 2007 (Public Law 110-53).

The TSA-proposed reporting system would accept reports by mail, email, or telephone, review and consider the information provided, and take appropriate steps to address any problem, deficiency, or vulnerability. In addition, the TSA has stated that this proposed reporting mechanism will not take the place of requirements to make transportation-related reports mandated by other regulations such as reporting using the 911 telephone system. 

Comments on the proposed rule are due by October 26, 2009. NATA will submit comments to the docket, and encourages its members to submit comments and concerns on the rulemaking as well. To view the NPRM, please click here.

One of the biggest burdens confronting the general aviation industry is the varying interpretation of FAA regulations by the agency's Regional, Aircraft Certification and Flight Standards District Offices.

To gauge the impact of these variations, NATA has launched a special survey. Obtaining survey responses is of great importance, as the Government Accountability Office (GAO) is now conducting a review of inconsistencies in how field inspectors interpret and apply requirements on regulated entities.

Complete the survey now!

NATA is highly supportive of this review and asked Members of Congress to request the study to address the mounting dilemma member companies face in dealing with the lack of regulatory interpretation standardization between local FAA offices.

All interested aviation businesses that are certificated by the FAA are asked to complete the brief anonymous survey that will allow the association to present summary data related to this important issue.

NATA will compile the survey data received and provide a summary of the results to the GAO. The association is hopeful that the final GAO report will prove the significance of the issue, highlight a need for change within the FAA, and propose solutions that can address the problem.

NATA pledges to keep all information strictly confidential unless the submitter specifically agrees to be contacted and to have their information used in an identifiable way.

Click here to begin the survey.

Late last week, the office of Congressman Peter King (R-NY) contacted the association seeking  assistance for a member of the U.S. Army in transporting his English Bulldog from Oklahoma to Hawaii. Army Specialist Blake Murphy and his family (wife and three young children) were recently transferred from Fort Sill, OK, to Hawaii as he trains for his deployment to Iraq in early September. While the family has made the move to Hawaii, their English Bulldog was not able to fly commercially because domestic carriers do not allow this breed of dog to fly in the cargo-hold of aircraft when temperatures are 75 degrees or greater. The dog weighs approximately 35 lbs. and is presently being boarded at a kennel in Fort Sill.

Specialist Murphy has asked Rep. King for his assistance in bringing the dog to Hawaii while he is away on tour. The request is being made with some urgency so Specialist Murphy’s three young children are not without both their father and dog. Murphy departs in a few weeks.

NATA is asking its members for assistance to help relocate Specialist Murphy’s dog from Oklahoma to Hawaii. Those interested in assisting Specialist Murphy are urged to contact Eric Byer, NATA’s Vice President of Government & Industry Affairs, via email at ebyer@nata.aero or by cell at (703) 863-8818.  

The association greatly appreciates your consideration and any assistance your organization may be able to provide. 

NATA offers numerous advertising opportunities to fit any budget. Advertising with NATA offers high visibility, optimum value, and direct access to more than 5,000 industry executives throughout the world. Opportunities are available to advertise on the nata.aero Web site, in any of NATA’s electronic newsletters and in the quarterly Aviation Business Journal. For more information, please contact Linda Pylant at (703) 845-9000 X112 or click here.

In the past year, at least three air charter operators were told during an IRS audit that federal excise taxes (FET) apply to the Part 91 operations flown by an owner of an aircraft that was also used under Part 135. Two of those operators successfully argued that these flights were not subject to FET. One has so far been unable to dispute the issue successfully.

Could you be the next operator to face this issue in an audit? 

Are you prepared to defend your practices? 

Learn more about each of these cases and how you can prepare for a similar situation by attending the Commercial Operators Tax Seminar on September 23-24 in San Antonio, Texas.

The Commercial Operators Tax Seminar, presented by NATA and Conklin & de Decker, helps charter operators navigate the convoluted maze of Federal Aviation Regulations (FARs) as well as federal, state and local tax issues and covers the entire range of today's tax and regulatory issues confronting business aircraft management companies and charter operators.

The Tax Seminar is a must-attend for the director of operations, CFO or controller of all commercial aircraft operations and management companies. This seminar will be extremely helpful to anyone who has an aircraft on a Part 135 certificate or is considering doing so. Additional details, including scheduled speakers, agenda and registration are available on the Commercial Operators Tax Seminar event page.

This seminar answers the complex questions regarding federal excise taxes, state taxes, international fees, FARs and IRS regulations so attendees walk away with real clarity on all these issues! Why not register today?

The Commercial Operators Tax Seminar is sponsored by:

FlexJet        JSSI        McFarren Aviation Consulting        TVPX

Contact Jacqueline Rosser for additional sponsorship opportunities.

Want to know why the ALSST Seminar is a must-attend event for line supervisors/managers, line service technicians, FBO owners/operators, and fuel company representatives? Visit the Advanced Line Service Supervisor Training event page to see a recording of the free August 26 seminar preview. Presenters Frank Surface and Walter Chartrand guided webinar participants through an overview of the seminar topics, explained the importance of advanced training and answered questions regarding course material and who should attend. Higher education is as important to the success of your operation as additional information is to the decision-making process for your training program.

Click here to see the preview video and to register for the September 23-24 ALSST seminar in San Diego.

Send a message to webinars@nata.aero to receive invitations for future webinars.