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NATA is the National Air Transportation Association
Founded in 1940, NATA aggressively promotes safety and the success of aviation service businesses through its advocacy efforts before government, the media and the public as well as by providing valuable programs and forums to further its members’ prosperity. |
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Professional Line Service Training |
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PLST Online provides the most up-to-date training available for line service specialists – 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Line service supervisors can conduct the new PLST Online training anytime and from anywhere there is access to the Web. continued |
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| NATA Members Meet With Key Congressional Leaders During Annual "Day On The Hill" |
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| NATA held its 14th annual Day on the Hill event last month, in which nearly 100 association members met with their Members of Congress and their legislative staff to discuss specific policy items related to aviation. NATA members participating in this year's event met with their district representatives, many of them serving on important committees to aviation such as the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, the Committee on Homeland Security, and the Committee on Appropriations, among others.
These meetings enabled the association's members to discuss with their Members of Congress issues critical to the future success of their businesses and, ultimately, to the economy of the country. Specific topics that were discussed included general aviation's economic impact on each of the 50 states, general aviation's role in Haiti relief efforts, FAA Reauthorization legislation, security directives at airports, General Aviation Jobs Act, and environmental policy.
To view NATA's Policy Priorities, please click here.
Addressing association members prior to Day on the Hill, NATA President James K. Coyne stated, "I can't stress enough the immense value our members contribute when they personally deliver their message to Congress. I challenge them to continue communications throughout the year to develop a firm relationship with their representative and thus a solid foundation for our industry." | |
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| Excellence Awards Presented At U.S. Chamber Of Commerce |
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Nearly 100 Day on the Hill event attendees toasted the industry's finest at NATA's annual Industry Excellence Awards dinner and presentation last Wednesday. Click here to view a press release of the winners, including top honors recipients The Honorable Jerry Costello (D-IL), chairman of the U.S. House of Representatives Subcommittee on Aviation, and Gary Driggers, retired senior vice president of Midcoast Aviation. U.S. Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Thomas J. Donohue was host and guest speaker for this dinner. In his speech, Donohue reiterated the importance of events such as the Day on the Hill in getting one's message across to Congress. He said that it is vitally important that you meet face-to-face with your Members of Congress and explain to them how they are helping or hurting your business.
"The U.S. Chamber of Commerce was a magnificent setting for this year's awards ceremony honoring the elite of our industry," Coyne concluded. "We plan to make DC landmarks and luminaries such as Thomas Donohue part of our awards ceremony for years to come."
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| EPA Issues ANPRM On Lead In Aviation Gasoline |
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Last month, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released an Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPRM) on lead in aviation gasoline. This ANPRM is the agency's first step in investigating the necessity of regulations for lead emissions from general aviation.
Through the 1970s, 80s and 90s, the majority of lead emissions in the U.S. were curbed through EPA regulations. Currently, lead emissions from general aviation aircraft constitute almost 50% of the total lead emissions and are the sole remaining mobile source. In the ANPRM, the EPA recognized the complexity involved in identifying and safely transitioning to a lead-free gasoline, stating, "Converting in-use aircraft/engines to operate on unleaded aviation gasoline would be a significant logistical challenge, and in some cases a technical challenge as well."
In response to the issuance of the ANPRM, NATA, in partnership with other industry stakeholders, issued a press release describing the industry's cooperative efforts on this issue. The press release stated:
"[Industry stakeholders] have devoted more than 20 years of research and development to identifying a viable alternative to the 100 "low lead" avgas formulation used today by most piston-powered aircraft. The industry stakeholders look forward to continuing their work with the EPA and the FAA on establishing a realistic standard to reduce lead emissions from GA aircraft along a transition timeline which balances environmental benefit with aviation safety, technical feasibility and economic impact upon the GA industry."
The full press release is available to read here.
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| Coyne Highlights Turnaround In Industry During Member Visits; Talks With Two Key Governors |
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| NATA President James K. Coyne spent last month crossing the country and meeting with key state executives as well as a number of association members. Coyne first visited with Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell and highlighted the importance of general aviation to his state and the many small businesses that support this segment of the aviation industry. Coyne then traveled to Wichita, KS, where he provided the keynote address for the Wichita Aero Club luncheon and discussed some of the indicators that he is seeing from around the country that an economic turnaround is now underway.
