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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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| Update on California’s Regulation of Flight Schools |
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Assembly Bill 1140 (AB 1140), NATA’s sponsored legislation to provided relief to the flight training industry, was heard in the California State Senate Business and Professions Committee last week. The committee amended the bill, reducing the delay in compliance provided to flight training facilities from 18 months to 12 months and then passed the bill by a vote of 6 to 1.
AB 1140 was then scheduled to be heard in the Senate Appropriations Committee later in the week. However, the Business and Professions Committee did not deliver the bill to the Appropriations committee in time for it to be heard. NATA will be working this week to get AB 1140 either heard in the Appropriations committee or passed directly to the Senate floor for consideration. | |
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| NATA Reacts To Crash That Claimed Former Senator Ted Stevens And Others |
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On August 9, 2010, a DeHavilland DHC-3T carrying nine people crashed near Dillingham, Alaska, killing former Alaska Senator Theodore “Ted” Stevens and four other people on board and injuring four others, the National Transportation Safety Board reported. Former National Aeronautics and Space Administration Administrator Sean O'Keefe was also on board the aircraft but survived along with his son, Kevin, of Ashburn, VA; William "Willy" Phillips Jr., 13, of Germantown; and Jim Morhard, 53, of Arlington. William "Bill" Phillips Sr., 56, a prominent Washington lobbyist and father of the injured boy, died in the crash. The survivors suffered through the night awaiting rescue after the plane crashed into a remote hillside in the rain as the party was returning from a salmon-fishing trip.
To view NATA’s press release, please click here. | |
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| TFR Announced For Martha’s Vineyard |
| Restrictions in Place August 19-29 |
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In anticipation of a presidential vacation, the FAA has published a Flight Advisory announcing restrictions at and around Martha’s Vineyard airport (MVY) from August 19 through August 29.
Although the exact times of the restrictions are not yet set, the restrictions and procedures for conducting operations in the effected area are explained in the Flight Advisory.
The temporary flight restrictions (TFR) will consist of an inner 10 NM ring and an outer 30 NM ring surrounding Martha’s Vineyard island.
Most arrivals and departures at MVY will be permitted, subject to special security procedures.
Operators Of On-Demand Charter Flights And Personal Flights Must:
- Apply for and obtain a waiver from https://waiver.c3.faa.gov/
- Pass through a gateway airport prior to flight to MVY
- Aircraft and passengers will be screened at the gateway airport for MVY arrivals and at MVY for departures from Martha’s Vineyard.
- Operators must register for gateway access or MVY departure screening at least 72 hours in advance.
Gateway Airports Are:
- Westchester (KHPN)
- Barnstable (KHYA)
- Green State (KPVD)
The Transportation Security Administration screening hours are 6:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. (local time) daily at each gateway airport and KMVY.
Operations in the outer ring of the TFR are limited to aircraft arriving and departing local airports.
Operators must regularly check NOTAMS to determine actual hours the TFR will be in effect and to ensure the most current procedures are followed.
Click here to download the Flight Advisory. | |
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| NATA President Asks FAA Administrator To Address Aircraft Navigational Database Update Issue |
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In a letter to FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt last week, NATA President James K. Coyne asked that the FAA address the issue of aircraft navigational databases updates. Under current regulations, navigational database updates are classified as preventative maintenance. This classification allows pilots operating under Part 91 to perform the updates but requires that Part 135 on-demand air charter operators utilize maintenance personnel to perform the updates. These regulations were originally promulgated at a time when database updates required more technical skill, often involving the removal of the unit from the aircraft. Modern navigational database units no longer require this type of activity during the update process; rather, they can be updated utilizing a data card or other type of update device.
The requirement to utilize maintenance personnel to update a modern navigational database creates a hardship on air carriers and fractional operators as the aircraft must be positioned to a location where the appropriate certified maintenance technician is available and the aircraft must be removed from service.
In his letter, Coyne states:
“NATA believes that this issue deserves an expeditious review by the agency and the commencement of rulemaking to reclassify the updating of modern navigational databases so it may be done by Part 135 flight crews under certain circumstances. Part 135 air carriers using aircraft with today’s modern equipment installed could establish a comprehensive pilot training program and recordkeeping protocol that would permit pilots to accomplish this simple task while maintaining an equivalent level of safety and reduce the considerable economic burden on our nation’s operators. The rule as it stands not only fails to be in the public interest, it also fails to provide protection from unnecessary financial and physical hazards.”
