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Volume 7
Issue 50
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.
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139 Fire Safety Training Online
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We know the importance of quality Fire Safety Training which is why we spent hundreds of hours developing the very best online 139 course.
This training not only meets and exceeds the requirements of 14 CFR 139.321 but also allows you to interact with other students in a group learning environment, receive the very latest NFPA news, watch live training presentations and much more.
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Pre-Employment Screening Exam
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NATA is offering the first pre-employment screening exam specifically for line service technicians and FBO customer service specialists.
With predecessor exams already in use at more than 900 companies worldwide, NATA has adapted the most cost effective and revealing pre-employment testing and post employment testing available for FBO use.
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Auto Bailout Bill Fails In Senate; NATA Members Respond With Outpouring Of Phone Calls And Emails
Late last Thursday night, by a vote of 52-35, the U.S. Senate failed to invoke cloture on the auto bailout bill. This cloture vote means that the Senate failed to garner the necessary 60 votes to consider the auto bailout bill on the Floor of the U.S. Senate, thereby ceasing further consideration of the bill altogether.
Earlier that day, the association released an Action Call to its members asking them to contact their U.S. Senators and urge them to oppose the auto bailout bill because of the provision prohibiting major auto manufacturers from owning or leasing private aircraft. NATA members responded overwhelmingly with emails and phone calls to this Action Call through the night.
The association thanks its members for this overwhelming response as this legislation would have set a damaging precedent that would have detrimentally affected the thousands of small businesses in this country that provide air transportation using general aviation aircraft as well as the small businesses that support these types of operations.
NATA’s efforts were also picked up by a number of national and local media outlets including ABC News.
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NATA Sends Letter To Congress In Support Of Aviation Infrastructure Funding
Members Encouraged To Contact Congress In Support Of Aviation Infrastructure Funding
NATA President James K. Coyne sent a letter to Congressional leadership requesting support for aviation infrastructure funding in the next economic stimulus package. “The delay of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2007 has halted critical infrastructure projects which are essential to our airports’ ability to generate economic benefits and essential to safety and security at our nation’s airports,” Coyne wrote. According to the FAA, $600 million in aviation infrastructure projects within the in Airport Improvement Program alone would permit essential ready-to-go projects such as taxiway rehabilitation and widening, apron construction and rehabilitation, airport rescue and firefighting equipment and facilities, and public access roads to proceed without further delay.
The impact of inadequate infrastructure could prove more costly than investment in infrastructure. A significant increase in air traffic congestion is one factor felt by most of the traveling public. In 2007, 1.8 million flights were delayed, the highest number reported by the Department of Transportation. If infrastructure improvements aren’t made by 2014, flight delays will increase by 62% and cost approximately $170 billion.
It is important that NATA members reach out to their Members of Congress in support of aviation infrastructure funding. To learn how, click here to view the Action Call.
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TSA Issues New Security Directive On Security Threat Assessment And Reporting Requirements Related To Individuals With Airport-Issued Identification Media
Last week, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) issued a new Security Directive requiring airport operators to perform “additional security measures prior to issuing airport identification media to the individuals who apply for or hold airport-issued identification media at U.S. airports.”
According to the TSA, “The airport operator must immediately pass the information and directives set forth in this SD to all stations affected. The airport operator must disseminate this information to senior management personnel, authorized airport operator representatives, and supervisory security personnel at affected locations. All airport operator personnel implementing this SD must be briefed by the airport operator on its content and the restrictions governing dissemination.”
NATA members with facilities at Part 1542 airports are strongly encouraged to contact their local airport and TSA officials to learn more about this new Security Directive.
For more information, please contact Eric R. Byer
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Garvey, Downey Leading Candidates for DOT Secretary Post
Former Transportation Deputy Secretary Mortimer Downey and former FAA Administrator Jane Garvey are considered frontrunners to be appointed by President-elect Barack Obama as the next transportation secretary. According to an article in last Friday’s Washington Post, other candidates under consideration include Steve Heminger, executive director of the Metropolitan Transportation Commission, which oversees transportation planning and financing in the nine-county San Francisco Bay area as well as former Dallas mayor Ron Kirk.
View the complete article
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FAA Advisory Circular Highlights Newly Released Winter Safety Guidance
On December 9, the FAA published Advisory Circular (AC) 150/5200-30C on Airport Winter Safety and Operations. This AC provides guidance to airport operators in developing a snow and ice control plan and establishing snow removal procedures.
The FAA AC contains guidance on developing plans, methods and procedures for snow and ice removal, materials and equipment. The guidance offered is acceptable to the Administrator in accordance with Title 14, CFR, Part 139, Certification of Airports, Section 139.313, on Snow and Ice Control. Effective immediately, certificated airports are required to follow the requirements of paragraphs 5-6 and 5-7 contained within this AC.
All certificated airports must submit revised Snow and Ice Control Plans to the FAA no later than April 30, 2009, for approval. At that time, certificated airports will also be required to comply with the remaining portions of this AC. This AC offers best practices guidance for non-certificated airports.
Download AC 150/5200-30C
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Port Authority Successful In Bid To Stop Slot Auctions
Following an FAA decision to move forward with the auctioning off of slots at metropolitan New York airports, despite a Congressional report stating such auctions were not within the agency’s legal authority, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PANYNJ) filed for an injunction to stop the auction.
Last week, a U.S. Court of Appeals judge granted a stay in the matter preventing the FAA from conducting the auction. The temporary stay prevents the FAA from auctioning slots at JFK, EWR and LGA airports until the court makes a final ruling in the case.
In a press release, the PANYNJ stated, “"The Port Authority applauds today's decision halting the Bush Administration's 11th-hour plan to auction existing landing and take-off slots at the New York metropolitan airports to the highest bidder, which would invariably drive up ticket prices for passengers for the same service without alleviating delays. We are confident that upon full review, the court will agree that the Administration does not have the authority to conduct an auction, and we look forward to working with the next Administration to develop real, long-term solutions to improve air travel."
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NATA Weekly Survey
NATA recently launched a new weekly survey as part of an effort to obtain more information from our members in order to serve their daily needs better. These surveys will range from specific policy topics to programs and products and services that the association provides or should provide. The association strongly encourages members to take a few short moments to review and complete this online survey in each week’s edition of NATA News.
Week #3:
Do you believe that the federal government is a friend or foe of aviation service-providing businesses like your company?
a. Friend
b. Foe
c. Not sure
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Aviation's Effect On The Environment - Did You Know?
NATA’s quick facts on the aviation industry's effect on the environment are designed to ensure that members take every step necessary to minimize the effect aviation has on the environment while recognizing all those good initiatives the industry has taken to reduce global warming.
Fact #37:
President-elect Barack Obama is slated to announce a number of key policy advisors to lead his environmental efforts in the next administration. According to The Washington Post, former EPA Administrator Carol M. Browner will head a new position with oversight over energy, environment and climate change policies. Lisa Jackson, the current head of the New Jersey Environmental Protection Agency, will be nominated as the next U.S. EPA Administrator. And finally, Nancy Sutley, deputy mayor of the city of Los Angeles, will chair the White House Council on Environmental Quality.
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