Coyne then met with Aircraft Electronics Association President Paula Derks in Independence, MO, to visit their new company headquarters. Coyne wrapped up his trip with visits to Lincoln, NE, and Cleveland, OH. In Lincoln, Coyne participated at a town hall meeting sponsored by Duncan Aviation, as well as meeting Nebraska Governor Dave Heineman. In Cleveland, OH, Coyne met with incoming NATA Chairman Jim Miller from Flight Options.
Media Coverage from Wichita, KS visit:
http://www.kwch.com/Global/story.asp?S=12227078
http://www.kansas.com/2010/03/31/1248679/aviation-chief-sees-signs-of-recovery.html
Media Coverage from Lincoln, NE visit:
http://www.journalstar.com/business/local/article_7b521ecc-3d10-11df-b50b-001cc4c03286.html
http://www.1011now.com/home/headlines/89657932.html
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| Washington State Lawmakers Drop Aircraft Excise Tax Proposal |
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| The Washington State House of Representatives voted on April 11, 2010, to approve a tax revenue bill - without the aircraft excise tax increase that legislators had earlier insisted be included in the bill. Lawmakers had proposed a 0.5 percent annual excise tax on aircraft based in the state. Aviation industry groups all worked hard and on the grassroots level in opposition to the tax proposal. NATA thanks the National Business Aviation Association and the Aircraft Owner and Pilots Association for their efforts in ensuring this tax proposal's defeat.
General aviation provides approximately $3.1 billion to the State of Washington's economy each year and supports over 7,600 jobs. | |
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| NATA Appears At The Aviation Technicians Advisory Council 50th Annual Conference |
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Last month, NATA Director of Regulatory Affairs Michael France appeared at the Aviation Technicians Education Council's (ATEC) 50th Annual Conference in Mesa, AZ, to provide the group with an update on NFPA 409 and its effect on ATEC member schools. ATEC is a member organization consisting of FAA-approved Part 147 aviation maintenance technician schools, government representatives and other aviation industry professionals. ATEC's mission is "To advocate for aviation maintenance schools in the areas of curriculum improvement, technical and financial support, while promoting mutually beneficial relations with related government and industry groups."
France provided an in-depth presentation on the history, current effects and future of NFPA 409. NFPA 409 is the Standard on Aircraft Hangars and is produced by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). During his presentation, France addressed the effects changes in NFPA 409 and local fire codes could have on the development and renovation of aviation facilities as well as the necessity to incorporate changes in fire codes into the long-term business planning process.
Last year, NATA lead an industry effort to oppose changes in NFPA 409 that would have required, for the first time, that automatic sprinkler systems be installed in all new aircraft hangars under 12,000 square feet in size. During this process, France was nominated and accepted onto the NFPA committee that oversees the revision process of NFPA 409 and is currently the only general aviation representative on that committee. The proposal to require sprinkler systems in small hangars was defeated late last year, and the new revision of NFPA 409 is expected later this year.
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| NATA Joins Industry Letter In Support Of Contract Tower Program |
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The aviation industry sent a letter to the chairman of the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Appropriations supporting $125.3 million in funding for the FAA Contract Tower Program, including an additional funding of $10 million for the continuation of the contract tower cost-sharing program. This funding will ensure the continuation of the safety program and allow non-towered airports to receive the vital safety benefits of a control tower.
To view the entire letter, please click here.
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| NATA Helps Promote GA During NCSL Spring Forum |
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Recently, NATA along with the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, National Business Aviation Association, General Aviation Manufacturers Association and National Association of State Aviation Officials hosted a reception for state policymakers from all 50 states. State lawmakers were in Washington, D.C. for the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) spring forum. The April 8th event showcased the importance of general aviation and included a flight simulator provided by Red Bird Simulators for attendees to experience flight simulation at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.