Coyne’s letter to Administrator Babbitt is available here. | |
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| Have You Completed Your FAA GA And 135 Activity Survey? |
| Those contacted need to complete survey before August 31! |
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Your help is needed to provide accurate information on aviation activity and aviation safety. The 32nd annual General Aviation and Part 135 Activity Survey (GA Survey) for reporting on calendar year 2009 is underway. The FAA’s annual GA Survey is the only source of information on the size and makeup of the general aviation and Part 135 fleets, the number of hours flown, and the reasons people fly. These data help to determine funding for infrastructure and service needs, assess the impact of regulatory changes, and measure aviation safety. The GA Survey is also used to prepare safety statistics and calculate the rate of accidents among general aviation aircraft.
If you received a postcard invitation or survey by mail, please complete the survey today. You can complete the survey online at www.aviationsurvey.org (use aircraft N-Number to login) or you may respond by mail — a survey form was mailed to you on July 23 along with a postage-paid envelope. If you have already completed this year’s survey online, thank you! Your help is appreciated.
Remember to complete your survey before August 31!
Why is your participation important?
- Your participation is needed so accurate estimates of aviation safety are prepared. Data from this survey is used to calculate fatal accident rates for general aviation and Part 135 aircraft.
- We need to hear from everyone! Please respond, even if you did not fly your aircraft during 2009, you sold it, or the plane was damaged.
- Your responses are completely confidential. PA Consulting Group is an independent research firm that conducts the GA Survey on behalf of the FAA. The information provided will be used only for statistical purposes and will not be published or released in any form that would reveal specific information reported by an individually identifiable respondent.
- An abbreviated survey form is available for owners of multiple aircraft. Your time is valuable, so if you own three or more aircraft and received several survey forms, please contact PA Consulting Group.
Questions? Lost the survey form? Own three or more aircraft? Please contact PA Consulting Group toll-free at 1-800-826-1797 or email mandy.pom@paconsulting.com. Thank you!
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| FAA Explains “Line Up And Wait” |
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The FAA has published an Information For Operators document (InFO 10014) giving further details on the change in standard phraseology from “Taxi Into Position and Hold” (TIPH) to “Line Up and Wait” (LUAW).
Beginning on September 30, 2010, ATC will begin issuing LUAW clearances to aircraft to indicate the pilot should taxi onto the runway and await takeoff clearance.
LUAW is the standard language for a taxi-and-hold-for-takeoff clearance internationally.
The FAA reminds all operators of aircraft and airport service providers to ensure personnel are properly briefed on the change in phraseology.
View FAA InFO 10014.
View FAA InFO 10014SUP, which provides supplemental information. | |
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| NTSB Wants All Children Separately Secured In Aircraft |
| Recommendation Would End Ability To Have “Lap Held Infants” |
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Last week, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) issued recommendations to require all children to be restrained in aircraft. As early as 1990, the NTSB asked the FAA to require children under the age of two to be restrained in a separate seat by an appropriate child safety device.
Currently, operating regulations permit parents to hold children under two in their lap. The FAA has historically opposed eliminating the lap-held infant authority, believing that, at least in the case of scheduled airlines, passengers would choose to drive rather than fly. The FAA contends that more lives would be lost in highway accidents involving those diverting from air travel than in aviation accidents. The NTSB strongly disputes the FAA position.
Under the new recommendations, the FAA is asked to:
- For Part 91, require separate seats for each occupant and require children under age two to be secured in an appropriate child restraint system.
- For Parts 121 & 135, require children under age two to be secured in an appropriate child restraint system.
Click here to read the complete NTSB safety recommendation letter. | |
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| Announcing NATA’s Third Quarter ABJ Issue |
| Coming Soon - To A Mailbox Near You |
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Take a look at NATA’s third quarter issue of the Aviation Business Journal (ABJ).
In this issue:
- Member profile: Airport Terminal Services
- 2010 NATA Air Charter Summit Recap
- Exclusive Interview with Bruce Jenner: Winning and Aviation Are in His Blood
- The Broker Issue
- What You Need to Know About Environmental Policy
- DCA-Your Competition is Practicing; Are You?
Click here to view a pdf of this issue and watch your mailbox for the print edition. | |
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| NATA Members Can Now Save On Uniform Services |
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NATA is pleased to announce a new program with ARAMARK Uniform Services to provide association members access to a discounted uniform rental and leasing solution. This money- and time-saving membership benefit was recently negotiated to provide added value to your membership.
