NATA News

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has scheduled public workshops on proposed new air traffic control procedures developed under the South-Central Florida Metroplex. The project aims to replace dozens of existing flight procedures with satellite-based routes, enhancing safety and efficiency of flights over the state.

The South-Central Florida Metroplex proposes new procedures for Miami (MIA), Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood (FLL), Orlando (MCO), and Tampa (TPA) where operational efficiency directly affects flights throughout the National Airspace System (NAS). The project also proposes changes for St. Pete-Clearwater (PIE), Palm Beach (PBI), and several satellite airports.

The workshops will be in an open house format where FAA experts will share preliminary designs of the air traffic procedures and answer questions. The agency will accept written comments at the workshops and through a link posted on this webpage: South Central Florida Community Involvement. Read more.

If you have received a postcard in the mail inviting you to take an FAA GA survey, we urge you to complete it. This survey will help the FAA to understand more about general aviation activities, assess the impact of general aviation activities on the National Airspace System, and determine the need for increased traffic facilities and services. Federal, state, and local governments; general aviation associations; and private industry and individuals use the summary data for safety analyses, planning, forecasting, and research and development. Even if you were sampled last year, it is very important that you respond to the survey this year. Please call the GA Survey help line, at 1-800-826-1797, or email: infoaviationsurvey@tetratech.com.

NATA’s P&C Plus Insurance Program was created exclusively for you.

The broker-driven program provides a full suite of insurance coverage for members and delivers flexible coverage options with a quick and simple enrollment process.

NATA’s outstanding Workers Compensation Insurance Program, underwritten by QBE Aviation, offers tangible annual savings in the form of a Good Experience Return (GER), which often equals or exceeds membership dues. Recently, over $5.5 million in GER was returned to Program participants.

NATA's Air Charter Forums allow attendees to discuss issues impacting the Part 135 community, including illegal charter, federal excise taxes, the pilot shortage, FSDO relationships, and more. NATA Member Priester Aviation will host the next Air Charter Forum on May 29, 2019. RSVP is required, and a complimentary lunch is provided. Sponsorship opportunities are also available, please contact events@nata.aero for more information on supporting these industry events.

Alongside the opening of Centennial College Downsview Campus Centre for Aerospace and Aviation, Bombardier Commercial Aircraft announced last Thursday the donation of the CRJ200 aircraft to the institution. The aircraft is to be used in the education and training of emerging aerospace professionals. “Advancement and innovation have always been at the forefront of Bombardier’s values,” says Fred Cromer, President, Bombardier Commercial Aircraft, “which is why we are honored to present Centennial College with this CRJ200 aircraft. This donation represents not only an opportunity for the Toronto aerospace sector to grow but rather for the whole of Canadian Aerospace, which will surely benefit from it today. We are at a crucial moment in Canada where the aerospace industry is building up steady growth and the demand for skilled workers is also rising. At Bombardier, we want to do anything we can to help and improve present and future generations of aerospace workers in Canada.” Read more.

On April 15^th, Duncan Aviation announced that the Duncan Family Trust gifted $56,000 to Western Michigan University for the ongoing annual award of a Duncan Aviation Maintenance Scholarship. With this endowment gift, WMU will make available an annual scholarship of up to $2,500 for a student enrolled in the university’s four-year aviation maintenance program. In addition to receiving the scholarship, the chosen student will participate in a paid internship program at Duncan Aviation’s full-service Battle Creek, Michigan, Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) location. “Given the workforce issues that plague business and commercial aviation, we believe it is vital to maintain a strong relationship with Western Michigan University and its students,” says Andy Richards, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Duncan Aviation’s Michigan location. “We have had excellent luck in the past with this scholarship and decided it would make sense to set up the funds for a long-term endowed award program. We have long advised WMU on curriculum development and many graduates of their program have become excellent Duncan Aviation team members.” Read more. 

California business aviation hub Van Nuys Airport has completed the first phase of a $26.3 million, nine-step rehabilitation project on Taxiway B. The work at the Los Angeles-area gateway included a full-depth restoration of the north end of the taxiway, along with enhanced markings, installation of embedded and elevated LED guard lights, a new blast fence east of Runway 16L, and upgraded signage.