The NCSL is a bipartisan organization serving the legislators and staff in all 50 states. This year during the spring forum, the NCSL provided research, technical assistance and opportunities for policymakers to exchange ideas on the most pressing state issues.
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| VA Airport Moves Toward Profitability Due To Elimination Of Personal Property Tax On Aircraft |
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Over the past year, hangar rentals have doubled at the Stafford County Airport, Stafford, Virginia. Only three empty hangars remain of the 40 hangars on airport property. Stafford County Airport Manager Ed Wallis attributes the turnaround to the board of supervisors, who voted last year to eliminate the personal property tax on aircraft. Each year, the three member localities - Fredericksburg, Stafford County and Prince William County- have shared a pro-rated burden of the airport's operating costs. Stafford paid $114,285 this fiscal year, but will be asked to pay only $85,214 in the coming fiscal year.
During a board of supervisors budget work session last week, Airport Authority Chairman Hank Scharpenberg said the airport will decrease the operating subsidy it needs from its three supporting localities.
"I'm ecstatic," Wallis said. "We're headed toward self-sufficiency."
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| Daniel B. Gurley Appointed NATA Director Of Membership And Business Development |
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| As one of the newest staff members of the NATA, Director of Membership and Business Development Daniel B. Gurley, III is working to bring additional value to the NATA membership.
Prior to joining NATA, Gurley was the director of membership and meetings for the National Association of RV Parks & Campgrounds. There, he was responsible for membership recruitment/retention, affinity programs and meeting production.
Previously, Gurley was the manager of legislative and regulatory affairs for the American Orthotic & Prosthetic Association (AOPA) where he worked on federal compliance issues. Before AOPA, he was the senior research manager at United BioSource supporting the pharmaceutical industry and various medical trade associations.
Gurley holds a Masters in Public Administration in addition to his Bachelors in Industrial/Organizational Psychology from Appalachian State University in Boone, North Carolina. He has authored several articles and presented to groups that included governors and legislators.
"We are pleased to announce the addition of Daniel to the NATA staff," said NATA CFO Timothy J. Heck. "His broad experience with membership, meetings and public administration is a real asset to our membership. Daniel's primary focus is our members - speaking with them, determining their needs and helping to develop products and services to further their prosperity." | |
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| LSST Features ServiceElements' Dr. Martinez On Customer Service |
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Come build career knowledge, confidence and success with NATA's Line Service Supervisor Training (LSST) Seminar in Windsor Locks. The LSST contains the most comprehensive technical line service and supervisory skills training in one place, at one time. This course also satisfies 14 CFR Part 139 Section 321 for fire safety training certification, an FAA requirement of line service supervisors to be completed every 24 calendar months.
This seminar also features several engaging speakers including Dr. Mario Martinez from ServiceElements. Dr. Martinez energizes LSST participants to problem solve together and come up with winning manager styles while challenging the group to START doing something new and STOP doing something they know they must.
More About Mario Martinez, PhD
 Mario Martinez, PhD is a senior curriculum development analyst and facilitator for ServiceElements. He has worked as a professional speaker since 1997 delivering seminars in management, leadership, and various topics related to human and organizational dynamics. He also teaches graduate courses in the Higher Education Leadership program at the University of Nevada Las Vegas and has taught in the MBA program at San Diego State University. Dr. Martinez has published several academic, professional and trade books including "Building a Customer Service Culture: The Seven ServiceElements to Success." Prior to embarking on his speaking and writing career, Mario was a financial analyst for Hewlett Packard Corporation and later a strategy analyst in the Governor's Office in the state of Arizona.
Links to articles by Dr. Martinez:
The Reality of Service Culture
What's Your Value Proposition?
LSST Seminar Benefits:
- Discover your strengths and weaknesses through self-assessments
- Learn to promote safety and synergy through teamwork
- Instill a culture based on trust, partnership and respect
- Analyze the technical information crucial to performing your job
- Make your FBO more efficient by learning how to engage and motivate your staff
Click here for more details and to register for NATA's Line Service Supervisor Training Seminar in Windsor Locks, CT.
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