ARAMARK Uniform Services is America’s leading supplier of rugged work wear, uniforms, outerwear, safety apparel and anything else you need to outfit your workers for America’s toughest jobs. Their state-of-the-art facilities let you personalize your work wear for a professional brand image. ARAMARK is also a single-source provider of flame-resistant apparel and arc flash protective equipment.
NATA members may now take advantage of these valuable and convenient savings:
- 20% off rental and lease uniform rates
- 20% off facility services (mats, towels, mops, restroom supplies, etc.)
To learn more about ARAMARK and the products and services that are available, please click here to log in and visit the Member Resource area of www.nata.aero. | |
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| Last LSST and FBO Success Seminars of 2010 |
| Ft. Lauderdale in October |
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FBO Success Seminar Series
The October 5-7 FBO Success Seminar in Ft. Lauderdale will help you discover leading, cutting-edge business strategies for maximizing profits at your FBO. It will help you with almost every conceivable situation in the day-to-day business of running a successful FBO, from developing a favorable lease with an airport authority to understanding and working with your fuel supplier; from decreasing credit card interest rate charges to lowering insurance premiums; and from dealing with FAA and Environmental Protection Agency issues to building long-term profitable customer relationships.
Topics Include:
- A Strategic Overview Of FBO Success
- Operating Your FBO Business In Good And Tough Times
- Decrease Credit Card Interest Rates And Lower Insurance Premiums
- Winning With Third-Party Fuel Providers
- Stay On Time And Within Budget On Building Projects
- Developing A Favorable Lease With Your Airport Authority And Positioning For Merger, Sale, Or Acquisition
- Optimize Operations And Prepare For Contingencies
- Selecting And Developing Top Employees
- Make Fractional Aircraft Programs Your Ally
- Round Table Discussion: FBO Opportunities Or Threats And What To Do
- Building Long-Term Profitable Customer Relationships
- Making The Customer Your Best Friend
- Marketing And Communications For Any Size FBO
- Strengthen Your Fuel Supplier Relationship
Don’t miss your last chance this year to join others to make your FBO more successful. Click here to register for the October 5-7 FBO Success Seminar in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.
Line Service Supervisor Training Seminar
The Line Service Supervisor Training Seminar October 6-7 in Ft. Lauderdale will round out the 2010 LSST seminar schedule. Don’t miss the chance to become more proficient in strategic planning, supervising staff, motivating others, communicating and coaching a team as well as to complete FAA-required 14 CFR 139.321 Fire Safety Training before the end of the year. This high-impact, high-energy seminar includes guided group debates, interactive discussions and various case studies designed to take you to a new level of leadership.
Don’t miss the final LSST Seminar in 2010. Click here to register today for the October 6-7 seminar in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. | |
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| Learn At Your Leisure |
| Archived E-Learn Webinars Available For Purchase |
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| Aviation Fuel Quality Control Fact Of The Month |
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One of the most interesting pieces of technology involved in aviation fuel quality control systems is the separator element utilized in the filter/separator vessel. The purpose of the separator element is to block the passage of free water through the vessel while allowing fuel to pass. The separator element is basically a fine mesh screen coated with a Teflon-like material that is wrapped around a cylindrical frame. The coated mesh screen does not allow water to pass through due to its high level of surface tension (the property that causes water to “bead up”). Aviation fuel, with its much lower level of surface tension, passes freely through the screen.
One common misconception regarding separator elements is that they must be changed yearly when the filter/coalescer element must be changed. Most models of separator elements produced by the major manufactures are able to remain in service as long as they pass a yearly inspection and test that can easily be performed by the technician replacing the filter/coalesce element. The inspection/test usually involves visually inspecting the separator screen for tears and testing the screen to ensure that it is still repelling water (detailed manufactures instruction should be followed for this process).
Certain substances, such as surfactants or the natural oils found on skin, can attach to the screen of a separator and destroy its ability to repel water. For this reason, extreme care should always be exercised when handling separator elements, such as never touching the screen with your fingers, to ensure that the element can continue to function properly. | |
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| NATA Media Gallery |
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In a continuing effort to provide members with the quality Web site content that they are looking for, NATA is pleased to announce the development of our Media Gallery. Located at the bottom of the www.nata.aero homepage, the Media Gallery provides one central location for event and location photos, audio and video presentations, and webinar recordings from event preview webinars and NATA’s free webinar series. The gallery can also be accessed at www.nata.aero/media.aspx.
New features will be added in the future, including one that will allow NATA members to post photos and video. If you currently have photos of industry events or individuals that you would like considered for inclusion in the gallery, please email Linda Pylant at lpylant@nata.aero. | |
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